Welcome to the 2007-2008 school year!  We’re off to a wonderful start!  This publication, “Parent Bulletin”, will be sent home at the start of each month.  You can also go to rvschools.org to find any of this information.  Included will be building information, menus, and a calendar of events.  Also, watch for letters from your child’s teacher.  They will be sent as needed to help keep you informed of classroom news.

   Welcome Aboard!

As you know Mrs. Faherty retired at the end of last school year.  Our new Kindergarten teacher will be Tara Johnson.  She comes to us from Baraboo School District where she taught 2nd grade for the last two years.  She has 8 years of prior kindergarten experience and is excited about moving back to kindergarten.  Mrs. Johnson lives just outside of Plain on the Ridge with her husband Erik and her 1 1/2 year old baby daughter Delaney.

 We are very excited to have Mrs. Johnson join our staff and look forward to getting to know her.  Please help us welcome all new faces when you see them in the halls.

 Important Dates:

Tuesday, September 4th is the first day of classes and our Open House from 5:30-7pm.  An invitation is included with a menu request depending on your last name.  Hope to see you there.

 Picture Day

Wednesday, September 5th is picture day.  Order forms are included with this packet, please return your orders on the first day of school.  If you will not be ordering pictures, please let us know.  All students will be photographed so we have a picture for our yearbook.  However, portrait packages will be printed only for students who have placed an order.  Younger sibling photos can be taken at 11:10.  If you plan to come for this please call the office so arrangements can be made.

 Homecoming

Friday, September 21st will begin with a two hour delayed start.  We will then take a bus to Spring Green for the School Fair and Parade.  Following the parade students will be bussed back to Plain to take their scheduled transportation home.

Clothing Drive

Iowa County is organizing a “Winter Wear for Folks” clothing drive during the month of September.  RVSD collection sites will be at Arena, Lone Rock, Plain and Spring Green Elementary Schools. You can help by donating coats, hats, mittens/gloves, scarves, sweaters, snow pants, etc. for people of all ages and sizes.  Donations can be dropped off at school from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, during the month of September.  Please place items in the Winter Wear collection boxes, which can be found in the elementary school entryways.

 All River Valley families are eligible to go to the distribution center to select needed clothing items, and are not required to be a resident of Iowa County to participate. The Distribution Center is at Grace Lutheran Church, 1105 N. Bequette Street in  Dodgeville.  The Distribution Center’s hours will be announced at a later date. 

 Please contact Lynn Breunig, School Social Worker, at Plain Elementary School if you have questions (608/546-2228).

Classroom Book Orders

Many of our students enjoy books purchased from book clubs.  We are asking that book order payments be made in the form of a check or money order (no cash, please) made payable to the book club.  Thank you for your consideration!

Party Invitations

In effort to avoid hurt feelings, classrooms teachers are asking that party invitations be mailed rather than handed out at school.  Thank you for your consideration.

Sandbox Toys Needed

Our playground sandbox is in need of durable sand toys.  If you would have sand toys you would be interested in donating, our little sand diggers would be very grateful! 

PEP Club News

Meetings will be held the second Monday of each month.  Please make this correction on the RV District Calendar.  The first meeting is on September 10th at 7pm.  We are looking for more parent participation.  This is a great opportunity to get involved in your childs education.  Please come and find out what we are all about.

Shopping at Target?   

Target donates 1% of qualifying sales (sales made with a Target charge card and designated to Plain Elementary) to our school.  More information can be obtained at any Target store. 

Attendance Policy

State law requires all children 6 to 18 years of age to attend school.  The maximum number of days allowed absent is ten for the entire year.  When a student reaches five absences, a notification letter will be sent to the child’s parent or guardian reminding them of the state law and policy.  If there are circumstances preventing your child from attending, please contact your child’s teacher so that appropriate arrangements may be made to assist your child in keeping up with class work.

Walking to School?

Students walking to school should arrive at school no earlier than 7:45 AM, when adult supervision begins.  Please remind your little ones.    

Arriving After 8:00 AM?

Students arriving at school after the 8:00 bell must check in at the office before going to their classroom.  Late students are marked absent until they check into the office, then they will be marked tardy.   Thank you for your help in seeing that your child arrives to school promptly.

Leaving Before 3:20 PM?

Students leaving school before the 3:20 bell should be picked up at the office.  The intercom system will be used to call your child from the classroom.  Please do not go directly to the classroom to pick up your child.  This helps keep classroom disruptions to a minimum as well as provides a safe learning environment.

Daily Attendance

Students arriving to school prior to 10:00, will be recorded as tardy.  Students arriving to school later than 10:00 will be recorded as having a 1/2 day absence.  Students arriving after 1:00 will be counted as a full day absence.  Students missing up to 2 hours of school throughout any portions of the school day will be recorded as tardy (I.e. – arriving late / leaving and coming back / picked up early).

After School Pick Up

Students who are picked up after the 3:20 bell will check the front door area to see if their ride has arrived.  If their ride has not arrived yet they will report to the playground (where there is adult supervision)  to wait for their ride.   Students will not wait at the front door for their ride as there is no adult supervision in that area at that time.     

When picking up your child after the 3:20 bell, please be sure to be out of the bus lanes by 3:30.  Vehicles parked in front of the school after 3:30 block bus lanes. 

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08/27/07 (ds)