Dear Families,

“Who is counting on you?

And what do they need?”

New beginnings are always wonderful. From our hearts, we welcome you, your child, and your family to Andover Elementary. A new year, a new beginning, brings hope, recommitment, and challenges. Our vision is for all children to learn, to grow, and to be successful in their endeavors while at Andover.

We will need your commitment this year because you are your child’s first teacher. Commitment: I pledge to give my best to this commitment: learning gains for all children. This goal is for your child. Join us today in making Andover Elementary a community marked by excellence. Our question to you is:

“Who is counting on you?

And what do they need?”

Safety:

Safety and learning gains are Andover’s number one objectives. We begin and end each day with your child’s welfare in the forefront. To ensure your child’s safety and the safety of all of Andover’s children, we ask your assistance with these issues:

• All adults must sign in at the front office and receive a “Visitor” pass to visit class.
• Student tennis shoes with wheels located inside the heels are not safe and should not be worn.
• All volunteers need to be a registered ADDitions volunteer.

Arrival:

• Kindergarten, First, and Second grade students will sit under the pavilion by grade level and classroom teacher. Parents do not walk students to their classrooms.
• For the safety of the children, parents may not enter the building with students. Classroom visitations may be arranged through the teacher and/or administration and must be arranged 24 hours in advance.
• Teachers are not available for parent conferences or conversations when they are supervising students and escorting classes. Please leave phone messages or emails to discuss your concerns.

These procedures are for the safety of your children and all children at Andover. Please help us keep our children safe each day by following Andover’s safety procedures.

Dismissal:

• Car Riders: Children will be dismissed as parents arrive in the car pickup line with Andover’s car rider card.
• Children will not be released to adults who walk into the car rider line. This endangers our children. Adults will be directed to the office to check out their child for dismissal.
• Parents may not walk up to the lobby to pick up a child. Parents who are walking must have their children go to the “walker” dismissal area, which is located at the bike rack.
• Parents who come to the office/lobby will have to wait until all children are dismissed before children are released. Children will not be released during the last 30 minutes of instructional time (school) without prior written notice to the teacher.

Rainy Day Dismissal:

• Florida weather is known for having severe thunderstorms. During such storms, children will not be released when there is lightening in the area. Be aware that this will cause a delay in dismissal and congestion in traffic. However, your child’s safety is always our first priority. During bad weather, we ask for your patience and understanding.
• If your child is a walker or biker, please have a rainy day plan. Write this plan in your child’s planner, and send the plan to his/her teacher so he/she will know ahead of time what to do during bad weather.

Again, we welcome you to this brand new learning year. Visit us often, have lunch with your child, and read each night with your child. You are your child’s first teacher, so model the power of reading. Reading is not a spectator sport. Your child needs all of us to model the importance of reading and learning. Welcome and encourage your child daily.

Sincerely,

Matthew Pritts

Principal

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