Dear Patriots,
This is an important message from Dr. Brenda Russ, Principal of Hugh Mercer Elementary School.
We had a great week last week! It was great to see children in our hallways, classrooms, cafeteria, and the smiles on their faces. Last week, our students learned about our Patriots' Core Values which include perseverance, achievement, tenacity, integrity, optimism, teamwork, and safety. They learned rules and expectations and their classroom schedule. Our students in Grades 1, 3, and 4 will participate in our Patriots' Core Values assemblies on Tuesday, August 26 during their special area classes. Note that this was a change from last week.
We appreciate your patience, grace, and flexibility as we support our Patriots this week and navigate ongoing transportation challenges. Our team is committed to sharing updated and revised information with you and your child's teacher as soon as we receive it from the Transportation Department.
We are committed to ensure everyone's safety and security. Please review the following information so that our car rider arrival and dismissal processes continue to improve.
You must remain in the car at all times. Do not park and bring your child to the door. A staff member will help your child on and off the vehicle when it is your turn.
Please have your number placard displayed and forward facing for afternoon pick up. This will ensure we request your child in the order in which cars arrive. Help us make sure your child knows their assigned number.
If you wish for your child to be a car rider, please let their teacher know and we will assign a number to them.
Please make sure your child is ready to get out of the car in the mornings. It is preferred to have your child sitting behind the passenger side of the car. This will allow staff to assist your child in a timely manner and avoid going in front of or behind your vehicle.
If you need assistance with buckling or fasting the seatbelt, please let our staff know and we will gladly assist you.
Our team will continue to examine our processes and make adjustments as needed. These will be shared with you using this platform and ParentSquare.
As shared previously, unless there is an emergency, no students will be allowed to check out beginning at 2:30 PM. This is to ensure that our front office staff and teachers are double, triple-checking a high volume of transportation request changes and updates that impact dismissal.
Please have your ID with you at all times if you wish to enter the building for a meeting, check-out your child, or conduct other business. This is for everyone's safety.
If you have updated information - address, telephone numbers, emails, please make sure to make the changes at the school. It is critical that we have up-to-date information for our students at all times.
Fredericksburg City Public Schools will be closed on Friday, August 29, and Monday, September 1, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.
Looking ahead, students in Grades 1-3 and select students in Grades 4-5 will take the VALLSS literacy assessment beginning September. We will share additional information with you closer to date.
Thank you for your continued support, flexibility, and partnership! I look forward to a successful school year.
Today and always, Go Patriots!
Dr. Russ