Monday, September 21, 2015

Attendance Matters: Update #3

Here is your Attendance Update for the week of 9/14/15-9/18/15:

  • 22 days of school completed
  • 43 students absent
  • 35 students Tardy to school (not seated in class by 8:10 AM)
  • 41 early dismissal (leaving before 2:15 PM)

Did you know?  All RTE Buses arrive by 7:45 AM. Knowing that, it is easy to figure out that students who arrive tardy to school are car riders.  We often hear from parents that students arrive late due to traffic congestion in the mornings. While the traffic issues along Rimer Pond Road are not within the RTE's "circle of control," following our car rider procedures can help everyone get through the drop off line more quickly. We need YOUR help!

Reminders:

  • Do not block the area with the X as you come into the parking lot (the first blue sign). This creates a space for people who are not dropping students off to bypass the line to park, including school employees.
  • Students should exit their car starting at the blue sign in front of the Kindergarten playground (see picture). This allows up to 14 cars to unload at one time, moving the entire car rider line through the parking lot more quickly.
  • Older students should not wait for someone to open their doors, if they are able to open the door on their own. We specifically ask 3rd - 5th grade students to exit their cars independently. There are adults on duty to assist as needed.
  • Do not drop off before seeing an adult on duty at 7:30 AM. 
Tips & Hints:
  • Try to leave home 5 minutes earlier than you usually do. You'll be surprised at the difference you'll see in community traffic at 7:15 AM (less congested) versus 7:20 AM (very congested).
  • 1st and 2nd grade students who exit their cars in front of the Kindergarten playground are actually closer to their classes! 
  • Allow your child to ride the bus. Buses are noticeably less full in the mornings than in the afternoons. If your family lives in the attendance zone, allowing your child to ride the bus can help you skip the car rider traffic altogether! Find your child's bus route and register here!
Attendance and Transportation...you may ask "what's the connection?" Consider this: if your child arrives 15 minutes late to school once every week for the entire school year, they will have missed over 1 full day of instruction! Imagine how that gap grows if your child is late more than once a week. Don't forget...Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!