August 14, 2024

Greetings, ECHO Families! I hope everyone has had a wonderful summer! As we prepare for the start of the new school year—in just over one week we will enter our 28th year of operation!—I want to share some important news and reminders with you.

Our “Brand”:

The staff, families, and school board have all talked endlessly about the changes in our student body that we have experienced over the years, and we lit upon a new and very appropriate message which you will see emblazoned upon new ECHO messaging:

WE CAN HELP!

This message says it all. Many students from all walks of life who are enrolling here need credit recovery, interpreters, small classroom sizes, individualized help, understanding and patience, and mental health supports. While we have always provided those supports, now more than ever we need to share this message with our families and potential students. Therefore…remember that we can help!

 IMPORTANT--CELL PHONES:

The ECHO Charter School Board will be meeting this week to decide whether we will ban cell phones/Air Pods/Apple watches, etc., from first bell to last bell of the day effective this year. Most of the districts around us, including Marshall, Yellow Medicine East, Redwood, and scores of others, have already adopted such policies. As soon as this decision has been made, we will announce the outcome on our website and will send information via Remind, JMC, and some text messages. Any updates to our Cell Phone Policy will be available on our website.

 IMPORTANT—HOODIES AND DRESS CODE:

Hoodies are now banned for all students. Staff have spent far too many hours over years reminding students to take off their hoods; therefore, we are eliminating the problem by eliminating hoodies. If your student is wearing a hoodie, they will be asked to remove it and leave it in their locker for the day. (Crew neck sweatshirts are OK.) Additionally, students who wear shirts or jackets that have inappropriate messages (alcohol, drugs, mushrooms, guns, bad language, etc.) will be given a red T-shirt to wear. (If your student comes home in a red T-shirt, please wash it and return it the next day.)

 IMPORTANT—ATTENDANCE:

Student attendance has gotten significantly worse in the last five years. We reserve the right to withhold credit for students in grades 9-12 when they miss more than 10 class periods, whether the absence is excused or unexcused. Younger students’ teachers may recommend retention in their current grade if there are excessive absences. Truancy complaints will be filed when needed.

 LOCKERS/BACKPACKS:

Students will not be permitted to use backpacks during the school day. They are allowed to use them to carry materials to and from school only. There is plenty of passing time to retrieve needed items from lockers between classes so getting to class on time will not pose any difficulties.

 Free Meals!

Meals will be free this year but you must complete the Eligibility for Benefits form. Please note that seconds are not included in free meals, so if your student wants seconds, we will bill you. If you do not want your student to have seconds, please let the office know. Unpaid “seconds” bills will be collected by the end of the year and we will withhold reports cards until the bill is paid.

 Bus and Van Routes…

…are being worked on and notices will be sent to families and riders the week of August 19.

 Tylenol Rule:

We do not provide Tylenol or any pain reliever to students. Parents must complete a permission form and send a new sealed bottle of Tylenol for their student/s in grades K-8. The bottle will be marked with the student/s’ names and permission must be on file. Students in grades 9-12 may carry their own Tylenol or Ibuprofen, but we must have written permission on file from parents.

 Back to School Night and IMMUNIZATION CLINIC:

Back to School Night will be held Tuesday, August 20, from 4-7 p.m. A free will donation hot dog fundraiser will be held from 4-6:30. A free immunization clinic, sponsored by Upper Sioux Community and Countryside Public Health, will be held at Back to School Night from 4-7 p.m. Students who need vaccinations can receive them that evening. Alternatively, parents who decide not to vaccinate their student/s must have a NOTARIZED Conscientious Objection form on file by the first day of school. Students must either be vaccinated or must have a Conscientious Objection form on file or they will not be allowed to attend school.

Questions? Please call the office at 507-925-4143 and we will help!