Getting Ready for a New Year

Cedar Elementary Overview

Getting ready for a new year: Cedar parents and students learn who their teacher will be on the day before classes start. Lists are posted in the afternoon. At this time, students have the opportunity to meet their teacher, see the classroom, take in school supplies, and tour the school. An evening event for families is held later in the week to kick off the school year.

Book fee info will be available soon online and a sheet will be given the day before school begins. You can pay by cash or check to Cedar.

School Day info:  Drop-off procedures o School Begins at 8:55 o Drop Off – it is a one way system in a clockwise manner around the parking lot to the front of the school. You will be directed by staff as to when to move. o Parents are welcome to park and walk their child into school.  Pick-up procedures o All parents must come into the LGI room to pick up their child. o If your child usually rides the bus but you need to pick them up at the end of the day, please send a note in with your child. Include the child’s name, their teacher’s name, the date, and the name of the person picking up the child. o There is a one way flow of traffic during pick up as well. Please follow the same flow as the drop off - clockwise around the parking lot.  Lunch o Students can purchase lunch for $1.95. They do not pay as they go through the lunch line, but instead use a card that is linked to their account. There are two ways to add money to your child’s account: . Send cash or checks to school with your child in a sealed envelope. Be sure to put the child’s name, teacher’s name, and a note about what the money is for on the outside of the envelope. . Use www.mylunchmoney.com - the site will direct you as how to get an account set up. o Each day, there are several choices for lunch. Hot meal, vegetarian hot meal, salad, or PBJ. o Extras are available for purchase, including chips and ice cream. You can make a note on your child’s account if they are not authorized to purchase extras. Kindergarteners cannot purchase extras until the second semester.  Recess – children usually go outside during recess unless the temperature or if weather is inclement. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately. Teachers have discretion on when to hold recess indoors.  Specials – Cedar offers 4 specials classes, and students attend one each day. They are Physical Education, Library, Music, and Art, and students rotate through them in that order. Note, students must wear tennis shoes for gym class, or they will not be able to participate.

Events throughout the year:  Musicals/shows – Kindergarten does a show in the spring. First and Second grades put on a Christmas musical. Third and Fourth grades do a musical in the spring. A Veterans Day Program is another highlight of the year. Family members who have served our country are invited to attend.  Garden Club – Spring – This club is for any 3rd and 4th grader. The school maintains a garden in the spring that is run by students. Mrs. Moon is in charge of this club.  Family Nights – the PTO puts on a number of fun events throughout the year. In the past, we have had movie nights, Mad Science night, sock hop etc  Engineering Night – in the Spring  Field Trips – Each grade level will take a field trip during the school year. Parents are usually invited to attend, depending on space and time restrictions. Teachers determine where the excursion will be, but in the past we have done: o Kindergarten – Beasley’s Orchard in the fall. o First – Hendricks Regional Hospital o Second – Children’s Museum o Third – National Institute of Fitness and Sport (NIFS) o Fourth – State House and City Market  Outdoor Learning Center – Avon students have an incredible resource in the Avon Outdoor Learning Center. Located behind Maple Elementary, the OLC has an outdoor classroom, walking trails, and an authentic log cabin. Each class has a field trip to the OLC at some point during the school year. Learn more at http://www.avon-schools.org/Page/262  Fundraisers – the PTO raises money through various activities. The money is used to provide grants for teachers, provide transportation for field trips, and other fun activities for students. o Walk-A-Thon – this happens in the fall. Participation is optional. o Spirit Nights – Cedar sets up a fundraiser at a local company, usually a restaurant, and a percentage of the proceeds go to the school (ex. Culver’s, Orange Leaf, etc…) The school schedules 2 spirit nights per semester. o Box Tops, Labels for Education, Tyson labels – We have an official collection week in January, but start collecting now! o Amazon Smiles and Target Red Cards  End of quarter convocations – Students celebrate the end of each quarter with a convocation. Students are recognized for a variety of accomplishments that occurred during each nine week period.  Field Day – Each student will participate in Field Day in the spring. Parent volunteers are welcome. Look for a sign-up sheet to come home with your child.  Other events: o Jump Rope for Heart – this occurs in the fall. Students are asked to collect pledges from friends and family, which will be donated to the American Heart Association. Participation is optional. o Art to Remember – Each student will create a special work of art during art class. Then, parents are able to purchase a number of items with the art on it, including t-shirts, pillows, key chains, etc. Look for this in the fall. The money made from this event goes toward new supplies for art class and the outdoor learning center. o Book Fairs – Scholastic Book Fairs are held in the fall and spring. Each student will receive a catalog of available books, and each class has a time slot to visit the book fair during school. Parents may send in money with their child, or can come to the book fair themselves. PTO meetings – All parents are welcome to attend the PTO meetings. They are usually held on the first Monday of each month. There are many opportunities to get involved and help is always needed and appreciated! Visit http://www.avon- schools.org/cedar under the PTO tab for more information.

Any PTO information, dates, events, etc… will be posted under the PTO tab on the Cedar website referenced above.