FROM THE PRINCIPAL

REGISTRATION:

Registration for the 2022-2023 school year begins this month.  There's lots more information on the "From the School & Office" page of this newsletter. Please be sure you are aware of procedures and deadlines.

Whether you are new to Leawood, or plan to return, all current and new families MUST go through this Jeffco Enroll process to indicate your intentions for the 2022-23 school year.

We will be holding an interest night on Monday, December 6th for any incoming preschool or Kindergarten Families, or other families interested in choice enrolling for any grade level.  Join us at 6:30pm in our school library.  All participants are expected to wear a mask throughout the presentation.  If you are experiencing any symptoms, please stay home.  We will be sharing a copy of the presentation on our website afterwards.

If you're interested in a school tour, we will be offering them at various times throughout the days on December 8, 9, and 10.  In order to minimize any instructional disruptions, we are offering slots for 6 people at a time. Please sign up here: Leawood Dec 2021 School Tours If you have any other questions, please reach out to the principal at Martha.Shehan@jeffco.k12.co.us

We have fantastic schools in the Columbine Area, and we know you have choices and decisions to make. You can't go wrong with any of them.  Here's a flyer with more information on all our interest nights:

Columbine Area Schools Interest Nights

Lockdown Drill

The goal of LOCKDOWN Drills is to be Emergency Prepared not Emergency Scared 

We will be doing our annual Lockdown Drill on December 2 in the afternoon.  Please avoid this time for appointments and early dismissals as we will not be answering phones or opening the door until the drill is completed.  Like last year, due to public health concerns with COVID-19, Jeffco Public School is modifying the way it conducts LOCKDOWN drills. In order to maintain social distancing guidelines, students will stay in their seats when you hear the LOCKDOWN alarm, and not move to their typical safe area in the room. Teachers will show an age-appropriate video describing what a LOCKDOWN drill entails, identify your classroom’s location and discuss any other important safety considerations with students. The entire process should take about 30 minutes. If you're interested in learning more about Jeffco's Safety Protocols, please reference this flyer: Standard Response Protocol

MODIFIED ATTENDANCE DAY FOR TESTING:

As another modified contact day is upon us, I wanted to take a moment to tell you about the purpose of these days. Jefferson County Schools allow for 4 modified contact days each school year giving teachers additional time and attention for assessing individual students. Leawood schedules two of these days in August to assess where students come into their learning at the start of the school year. We chose to do the other days one in December and one in May. Monday, December 13, is our next assessment day. 

On these days, teachers will be assessing reading skills and other assessments that they deem pertinent to guide the instruction for your child. Not all students will be tested this month. If you are new to Leawood and missed our beginning assessment days, you will likely be requested a time. We may also request a parent/teacher conference, either because we were not able to schedule one in October, or because we have further concerns we need to address. You will receive more information and the signup coming from your child's teacher. If not, reach out directly to your teacher with any questions. Thank you for allowing us this time getting to know more about the learning of your student.

As we enter the holiday season, I would like to take a moment to say thank you. I am constantly amazed by what our community can do when we work together to support our children. 

Thank you to our teachers and paraprofessionals for your dedication and honest love of children and this profession. Thank you to our support staff (cafeteria, office, and custodial staff) for the way you care for our kids and all you do to keep our school running smoothly. Thank you to our students for bringing your joy and love of learning with you every day. Thank you to our musicians and artists for sharing their gifts with us – the band and orchestra with Mr Graverson and Mrs Welch, the love of music and performance with Mrs Shall and Mrs Brandon, the art appreciation and love of  creativity with Mrs Wheeler, and the love of movement and sportmanship with Mr Gonzales. Thank you for our healthy schools attitude and our staff and families committed to our new Garden and Wellness Initiatives. Thank you to our PTSA and volunteers for your boundless positive energy and “can-do” spirit. Thank you to our parents for instilling the value of a good education and entrusting your children to us. Thank you to our Jeffco community for trusting that our children are our greatest asset, and that we must invest our time, energy and resources for their future!

On behalf of the staff, we wish all of our Leawood Family a very restful, peaceful and joy filled holiday season. Try to find some time to spend with family and friends doing those simple and special activities that make memories. Baking, sledding, crafts, building a snowman, and reading seasonal stories are all moments that we hold dear to our hearts as we grow. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Joyous Kwanzaa to all of our families. 

Be sure to check the bottom of this page for the many upcoming December events. For lots more information, be sure to check out our website at www.leawoodlions.us  and like us on Facebook HERE

We sure hope to finally see you face to face in 2022!!! Stay warm and safe and be well!

Fondly,

Mrs. Martha Shehan

martha.shehan@jeffco.k12.co.us 

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