Schwarzkoff Friday Phone Call
9-1-23
23-24 Arrival and Dismissal Times and Procedures
Arrival Procedures
- K- Arrive at Door 8 (doors open and are staffed at 8:15, if K is eating breakfast go to main doors from 8:05-8:15)
- 1st-6th Arrival through Main Doors (NEW THIS YEAR>>>STUDENT ARE INSIDE FOR ARRIVAL)
- Students exiting bus will be supervised by school staff.
- All cars enter and exit through same parking lot entrance (School staff at spot at 8:15)
- Parent drop off lane by gym staff on duty at 8:15.
- All students must be WALKED through the parking lot.
- Please note that students arrive at 8:25 will not be able to eat breakfast
Dismissal Procedures
- K - Dismiss at Door 8
- 1st - Dismiss at classroom doors
- Molek & Duncan - Dismiss at classroom doors
- Qarana , 3rd-6th Grade - Dismiss at front doors
Bell Schedule Arrival
- 8:05 - All students that enter must go to main doors in gym for breakfast.
- 8:15 - K students may enter through Door 8, 1st-6th through main doors, breakfast students may go through inside double doors for classroom indoor line up.
- 8:25 - Arrival bell rings, all tardy students will enter through office doors, parents must walk tardy students to office, ring bell and show ID.
Bell Schedule Dismissal
- 3:15 - K students picked up at Door 8.
- 1st students picked up at classroom doors.
- Molek and Duncan students picked up at classroom doors.
- Qarana, 3rd-6th students picked up entrance outside of Main Doors.
- 3:20 - Staff duty ends, all students must be picked up by 3:15, 11:29 on half days.
Important Dates
Monday, September 4th
- No SCHOOL
Thursday, September 7th
- 6:30 Title 1 Meeting Gym
- 7:00PM Open House - Session 1
- 7:30PM Open House - Session 2
Friday, September 8th
- Last day to earn a Golden Paw to shop at the school store for turning in 3 forms
- Educational Benefits
- Gym Form
- PS Update Form
- Device Insurance must be purchased $17.50/student
Birthday Celebrations
The teachers and staff at Schwarzkoff strongly support and encourage the recognition of a child’s birthday during the school day. It is an annual milestone in every child’s life that should be celebrated not just at home, but in school as well, where children spend one-third of their day with teachers, classmates, and peers. While there are many wonderful and creative ways to celebrate a child’s birthday in school, birthday celebrations at Schwrzkoff will not include food treats. Instead, the focus at Schwarzkoff will be recognizing the day in a variety of special ways that do not include food treats. Some possibilities include:
· Class sings “Happy Birthday”
· Parent makes a donation of book to class library/read to class
· Student reads favorite book to class
· Student donates a special class gift for recess
Your child’s teacher will have more information on how birthdays will be celebrated in the classroom. As educators, caregivers and loved ones we all want the best for our students. Thank you for joining us in giving students healthy opportunities to celebrate important events and achievements.
Too Sick to Come to School?
Take a Peek at These Health Department Guidelines
When is your child too sick to attend school? The following guidelines, along with the advice of your family doctor, will help you decide when your child should stay home:
• Cold and/or cough – a child with deep mucus that causes a cough and heavy nose drainage cannot function at school.
• Fever – fever is a warning that something is wrong. A child should remain at home for 24 hours after the fever is gone without the use of medication.
• Rash – a rash, spots or blotches on the skin can be the first sign of many illnesses. Rashes require a physician’s release stating they are not contagious.
• Stomachache/Upset – a child who is vomiting or has diarrhea should be kept at home and may return 24 hours after the symptoms are gone.
• Head Lice – a child with head lice must remain at home until treatment is complete and school officials confirm he or she is free of lice. Check your child’s head before school begins in the fall and routinely during the school year or if he or she complains of an itchy scalp. Look around your child’s ears and back of the neck for nits, which are tiny, 8 white, oval-shaped lice eggs that are attached to the hair near the scalp. Nits may look like dandruff or scalp flakes, but nits do not move and are difficult to dislodge. Notify the school office immediately if your child has head lice. Begin treatment immediately by contacting your doctor or purchasing over the counter medication from the drug store. To prevent spreading head lice, wash all infested garments, hair accessories, bedding and other surfaces with hot water and disinfectant. You must sign your child in at the office when he or she is returning to school after treatment for head lice.
Policy on Personal Items
Any cell phones must be turned off and out of view during school hours or while on the bus.
Students should NOT bring toys, game boys, Nintendo DS or any hand-held electronic games, CD players, MP3 or IPods, PDA’s, memorabilia, special cards or other collectible or expensive items to school.
DeKeyser Elementary School is not responsible for personal items that are lost or damaged.
Such items will be collected and kept in the office. A parent must come and retrieve any items they wish to have returned.
Pet Policy
Utica Community Schools has a no pet policy on school property.
Recess
Students will have the opportunity to go outside with their classmates during designated times throughout the day. Recess helps to promote social and emotional learning and development for all children. Allowing time for our students to engage in peer interactions allows them to role play essential social skills. Recess also benefits our students by increasing their level of physical activity improving their memory, attention, and concentration. Each class will have a recess attached to the lunch program. We go outside whenever possible and stay inside if it is raining or the temperatures are below 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Students will have an optional second recess each day with their classroom teacher. Please have children dress for the weather.
Reminder there are NO PARENTS allowed in Recess Areas during School Day
Reminders - Important Security Information
We are asking for your assistance to ensure that our security procedures during the school day are effective and efficient. When you wish to visit Schwarzkoff Elementary, you will go to the main office door. At this door we have a security camera, intercom, and buzzer. To help us assist you when you would like to enter our school:
- Please press the buzzer to speak with someone in the office
- You will be asked to state your name and reason for visiting
- You will be asked to show your photo id into the security camera above the outside door
- Office staff will assist you
In addition, we are asking you to not let any visitors in the door as you enter (as they come up behind you) or as you exit the building.
The teachers and staff are committed to student safety and security, and we would like to thank you for your assistance in helping keep the students of Schwarzkoff safe.
Requests to switch teacher
Due to balancing class lists based on total number of students, student's genders, academic, behavioral, and student needs for support we are not able to make last minute teacher changes. Each year, I provide reminders to put in teacher requests to the office by May 1st. Please mark your calendars in the future if you would like to request a teacher for the 24-25 school year.
Device Insurance
The cost of device insurance has increased from $15.00 to $17.50 per student. The Payschools website has changed to Payschools Central. In order to purchase the device insurance parents will need their child(ren) student ID number (which can be found on the report card) and create a NEW Payschools Central account. The directions for creating an account can be found at: https://www.uticak12.org/domain/85
Please note that the final date to enroll in the optional device insurance plan is Friday, September 8th.
Allergen Form for Special Dietary Needs
Students with food allergies that wish to use school meals must have a Special Dietary Needs form (11A) completed and signed by a physician. Forms need to be turned in to the office of Food and Nutrition Service. Without this form we cannot make accommodations. This form must be updated every year to ensure accuracy. Since all schools have vegetarian options, parents do not need to complete a form for that option.
Background Checks
ONLY NEW VOLUNTEERS WILL NEED TO COMPLETE BACKGROUND CHECKS. (This is a change in policy)
A new volunteer is considered someone who did not volunteer for the 2022-2023 school year. (new enrollment, parent/guardian with opportunities to help this year that they didn't have last year).
Please remember that any person who is sanctioned to engage students on the district’s behalf (i.e., assistant athletic coach, Science Olympiad, Lego Robotics, chaperone, etc.) requires a cleared check.
New District App
Utica Community Schools has a new mobile app! Search for 'Utica Schools' in your phone's app store and download the free app to stay up-to-date on district and school news. The old mobile app 'Utica Community Schools' is no longer supported and should be deleted from your devices. Download at the App store here and Google Play here.