Starside's Comet
Newsletter Communication for April 16, 2021
Starside Elementary
Our Starside Mission:
Through a collaborative learning community we will build a foundation upon which all students can develop essential academic and life skills.
Click HERE to visit our school website!
Email: SE@usd232.org
Website: se.usd232.org
Location: 35400 W 91st St, De Soto, KS, United States
Phone: 913-667-6270
Facebook: facebook.com/StarsideComets
Twitter: @StarsideComets
PTA
Spring Walk-A-Thon
Our annual Walk-A-Thon (WAT) is Starside PTA’s largest fundraiser of the year. Due to the
COVID-19 pandemic, we were unable to host our WAT in the fall of 2020. Knowing more now about how to hold this event and still follow district safety guidelines, we are excited to host a Spring WAT as a celebration for our staff and students!
We reached out to our community partners and many of them accepted the challenge by agreeing to support Starside with generous donations to cover the 20-21 and 21-22 school year! Starside Elementary students, staff, and families are very grateful for their support!
If your family wants to donate toward our Spring WAT, we would greatly appreciate it (the donation link is on the front side of this flyer). With your help and our community partners, we will ensure our budget supports students in the 21-22 school year!
If you have any questions about the event or donating, please reach out to the Starside PTA at
With Special Thanks to our Corporate Donors!
Can You Guess What's Back?
Sharpen The Saw Family Night is returning to Starside!
Thursday, May 13 from 5:30-7 PM
Chris Cakes will be here!
Kids eat FREE!
More information will be coming at the end of April!
Starside Fundraiser
Each class that turns in 10 or more orders will earn a popsicle party and the single class with the highest total sales will earn a gift basket full of local products for their teacher! All orders are due by Tuesday, April 27th!
PTA School Supplies for 21-22
Starside's Virtual Variety Show
Variety Show Important Dates!
Monday, April 19: Submit video recording to Mrs. Mispagel or Mr. Jennings
Friday, May 28: Starside Virtual Variety Show will be shared with families
Save the Date
APRIL
Friday, April 23 - Walk-A-Thon
Tuesday, April 27 - Starside Fundraiser ends
Friday, April 30 - No School for students; Teacher PD Day
Monday, May 3 - No School - District Buildings closed
Friday, May 7 - Comets Care Day
Thursday, May 13 - Sharpen The Saw Family Night
Wednesday, May 19 - 5th Grade Farewell
Friday, May 21 - Field Day, K-5
Thursday, May 27 - Last day of school for HOC
Friday, May 28 - Last day of school for SE
Friday, May 28 - Half Day Dismissal @ 12:10
Counselor's Corner
Comets Care Day, Friday, May 7, 2021
REPEATED INFORMATION
Nurse Tara's Health Notes
Nominate a Deserving Starside Staff Member for April!
USD 232 and the USD 232 Education Foundation present the Making a Difference Award!
Nominations are due April 30, 2021! The recipients will be recognized in May.
This award is designed to honor and recognize those staff members who go above and beyond, exceeding expectations, to make a difference for the students, families, and other employees in our district.
Award Criteria
• Anyone (staff, parents, students, etc.) can nominate any USD 232 employee (Previous Making A Difference Winners ineligible)
• Nominations are due by the last Wednesday of each month
• Recognitions will be given monthly throughout the school year
• Each recipient of this award will be presented a check for $250 along with a special trophy designed and manufactured by our high school students
New! Parent/Guardian Procedures for 20-21
Attendance
Starside will be taking regular attendance. The Attendance Secretary calls families to check on students who have not notified the school of an absence.
OPTIONAL REMOTE parents need to report absences for any Zooms students will miss.
ON-SITE parents need to report absences:
- Any time your student is supposed to be at school.
- If your student is ill, PLEASE include all symptoms & if diagnosed with Flu, Strep, or Covid.
Lunches
You may not bring outside food into your child nor join him/her for lunch.
If your child forgets his/her lunch, he/she may get a free school lunch or you may bring a lunchbox with your students' name on it and drop it off at the school by ringing the doorbell to notify the office of the delivery and drop it off on the table in the foyer.
Visitors/Parent Volunteers
At this time, we will not be able to have visitors or parent volunteers. We miss you and look forward to seeing you soon. You may bring a forgotten item; however, you will not be allowed to enter past the foyer. Please ring the bell and we will let you in. Place the item, marked with your child's name on it, on the table in the foyer and we will get the item to your child.
Dropping off your child after the start of school:
- Submit the absence online or call/email the office to notify the school that your child will be late. Please let us know the reason for the tardy (appointment, headache, or just running late).
- You DO need to safely escort your elementary-aged child to the front door. Ring the bell and we will let only your child inside.
- If we have not heard from a parent/guardian the tardy will be marked as unexcused, so please do not forget to notify the office of the reason for the tardy.
Checking your child out of school early:
- Please call or email to notify the office and teacher ahead of time.
- Have an ID ready to show when picking up your child.
- Press the bell, show your ID, and let us know who you are checking out.
- We will let you inside where you may wait for your child in the foyer.
- We will locate your child and send him/her to you in the foyer.
We sincerely appreciate your patience and support during this time. If you have any questions, please call 913-667-6270 and we will be happy to assist you in any way we can!
Sending Treats to School
Technology Corner
Parents: Do you ever wonder what your child searches for on their school device?
Do you ever wonder what websites your child most often visits?
Do you ever wonder how much time your child spends on their device while at school?If you answered 'YES' to any of these questions, you are strongly encouraged to check out the Securly Home App! Securly is a free web-monitoring platform available to all USD 232 families.
See your child’s online activity in real-time and catch up with weekly email snapshots!
For more information and to learn how to install the app, click HERE.
USD 232 Lost/Damaged Technology Policy
The following cost structure will apply when iPads are sent home with elementary students. If damage or loss occurs due to intentional acts or as the result of negligence in handling the device:
-1st Incident: No Fee;
-2nd Incident: $25.00;
-3rd Incident: $50.00 and
-4th and Subsequent Incidents: Actual cost of repair/replacement
The repair cost structure will reset annually for elementary students. In the event a device is stolen, a police report must be filed with local law enforcement and a copy of the report submitted to the school administration to prevent being charged the replacement cost of the device.
Accessories and parts that do not carry a warranty are charged at actual replacement cost.
Replacement cost for lost crayon (digital pencil for iPad):
-1st Incident: $25.00
-2nd and Subsequent Incidents: $50.00 (full replacement cost)
Replacement cost for lost/damaged charger:
-1st Incident: $11:00
-2nd and Subsequent Incidents: $22.00 (full replacement cost)
Technology Help Desk
Please remember that the fastest way to start getting a solution to any technical issues is to contact our help desk. This is also available to all students.
Technology Help Desk
Get help with district technology
Students and Parents: You can reach our Help Desk by calling 816-382-4840.
Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
LIKE the Starside Facebook page!
Contacts: Front Office
Be sure to add SE@usd232.org to your contacts list so we don't end up in your spam folder!