Dear Parents and Guardians,
I hope this letter finds you well. As we continue through the school year, I wanted to take a moment to emphasize several important aspects of your child’s school experience, including punctuality, attendance, custody documentation, safe drop-off/pick-up procedures, the importance of practicing kindness, and clarification on our uniform policy.
Why Punctuality and Attendance Matter
Consistency Builds Success: Regular attendance plays a vital role in your child’s academic and social success. When children are present consistently, they benefit from the daily lessons and activities that help build their skills over time.
Punctuality Sets a Positive Tone: Arriving on time not only helps your child start the day calmly but also shows them the value of responsibility and discipline. It helps them stay organized and ready to engage with the day’s lessons.
Maximizing Learning Opportunities: Elementary school lays the foundation for your child’s future academic success. Missing even small portions of the day can mean missing critical instruction that builds the skills necessary for long-term development.
Establishing Good Habits: Learning the importance of being on time and attending school every day fosters good habits that your child will carry with them throughout their lives. It also teaches them the importance of commitment, responsibility, and respect for time—valuable life skills.
Custody Matters
For families with specific custody arrangements, it is important that the school is fully informed about any custody details or restrictions. This ensures that we follow the appropriate guidelines regarding pick-up, communication, and any other matters involving your child.
Please ensure that the school has a current copy of any court orders related to custody arrangements so that we are aware of the legal details and can uphold them appropriately. Without this documentation, the school cannot enforce any custody terms or restrictions, which could impact the safety and well-being of your child.
If there are any changes in custody arrangements or court orders throughout the school year, please provide updated documents to the front office as soon as possible.
Safe Drop-Off and Pick-Up Procedures
To ensure the safety of all our students, it is essential that everyone follows the school’s drop-off and pick-up procedures:
Drop-off should always take place along the designated curb areas. This ensures that children are not walking through traffic lanes, which could be dangerous.
Pick-up must be according to the directions given by staff and signs. Adhering to these guidelines helps maintain an orderly flow of traffic and ensures the safety of all children.
Students walking to and from school that need to cross Center Street, should use the crosswalk on Center Street and follow directions of the crossing guard. The crossing guard will be at the crosswalk from 7:30-8:00 AM and from 2:55-3:20 PM. If your child arrives at the crosswalk before or after these times, please instruct them to always use the crosswalk and look and listen for traffic before crossing the street.
Please Note: The morning sun is very bright and can make it difficult for drivers to see clearly. To maintain the safety of our students, we ask that students avoid using the crosswalk on 100 East when walking to school in the morning. After crossing Center Street, please ensure your child stays on the sidewalk and does not cross 100 East.
The Importance of Kindness, Even in Challenging Situations
We teach our students the value of kindness every day. It is a cornerstone of creating a positive, supportive school community. However, there are times when we may feel we are not treated kindly by others. In these moments, it is crucial to remember that being kind anyway not only helps to resolve conflicts but also shows strength of character.
Modeling Kindness for Your Child: Children learn by observing the adults around them. By practicing kindness and patience, especially when things are challenging, you teach your child the value of empathy and respect.
Kindness Is Contagious: When we show kindness, even in the face of frustration, we often inspire others to do the same. It fosters a caring environment where everyone feels valued and respected.
Building Emotional Resilience: Teaching children to respond with kindness, even when they feel they haven’t been treated kindly, helps them develop resilience. It prepares them to navigate challenging social situations with confidence and compassion.
Clarification on Uniform Policy
There has been some confusion regarding what is acceptable according to the school’s uniform policy. We would like to clarify a few specific areas:
Jumpers: If a jumper is worn, it must be in the Blackwatch plaid pattern. This ensures consistency and alignment with the school’s uniform standards.
Spirit Day: For Spirit Day, students must wear the current Spirit Day shirt. Spirit shirts from past years are not permitted, and wearing them will result in a uniform violation.
Free Dress Days: Please refer to the Free Dress Day guidelines on the Timpanogos Academy website to ensure your child adheres to the expectations for these days.
For a detailed explanation of the uniform policy, please refer to the uniform policy and picture guide on the Timpanogos Academy website. The guide provides clear visuals and descriptions to help ensure that all students are dressed in accordance with school guidelines.
How You Can Help
Create a Consistent Routine: Having a morning and evening routine can make a big difference in ensuring your child is rested and prepared for school each day.
Encourage Kindness: Remind your child of the importance of being kind, especially when it’s difficult. They will face situations that require patience and understanding, and your guidance will help them navigate these moments.
Follow Safety Guidelines: Always use the designated drop-off and follow pick-up procedures to ensure the safety of your child and others.
Encourage Safe Walking Practices: Make sure your child uses the crosswalk on Center Street and follows the guidelines for walking safely to and from school.
Review the Uniform Policy: Ensure your child’s uniform adheres to the guidelines. For any questions, please consult the picture guide on the school’s website.
Communicate with Us: If there are any challenges affecting your child’s ability to attend school regularly, concerns regarding custody, safety, or the uniform policy, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to support you and your child.
Morning Assembly in the Gym
Each morning before school, the students gather in the gym. After the bell rings, we take a few moments to discuss any relevant issues with the entire group. During this time, we often repeat the important rule of being where you're supposed to be, when you're supposed to be there, doing what you're supposed to be doing—even when no one is watching. We believe this is a vital message to instill in our students for both safety and personal responsibility. After this brief discussion, we recite the Pledge of Allegiance, and students are dismissed with their classes to begin the school day.
Together, we can ensure that your child receives the most out of their educational experience by being on time, attending regularly, practicing kindness, following safe procedures, and adhering to the uniform policy.
Thank you for your continued support in helping us create a positive and safe learning environment for your child.
Sincerely,
Mr. Porter
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