08/12/2026
August 2026
Dear Easterly Parkway Families,
Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year!
Whether your family is returning to Easterly Parkway or joining us for the first time, we are so excited to welcome you. I hope your summer included time to relax, recharge, and make memories with those you love.
Our staff has been busy preparing classrooms, planning engaging learning experiences, and getting everything ready for another wonderful year. At Easterly Parkway, we believe every child deserves to feel known, valued, challenged, and connected. We look forward to partnering with you to ensure your child has a successful and joyful school year.
Below you'll find important information to help your family prepare for the start of school.
Class Placements
Class placements for students in Grades 1–5 will be available in PowerSchool on 08/18/2026.
As always, staffing and enrollment continue to shift even as summer ends. If adjustments to your child's placement become necessary, I will contact families directly.
Kindergarten Families: Final classroom placements will be determined following Kindergarten Orientation on 08/30/2026. You will see a placeholder teacher (“Dickson”) listed in PowerSchool prior to orientation as we finalize balanced classrooms after meeting our newest Eagles.
School Hours
Arrival: 7:50–8:09 a.m.
Instruction Begins: 8:10 a.m.
(Students arriving after 8:10 a.m. are considered tardy.)
Dismissal
2:55 p.m. – Bus riders, Kindergarten and First Grade students, and their older siblings
2:58 p.m. – CEEL students
3:00 p.m. – Walkers and parent pick-up (Grades 2–5)
CEEL Ends: 5:30 p.m.
Kindergarten Information
The first day of school is August 25th and is a partial day for Kindergarten students. Kindergarten students will begin attending full days on August 26th
A welcome slideshow from our Kindergarten team has been sent through ParentSquare.
Transportation
Morning Arrival
Car rider drop-off begins at 7:50 a.m.
Buses unload on the yellow side of the building. Once buses have cleared (approximately 7:55 a.m.), families may use that loop.
The blue (office) loop is available from 7:50–8:15 a.m.
Please pull all the way forward to the cones and follow staff directions to keep traffic moving.
Students should exit on the curbside only. If your child needs assistance, please park in a designated parking space and walk them into the building.
Right turns only when exiting either loop during arrival and dismissal.
Afternoon Dismissal
Dismissal begins at 2:55 p.m.
Kindergarten and First Grade parent pick-up occurs on the blue side.
Grades 2–5 parent pick-up occurs on the yellow side after buses depart.
Please do not park in the fire lanes or block either loop before 2:45 p.m.
Two visitor parking spaces near the main entrance are reserved for caregivers picking students up during the school day.
Attendance & Transportation Changes
Students arriving after 8:10 a.m. or leaving before dismissal must be signed in or out through the main office.
Transportation changes should be called into the office by 1:00 p.m. Email cannot always be monitored throughout the day.
Please notify the office of planned early dismissals as early as possible.
To report an absence or tardy, call the Safe at School Line: 814-231-1011 ext. 1171.
If your child returns after an absence, please send a note or email [email protected] within three days.
If your child is arriving late and needs lunch, please include that information in your morning call or note.
Educational trip requests should be submitted at least two weeks in advance.
Outdoor Play -
Students enjoy recess every day, including an additional outdoor break for students in Kindergarten through Grade 2.
Please send your child dressed appropriately for the weather. If your family needs assistance obtaining seasonal clothing or outdoor gear, please reach out. We are always happy to help.
School Safety -
The safety of our students and staff remains our highest priority.
The main office entrance is the only point of entry during the school day.
All visitors must check in with a valid photo ID.
Visitors must wear a school-issued badge while in the building.
School Supplies -
Thanks to the generosity of our PTO, many classroom supplies are provided for students.
Please send your child with:
Backpack
Refillable water bottle
Headphones or earbuds (labeled)
Sneakers for Physical Education
Appropriate seasonal outdoor clothing
If obtaining these items presents a hardship, please reach out. We are happy to help. Families interested in donating supplies for students in need are also welcome to contact Mrs. Walters or me.
Chromebooks -
Each student will receive a Chromebook for instructional use. Student Chromebooks will remain at school for this year. Optional Chromebook insurance is available through the district and is highly recommended.
Breakfast, Lunch & Snacks
Breakfast and lunch are available each day.
Some grade levels may also request a healthy, pre-packaged classroom snack. Teachers will communicate individual classroom expectations.
Please do not send extra food items, candy, breakfast foods, canned beverages, or other snacks beyond what has been requested.
Our STAR Expectations -
At Easterly Parkway, we teach, practice, and celebrate our STAR expectations every day. Students across SCASD learn what it means to:
⭐ Show Kindness
⭐ Take Responsibility
⭐ Act Safely
⭐ Ready to Learn
Our staff explicitly teaches these expectations in classrooms, hallways, buses, the cafeteria, recess, and throughout the school community because we know that strong relationships and clear expectations create a place where everyone belongs.
At Easterly Parkway, we teach, practice, and celebrate our STAR expectations every day.
These expectations guide everything we do—from classrooms to buses, the cafeteria, recess, and beyond. By consistently teaching and reinforcing these behaviors, we help create a school where every child feels safe, respected, and connected.
Get Involved
We encourage families to be active members of our school community.
Volunteering
Please complete the required district clearances and connect with your child’s classroom teacher to volunteer in a classroom or attend a field trip.
PTO
Our PTO provides tremendous support through classroom supplies, family events, field trips, teacher appreciation, and much more. Please consider the gift of your time to this important resource for our school. Be on the lookout during the first couple weeks of school for a flyer with more information about ways to get involved (small or large amounts of time welcome!) The PTO Board would love for you to come meet them on the playground between 5 and 7pm on Wednesday, September 9th and Sunset Slush Truck will be there with cold treats for sale as a fundraiser! Please visit the EP PTO website at www.easterlypto.org and email with any questions to [email protected]
Save the Dates:
Ice Cream Social / Meet the Teacher - 8/20 5p-6p
First Day of School - 8/25
Kindergarten Orientation - 8/25
First Full Day of Kindergarten - 8/26
No School- 8/28
Labor Day – No School - 9/7
Playground Hangout, Sunset Slush Truck and Meet the PTO! - 9/9
Fun Run - 9/28
Book Fair - 10/2-10/8
Science Fair - 10/5
Kindergarten Night at Memorial Field - 10/9
PTO Meeting - 10/14
Picture Day - 10/16
State High Homecoming Parade - 10/22
Therapy Dog Support
I’m thrilled to share some exciting news - our school will soon be welcoming a therapy dog as part of our ongoing efforts to support student & staff well-being and enrich our positive, nurturing learning environment!
Buddy, a doodle who recently became a certified therapy dog, will be visiting the school regularly. Buddy lives full-time with our Dean of Students, Mrs. Saylor. Keep an eye out for information.
Thank you for taking the time to review this information. A strong partnership between home and school is one of the greatest predictors of student success, and we appreciate the trust you place in us each day.
We are honored to spend this school year learning, growing, and celebrating alongside your children. If there is anything we can do to support your family, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Here's to another fantastic year at Easterly Parkway!
Warmly,
Dr. Meredith Henderson, Principal
Easterly Parkway Elementary School
Easterly Parkway Elementary PTO - Easterly Parkway Elementary
