School 81 Community,

Wishing everyone a very Happy, Safe and Enjoyable Holiday Season.  Special thank you to all School 81 staff for going above and beyond for our students.  Special thank you to our students that bring joy each day to School 81, we are very proud of all your hard work the first 4 months of school.  Thank you to our School 81 parents for your ongoing support and it was great to see many of you at our Merry Moose Shop, Winter Concert and Pre-K Holiday Workshop this December.  

Take care and be safe this weekend.

Mr. Klaich, Dr. Adams & Mr. Shepherd

P.S. -  Some reminders below:

• No School Friday, December 23^rd , no remote learning.

• Grades 3 to 6 have a short reading passage/ multiple choice questions to complete and return to school on January 3^rd.  

• School Resumes – Tuesday, January 3^rd

• Students with a damaged device have a Holiday Amnesty--  can turn in a damaged device for a new device at 1515 South Park with no cost until December 31st.  Holiday hours 12/27 to 12/29 – 8:30 to 2:30.

Topic: Virtual School Opening Meeting 
Time: Sep 2, 2022 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/9600150751?pwd=azhlNTVKd1BhYmRsd2h6SDMrWTE0dz09

Meeting ID: 960 015 0751
Passcode: School81

*If the link above does not work, please cut and paste into your web browser.

School Supplies

School supplies will be listed on our School 81 website under “Quick Links” – School Supply Lists 22-23..  The supply lists are provided by grade level and it is important to remember that not all supplies are needed on the first day. 

Supplies can be sent in with your child the first week of school, not just the first day.

See the direct link here   School 81 Supply List Page

Parents & Guardians of School 81,

As September 6^th approaches please see the following reminders for the first day of school.  We thank you in advance for your patience and flexibility on the first days/ week of school.  The following will help all the first day of school.

Staggered arrival for walkers, siblings should enter at the youngest child’s time to help assist them to their classroom.

K to 2 -  8:55 to 9:05

3 to 6 – 9:05 to 9:15

7 to 8 – 9:15 to 9:20

Reminder that K, 1 and 4 to 8 enter through the Tacoma/ Tennyson door.

Grades 2 and 3 enter through the main office door. 

*Take a moment before the first day of school to label your child’s book bag, notebooks with name and other important information such as home phone number.

*If you do not know your child’s homeroom -staff members/ tables will be available outside for that information and will be able to walk your child into the school building. 

*Only students will be able to enter the school building.  There are many staff members at each door of entry to assist students to their classroom.

*Be reminded that bus routes often are 20 to 30 minutes later than usual the first week of school.  Bus information will come to you from First Student in the mail in the coming days.  

*This week before school it is best to have kids work towards a more school routine by reading together at night, ensuring a proper bedtime & speaking positively about the first day of school and school year.  There is much to be excited about this school year!

Finally, please be reminded of the district visitor policy to ensure safety of all students and staff.  Whenever possible an appointment needs to be made in advance if you wish to meet with a staff member of School 81.  Phone calls and virtual meetings can still occur if that is more convenient.  All approved visitors can only enter at the main office door (the door closest to the ice rink).

Parents/ Guardians of School 81,

Congratulations goes to our Pre-K, K and 8th Grade Class of 2022!  It was great seeing everyone at our End of Year Celebrations!.  

Thank you to the School 81 community for your ongoing support during the 21-22 school year.

We wish you and your family a safe and enjoyable summer. 

Dear Parents/ Guardians of School 81,

We hope everyone has a safe and wonderful upcoming Holiday/ Winter Recess with family and friends.  A few highlights from December are found below:

• Congratulations goes out to our Grade 3 to 8 Honor and Merit Roll Students.  We are very proud of your hard work and accomplishment in the first quarter of school.

• Thank you to our School Improvement Team for organizing our Door Decorating Contest, Candy Grams & our Holiday Gift Raffle.  Thank you to Board Member - Mr. Larry Scott for helping us judge the doors.  The winners are: Pre-K – Mrs. Pliszka, K – Mr. Desantis, 1^st/ 2^nd – Mrs. Mendola, 3^rd/ 4^th – Mrs. L. Williams, 5^th/ 6^th – Mrs. Koscielski, 7^th/ 8^th – Mrs. Kyser & Mrs. Burgstahler. 

• Thank you to all that donated to our Annual Giving Tree. 

• Mr. Meyer’s Technology Class has received three 3-D printers.  Grades 6 to 8 students are already busy creating, designing and printing 3-D products. 

• U.S. News & World Report in October; for the first time has ranked Elementary and Middle Schools across the country.  U.S. News has ranked PS81 the 2^nd (Elementary) and 3^rd (Middle) best school in Buffalo Public Schools.  See the following link for more detailed information. https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/new-york/ps-81-204047

.

A reminder that if you want COVID random testing for your child at school; a new registration and consent form is needed.  See the link for registration. https://app.clarifi-covid-19.com/

As winter weather approaches, please continue to drive safely at our morning arrival/ dismissal.  Please do not block our bus lane and respect the right of way of all pedestrians. Reminder that we do share our driveway with the North Buffalo Ice Rink.  Do not block the entry way to the ice rink during arrival and dismissal.  There are many parking spaces available daily in the ice rink lot.

Happy Holidays & thank you for your ongoing support of School 81.

School 81

MEDICAL AND MASK EXEMPTION REQUESTS 

• Below is the process for parents/caregivers to request a medical or mask exemption for their child:     
• Up to date (within 60 days) signed medical documentation on a doctor’s letterhead stating the specific diagnosis (reason) why the student must be considered for a medical OR mask exemption.  The signature must be from a practicing: Licensed Independent Practitioner (LIP), including a Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), Physician Assistant (PA) or a Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP).  
• The medical documentation must be emailed to: medicalexemptions@buffaloschools.org  OR  submitted via U.S. mail to Medical Exemption Office, 427 City Hall, Buffalo, NY 14202. 
• Requests for mask exemptions should also state if the student is unable to wear a face shield as an alternative and if not, the reason why. The LIP must be someone who provides ongoing care for the child.   
• Documentation will be reviewed by a Medical Review Advisory Team and/or Legal Counsel to determine if the mask exemption will be granted.  
• Parent/Guardians will be informed of the decision, and schools will be notified of all approved medical and mask exemptions.  

Bus Information

Realize that bus routes and bus assignments are currently being worked on by the transportation department, this information is mailed out to families prior before the first day of school.  Please be patient as bus routes/ assignments are updated continuously throughout the summer.  You can email the transportation dept. at TRANSPORTATION@Buffaloschools.org or call them at 816-4895 for individual concerns.

• Remember that in the first weeks of school it is common for buses to run much later than usual.

Monday, August 30^th – 4PM – Virtual Parent Meeting – COVID-19 Protocols Updates – 21-22 School year. 

Virtual Link will be sent out prior to the meeting.

First Day of School – Wednesday, September 8^th – Arrival

School 81 doors open at 9AM to 9:20AM.  Many staff members will greet students at our walker door – the Tacoma/ Tennyson door to assist students in getting to their classroom.  Just like last year, only students will be able to enter the school building.  All staff and students will proceed through temperature scanners.  If a student has a temperature, they will be sent to the nursing clinic and/or connected with their parent (if a walker).  Please see the COVID Daily Screener to ensure your child is well enough for school. 

First Day of School – Wednesday, September 8^th – Dismissal

Student Walkers will exit out the Tacoma/ Tennyson Door at approximately 3:30.

Student Pickups- will exit out the Tacoma/ Delaware Door at approximately 3:30 to 3:45.   Dismissal will continue like last year, parent/ guardian provides a name to the staff member at the Tacoma/ Tennyson Door and the student will be escorted out to the parent.   We appreciate your patience the first week of school in having a safe and orderly dismissal.

Bus dismissal will begin approximately 3:45 to 4PM daily.

Pre-K Orientation – Wednesday, September 8^th – 10:30 to 12 noon – Meet and Greet with your teacher in the back lawn of the School.  Your Pre-K Teacher will contact you via phone call by Friday, September 3^rd with more details.

September 2021

8th - First Day of Classes – Doors open at 9AM. 

8th - Pre-K - Orientation - 10:30AM to 11:30AM - Students come to school with a parent, parents stay with their child during the orientation and meet school administrators and their teacher.  September 8th is orientation only.  First full day of school September 9th for Pre-K. 

 8 - Dress For Success at School 81 – Students are encouraged to dress for success at School 81.  Remember to wear clothing appropriate to student dress code.  The goal for each student is to look professional as if they were going for a job interview. 

10 - 81 Pride - Wear Blue and Yellow

15 - Hispanic Heritage Month (9/15 – 10/15) – School 81 will be highlighting the accomplishments of Hispanic Americans throughout U.S. History during this time.

22 - SBMT Meeting @ 4:00pm to 4:45pm 

October 2021

5 – October is National Bullying Prevention Month –Take the pledge against bullying @ School 81 “Blue Shirt Day” – World Day of Bullying Prevention – Students are encouraged to wear a blue shirt to raise awareness against Bullying.

4 - Dress For Success

9 – Progress Report Grades (#1) Close

11 – Indigenous Peoples' and Italian Heritage Day – No School

12 - “ Career Day”  – Students Dress as the “profession” you want to be.

14-  Open House - 4:30 to 6:30 - Details to come.

20 – Unity Day – Students are encouraged to wear orange on Unity Day to raise awareness against Bullying.

August 1st, 2021

Dear Pre-K Parents/ Guardians,

We hope you are having a healthy & fun summer with your family!

September is soon approaching and with it comes the beginning of your child’s school year in Pre-K at School 81.  Children who have been accepted for Pre-K have been sent acceptance letters from the Student Placement Office.

At this time, we can safely plan for our Pre-K Orientation to take place on Wednesday, September 8^th between 10:30AM to 12 noon.  The orientation will be a meet and greet with your child’s teacher located outside in the back of our school building.  Your classroom teacher will share important information for the school year and answer any questions you may have.  Pre-K students will have their first full day of school on Thursday, September 9^th.  Your child’s Pre-K teacher will contact you by September 3^rd with further details for the school year.

More information will be forthcoming from NYS and Buffalo Public Schools regarding COVID safety protocols for the 21-22 school year.  Our School 81 website is also an excellent resource for school letters, school supply lists and School 81 dates/ events.  Please continue to check the BPS and School 81 website as we get closer to September.

We look forward to meeting all of you and to an exciting, safe and successful school year.

In the mail you will also receive a school supply list for a typical school year in Pre-K, the supply list is also found on the right of our webpage under "Quick Links".  We also realize it may be difficult to find or secure all items on the list, please do your best and do not spend extended time in stores searching for items during this time; your health and safety are a top priority.   

Thank you for choosing School 81 for your son/ daughter.

Mrs. Pliszka

Ms. Brauer

Mrs. Evert

Ms. Marek

Principal - Mr. Klaich

Assistant Principal - Grades Pre-K to 4 - Ms. Cobbs

Assistant Principal - Grades 5 to 8 - Mr. Shepherd

Phone - 816-4060

140 Tacoma Ave. 

Buffalo, N.Y. 14216