Letter from Principal Thompson
District’s Mission:
Empowering each student for college, career, and life success.
District’s Vision:
The Princeton City School District is committed to preparing each student to become a lifelong learner and a responsible citizen ready to meet the ever-changing challenges of the future.
With families and community partnerships, we will create innovative teaching and learning opportunities for each student — both inside and outside the traditional classroom.
We will help students develop the knowledge, critical thinking, collaboration skills, and thirst for learning necessary to successfully navigate a culturally diverse and technologically advanced world.
District’s Strategic Priority Areas:
Academic Excellence, Affirmation & Belonging, Effective Communication, Health & Safety, and Stewardship
“The ocean stirs the heart,inspires the imagination,
and brings eternal joy to the soul.”
-- Robert Wyland
August 2025
Dear Parents & Guardians,
Welcome to an Exciting New School Year! Our Theme this year is ~ Under The Sea: Navigating with Heart, Purpose, and Passion!
We are thrilled to dive into this fantastic journey of learning, exploring, and making waves together! As we set sail on this adventure, get ready to “Swim” through new lessons, “Surf” on the tide of friendship, and “Treasure” the joy of discovery! Our classroom will be a vibrant ocean of curiosity, where every student is a shining starfish ready to make a splash towards their goals in both Reading & Math.
This year, we’re all about creating a classroom where students will feel like they’re swimming in a sea of possibilities. Our goal is to foster growth through a love for learning that is as deep as the ocean and as wide as the sea. Here is what you can expect:
A sea of new friends and classmates. We will build a community where everyone feels safe, respected, and valued through our Leader in Me curriculum. Our school will be a Coral Reef of Kindness! (This is one of our building-wide goals from the Youth Truth Survey!).
Engaging lessons and activities designed to make your child’s love of learning “shine brighter than a pearl.” With our newly adopted Reading Program, “Wit & Wisdom & 95 Percent”, your child will be “hooked” on Reading as we “dive” into increasing our critical thinking skills.
Celebrations and Special Events – We will make memories that are precious as buried treasures, so stay tuned for “Under The Sea” Theme parties, Attendance/Disciplines incentives, and more.
Here are a few important notes to help us make this year “fin-tastic.”
Parent Involvement: We’d love for you to join us for special events and classroom activities. Your participation helps to make our school year outstanding. Please join our PFO – Parent Faculty Organization at the start of the school year. President Erica Stephens welcomes your support. She can be reached at (513) 864-2900. Our first PFO Meeting is August 19, 2025 @ 6:30 p.m.
Communication: Let’s stay connected! We love hearing from you. Feel free to reach out anytime with questions, updates, or clarification needs. All classrooms will utilize Class Dojo as the communication platform, coupled with email, conferences, phone calls, and a daily communication folder to be signed each night by parents/guardians.
Reading at Home: Encourage your child to “dive deep” into books every day by establishing a nightly homework routine to read for at least 20 minutes. Ask thought-provoking questions to build comprehension skills. Utilize iReady Reading / Math - My Path. This is personalized learning to support skills in both topics (45 minutes per week is the recommended time frame).
IMPORTANT DATES
August 12, 2025 – Back to School Ice Cream Social! “Under the Sea” from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Please bring school supplies labeled. There will be a Teacher Drop-off Station.
Also, representatives from Woodlawn PFO will be at our Back to School Event for sign-ups to join our PFO. Also, representatives from Champions (before/after school care) will be present. In addition, information will be distributed for our first fundraiser of the school year! Students can come dressed to make a splash in the sprinklers!
LAUNDRY DETERGENT SALE! This is a great fundraiser for the school. The sale period begins on August 18, 2025 and ends on September 2, 2025.
August 14, 2025 - School begins for Grades 1st - 5th. Operational hours 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Breakfast doors open at 8:45 a.m. at the double doors in the rear of the school building. Tardy bell – 9:15 a.m.
August 18, 2025 – PreK and Kindergarten will begin:
PreK AM Session – 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon (Monday – Thursday)
PreK PM Session – 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Monday – Thursday)
Kindergarten Session - 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Monday – Friday)
August 19, 2025 – Green Acres Field Trip – Grades 3rd & 4th will attend a field trip to Green Acres.
This will be a wonderful learning experience for the students to learn the wonderful things about nature. Permission slips and emergency medical forms MUST be turned in by 8/18/25.
August 19, 2025 – Woodlawn PFO Meeting (In-Person – Woodlawn Community Room and also Virtual (Google Meets) from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Please come and bring your creative thoughts and ideas for fundraising.
August 27, 2025 – Back to School Skating Party – 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. This is a fundraiser. Proceeds will go back to the school. Come one ~ Come all for a family fun time. “SEA” you at the party!
August 28, 2025 – Green Acres Field Trip – Kindergarten & 1st Grade will attend a field trip to Green Acres. This will be a wonderful learning experience for the students to learn the wonderful things about nature. Permission slips and emergency medical forms MUST be turned in by 8/22/25.
August 28, 2025 – Sharon Woods River Explorer Field Trip – Grades 5th – Students will learn the aspects of river study on this walking path field trip in Sharon Woods. Permission slips and emergency medical forms MUST be turned in by 8/22/25 for this field trip.
August 28, 2025 - Woodlawn Elementary Curriculum Night – Come and learn about the curriculum, classroom procedures, and expectations for learning with your child’s teacher:
Primary Grades PreK – 2nd: 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Intermediate Grades 3rd – 5th: 6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
August 29, 2025 – Green Acres Field Trip – Grade 2 will attend a field trip to Green Acres. This will be a wonderful learning experience for the students to learn the wonderful things about nature. Permission slips and emergency medical forms MUST be turned in by 8/22/25.
September 1, 2025 – No School – Labor Day Holiday
*Note: Lunch prices for 2025-2026 school year: Free Lunch
IMPORTANT!
FINAL FORMS must be completed and/or updated for EVERY student prior to receiving bus passes and/or classroom information. If assistance is needed, please contact Alice Sylvester at (513) 864-2900 immediately or call the Welcome Center at (513) 864-1000.
Let’s make a splash this year! Together, we’ll show everyone that our classroom is the ocean of opportunity where we can “dive” into their potential and “swim” towards success. Remember, every day is an adventure, and we are here to guide your child through the exciting depths of learning.
Have A FIN-TASTIC 2025-2026 School Year!
Warm Regards,
Principal Thompson
Woodlawn Elementary