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Principal's Message

Fortuna

August 2024

 

Dear Hayes Families,

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! We are excited to start back and see all of our new and returning students. We are dedicated to providing a safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environment where every child thrives academically, socially, and emotionally. We want to instill a sense of belonging, pride, and growth in every student. We believe that a strong partnership and collaboration with families is essential to this process. Thank you for entrusting us with the opportunity to educate your child. Together, we will make this school year a memorable one!

We are thrilled for the upcoming school year and have some exciting NEW things in store for our students and families. Be sure to look for clues during the Open House on August 20th to learn more about what's coming soon!

Please read on for important "start of year" information. THIS INFORMATION IS BEING SENT VIA EMAIL ONLY. Most school updates will be sent via email. If you are not receiving district and school emails, please update and submit your information in Infinite Campus. This can be accessed through the Lakewood City Schools website. If you need assistance, please contact our office.

 

 

Important Dates: 

 

  • August 16:  4:00 pm, class lists posted on the windows.  

  • August 20:  1-5 Back to School Night, 4:15-5:45

    • Open House Style 

    • Bring your supplies, meet your teacher, and reconnect with other staff and students!

    • PTO Popsicles on the Playground, 4:30-6:00

  • August 21: First Day of School for Grades 1-5

  • August 21, 22, 23: Kindergarten Screening Appointments 

  • August 23: Kindergarten meet the teacher 3:30 (students and parents)

  • August 26: First Day of School for Kindergarten 

  • September 12: First PTO Meeting 7:00 pm 

 

 

Staff Update:

We are delighted to welcome our new and returning staff members, as well as those taking on new roles at Hayes Elementary!

 

  • Caitlin Poole - Intervention Specialist

  • Kayleigh Sykora - 3rd Grade Teacher 

  • Patricia Birch - Media Specialist  - Hayes/Horce Mann

  • Jennifer Wooley - Student Wellness Specialist - Hayes/Lincoln

 

 

School Bell Schedule:

  • 8:30am      Cafeteria doors open for students eating school breakfast 

  • 8:45am    Doors open and the day begins

  • 9:00am    Instruction begins 

  • 3:05pm    Dismissal

 

Children that walk to school must enter and exit the school building through the Delaware Avenue doors.  During morning arrival time students are expected to line up on their designated sidewalk lane which is clearly marked by a specific color and grade level number.  Upon dismissal students are expected to use their designated sidewalk lane to access the front Delaware Avenue sidewalk.  Children should stay off the grass and out of the existing flower beds and plantings. 

When it is raining, children may seek shelter underneath the covered entrance areas.  This does not abdicate the need for children to arrive as close to the 8:45 a.m. bell as possible.

Children that get a ride to school may enter and exit the school building through the main entrance doors off the parking lot or the Delaware Avenue doors.  For further clarification on this process, please see the section entitled, Traffic Directives:  Morning Drop-Off & Afternoon Pick-Up.

Children that arrive at school after 9:00 a.m. must enter the building through the main entrance doors facing the parking lot and report to the school office.  They will be given a tardy slip and sent to class.

Children are expected to leave school property upon dismissal and go directly home unless they are involved in a school-sponsored activity/club. Students may not enter the playground area without an adult until 4:00 pm.

 

Traffic Directives: Morning Drop-off and Afternoon Pick-up

 

Every adult is expected to follow the Hayes School drop-off and pick up plan.

The success of these plans depends on you. We understand that at times, especially in bad weather, you may have to wait, but your patience and cooperation are important for the safety of the children.

1. All children must exit and enter their cars on the curb-side...no exceptions. SAFETY FIRST! 

2. Enter at the east end of the parking lot. Drive west on the N. Marginal to Olive Ave., turn right onto Olive Ave. and then turn left into the parking lot. Please note that when school is in session, Olive Ave off Delaware Ave is a Do Not Enter from 8:00am. - 4:00 pm.

3. Remain in your car and form a single-file line, curb side closest to the building. You need to display your child's name in the front passenger window (provided by Hayes). As vehicles execute a successful drop-off/pick up, pull ahead to the Main Entrance. Remain in your car. (Your child will be escorted to you). NO PARKING! 

4. Exit at the west end of the parking lot. Exit south and turn right only (One Way) onto the N. Marginal and proceed to the traffic light at the intersection of the N. Marginal and Woodward Avenue.

5. Drivers must not drop-off and/or pick-up students on the north side of Delaware Avenue or the N. Marginal. We ask for your cooperation as children crossing traffic creates an unsafe situation and is an accident waiting to happen.

6.  The parking lot side of the building will be for people remaining in line in their vehicle.  No Parking and no waiting outside the door for your child. 

 

Absence Line: Please call 216-529-4304 to report absences. This will help to keep our office line open for other needs. You can call this number and leave a message 24/7.

 

School Safety Tip Line: The Safer Ohio School Tip Line is a free safety resource available to all Ohio schools. The tip line is an anonymous reporting system that accepts both calls and texts 24 hours a day. Calls or texts to 844-SaferOH (844-723-3764) are answered by analysts within Ohio Homeland Security. We encourage everyone in our community to use this tip line if they hear or see something suspicious or unusual. #SpeakUpSaveLives

 

Medications: If your child needs medication administered during the school day, a parent should plan to bring in the medication and a completed authorization form to Back to School Night or on the first day of school. The form can be found on the Lakewood City Schools website. Click on "Forms" and select the appropriate form (for prescribed medication, EpiPen, and/or inhaler). For further information, please visit the district website, Click on "Departments" and select "Health Services" or contact our school health center. 

 

 

I am looking forward to a wonderful 2024-2025 school year!  Should you have any questions or need anything, please feel free to contact me by phone at 216-529-4228 or by email at eric.fortuna@lakewoodcityschools.org. For more information, please view our family handbook on the school website

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Eric Fortuna, Principal

Hayes Elementary School

Lakewood City Schools