What you need to know this week ...
- All students are required to have a health form on file in our office.
- We've included some carpool line reminders to keep everyone moving and safe.
- We will test our text alert system on Friday, August 25.
- Author Jonathan Miller visiting on August 29.
- A workshop on Middle school admissions will be held on August 31 for 5th grade parents.
- Registration for after school classes, sports and extra offerings are due by August 31. Flag football registration is due August 24.
- Parents' Association information and volunteer opportunities are available.
- Save the date for Parents' Night on August 31.
- Special program for parents on navigating the challenges of social media will be on September 14.
|
IMPORTANT: Health forms must be completed for ALL students
Completing the health forms for your children is of utmost importance, as it directly impacts our ability to provide them with the best care possible. These forms play a vital role in ensuring that our school nurse and educators are fully equipped to address any health-related needs your child may have during their time at school.
- Health Information Form (required for all students)
- NOTE: If your child has received any additional vaccines, please send an updated immunization form to the school nurse. Children entering kindergarten are required to have additional vaccines. If you have questions, please contact our school nurse.)
These forms should be completed if students have a specific health need.
Carline Reminders
It always helps to arrive early and beat the rush! Early morning care is available for all students from 7:15 a.m.-7:45 a.m. as a courtesy to our families. Please drop off students at the concourse area for early morning care. School begins at 8 a.m. Classrooms open at 7:45 a.m. Please see this diagram for the morning car line route. Early childhood grades (JPK-K) follow the yellow arrows on the diagram and then merge into the other car line near the library. Please make sure your child is ready to get out of the car when the car stops. This helps keep the car line moving. Students should get in and out of the car on the sidewalk side of the car (not the parking lot side) for their safety.
For JPK and PK families in the morning car line, here are some tips to help make the line go quicker:
- Unbuckle your child's car seat while waiting and before you stop to let out.
- Put your child's bag in the front seat so the assistant can get it after opening the back door.
- Parents should remain in the car.
- If your child needs additional time, please proceed to a parking spot to either walk your child in or circle around and re-enter the carpool traffic lane.
Afternoon Car Line
Grades JPK and PK dismiss at the concourse at 1 p.m. and older grades dismiss at 3 p.m. Please put your green car line sign on your dashboard to help keep the line moving . Please see this diagram for the afternoon car line route. The name caller will tell you which station your child will be waiting at. Other reminders:
- If you need to buckle your child into their car seat, please pull up to or past white columns to get out of the car and assist your child. This will allow the rest of the line to keep moving.
- Keep the green name sign on the dashboard until your child is in the car with you.
Please be courteous in the car lines. Remain behind the vehicle in front of you for the safety of everyone. Obey the instructions of the traffic officers on Hixson Pike. It is a dangerous job! When they are called away for other police duties and not present, please be extra patient and cautious.
Extra Car Signs
If you need to order any additional green car line signs, please email: bmoore@brightschool.com with your last name and the number of signs you need. The deadline to order is Friday, August 25. Please send $3 (per sign) cash or check to either the main office or you may give it to your child's teacher. Be sure to attach a note with your name/car sign. The additional signs will be sent home with your child when they arrive.
Reserved Parking Spaces
The reserved parking spaces in our lot were purchased by families during the auction. These spaces are reserved at all times, even during non-school hours. Please do not park in these spaces.
Text Alert System Test on Friday, August 25
Families will receive text alerts from our school messaging system on Friday. If you are a new family, you will need to opt-in by replying to the text Yes or Y. If you are returning family, you do not need to respond. We use this messaging system for weather delays and closures.
Middle School Admissions Workshop on August 31
Fifth grade parents are invited to learn about the middle school admissions process. Please join Assistant Head of School Renee' Kropff on Thursday, August 31, at 8:15 a.m. in the library. Learn about how the process works and how Bright School supports students and parents through the process.
|
Extra Activities Registration
Sign up for after school activities, sports, handbells and choir is due on August 31. The deadline for flag football signups is this Thursday, August 24.
Please follow the links below to register for:
All other registration will be completed through CampBrain at this link. You will need to begin by creating an account under New User Sign-Up. Instructions for how to register are available here.
Everyday Etiquette for grades 3-5 with Dawn Jumper: Activities, games and interactive learning make this class engaging and fun. We focus on good manners, self-confidence, and consideration for others.
Fee: $110 which includes all lessons, an after school snack, take home materials, and a certificate of completion.
Pre-season soccer clinic for grades 3-5 with Coach Linehart
This will be a 4 session soccer camp/clinic at Bright School. All students are welcomed (even if they don't plan to play soccer for Bright in the fall season!). Each session will be designed to be fun and instructional and develop key foundational skills that form the building blocks for all developing soccer players.
Personal Training with James Eliezer
He is offering packages of sessions that can be used for the whole family. For example, you can purchase a package of 20 sessions that can be divided for your student to engage in a small group soccer clinic while you use some of the sessions to attend our adult fitness class! The adult fitness class is open to parents of Bright School students or faculty and staff of Bright School.
Soccer Clinic and Running Clinic will be offered to 3rd-5th grade students.
Book Club Sign-Up Available
The Bright School Library is excited to announce we are offering a variety of book clubs for grades 1-5 in the 2023-2024 School Year. Each grade level will have one book club in the first half of the year and one book club in the second half of the year. To register, use the SignUp Genius and submit your payment to reserve a spot. The month’s book will be delivered to registered students on the first of their book club month. Participants have until the book club meeting day to read the book before enjoying a special meet-up activity and treat. We hope you will join us! Cost: $50 (includes a copy of the book, a special treat, and a book specific activity on the meet-up day) Sign-up at this link.
School Directory
We will be printing a copy of our school directory in the coming weeks.
The information contained within our directory is intended solely for the benefit of Bright School families and their engagement with one another. It is not to be used for any form of solicitation, marketing or commercial purposes. We kindly request that all users respect this policy and refrain from any activities that may compromise the spirit of community, trust and mutual support that we strive to cultivate.
Parent Handbook
All families should have received a printed copy of our updated Parent Handbook. We want to call your attention to the revised Responsible Use Policy:
Smartwatches and cell phones are increasing in popularity with a growing number of students wearing or bringing one to school. Student smartwatches and cell phones are not permitted at school. Due to family situations, you may have the need for your child to have a smartwatch or cell phone due to after-school activities, but during the school day (which includes any time during Bright Afternoons), this device must be turned off and kept in the child's backpack.
Car Decals
All families will need to have our car decals displayed on the outside widow in the bottom corner on the driver's side. This decal will be used by our security officer to identify Bright School families driving on campus. Each family will be given two decals. Teachers will hand them out to families when they drop off their children on their phase-in day. If you have any questions about decals, please email Renee' Kropff.
|
Parents' Association
The Bright School Parents' Association (PA) is a volunteer-based organization dedicated to cultivating a sense of community at Bright School. Community building, clear communication, and fundraising are priorities of the PA.
A Note from the PA President and President-Elect
Bright School Parents, You Really Know How to Show Up!
Wow, we're beyond thrilled to have such incredible support from our Bright School parents! During our two phase-in days last week we were overjoyed to see so many enthusiastic responses at our row of clipboards. We've always known you're an amazing group, but now we have the signup sheets to prove it. And how about that Happy Cart schedule being filled for the entire first semester!
To the parents who graciously volunteered as room reps, we have a whole roster of eager candidates, and the teachers and kids are so lucky to have you excited about all the fun events you’ll get to help plan! Please note that there will be a mandatory room rep meeting on Friday, Aug. 25 at 8 a.m. in the pavilion.
And for those who signed up for different committees and special areas, you’ve already saved the day. You’ll be hearing from the teachers or committee chairs directly about how exactly you’ll be able to help. Our most popular committee is a brand new one - Done in a Day - and Keri Williams is the keeper of that list. If you didn’t get a chance to sign up but want to, go ahead and email her to get added!
Special thanks to all our current volunteers who have already put in a ton of work to get the year off to a great start. From used uniforms to Bluegrass and BBQ, there are parents working hard behind the scenes and your efforts are very much appreciated!
Thank you for lighting up Bright School with your energy and dedication! We couldn’t do it without you.
President Ginger Thomas and President-Elect Amanda Carmichael
If you would like information about how to volunteer with the PA, please contact Ginger Thomas.
Room Reps
There will be a mandatory room rep meeting on Friday, August 25 in the Peeples Pavilion.
Used Uniform Sales for the Year
Mark your calendar for these dates.
October 2, 2:30 - 4 p.m.
November 6, 2:30 - 4 p.m.
December 4, 2:30 - 4 p.m.
February 5, 2:30 - 4 p.m.
March 4, 2:30 - 4 p.m.
May 2, 5 - 7:30 p.m. (Blowout sale during open house)
|
Author Jonathan Miller to Visit
Jonathan Miller, author and illustrator of the children's book series The Adventures of Sammy the Wonder Dachshund, will be visiting Bright School on Tuesday, August 29. Sammy‘s Family Tree Vol. 1, Sammy in Space, Sammy on Safari, and Sammy's Last Week in Charleston star a daring dog who works as a fact-checker for the Internet. Miller created each illustration by cutting and layering construction paper in a process that can take 30 hours per page!
Order forms to purchase a copy of Jonathan Miller's book will be sent home Monday, August 21 in K-5 classrooms and should be returned by August 29th at the latest. If you have any questions about ordering books, please email Ms. Henn ( ehenn@brightschool.com).
|
Parents' Night
Schedule:
Grades JPK-1st: 5:30-6:15 p.m.
Math Academy (grades 4 and 5): 5:45-6:15 p.m. in Mrs. Waddell's fourth grade classroom
All School Assembly/Meeting 6:15-6:30 p.m. in the Theater
Grades 2-5: 6:30-7:15 p.m.
Parking will be on campus. We encourage parents to arrive in one vehicle as parking is limited on campus. The school will run shuttles from Stuart Height Baptist Church if needed. Parking attendants will be on hand to direct traffic and parking.
|
The Social Institute: A Program for Parents
In collaboration with St. Peter's School and Brainerd Baptist School, we are excited to offer a seminar for parents about navigating the challenges of social media and technology. This seminar aims to equip parents with proactive tools to empower children in embracing a healthy and high-character approach to the digital world. Instead of resorting to fear and restrictions, we invite you to join us for a refreshing and practical presentation on parenting in the digital age.
Leading this discussion will be Laura Tierney, the esteemed Founder, and CEO of The Social Institute, a recognized leader in the field with a national presence. Together, we will engage in an interactive exploration of innovative strategies to foster positive social media and tech usage for our children, flipping the script on the common challenges faced in this digital era.
Mark your calendars for this special event.
Date: Thursday, September 14
Time: 6 p.m.
Where: Calvary Chapel, 3415 Broad Street, Chattanooga, TN 37409
|
Important Links and Calendar
Calendar - Download the 2023-2024 Calendar HERE
The library schedule for each class is posted HERE
August 25
Test of our text alert system
August 31
Middle School Admission Process for 5th grade families, 8:15 a.m.
Parents' Night, 5:30 p.m.
September 1
Splash Day, free dress day for all students
September 4
Labor Day, no school
September 5
After school classes begin
September 8
Bright School t-shirt day, Bright Breakfast from 7:15-7:45 a.m., Bookstore open 7:30-8:30 a.m.
September 14
The Social Institute program for parents, 6 p.m.
September 20
Individual photos with Lifetouch
|
Back to School
We are thrilled to have our students back in class!
|
|
|
|