August 21, 2022
Message from Mr. Childers
August 21, 2022
Hello Parents,
This is Tom Childers contacting you from Antioch Elementary. On Friday, our staff welcomed more than 250 students and parents to our building for the New Family Orientation. During this meeting our PTO President, Kim Church, shared details about the Antioch PTO. You may use this link to access the PTO website for additional information.
The physical and emotional safety of students and staff continues to be the top priority at Antioch Elementary. Our school continues to implement many layers to ensure the safety of all stakeholders. This begins with ongoing training for staff to be proactive and address concerns with safety and student well-being in a timely manner. Our school has established a team of individuals who will provide an appropriate response to any type of need throughout the school year.
The morning drop-off at our school is very busy and this process will certainly become more complicated with the closing of Matthews-Weddington Road in front of Union Day School. Please allow for additional time to navigate the traffic around our school.
All parents should familiarize yourself with the car rider map which can be accessed by clicking this link. Morning drop-off begins at 7:00am and students are recorded as tardy if they are not in their classroom by 7:30am. Parents should follow the direction of our staff at all times and should NOT pass other cars as this poses a significant safety risk for pedestrians. All walkers should cross the traffic lanes ONLY at the designated crosswalks. Our bus lot is available for morning drop off as well as parking once the buses have departed. Our staff will direct you into this area once it is available. Parents may park and walk their child to the front door. Our school safety protocols will prohibit parents from walking their child to the classroom.
Kindergarten parents are encouraged to arrive between 7:30am - 7:45am during the first two weeks of school. You may park and walk with your child into the gym by entering the doors from the bus lot. Our staff will greet your child and escort them to class. Traffic will be much lighter during this time and you will have an opportunity to take a picture and say goodbye to your little one.
Staff members and Volunteers will be strategically located throughout the building to ensure that all students arrive at class safely. Your child's teacher will receive them at the classroom door and welcome them to the new school year.
All exterior doors, interior doors, and windows will remain locked throughout the school day. Each staff member has multiple ways to communicate with the office in the event of an emergency. Safety zones have been established on the grounds of our campus to ensure that proper supervision is maintained at all times. Our students and staff will participate in monthly safety drills to practice our response in the event of an emergency. All students will also participate in a safety meeting each semester to discuss appropriate behavior and how students should respond if a situation makes them feel uncomfortable.
Our school has very specific dismissal procedures to ensure the safety of students and staff as well. All transportation changes must be provided in writing to your child's teacher. You may contact Mrs. Young, our receptionist (rhonda.young@ucps.k12.nc.us) in the event of an emergency. Please do not email the teacher during the school day for a same day transportation change. The teacher may not be available to check his/her email and your message may go unnoticed.
Please note: Frequent transportation changes increases the potential for mistakes by our staff. Each student's daily dismissal method is documented and maintained at the school in the event of an emergency.
Students who are afternoon walkers will be dismissed through the door at the end of the Kindergarten Hallway. Parents must come to the door to request their students.
Kindergarten and First Grade car riders will be dismissed beginning at 1:50pm through the main car rider line (see map). Parents who also have students in grades second through fifth should NOT arrive at this time as your child will NOT be available for dismissal.
Second and Third Grade car riders will be dismissed beginning at 2:05pm through the main car rider line (see map). Parents who also have students in grades fourth and fifth should NOT arrive at this time as your child will NOT be available for dismissal.
Fourth and Fifth Grade car riders will be dismissed beginning at 2:15pm on the bus lot (see map). Parents who also have Kindergarten through third graders may pick all students up at this time. Fourth-Grade and Fifth-Grade students will be seated with their younger siblings in the gym and cafeteria and must be picked up from the bus lot.
Our school provides bus transportation in the morning and in the afternoon. All students who rode the bus during the 21-22 school will continue to have a bus assignment. Any family who is requesting a bus for this school year should click this link.
Bus Information: Parents should begin by clicking here to watch the introductory video.
Parents may use this link and then click on REAL TIME BUS INFO link to access the NEW Edulog Parent Portal Smartphone App.
Where's My Bus?
Get the information you need from the transportation department without having to make a phone call. Receive timely messages or bus delay information. Access all of your students through one secure login.
The Edulog Parent Portal smartphone app helps you receive information about your child’s school bus ride.
It allows you to:
- Access designated bus stop times and locations,
- See real-time information about the location of your child’s school bus, and
- Receive notifications when the bus is getting close.
This new app replaces the "Here Comes the Bus App."
Our school will not accept forgotten items after 7:30am. This policy is part of our safety protocol and is an effort to protect instructional time. Encourage students to remember backpacks, laptops, and jackets/coats. Our school will accept forgotten lunches and will place them on a cart near the cafeteria for students to pick up.
Antioch Elementary has a new School Resource Officer, Brittany Dobbins. She will split her time between Antioch Elementary and another local elementary school.
Students and staff are NOT required to wear face coverings at this time.
UCPS will hold a Facebook Live forum on August 16 at 6 p.m. to discuss safety and security for the 2022-2023 school year. Staff, principals and a representative from the Union County Sheriff’s Office will discuss student/staff safety, mental health resources, drills, protocols and more. Click here to join the meeting.
Lunch and breakfast is no longer free for all students. Parents may use this link to access online payments for School Nutrition. Parents may use this link to access the online Free/Reduced Lunch Application.
Breakfast Price - $1.75
Lunch Prince - $3.75
Parents may use this link to access more information about School Nutrition Services. Click the School Nutrition Services Information Link.
Parents will be invited to volunteer at the school and will also be permitted to eat lunch with your child. If you would like to become a volunteer for Union County Public Schools, complete a volunteer application. Once your application is submitted, you will receive an automated email correspondence instructing you to confirm your email address. Additionally, you will receive an automated email when your application is approved or denied.
Parents are permitted to have lunch with their child. Beginning the week of September 19th (M-Th)- Families with the last name of A-E are invited to visit for lunch. Students may have one visitor due to seating limitations. Lunch with your child is open on Monday through Thursday ONLY.
Each classroom teacher has made seating arrangements for you. Most families visiting fourth and fifth grade students will be asked to eat in the courtyard. Please plan your visit accordingly with respect to the weather.
Parents are permitted to send in a birthday treat for students to celebrate their child's birthday. All treats must be commercially prepared. I would suggest scheduling this with your child's teacher to prevent multiple treats on the same day.
Your child's birthday is an exception to the outlined schedule. Please communicate with your child's teacher. We do not permit parents for lunch on Fridays.
Family Lunch Rotation for Lunch:
Week of September 19th (M-Th) - Families with the last name of A-E
Week of September 26th (M-Th) - Families with the last name of F-K
Week of October 3rd (M-Th) - Families with the last name of L-Q
Week of October 10th (M-Th) - Families with the last name of R-Z
Classroom Teachers will begin calling parents of first through fifth-grade on August 22nd. Kindergarten parents should expect a phone call on Wednesday, August 24th. Kindergarten parents are reminded on the Kindergarten Assessment on Tuesday, August 23rd. Please use this link to register.
Parents of Kindergarten Teachers may access the FAQ for Kindergarten by click this link.
Supplies will be delivered to the classroom for families who ordered school supplies through the Antioch PTO. Parents may click here to view the school supply lists.
Antioch Elementary has scheduled Open House for Thursday, August 25th. We ask that times adhere to these times, however you may adjust your schedule according to your families need.
Session 1 - 11:00am - 12:00pm (Last name A-K)
- 11:00am - 12:00pm - Parents and students may visit the teacher or obtain other information about the school in the gym or cafeteria.
Session 2 - 4:30pm - 5:30pm (Last name L-Z)
- 4:30pm - 5:30pm - Parents and students may visit the teacher or obtain other information about the school in the gym or cafeteria.
Mark your calendar… Weddington High School will hold an elementary night on September 30th during the Varsity Football Game with Piedmont. More information is forthcoming regarding this event.
Monday, August 29th is the first day of school for students. I look forward to another terrific school year. You may email questions to me at tom.childers@ucps.k12.nc.us.
See you soon.
