Eliot Elementary School
August 1, 2024
Dear Eliot Elementary School Families,
We are very excited to join all of you for a successful 2024-2025 school year! To help you prepare for a great start to the new school year, we’ve included information pertaining to questions that we often receive from family members.
The 2024-2025 school year will bring some changes, which will include the role of school principal, a position that I will be retiring from effective December 31, 2024. Ann Shisler, currently a third-grade teacher, will assume the responsibilities as school principal upon my departure. I have been blessed to have had the privilege of working with children and families for the past forty-one years. I will truly miss the challenges that arise everyday within our school, though I am excited to experience whatever comes next in my life’s journey. Until then, I’m your child’s school principal, and I’m most thankful!
In preparing for the new school year, please take the opportunity to review the 2024-2025 Eliot Elementary School Family Handbook, which can be found at the following link: https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1885/EES/2514570/Eliot_Elementary_School_Family_Handbook_22-23__2_.pdf. In addition, your child’s classroom teacher(s) will be providing information that you will want to review, as you prepare your child for the first few days of school. If you are interested in becoming involved with our Eliot Elementary School “PEEPs” (similar in structure to a traditional Parent Teacher Organization) please keep an “eye out” for information regarding the meeting schedule for the new school year.
Health and safety of students is a priority for members of our team. Kasey Callahan, School Nurse, will be providing guidance for your review, as it pertains to the criteria that you will need to consider when contemplating a decision to keep your child home from school due to a health- related matter.
Attendance at school, unless your child is excused for those reasons identified as excusable within the MSAD #35 Board of Education Policy JEA Compulsory Attendance, provides your child with opportunities that will lead to their social, emotional, physical, and academic development. In the event that your child needs to be absent from school due to one or more of the reasons cited in the referenced policy, please notify an administrative assistant by calling 207-439-9004 and leaving a message and or talking directly with personnel.
As we move closer to the opening day of school, which is September 3, 2024, you may be wondering about a few things, including the following:
Will I get a chance to meet my teacher and other members of the EES staff before August 31, 2024? Yes, on August 29, 2024 from 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. we will host a “Sneak Peek”. You will learn more about the “Sneak Peek” experience through a letter from your child’s classroom teacher.
Is school breakfast and lunch available to students? School breakfast and lunch are free for all students.
Where can I get information regarding school bus pick-up and drop-off? Information regarding matters of school transportation can be accessed on the MSAD#35 website or you can call 207-384-4681.
What if I’m not sure where I go when I get off the school bus or get dropped off by my parents? Members of our EES staff will be there to assist and guide you.
We look forward to seeing you soon! My best wishes to you all!
Sincerely,
Dr. Peter E. Harrison
Principal
Eliot Elementary School