Back to School Newsletter
Strain-Japan R-XVI School District
Welcome Back!
The first day of school is Tuesday, August 25, 2020. Open House will be held on August 20, 2020 in two sessions this year to allow for smaller numbers. Please bring your family according to the first letter of your last name:
Names: A-L
5-6:00 p.m.
Names: M-Z
6:15-7:15 p.m.
You may visit your child’s classroom. Teachers will be available to discuss curriculum for the coming year. You will be able to make a payment on your lunch account in the office if you need to. If your student has medications, this would be a good time to bring them in.
New Staff
Mrs. Erica Williamson
Mrs. Erica Williamson will be our new Assistant Principal/Middle School Math & Science Teacher. Mrs. Williamson has been an educator for many years and is an alumnus of our school. She is excited to be a part of our district.
Mrs. Kathy Vandegriffe
Mr. Mark Forbes
Mr. Mark Forbes will be our new PE/Health Teacher. Mark retired from the Ferguson-Florissant School District and has a vast knowledge of the education world.
Bus Routes
Afternoon Pick-ups
The procedure for afternoon pick-ups has changed. Parents will no longer be expected to leave their cars and walk to the front door. Parents are to form two lines in the lot and riders will be brought to the front two cars. Those cars will be dismissed and the next two cars will be loaded until all riders are accounted for. Like so many things, this is a change, so please be patient until we get the process down.
Student Planners
In an attempt to use more of a digital platform for our students, this year we will utilize Google calendar in place of a planner. Therefore, eliminating the transfer of an object between home and school. Your child’s teacher will be able to address any questions that you have about this change. The student handbook will be posted on the website.
Elimination of Paper Forms
In an attempt to streamline our back-to-school process and promote less sharing of germs, we have decided to put all our forms in digital format. If you are struggling to complete this, please let the office know and we will assist you. The only form that must be completed and signed is the Free and Reduced Lunch Application. Copies of this will be provided at Open House.
Breakfast and Lunch Information
Breakfast will be offered every morning from 7:10 to 7:25 a.m. The price of a student breakfast is $1.20. Lunch will cost students $2.40.
Communication
As a district we want our families to feel like they are connected and in the loop when it comes to what is happening at school. There are many ways for parents to be able to share in the great events that are happening every day. They are:
Visit our district website at http://www.strainjapanschool.com/
Visit our district Facebook page @strainleopards
Email, call us, text us!
Faculty and Staff 2020-2021
Kathy Vandegriffe-Superintendent/Principal
Erica Williamson- Assistant Principal/MS Math and Science
Linda Meek-Kindergarten
Julie Wilson-First Grade
Mark Dace- Second and Third Grade
Kelly Webers-Fourth and Fifth Grade
Zack Harman-Library, MS Reading and ELA, Computers, Technology Coordinator
Kimberly Proctor-MS Social Studies and Current Events
Pat Songer-Special Services
Mark Forbes- PE/Health
Alice Hewkin-Music
Sherri White-Art
Edie Bomback-Title I
Destiny Norris-Office, Health Aide
Amanda Krone-Board Secretary/Bookkeeper
Sheila Cooper-Cook
Ken Price- Bus Driver
Serena Cochrane-Bus Driver
Board of Education
Caren Vogt-Board President
Matt Stewart-Vice-President
Aimee Jenkins-Treasurer
Kari Schatz
Chastity Moss
Greg Stotler
Krystal Hulsey
This Summer
As you have noticed, there have been some changes to our little school this summer. A new administrator always means changes, sometimes big, sometimes small. Change is fun but also scary! I want every family to know that my main goal for my first year is to build positive relationships with the kiddos and with the parents. I have heard numerous times about how our little school is like a family. I love that atmosphere and hope to work to build your trust. Do not hesitate to contact me with questions, comments, criticism, or even just to chat. I love to talk and look forward to sharing a laugh with all of you. I also want to work on getting our message out there to share with folks and let them know that we are the #bestlittleschoolever! I want to make this our motto.
I plan on working toward some improvements within our school and to our facility. We are starting by adding central air conditioning, a project that will be completed by the start of school.
At the request of the teachers, we will make an effort to get more lessons on a digital platform to be more prepared for the changing times in education. Every student will now have a Chromebook that they take home with them every afternoon.
And finally, I want you to know that we are all working hard to provide a safe environment for your kiddos. It is a scary time! We are surrounded by uncertainty and conflict right now. I just want to remind you that WE ARE STRAIN STRONG! Our theme for this year! We will get through this but we will only do it if we work together. Just like a family, we may not always agree with each other but we can all agree that we will have each other’s backs. This may mean taking a precaution that we may not believe is necessary but doing so for our family. We will come back and we will come back strong! STRAIN STRONG!
#bestlittleschoolever
WE ARE STRAIN STRONG!