August 2012

Dear Edison Families,

Welcome to another wonderful school year at Edison Elementary School!  The first day of school is quickly approaching – Monday, August 27, 2012.  This year promises to be an exciting year, filled with lots of learning and growing.  This letter is filled with important information about the start of school and the changes at Edison this year.

It is my pleasure to introduce the newest members of our Edison staff:  Michelle Dunn-Ruiz in 2^nd grade, Rebecca Parker in 3^rd grade, Joan Braze in 5^th grade, Teresa Matera in Music, Beth Clifford and Anne Faria-Poynter in PE, Kristin Allison is our new speech therapist, and Kate Kooyman is our new school therapist this year.  We will also be filling the following positions before the start of school: Special Day Class teacher and Music teacher.  Ms. McClish has agreed to teach our newly added 2^nd/3^rd grade combo class this year.  It is exciting to have such a great mix of new and veteran staff members at Edison!

Each year the start of school is a busy and exciting time, filled with change and preparation, and this year is no exception.  In addition to adding an additional classroom to our building, there are several other changes to Edison.  We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our new play structure to be installed on our beautiful new play yard.  The computer lab is being upgraded and moved into the Media Center to create a true multi-media learning environment.  The Media Center got new carpet and updated wiring as well.  Our outstanding custodians, Efren and Manny, have cleaned the building from top to bottom.  As always, we will continue to make last minute changes around campus as we anticipate the arrival of our students.

Another big change is that Edison is going green(er)!  In an effort to reduce waste and preserve resources, our first day packet is going to be greatly reduced compared to previous ones.  We ask that you go online to our school website to find information about the start of school. Our school website is: http://edison.alamedausd.ca.schoolloop.com.  Look for the tab marked “Parent Resources” and select “First Day Packet.”  Edison also Tweets now, follow us @EdisonOtters to learn about the goings-on at school.  Please make sure that your email addresses are up to date with the school office so that you are receiving our weekly Edison Express.

Please feel free to contact us with your questions or comments.  Thank you for your continued commitment to your child's education and unwavering dedication to Edison Elementary School.

See you at school,

Aurora L. Sweet, Principal

IMPORTANT DATES & REMINDERS

Friday, August 24^th, 2:30 – 3:30 PM

All kindergartners and their parents are invited to join us for the KindergartenIce Cream Social, hosted by the Edison PTA.  Visit your kindergarten classroom first and then join us out on the play yard for some delicious treats.

Friday, August 24^th, 4:00 PM

The class lists will be posted on the computer room windows(Room 16 facing the play yard close to the office) on Friday, August 24, 2011 at 4:00 PM.  The first day of school will be Monday, August 27, 2011.

Monday, August 27^th – First Day of School

The first day of school starts promptly at 8:20 AM.  Parents, please join us in the Multi-Purpose Room after you drop-off your students for our First Day Coffee at 8:20 AM, hosted by the Edison PTA.  Kindergartners are dismissed at 11:40 AM and 1^st-5^th graders are dismissed at 1:50 PM. 

Kindergarten:  Please don’t forget, kindergarten students will be on a modified schedule for the first ten days of school, August 27th –September 10th.  Kindergartners will attend classes from 8:20 AM to 11:40 AM.  Starting September 11th, kindergarten students will begin the A and B Group Schedules and attend from 8:20 AM to 12:45 PM three days a week and from 8:20 AM to 1:40 PM twice a week for the remainder of the year.  Teachers will use the first 10 days to formulate the A/B groups.  The A/B schedule allows each student to receive extra literacy development in a small group setting two days a week.

1^st – 5^th Grade:  Students in grades 1^st – 5^th will be on a modified and minimum schedule for the first five days of school, August 27th - 31st. These students will attend school from 8:20 AM to 1:50 PM on those five days.  Please note that every Wednesday throughout the school year, Grades 1^st – 5^th will be dismissed at 1:50 PM.

Wednesday, September 5 (K – 2^nd) & Thursday, September 6 (3^rd – 5^th), 6:45 – 8:00 PM

Please join us in the Multi-Purpose Room for Back To School Night.  Wednesday night will be dedicated to students in grades K – 2^nd and Thursday night will be for grades 3^rd – 5^th.  Each night there will be a brief presentation by the principal in the MPR and then parents are invited into the classrooms for teacher presentations.  We ask that this is a “parents only” event.

FIRST DAY PACKET

A packet will be sent home with your student on the first day of school.  It contains important information about Edison.  There are several items that need your immediate attention and should be returned to school the next day.  Please look for the checklist to determine what needs to be returned immediately. In an effort to be even more green, all items in the first day packet can also be found on the Edison website under “Parent Resources.”  We will also always have hard copies in the school office.

EDISON EXPRESS

The Edison Express is our weekly newsletter.  Please take a moment to read it and stay updated on all the wonderful things that are happening at Edison Elementary School.  The Edison Express can also be found online at the school’s website: http://edison.alamedausd.ca.schoolloop.com. We will also always have hard copies in the school office.

SCHOOL LUNCHES

School lunches will be served beginning the first day of school.  The school lunch costs $2.50 and includes milk.  You may come to the office to prepay, credits will be sold in increments of ten (10 lunches will cost $25.00).  Checks should be made out to Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) and include your child’s name and room number.   Applications for Free and Reduced lunches will go home on the first day of school and should be returned promptly.

You may also choose to send your child with a lunch from home.  We ask that you are mindful that we have students with severe nut allergies.  There are many ways to be supportive of those students, including providing your child with lunches that are nut-free.  We also encourage you to pack a waste-free lunch when possible by reusing plastic containers, packing re-usable silverware, and minimizing food packaging.  Students will be able to recycle and compost their lunch waste at school.

SUGGESTED SUPPLIES

Each year parents ask about purchasing school supplies.  Working with the staff, we have developed a list of suggested supplies.  The school will provide the necessary basic supplies over the course of the year.  However, we are always grateful for any additional support from parents to supplement our classroom programs.