Avery Moments
August 30, 2021
Hello Avery Families,
The Dedham Public Schools has established a District Back to School webpage linked here. There is a wealth of information on the page as well as answers to many frequently asked questions.
As you know, Mrs. Gianopoulos, our school secretary, retired at the end of the school year. We would like to welcome Mrs. Janet Griffin as our new Avery School secretary.
On August 23, you should have received an email regarding your child's class placement. If you did not, please email me so I can resend it. Because the class placements were sent out by class, in some cases the email went directly to individual's spam folders.
I have been approached by several parents asking about school supplies. We will be providing the supplies your child needs. You do not need to purchase anything. Having said this, if you child wants special pencils or folders, etc. you may send them in.
We are looking forward to seeing everyone on September 2!
Regards,
Clare Sullivan
Arrival and Dismissal
First grade students, however, will be meeting in the cafetorium on the first day of school. First grade families should come to the main entrance on September 2. This will allow all students to meet their teachers and have a final goodbye before they head off to class. Beginning on the September 3, they will line up on the practice field/basketball court with the other students.
However, if it is raining steadily, all students should come into the building through the main entrance at 8:30 a.m.
Dismissal will remain the same as last year. With the exception of bus/van students and gr. 3-5 students who are walking home alone down High Street, all other students will be dismissed by staff behind the building. Families picking up students by car should enter Recreation Road from Whiting Avenue and queue up before picking up their students. Please post your child's name and his/her class on a paper on the dash. This will allow staff to match students and cars to make for a faster dismissal. As you approach the building, staff will be notifying classroom teachers of your arrival. We will be loading cars directly behind the cafetorium so continue to pull up as directed by staff until you reach there. Your student will then be able to enter the car
If you are parking your car and walking up to pick up your child, please wait by the wall heading up to the practice field or by the plant island by the red playground for your child. Do not wait by the doors to the cafetorium. This makes it difficult for the students to exit the building.
Families parking in the pool parking lot should cross with the crossing guard before walking down Recreation Road past the high school.
We understand that some families have children attending both the ECEC and Avery. Please know that if you are stuck in traffic between the two schools, you will be able to find your child waiting with other children in the lobby. Please come to the main entrance.
Bus Transportation
Breakfast and Lunches
Breakfast will be available to all students from 8:30 a.m.-8:45 a.m.. Students who take breakfast will have time in their classrooms to eat until 8:45/8:50 a.m.. At 8:45 a.m., it will be “Grab and Go” and students can save for snack time.
Any student who arrives late to school can take a breakfast bag and save it for snack.
To start off the school year students will be eating in their classrooms or outside (weather permitting).
If students are getting school lunch they will be asked to select their lunch during morning work/meeting time.
If students are late, they will be asked to make a lunch choice when they check into the office.
Menus will be published weekly, however, due to supply constraints there may be changes to the menu on any given day.
Before/Aftercare
The YMCA will be providing care back in the building in the cafetorium.
YMCA opens at 7:00 AM for drop off. Students/parents should enter through door 5.
Pick up from the YMCA is by 6:00 PM.
The application is linked here.
Health and Safety
Masks will be mandatory for all students, staff and visitors in the school building.
Students will be able to take their masks off when they are outside.
Hand sanitizer will be available to students throughout the school day.
When applicable, teachers and students will practice social distancing.
Dedham Public Schools will continue to provide regular, COVID Safety Checks - group testing of students and staff who consent to the program - what was known as Pooled Testing last year. More information will be coming out from the Superintendent's office about this shortly, however, you may sign up your child now by clicking here.
**All COVID related safety will be in accordance with guidance from Dedham Board of Health.
Student Attendance
Avery School
Email: csullivan@dedham.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.dedham.k12.ma.us/Domain/91
Location: 336 High Street, Dedham, MA 02026
Phone: 781-310-5000
Twitter: @DPSAveryES