Seward Elementary parents/guardians,

Thank you all for a wonderful first week of school. There are amazing things happening in the classrooms with our students.

There are a few items I want to communicate; please forgive the length of this communication.

Open House:

Tuesday, August 22nd, will be Seward El Open House from 4:30-5:30. This is an opportunity for you to talk with your students’ teacher and let the student show off their classroom. There will be popsicles! (Thank you PTA)

Drop off and pick up:

With three schools in such close proximity all having the same start/stop times, it causes some additional hurdles we need to overcome.

Morning drop off routine:

Buses:
All buses will drop off the students at the front door. Buses should be out of the parking lot at or near 7:40.

Car riders:
There are 2 options for car riders:
1) walk up
2) drop off

Walk up – If you choose to walk your student to the front doors, please park in a designated parking spot, use the crosswalk and walk your student to the covered area at the front of the school. Please DO NOT allow your student to cross the parking lot by themselves.

Drop off – Please drive around the complete parking lot (near the soccer fields), proceed to the new “drop-off zone.” The new drop-off zone is at the beginning of the main sidewalk to the end of the front garden area. We will have cones set at the beginning and end of the drop-off zone as well as staff to assist. Please drive as far into the drop-off zone as you can before your student exits the vehicle. Please DO NOT allow your student to exit the vehicle outside of the drop-off zone and DO NOT leave your vehicle. In order to provide an efficient and safe drop off we must keep the vehicles proceeding through the line.

In the event buses are delayed and still in the drop-off zone, either park and walk your student to the front sidewalk, or wait patiently in the drop-off line until the bus departs, then proceed to the drop- off zone.

Doors open at 7:40.

If you arrive after 8:00, please park in a designated parking spot and walk your student to the school doors.

Afternoon pick up (school ends at 2:30):

Buses:
Buses load immediately at the end of school and depart as soon as all bus riders are loaded.

Pick up:
If you choose to pick up your child from school, please park in a designated parking spot, walk to the front sidewalk to meet your student. There are many cars and buses in the area at the same time. For each student’s safety, please walk with your student back to your vehicle.

Reminders/Information:

Starting Monday, August 21st, students will walk by themselves to the classroom. Thank you parents/guardians for allowing your student the opportunity to practice/learn independence.

Please fill out Free and Reduced Lunch applications (these forms are what determines our Title 1 status, which determines if we receive additional federal funding for Seward El).

If you are interested in volunteering at Seward El, or intend on being in the building with other students present during the school day, a volunteer screening application must be completed. This does include a background check.

Please make sure your student is at school by 8:00. Our goal is to cut down on tardies and ensure each student is getting the quality education they deserve. If something happens that requires you to arrive after 8:00, you must park in a designated spot and walk your student to the school.

Seward El has been inspected for asbestos containing building material, and none was found.

Again, thank you for your support of the staff at Seward El. Please feel free to contact the school office if you have any questions or we can assist your family in any way.

It’s a great day to be a Sea Lion!
Matt Cook and Seward El staff

On Tuesday, August 22nd, will be Seward Elementary School Open House from 4:30-5:30. This is an opportunity for you to talk with your students’ teacher and let your student show off their classroom. There will be popsicles! (Thank you PTA)

See you there!

Hello Seward Elementary Families,

We hope your summer break was filled with fun, rest and a lifetime of memories. The faculty and staff of Seward Elementary would like to welcome you to the 2023-2024 school year! If you are a returning family – welcome back! If you are new to the Seward Elementary family – we are so glad you will be joining us. We believe this year will be the absolute best year for your student.

I have just a few housekeeping items to bring to your attention:

• SCHOOLWIDE OPEN HOUSE – Tuesday August 22nd 4:30-5:30. You are welcome to come to the school, say hi to the teacher and let your student show off their classroom. Kindergarten through 2nd grade will have an informal Meet and Greet Monday, August 14 from 4:00-5:00.

• The start/stop time has changed this school year. The school day will start at 8:00 and end at 2:30. Please see the morning and afternoon procedures below for changes to the routine.

• From Aug 15th-18th, you may drop your student off at the classroom. We ask for quick “good-byes” so teachers can begin the day with their students. Beginning Aug 20th, if you would like to walk your child to the building, you must drop them off at the front doors.

• For the safety of our staff and students, all exterior doors are locked during the school day.

• Please fill out the Free and Reduced lunch application, even if you are not sure if you meet the requirements. These forms/applications help us obtain Title 1 status, which would allow us to potentially have a preschool program, or additional academic support for our students, etc…The forms can be located on the KPBSD website or contact the school office.

• If you have any bus related questions, please contact our bus coordinator at 907-224-3559.

• The school and district is still hiring for multiple positions, if you are interested in employment, please check out the KPBSD website.

Morning and afternoon routines:
The change in start/stop times of school have caused us to redo the normal procedures before and after school. Below are the procedures:

* Before school:
Breakfast will be served between 7:40 and 7:50. If your student will eat breakfast at school, please make sure they are here in time.

If your student is not eating breakfast and arrives between 7:40-7:55, they will go outside for morning recess. Please have your student geared up and ready to head outside.

If a student arrives between 7:55 and 8:00 they will go directly to their class

* After school:

Bus riders – Students will be walked to the bus

Pick up – Please park and walk to the sidewalk to pick up your student from their teacher.

School starts at 8:00. We ask that you please do everything possible to have your student to school on time. When students are late, they miss out on quality instruction. Additionally, arriving late causes distractions to the other students and teachers that are already engaged in learning. Thank you for your support with this!

As the Seward Elementary team, we want to express our eagerness to work with and get to know the families and students of Seward. We understand that each and every child that walks through our doors is special; our goal is to provide each of them with the highest quality educational experiences in the safest environment possible.

We want to thank you on the front end for your support of the staff at Seward Elementary. We know that a successful school and successful students are a direct result of teamwork between the school staff and parents.

Finally, just a brief introduction; I have the privilege to be principal at Seward Elementary. My wife, Mickey, and I just recently relocated from Arkansas. This will be my 19th year in public education; 12th year as a principal. I have either taught, or been a principal, in elementary school, middle school and high school. Mickey and I are both beyond excited to be part of the Seward community and look forward to meeting you.

If you have any questions, please contact the school office at 907-224-3356.

We look forward to seeing you on the 15th!

Matt Cook and the Seward Elementary team