August, 2009

Welcome to Monterey Ridge Elementary School! We are excited to welcome all of our students on the first day of school. The following information should answer many of your questions regarding the start of school.

School begins on Thursday, August 20, 2009

K – 5 9:00 am – 3:20 pm
PEPP  9:00 am – 12:20 pm

Time Banking – Wednesday
K – 5 9:00 am – 1:40 pm

The first 14 days of school (August 20 – September 9) Kindergarten hours will be: 9:00 am – 1:40 pm. These days will be devoted to helping our Kindergarten students better prepare for a longer day. Starting September 10 Kindergarten will follow the regular schedule (9:00 am – 3:20 pm).

Classroom Assignments
Classroom assignments will be posted in the front of the school at 4:00 pm on Tuesday, August 18. It is possible that these assignments may change due to changes in enrollment.

Students and parents of Kindergartners are invited to come and “Meet the Teacher” from 3:00 – 4:00 pm at their classroom on August 19. It is possible that these assignments may change due to changes in enrollment.

Before School Supervision
The playground will be open to students in the morning beginning at 8:40 am. No supervision will be provided before 8:40 am so students should not arrive at school before this time. Once students arrive, they may not leave unless a parent or other authorized person comes to the office to sign them out. To ensure the safety of our children, you will be required to show identification when you pick up your child.

School Lunch
Students will have the option of buying lunch at school. The price of lunch will be $2.00 and will include milk. Please prepay for lunch when ever possible. You can also visit www.mylunchmoney.com to pay by debit or credit card. It is simple and secure. If you qualify for free or reduced lunch, please fill out the application that is available on the district web site www.powayusd.com/Nutrition.

Medication at School
If your child is on medication, a “Physician’s Recommendation for Medication” form must be obtained from the school, completed by the physician, and returned to the school. No medication may be given at school without this form. An adult must bring the medication to the school office in the original container medication is dispensed. Children may never have medication in their possession at school. This includes aspirin, inhalers, cough drops, etc.

Absences
The absence reporting phone number is 858-487-8225. State law requires that attendance be verified. Please call the absence line if your child will be absent from school. In addition, if they will be tardy more than 30 minutes please call also.

Bicycle Riding
Only students in grades 3, 4, and 5 may ride a bicycle to school. Children must wear a helmet, provide a lock for the bicycle, and follow safety rules/laws. A permission form, obtained from the office, must be completed and on file with the office for students who wish to ride their bikes to school. Bikes must be walked once on school grounds. No rollerblades, razors, scooters, or skateboards are allowed on campus.

Parking Lot Drop Off & Pick Up
With your cooperation, we hope to be able to keep the parking lot open and the traffic flow moving to allow for student drop off and pickup in the front of the school. Monterey Ridge has a separate “bus lane”, which is along the front of the school, parallel to 4S Ranch Parkway. If the bus is already in place you may enter behind the bus to drop off or pick up your children. The front curb will be painted red, for loading and unloading only! DO NOT park here or outside marked parking stalls. Please do not double park for drop off or pick up. Since many of our families are located close to Monterey Ridge, we are hopeful that children will walk to school. Parents should walk with students to instruct them on a safe walking path and students should cross in designated crosswalks only.

Extended Student Services
Monterey Ridge provides an ESS program, which is a fee based before and after school childcare program. ESS is open from 6:30 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. All students planning to participate in ESS must be registered at our ESS building. Please call our coordinator, B.J. Brose at 858-487-8216, for information regarding registration and fees.

We look forward to seeing you on the first day of school.

Sincerely,


Rich Newman, Ed.D.
Principal