Lower School Newsletter

August 15, 2025

Lower School Families,

We’ve had a terrific first full week of school. Early Childhood students joined us, and we kicked off the week with the Let Go Ceremony. Early Childhood students are ready to spread their wings and soar, just like the butterflies who filled the sky on Monday!

Thank you for joining us for Parents’ Knight. I hope the evening provided you with just-right information and has you excited about the school year ahead.

Today, we celebrate our 5th graders. Students spend the morning in a retreat, learning about the year ahead as learners, leaders, and friends. They also learn the meaning behind becoming a class - the Class of 2033 - during the Sweatshirt Ceremony in the chapel. 

Important Information & Reminders

• Meet our Specialists & Staff - If you missed the opportunity to visit with these special people, I invite you to read about them at Lower School Resources > Lower School Specialists & Staff.
• Attendance Policy - The 2025-2026 Parent-Student Handbook is now available under Resources on our school website. Included in this is our attendance policy. While we hope your child will be with us every day, we know absences happen. Important to highlight is the ​​​​​​Lower School limit for absences and tardies:

Absence and Tardy Limits - Lower School students may accumulate up to fourteen total absences and/or tardies per year. Lower School students who accumulate a total number of absences and/or tardies greater than fourteen in one year may not progress to the next grade. Certain unavoidable absences (such as the student’s or family member’s extended stays in hospital or home because of medical severity or contagion, “homebound” situations, deaths in the family, or natural disaster) may be exempted from accumulation toward the limit of fourteen. Parents and legal guardians will be notified when their student has accumulated seven total absences and/or tardies. A conference with the Division Head may be requested once a student accumulates ten total absences and/or tardies to discuss a plan to avoid future absences and/or tardies. 

• Late Arrival & Early Checkout Policy - Lower School parents must check in at the Alumni House and walk students to the Lower School office for late arrivals or early checkouts. If you need assistance, please call the Lower School Office. This policy is in place for best practices in student safety. 
• Student Health - Please also review this section of the Parent Student Handbook. One point to highlight is that if your child presents with a fever or vomits, the student must remain home until fever-free and/or has not vomited for 24 hours. This is an important policy to prevent the spread of illnesses.
• Use the Carpool Line - Please always use the carpool line to drop off and pick up students. There is no parking at the Alumni House for arrival or dismissal. 
• Team Talyn - Team Talyn t-shirts may be purchased through our School Store, with all proceeds going directly to the family. Additional donations for the family may also be made through our School Store. Lower School students are invited to wear Team Talyn t-shirts, with uniform bottoms, each Tuesday this year – dedicated as Team Talyn Tuesdays, lifting her in prayer as a community. We anticipate t-shirts will be delivered near the end of August. On behalf of her family, thank you for your prayers and support.

Don’t hesitate to reach out if I can help with anything!

Best,

Beth Gardner
Lower School Division Head
[email protected]