RStar Weekly News
Important Back to School Information- August 9, 2021
Hello Rising Star Families,
I am the new principal at your school and I would like to introduce myself so that you know a little about me.
I am a wife and a mother of three children (one girl and two boys). I have one granddaughter, and a grandson who will be here in October. We all love our dogs who are also a part of our family.
This school year will be my 22nd year as an educator. Teaching has always been my passion! I was an elementary teacher in both the primary grades and intermediate grades for 7 years. I was an assistant principal and activities director at the middle school level for 6 years in my hometown of Garden City, KS. My family and I moved to the KC metro 8 years ago where I began my career as an elementary principal and then became the middle school principal in the Bonner Springs school district. This past school year I made the exciting decision to join SMSD!
I have been working in the SMSD for just a few weeks and I have loved every minute of it. What an amazing district to be a part of! The Rising Star family has been very supportive as I make a smooth transition into my role in your school community. I look forward to getting to know all of our Rising Star families.
Today’s newsletter is to provide you with information to help you and your family make a smooth transition into the school year. If you have any questions feel free to call the school at 913-993-4500.
Sincerely,
Tammy De La Rosa
Rising Star Principal
First Day of School
SMSD Mitigation Measures
This plan was updated on August 3, 2021 by the SMSD BOE. All staff and students are required to wear a mask regardless of vaccination status.
We thank you in advance for understanding that our goal is to keep all students healthy, safe, and in school.
Urgent- Online Verification
Meet Your Teacher Night!
Families with a last name that begins with A-J are asked to drive through and meet your teacher(s) from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Families with a last name that begins with K-Z are asked to drive through and meet your teacher(s) from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
As you drive through your child/children will get to meet their teacher, take a picture with their teacher if they would like to, drop of your school supplies, pick up a "take and make" STEM activity, pick up a "take and bake" pizza for your family, and sign up for PTA.
If you are not ready to drop of supplies on August 10th your child can bring these to school with them on the first day of school, Thursday, August 12th for grades 1-6; Monday, August 16th for pre-k and kindergarten.
Teachers will send out information soon about when we will offer an information session for parents so that you have all the information you need to start the 21-22 school year on a positive note. We are currently finalizing those details.
If you have any questions please contact the school office. We are excited to see you all on August 10th!
Car Rider System
This year we will be assigning numbers to all families to help streamline our car rider system. We have assigned all families numbers regardless of how your student dismisses, please hold onto these in the instances when your child may be a car rider. On "Meet the Teacher Night" we will be passing out the car hang tags with your family number. If you are unable to make it to "Meet the Teacher Night" they will be sent home with your students on the first day of school. Please cut these out and hang from your review mirror so that it can be visible when going through the car line. You have been provided with two car tags so that multiple family members have them available!
Class Placements
Wondering who your teacher will be this school year? We will have this information available in Skyward on August 9, 2021. We have not received a specific time so if you don't see it in the morning check again that afternoon.
On Tuesday, August 10th your child's teacher(s) will email you to introduce themselves. And, then you will get to meet your teacher(s) that evening.
New Rising Star Team Members
Principal- Tammy De La Rosa
Clerical Aide- Gina Bristow
Spanish Interpreter- Vicki Kopp
Teachers:
K- Keri Schulteis
3- Julia Kusy
4- Mia Spano
5- Kennedy McKernan
Librarian- Carolyn Rodriquez
Kitchen Manager- Gabrielle White
Building Sub- Wenonah Carmody
Pre-K Families
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D49AAAC29A7F49-back1
This meeting with the teacher is very important to ensure that you have the information that you need to help your child be successful in Pre-K.
The first day of Pre-K classes is August 16th. More information will come from you Miss Jamie.
Kindergarten Families
Miss Jewett- https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0545a5ae23a1fe3-miss
Ms. Schulteis- https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4CA8AC29A1F8CF8-msschulteiss
Miss Stout- https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508054AACAC2BABF94-miss
The conference with your child's kindergarten teacher is very important to ensure that you have the information that you need to help your child be successful in kindergarten.
The first day of Kindergarten is August 16, 2021.
Panorama Survey
At Rising Star our students will complete the survey once in September and again at the end of February/beginning of March 2022.
After reading the letter, if you have any questions feel free to contact us at the school.
Food Service
General Education Bussing
DS Bus Lines Registration: https://dsbuslinessm.revtrak.net/
SMSD Transportation Page: https://www.smsd.org/families/transportation
- Elementary bus drop window is 7:50-8:10 a.m.
- Middle School bus drop window is 8:20-8:45 a.m.
- High School bus drop window is 7:10-7:40 a.m.
Bussing information can be found in your family's Skyward account.
Special education bussing information is shared with individual families.
All bussed students must wear a mask on the bus. Drivers will wear masks as well. This is a federal regulation that applies to school busses.
Have Questions?
If you need assistance, please call us at (913) 993-4500. Mrs. Kopp is able to answer your questions in Spanish.
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Website: risingstar.smsd.org
Location: 8600 Candlelight Lane, Lenexa, KS, USA
Phone: 913-993-4500
Twitter: @RStar512