Hello Roosevelt Families,
As we kick off this new school year, I am thrilled to see our students settling in and enjoying the positive changes we’ve implemented. One of the highlights has been our new lunch setup, where all students eat together inclusively in the cafeteria or the adjacent courtyard. Seeing the sense of community growing as our students come together during lunchtime has been wonderful. I’m also excited to share that our salad bar is back for those students who choose to get a hot lunch, offering them more healthy and delicious options.
This year, we are guided by our vision and mission, which center on fostering a nurturing and inclusive environment where every student can thrive. Our new theme, “Roosevelt Has GRIT,” embodies the values we believe are essential for our students’ success. GRIT stands for Growth, Respect, Integrity, and Tenacity.
- Growth encourages our students to embrace challenges and view them as opportunities to learn and improve.
- Respect reminds us to treat others with kindness and consideration, valuing the diversity that makes our school so special.
- Integrity is about doing the right thing, even when no one is watching, and being honest and trustworthy.
- Tenacity encourages perseverance, pushing through obstacles, and staying committed to our goals.
We believe these values are not only crucial in school but also at home. I encourage you to talk with your children about GRIT and find ways to implement these values in your daily routines. Whether it’s discussing how they can grow by learning something new, practicing respect with family members, demonstrating integrity in their actions, or showing tenacity in their hobbies, these conversations can help reinforce what they’re learning at school.
Throughout the year, students will delve deeper into these values in their classrooms, helping to shape their character and prepare them for future challenges.
I also want to thank all our TK-2 parents who made our first Back to School Night a success. It was wonderful to see such a strong turnout and to share our plans for the year ahead. For our upper-grade families (3rd-5th), we look forward to welcoming you next Tuesday, September 3rd, for your Back to School Night. It’s a great opportunity to meet your child’s teacher and learn more about the exciting year ahead.
Please remember that there will be no school on Monday, and Tuesday will be a minimum day. Be sure to refer to the bell schedule for the correct pick-up times.
Thank you for your continued investment in our school community. Your support and involvement make Roosevelt a special place for our students to learn and grow.
September is Attendance Awareness Month
September is National School Attendance Awareness Month, a time to highlight the critical role that regular attendance plays in your child’s education—not just during September, but throughout the entire year. Every day a student is absent is a missed opportunity for learning and growth. When students miss school, they miss out on vital learning experiences that are essential for mastering academic material. Regular attendance also helps students build strong relationships with their peers and school staff, which is crucial for their overall well-being. Simply put, students cannot fully benefit from their education if they are not in school.
To highlight the importance of consistent attendance, we’ll be dressing up every Wednesday in September to show that “Attendance Matters!” Please take a moment to speak with your students about why being present every day is crucial for their success. Let’s work together to encourage our classes to make attendance a priority.
Let’s make this a fun and engaging month while reinforcing the importance of being at school every day!
Attendance Notifications
If you have received an attendance letter, here is some information:
“I just received a letter from the school about absences. Why did I get this letter?”
- Three (3) UNEXCUSED absences are considered excessive and trigger a letter to be sent out from our automated system.
- EIGHT (8) excused (illness etc.) absences are considered excessive.
- SIX (6) unexcused absences warrant a 2nd letter.
- NINE (9) unexcused absences warrant a 3rd letter.
- Three (3) long tardies are considered an absence (arriving at school 30 minutes late or more). In addition, three (3) occurrences of students leaving early (students leaving school 30 minutes early or more) are also considered an absence.
We also recognize that there are some excused reasons why your child may be late to school. Please send a note or call the school in advance if you know your child will be out of school ahead of time.
Character Trait of the Month - Respect
Focus Phrase: Roosevelt students respect themselves, each other, and the world.
Book of the Month: The Recess Queen by Alexis O’Neill
Talking Points for The Recess Queen
Our Character Development Trait for September is Respect, aligning with the ‘R’ in our G.R.I.T. values. Respect involves recognizing the value and dignity of others, treating everyone with kindness, and honoring differences. Throughout this month, we will be focusing on instilling and nurturing this trait in our students.
We believe that teaching respect is essential to fostering a positive and inclusive school environment. By emphasizing this trait, we aim to empower our students to become considerate, empathetic, and respectful members of our community and society at large.
In partnership,
Amy Onyendu, Ed.D.
Principal