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.  

Parents/ Guardians of School 81,

We hope that you and your family are having a safe and enjoyable summer.  Please see the following that may assist you with various questions before the school year begins.

Homeroom Assignment

For returning 81 students, the 4^th quarter report card for all students indicated the Homeroom number for this upcoming school year.  If you are unsure of a Homeroom number for your child; you can call the school at 816-4060.  On the first day of school, Wednesday, September 8^th many staff members will have class lists to assist all students in getting to their correct homeroom. 

                As we get closer to the school year, infinite campus parent portal will be open to families to check their homeroom assignment. 

School Supplies

School supplies are listed on our School 81 website under “Quick Links” – School Supply Lists 21-22.  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 three days of school or the first full week. 

See the direct link here   School 81 Supply List Page

Student Devices

Reminder for all BPS students to return assigned devices to 1515 South Park Ave. Technology Hub Site  (see hours on the Buffalo Schools Website) if you have not already done so.  All devices need to be updated with new software before they can be used in 21-22 school year. 

Vaccinnation Reminder

All parents are reminded to have your child up to date with regular NYS immunizations (does not include COVID Vaccine).  State Law mandates that all students must be fully vaccinated within the first 14 days of school (MMR, Varicella, etc)  See this link for vaccines needed by grade level Vaccines for 21-22 school year 

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