Wildcat Weekly Newsletter - Welcome Back Edition

Posted Date: 08/09/26 (05:00 PM)

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Wildcat Weekly

Welcome Back Edition

August 9, 2026

Hello Wildcats!

Welcome to the 2026 - 2027 School Year!

We are so grateful that so many families were able to join us for our Meet the Teacher event last Friday! The excitement around campus was contagious and a great way to kick off the school year. We are looking forward to having more events throughout the year that will allow us to bring our families to campus to build community and help support our Wildcats!

As we start this school year, we are once again excited to share that Thacker Avenue Elementary School earned a school rating of a "B" during the summer based on our student performance during the 2025-2026 school year. Details of this incredible achievement are listed in the poster below.

The Thacker Avenue Elementary Staff are committed to continuing to raise the bar and helping our students elevate to excellence. Our goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment with high-quality lessons each day. With a focus on individual student growth, we will work with our Wildcats to increase their learning gains each year. This will ensure they are eventually fully prepared for Middle School!

With this in mind, our theme for this year is "ROARing to New Heights"!

This theme celebrates the tremendous growth we have experienced the past two years while maintaining a focus on continuing to rise to new levels of achievement!

As Wildcats we do everything with purpose and ROAR into action. ROAR represents our Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) expectations:

R - Respect for All
O - On time and On task
A - Achieve Your Best
R - Responsible and Safe Citizen

These expectations guide our actions all around campus daily.

We hope to continue to build campus pride and teach our Wildcats to work together and with their teachers to have a successful year. Likewise, we look forward to partnering with our families to ensure the success of all our students.

Communication is key for this partnership so we will reach out every week with updates and important information in this newsletter. We will also highlight events and daily activities on Facebook and Instagram so please follow us online. Our website is also being fully updated and will provide a great deal of information as well very soon.

Finally, please remember that we will continue to communicate with families through ParentSquare. Details about this app are also included in this newsletter. Please read the section below about the platform and how to set up your account so you do not miss any information from your student's teachers or school or district-wide messages.

We are looking forward to a wonderful 1st week! We are thrilled to welcome our students and staff back for another wonderful school year!

Campus Safety

Reminders

Patience is key week one of school. Please allow plenty of time for drop-off and pick-up these first few days and follow all directions given by school staff. Arrival and dismissal routines will get better and faster each day with your help!

Families, please help with the following to ensure student safety and to help arrival and dismissal routines run efficiently.

-The speed limit on campus is 5 mph. Please do not exceed this speed limit in area of campus.

-If your student is a car rider, please help him/her learn their tag number & to pay attention during dismissal.

-Pull all the way forward on the car rider line so we can load/unload more students at one time.

-Do not park and walk/pick-up your student at a walker gate. If you drive on campus, you must drive through the car rider line.

-Do not drop off your student anywhere except the car rider line. Students should not be dropped off by the front office or main gate and have to cross traffic, and the line should not be held up.

-Please do not park at Outrigger Apartments or on Lavon Ave. Parking is not permitted in either location.

-The car line should not form before 3 pm (2 pm on Wed). We cannot block cars trying to leave our parking lot or hold up traffic on MLK or Thacker for an extended time.

KPD will be patrolling the area in the morning and afternoons to assist so please follow all these directions so there are no traffic issues on or around our campus.

Arrival & Dismissal Procedures

School Hours

Morning Drop-Off/Breakfast: 7:50 am - 8:15 am

First Bell/Report to Class: 8:15 am

Tardy Bell: 8:20 am

Dismissal: 3:15 pm (2:15 pm on Wednesday)

Arrival Procedures

Student drop-off begins at 7:50 am. Please do not leave your student unattended in front of any school buildings or gates before this time.

The Car Rider Gates will close at 8:15 am so that our staff can begin the day with their students on time. Students that arrive after 8:15 am may still enter through the walker gate until the late bell at 8:20 am.

Students that arrive after 8:20 am must enter campus through the front office and get their tardy slip.

Arrival Locations

· Kindergarten to 5th Grade Walkers enter campus through the gate at the corner of the admin building.

·VPK Walkers enter campus through the gate at the corner of building 3 (the building after the front office).

·Car riders should follow the road through the parking lot and exit their cars in front of buildings 3, 4, and 5.

·Bus/Van Riders will be dropped off at the transportation loop in front of building 12.

Reminders:

·Drivers: Pull all the way forward so we can unload multiple cars at one time.

·Walkers: No riding bikes, scooters, etc. once you enter the main gates.

Dismissal Procedures

Please ensure that your student has the correct dismissal tag on their backpacks. If a change from this routine must be made for a day or the remainder of the year, please leave a note in your student's communication folder or send an email to your student’s homeroom teacher in the morning.

Student pick-up begins at 3:15 pm. The car rider gate will open at 3:00 pm. Please do not start forming the car rider line before this time as this prevents visitors from being able to park and enter the main building. We also cannot allow cars to line up on MLK Blvd or Thacker Avenue for an extended time.

Dismissal Locations

·Walkers/Bikers without red tags will exit from the walker gate.

·Red tag walkers will exit from the gate on the side of building 3.

·K-5 Car rider pick-up is in front of buildings 3 & 5.

·VPK Car rider pick-up is in front of building 4.

·Bus/Van Riders will be picked up at the transportation loop in front of building 12.

Reminders:

Red-Tag Walkers: Please have your ID this week for tag distribution. Please also form a line during pick-up so we can check your tag number and dismiss the students in an orderly fashion.
Car-Riders: Please pull all the way forward so we can help multiple cars at one time.

Campus Visitors

All campus visitors should enter through the front office. Please note that the front office remains locked throughout the day. When visitors arrive at the front office, they should ring the doorbell on the doors on the side of the building. The doors facing the parking lot are exit only. A staff member will answer your ring and open the door once you indicate the reason for your visit. Please have your ID ready if you are checking out your student or need a visitor's badge.

Cell Phone & Device Policy

Florida law restricts the use of cell phones and other personal electronic devices during the school day. Students must turn off cell phones and electronic devices and place them in their backpack when they arrive at school. These items must remain stored away during the school day and should not be used until students exit campus.

Attached is the district device policy and associated consequences for violations for your reference.

SDOC Device Policy

Safety Drills

We will hold our first drills of the year this week.

Teachers will review the purpose and directions for this emergency drill to prepare the students. Please also take time to discuss safety drills with your students and let them share any feelings they have about them. Please remind them to always remain quiet and follow directions at all times as well.

After this drill, we will continue to run various drills each quarter.

School News & Updates

Bus Information

SDOC uses the ReaXium app to share all the latest information about bus transportation. Download the app today and set up your account to get real time information about your student's bus route and location.

Information about the app can be found via this link:

The School District of Osceola County, Florida - ReaXium

Step by step instructions for creating your account can be found via the button below.

ReaXium Account Setup

Dress Code & Uniform Policy

Below is a reminder of the Dress Code for Thacker Avenue Elementary.

Bottoms: Navy blue, black, or khaki pants, walking shorts, slacks, skirts, skorts, jumper, or similar clothing made of twill, corduroy, or denim fabric. (Small logos only)

Shirts: White, navy, red, or black shirts such as a polo, oxford, sweatshirt (no hoodies), t-shirt or dress shirt. (Small logos only)

Spirit Shirts: TAESIS spirit shirts can be worn on Fridays only.

College Shirts:

We are continuing to engage with students about College & Career Readiness so students are allowed to wear college shirts on Wednesdays. Note: Shirts should include the school's name or logo.

Extended Day Program

If you are still in need of extended day services for either before or after school, consider Champions - our onsite provider.

Details and weekly pricing below. Scan the QR code to enroll today!

***Wednesday only option available for early release days***

Thacker Elementary School flyer with the headline 'WHERE LEARNING AND LAUGHING GOES HAND IN HAND.'

Two children smile at the camera, with a red circle in the background displaying "School Menus".

Free Breakfast & Lunch Daily

Great news! Our school qualifies for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which means all students can receive a nutritious breakfast and lunch at no cost to families.

Eating well helps students stay focused, energized, and ready to learn throughout the school day.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider.

Please visit https://www.osceolaschools.net/sns for more information.

Breakfast is saved daily from 7:50 am to 8:15 am.

Lunch is scheduled at various times during the day by grade level.

School menus are posted online and can be viewed via the link below.

Thacker Ave Elementary - MealViewer Schools

Snacks are not included in the free meals. You can add funds to your student's lunch account through MySchoolBucks for them to purchase these items. Visit the website below to create an account and/or add funds. MySchoolBucks

School Communication

ParentSquare is the official communication platform for SDOC schools.

Parents/Guardians are automatically registered for an account through the email and phone numbers on file in FOCUS.

Through this system, you can receive messages from the school and your student's teacher. You can also send messages directly to your child's teachers or school administration.

However, you will need to set up your preferences to either receive emails or text messages. You can also download the app and receive notifications or send messages directly from your cellphone.

Please review the attached flyer for instructions for setting up your account and selecting your notification preference - email, text, and/or app notification. Once you setup your account, you will be able to send and receive messages directly with teachers and the school.

Messages from the district will be labeled SDOC and messages from Thacker Avenue will be labeled TAES.

Stay informed and sign-up today!

ParentSquare Account Setup

Social Media Sites

In addition to ParentSquare, school information will also be posted on our social media sites. Please follow us online for the latest news, updates, and pictures from classroom and campus events!

Facebook: ThackerAve

Instagram: thackeravenue

A cartoon wildcat mascot waves from a hot air balloon basket, with text 'WILDCATS ROARING TO NEW HEIGHTS'.

Spirit Shirt

Unfortunately, our 2026-2027 Spirit Shirts did not arrive on time for our Meet the Teacher event. But they are expected this week, and we will let you know when they arrive. We will send out a QR Code and link for purchasing online. Shirts will also be available for purchase in the front office soon!

Supply List

Below is the link for the 2026-2027 School Supply List.

School Supply List

Community & District News

A school zone sign with children crossing is shown, with text 'SCHOOL SAFETY: A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY'.

Safety Reminders from SDOC Safety, Security, and Emergency Management Department

As students return to school, everyone plays a role in keeping our roads, sidewalks, and neighborhoods safe. Whether your students are walking, biking, driving, or riding a scooter, following these simple safety tips can help prevent injuries and keep everyone safe.

Bicycle & Scooter Safety

Always wear a properly fitted helmet. Helmets significantly reduce the risk of serious head injuries.
Obey all traffic signs and signals, including stopping completely at stop signs.
Ride in the same direction as traffic and use designated bike lanes where available.
Keep both hands on the handlebars and remain alert to your surroundings.
Never use a cell phone, wear headphones that block surrounding sounds, or interact with electronic devices while riding a bicycle or motorized scooter.
Ensure your bicycle or scooter has working brakes and lights, especially if riding during low-light conditions.

Pedestrian Safety

Cross only at marked crosswalks or intersections whenever possible.
Obey pedestrian crossing signals and wait for traffic to stop before entering the roadway.
Make yourself visible by wearing bright or reflective clothing, especially during early morning or evening hours.
Stay alert and keep your head up while walking. Avoid texting, scrolling, or wearing headphones that prevent you from hearing approaching traffic.
Before crossing, look left, right, and left again, and continue watching for vehicles as you cross.

School Bus Safety

Arrive at the bus stop early and stand a safe distance from the curb.
Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before approaching.
Cross the street only when directed by the bus driver and after making eye contact with the driver.
Drivers must stop for school buses displaying flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, unless traveling on the opposite side of a divided highway.

Driver Safety

Slow down in school zones and obey all posted speed limits.
Watch carefully for children crossing streets, especially near schools, neighborhoods, parks, and bus stops.
Eliminate distractions by putting your phone away while driving.
Never pass a stopped school bus displaying flashing red lights and its stop arm.
Allow extra travel time during the first few weeks of school, when traffic is typically heavier.

Parents & Students

Plan and practice the safest route to school before the first day.
Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of vehicles.
Remind students that being predictable and visible helps drivers see them.
If walking or biking with friends, stay together but avoid horseplay near roadways.
Report unsafe traffic conditions or damaged traffic signs near schools to local authorities.

Let's work together to make this school year a safe one for every student, parent, teacher, and member of our Osceola County community. Slow down, stay alert, and help everyone arrive safely.

Advertisement for 2026-2027 OASIS Volunteers with a call to action to apply now.

School Volunteer Application

If you would like to volunteer on campus, attend field trips, or assist with campus events - you need to be pre-approved. Approval is given through the Oasis Volunteer application.

SDOC is utilizing a new system for the application so all previous and current volunteers must complete the new application and process along with new applicants.

If you are a school district employee, you do not need to complete a volunteer application to volunteer at our schools.

Click here to apply now!

We appreciate your commitment to supporting our students and schools and look forward to another great year of partnership!

Osceola Youth Softball League

Calling all girls ages 4-16. The Osceola Youth Softball League is currently registering girls interested in playing Softball for their upcoming season. No experience needed.

Upcoming Events & Reminders

School Advisory Council (SAC)

Join this Wednesday for our first SAC meeting of the year!

Come learn about the functions of SAC and get involved with the school by staying informed and assisting with school budget and resource decisions.

A colorful flyer announces a School Advisory Council Meeting on Weds, Aug 12th at 5:45 PM in the TAES Media Center.

Important Reminders

Any requests to change a student's dismissal procedure should be made prior to 2:00 pm (1 pm on Wed) to ensure there is enough time to notify your student's teacher.

Changes must be made by a parent/guardian either in writing or by calling the front office. We will not make changes to a student's dismissal based on a student request.

Contact info

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. You can reach out via the following:

Phone: (407) 935-3540
Text: ParentSquare App
Website Chat Link: https://taes.osceolaschools.net
Facebook: ThackerAve
Instagram: thackeravenue