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Thacker Avenue Elementary for International Studies

Every Day is Day One!

Wildcat Weekly Newsletter - 8-17

Posted Date: 08/16/26 (05:30 PM)
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Wildcat Weekly

Week 2

August 17, 2026

Hello Wildcats!

We had a great first week on campus and we are looking forward to another great week ahead of us!

Students spent the week getting to know their teachers and classmates, reviewing classroom/campus expectations, and started the first units of their curriculum for the year. This week they will continue to dive into their content and review safety procedures.

Students in grades 3-5 will also attend grade level assemblies where they will begin to set their goals for the year. We know our Wildcats are ready to "ROAR to New Heights" this year and it will start this week with planning for success and setting a challenging but obtainable goal.

We want to thank all our families for your patience last week as morning and afternoon routines improved. We know this week, arrival and dismissal routines will continue to move quicker and more efficiently.

Thank you for taking the time to read the weekly newsletter. It is a great way to stay informed about everything happening on campus and receive important updates.

If you have not done so yet, please also follow us on social media - either Facebook or Instagram. We will share updates, pictures, and videos through these platforms to display the great things happening around campus and our community.
  • Facebook: ThackerAve
  • Instagram: thackeravenue

Have a great week!

Mrs. Miglionico
B School Announcement

Campus Safety

Reminders

On Campus Arrival & Dismissal
We have a lot more car riders this year, so we are adding additional support during arrival and dismissal to these areas.

Please help with the following to ensure student safety and to help arrival and dismissal routines run efficiently:
  • help your student learn his/her tag number
  • pull all the way forward in the car line
  • do not park and walk/pick-up your student at a walker gate
  • make sure students are ready when you stop and can exit quickly
  • yield to families in the crosswalk by the main gate and front office
  • lookout for cars backing out of parking spaces near the front office

KPD Memo
KPD will be patrolling the area to assist with arrival and dismissal on the roads around campus.

Please follow all these directions so there are no traffic issues around our campus.
  • Do not pick-up/drop-off your student anywhere except the car rider line. Students should not be picked-up/dropped-off on Thacker, MLK or Lavon. Traffic on these roads should not be stopped.
  • Students should always use the crosswalks and never cross/walk in between cars.
  • Do not park at Outrigger Apartments or on Lavon Ave. Parking is not permitted in either location. Signs are posted so violations can lead to citations.
  • Do not line up for the car line before 3 pm (2 pm on Wed). You should not block cars trying to leave our parking lot or hold up traffic on MLK or Thacker for an extended time.
 

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. At that time, cars will be directed to pull up to the walker gate to drop off students. You do not need to park.

Students that arrive after 8:25 am must enter campus through the front office and get a tardy slip.

Arrival Locations
· K5 Walkers enter campus through the front office building gate
·VPK Walkers enter campus through the building 3 gate
·Car riders drive through the parking lot and exit their cars in front of buildings 3, 4, and 5
·Bus/Van Riders enter campus through the building 12 gate

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

Dismissal Procedures
Please ensure that your student has the correct dismissal tag and/or car tag # on their backpack so they can be sent to the correct dismissal location.

Any changes to dismissal must be made before 2 pm (1 pm Wednesdays) to avoid delays and to ensure there is enough time to notify the teacher. Changes can be made by contacting the front office in person or by leaving a note in your student's communication folder.

Dismissal Locations
·Walkers/Bikers without red tags exit from the walker gate
·Red tag walkers exit from the building 3 gate
·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 Rider pick-up is in front of building 12

Reminders:
Red-Tag Walkers: Form a line during pick-up so we can dismiss the students in an orderly fashion.
Car-Riders: Pull all the way forward so more cars can move into the loading area.
 
Visitors

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.
No cell phones

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 run a lock down drill on Monday.

Teachers will remind their students about 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.
Safety Drills
 

School News & Updates

Attendance Reminders

We have noticed some students have received an unexcused absence or have been tardy to school several times already.

Daily attendance is critical for a successful school year.

We are already covering new material so missing school even at the start of the school year is not good.

Tardies also lead to a loss of learning. When students arrive after 9 am, they can be missing all of their daily reading or math lesson so missing multiple lessons in a week due to tardies can also put a student behind.

If a student is sick and must miss school, send a note in your student's communication folder so we can excuse the absence. Unexcused absences can lead to truancy reporting and/or a loss of Choice Approval.
 

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:

Step by step instructions for creating your account can be found via the button below.
Bus App
ReaXium Account Setup
 

Dress Code & Uniform Policy

We will begin enforcing dress code this week. Please ensure your student arrives in the appropriate attire each day, so they do not receive an infraction.

If you need assistance with dress code items, please let us know so we can share resources with you.
School Uniforms
Dress Code
 

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***
The logo for 'CHAMPIONS BEFORE- AND AFTER-SCHOOL' is displayed on a blue, swirled background.
Thacker Elementary School flyer with the headline 'WHERE LEARNING AND LAUGHING GOES HAND IN HAND.'
 

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.

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
 

Student Information Packets

Students should have received a manila folder with multiple important Back-to-School documents last week. Please complete and return these forms to your student's homeroom teacher ASAP to ensure we have any updates, permissions, and/or requests needed for your student.

There is also information you should review in the packets to stay informed about all school and district-wide policies and resources.
 

Spirit Shirts

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

Pre-Orders

Our 2026-2027 Spirit Shirts have arrived!

Delivery of pre-ordered shirts began Thursday
and will continue on Monday.
A QR code with the text 'MY SCHOOL BUCKS' in blue and white.

Order Today

Spirit shirts can be purchased and picked up in the front office.

Or purchase online through the QR Code above or link below and we will deliver it to your student!

Cost is $10 (electronic payments only)

Spirit Shirt Online Order Form:

Community & District News

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.
 

School Volunteer Application

Don't forget to fill out the OASIS Volunteer Application if you would like to volunteer on campus, attend field trips, or assist with campus events.



Note:
-All previous volunteers must complete a new application. There is not a renewal option this year.
-School district employees do not need to complete a volunteer application to volunteer in SODC schools.

Upcoming Events & Reminders

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.
Bright Idea on a cork board
 

Upcoming Dates

  • August 31st: PM1 Testing Begins
  • September 7th: Labor Day - No School
  • September 11th: 1st Quarter Progress Reports
  • September 23rd: Fall Picture Day
  • September 25th: PD Day - No School
  • October 9th: Quarter 1 Ends
 

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