Message from the Principal
Dear Ryan Elementary Community,
We are very excited for back to school night on Wednesday, August 30th from 5:00-6:30 PM. Click here for the schedule. I look forward to meeting our Ryan parents and guardians.
This year we will begin each day with a simple morning announcement sharing the date, lunch and birthdays. Students will visit the office on their birthday for a 30 second dance party, birthday pencil and coupon for a free scoop of ice cream from Eats and Sweets (local Lafayette restaurant). On Wednesdays, students will watch a video announcement from Ryan staff members or the Rhino TV Episode for that month. Click here if you would like to see last week's announcements: August 23rd.
We had our first spirit assembly of the school year last Friday. Students and staff practiced the Rockin Rhino dance and sang our Rhino Promise Song. In addition, we celebrated our Assistant Principal, Mr. Chavez, for being the ultimate Rockin Rhino. He is very committed to this school and has persevered through all of the changes the past four years.
I am so impressed with the parent and family engagement at Ryan Elementary School. In addition to PTA, Parent Teacher Association, Ryan has an active School Accountability Committee (SAC). This committee focuses on the following:
* Learn more about our school goals and instructional strategies
* Follow our improvement efforts during the school year
* Review school data and survey results to determine priority areas
If you are interested in joining our School Accountability Committee, please contact our SAC Chair, Marissa Seuc-Hester at seuchester@gmail.com.
Reminder, we do not have school on Monday, September 4th. Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!
Go Rhinos!
Sincerely,
Stephanie Jackman
Principal
In this newsletter you will find details on the following:
- Back to School Night Information
- No School on Labor Day
- Student Council Information
- Student Device Guidelines
- Dental Screening Information
- Picture Day date
- Mini Poms Camp Details
- Attendance Announcement
- Counseling Corner
- Ryan School Hours
- Be a Good Neighbor
- Arrival & Dismissal Procedure
- Health room information
- Transportation Update
- Preschool Information
- PTA Updates
- BVSD Safety Reminders
- School Supplies Donation
- Message from Food Services
- BVSD Calendars Link
If you have an immediate need, please call the main office at 720.561.7000
Back to School Night
This night is intended for parents/guardians and it is highly encouraged that your students stay home (if possible for your family).
Please see this schedule for more information.
No School 9/4
Student Council Information
No Devices During School
These items should be kept at home or in a back pack during school hours.
If students need to contact a parent or are not feeling well, they can ask a teacher or come to the office.
Preventative Dental Services
This school year BVSD is partnering with Clinica Family Health to provide preventative dental services at our school. Dental services may include screenings, fluoride applications, sealants, and referrals for additional care not available at schools.
All students are eligible to participate. To receive these services for your child, please fill out the attached consent form and submit by 12/15/23. If you have questions regarding this school-based dental program, please contact:
Milagros Medina
Dental Operations Manager, Clinica Family Health
303-650-4460, ext 6803
Individual Picture Day
Ordering information will be coming soon
Mini Poms Camp at Centaurus!
Attendance Annoucement
Good habits start early! Research shows regular attendance at school has a DRAMATIC impact on student progress. Please see the How Sick Is To Sick guidelines as well as the BVSD attendance policy.
To report your child's absences, please enter it through your Parent Portal or call the Attendance Line 720.561.7002.
We understand sometimes our students need to be out for an extended period of time. We ask, if you know your child will be out for more than 3 days, to please fill out this form in addition to reporting the absence throught the portal or attendance line.
Ryan School Hours
2023-24 Ryan Elementary School Hours for K-5th
Beginning in August 2021, BVSD moved to a new daily schedule. All elementary schools now have a seven-hour school day four days a week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) with the same start and end times.
On Wednesdays there will be a district-wide 1-hour late start for all schools. This will allow professional learning time for teachers. The district will provide student supervision for elementary and PK-8 schools during this time if it is needed.
Ryan Elementary School Hours:
Kindergarten through Fifth Grade
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 7:50 AM-2:50 PM
Wednesday: 8:50 AM-2:50 PM
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursday and Fridays
The first bell rings at 7:47, second bell at 7:50.
Students that arrive after 7:50 will need to check in at the main office if their classroom door has closed.
Wednesdays:
Buses will run on the late start schedule on these days.
On Wednesdays, the first bell rings at 8:47, second bell at 8:50.
Students that arrive after 8:50 on Wednesdays will need to check in at the main office and will be considered tardy.
Teachers are in professional learning on Wednesdays during the late start and will not be available during this time.
Please help Ryan Elementary be good neighbors
Also please triple check before pulling away from the curb to look for pedestrians.
When you are walking, please use the crosswalk lights if possible.
Be safe Ryan Rhinos!
Arrival & Dismissal Procedure
School Day Hours
M/T/TH/F: 7:50-2:50
W: 8:50-2:50
K-5th grade school hours: 23-24 School Hours
Parking
Ryan has two parking lots.
Most of the spots are utilized by staff, substitutes and volunteers.
If you will walk your child to school and pick up at school, we recommend parking on a nearby side street.
The small parking lot to the south of the school is closed from 7:40-8 and 2:40-3:00.
Arrival Procedures
Buses will arrive between 7:40-7:45. Supervision begins at 7:40 AM. If a bus arrives earlier than this, students will remain on the bus until 7:40 AM.
Walkers and car riders can be dropped off from 7:40-7:50 a.m.
Students may line up at their designated spot prior to the first bell ringing at 7:47 a.m.
Kindergarten students will go to the fenced in playground prior to school starting.
1st-5th grade students will line up outside their classroom doors.
Breakfast will be served from 7:35-7:50 (8:35-8:50 on Wednesdays). Students who would like to eat breakfast MUST arrive before 7:50 a.m. Students will walk in the front doors and go into the cafeteria to eat breakfast.
Free childcare will be offered on late start Wednesdays. Students attending Wednesday morning childcare must arrive between 7:35-7:50.
Dismissal
3rd-5th grade students are encouraged to pick up their younger siblings from the front of the building and return with them to their designated pick-up area.
Parents/Guardians (or designated pick up adult) will enter the parking lot in a single file line.
Students can be picked up in the sidewalk areas closest to the building. We will not permit students to walk out into the parking lot.
Please be sure your child's teacher knows your child’s after school plan. Students will only be released to adults listed in Infinite Campus. If your child's after school plan changes, please call the office no later than 2:40.
We will closely watch and monitor arrival and dismissal procedures the first two weeks at school. If any additional changes need to be made, communication will be sent out to families.
School Day Schedule: Classroom teachers will share their specific grade level/classroom schedules. This will include lunch times.
Reminders: We understand that mornings and afternoons are often a stressful time for families. Please be mindful that our number one priority is to keep all students, staff and their families safe.
We ask that you are attentive when you are in the school zone. Please take extra caution to look around when pulling out of a parking spot and stay off of cell phones when in our parking lots.
Only cross the street in designated crosswalks.
All wheels must be walked until off of school property.
Be kind and patient to staff and other Ryan community members.
There is no parking in the smaller lot (by the playground) before or after school.
Cars may not park in the bus lanes in front of the school.
Health Room Announcement
If your child needs medication at school, our healthroom para, Chrystal Terhune chrystal.terhune@bvsd.org would be happy to help you in the front office. You will need Doctor's orders and the Medication Authorization form as well.
Please do NOT send medication to school in your child's backpack.
Transportation Announcement
Student will no longer be able to ride the bus home with a friend.
The transportation department explained that some of our buses are too full to have guest riders.
Transportation assignments are in Infinite Campus.
Important Preschool Information:
Enroll in Preschool Today!
Colorado families now have the opportunity to enroll their children in the state’s new preschool program. Kids who will be four years old by October 1, 2023 will receive 15 hours of preschool for free in the Boulder Valley School District. Three-year-olds that meet specific eligibility factors may also qualify for free preschool. We also have tuition spots available for 3 year olds who may not qualify through the state.
Start by filling out a state application: https://upk.colorado.gov/
For more information check out: BVSD UPK
Call or email our Preschool Community Liaison
Missy
720-561-5826
PTA Update
Dining Night Out
Our first Dining Night Out of the year will be at Mici Italian (535 W. South Boulder Rd., Lafayette) on Tuesday, September 12, from 11am–9pm! Mici will donate 20% of your purchase when you mention Ryan Elementary PTA for dine-in, takeout, delivery, or catering orders! For online orders, please indicate Ryan Elementary PTA in the notes section. Take a night off from cooking while supporting Ryan!
PTA Community Meeting
Come join us for our first community meeting of the 2023–2024 school year on Wednesday, September 20, from 6:30–7:30pm in the Ryan Library! Our new principal, Ms. Jackman, will share her goals for Ryan, and the PTA will introduce ourselves and our plans for the year. These meetings are an excellent way to stay connected to the school and its current events. Childcare and pizza will be provided for kids. All members of the Ryan community are welcome!
Save the Dates
Keep an eye out for more information about the upcoming Fall Festival (September 22) and Rhino Stampede (September 29)!
Join the PTA!
We welcome all Ryan family members to join the PTA and get involved in whatever way works best for your family! For $6.97 per year, you will formally be a member and have the opportunity to vote on local and statewide PTA initiatives. In addition, membership qualifies you for a variety of discounts nationwide! Parent membership is vital in keeping our charter, and it needs to be renewed each year. To join or renew your membership, please click here.
No-Cost Fundraisers
Did you know that you can earn money for Ryan at no additional cost to you? Linking your King Soopers card to Ryan, saving Longmont Dairy milk caps, and scanning receipts for Box Tops for Education are all easy ways to raise money for Ryan! See links below for more info.
Get Involved
If you’re interested in volunteering for PTA events this year, please email our volunteer coordinator, Dana Strotheide, at dana.strotheide@bvsd.org. You can also check out Help at Schools throughout the year for volunteer opportunities!
Safety Reminders
S A F E T Y R E M I N D E R S
BVSD is committed to keeping our school communities safe. As our students and staff return to school, we remind everyone about our layered approach to school security and our plan for emergencies.
School Supplies Donation
School Supplies
The school supplies for K-5 include the following for the 2023-2024 School Year:
Full Sized Backpack
Headphones/Earbuds
Water Bottle with name on it
$45 Donation ($40 goes towards classroom school supplies/$5 to our specialists)
You can donate by clicking here or with cash or check written to Ryan Elementary
If you are in need of support with school supplies, please reach out to our community liaison, Miriam Wright miriam.wright@bvsd.org or call the front office.
Free School Meals
Free school meals!
Yes, school meals are now free! Other important cost savings available for families who qualify and complete the Free and Reduced Lunch Application
Thanks to Colorado voters, school meals will be free for all BVSD students beginning in the 2023-24 school year.
Even though lunch is now free, it is still very important that families complete the free and reduced meal application, as it waives and reduces fees district-wide for families, can impact transportation for some families, and impacts important funding for individual schools.
It also qualifies families for a 50% reduction in Lifelong Learning tuition, and waived tuition for BVSD Online classes (excluding the $50 registration fee). Child Care families will continue to apply for financial assistance through the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP).
Visit the Free and Reduced Price Meals webpage for information on applying for free or reduced meals or contact your school directly.
Families are also encouraged to visit the BVSD Help Center August 10-12 and 14-15 for assistance with free and reduced lunch applications, and additional enrollment support. Read more at BVSD.org.
Link to log in to your meal account
If you have further questions, please refer to the FAQs page.
Ryan Elementary STEAM School
