Dear Caregivers,
The first week back to school was a success! It has been such an uplifting week hearing the joy in everyone’s voices, seeing all the smiling faces and watching the sheer excitement as students enter the building. We are ready to take on this year together and look forward to building and maintaining strong relationships with all students and their caregivers. We know that by working together students thrive and grow leaps and bounds within a year. Below are some reminders to keep in mind.
- Early drop off is back! Students may be dropped off starting at 7:15am. Please note that there is no adult supervision until 7:15 when the doors open. Students should not be dropped off until staff is on Eastern Ave. to greet them and supervise the arrival process.
- Students are considered late at 7:45am and must enter the building through Gage Street to receive a late pass from the main office. The Eastern Ave doors will be shut at 7:45am. We were flexible this week while everyone adjusted to the school routine but next week the Eastern Ave doors will be closing at 7:45.
- To ensure the safety of all students and staff at parent pick-up it is important that caregivers picking up in a vehicle join the line on the school side of the building and not park across the street. Caregivers who walk to pick their children up need to stand on the sidewalk at the end of the school building and not by the main entrance. Parent pick-up ends at 3:00pm.
- Uniforms must be worn daily. Please refer to our policy in the Student and Family handbook. Solid navy cardigans, fleeces and sweaters are acceptable. Students will not be permitted to wear sweaters or sweatshirts that do not align with the dress code.
- Thank you for being so patient while we are working on our telephone update. Please email sustasis@learningfirstcharter.org if you have any questions. Please also utilize Class Dojo to be in communication with the classroom teachers.
We are looking forward to meeting you all at our scheduled Open House on September 14th, from 6-7pm. Please see the attached information sheet for details.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out directly to your child’s classroom teacher or your child’s Head of School.
Brianne Padden
Lower Academy Head of School- grades k-3
Bpadden@learningifrstcharter.org
Tina DeVito
Upper Academy Head of School- grades 4-8
Tdevito@learningfirstcharter.org
Bus Registration for the 2022-2023 School Year: In order to create the most efficient bus routes, all students must be registered. Please go to https://forms.gle/Yjc5Vztx8PVtGHbM7 to register if you have not done so at this time.
All applications and student information that were received by 8/18/2022 had been given to the bus company.
Parents that have not registered prior to this date will need to use an existing stop for the first two weeks. After the first two weeks, the routes will be updated based on the addresses listed on the applications and any bus stop change requests that they deem reasonable. The main office will inform families when the updated routes will begin. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the main office at (508) 799-7500 and press “8” or email Sally Ustaitis, sustaitis@learningfirstcharter.org.
Picture Day: Fall picture day is Tuesday, September 13th. Flyers with the list of packages and envelope for money will go home the week before. Parents can pay online two weeks prior to picture day. Flyers will go home closer to the date with a prepaid code that parents can use. Online prepaid orders will be open until midnight the day of picture day. 3-5 weeks after picture day, each student will receive an individual password where they can purchase online. To pre-order go to http://www.grynnandbarrett.com/grynnternet
All students will have their picture taken and must be in uniform.
Reminders from the School Nurse: Please be sure to send in any updated immunization records for your students or you can fax them to (508)753-9679.
The Smile Program (dentist) is coming September 13th -15th and all dentist forms are due by September 12th. If your child needs any kind of medication during school hours, we will need new doctors’ orders for this year on file.
Bubbles are still down so please send your child in with water.
8th grade families: Hello from the guidance office! This is a big year for you and your children as we navigate through the high school transition process! I will be posting dates of upcoming high school events and updates for you in this newsletter, on class dojo, and through the 8th grade parent email group. If your email is not listed with us or you are not getting the emails, please let the main office know so we can make sure you are getting all of the information!
I do have several events that start this month to make you aware of…yes the process starts now and it will be ongoing throughout the year! On September 14th Learning First will be having our annual back to school night. It starts at 6pm, however, 8th grade families; you are invited to come at 5:30 for a session on high school options and application processes. PLEASE come to this, as you will get all of the new and most up to date information.
Here are some other dates for you to get you started:
8th grade high school Open Houses:
St. Paul’s: Saturday, October 1st @10am
Bancroft: Thursday, October 13th @ 6pm and Sunday, October 23rd @ 1pm
Worcester Academy: Sunday, October 16th and Sunday, November 6th
Notre Dame: Sunday, October 23rd @1pm
St. John’s: Saturday, September 24th @9:30am and Tuesday, October 18th @ 6pm
All of the open houses require an online registration.
I look forward to working with you and your children on the next phase of their journey! If you have any questions or concerns please contact me at any of the following:
lmoore@learningfirstcharter.org, x1112, on dojo, or my school cell 508-374-3577 (call or text). Lisa Moore, JA counselor
Community Connections: The Spencer Fair is back this weekend! It will run from September 1st– 5th. The Spencer fair is an old time, traditional country fair including ox and horse pulls, cattle, rabbit and poultry shows, hall exhibits, midway and outdoor entertainment such as Pirate Man Dan, Jolley Clown Family, a dinosaur experience and some carnival rides. The Spencer Fair will be located at 48 Smithville Rd, Spencer, MA and will have free parking all weekend. The hours are Sept. 1st– 5-9 PM; Sept. 2-4th 10 AM- 11 PM; Sept. 5th 10 AM- 8 PM. General admission is $12.00; Children 7-12 $9.00; Children under 7 are free. There are advance general admission prices, military prices, senior prices and weekend passes also available.
The 2022 Sterling Fair will be held on September 9th– September 11th at the Sterling Airport, 121 Greenland Rd, Sterling, MA. This is a free 2 ½ day, family-oriented, community, agricultural fair with an emphasis on agriculture and education.
St. Peter’s Parish Youth Basketball Program will start registrations on Sunday, September 18th from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM, Monday, September 19th from 7:00-7:30 PM and on Sunday, October 2nd form 10:00 AM- 12:00 PM. All registrations will take place in the parish center/ gym at 929 Main Street, Worcester (behind the rectory). Boys and girls 5 to 15 years of age (as of December 31, 2022) are eligible to register. Registration fees are $85 per child/ $110 cap per family and $50 for the instructional program. For more information please email 508foreveryoung@gmail.com or paulsuerichard@yahoo.com.
The 18th Annual stART on the Street will take place on September 18th at 11:00 AM- 6:00 PM on Park Ave. between Pleasant and Highland St. This is central Massachusetts’ largest art, music and performance festival. The street will be filled with artists, crafters, kids activities, live comedy, live music and performances, and food- including trucks, booths, and a vegan food court.
Sept 5: NO SCHOOL
Sept. 9: Stomp Practice 2:30-4:00 PM
Sept. 13: Fall Picture Day
Sept. 13-15: Smile Program
Sept. 14: Open House 6:00-7:00 PM; Grade 8 High School Informational Session 5:30-6:00 PM
Sept. 19: Board of Trustees Meeting