EC Principal Letter
Dear ANCS Elementary Families,
We are just eight days away from the end of the 25-26 school year. It has been a year full of growth, both academically and socially/emotionally. It has been a joy to see our school family becoming more connected through school events, morning meetings and class celebrations. I want to thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart for your continued support and dedication to our school. The end of this school year is bittersweet for me. While I am excited about my role next year, stepping away from being the principal of the elementary campus is hard. I have loved serving our school in this capacity, but it brings me peace and great joy knowing that Nicole and Veleta will be taking the helm, as I know they will move the school forward and continue to make ANCS a great place to learn and grow.
Many thanks to Wakita Jacobs and Starla Bailey who supported our PTCA all year. I also want to give a huge shout out to Jenna Mattox. She helped to organize the talent show at the spring picnic last week. That was such a fun night! Our school could not be the place it is without our parent volunteers. Thank you to each and every one of you who have given your time to help at an event, chaperone a field trip, come in to be a mystery reader, or just bring flowers for the front desk. You matter, and we see you!
Just like last year, students in kindergarten through fourth grade will be receiving a Summer Reading Bingo challenge with suggested books to read over the summer. There will be a prize for students who return their completed Bingo Sheets next school year. This will all be going home with students next Thursday and digital copies will be available on the website just in case it is misplaced over the summer. Ms. Baughman put more information in the courier, as well.
Please join me in wishing well the members of faculty and staff that will be leaving ANCS at the end of this school year. We will be honoring these folks in morning meeting next Friday (the last day of school), as well.
Once a Wolf, always a Wolf!
- Zoe Iatridis
- Heather Tomlinson
- Tawanda Morgan
- Maya Ferguson
- Emily Conners
- Kim Moran
- Toni Sulmers
- Martha Kessenich (retiring)
- Kelly Dennis (retiring)
If you missed my courier letter last week, please take a few minutes to go back and look it over. I have a lot of information in there about the dismissal procedure for the last day of school, which is different from our regular dismissal structure. These procedures are in place to support a smooth and safe dismissal for all, and it will take everyone working together to make it work. Remember, dismissal is at 11:30am. There is no after school the last day of school so it will be essential that you have a plan for your child to be picked up at 11:30. Every child will need to be picked up from school on time. Thank you in advance for helping with this.
Also, a friendly reminder that there is no student drop off on Pavillion Street in the mornings. This causes congestion and it is dangerous for students to cross the street there. We have signs posted, but it appears that this has become a problem the past few months. Please drop off your child by bringing them to the front of the school and using the appropriate drop off location. Thank you for your cooperation with this.
I invite you to take a look through the lost and found. It is located in the cafeteria and there is plenty to go through. It will all be donated at the end of the day next Thursday.
I’m sure I will see you at drop off or during dismissal, but if I don’t, I want to say that I am wishing you all a peaceful, beautiful and fun-filled summer break. Remember that Open House is Monday, August 3rd and the first day of the 2026-2027 school year is Tuesday, August 4th.
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.
