Dear Families,

Welcome back to another exciting school year! We hope your summer was filled with fun, rest, and time to explore. As we begin a new year of learning, growth, and adventure, we’re eager to reconnect with familiar faces and warmly welcome new families to our community. Our dedicated teachers and staff are ready to create an engaging and memorable year—one full of curiosity, discovery, and opportunities for every student to shine.

This year brings a special change: Carson Elementary will now serve students from TK through sixth grade. We’re excited for the new possibilities this will create for learning, leadership, and community building across all grade levels. We are deeply grateful to our families and community partners—your support plays a vital role in our students’ success each day. Together, we’re ready to make this school year truly amazing!

It is hard to believe the first day of school is right around the corner on Wednesday, August 27th.   Our traditional Welcome to School Night Open House will be on Monday, August 25, from 4:30-6:00pm.  This will be an opportunity for students to meet their classroom teacher and drop off school supplies.
In order to maintain the confidentiality and safety of our students, we are following State requirements and do not post class lists publicly.  You will receive a letter in the mail early next week with your child’s teacher. A lot of work went into the process of establishing these class placements with emphasis on providing the best learning situation for all students.  We have fantastic teachers!  They work hard to develop a deep relationship with all of their learners and work collaboratively with their grade level team to help all students learn and grow.

The school office will open beginning Monday, August 18th from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. We highly recommend making an appointment.  The offices will be closed for required meetings part of the day on August 25th and 26th.  Please reach out to our school secretary, Jessica Schultz.  She is happy to help!

There are a few forms we need filled out each year.  They will be included in the mailing going out next week.  

• A name tag for your student to wear on the first day.  This will help us get your child to their teacher and includes their lunch code.  
• If you are picking your child up, please use the enclosed colored card with your student’s name and place it on the right-side passenger window.  If you are picking up more than one child, please tell your children to stand with their youngest sibling for pick up.
• The annual Signature and Opt Out form is included in this mailing.  Please sign and return this during the Open House or the first day of school.
• Each year our school nurse asks that families fill out a new Health History form, so that we can keep your child safe and healthy while at school.
• Finally, please take a moment to fill out the Free and Reduced Lunch form.  This helps our schools secure extra funding through Federal, State, and Local grants and other sources.

 
Beginning the week of August 25th, you will start to receive our weekly school newsletter, The Playground!  This comes to your inbox each week through our ParentSquare platform and through the ParentSquare App.  We will also be announcing dates for this year’s Family Learning Nights- you won’t want to miss them!  All activities will be posted on the school calendar on our website once dates have been settled.  A copy of the District Calendar, with information about holidays and other days of importance, can be found on our district website.  Our school website has been getting a refresh this summer.  We are working on making it easier to navigate and hope you like the new design!
Enjoy the last days of summer! I look forward to seeing you for the start of school. If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me at dodsons@scsd303.org or reach out to our amazing school secretary, Jessica Schultz, at schultzj@scsd303.org. I am looking forward to an amazing year at Carson Elementary!!
 
 Important Information
Registration
Families who are enrolling students at Carson Elementary are asked to use our online registration, https://www.scsd303.org/84460_2, prior to the start of school.  Those students who attended Carson Elementary last year need not register.  Office hours begin on August 18th from 8:00am to 3:00pm  
First Day of School & School Hours
The first day of school is Wednesday, August 27th.  

• School begins at 7:45 each day and dismissal starts at 2:20-pm every day but Wednesday, early release, which begins at 12:20pm.
• The doors open at 7:30 for breakfast.  All students, whether they are having breakfast or not, will report to the cafeteria in the morning.  Teachers will pick up their class from the cafeteria at 7:45.
  1. TK and Kindergarten students will not attend school for the first three days.  Families will instead have a Family Connection conference with their child’s teacher during that time.  TK and Kindergarteners' first day will be Tuesday, September 2nd, after the Labor Day weekend.

Attendance
Being at school every day, on time, helps your student feel more connected and supports their learning.  If there is a reason your student will be late or unable to attend, please call the school office. We have a new attendance line where families can leave a voicemail message about their students who are out for the day.  It is number 2 on our phone tree.  You can also continue to leave a voicemail or talk to Jessica, but this gives you a quick option.  All messages are immediately forwarded to Jessica for entry into Skyward.  
Students who arrive after 8:00am are considered tardy.  Important learning happens first thing in the morning.  Students also report more feelings of anxiety and stress when they arrive late to school.  Please support your student in being on time, ready to learn, every day. 
Please remember, we are only allowed to excuse absences for the following State allowable reasons (if we do not have a reason, we cannot excuse the absence):
[1] SCSD approved activity; [2] medical; [3] family emergency; [4] religious or cultural observations; [5] court; [6] Post-secondary activities; [7] S.A.R. per RCW 28A.225.055; [8] circumstances involving homelessness status; [9] disciplinary/corrective action; and [10] completed & approved pre-arranged absence –filed 48 hours prior with office administration
Arrival and Dismissal
Bus information is on the district web site: https://www.scsd303.org/84451_2, or call transportation at 427-5277. 
Dismissal:  Please reach out to your child’s teacher prior to the start of school, and share the end-of-day dismissal plan with them.  We want to make sure your child gets home safely. 
 
Drop-off:  Please have your child sit on the passenger right side to allow for curbside exit from the vehicle.  Use the first lane to drive up to the school office.  If your child is still in a booster seat, you are welcome to park in the visitor parking at the school or next door at the middle school behind the gymnasium.
Pick-up: Pick up will be at the front (office) side of the building.  Follow the directions on signage as to which lane to use.  Please use the enclosed green card and place it on the passenger window or dash.
Please drive SLOWLY (5 MPH) through the school parking lot.  Wait in line and remain in your car during drop-off and pick up.  Student safety is paramount.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation and patience during this process.  Your support is greatly appreciated for the safety of all.
School Supplies
School supply lists have been sent out via ParentSquare and are available on the website.  We encourage you to send your student with a water bottle (please put their name on it) at the start of each week.  We will send it home with your child at the end of the week to be washed.  The school will not have water bottles for students this year, though water fountains are available.  If you need help getting school supplies for your student, please contact the District Office at 509.427.5674.  We have a few community organizations who have said they will help.
Summer Office Hours
In order to maintain health and safety of all who come to Carson Elementary you are encouraged to schedule an appointment to come into the school, including for visiting the office to make payments or drop off paperwork. Please call us at:  Carson Elementary: (509) 427-5939 
The office will be open beginning Monday, August 18th from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Please note, the office will be closed for part of the day on August 25th and 26th for required meetings.  Please call ahead of time to make an appointment. 
Food Service
Our elementary school is proud to be part of a free breakfast and lunch program for students each day.  Wendy Krieger, our Food Service supervisor, oversees these programs.  Students should bring a water bottle to fill at school.   If your family decides to send a snack or lunch to school, please consider the nutritional content.
Signs of Illness
In order to keep everyone at school safe and healthy, it is important that those who are showing any signs of illness including fever, cough, vomiting, or loss of taste/smell, stay home and isolate.   Please remember, even if your student tests negative for COVID, if they are showing signs of illness, they should stay home. 
Medication
If your child is required to take medication (over the counter or prescribed) during school hours an Authorization for Administration of Medication form must be on file.  A new form is required every year and can be found on the SCSD website.
Parent/Community Involvement
Stevenson-Carson’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is gathering soon to rebuild a robust program.  They make available many activities for children with a focus on supporting teachers to improve learning for all students. Parents are strongly encouraged to become involved in their child(ren)’s education through PTA.  Their first meeting is Tuesday, September 16th at 5:30pm at Carson Elementary.  It is open to all elementary families in the Stevenson-Carson School District.  To reach the PTA directly, email them at  pta4scsd@gmail.com.
Another way to become involved in a child’s education is to volunteer.  We have wonderful ways for adults to connect with kids that help enrich their lives and the learning we do.  All volunteers must complete a background check. You can find the required forms at:   https://www.scsd303.org/84462_2