CARLSON COURIER
Home of the Champions
Greetings Champions,
Welcome back everyone and happy New Year! Although, this year's start seems anything but new. Last year we began virtual to combat the holiday gatherings from Winter break. This time around we are in person and experiencing a new variant of covid that seems to be quite prevalent. To be fair the next week or so will be challenging as we do our best to keep up with communication of any positive cases. Please help us by keeping your students home that are not feeling well. Also, masks, although not required, are still highly recommended to help avoid spread during this surge. Below I have included updated guidelines and protocols for students when exposed or symptomatic. The biggest change is the 10 day quarantining period can be shortened to 5 days with another 5 days wearing a mask for those that test positive or are symptomatic. Students that have been exposed or are considered a close contacts can remain in school if they have no symptoms and wear a mask for 5/10 days. They can be done after 5 days with a negative test on the 5th day and remain symptom free. All of this was done to keep healthy kids in school. You will be notified if your student is a close contact by phone and we will continue to send general notification letters as soon as we can.
A couple reminders about pick up and drop off as we start the new year. Please be sure to use the drive line and don't park and pick up your student. By now everyone should be able to come through the line. Its safer and makes it more efficient for everyone not to have to stop and cross in the middle of pick up. Also, we've noticed some people entering the front parking lot through the exit. That is another safety issue for our kids and also leads to more park and pick ups which ultimately slows down pick up and reduces safety. Also, please be mindful that we have yet to receive any applicants for our crossing guard position at Desert Jewel and White. Carlson staff is doing their best to fill in so please be sure to go slow, be attentive and help us make that area as safe as possible. Between the kids, traffic and busses it's a lot to coordinate and we just want to keep everyone safe. And my last appeal for help is, please be sure to abide by the no parking between the signs at our South crosswalk on White and Cloud. We need to keep that area clear so cars aren't pulling in and out where we are crossing kids. Its one thing to have to remind kids but another to try and manage adults. Please help us by following all of our traffic patterns, rules, and routines. Thank you for this help and support and please if you know anyone that is interested in working as a crossing guard please let me know or send them this link: Carlson Crossing Guard. If the hours don't work we can try and figure something out even if it's for partial time.
Ok, a few updates to kick off the new year not covid related. First up, you may be seeing multiple reminders to fill out an intent to return form. If you already completed it and continue to get reminders these are just general reminder messages sent out and it doesn't mean you didn't do yours or we didn't get it. They are vital to ensuring the critical staffing needed to successfully operate next year so please be sure and get that done as soon as you can. Thank you in advance for doing so, we greatly appreciate it.
Next up, if you have a student starting next year, there are registration links below to assist with this. If you know anyone that is interested in possibly coming to Carlson next year, I am conducting school tours every Friday at 3:30pm this quarter. They can contact the front office to be added to any date that works for them. Also, if you are currently on an open enrollment you do not need to complete a new one. Your intent to return form is all we need to secure you seat for next year.
Coming up this week all 2nd graders will be taking the CoGat or gifted test. Students that qualify are eligible to receive consultative services here at Carlson or attend one of our self-contained gifted schools. Also, on Tuesday there is a running club race on Tuesday at 3:45pm at Snedigar park (below is a map). All tutoring resumes this week. Students in grades 4th - 6th will meet in the media center from 3:00pm - 4:00pm. Finally, our 6th graders will be visited by counselors from the local junior highs to begin learning about the different courses offered and help them with the registration process.
Also, all students in grades 3 - 6 will be required to take an AASA field test for writing. The AASA is the new name for the AZM2 or AzMerit state standardized test. The field test will take place in the coming weeks and is not the official writing test taken next quarter. The state is requiring all students to take this field test to collect data on the test itself. So, we will send more information out as it approaches but wanted you to be aware it is in our near future.
I hope you all have a great week and continue to stay safe and healthy. We know this will pass and cases will come down in about a week.
Mr. Morgan
a count as possible. Thank you.
Important Dates
Monday 1/10
- Drama Club Practice in room #16 after school at 3:00pm
- CoGat (Gifted Testing) - continues through Thursday 1/13
- First Running Club Race - 3:45pm at Snedigar Park
- Yearbook club meeting at 3:00pm in room #35
- Tutoring all grades; 4-6 in the media center
- Junior High Visits for 6th Grade preliminary registration information
- Music Appreciation Assembly for 5th and 6th graders; PJHS performing
- Battle of the Books Club meeting in room #33 after school at 3:00pm
- School Tours for prospective families
- Martin Luther King Jr Holiday - No School
- Kindergarten Open house 5:30pm - 6:30pm (for incoming 2022-23 students)
- Tutoring - all grades from 3:00 - 4:00pm
- Battle of the Books Battle (Media Center) 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Thursday 1/20
- Tutoring - all grades after school 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Monday 1/24
- Drama Club practice - room #16 from 3:00 - 4:00pm
- Science Camp Meeting for 6th grade parents 5:30 - 7:00pm
Tuesday 1/25
- Tutoring - all grades after school 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Wednesday 1/26
- Birthday book club for January birthdays 2:00pm in the media center
Thursday 1/27
- Jr. High Return Visit for 6th grade registration
- Tutoring - all grades after school 3:00pm - 4:00pm
- Running Club race - 3:45pm at Tumbleweed Park
Friday 1/28
- Champions Lunch - Fairness character trait (limit two family guests per student)
2022-2023 Kindergarten Registration Underway
This week's Breakfast & Lunch Menu
A Look Around Campus
Counseling Corner
Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)
Dear Carlson Families,
The following are your 2021-22 PTO board members:
Katie Palichuk, Carlson PTO President
Nikki Macias, Carlson PTO Secretary
Denise Coracides, Carlson PTO Director of Technology & Communications
Stephanie Wesselmann, Carlson PTO Director of Merchandising
CARLSON ELEMENTARY
Name: John and Carol Carlson Elementary School
Mascot: Champions; Champ is a cougarAddress: 5400 S. White Drive, Chandler, AZ 85249
School Hours: 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Office Hours: 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Principal: Andy Morgan
Dean of Students: Bridgett Matson
Office Manager: (480) 224-3807 - Mrs. Benfield, Office Manager
Front Office: (480) 224-3800 - Mrs. Kleinholz, Senior Administrative Clerk
Attendance: (480) 224-3803 - Mrs. Lang Attendance Tech/RegistrarHealth Office: (480) 224-3802 - Mrs. Franco, Health Assistant
Fax: (480) 224-9443
Website: https://www.cusd80.com/Domain/4422
Location: 5400 South White Drive, Chandler, AZ, USA
Phone: 480-224-3800
Facebook: facebook.com/CarlsonChamps
Twitter: @CarlsonChamps