Yocum Elementary

Our second, third and fourth graders started the Magic Tree House series in the library today. They are working on learning about characters, and identifying plot and setting. Each grade level will do a long-term project based on the Magic Tree House books they are reading.

If you have plans to visit the Union County Fair this week, be sure to check out Yocum's booth in the Education building. It is the building on the right as soon as you enter the fairgrounds. Several students had their artwork chosen to be displayed: Kindergarten - Marcely Mendoza-Salmeron First Grade - Emeri Price Second Grade - Elise Lewis & Marley Rozier Third Grade - Aubree Thomas & Jodiana Nguyen Fourth Grade - Emory Naqvi & Trevor Divine We are so proud of all the hard work our students put in each day and we love sharing their work with the community!

Meet the Staff Monday: 1st Grade Team

Reminder: The Clear Bag Policy goes into effect today for athletic events. If you plan to attend tonight's football game, please remember: • The gate will open at 6pm. • Only clear bags that adhere to the policy will be allowed inside the gate. • There will not be a place to store bags. • Although individuals taking tickets and administrators working the gate are enforcing the clear bag policy, they did not make the policy. For more information, visit bit.ly/ESDClearBagPolicy.

Every student has a communication folder that goes home with them daily. Please be sure to check your students' folders each night for important paperwork. There is a pocket for papers that need to be returned to school and a pocket for papers that need to be kept at home.

Beginning on Friday, September 16th, the El Dorado School District will implement a Clear Bag Policy in an effort to provide a safer environment and improve security. The Clear Bag Policy limits the size and type of bags that may be brought into stadiums, gymnasiums, and other athletic fields. Prohibited items include but are not limited to purses larger than a 4.5" x 6.5” clutch bag, coolers, briefcases, backpacks, fanny packs, grocery bags, cinch bags, luggage of any kind, computer bags and camera bags, or any bag larger than the permissible size. Bags that are permitted included: • Tote bags that are clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and do not exceed 12” x 6” x 12” • One-gallon clear plastic freezer bags • Small clutch bags with or without a handle or strap, no larger than 4.5” x 6.5” (approximately the size of a hand) Bags not permitted: • Backpacks, printed plastic bags, fanny packs, purses, reusable grocery totes, mesh or straw bags, duffle bags, large totes, and camera or binocular cases. • Diaper bags are not allowed. Items normally carried in a diaper bag must be put into a clear plastic bag for venue entry. In the near future, metal detector screening and a search of all items being carried in may take place at all ESD Athletic Venues. There are no provisions available to store or safeguard any prohibited bags. ESD is not responsible for lost or stolen items. *An exception will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection at a gate by the respective gate supervisor. For more information, visit our website at www.eldoradopublicschools.org/o/district/page/clear-bag-policy.

CAR RIDER REMINDER: For the safety of our students, drivers must have a tag displayed on their passenger side window to pick up a student. If a tag is not displayed, we will ask the driver to pull over and show us their ID. Elementary car rider students were sent home with an additional tag TODAY! If you still do not have a tag for your car, please call the office.

Meet the Staff Monday: 2nd Grade Team

Bus routes 8, 9, and 26 will NOT run this afternoon, Friday, September 9th. If your student rides Route 8, Route 9, or Route 26, please make alternate arrangements for after-school transportation. We apologize for this inconvenience.

Bus routes 23 and 37 will NOT run this afternoon, Friday, September 2nd. If your student rides Route 23 or Route 37, please make alternate arrangements for after-school transportation. We apologize for this inconvenience. Unfortunately, there is a national bus driver shortage, and our district is one among many in Arkansas and across the United States that needs bus drivers. If there are any in our community that are interested in filling this need, please visit Transportation website at https://www.eldoradopublicschools.org/page/transportation.

It's not too late to be a volunteer* in ESD schools THIS semester! Attend tonight's Volunteer Training at the TAC House from 6:00-7:30pm to be eligible! *Volunteers must attend training annually. The next training for the 22-23 school year will not be held until January 2023.

Don't forget! The first volunteer training takes place today from 1:00pm-2:30pm at Central Office!

In an effort to support teachers as they grow and develop in the PLC process, the El Dorado School District is dismissing at 1:30pm on Wednesdays. Tomorrow is Wednesday...don't forget that 1:30pm dismissal starts tomorrow!

Join us for Volunteer Training to learn what it takes to be a successful volunteer! Three trainings will be offered this year: • Friday, August 26, 2022, 1pm - 2:30pm at Central Office • Tuesday, August 30, 2022, 6pm - 7:30pm at the TAC House • Friday, January 6, 2023, 1pm- 2:30pm at Central Office Make plans to attend one of these trainings! We look forward to having volunteers in our buildings all year long!

1. OBEY THE SPEED LIMIT (AND OTHER TRAFFIC LAWS). In order to help keep our students and staff safe, it’s vital that everyone slow down to the appropriate speed while traveling in school zones. Pay attention to students who are using crosswalks. Did you know it’s illegal to pass a stopped bus that’s picking up or dropping off children? It definitely is in ALL 50 states. Don’t pass a school bus from behind or from either direction if you’re on an undivided road when it’s loading or unloading children. In the state of Arkansas, it’s illegal to use your cell phone while in a school zone. Taking your eyes off the road and your surroundings while in a school zone puts the students and staff at risk. 2. DROP-OFF OR PICK-UP KIDS IN THE DESIGNATED AREAS. Learn where the correct drop-off and pick-up locations are at your student’s school. Pay attention to the rules/expectations of each building. Those rules and expectations are put in place to keep students and staff safe. 3. FOLLOW DIRECTIONS. School staff, patrol officers, and volunteers are there to keep students safe. Following their instructions is one of the easiest ways to help you safely navigate the drop-off and pick-up process. 4. KEEP YOUR COOL. Mornings can be tough. Resist the urge to engage in road rage or parental frustrations right before dropping your student off. Their day can be greatly impacted by that short drive to school. Remember, children model our behavior, so it’s our responsibility to set a good example. 5. STAY IN YOUR CAR. To keep a consistent flow of traffic moving, do not exit your vehicle while in the drop-off/pick-up line. If you need to assist your student with anything, please park in the designated parking area and walk them to the door. Parents will not be able to enter school buildings, including on the first day of school.

Bus Routes for the 2022-2023 school year have been updated on the website. Visit https://www.eldoradopublicschools.org/page/transportation for more information!!

Join us for Volunteer Training to learn what it takes to be a successful volunteer! Three trainings will be offered this year: • Friday, August 26, 2022, 1pm - 2:30pm at Central Office • Tuesday, August 30, 2022, 6pm - 7:30pm at the TAC House • Friday, January 6, 2023, 1pm- 2:30pm at Central Office Make plans to attend one of these trainings! We look forward to having volunteers in our buildings all year long!

Due to our Community Eligibility Provision, all students Kindergarten - 12th grade within the El Dorado School District will have the opportunity to eat breakfast and lunch for free during the 2022-2023 school year. For more information, including access to cafeteria menus, visit https://www.eldoradopublicschools.org/page/food-services.

School supplies will be provided free to students in grades K-4 again this school year. The supplies will be given to teachers to distribute to students as they are needed in the classroom. WMS and BJHS will provide school supplies for students, as well. Students need to bring a backpack, 4 boxes of Kleenex, and 4 bottles of hand sanitizer. EHS will provide students with a Chromebook, a three-ring binder, a spiral notebook, and pens. Teachers will pass out class materials lists during orientation or the first week of school. Supply lists are based on the needs of the individual class.

The network is up and running today, so the AR Lab will be open this afternoon from 3-6pm.