Violet Views August 18, 2023
Welcome back to School!
Principal's Message
Dear Parents,
Welcome to the school year 2023-2024! Each year, we all get a fresh start to the next chapter in this educational journey. What I hope to see with the entire school community is a commitment to this journey by giving a focused effort on excellence! Last school year, students and staff worked hard to try to resemble some normalcy of the past, but here's my thoughts on that perspective. Normal is a relative term, and each year we create a new normal, whatever that may be or look like for students and staff. We can no longer compare years past with the current school year that we are about to enter. We must see each year as an opportunity to be the best versions of ourselves with goals set to move towards a successful end result for the current school year. As educators, we can't do it alone, we need the support and contributions of our families in the community. Our students need to know that their journey, both academically and behaviorally is supported by everyone who values and strives for them to be their best. As partners, we share responsibility for our student’s success and we want you to know that we will continue to do our very best to carry out our responsibilities.
We ask that you guide and support your child’s learning by ensuring that he/she:
Attends school daily and arrives on time, ready for the day’s learning experience
Completes all assignments and homework given by teachers
Reads daily to develop a love for reading and to improve literary skills
Shares school experiences with you so that you are aware of his/her school life
Informs you if he/she needs additional support in any area or subject
Knows that you expect him/her to succeed in school
Understand that their behavior can be a contributor to success or failure
I believe it to be critical to read over and understand our rules and expectations so that you and your child can be knowledgeable about them together. If you have any questions about school expectations, please feel free to contact me or to discuss them with your child’s teacher. It is very important that you and your child are fully aware of standards related to appropriate behavior for a safe and productive school year. Please make sure to review the PLSD Student Handbook.
On behalf of all staff, we feel privileged to work with you and your child. We thank you for your support and look forward to meeting you.
Dee Copas
School Principal
Upcoming i-ready assessments
Next week we will begin our diagnostic testing! Starting Monday, August 21st students will take their Reading diagnostic. These diagnostics are used to determine educational groupings in classes and identify any areas that a student may have gaps in their learning. We will use that to help tailor our lessons to help fill gaps and expand upon the material.
Thursday, August 24th will begin the Math diagnostic testing.
If your student is absent during the diagnostic we will have them take it upon their return during the make up testing time.
Why are we taking the iReady Diagnostic test?
The purpose of the Diagnostic is not to give your student a score or grade, but instead to determine how best to support your student’s learning. iReady is an adaptive assessment that adjusts each question based on your child’s answer to the previous question. Some questions will be difficult, some easy, while others will be just right. The questioning is designed for teachers to find out what your child knows right now and what skills they will need.
When are we taking the iReady Diagnostic test?
Over the next two weeks, each building has designed a plan to administer the Reading and Math tests.
For more information on iReady, please visit the iReady Family Center:
PICK up patrol
Starting in September, we will be using a system called PickUp Patrol to help us track dismissals. PickUp Patrol (PUP) will save us a great deal of time here in the office, reduce classroom interruptions and provide you with a convenient way to make changes to your children’s dismissal plans.
Most importantly, it will help us ensure that our students are safely dismissed to their correct after-school destinations.
Use the PickUp Patrol app for:
- ATTENDANCE: Notify the school office when your child will be absent, arriving late or leaving early.
- DISMISSAL CHANGES: Submit changes to your child’s regular dismissal plans.
For example:
Your child normally rides the bus, but is getting picked up today.
Your child is staying after for an activity.
How it works:
Your child's regular dismissal plan is entered into the system. This is called their Default Plan. Whenever you have a change to the Default Plan, you’ll submit it through the PickUp Patrol app. When the change is submitted, the school will be notified and your child’s teacher will relay the change to them.
More information will be shared out next week to get parents registered.
WATCH THIS SPACE
Fall Mumpkin Sale Coming Soon
A message from Nurse Caitie
Check out this clinic newsletter for upcoming dates and important announcements
H.O.P.E Packs Program
Each week the H.O.P.E. Packs Program offers a weekend bag of food for children who meet one of the following requirements: a) if your child has received a H.O.P.E. Pack in the past, (b) has been eligible for free or reduced lunch, or (c) your household income is low.
The food is intended to be kid-friendly, easy to prepare, and supply supplemental food over the weekend. The bags are not to be opened until your child gets home.
To sign up for this free program, contact Mrs. Lowe, School Counselor. She can be reached either by phone: (614)548-1531 (direct number) or by email: Lisa_Lowe@plsd.us
*This program is not the PLSD Food Service program.
*This is a supplemental food program offered by Violet Baptist Church.
Please check out this flyer for more info
School Fees
Each year, the Pickerington School Board approves a schedule of fees for materials used in the course of instruction (ORC §3313.642).
The district assesses fees to students for supplies and consumable materials, including consumable subscriptions or licenses used as materials in the course of instruction. These fees will be posted on the Infinite Campus Parent Portal at the beginning of September. The District also offers an optional protection plan for student one-to-one devices (Chromebooks) This optional protection plan will be posted to your student's account before the start of school, since students will receive these devices within the first few days of school.
Once these are posted to your student's account, payments can be made on your Infinite Campus Parent Portal which is the preferred method of paying since this ensures there is a record of payment (and that students do not misplace a check or cash.) Payment can also be made at the school by cash (exact amount), check, or by credit card.
VIOLET PROCEDURES AND POLICIES
School Day Schedule 2023-24
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
Bus riders will be loading and unloading in the front of the building. No cars should be parked in this area during arrival (8:50-9:45am) and dismissal times (3:50-4:15pm). All students will remain on the bus upon arrival at the school building. The staff member on duty will dismiss each bus to enter the building for students to go to breakfast, line up, or go directly to class. At dismissal time, each bus will be called upon their arrival.
Parents dropping off or picking up students, please drive to the blacktop playground area, follow the serpentine pathway, and proceed around to entrance “L” for entering and exiting. We will have the cars parked along the curb, that’s usually about 5 cars, release their students and enter the building to go to breakfast, line up, or go directly to class. We will continue to have students enter the building in this manner until all students have exited their cars. For the sake of safety, please pull all the way forward, listen to the directions of the staff, and do not release your children until directed by them. As you exit the school parking lot, turn right only and exit onto Education Drive. The right turn applies during school arrival and dismissal times only. Please do not park on the playground blacktop area. Children from daycare centers will be dropped off at this same location. For end of the day Parent Pickup, we will assign a last name card that corresponds to your child. We ask that you display these on the front passenger side. The traffic flow runs fairly smoothly, however, inclement weather conditions will certainly impact dismissal time.
In the morning, walkers will not have access to the building until 8:50 am. Please have students time their arrival to school so they can come directly into the building to go to breakfast, line up, or go to their classroom. Walkers should enter the building at the front entrance, Door A. At dismissal time, walkers will be dismissed first, by neighborhood. If your child is a Melrose walker, they will exit in back and walk down the path. If your child is a Chevington walker, you or your adult designee may meet them in front by the light post. Your child must be an assigned walker in order to exit this way. All other students must be picked up in the Parent Pick Up Line, or ride a bus, or a daycare van. Do not park on Education Drive or Ravine Drive and ask your child to meet you. This increased traffic creates an unsafe condition for students. We would like to remind parents the safest crossing points are the crosswalks at Melrose Boulevard and Ravine Avenue. Please do not direct your children to cross the front parking lot.
Please remember students are not permitted to go to their classrooms until 9:05 am. Students are not permitted to be on the playground before school starts unless supervised by a parent. Students must be in their classrooms by the tardy bell at 9:15 am. Please drop them off in plenty of time to walk to their classroom. We appreciate all your help and cooperation in helping us keep your child safe while at school.
We ask for your patience and cooperation in helping us dismiss your student directly to you in a safe and timely manner.
Early Dismissal/Absences
While we all know that consistency is important in a child’s life, it may become necessary to change your child’s dismissal plans. If you must change the way your child is to be dismissed, we ask that you call the main office by 2:30 p.m. and send a note in advance to your child’s teacher. Please allow enough time to come into the building to sign your child out. Students will be called from class to meet you in the office.
BEGINNING IN SEPTEMBER, VIOLET ELEMENTARY WILL BE UTILIZING A PLATFORM CALLED 'PICK UP PATROL' FOR OUR DISMISSAL PROCEDURES. PLEASE SEE THE INFO ABOVE.
Please call the school if your child is absent. State Law requires a daily check of students who are absent. A 24-hour answering machine is available to receive absence or tardy calls. Please call 614-548-1500 and press "1" for attendance. Homework requests must be placed by 9:30 am in order to allow teachers time to prepare these plans. They must be picked up by 4:15 pm. Please make sure that you arrange to pick these up as teachers spend quality time preparing these materials. Please make yourself familiar with district policy regarding attendance, as well as excused and unexcused absences.
Food Service News for 2023-2024
PLSD offers breakfast and lunch daily in our schools. We provide well-balanced and nutritious meals that meet the requirements of the USDA. Fresh fruit and vegetables are offered every day. Our menus, along with links for payments, applications for free and reduced meal benefits, and other information can be located on the PLSD website by clicking on “Services” and “Food Service."
BREAKFAST
Breakfast for all grades will be $1.80
Reduced breakfast price $.30
LUNCH
Elementary school lunches will cost $3.25
Reduced price for lunch $.40
Payment
To put money on your student's account, go to www.mypaymentsplus.com or have them bring cash or a check payable to PLSD Food Service. Please make sure money is designated for Food Service so the teacher knows what it is for. If you are having problems with the My Payments Plus system, please call the helpline at 877-237-0946.
Free and Reduced Meals
Student meals will be priced based on the student's eligibility of free, reduced, or paid, as determined by qualifying meal application, direct certification, or other categorical eligibility. The online application will be available around August 1st on the Food Service website.
For more information and menus please visit PLSD Foodservice. (Lunch and breakfast menus will be posted soon.) You can reach the Food Service office at 614-833-3645.
Custody Counts
To serve requirements of a child custody order, a parent should present an official order to be placed on record for the guidance, attendance, and administrative offices. Ohio Revised Code 3313.673 states “…the custodial parent of the child shall notify the school of those custodial arrangements…”
Our primary concern is knowing the legal custodian, residential parent, and knowing the answer to the question, “Can your child be dismissed to a non-custodial parent?” Schools are obligated to follow court documentation regarding the rights of a non-custodial parent. Please inform the office of any address or custody changes from last year.
Volunteering at the School
If you are interested in volunteering in the district, please complete the form below and return it the school. Level 1 volunteers are those who will NOT be working one-on-one with students. Level 2 volunteers will need to complete an FBI background screening. Please indicate which level you are applying for and remember to complete both sides of the application. This form needs to be completed every school year, even if your background check is still valid. Thank you!
Behavioral Expectations
Behavior Rating Checklist Procedures
If you need a staff member to complete a behavior checklist, please note the following guidelines, when requesting information from teachers, counselors and administrators.
- All requests must be handled through the school counselor.
- A written release of information must accompany the request.
- A pre-addressed envelope with sufficient postage or a correct fax number should also be provided by the parent. The parent will receive a copy of these forms, indicating the date mailed/faxed.
- Allow at least two weeks from the time the counselor receives the form(s) to the date the physician/agency needs the material.
- Identify, specifically, which teachers are to complete the forms.
Safety Drills / Safe School Tip Line
Safety drills will be conducted periodically throughout the year. Fire drills, tornado drills, lock-down, medical emergency, and evacuation procedures will be practiced during the school year. Each classroom is provided with a crisis management plan.
The SaferOH Tip Line
The Ohio Department of Education and the Ohio Department of Public Safety have launched the SaferOH tip line that will accept both calls and texts 24 hours a day.This tip line allows students and adults to anonymously share information with school officials and law enforcement about threats to student safety—whether that involves a threatened mass incident or harm to a single student.
Every tip can remain anonymous. School safety analysts may ask for additional information, but the caller can remain secret or leave his or her contact information for later follow-up.
Calls or texts to 844-SaferOH (844-723-3764) are answered by analysts in the Ohio Homeland Security’s Threat Assessment and Prevention (TAP) Unit. When action is needed, the TAP Unit immediately forwards information to Pickerington Schools, local law enforcement agencies, and others, if necessary.
Important Dates
September 4 No School, Labor Day
September 20 Picture Day
ABOUT US
Email: dee_copas@plsd.us
Website: http://www.pickerington.k12.oh.us/violet-elementary/
Location: 8855 Education Drive, Pickerington, OH, United States
Phone: (614) 548-1500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SuperVioletES/
Twitter: @VioletElem