Mrs. Stokes' Notes
Some thoughts for the starting school year
Welcome
I am hoping that you find some helpful information in this newsletter. Please reach out with any questions or concerns that you may have. I am available via email, hstokes@kpbsd.k12.ak.us, by phone 907-235-8671, and by scheduling a time to sit down and chat. Student success truly is a team effort and communication is key.
Meet and Greet
Come meet your child's teacher, and see the classroom. This is taking place on Monday, August 14th from 5:00-6:00. Parent Group will be selling Chapman cookbooks for $15, with proceeds going to support field trip opportunities for the school, sign ups to join parent group will be available, and chromebooks will be available for parents to update powerschool, fill out free and reduced lunch forms, and complete the volunteer screening.
Monday, Aug 14, 2023, 05:00 PM
General Information
Visitors/Volunteers:
Chapman encourages families to get involved at the school. We welcome visitors and volunteers as we know that students learn best when a partnership between school and home takes place. Prior to visiting the classroom/school, or volunteering, all adults must complete the volunteer screening. This is crucial in ensuring that our students are safe. Thank you for your assistance with this.
Family members attending functions such as conferences, award's assemblies, and concerts do not have to have this filled out to attend.
https://kpbsd.org/departments/assistant-superintendent/instructional-services/hr/volunteer/
Communication
Communication is key to ensuring that students needs are met and that families are informed about what is taking place at school. Please make sure that your powerschool information is up to date. This is especially important for emergency purposes.
All communication from school personnel will take place using District approved communication tools. They include powerschool messenger, classdojo, email, or phone call. Chapman employees have been directed to not use their personal phones to text families. This can be tricky in a small community where many staff members interact with members of our community outside of school. You can support staff members in this by not using personal numbers to text about school matters. If you are reaching out to a member of the Chapman staff regarding a school related topic, please do using the appropriate messaging system that are listed above. Teachers will specify their preferred mode of communication in their beginning of the year newsletter.
Immunizations:
Alaska State Law dictates that students attending public school must be immunized, or have documentation on file that dictates exemption. We want your child at school, ready to learn. Please make sure this paperwork is filed in a timely manner. For students who are behind on their immunizations, health services will work with you to come up with a plan that helps meet the state requirements while recognizing the needs of your child.
For more information, see the link below:
https://kpbsd.org/departments/assistant-superintendent/instructional-services/health-services/ - immunization
https://kpbsd.org/wp-content/uploads/docs-forms-repo/Religious-Exemption-Form-6.17.pdf
School Hours:
The front doors to the school will open at 7:30 am, no exceptions. Do not drop your child off before this time. Breakfast begins at 7:30. Breakfast service ends at 7:50 and students are released to their classrooms. If you are planning on your child eating breakfast at school, they must be here between 7:30 and 7:50.
School typically ends at 2:30, with the exception of early release days (noted in district calendar). On early release days, students are released at 1:00. Please be prompt in picking your child up, if they do not ride the bus. Students who are picked up more than 10 minutes late, are sent to the office and a phone call home is made.
Pick Up/Drop Off
Student drop off takes place in the front of the building. There will be one or two staff members out at the front of the school at 7:30 to assist your child in making it from the car to the building. Please follow the signs that will be set up in the front. For kindergarten families who would like to walk their child to class the first day, you may do so. Please park in the front of the building, get a visitor pass from the office. If you choose to do this, please remember that quick goodbyes are easiest for kids, even if they fuss. If your child is unable to calm down, we will contact you. However, this is typically not the case, most students assimilate quickly.
Student pickup for 3rd-8th grade students takes place in the front of the school, K-2 takes place at the south end of the school next to the fence. You will pull up, a staff member will ask you who you are picking up, and a call will be made to send your child out. During the first couple of days, there are a few hiccups, but they iron out quickly.
We realize that our parking lot can get congested. We are continuing to work with the borough to find a solution. Please be patient and aware of your surroundings.
If your student rides the bus, First Student will provide a tentative pick up and drop off time. You can give them a call at 907-235-0124. Please communicate with the office if your child will be riding the bus. This is crucial in ensuring that your child gets on the correct bus. For kindergarten kiddos, an adult must be present at the bus stop to escort them on and off the bus. Remember, bussing is a privilege and students must behave appropriately and safely to continue riding the bus.
Changes to Typical End of the Day Routine
Bus/pick up notes go out at 2:00. Please alert the office if there are any changes to your child's typical end of day routine prior to 2:00. Unless it is an emergency, students will not be allowed to use the office phone to request last minute change of plans with parents. Students who do not typically ride the bus, will not be allowed on the bus without a bus note from the office. Please plan accordingly.
Free and Reduced Lunch/Adding Money to lunch accounts
Students having their basic needs met is key in them being able to focus on learning. Chapman offers both breakfast and lunch to students. All families are encouraged to fill out the free and reduced lunch paperwork. This not only allows for your child to be fed at a cost that is tailored to your families needs, it also helps our school qualify for federal money to help provide our students with more diverse opportunities. Please access the link below to fill out the needed information. Families needing to put money on their child's lunch account can do so, using the powerschool app. You can also pay at the front office.
https://www.schoolcafe.com/KENAIPENINSULABOROUGHSD
August lunch menu: https://kpbsd.org/wp-content/uploads/departments/planning-and-operations/student-nutrition-services/menus/2023-2024/AUG-2023-CHAP-NIL.pdf
New Programs
Changes at the State Level has spurred changes at the school level. With the passing of the Alaska Reads Act, it demonstrates a commitment at the state level to foster proficient readers. Some of the beginning steps to this is supporting teachers with evidence based reading practices and resources. Our district has adopted a new reading curriculum, called Amplify CKLA. This program is grounded in the science of reading, combining rich, diverse content knowledge in history, science, literature, and the arts with systematic, research based, foundational skills instruction.
Student assessment has also undergone various changes including the adoption of the MCLASS screener. This screening tools will be given to students in grades K-5 three times a year and is a way to identify students needing additional reading instruction. We are excited for these new changes as they are focused on students and will help us work together to meet students needs.
https://www.akleg.gov/basis/get_documents.asp?session=31&docid=47739
New Staff
Chapman is excited to introduce two new staff members this year. Ms. Mattea Peters will be joining us as our middle school counselor one day a week. We also have a new quest teacher. Her name is Cori Szyinkski. She will be working at our school on a weekly basis. Be sure to welcome them to our school.
Coed Middle School Soccer (6th-8th grade)
Soccer will be kicking off August 21st. Watch for participation forms that will be sent home the first week. These forms will introduce the coach and outline expectations. We are excited to offer this to our students.
Reviewing Emergency Preparedness at School
Every so often my husband and I have a conversation with our children regarding our family's safety plan. Questions we discuss are similar to the following: How do we exit the house quickly?, Where do we meet after leaving the house? What do we take with us?, How do we get help?, What do you yell if you need help? The first week of school, similar conversations will occur between our teachers and your child.
There is a fine line between preparing children for emergencies and frightening them. We, at Chapman are aware of this concern. Our focus with your child is how to evacuate the school quickly (different than a fire drill), how to help others and themselves during an emergency, and where to meet once they have left school.
I encourage you to talk to your child about our school's safety plan at the end of their first week as well as your own family's safety plan. Together, I hope we can properly prepare all of our children in case of an emergency. If you have further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.