A message from George Marin, Freedom Elementary Principal 

The first day of school is always an important time for parents and their children.  It is packed with excitement and promise for all of us, parents, students and staff alike.  It has even greater significance because it will be the first day that Freedom officially becomes a school. The many months of planning and construction have all been done with one clear focus: to create an elementary school in Wagon Trails that belongs to the community.  What I mean by that is that this is your school. You are always welcome.  You don’t need an invitation or a special event to visit a classroom or come to the school to talk to the principal or a staff member, although we would like you to honor the time teachers have committed to instruction and appointments that are already scheduled.  

Successful schools have many things in common, but one of the most important is a high rate of parental involvement and support. Please consider joining the PTA and our Building Advisory Accountability Committee or BAAC.  Sign up sheets will be available at our Meet your Teacher and Tour Freedom on August 14, 2007, from 6:00:-700 PM.  We will also have an Open House on August 21, 2007, Kindergarten Parents from 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm and Grades 1 – 5 Parents from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.     

Another common denominator for successful schools is safety.  As always the safety of our students is the priority and the primary concern. Our security measures will be in place on the first day of school.  Each time you enter the building, stop by the office and sign in.  You will need to wear a nametag.  No one is allowed to pick up a child from school during the school day unless they have been listed on the emergency information card.  We do ask for identification and even if students “live down the block” they will only be released to a parent or an authorized adult.  Freedom has a state-of-art security system but technology alone does not make a building safe.  In coming weeks we will share our crisis plan with you with a schedule of drills and required lock downs and crisis evacuation.   

The first day of school will be Thursday, August 16.  We will have a ribbon cutting ceremony at 7:45 AM.  The first day of school is a full day for all of our students.  School will begin at 8:00 AM and dismiss at 2:30 PM.  Students will need to bring a healthy snack to eat at morning snack time and will need to bring a lunch from home or purchase one from the school.  If your family qualified for free or reduced lunches last year, your child will have the same status until a new form is filled out and turned in. (See First Day Packet)  

You are encouraged to purchase lunches on the D-11 web site, www.mealpay.com for $1.85 per day so that your child will not need to carry money to school.  Milk or juice can be purchased in the cafeteria on a daily basis.  Parents are encouraged to purchase a few lunches in case they have one of those mornings when lunch is not prepared at home.  Your child is not charged for a lunch until one is eaten.  Please consider paying in advance, especially if your child will eat hot lunch every day.  Parents are always welcome to have lunch with their child.  Plan to meet your child in the cafeteria at the beginning of their lunch time.  You may bring your lunch or purchase an adult lunch.   

·        Kindergarten Open House for K- students and parents will be on August 21 from 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm.

·        Open House For Grade 1 – 5 Parents has been scheduled for August 21, 6:00 – 7:30 pm.

·        School supply lists for all grades will be found on the school web site before July 15.

·        Look for the First Day Packet to come home the first day. This packet will include several forms that need to be filled out and returned as soon as possible.

·        Crossing Guards positions: Call District Eleven Security at 520-2287

·        Food and Nutrition Services: 520-2924

·        Transportation: 520-2940

·        Other employment opportunities: District Eleven Human Resources Web Site. 

As soon as the construction is complete and the building is turned over to the staff we will need volunteers.  If you would like to help us set up the classrooms please fill out the enclosed information sheet and leave it with the Freedom staff and volunteers.  We will contact you when construction is finished and we can occupy the building.  Our projected date for move-in is July 23.  We hope to have the school office open by August 6. 

Check the school web site, www.d11.org/schools/freedom frequently.  You will be able to track construction progress and check for dates of activities to add to your calendar!  Please feel free to contact us by phone or e-mail when you have a question.   

Sincerely,  
George Marin, Principal
Freedom Elementary