Reed Newsletter • August 9, 2022

Dear Reed School Families,

Welcome to the 2022-23 school year! I open this letter extending the warmest welcome to our new Reed families and a sincere welcome back to our returning families. This is going to be an exciting year filled with new learning opportunities, new friendships, and new experiences. Our Reed team is excited to begin the new school year and to expand our program to include prekindergarten. Below you will find some key start of year information. Ongoing information will be shared with you in our bi-weekly Reed School Newsletter. You also can find detailed information in our Reed Family Handbook. It is located under the Parent tab of our school website.

New Reed Team Members

I am delighted to introduce our newest Reed School team members. These talented individuals bring a wealth of experience, enthusiasm, and expertise to our Reed School community!

Ms. Mari Rice & Ms. Bahareh Farhid join our Instructional Aide team
Ms. Kayla Casey joins our PreK team.
Ms. Kelly Morphy joins our kindergarten team, she has transitioned from her role as Reed/Bel Aire Spanish Specialist
Ms. Kirsten Iverson joins our 1st grade team
Mr. Paul Devoto joins our 2nd grade team, he has transitioned from his role as RUSD TOSA

First Week School Hours

8:30am-1:40pm Thursday, August 18 (Early Release Day)

8:30am-2:40pm Friday, August 19

Regular School Hours

8:30-2:40pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

8:30-1:40pm Wednesdays (Early Release Day)

First Day(s) of School Arrival Plans (August 18 & 19)

Campus supervision begins each morning at 8:00am. You are most welcome to walk your child on to the playground for the first two days of school.

• Thursday, August 18: Parents and caregivers may join students on the playground beginning at 8:00am. Classrooms will be open at 8:20am and parents and caregivers may escort their child to the classroom. Instruction will begin at 8:30am and parents and caregivers are kindly asked to depart at that time. The bench area outside the front gate will remain available to parents and caregivers wishing to continue visiting and making connections.

• Friday, August 19: Parents and caregivers may join students on the playground beginning at 8:00am. At 8:25am students will line up at their classroom number painted on the playground. Teachers will escort students to class.

First Day of School Dismissal Plans

In addition to sending a note outlining pick up plans to your child’s teacher, please be sure your child understands your family’s pick-up plan. If you plan to pick up your child in person, please meet them at their classroom # spot painted on the playground (alongside the field). You may want to visit the campus before the start of school to practice your pick up routine with your child.

First Day of School Reminders

Please be sure your child brings the following items:

A healthy snack & lunch (Please do not send in candy or any food or snacks containing nuts)
Water bottle
Comfortable clothing and shoes (PE begins right away)
A note indicating pick-up plans (e.g., bus, carline, caregiver pick-up, Ranch Activity, BTCCC)

Regular Morning Drop Off (Beginning Monday, August 22)

Campus supervision begins each morning at 8:00am. Beginning Monday, August 22, please plan to drop your child off at the carline or the front gate. Yard supervisors will be on site to welcome and monitor your child. In the event of tearful separations, please be ready to release your child to one of our caring staff. Tears generally subside within minutes! (Goodbyes are always hardest on the adult; I promise!) Drop Off & Pick Up Procedures

Morning Bus: Students arriving by bus will be greeted by staff at the front bus gate to the left of the front office. RUSD Yellow Bus Program

Morning Carline: Morning carline begins Thursday, August 18. Please note that carline begins at 8:00am and closes promptly each morning at 8:25am. For the safety of students, please do not leave your child unattended at carline before or after the volunteers open and/or close the gate. If you arrive after carline has closed, please find street parking and walk your child to the front office.

* Carline placards and gate ID tags will be coming home on the first day. Please look for an envelope in your child’s tote or backpack.

Other Important Arrival/Dismissal Information

For the safety of students, staff, and families, please be reminded not to use the front circle to drop off or pick up your child.The front circle is reserved for buses and emergency vehicles only. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

While we love our friendly four-legged friends, dogs are not permitted on or around the school campus. This includes the sidewalk area in the front circle. Some of our students are either allergic and/or nervous around animals so please leave your pets at home when dropping off and/or picking up your child.

PreK/Kindergarten & New Families Welcome • August 18 • 8:30-9:15am

Shortly after students transition to classrooms, prek/kindergarten and parents and families new to Reed School are invited to a ‘Welcome to Reed School’ overview. This is an opportunity to be introduced to key Reed staff as well as representatives from our PTA and Foundation. You also will have a chance to introduce and share contact information with other parents and caregivers in your child’s class.

School Supplies

All needed school supplies will be provided to each student. PreK and kindergarten students will receive a Reed School tote at the Meet & Greet or on the first day of school (provided by our Foundation for Reed Schools). 1st and 2nd grade students may select to bring a backpack to transport belongings to and from school. Please be reminded that students may not bring cell phones, toys, and other electronic gadgets to school.

School Lunch Service (More Information to Come)

You will be receiving information from the district regarding the new Universal Meals Program. Until then, please be sure to send your child to school with a healthy snack, water bottle, and lunch. *Please do not send in any food or snacks containing nuts.

Volunteer Opportunities at Reed

We are delighted to share that we can resume welcoming volunteers on campus! Please look for information from our amazing Reed PTA about how you can be involved and support Reed school. You also will hear all about opportunities to support your child’s classroom at Back to School Night. We are so grateful to our dedicated community!

Teacher Assignments

Lastly, and perhaps the most exciting...teacher assignments! A class placement email will be sent to PreK & Kindergarten families on Tuesday, August 16 after 4pm. 1st and 2nd grade families will be emailed on Wednesday, August 17 after 4pm.

I know I speak for the entire Reed School staff when I say how excited we are to begin the new school year. We look forward to meeting our students and families and beginning our year together. See you all on Thursday, August 18!

Warmly,

Mary Niesyn & Staff

Reed School Principal

Action Items

Events

RUSD Mission & Vision: Each student will be challenged and inspired to reach their fullest intellectual, social-emotional and creative potential to positively impact the world.

Mary Niesyn Principal