Principal's Back to School Welcome

Ms. Prindle shares first day of school information and upcoming Castlemont events.

Welcome Back to School!

Dear Castlemont Families,

We are excited to welcome you back to another fantastic school year. The countdown is on, and we can hardly wait to see our students' smiling faces.

The first day of school is this Wednesday, August 21st. School will begin promptly at 8:20 AM. Please ensure your child arrives on time to start their day off right.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

Gate Options:

• Payne Avenue and Barkwood Avenue: Experience a festive "red carpet welcome" complete with music as you enter the school.

• Castlemont Avenue: For those seeking a quieter entry, our Castlemont gate offers a sensory-friendly "quiet entry" experience.

First Day for TK and Kindergarten: To help our newest students and their families feel welcome, we invite all TK and Kindergarten parents/guardians to attend an informational assembly starting at 8:30 AM in the Multi-Use Room. We can't wait to share the exciting things we have planned for this school year!

GENERAL INFORMATION

Arrival:  8:20am daily for all students

Dismissal:

•  TK-3rd 2:30pm

•  4th-5th: 2:35pm

EVERY Wednesday is Early Dismissal (including the first day of school):

• TK-3rd 1:30pm

• 4th-5th: 1:35pm

School Entry Gates: For your convenience, we have three entry gates to our school: Payne Avenue; Barkwood Avenue; and Castlemont Avenue. Each gate offers both a walk-in entrance for students and a car drop-off lane for quick and easy drop-offs.

• Drop-off Lanes: To ensure the safety of all students, please remain in your vehicle and pull forward as your child exits the car. Do not park in the marked bus loading zone.

• Walk-in Gates: Our gates open at 8:10 in the morning and 2:20 in the afternoon. Please note that the morning gates will close promptly at 8:20 AM.   

Classroom Assignments: We understand your eagerness to know your child's teacher. A ParentSquare message will be sent out tomorrow, Tuesday, August 20th, shortly after 4:00 PM with instructions for how to view your student's teacher assignment. Please note that all classroom placements are subject to change during the first two weeks of school as our enrollment numbers stabilize. Miss the ParentSquare message? We will be in the halls Wednesday morning with teacher lists to share with you. 

Summer Learning Challenge: Did your child complete the Summer Learning Challenge? If so, please have them turn in their completed learning log to their classroom teacher. We will celebrate all those who completed the challenge with an ice cream treat during lunch on Friday, August 30th in Room 23.

Volunteer Opportunities: We love and need our volunteers! There are many ways to get involved, big and small, at Castlemont. Opportunities include: our Garden Familia; library helpers; copying and laminating; Home and School Club;  ELAC;  School Site Council; and more.  We encourage your involvement.

Back to School Family Picnic: Join us for our annual Back to School Family Picnic on Tuesday, August 27th from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet other families while your children enjoy an unstructured time to play and socialize . Bring a blanket to sit on the grass, and we'll provide free popsicles for the kids. You can also bring a snack or picnic dinner or purchase pizza and drinks from our Home and School Club. We can't wait to see you there!

Back to School Night is scheduled for Thursday, August 29th from 5:30- 6:45pm. During this important evening you will have the opportunity to meet your child’s teacher and hear more about the various aspects of the Castlemont community. The schedule is as follows:

5:30 - 5:55        Parent Information Meeting in the MultiUse Room 

5:55 - 6:00        Passing Period

6:00 - 6:20        First Round of Presentations in Classrooms

6:20 - 6:25        Passing Period

6:25 - 6:45        Second Round of Presentations in Classrooms

We understand that the start of a new school year can bring both excitement and anticipation. Our dedicated staff is committed to creating a safe, supportive, and engaging learning environment for all students. We have a wonderful school year planned, filled with learning and enriching experiences. We believe that a strong partnership between home and school is essential for student success, and we look forward to working closely with you. We look forward to a fantastic year together!

Yours sincerely,

Kristen Kimoto Prindle