Elementary Principal Letter
Dear ANCS Elementary Campus Families,
Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year! We are excited to get this year underway and I know you are as well. This week we have our new employees here at school engaged in training and activities to orient them to all things ANCS. Next week we kick off our year with the full K-8 faculty and staff at our retreat on Monday and then have a busy pre-planning week ahead.
I know that you all have many questions as we enter into this year. Please see the regular courier regarding COVID protocols. I will attempt to answer all other questions here.
When will I know who my child’s teachers are?
Teachers receive their class lists on July 26th. You will receive communication from them by the afternoon of July 27th.
When is the open house for the elementary campus?
We are excited to have an in-person open house this year. We have not been able to do this for the past two years, so it feels pretty special! Please plan to come by the elementary campus on Friday, July 29th between 2:00 and 3:30. This is a time to meet your child’s teachers, visit the library and related arts rooms, see the farm, sign up for the PTCA and get some ANCS swag from the school store. You can also just click here to purchase your school merch today if you’d like. You’ll receive an email when your order is ready for pick up. If you have any questions, please contact the PTCA at ptca@atlncs.org. If you are a new family to ANCS, please stop by the auditorium during the open house to learn about after school, our nutrition program and to pick up your dismissal number.
How is arrival and dismissal going to work this year?
Arrival is from 7:30-8:00 each morning. You will drop off your child in front of the school where Mrs. King or I will be to open car doors and they will enter through one of three doors.
- Kindergarteners and 1st graders will enter through the door by the library and head straight down to their classroom on the first floor.
- 2nd and 3rd graders will enter through the main front doors and head to their classroom on the second floor.
- 4th and 5th graders will enter through the side door on Pavillion Street and head straight up to their classroom on the third floor.
Dismissal is from 2:30-2:45 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday each week. It is from 1:30-1:45 on Wednesdays. You can walk up to school and meet your child on the front yard or you can join the car rider line. Either way, we will call your child by their dismissal number, so please make sure you have that with you. If you prefer that your child walk home from school independently, you will need to let your child’s teachers know that prior to him/her walking without you. We will not let a student walk independently without your permission. Your child can also go to our after school program that runs from dismissal to 6:00 PM each day.
So, is there a school-wide morning meeting this year?
Yes, but it will continue to be virtual right now and just for students and teachers in the school building. We will have a virtual morning meeting each morning from 8:00-8:10. There will be no morning meetings on Wednesdays since we have early dismissal those days. If your child is performing during a morning meeting, you are welcome to come in to see. We will be sending more information about that in the coming weeks.
Can students still get breakfast at school?
Yes. Breakfast is served from 7:30-7:50 each morning. Please plan to have your child at school prior to 7:50 if you wish for him/her to eat breakfast at school.
What’s happening on Wednesdays?
Students dismiss early (at 1:30) on Wednesdays so teachers can have time to meet as teams and engage in collaborative planning and/or professional development. This is a critical time for our teachers and supports quality instruction on every level.
What do we do about school supplies?
Just like every year, ANCS is purchasing school supplies and materials for all of our students. Each year we ask families to donate $25.00 to help cover the cost of the supplies and, if you are able, to donate extra to cover the cost for another family who is unable to donate at this time. You will be able to give your donation by check or card when you come to the open house.
I know that is a lot of information, and you may still have some questions. Many of those will most likely be answered during the open house, but feel free to reach out if you’d like. We look forward to seeing you all on July 29th and starting the 22-23 school year!
Wishing you well,
Lara
Lara Zelski
Lara Zelski began working at ANCS in 2007. Previously, she worked at the Howard School and taught art, Spanish, reading and math. She taught 6th, 4th, and 2nd in DeKalb County. She taught 4th and 5th grade in Decatur and then moved to Title One reading and math instruction for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. She taught 5th grade at the ANCS elementary campus for two years.
