News from the Principal - September 2

Dear Prospect Hill Families,

Welcome to the 2023-2024  school year!  I hope that you all had an amazing summer. I am very much looking forward to welcoming you all back on

Thursday, September 7, 2023. Please note that this is a half day of school for all students in grades K-5, and no lunch will be served. Students will be released at 12:00 pm on September 7th.

To prepare you all for the school year, please read below for important links and logistical information.  Please be sure to read through this information carefully and review the procedures with your child to support a smooth transition.  

Class Placement

Starting on August 21, 2023, parents and guardians will be able to view their child's classroom teacher through the parent portal. Once you are in the portal, click the tab for “Schedule” and you can view your child’s teacher. If you accessed your child’s report card this past school year, your login information is unchanged. Incoming kindergarten families, new families to our district, or parents who have yet to access their portal accounts should have received an email earlier this month with instructions for accessing the parent portal. The email came from the following address: “messenger@pelhamny.mg.infinitecampus.org” with the subject line “User Account Activation.”  If you did not receive this email, please be sure to check your spam folder. Please use the LHRIC Help Desk if you experience issues signing up for your account or have forgotten your credentials from this year. 

Arrival Procedures

School hours are from 8:15-3:05 PM.  Students should be lined up with their class when they hear the first bell. Please note that there is no supervision prior to 8:15. 

• Students in Kindergarten will meet on the back blacktop.  
• Grades 1-3 will meet on the blacktop near the front steps (this is what used to be the Main Entrance).  
• Students in Grades 4 & 5 should meet in front of the new building addition, which is now the new Main Entrance.  

The classes are painted on the floor using the grade followed by the initial letter in the teacher’s last name.  The teachers will come outside to greet the children and walk them inside.  Please know that parents will not be allowed to walk their child to the classroom.  This procedure will remain in place even when there is inclement weather.  Therefore, make sure your child does not arrive too early and is dressed appropriately.

If you are driving to school and you want to walk your child to the door each morning PLEASE be sure to park in a legal spot.  This helps to keep our children and community members safe. You may not drive in the circular driveway or down the path at any point during the school year.  

Breakfast Program 

If your child plans to participate in the breakfast program please email me at jcarr@pelhamschools.org .   The Breakfast Program will take place in the gym at 8:00am and students should be brought in through the Main Entrance of the building.   Please know that this is not considered an early drop-off program for childcare purposes and the students attending are expected to eat breakfast.  They will walk directly to their classrooms once they finish breakfast.  Breakfast will begin on Monday, September 11th.

Lunch

The lunch & recess block will take place from 12:00-1:00 pm.  Students will have 20 minutes to eat and 40 minutes for recess.  Students may purchase lunch each day. Menus are posted on the district website at the beginning of each month.  Additional information about our lunch program, and how to apply for free and reduced priced meals, will be emailed to all families from the district office.

School Snacks/Lunch & Allergies

Parents should send a nutritious snack to school each day. Please do not send snacks, lunch or treats that contain peanuts, tree nuts or their products to school.  All elementary school classrooms and lunchrooms will remain nut free this year.  We appreciate your help in ensuring all children are safe.  

Dismissal

Students are dismissed promptly at 3:05 pm.  

• Dismissal for grades K-1 will be on the back blacktop, 2nd and 3rd grade will be in the circular driveway and 4th and 5th graders will be dismissed from the new Main Entrance.  
• If there are any last minute changes to your child’s pick up please call the main office.  DO NOT email the teacher as they may not check their email in time.  
• For students in grades 3-5th: If you are giving permission for your child to walk home without an adult and/or to pick up a younger sibling to walk home, you must complete a permission slip (linked below).  Please note that we do need a NEW form on file each year.  Walkers will be dismissed by the classroom teacher at the regular dismissal time.  The completed permission form can be emailed to jcarr@pelhamschools.org. The form can be found here: Permission Slip for Walkers 

Updated Health Forms

New York State has updated the Health Examination Form that is required to be on file for students in grades K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11. If your child is entering one of these grades for the 2023-24 school year, please have your child's doctor/pediatrician complete this new form and return it to our school nurse as soon as possible. The new form can be found here: Updated Health Form 2023-2024

Safety

Safety remains a top priority for us.  Please be reminded that if you are driving to either drop off or pick up your child you may NOT block the crosswalks or drive onto the blacktop.  If students are dropped off in the morning, please know that there is no supervision until the bell rings at 8:15am. 

Communication

Please know that we highly value the home/school connection.  It is our desire to continue to keep you informed of all that is taking place at school.  Please be sure that your contact information, including phone numbers and email addresses, are updated throughout the year. The PTA supports us in our ongoing efforts to communicate and each week they send out a  newsletter called “The Lion’s Roar”.  I contribute to it weekly so be sure you are signed up with the PTA to receive this newsletters.   

Birthday Celebrations

We want to continue recognizing our students’ special day while being sensitive to our District Wellness Policy, student medical issues, and our school and district commitment to equity and access and creating a community of inclusiveness. Therefore, all elementary schools have replaced edible treats with non-food celebrations. Students, teachers, and parents will collaborate to choose an appropriate celebration option for each child.

Photo Restriction Form

The Pelham Public School District often publishes photographs and videos of students and their work on its website, social media, the District newsletter, and through local print, online, and broadcast media. If you give permission to the school district to use your child’s photo or work in the aforementioned ways, you do not have to do anything with this form. For any family that would prefer that a photo or video of their child and work is NOT posted on our district communications, please complete and return the following form: 2023-24 Photo Restriction FINAL.pdf

PH Handbook 2023-2024 

Prospect Hill Handbook 2023.docx (1).pdf

UPCOMING DATES

• September 7th- 1st Day of School with a 12:00 pm dismissal 
• September 8th- First Full Day of School
• September 12th- PTA meeting Library
• September 18th- K-2 Open House 6pm
• September 19th- 3rd-5th Open House 6pm
• September 19th- Picture Day
• September 25th- Schools Closed in Observance of Yom Kippur

It is our mission to help every child feel welcomed, connected and part of our Prospect Hill family. We look forward to kicking off the school year in September!

Sincerely,

Jeannine Carr

Prospect Hill Principal