ESE Monthly Newsletter (Aug 2026)

Soon we will be saying, “Welcome back!” I hope you all had a wonderful summer. For those new to the South family, you will receive a monthly newsletter from me with important information and dates. I will also send weekly updates.

Each year, I return with a fresh thought or message from the summer. This year, I am reminded of many phrases from the past that have helped us continue to grow as a school community. 

     Enjoy the moment and the people in each moment. 

     Be grateful for ONE more day! Make each day count.

     JOY is not based on external circumstances. :) 

     Gratitude affects our mental and physical health.  

• New Staff -  We welcome new team members to South this year. Mrs. Smith will be the new PreK aide with Mrs. Bartrum, as Mrs. Lewis leads the second preschool. Mrs. Mayfield will be the long-term sub in KDG for Mrs. Hubble (aka Ms. Fowler) for the first semester. Mrs. Bass is our new 4th-grade teacher. Mrs. Cullers is our new 5th-grade teacher.
• Prayer Walk - A special tradition at Eastbrook is our annual prayer walk before school begins. For those interested and available, we will meet at the flagpole on Sunday, August 2, at 5:00 pm. Then we will walk throughout the building and pray. 
• Classroom Snacks and Birthday Treats - A student may bring a treat for the class for his/her birthday. Food items should be commercially manufactured and individually wrapped.  Please also be aware of classroom student allergies. In order to alleviate hurt feelings, we ask that you mail party invitations.  Unless you are inviting the entire class or all the boys to your son’s party or all the girls to your daughter’s party, then you may distribute them at school.
• Procedures -  
• DROP OFF and PICK UP SPOTS - Please see the red dots on the map below. They show new morning drop-off spots between doors 1 and 11. Also, if you are new, note the additional red dot near the South end, used for morning drop-off for older students in grades 3-5. We will also walk car riders out the southeast door at dismissal. You will pull into the horseshoe drive, your car tag number will be entered into our Google Docs, and teachers will wait on the sidewalk with your child once their number is called. 
• Red, White, Black Schedule -  We rotate specials based on color days. I will share the color calendar each month, but your child’s teacher will clarify which special class your child has on each color day. We will also have art and music rotations throughout the year, so students will have art and music throughout the school year. 
• Drop Off: Door opens at 7:40 am. Students can be dropped off between doors 1  and 11 or at door 5, for students in grades 3-5.  Preschool students must be dropped off at door 3. ALL students need to exit on the passenger/sidewalk side.  Preschool students will use door 3. Preschool teachers will be outside helping parents sign in from their cars. We will also have Student drop-off signs out front. Between Door 1 and Door 11 are PAWPRINTS on the sidewalk. Please use each of these spots as a drop-off option for your child in the morning. This will help speed up the car line. 
• Pick Up - Dismissal is at 2:45 pm. Car riders will pull all the way up to the stop sign and wait for their child to come out. Preschool parents, stay in the regular car rider line, and the teacher will walk your child to you.
• Car Rider Tag Number -If your child is a car rider, you will need a car rider tag for your car. You can pick one up in the office. If you have one from last year, your number remains the same, and you can use your tag from last year. We will also have these available at our Back to School Night. 

August 4- BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT 5:00 -6:00 pm

Come meet your child’s teacher, drop off their school supplies, tour the building, learn about community organizations, and meet other families and team members.

August 6 - First Student Day (Doors open at 7:40. Bell rings at 8:00 am)

August 20 - DRILL PRACTICE: fire, tornado, HOLD, and SECURE

August 21 - COLOR RUN 5:30 - 7:00 pm (This night is a great time to interact with our school community and learn more about how to get involved with our PTO. After the run, we would love for families to go to the ESE home football game that night in their colored clothing to cheer on the Panthers!)