Back to School Newsletter

Re-Enrollment Forms

📣 ACS Elementary Families
If you haven’t already, please take a few minutes to complete your re-enrollment forms for the new school year. ✅ These forms help us keep your child’s information up to date and ensure a smooth start for everyone. Thank you for taking care of this important step!

Transportation Dept.

Acceptable Use Technology Policy:

Release of Academic Records to Non-Custodial Parent:

Authorized Pick Up Persons:

PK-6 Student Handbook 25-26

September:

• Tuesday, September 2nd, Superintendent's Conference Day-No school for students

• Wednesday, September 3rd, Superintendent's Conference Day-No school for students

• Thursday, September 4th, First Day of School !!

• Tuesday, September 9th, Emergency Bus Drills

• Wednesday, September 10th, Emergency Bus Drills

• Thursday, September 11th, School Picture Day!

• Thursday, September 11th, Open House, Book Fair, Yearbook Sales, Club Sign-ups!

• Monday, September 15th, National Dot Day-Wear your dots and circles to join the global celebration of creativity, courage, and collaboration!

Procedures for Arrival and Dismissal

As we get ready to welcome students back, we want to share our arrival and dismissal routines. These procedures are designed to keep all students safe and make the start and end of the day run smoothly.

Morning Arrival

🚌 Bus Riders

• Students who arrive by bus may go directly to breakfast if they choose.

• If not eating breakfast, students will remain on the bus until the first bell.

🧍 Parent Drop-Off

Morning drop-off runs from 7:30–7:50 a.m.

• Please do not drop off students before 7:30 a.m. (no supervision available).

• After 7:50 a.m., students are marked tardy and must be signed in at the main entrance.

• If no staff are outside after 7:50, please bring your child to the attendance office.

Once inside, students will wait in the PAC until school begins (unless they are going to breakfast).
👉 Plenty of staff will be on hand to guide students to their classrooms, especially during the first few days!

🚗 Stop & Drop

• Enter through the PAC parking lot and follow the loop.

• Right-hand lane = drop-off only. Students must exit from the passenger side.

• Parents/guardians remain in their vehicles.

• After drop-off, carefully merge into the left lane to exit.

🚶 Park & Walk

• Families who prefer may park in the PAC lot and walk students to the rear PAC entrance.

• Please follow staff directions when crossing the lot.

Afternoon Dismissal

🚌 Bus Riders

• Students riding the bus will board directly after school dismissal.

🧍 Parent Pick-Up

⏰ Dismissal Times

• Grades PK–4: Dismissal at 2:40 p.m. from the PAC.

• Grades 5–6: Dismissal between 2:40–2:45 p.m. from the PAC lobby, street-side doors on East Ave.

  • These students may walk home or meet their ride at a pre-arranged location.

  • ⚠️ Please use extra caution when driving on East Ave., as students may be crossing.

PK–4 Parent Pick-Up

• Parents/guardians will line up outside the rear PAC doors.

• All PK–4 students will be dismissed through one designated PAC door.

• Each PK–4 family will be issued a pick-up number before the start of the school year.

  • Please display this number clearly at dismissal.

  • Additional number cards are available upon request.

To request a family pick-up number (or additional cards), please contact:
📞 Mrs. Coddington — (607) 295-7471 ext. 1140
📧 scoddington@arkportcsd.org

How the System Works

• A staff member will enter your pick-up number into the system.

• Your number will appear on a screen inside the PAC so students know you’ve arrived.

• Teachers will escort students to the dismissal door to be released to you or another caregiver listed on your Authorized Pick-Up List.

👉 This system helps ensure dismissal is safe, smooth, and secure for all students. Thank you for your cooperation!

Counselor News-with Mrs. Harris!

Health Office Updates

💉✨ Health Office Update ✨💉

Not sure what immunizations are needed for school? No worries — Nurse Smith has everything laid out for us! ✅

Check the information below to make sure your child is ready for a healthy school year.

🍎 Welcome to ACS Food Service!

We are excited to kick off another great year in the cafeteria! Our school meals are designed to keep students fueled, focused, and ready to learn.

Our Culinary Director, Ms. Cathy Shutt, and her team work hard every day to prepare healthy, kid-friendly meals that students love. Ms. Shutt is always happy to answer questions or help families with lunch accounts. You can reach her at cshutt@arkportcsd.org or 295-7471 ext. 1143 (before 9:00 a.m. or after 1:00 p.m.).

🌟 Great news! Once again this year, all Pre-K through 12 students will receive free breakfast and lunch.

🍽️ September Lunch Menu
The September lunch menu is now available! It features a variety of tasty options, including student favorites and balanced choices to keep everyone energized throughout the school day.

PK-5 Menu

6-12 Menu

For more information on our Food Service Dept., please visit: ACS Cafeteria & Nutrition

• 🍎✨ At ACS Elementary, every PK–6 student receives a daily snack! This little boost helps our Blue Jays focus on learning instead of hungry bellies, so they can put their very best effort into their schoolwork. 📚

• 💧 We ask that students bring a refillable water bottle to school each day to help them stay hydrated and ready to learn. Please remember—bottles should be filled with water only (all other drinks should stay at home). Thank you for your support! 🌟

New Addition!

🏀✨ PK–6 Kiddos, we’ve got a fun new addition to the playground… a basketball hoop! 🎉

We can’t wait to see all the games, teamwork, and smiles it brings. Don't worry kiddos, still plenty of room for 4-square too! 💙 Go Blue Jays!

Thank You!

💙 A big thank you to our Pre-K and Kindergarten families who came out this week to meet teachers and explore classrooms! ✨ We loved seeing so many excited faces and can’t wait for a wonderful year ahead.

We’d also like to thank our families who came Thursday night to tour the building — whether you’re new to the district or just getting familiar before school starts. We look forward to partnering with you on your child's educational journey.💙

✨If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out at 607-295-7471 ext. 1140. ✨

Reminder: All school supplies will be provided by the district! All your PK–6 student needs to bring on the first day is a backpack and a refillable water bottle.