Kingsley Families,

Please see the attached Community COVID-19 letter. Let me know if you have any questions.

Dr. Harris-Thompson

Please join Dr. Harris-Thompson and the Kingsley PTO for a New Parent breakfast meet and greet. We'll be available to answer questions, and you'll be able to get to know fellow Kingsley families and school administration while enjoying a light breakfast.

We'll be meeting in the Media Center after morning drop-off. Please sign in with the front office.

Thank you!

Únase a la Dra. Harris-Thompson y al PTO de Kingsley para un desayuno para conocer y saludar a los nuevos padres. Estaremos disponibles para responder preguntas y podrá conocer a otras familias de Kingsley ya la administración de la escuela mientras disfruta de un desayuno ligero.

Nos reuniremos en el Centro de Medios después de dejar a los niños por la mañana. Regístrese en la oficina principal.

¡Gracias!

Principal Advisory Councils bring parents, school employees, students, and the community together to share ideas regarding school climate, facilities, increasing student achievement, and community partnerships. If you are interested in being a part of our school's Principal Advisory Council, the candidate declaration window will be open through Friday, September 2, 2022. For more information: https://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/principal-advisory-councils/#tab-ce10102dfa2e65e77c1

What is the role of the Principal Advisory Council?

• Act as a link between the school and the community
• Encourage the engagement of parents and other stakeholders within the school community
• Work to increase student achievement through transparent operations and shared best practices
• Review the Continuous School Improvement Plan and monitor progress toward goals
• Participate in the selection of the school principal

Complete the relevant form below to run for a position on your school’s Council.

• Parent/Guardian Candidate Declaration Form (English/Spanish)

• Parent/Guardian Candidate Declaration Form (Additional Languages)

• Teacher Candidate Declaration Form

If you declare your name, please email Dr. Harris-Thompson at tyra_harris-thompson@dekalbschoolsga.org with your bio and picture. Thank you!

With the recent tragedies that have occurred across our country in the last few months, much reflection, thought, and care has taken place to ensure our school remains a safe and nurturing environment for all students and staff.

School Safety is top of mind for me and I know for you as well. My team and I have reviewed and refined our procedures to ensure we are ready if an emergency arises.

Every precaution will be taken to ensure the safety of your child during school hours. One safety measure practiced are safety drills (fire, tornado, intruder), which are conducted throughout the school year. Fire drills are held once every month. Tornado drills are held twice a semester. Intruder (Lockdown) drills are held three times a semester. Schedules, exits, and procedures are a part of these important drills to keep our students and staff safe in the event of an emergency. The administrative team and all staff members will be in position to aid in a safe, quick evacuation. Routes of exit are posted in each room of the building. Our number one priority is the safety and security of our students and staff.

During the school day, we ensure the following safety measures are taken:

• All classroom doors remain closed and locked at all times.
• Exterior doors remain locked at all times and are not propped open for any reason.
• Exterior doors will not be opened for visitors.
• All visitors must come to the front of the school to receive assistance.
• All visitors must press the entry button outside the front door and show photo identification. The front office staff will assist all visitors from this point.
• If a visitor does not have an appointment with staff, is not checking out a student, or is not receiving assistance from the front office, they will not be allowed inside the school.
• If parents would like to drop off items for their child, they will utilize the black cart outside the front door and complete a drop off slip. Front office staff will retrieve the items off the cart and ensure your child receives the item.
• Students are monitored by staff members in all areas of the building and during recess.
• Outside of traveling with their class to other parts of the building, students will travel in pairs when leaving their class independently to go to the restroom, nurse, or front office.
• Every classroom is equipped with a telephone and a call button in the event of an emergency.
• During recess, each grade level has a walkie talkie.
• For afternoon dismissal (Silent Dismissal) , students are only dismissed from class when their name appears on the dismissal spreadsheets and/or their bus is called.

• Staff are strategically stationed all around our building and campus to ensure students arrive and depart safely from school.

Our school resource officer does stop by the school on a consistent basis. He walks the building and walk the grounds to ensure we are safe and order is maintained.

In the event of an emergency, we will communicate with all parents via School Messenger and Class Dojo. Please ensure you are connected and signed up for both on your mobile phone. It is important that parents read all text messages from the school thoroughly and follow next steps as outlined.

Safety will always remain our top priority. We appreciate your partnership and collaboration as we work together to maintain a safe learning environment for all students and staff.

A comprehensive student/parent handbook is attached below that outlines our school policies and procedures.

***Please download the handbook using the attachment below and save it to refer to throughout the school year.

Bus routes can be found on the district website. https://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/bus-routes/ and on the attachment below.

Each bus is associated with a color (red, yellow, green, purple, or blue). Please check the attachment below for specific bus colors and the routes each bus is connected to.

Route 733 - Blue

Route 734 - Yellow

Route 735 - Green

Route 736 - Orange

Route 737 - Red

Route 738 - Purple

*The times you see listed on the bus routes are for the morning only. The bus runs in the reverse order (route) taking students back home each afternoon. Buses generally leave the school by 2:35 PM.

Similar to last year, the district's Transportation team is short staffed. This is a continued issue across the state and nation. Throughout the year, I will communicate ASAP when this issue effects our school. Please know that we have some drivers that will be picking up more than one route. This means there might be delays the first week of school.

Please plan to check your email each morning and afternoon for any possible updates.

Thank you for your support and understanding as the transportation department works diligently to make the best plan amidst the current situation.

If you have any questions related to DCSD school buses, please contact Mrs. Johnson lawanda_johnson@dekalbschoolsga.org or Mr. Morrison james_morrison@dekalbschoolsga.org .

We encourage all students to wear school uniforms Monday - Thursday.

Fridays are designated as Spirit Days. Students may wear a Kingsley Elementary t-shirt or the color red or blue, with denim bottoms.

If your child needs to have medication administered at school, please download the form below and have your physician to complete it. On the first day of school, please place the form and medication in a ziploc bag clearly labeled with your child's first/last name. Inform the teacher that these items are in your child's bookbag and we will be sure the front office receives it. Please note that we do not have a school nurse at this time. However, the front office staff will assist with medication.

If you have questions, please contact our front office staff: Mrs. Alicea regina_alicea@dekalbschoolsga.org and Mrs. Johnson lawanda_johnson@dekalbschoolsga.org .

Please review and save the list below so you are aware who to contact when questions arise.

Direct questions regarding the following items to the people below.

• Membership Toolkit - Mrs. Meredith Alberto & Mrs. Erin Nusnbaum : kingsleyelementarypto@gmail.com
• School Spirit Wear - kingsleyelementarypto@gmail.com
• Family ID Hang tags - Mrs. Marian Bari : marian_lamson@dekalbschoolsga.org
• Reporting your child's absence from school - email your child's homeroom teacher AND our school registrar, Mrs. Regina Alicea: regina_alicea@dekalbschoolsga.org
• Changes in transportation - email your child's homeroom teacher AND our school secretary, Mrs. Alicea: regina_alicea@dekalbschoolsga.org . This must be done by 10am!
• Questions about school lunch - email our cafeteria manager, Mrs. Catalina Moreno-Ortega: catalina_moreno-ortega@dekalbschoolsga.org
• General questions pertaining to your child's class - email your child's homeroom teacher
• Questions regarding gifted eligibility - email our gifted teacher, Mrs. Bari: marian_lamson@dekalbschoolsga.org
• Questions related to school counseling - email our school counselor: Dr. Marilyn Hamilton: marilyn_hamilton@dekalbschoolsga.org
• Questions pertaining to After School Program - please contact our director Mrs. Pamela Jones: pamela_jones@dekalbschoolsga.org
• Questions pertaining to our after school tutorial program - email Ms. Phyllis Ingram phyllis_ingram@dekalbschoolsga.org
• Questions pertaining to grades - email our Assistant Principal, Ms. Shayna Bishop shayna_bishop@dekalbschoolsga.org
• Questions pertaining to class schedules, progress reports, and report cards - email our Assistant Principal, Ms. Bishop shayna_bishop@dekalbschoolsga.org
• Questions pertaining to districtwide assessments (MAP, CogAT, GA Milestones, ACCESS) - email our School Test Coordinator/Assistant Principal, Ms. Bishop shayna_bishop@dekalbschoolsga.org
• Questions pertaining to School Wide operations - email Dr. Harris-Thompson tyra_harris-thompson@dekalbschoolsga.org

Breakfast and lunch are served each day of school. Please review the flyer below for more information.

****Please note: Breakfast and Lunch are not free this school year.

Information about meal applications and meal payments can be found at the link below.

Breakfast and lunch menus can always be found on this website: https://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/school-nutrition/menus/

Please contact our Cafeteria Manager if you have questions: Mrs. Catalina Moreno-Ortega, catalina_moreno-ortega@dekalbschoolsga.org .

USDA has not granted school districts the ability to extend the “meals at no cost” waiver for the 2022-23 school year. As a result, families must either pay for meals or be determined eligible to receive free or reduced-price meal benefits.

An online application for SY 22-23 is available on the DCSD website. Unless your family has received a letter indicating you are already qualified, you must complete a free or reduced-price application. Please apply if you think your family may qualify.