Dear Parents,

• Drop-off Procedures: For drop-off, you will enter the school area from Center Street. All students will be dropped off at the West Building, on the school side or the pavilion side. Please pull all the way forward before letting your students out of your car. For safety, your students must exit your car along the sidewalks. Please do not drop off your student in the road.

After drop-off, you will exit south past the west building, through the gates, and proceed out to State Street. These gates will be open for drop-off and pick up times only.

• Pick-Up Procedures: For pick-up, you will enter from Center Street and pick up your students according to the grade level of your YOUNGEST student. Carpools will also go to the location of the YOUNGEST student in the carpool. All family members and carpool riders should be picked up at the location of the youngest child in the group. For example: If a family has a 1st, 4th, and 6th grader, they will pick up all students at the East Building for 1st grade. We are making this change to help protect our youngest students and prevent them from needing to cross the road at busy pickup areas. Thank you for helping us keep all students safe!

Point 1is anywhere along the curb of the East Building roundabout. Families whose youngest student is in Kindergarten, 1st, or 2nd grade will pick up all family or carpool members at the East Building.

Point 2is the length of sidewalk on the same side as the Pavilion and Basketball hoops. Families whose youngest student is in 3rd grade will pick up all family or carpool members at the Pavilion. After picking up your students you will proceed straight south through the gates, and proceed out to State Street.

Point 3is the length of sidewalk that is on the same side as the West Building. Families whose youngest student is in 4th, 5th, or 6th grade will pick up all family or carpool members at the West building. After picking up your students, you will proceed straight through the gates, and proceed out to State Street.

Please remember to pick up all your students at the location of the YOUNGEST student. For example, if there is a 3rd, 4th, and 6th grader, all members of your family/carpool will be picked up at the Pavilion.

• Safety Policies: First, please tell your students not to touch the car while it is moving. Second, if a student needs to enter a car from the road side, make sure that you and they check for moving cars before going into the road. Third, please make sure to keep your eyes on the road during pick up time. We don’t want any students to be hurt. Finally, don’t back up into the crosswalk at any time! You might not see students or crossing guards in the way.
• Important Notes: During drop-off and pick-up, always pull forward as far as possible to allow for optimal traffic flow. If and when spots open up in front of you, keep pulling forward!

Because of Traffic Congestion, we ask if you absolutely must leave your car during drop-off or pick-up for any reason, please find a place off campus to park and walk in. We need all of the available parking for school staff.

• Late Pickup: At 3:15 Monday through Thursday, all students will be sent to the Pavilion at the West Building Field. Friday late pickup starts at 12:15. Parents may pick up their students anywhere along the sidewalk near the Pavilion. Thank you!

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I hope this letter finds you well. As we continue through the school year, I wanted to take a moment to emphasize several important aspects of your child’s school experience, including punctuality, attendance, custody documentation, safe drop-off/pick-up procedures, the importance of practicing kindness, and clarification on our uniform policy.

Why Punctuality and Attendance Matter

1. Consistency Builds Success: Regular attendance plays a vital role in your child’s academic and social success. When children are present consistently, they benefit from the daily lessons and activities that help build their skills over time.
2. Punctuality Sets a Positive Tone: Arriving on time not only helps your child start the day calmly but also shows them the value of responsibility and discipline. It helps them stay organized and ready to engage with the day’s lessons.
3. Maximizing Learning Opportunities: Elementary school lays the foundation for your child’s future academic success. Missing even small portions of the day can mean missing critical instruction that builds the skills necessary for long-term development.
4. Establishing Good Habits: Learning the importance of being on time and attending school every day fosters good habits that your child will carry with them throughout their lives. It also teaches them the importance of commitment, responsibility, and respect for time—valuable life skills.

Custody Matters

For families with specific custody arrangements, it is important that the school is fully informed about any custody details or restrictions. This ensures that we follow the appropriate guidelines regarding pick-up, communication, and any other matters involving your child.

• Please ensure that the school has a current copy of any court orders related to custody arrangements so that we are aware of the legal details and can uphold them appropriately. Without this documentation, the school cannot enforce any custody terms or restrictions, which could impact the safety and well-being of your child.

If there are any changes in custody arrangements or court orders throughout the school year, please provide updated documents to the front office as soon as possible.

Safe Drop-Off and Pick-Up Procedures

To ensure the safety of all our students, it is essential that everyone follows the school’s drop-off and pick-up procedures:

1. Drop-off should always take place along the designated curb areas. This ensures that children are not walking through traffic lanes, which could be dangerous. 
2. Pick-up must be according to the directions given by staff and signs. Adhering to these guidelines helps maintain an orderly flow of traffic and ensures the safety of all children.
3. Students walking to and from school that need to cross Center Street, should use the crosswalk on Center Street and follow directions of the crossing guard. The crossing guard will be at the crosswalk from 7:30-8:00 AM and from 2:55-3:20 PM.  If your child arrives at the crosswalk before or after these times, please instruct them to always use the crosswalk and look and listen for traffic before crossing the street.

Please Note:  The morning sun is very bright and can make it difficult for drivers to see clearly. To maintain the safety of our students, we ask that students avoid using the crosswalk on 100 East when walking to school in the morning. After crossing Center Street, please ensure your child stays on the sidewalk and does not cross 100 East. 

The Importance of Kindness, Even in Challenging Situations

We teach our students the value of kindness every day. It is a cornerstone of creating a positive, supportive school community. However, there are times when we may feel we are not treated kindly by others. In these moments, it is crucial to remember that being kind anyway not only helps to resolve conflicts but also shows strength of character.

1. Modeling Kindness for Your Child: Children learn by observing the adults around them. By practicing kindness and patience, especially when things are challenging, you teach your child the value of empathy and respect.
2. Kindness Is Contagious: When we show kindness, even in the face of frustration, we often inspire others to do the same. It fosters a caring environment where everyone feels valued and respected.
3. Building Emotional Resilience: Teaching children to respond with kindness, even when they feel they haven’t been treated kindly, helps them develop resilience. It prepares them to navigate challenging social situations with confidence and compassion.

Clarification on Uniform Policy

There has been some confusion regarding what is acceptable according to the school’s uniform policy. We would like to clarify a few specific areas:

1. Jumpers: If a jumper is worn, it must be in the Blackwatch plaid pattern. This ensures consistency and alignment with the school’s uniform standards.
2. Spirit Day: For Spirit Day, students must wear the current Spirit Day shirt. Spirit shirts from past years are not permitted, and wearing them will result in a uniform violation.
3. Free Dress Days: Please refer to the Free Dress Day guidelines on the Timpanogos Academy website to ensure your child adheres to the expectations for these days.

For a detailed explanation of the uniform policy, please refer to the uniform policy and picture guide on the Timpanogos Academy website. The guide provides clear visuals and descriptions to help ensure that all students are dressed in accordance with school guidelines.

Policy: https://www.timpacademy.org/files/ugd/648b4fad318b3f9c3047faa52400a0004e4bd8.pdf

Picture Guide: https://www.timpacademy.org/files/ugd/648b4f95a8bcdcb8be414089b708aa6a5e9aa5.pdf

How You Can Help

• Create a Consistent Routine: Having a morning and evening routine can make a big difference in ensuring your child is rested and prepared for school each day.
• Encourage Kindness: Remind your child of the importance of being kind, especially when it’s difficult. They will face situations that require patience and understanding, and your guidance will help them navigate these moments.
• Follow Safety Guidelines: Always use the designated drop-off and follow pick-up procedures to ensure the safety of your child and others.
• Encourage Safe Walking Practices: Make sure your child uses the crosswalk on Center Street and follows the guidelines for walking safely to and from school.
• Review the Uniform Policy: Ensure your child’s uniform adheres to the guidelines. For any questions, please consult the picture guide on the school’s website.
• Communicate with Us: If there are any challenges affecting your child’s ability to attend school regularly, concerns regarding custody, safety, or the uniform policy, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to support you and your child.

Morning Assembly in the Gym

Each morning before school, the students gather in the gym. After the bell rings, we take a few moments to discuss any relevant issues with the entire group. During this time, we often repeat the important rule of being where you're supposed to be, when you're supposed to be there, doing what you're supposed to be doing—even when no one is watching. We believe this is a vital message to instill in our students for both safety and personal responsibility. After this brief discussion, we recite the Pledge of Allegiance, and students are dismissed with their classes to begin the school day.

Together, we can ensure that your child receives the most out of their educational experience by being on time, attending regularly, practicing kindness, following safe procedures, and adhering to the uniform policy.

Thank you for your continued support in helping us create a positive and safe learning environment for your child.

Sincerely,

Mr. Porter