We hope you have been enjoying your summer with family and friends. We are getting close to the beginning of the school year and are excited to welcome students back for the 2025-2026 school year. Within this newsletter, you will read some important information for the upcoming year along with important dates for the next few months.
Grand Mound Elementary School
Hello GMES Families!
Principal Message
Dear GMES Families,
I'm very excited to join your school community! I appreciate the warm welcome I have received. It was a pleasure to meet so many of you in the Spring before school ended!
Feedback and collaboration are very important to working with others and I'm hoping to solicit feedback from you and collaborate on our School Improvement Plan and other school related matters. So, we are joining our Booster Club monthly meeting with a parent and guardian meeting with me, which will be called, "Boosters and Bytes with the Principal." We are hoping you will join me and our Booster Club to inform, engage, and collaborate with the GMES community to enrich the experience for each student at GMES. We will have food, childcare, and interpretation so you can provide feedback and we can learn with and from you.
Finally, please review the Student Handbook with your student(s) prior to the first day of school, especially the expectations for student drop off and pick up so we can start the year off being Safe, Responsible, and Respectful.
Sincerely,
Dan Aragon
RSD Security Procedures
Intercom System at Entry
As a reminder our entry system brings an extra layer of security by allowing us to keep our school doors locked and monitor who enters our buildings. When school is in session, you will need to follow a few steps to enter one of our schools. At the entrance you will see the video intercom system. After pressing the intercom button, please be prepared to:
Give your name
State your purpose for the visit
Show your photo ID
Thank you for being a partner in helping to ensure a safe teaching and learning environment for all students and staff.
School Supply List
Please bring the following supplies to school to your connection conference Aug. 27 – Aug 29th, the first day of school, September 2nd. Please have all supplies labeled with your child’s name. Let us know if this presents a financial hardship for you and we can make other arrangements.
Connecting for Success Conferences
Connecting for Success Conferences will take place this year on Wednesday and Thursday, August 27th and 28th. There are evening times, but those tend to fill quickly. If you need assistance, please reach out to our office at 360-273-5512.
At your child's Connecting for Success Conference, you will get to meet their teacher, learn about important topics for the school year, and learn about the amazing community resources that Rochester has to offer! You will also be able to fill out your beginning of the year paperwork (updating contact info in Qmlativ, signing PG movie release form, Free/Reduced lunch form, register to vote, etc.). Please plan on staying an extra 15-20 minutes either before or after your child's Success Conference to complete these tasks.
If you are pressed for time, most of these tasks can be completed from home on Qmlativ. To access the Annual RSD Update Forms, check the three boxes (Access to handbook, Guardian acceptable use agreement for child to use internet & Technology Use Agreement). If these boxes are not checked, your student won't be allowed to use a Chromebook or access the internet.
GMES Drop Off & Pick Up
GMES Only Families: Please enter the GMES parking lot at the WEST entrance and go forward towards the ECEAP/Headstart building. The back gate will open at 3:00pm Monday - Thursday and 2:00pm on Friday. A double line of cars will form after entering the GMES back gate. Cars will loop around following the orange cones and wait at the little gate. The little gate will open at 3:25pm Monday - Thursday, 2:10pm on Fridays. Cars will pull up to the stop bar SOUTH of the track and field and wait to be waved forward by an administrator. Cars will pull up to the loading zone NORTH of the soccer field, where their students will be waiting. Once students see their parent’s vehicle, they will get in the car. All cars will be waived towards the exit EAST of the track and exit out the service road to the high school. At no time will vehicles exceed 5 MPH in the parking lot area.
GMES Students with RPS Siblings: Please enter the GMES parking lot at the WEST entrance and follow the arrows pointing EAST towards RPS. Cars will form a double line for parent pick up. GMES Siblings will walk to RPS at 3:25pm and will meet their siblings in the gym. Parents will pick up all siblings at the RPS gym. At no time will vehicles exceed 5 MPH in the parking lot area.
Add the RSD App
Introducing Parent-Teacher-Student Chat in the RSD APP!
This year, the Rochester School District will no longer be using REMIND. We are switching to a program called ROOMS. Your student's teacher will be inviting you to use ROOMS soon. Just like REMIND, you will be able to message our nurse and front office staff as well. You will learn more about this at your child's Connection Conference. To get started, please download our school district app.
Back To School Bash
Mark your calendar for Friday, September 12th, from 5-7pm for the 2025-2026 Back to School Bash. This district event will take place at GMES.
Extracurricular Activities
Are you looking for exciting sports or extracurricular activities for your child? Engaging in sports or other after-school activities provides children with more than just physical exercise—it boosts confidence, fosters teamwork, and helps them explore new interests. Whether they're interested in team sports like soccer or basketball, arts and music programs, or even STEM clubs, these activities provide valuable learning experiences outside the classroom. Not only do they promote social skills and resilience, but they also give kids a chance to develop lifelong passions. Start exploring options today at http://www.rochesteryouthsportsandrec.com/
End of Day Transportation
How will your child get home from school? Please help our staff in providing this information prior to the start of school. This way, transportation will be able to run as smooth as possible on the first day! Fill out the link below.
Upcoming Dates:
August 27- Success Conferences
August 28- Success Conferences
September 1- Labor Day
September 2- First Day School- Starts 9am
September 9- Boosters & Bytes with the Principal 6-7pm
September 12- Back to School Bash 5-7pm
September 17- Fall Picture Day Order link
Important Reminders:
The gate to student drop off will open at 8:30
Parents that will be doing parent drop-off/pick-up that have children at both RPS and GMES will drop-off/pick-up their RPS student first, then continue onto the GMES pick up area.
GMES Boosters will once again be providing Warrior t-shirts to all GMES students to help with school pride and a sense of community. Please fill out the form so Boosters can make sure each student gets the right size. Shirt Order Link
Equal Opportunity Employer
Rochester School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, the use of a trained guide dog or service animal, or any other basis prohibited by law. We also provide equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:
Civil Rights Coordinator: Jennifer Bethman (360) 273-9242, jbethman@rochester.wednet.edu; Title IX Coordinator: Kelsey Lincoln (360) 273-5534, klincoln@rochester.wednet.edu; 504/ADA Coordinator: Laura Staley (360) 273-5536, lstaley@rochester.wednet.edu. Gender-Inclusive Schools Coordinator: Jennifer Bethman (360) 273-9242, jbethman@rochester.wednet.edu Address: 10140 Highway 12 SW, Rochester, WA 98579.