Vaughan Voice

We are anxiously awaiting the return of our students! It's getting closer and closer, and we are beside ourselves with excitement!! We can't wait to meet you all on Monday, August 8th from 5-6:30 at Meet the Teacher Night! Below you will find more specific information about things you may have questions about.

If you were a Vaughan family last year, you are well aware that communication is a strength of ours. I plan to send out communication every other week, and our teachers will do the same. PTA will be sharing information monthly. Please take the time to read the information we share.

Finally, you may have already noticed this, but the traffic flow in front of Vaughan has changed. The City of Allen came and restripped Cottonwood, in front of Vaughan, this week. I am including a video explaining the changes to ensure everyone understands what this will look like for arrival and dismissal. Please take note, you can NOT park on Cottonwood any more!

We truly appreciate your support, and we can't wait to partner with you this year to ensure the best educational experience for your child.

Tonya Jasenof

Principal

Vaughan Elementary

As many of you may already be aware, Ashley Crowson, our previous Assistant Principal, is now the Director of Community Services in Allen ISD. We would love for you to welcome our new Assistant Principal, Kristi Parker.

“Hi, I am Kristi Parker. I am excited and blessed to be joining the Vaughan family as the new Assistant Principal.

I was born and raised in the Lake Highlands area of Dallas. I am a graduate of Baylor University, where I received my Education degree. After graduation, I returned to my hometown to work as a classroom teacher. I began my teaching career in Richardson ISD, where I taught 2nd grade. I then taught 3rdgrade in Highland Park ISD for nine years. During that time, I received my Master’s Degree from SMU with a specialty in Math and Technology. In 2017 I made the move to Allen to be a math/science Instructional Coach at Story and Bolin. I loved this role, as it helped me coach teachers to reach their goals and find success with their students of all levels. My educational philosophy aligns very closely to Vaughan’s mission of developing good citizens and life-long learners by empowering each to reach his or her full potential in a caring, safe environment.

My husband, Jered, and I have two fur-babies named Boda and Toby. I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, going to movies, baking, and having game nights. The beach is my happy place! In the summertime, I spend most of my time outdoors by the pool, at the lake, or simply walking my dogs.

I am ready to jump in and get started in this new role at Vaughan. I am eager to meet and get to know all of the amazing students and families in the Vaughan community! We are going to have a great year!” - Mrs. Parker

All Family Access Forms must be completed in order to receive your child's homeroom information. If you have not completed them, please do so ASAP. If they are not done by Meet the Teacher Night, you will be directed to the computer lab, prior to going to your child's classroom, to complete these forms. Click here if you have NOT completed the forms.

Come meet the Vaughan staff and your child’s teacher(s)! Please bring your child’s school supplies. If you purchased them through PTA, the teachers will already have them!

Vaughan will be selling a super cute t-shirt in all sizes. They are $12 each and cash or check are acceptable.

We look forward to meeting each of you and your students!

• Doors open at 7:30 a.m., and we ask that students be in the building by 7:45 a.m.
• Parents may walk students to class on the first day.
• Please be patient and allow extra time as most families bring their students on the first day. In addition, dismissal will be a lot slower than normal days, so please keep that in mind as well.

Allen ISD looks forward to welcoming all students back to school for the 2022-2023 school year. The district will continue to monitor the guidance of local, county, and state health agencies to ensure we find an appropriate balance of health and safety procedures that afford us the opportunity to also ensure high levels of student learning.

Allen ISD’s health and safety protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19 for the 2022-2023 school year are located on the district website. These protocols are subject to change based upon additional Texas Education Agency guidance.

• Doors will open at 7:30 AM for arrival.
• School begins at 7:45 AM.
• More specifics below for car riders, bus riders, walkers/bike riders, and those eating breakfast at Vaughan.

• Car Riders may be dropped off either at the front of the building or the side by the gym.
• Please remain in your vehicle when dropping your student off by car.
• Staff members will be outside to ensure your child(ren) arrive into our building safely.
  
• It is important to note that we will need for your student to exit their car upon stopping to ensure our line keeps moving. Please do not wait to drive your student up to the door they are entering.

• Allen ISD Bus students, as well as daycare students, will be dropped off on the playground side of the building.
• You should have received specifics on your child's bus route. If you have questions, e-mail Kristi Parker - kristi.parker@allenisd.org.

• Walkers and bike riders have the same option of which doors to enter as our car riders.
• All students that ride bikes, scooters, etc. are asked to walk their mode of transportation as soon as they get to the crossing guard.

• Bikes, scooters, and skateboards must be locked on one of the bike racks during the school day.

• Breakfast will begin at 7:30 AM.
• To ensure your student does not miss instructional time, we ask that you arrive as close to 7:30 AM as possible to give them enough time to eat prior to class beginning.

• Please see the map below for a visual representation
• Car tags will be sent home at Meet the Teacher Night.
• If you do not attend Meet the Teacher, please make a homemade sign to use for the first day. Please include the student's name, grade level, and teacher.
• If you would like to change the way your child goes home after 2 PM, you must call the office at 972.727.0470. Teachers will not be checking e-mail after that time.
• Changes will not be made without parent authorization.
• See additional specifics below...

• K-3 (and older siblings) will dismiss on the gym side of the building.
• 4-6 will dismiss at the front of the building.
• Parents will utilize car tags in grades K-3 to expedite the dismissal process (sent home at Meet the Teacher).
• To avoid congestion in the student waiting area, parents are asked to stay in their vehicles, travel through the pick-up line, and pull forward as space allows.
  

• Walkers/bike riders will exit either the front or side of the building depending on the route they take home.
• Prior to exiting, we'll make sure siblings are together.

• Adult supervision will be provided as they leave the school grounds.

• K-3 (and older sibling(s)) parent pick up will take place as in previous years.
• Parents will wait by the tree on the gym side of the building and wait for their students.
• Staff will wait on the opposite side of the street and send your student over to the other side once they make eye contact with the parent/guardian.
• Parents will not be allowed on the student side of the dismissal area.
• To expedite the process, please bring your car tags with you to the dismissal area.
• In previous years, parents sometimes parked along Cottonwood to walk up and get their student. You will not be able to park on Cottonwood anymore. You must either walk up or arrive super early to be able to get a spot in the parking lot. Otherwise, you should be a car rider instead.
• 4-6 grade students may pick up on the sidewalk on the other side of the marquee. Please wait there, and we will send your student across the crosswalk to you.

• All bus riders will wait in their classroom until their bus number is called.
• Bus route specifics should have been received if you requested transportation for your GATE student. If you have questions, e-mail Kristi Parker at kristi.parker@allenisd.org.

• Daycare students will be escorted to their bus by AISD staff.

• Kid's Club students will report to the cafeteria to the Kid's Club staff.
• Click here if you would like more information about Kid's Club.

In the event of severe weather, a ‘rainy day’ dismissal will be followed, which allows students to exit the building only when the vehicle or parent has arrived.

Please know that rainy day dismissal will move slowly due to the number of vehicles entering and exiting the parking lot. Your patience and support in following our procedures will be greatly appreciated!

• Parents will follow the same routine for rainy day dismissal, making sure they have their car tags visible for K – 3rd grade students.

• Students will be kept indoors and called outside when their ride has been identified.

• Students will remain inside the building until a parent/caregiver arrives.

• You will meet your student(s) at the north side door #16 unless you made an alternative choice for rainy days or notified the school.

• Parent should have their car tags so that we can retrieve your kiddos more easily and efficiently.

• In the event of severe weather during dismissal, administration may make the decision to not release students to walk or ride bikes home. These students will be required to call parents to make other arrangements. If weather is extreme, dismissal for all students may be delayed.

• Students should keep the door of the vehicle closed until it comes to a complete stop next to the curb and then exit and enter the car from the curbside only.

• Vehicles are not allowed to stop for student drop-off or pick-up in the outside lane of traffic in the parking lot. Students should only exit and enter the vehicle next to the curb.

• Students should not walk across the lot unattended. If a parent parks in the lot, he/she must walk the children across at the crosswalk.

• Busses dropping off GATE and daycare students on the south side of the building will need the entrance and exit area open for drop-off and pick-up. Please do not block this area.

• DO NOT pass to the left of waiting cars at the 4-way stop at Deerlake and Cottonwood! This is not a two lane road and poses a danger to oncoming traffic and students.

All students have been issued a student ID card with a lanyard. They will wear these daily for checking out books, buying lunch, etc.

Please bring your child's school supplies to either Meet the Teacher Night or on the first day of school. You can find this list on the Vaughan website.

We highly encourage students in grades K-1 to bring an additional change of clothes to keep in their backpack.

Students are encouraged to bring a water bottle each day in order to access water fountains for filling of water containers.

All students will need headphones or earbuds. If you did not come with your child's school supplies, please send these with your students as soon as possible!

• Notify the office by 10:00 am by submitting an Absence Request in Family Access (preferred), calling the office at 972-727-0470 or e-mailing the Registrar.

• By submitting the Absence Request in Skyward, you will have notified the school and provided the absence note! Otherwise, we must have a signed note from a parent, guardian or doctor stating the reason for the absence. The note needs to include the student’s name and date(s) of the absence(s).

• By policy, your child’s absence will be recorded as unexcused if we do not receive a note within 3 school days of his/her return – even if you notified the school via phone or email.

• A doctor’s note will be required for admittance into class if your student is absent more than 5 consecutive school days. This may be in written form, or you may also submit your absence request through Family Access.

• If your child is absent from school and you would like to pick up his/her homework, you must request the homework by 10:00 am. It will be available for pick up in the office after 3:00 pm.

• Unless a child is sick, please make every effort to have him/her in school. It is often difficult for young children to ‘catch-up’ when they have been out for several days.

· Please note that family vacations are not considered excused absences.

Once enrolled in public education, students are required by law to attend. Specific details can be found in the Elementary Student Handbook found online at www.allenisd.org.

• It is imperative that no child be dropped off on the north side (gym side) of the school after the late bell rings at 7:45 am as the doors will be locked.

• Kindergarten students should be escorted by their parents to check in at the office when they arrive late to school. Students in 1st through 6th grades may sign themselves in when late; however, we ask that parents ensure their student makes it safely inside the school door before leaving. Students simply ring the bell to gain access to the building.

• Students are not considered late if they are coming to school after a doctor’s appointment if a doctor’s note is provided when signing into school for the day.

• Ring the bell located on the left side wall at the front of the building (east/flagpole side).

• Be prepared to show your picture ID.

• The receptionist will need you to state your name, your student’s name and the reason for your visit before unlocking the door.

• Approval and an ID badge must be obtained prior to entering the instructional areas of the campus.

• To volunteer on campus you must have a background check. Click here for more information.

• Students will have a lunch card (includes lunch number) on a lanyard for them to scan in the lunch line.

• Students may bring their lunches to school if they prefer not to purchase one.

• Lunches should be sent in containers that students are able to open independently.

• Carbonated drinks are not recommended as they leak, explode, etc.

• Students do not have access to a microwave or refrigerator.

• Lunches may be dropped off at the front desk if forgotten, heated or purchased from a restaurant if the parent is not staying to eat with the student.

• Please see the PARENTS tab on the Vaughan website for additional cafeteria information - https://www.allenisd.org/Page/5965.

• Parents are welcome to eat lunch with their own children at the designated parent table in the cafeteria that are on the stage.

• We do have specific days in which we ask for no lunch visitors.

• We ask that parents refrain from eating with their child until August 29th. This allows our staff to support students with expectations and procedures in the cafeteria.

• We also do not allow parents to join their students for lunch on state testing days.

• When you arrive for lunch, you will need to sign in with the receptionist and then proceed to the lunchroom.

• For security purposes and to avoid hurt feelings of other students, only your own children will be allowed to sit with you.

• You are welcome to bring in an outside meal for your student and/or yourself only.

• If purchasing a tray, please have your child order your meal at the beginning of the day in order to have enough food prepared.

Since 2020, many families have received free breakfast and lunch through the Allen ISD Student Nutrition Department through the Summer Seamless Option (SSO). However, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has not extended waivers allowing for free breakfast and lunch meals for students enrolled at campuses that participate in the National School Lunch Program.

Due to this change in federal policy, Allen ISD families who want to qualify for a free or reduced-price meal will be required to complete an application for the 2022-2023 school year.

The free and/or reduced-price meals application will be available for parents/guardians on the Student Nutrition webpage, www.allenisd.org/studentnutrition, beginning Aug. 1. Allen ISD will work with campuses to inform parents of the transition to paid meals and the need to complete a meal application in order to qualify for the free and/or reduced-price program.

• You must leave all medication in the office with the Nurse along with a signed Medication Permission Form available in the office and online.

• All medication must be in its original container, age appropriate and unexpired.

• Please let the Nurse know of any medical conditions or concerns at the earliest possible date.

• No medications are allowed in the classroom.

In lieu of individual grade level curriculum nights this year, your child's teacher plans to send curriculum information to you in a digital format. This should include a short video and any handouts they wish to share.

• JOIN PTA!!!!

• Like us on Facebook - www.facebook.com/VikingsofMOVE1

• Follow us on Twitter - VikingsofMOVE1

• Volunteer! To volunteer, complete a Criminal History Check online at www.allenisd.org each school year.

• Contact your child’s teacher or sign up to volunteer through the Vaughan PTA.

Monday, August 8th - Meet the Teacher Night from 5-6:30

Monday, August 10th - First Day of School

Monday, September 5th - No School - Labor Day

Tuesday, September 13th - PTA Ice Cream Social - Vaughan Playground 6:30 PM

Monday, September 19th - No School for Students

Monday, October 17th - Friday, October 21st - No School for Students

Friday, October 21st - Parent/Teacher Conference Day

Thursday, October 27th - PTA Red Ribbon Picnic

Email: tonya.jasenof@allenisd.org
Website: https://www.allenisd.org/Domain/1123
Location: 820 Cottonwood Dr, Allen, TX, USA
Phone: 972.727.0470
Facebook: facebook.com/VikingsofMOVE1
Twitter: @VikingsofMOVE1