Increase Miller Elementary School

September 18, 2020

Dear IM Families,

We have had a terrific week at Increase Miller with your children - both online and in person.  We realize that there are always bumps in the road in the beginning of any school year, but we are thrilled to reconnect with them and hear their adventures, ideas, and laughter!  We hope that it is going smoothly for all of you as well. 

Please take a few minutes to read the information below as we look forward to next week.

Transportation, Arrival & Dismissal

First, we would like to thank everyone for their patience and cooperation with arrival and dismissal during our first full week of school.  Staff, families, and students all worked together to practice the procedures and routines and we would also like to thank our Transportation Department who worked closely with us and families to help adjust arrival and departure times.  While there is always room for improvement, we are very pleased with how well the first week went.   To help us keep everyone safe, we ask you, our parents and caregivers,  to do the following to ensure a safe and efficient transition:

• Please make every effort to remain in your car.  If you have a Kindergartener and need to assist your child with his/her seat belt, please park in the side lot for either arrival or dismissal.   Alternatively, please consider practicing this procedure at home with your child so he/she can independently buckle themselves into their seat.   Building independence at this age helps children feel more confident in their own abilities too.

• Students should enter and exit curb-side. Now that everyone knows the routines, students should exit curbside to ensure their safety.   Consider moving your child’s safety seat to the side he/she is being picked up or dropped off.  At times, cars may need to pass you so this will ensure their safety. 

• Permanent Note for Pick Up/Drop Off: For those of you who are picking up and dropping off regularly, thank you for completing the online form.  If you did not complete the online form or have any questions about drop off and pick up, please email Eden Ladd at eladd@klschools.org for any change in arrival and dismissal.  We ask that you submit any dismissal changes by 12 PM on a given day.  We want your child to know his/her destination while in school so please make every effort to communicate plans to them and us in advance. 

• Just a reminder: Please put your child’s name, grade, and teacher in their passenger side windshield so staff can clearly see the information.  This will help in our dismissal process. 

Attendance

If your child is not in school on a given day or not working remotely in either model (hybrid or remote), they will be marked absent.  Please contact Eden Ladd at eladd@klschools.org in the main office if your child is not in attendance on a given day or call 763-7150 and leave a message. 

Safety Drills

Throughout the fall, we will be practicing our mandated safety drills with students.  This morning, we conducted our first Evacuation Drill, or Fire Drill, with our in-person students.  The children demonstrated very responsible behaviors as they exited the building quietly and quickly.  We realize that our new learning model this year may impact online learning and Zoom sessions with students so we will do our best to minimize impact to those schedules. 

Curriculum Night

Curriculum Night for our K-5 Families will take place on Wednesday, September 30. It will take place virtually.   Details will be communicated in the near future about how to access the presentations.   

Finally, teachers and staff are working hard to create learning experiences for both in-class and remote students while implementing new health and safety procedures and new technologies.  We thank you for your unwavering support, understanding and patience as teachers learn how to teach in this new model.   We continue to be proud of all their accomplishments and thank you for your partnership and positive words of encouragement as we navigate these times together. 

With gratitude,

Kerry Ford & Michael Weschler