Vaughan Voice
Campus Parent Communication - August 6, 2021
We are anxiously awaiting the return of our students! It's getting closer and closer, and we are beside ourselves with excitement!! We can't wait to meet you all on Monday, August 9th from 5-6:30 at Meet the Teacher Night! Below you will find more specific information about things you may have questions about.
If you were a Vaughan family last year, you are well aware that communication is a strength of ours. However, we may have over communicated for some. This year we plan to send out less communication, but you'll still hear from us regularly. I will send out newsletters every other week, and teachers will do the same. PTA will be sharing information monthly. Please take the time to read the information we share. We truly appreciate your support, and we can't wait to partner with you this year to ensure the best educational experience for your child.
Tonya Jasenof
Principal
Vaughan Elementary
Family Access Forms (ONLY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT COMPLETED THEM!)
Meet the Teacher Night - Monday, August 9th from 5-6:30
Vaughan will be selling a super cute t-shirt in all sizes. They are $12 each and cash or check are acceptable.
We look forward to meeting each of you and your students!
First Day of School - Wednesday, August 11th
- Doors open at 7:30 a.m., and we ask that students be in the building by 7:45 a.m.
- Parents may walk students to class on the first day.
- Please be patient and allow extra time as most families bring their students on the first day. In addition, dismissal will be slower than normal days, so please keep that in mind as well.
Arrival
- Doors will open at 7:30 AM for arrival.
- School begins at 7:45 AM.
- More specifics below for car riders, bus riders, walkers/bike riders, and those eating breakfast at Vaughan.
Car Riders
- Car Riders may be dropped off either at the front of the building or the side by the gym.
- Please remain in your vehicle when dropping your student off by car.
- Staff members will be outside to ensure your child(ren) arrive into our building safely.
- It is important to note that we will need for your student to exit their car upon stopping to ensure our line keeps moving. Please do not wait to drive your student up to the door they are entering.
Bus Riders
- Allen ISD Bus students, as well as daycare students, will be dropped off on the playground side of the building.
- Bus postcards should have already been received. If you have questions, e-mail Ashley Crowson at ashley.crowson@allenisd.org.
Walkers/Bike Riders
- Walkers and bike riders have the same option of which doors to enter as our car riders.
- All students that ride bikes, scooters, etc. are asked to walk their mode of transportation as soon as they get to the crossing guard.
Bikes, scooters, and skateboards must be locked on one of the bike racks during the school day.
Eating Breakfast at Vaughan
- Breakfast will begin at 7:30 AM.
- To ensure your student does not miss instructional time, we ask that you arrive as close to 7:30 AM as possible to give them enough time to eat prior to class beginning.
- Breakfast will be provided at no cost for students at the elementary level (see below).
From the Student Nutrition Department
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued guidance that allows schools that operate the National School Breakfast & Lunch Program to offer meals to all Elementary & Middle School students at no cost for the 2021-2022 school year. Any items outside of the lunch meal pattern requirements, such as snacks or extra side items, will be charged to the student’s account at regular price.
While no application or eligibility determination is required for your student to receive free meals this school year, income eligibility requirements will likely resume in the 2022-2023 school year. As such, Allen ISD will process household applications during School Year 2021-2022 to ensure student eligibility for free or reduced-price meals during the first 30 days of the 2022-2023 school year while 2022-2023 applications are being processed.
At our 9-12 campuses, we do not participate in the National School Breakfast or National School Lunch Program. We still honor Free & Reduced price meals for those who qualify. To qualify, the Free & Reduced-Price Meal Form must be completed for 9-12 students.
Dismissal
- Please see the map for a visual representation
- Car tags will be sent home at Meet the Teacher Night.
- If you do not attend Meet the Teacher, please make a homemade sign to use for the first day. Please include the student's name, grade level, and teacher.
- If you would like to change the way your child goes home after 2 PM, you must call the office at 972.727.0470. Teachers will not be checking e-mail after that time.
- Changes will not be made without parent authorization.
- See additional specifics below...
Car Riders
- K-3 (and older siblings) will dismiss on the gym side of the building.
- 4-6 will dismiss at the front of the building.
- Parents will utilize car tags in grades K-3 to expedite the dismissal process (sent home at Meet the Teacher).
- To avoid congestion in the student waiting area, parents are asked to stay in their vehicles, travel through the pick-up line, and pull forward as space allows.
Walkers/Bike Riders
- Walkers/bike riders will exit either the front or side of the building depending on the route they take home.
- Prior to exiting, we'll make sure siblings are together.
Adult supervision will be provided as they leave the school grounds.
Parent Walk-Up
- K-3 (and older sibling(s)) parent pick up will take place as in previous years.
- Parents will wait by the tree on the gym side of the building and wait for their students.
- Staff will wait on the opposite side of the street and send your student over to the other side once they make eye contact with the parent/guardian.
- Parents will not be allowed on the student side of the dismissal area.
- To expedite the process, please bring your car tags with you to the dismissal area.
- 4-6 grade students may pick up on the sidewalk on the other side of the marquee. Please wait there, and we will send your student across the crosswalk to you.
Bus Riders
- All bus riders will wait in their classroom until their bus number is called.
- Bus postcards should have already been received. If you have questions, e-mail Ashley Crowson at ashley.crowson@allenisd.org.
Daycare
- Daycare students will be escorted to their bus by AISD staff.
Kid's Club
- Kid's Club students will report to the cafeteria to the Kid's Club staff.
- Click here if you would like more information about Kid's Club.
Rainy Day Dismissal
Please know that rainy day dismissal will move slowly due to the number of vehicles entering and exiting the parking lot. Your patience and support in following our procedures will be greatly appreciated!
Rainy Day Carpool Procedure
Parents will follow the same routine for rainy day dismissal, making sure they have their car tags visible for K – 3rd grade students.
Students will be kept indoors and called outside when their ride has been identified.
Rainy Day Tree Walker Procedure
Students will remain inside the building until a parent/caregiver arrives.
You will meet your student(s) at the north side door #16 unless you made an alternative choice for rainy days or notified the school.
Parent should have their car tags so that we can retrieve your kiddos more easily and efficiently.
Rainy Day Biker/Walker Procedure
- In the event of severe weather during dismissal, administration may make the decision to not release students to walk or ride bikes home. These students will be required to call parents to make other arrangements. If weather is extreme, dismissal for all students may be delayed.
Safety Reminders
Students should keep the door of the vehicle closed until it comes to a complete stop next to the curb and then exit and enter the car from the curbside only.
Vehicles are not allowed to stop for student drop-off or pick-up in the outside lane of traffic in the parking lot. Students should only exit and enter the vehicle next to the curb.
Students should not walk across the lot unattended. If a parent parks in the lot, he/she must walk the children across at the crosswalk.
Busses dropping off GATE and daycare students on the south side of the building will need the entrance and exit area open for drop-off and pick-up. Please do not block this area.
DO NOT pass to the left of waiting cars at the 4-way stop at Deerlake and Cottonwood! This is not a two lane road and poses a danger to oncoming traffic and students.
Student ID Cards with Lanyard
School Supplies
For K-1 Students - Extra Change of Clothes
Water Bottles
Headphones
Other Important Details
Attendance - What Do I Do If My Child is Absent?
Notify the office by 10:00 am by submitting an Absence Request in Family Access (preferred), calling the office at 972-727-0470 or e-mailing the Registrar.
By submitting the Absence Request in Skyward, you will have notified the school and provided the absence note! Otherwise, we must have a signed note from a parent, guardian or doctor stating the reason for the absence. The note needs to include the student’s name and date(s) of the absence(s).
By policy, your child’s absence will be recorded as unexcused if we do not receive a note within 3 school days of his/her return – even if you notified the school via phone or email.
A doctor’s note will be required for admittance into class if your student is absent more than 5 consecutive school days. This may be in written form, or you may also submit your absence request through Family Access.
If your child is absent from school and you would like to pick up his/her homework, you must request the homework by 10:00 am. It will be available for pick up in the office after 3:00 pm.
Unless a child is sick, please make every effort to have him/her in school. It is often difficult for young children to ‘catch-up’ when they have been out for several days.
· Please note that family vacations are not considered excused absences.
Once enrolled in public education, students are required by law to attend. Specific details can be found in the Elementary Student Handbook found online at www.allenisd.org.What Do I Do When My Child is Late to School?
It is imperative that no child be dropped off on the north side (gym side) of the school after the late bell rings at 7:45 am as the doors will be locked.
Kindergarten students should be escorted by their parents to check in at the office when they arrive late to school. Students in 1st through 6th grades may sign themselves in when late; however, we ask that parents ensure their student makes it safely inside the school door before leaving. Students simply ring the bell to gain access to the building.
Students are not considered late if they are coming to school after a doctor’s appointment if a doctor’s note is provided when signing into school for the day.
Visitors on Campus
Ring the bell located on the left side wall at the front of the building (east/flagpole side).
Be prepared to show your picture ID.
The receptionist will need you to state your name, your student’s name and the reason for your visit before unlocking the door.
Approval and an ID badge must be obtained prior to entering the instructional areas of the campus.
To volunteer on campus you must have a background check. Click here for more information.
Lunch
Students will have a lunch card (includes lunch number) on a lanyard for them to scan in the lunch line.
Students will be spread out as much as feasibly possible.
As mentioned above, lunch is free for all students who wish to purchase one.
Students may bring their lunches to school if they prefer not to purchase one.
Lunches should be sent in containers that students are able to open independently.
Carbonated drinks are not recommended as they leak, explode, etc.
Students do not have access to a microwave or refrigerator.
Lunches may be dropped off at the front desk if forgotten, heated or purchased from a restaurant if the parent is not staying to eat with the student.
Please see the PARENTS tab on the Vaughan website for additional cafeteria information - https://www.allenisd.org/Page/5965.
Lunch Visitors
- Parents are welcome to eat lunch with their own children at the designated parent table in the cafeteria.
We do have specific days in which we ask for no lunch visitors.
We ask that parents refrain from eating with their child until August 30th. This allows our staff to support students with expectations and procedures in the cafeteria.
We also do not allow parents to join their students for lunch on state testing days.
When you arrive for lunch, you will need to sign in with the receptionist and then proceed to the lunchroom.
For security purposes and to avoid hurt feelings of other students, only your own children will be allowed to sit with you.
You are welcome to bring in an outside meal for your student and/or yourself only.
If purchasing a tray, please have your child order your meal at the beginning of the day in order to have enough food prepared.
Medication During the School Day
You must leave all medication in the office with the Nurse along with a signed Medication Permission Form available in the office and online.
All medication must be in its original container, age appropriate and unexpired.
Please let the Nurse know of any medical conditions or concerns at the earliest possible date.
No medications are allowed in the classroom.
Curriculum Information Session
Ways to Get Involved!
JOIN PTA!!!!
Like us on Facebook - www.facebook.com/VikingsofMOVE1
Follow us on Twitter - VikingsofMOVE1
Volunteer! To volunteer, complete a Criminal History Check online at www.allenisd.org each school year.
Contact your child’s teacher or sign up to volunteer through the Vaughan PTA.
Save the Date!
Monday, August 11th - First Day of School
Monday, September 6th - No School - Labor Day
Tuesday, September 14th - PTA Ice Cream Social - Vaughan Playground 6:30 PM
Monday, October 11th - No School
Tuesday, October 12th - No School for Students
Monday, October 25th - Parent Conference Day - No School for Students
Thursday, October 28th - PTA Red Ribbon Picnic
Follow Us on Social Media
Email: tonya.jasenof@allenisd.org
Website: https://www.allenisd.org/Domain/1123
Location: 820 Cottonwood Dr, Allen, TX, USA
Phone: 972.727.0470
Facebook: facebook.com/VikingsofMOVE1
Twitter: @VikingsofMOVE1