Anderson Elementary Newsletter
August 30, 2019
Welcome to the 2019-2020 Academic Year!
It has been so nice seeing all the familiar smiles and having the opportunity to meet new faces! I am thankful each year that you choose Sarah J. Anderson. We love our students, families and staff!
We have many fun, educational and exciting activities planned throughout the year. Be sure to stay tuned for information on upcoming events.
This month we will have our first PTA meeting on September 12th at 6pm. I strongly encourage all who are able to attend. Our PTA supports many of our academic adventures throughout the year. Adventures that are made possible by your participation and support!
I would like to welcome and introduce our new staff members:
- Cameron Tesch – School Nurse
- Randi Decker – 1st grade
- Patricia Voeller – Learning Support
- Stephanie Colantino – Learning Support
- Jennifer Ploog – SLP
- Jill Williams – SLP
- Nadia Noid – OT
- Stephanie Rogers - PT
Thank you for being part of the Sarah J. Anderson community! I look forward to working with you! Best wishes for an engaging, educational and exciting year!
Katie Arkoosh, Principal
Go Home Procedures - End of Day Parent Pick Up
Our goal is to maintain a safe and orderly parent pick-up area. Your student’s safety is our number one priority. We continually work to improve our practice based on the needs of our students and families. I would like to update you regarding some of our changes:
1. There will be a yellow striped pathway for students to travel. We are adding the path to ensure that there is a clear line for students to travel from the building to the busses. Please leave this path clear so students can safely transition,
2. Parent Pick-Up students
- Each student designated for parent pick-up will receive two name cards color-coded for their grade.
- Please place the name card in your dash. This will allow us to call for your student, so they will be ready for pick-up once you reach the roundabout.
- If you are parking – please bring your student’s name card with you. We will not release your student without the name card. IF you forget the name card, you will need to show proof of ID in the office before picking up your student.
3. All students will be exiting the building from the doors by the playgrounds. Students will no longer exit from the front doors. This will help our flow of traffic and reduce congestion.
How you can help make parent pick-up move more smoothly:
- Please remain with your car. It is a safety concern when we have unattended cars.
- Please park only in designated areas.
- Remind your students to listen for their names and to follow the adult directions.
- Remember your student’s name card.
- Follow all traffic laws.
- If someone else is picking up your child, be sure to give them the name card.
Thank you for your help and understanding. Please contact the office if you have questions.
Important Dates
- Monday, September 2nd – NO SCHOOL, Labor Day
- Monday, September 9th – Students Release at 2:10 pm
- Thursday, September 12th – PTA Meeting, 6-7 pm
- Monday, September 15th – Students Release at 2:10 pm
- Monday, September 23rd – Students Release at 2:10 pm
- Thursday, September 26th – Curriculum Night, 5-6:30 pm
- Friday, September 27th – PTA Family Movie Night
- Monday, September 30th – Students Release at 2:10 pm
- Wednesday, October 2nd – Picture Day for entire school
- Friday, October 11th – NOT SCHOOL, Teacher Inservice
Curriculum Night
Mark your calendars for Thursday, September 26th from 5:00 to 6:30 pm for our Curriculum Night. Curriculum Night provides an opportunity for you to come in and learn more about your child’s education at Sarah J. Anderson. We hope to see you there!
Student Transportation
- Kindergarten Parents - Please remember an adult must be at the bus stop to meet your child. If the designated person is not at the bus stop to meet the child, the driver will return the child to school. Remember this is for the safety of all of our youngest bus riders.
- Going Home Plan - If you need to change your student’s Go Home Plan please email the office at anderson@vansd.org before 1:00 pm each day. All changes to go home plans MUST be in in writing (email or note to the office)– no phone call changes will be accepted. Please do not only communicate with the teacher as there may be a sub, a FAB teacher or questions from the office and information can get lost.
- Morning Drop Off – Doors to the building don’t open, nor is there playground supervision, until 8:00 am on school days. Please do not drop any students off before 8:00 am. Thank you!
New School Walking Path Coming
Over the past three years, the PTA has been diligently raising money to build a walking path around our field. Last year the PTA was able to secure a grant from Nike that helped us reach our fundraising goal. The walking path will give our students another option during recess and will be especially helpful when the field is too muddy or the play structures are too slick. We had hoped to start construction over the summer but due to unforeseen delays, we were unable to begin.
We are very excited that construction of the Sarah J. Anderson walking path is anticipated to begin September 5th. The path will take 2 to 4 weeks to complete.
What this means for your students:
- The field will be closed for the duration of the construction.
- Students will still be able to access the play structures, black top, basketball, four square and wall ball. Our administration team and playground supervisors will be working hard provide safe and fun recesses for all students.
- Please remind your students to stay away from the construction site. It will be fenced and clearly marked.
Thank you for your patience. I am so excited that students, families and our community will be able to enjoy this path for years to come.
New Spirit Wear Days
Our School theme spirit wear days are:
- College wear Mondays
- NEU wear Fridays. Students can now wear their NEU gear and have it count toward Color Rush participation on the Fridays once we start those up
If Your Student is Absent
When your child is absent from school please let the school know. This helps with safety and accountability. Please call our attendance line at 360-313-1474, email anderson.attendance@vansd.org or through parent access by 9:00 a.m. Please leave a message including the date of the absence, student’s name, teacher’s name and reason for the absence. If your message is not received by 9:00 a.m. the school district’s automated calling system will call your home to report your child absent for the day.
Volunteering at Anderson
All volunteers (classroom, PTA, Field Trips, special events, etc.) are required to complete an application and be cleared prior to working at school with children. In order to be cleared as a volunteer go to www.vansd.org/volunteer. Washington residents must complete the online application. Oregon driver’s license holders can download the paper forms and submit to the school office, along with a valid Oregon Driver’s License and $10.00 (Oregon processing can take up to 10 weeks).
Visiting Anderson
Anyone wanting to go anywhere in the school building from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, must bring your Driver’s License or ID every time you visit the school. The first time you visit or volunteer the office staff will run your Driver’s License through the Raptor system. Each visit after that you will sign in at the Raptor Kiosk on the front desk (scan your ID first and follow the prompts) and a badge will be printed for you to wear for the time you are visiting or volunteering. You must use this process if you are walking your student to their classrooms at the start of the school day. Parents are not allowed back in classrooms after 9:00 am without first getting the teacher’s permission and having the teacher notify the office. For more information, click here: https://vansd.org/new-visitor-management-system/.
School Evacuation and Reunification Procedures
We take safety very seriously at SJA. In the event of an emergency we have command teams who will address student, building and staff needs. If we need to us a reunification process please be aware that students will be supervised either outside or inside depending on the emergency. A team of staff members will be assigned to documenting each student as he/she is reunited with their parent so we can account for everyone's safety. Also please note that if our school location is deemed unsafe we will transport students to one of the following locations: Gaiser Middle School, Columbia River High School or Clark County Amphitheater. Communication on a change of location will be given as soon as possible. Thank you in advance for your patience and support in the event of an emergency.
2019-2020 School Calendar
Title 1 Teacher Qualification Notice
https://vansd.org/wpdm-package/teacher-qualification-notice/?wpdmdl=35509
Statement of Non Discrimination
Anderson Elementary Contact Information
Attendance Call In - 360-313-1474
Fax - 360-313-1501
Email: Anderson@vansd.org
Website: anderson.vansd.org
Location: 2215 Northeast 104th Street, Vancouver, WA, USA
Phone: 360-313-1500