Several events prior to school starting next week, and after school starts, are on the calendar. Tim Closson, elementary principal provided The Icon with the following information for parents:

MEET THE TEACHER: We will hold our "Meet the Teacher" on Friday, August 27th from 2:00 until 3:00 p.m. in the elementary school. Bus lists will be posted in the elementary hallways.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES: The school supply list is posted on the school website. Kindergarten student supplies will be furnished in their classrooms.

OPEN HOUSE: Bluffton Schools will hold Open House on Monday, September 13th. The following times are scheduled: Elementary from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m., Middle School from 6:30 until 7:30 p.m., and High School from 7:00 until 8:00 p.m.

STUDENT/PARENT HANDBOOK: The 2010-2011 Student/Parent Handbook is posted on the school website.

SCHOOL DAY: School begins at 8:10 a.m. daily (M-F). Parents may drop off their students in front of the elementary school between 8:00 and 8:10 a.m. Students that ride buses will be dropped off in front of the middle school. Dismissal for students that walk or are picked up after school will be at 3:00 p.m. from the Elementary entrance. Students that ride buses will be dismissed at 3:05 p.m. from the Middle School parking lot.

WALKERS AND STUDENT DROP OFF BEFORE SCHOOL: Please do not allow your students to arrive to school before 7:45 a.m. No supervision will be available until then.

DELAYS OR CANCELLATIONS: When it is necessary to close or delay school due to bad weather, announcements will be made on the WLIO.com (School closings) website, radio stations: WIMA, T102, & WFIN, and on WLIO TV 35. Please do not call the school offices for delay/cancellation information.

PLAN B KINDERGARTEN: If school is delayed two hours, morning kindergarten will be extended until noon. Afternoon kindergarten will begin at 1:10 p.m. and will be dismissed at the normal time.

THREE HOUR DELAY POSSIBILITY: If needed, we may delay school for three hours. If school is delayed three hours, the elementary starting time will be 11:10 a.m. and will dismiss at 4:00 p.m. (walkers) and 4:05 p.m. (bus riders). Morning kindergarten will be from 11:10 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Afternoon kindergarten will be from 2:10 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. (walkers) and 4:05 (bus riders). Lunch will be served one hour later than the normal time.

BLUFFTON EXEMPTED VILLAGE SCHOOLS ALERT SYSTEM: If you would like to be notified of delays and/or cancellations via a text message on your cell phone, visit the school's website at www.bluffton.noacsc.org and sign up. On the website's home page under the "Parents/Community" heading click on "Parent Alert System" and follow the simple steps to subscribe to alerts. Contact the office if you have any questions.

DISMISSAL PROCEDURES: Please remember that if your child is going home a different way than normal, he/she will be required to have a note from a parent. If your student does not have a note, then he/she will be sent home the normal way. A Bus Request form must be signed in the elementary office if a parent is changing a daily pick up or drop off.

TRANSPORTATION CHANGES BY 2:00 PM: No transportation changes will be made after 2:00 p.m. for that day. Written notes by parent/s must be turned into the office by 9:00 a.m. for same day changes.

LUNCH INFORMATION: A school lunch costs $2.00 and extra milk is 50 cents. The lunch menu will be sent home with students but parents may also view it at our website. A computerized debit system is utilized. Students may deposit money in their accounts any day of the week before school. They need to place their money, in a sealed envelope with name and ID number, in a locked box in the cafeteria. Students may buy extra items from the lunch menu. Parents may block this feature by calling the cafeteria. The food service is willing to help students who have lost or forgotten their lunch money on occasion but lunch charges are for emergencies only. For more information see "Meals Plus Info" in the elementary section on the school website

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PICTURES: Elementary picture day will be Thursday, October 14th. Students must have their picture envelope with money in hand prior to their picture being taken. All students will have their picture taken this day for student records. Picture information will be sent home with each child. Picture re-take day is scheduled for Thursday, November 19th.

WORKBOOK FEES: Workbook fees for the 2010-2011 school year are as follows: Kindergarten-$28.00, First grade-$31.00, Second grade-$25.00, Third grade-$33.00, Fourth grade-$25.00, and Fifth grade-$36.00. You may send one check for all your elementary students. Please note on the memo line your child and grade level. For security reasons, please send the check in a sealed envelope marked "Student Workbook Fees" with the student and teacher name. Please pay your child's workbook fees by October 15th. Thank you!

AUGUST
Friday 27 Meet The Teacher, Grades K-5, 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Monday 30 First day of school - Grades 1-5
Mon.-Wed. 30- Sept. 1 KRA-L testing for Kindergarten students

SEPTEMBER CALENDAR
Thursday 2 First day of school for kindergarten students
Monday 6 No School - Labor Day
Thursday 10 "Reading ... More Than Words" Assembly K-2 - 8:30 a.m., Grades 3-5 - 9:30 a.m.
Monday 13 Open House @ 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. (M.S. 6:30-7:30 p.m. & H.S. 7:00-8:00 p.m.)
Monday 20 Market Day pick up - elementary gym @ 5:45 - 6:45 p.m.
Tuesday 21 First Grade Field Trip "Appleseed Festival" @ Johnny Appleseed Park 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Tuesday 28 First Grade Pandora trip: Swiss House, Park, & Breidenbaugh School 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.