Welcome Back to the 2022-2023 School Year!
I am so excited to welcome you all back and to welcome our new students. I am proud to continue as your principal for the upcoming school year. This year will bring a new vision and refreshed focus on being Kind and showing Gratitude to develop a positive campus culture where we are safe, respectful, and responsible.
Our Back to School Night will be August 18 at 4:00-5:30 p.m.
A copy of the student and PBIS handbook are available online or you may request a hard copy from the office. Please note absences must be cleared in 3 days. Copies will also be available at Back to School Night. Please review both handbooks and sign the attached acknowledgement and return to your child’s teacher by August 19.
Please also set up an account in AERIES Parent Portal and sign permission forms electronically by August 31. We will hold a parent meeting on August 19 @ 9:30 to help parents set up their account.
The District has purchased a new communication program called Parent Square for a district-wide means of communication. We will continue using Class Dojo for our Teacher-Parent method of communication but will be transitioning to ParentSquare throughout the year. You will be able to receive messages from the district, school, and teacher, sign up for conferences, sign permission slips, and even receive report cards through Parent Square. There is a link on aesd.net under the Parents Tab with information, and each parent will receive an invitation to join both Parent Square and Class Dojo.
We would love to have parents involved both as volunteers on campus and on our various committees. We will have a parent volunteer meeting during Back to School night. If you are interested, please sign up on the district website under the Parent Tab > Volunteer at AESD. Be sure to list El Mirage as your school. The district will also offer multiple parent workshops and District Advisory committees throughout the year. Please watch for dates and sign ups coming soon.
We have the following parent committees we would love to have you join:
SSC - School Site Council (new members welcome and district rep needed)
ELAC - English Learner Advisory Committee (need new members and district rep)
PBIS - Positive Behavior Intervention Systems
PTA - Parent-Teacher Association (would like to start if parents interested)
Classroom Volunteer
We will be fundraising throughout the year for student field trips and other special events. If we are not able to establish a school PTA, we will be utilizing an online fundraising program called Raise Craze. Information will be provided at Back to School night. If you would like to help with PTA or this project, please contact the school office.
Our daily school schedule is as follows:
Breakfast: 8:45 - 9:00; Instruction begins: 9:00
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday Dismissal Times:
TK-3 Grade: 3:15; 4-8 Grade: 3:20
Every Tuesday Early Out Dismissal Time:
TK-3 Grade: 2:30; 4-8 Grade: 2:35
90 Minute Early Out Dismissal:
TK-3 Grade: 1:45; 4-8 Grade: 1:50
Parent Teacher Conferences Dismissal:
TK-8 Grade: 12:50
Students do not need to wear masks, but are welcome to do so, and masks will be provided upon request. If the state or county issues a mask mandate, the district will send out revised safety protocols. Parents and visitors must check in with the front office and please provide your photo ID if visiting a classroom or committee meeting.
We are looking forward to a great school year,
Dr. Karen A. Ward, Principal El Mirage School