Bernardo Parent Bulletin #1

Dear Bernardo Families,

I hope that you've had an amazing summer with your children and made some awesome memories. The best part of my summer was my daughter Kailey coming to visit from Utah with her husband. The worst part was when she went back home! However I was also able to enjoy lots of beach time with my family as well as a 10-day cruise up to Alaska with my wife. Suffice it to say that my batteries are definitely recharged and I'm super excited about the upcoming school year!

For those of you whom I already have the privilege of knowing, welcome back! For those who are new to our school, I can't wait to meet you! Bernardo School is a remarkable place that has a long tradition of excellence, family engagement, warmth, and fun.

The last two years have certainly presented their fair share of challenges. While we were able to resume some sense of normalcy last year, there were still many events and activities that were put on hold. This year, we are excited to bring back many fantastic events such as Friday assemblies, Fall Festival, musical productions, more field trips, a family dance, and much, much more!

Thank you for allowing me the honor to serve as your principal here at Bernardo. My goal is to make school memorable and meaningful for our students and my deepest desire is for every student to love coming to school every day. I promise to love and treat your children as if they are my own and to work collaboratively to tackle any challenges that come our way in a positive and productive manner.

Here's to the best school year yet!

Jeremy Lyche

Principal

Our goal is to help families stay informed and involved as strong partners with us in educating and supporting our students. We strive to maintain close communication from the principal as well as each classroom teacher. Here are resources we use to keep our families informed:

• Each Sunday evening, Mr. Lyche will send out a weekly parent bulletin that will contain important information.
• We have a brand new Bernardo School web site that is user-friendly and easy to navigate.
• This year, we are recommitting to highlighting events on our Bernardo Facebook page.
• Our school district has developed a new app that will serve as a tool to receive all teacher, school, and district communications in one place. Links to download the app can be found at the bottom of our Bernardo home page.

We're looking forward to seeing all of our students on our August 9. School will begin at 8:00 that morning with gates opening at 7:30.

In next week's bulletin, we'll share more information about drop-off/pick-up procedures, parking guidelines, breakfast/lunch programs, parent volunteers, and more that will help everyone be informed and prepared for the start of the school year.

Beginning Friday, August 5th at 5:00, you can find out who your child's teacher will be by logging into the Parent Portal of Powerschool. At 5:00 on August 5, we'll also place class lists on the front window of the office and leave them up through the first day of school.

Below is a map of the school to help your child know where to go when school begins next Tuesday, August 9.

Parents and students who will be in TK, Kindergarten, or 1st grade are invited to a meet-and-greet event on Monday, August 8th in your child's classroom. The meet-and-greet event is a drop-in event, meaning there will not be a formal presentation. Rather, this will be an opportunity for you to visit the classroom for about 15 minutes and meet your child's teacher as well as some of the students who will be in your class.

Below are the times for the meet-and-greets on August 8:

• TK Meet & Greet, 11:30-12:00
• Kinder Meet & Greet, 11:30-12:00
• 1st Grade Meet & Greet, 12:00-12:30

For our 2nd-5th grade families, the campus will be open on Monday, August 8 between 3:00-4:00 for any families who would like to come see where your child's classroom is located. Please don't knock on any doors as our teachers are very busy preparing for the first day of school.

We will be providing all of the school supplies that students need here at school so there is no need to purchase anything. The only item that 1st-5th grade students will need is a backpack to transport items to/from school. TK and Kindergarten teachers will provide their students with a tote bag so parents in those grades do not need to purchase a backpack at this time.

We know we have many generous parents who want to know what they can donate to their child's classroom. After school begins, teachers will share out wish lists of various items that can be provided specifically for their classroom.

These past two years have been a roller coaster when it comes to the various Covid-19 requirements and guidelines. We are grateful that for now, the protocols have not changed from the Spring. Here are the safety protocols that will be in place at this time:

• Students, employees, and visitors are welcome to wear a mask if they choose but there are no requirements for masking on campus at this time.
• Hand sanitizer will be available in all classrooms and work areas, and safe hygiene practices will be promoted.
  
• HEPA air filtration systems will remain in place in all classrooms.
  
• Our school will communicate with any students who test positive for Covid-19, experience symptoms, as well as close contacts of COVID-positive individuals regarding any quarantine or testing requirements.
  

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays

Gates Open: 7:30

School Begins: 8:00

Dismissal: 2:30

Thursdays

Gates Open: 7:30

School Begins: 8:00

Dismissal: 12:15

Please note that we have early release Thursdays where students dismiss at 12:15 every Thursday of the school year!

Below are some upcoming events to mark on your calendar. We'll be sending out more specific information about these events as they draw nearer.

8/5 - Class Lists Posted and available on-line, 5:00

8/8 - TK Meet & Greet, 11:30-12:00

8/8 - Kinder Meet & Greet, 11:30-12:00

8/8 - 1st Grade Meet & Greet, 12:00-12:30

8/9 - 1st Day of School! School starts at 8:00

8/12 - Ice Cream Social, 5:00

8/18 - Back-to-School Night

• TK/K: 5:30-6:00
• 1st/2nd: 6:00-6:30
• 3rd/4th/5th: 6:30-7:00

8/19 - Parent Breakfast for parents new to Bernardo, 8:00

8/31 - PTA Meeting, Time TBD

Please CLICK HERE for the school events calendar.