Lower Division Notes

List of 6 items.

• Sept. 1

  Dear Lower Division Parents,

  
  We completed a successful first full week of school! When we visit the classrooms, it is wonderful to see the students actively engaged and happy!
  
  

  This week in Chapel, we celebrated our Beanstack Summer Challenge readers. LD led all divisions with 133 readers logging 168,809 pages for the entire division, which earned us an out-of-uniform day for this Tuesday, Sept. 2. I know the students will enjoy another out-of-uniform day! Great job meeting our goal.
  
  

  We want to acknowledge the highest page logger in each grade level:
  

  • First Grade: Olivia Read
  • Second Grade: Evan Picon
  • Third Grade: Vivian Jones
  • Fourth Grade: Nivaan Sahai

  These students will soon be featured in the LD trophy case. All students who completed the summer challenge received an "I Love Reading," and four lucky winners won the drawing for a $50 Learning Tree gift card. 

  
  Check out Beanstack for a new challenge and to log pages read.
  
  

  With Gratitude,

  
  

  Montie Sill Lower Division Director sillm@casady.org

  Tai Shriner Lower Division Assistant Director shrinert@casady.org

  Parent Information Night
  Thursday, Sept. 4, is Parent Information Night from 5:45-6:45 p.m. Please report directly to your student’s homeroom. Teachers will share information about their grade level curriculum, procedures, and special events. Our Specials Teachers will be located in their rooms. If you have any questions or would like to see their space. If you have questions and cannot attend, please feel free to email your teacher.
  
  

  FLIK Dining
  For the lunch menu, please go to MyCasady and click on FLIK Dining for the most current lunch information. You can also download the FLIKISDining (FISD) app for more convenience. Detailed information about the menu and food choices can be found on MyCasady or the FISD app.
  
  

  Carpool Dismissal Reminders
  Thank you for having your numbers displayed so that we can see them. This helps to shorten your wait time so we can safely dismiss students. Your attention to the following actions will keep our line moving during arrival and dismissal:
  

  1. Please pull as far forward as possible during arrival and dismissal.
  2. Please let us know if your student is seated on the passenger side so we can go around to help them get out.
  3. During dismissal, as you enter the circle drive, remember we have two lanes. Pull up as far as you can, then zip in every other car at the end of the lane before you approach the covered awning.
  4. If you need to buckle your student in, and there are no cars in front of you, please pull forward past the no-parking sign so traffic can continue to flow.
  5. Please help your student remember their carpool number.
  6. If you do not have students in Primary, please enter from Penn Avenue.
  7. During arrival, please make sure your student is prepared to exit the car when you enter the circle drive.

  Thank you for reviewing and following our carpool procedures and for your patience as we all make procedures routine. We want everyone to start and end the school day with a smile! 

  
  Speech/Language/Hearing Screenings

  We are pleased to offer an opportunity for Lower Division first, third, and new students to be screened for any speech, language, fluency, and hearing development. The speech, language, and hearing screenings will be provided by Sensational Kids, Inc. at no charge to you during the month of September. 
  
  

  Parents will be notified if their student’s screening suggests a further evaluation is needed.
  
  

  If you do not wish to have this screening, please fill out this form.

  
  If there are questions about this service, please feel free to contact Assistant LD Director/LD Learning Specialist Tai Shriner or Director of Student Support Services Samantha Kobs.

  
  Lower Divisional Chapel Collect for the Coming Week
  Loving God,
  Thank you for making a world full of amazing things.
  Help us to ask questions and to look for answers.
  Give us eyes to see your wonders everywhere.
  Guide us as we learn new things,
  and help us to share your love with others.
  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

• Aug. 24

  Dear Lower Division Parents,
  
  

  Our first few days have been a great success. Our students are doing an amazing job learning routines and procedures, and we are so proud of their positive attitudes and hard work. They are off to such a strong start and showing that they are ready to learn, grow, and bloom!
  
  

  Thank you for reviewing and following our dismissal procedures, and we ask for your patience as we all make our dismissal procedure routine. Even though it is going well, each day the process will improve! One tip: if you are trying to exit campus and are not going to Middle Division, you can always turn left and continue straight to use the maintenance exit by the tennis courts. Please remember to always drop off in the circular driveway and not the parking lot. We want everyone to start and end the school day safely and with a smile! 

  
  It has been fun to watch the students interact, adapt to their new routines, grade levels, and welcome new friends. They seem very happy to be back at School, which brings us joy! We are here to support each of you. If you have any questions or would like to share information with us, always feel free to reach out. Thank you for sharing your sweet students! Have a wonderful and blessed week!

  
  

  With Gratitude,

  
  

  Montie Sill Lower Division Director sillm@casady.org

  Tai Shriner Lower Division Assistant Director shrinert@casady.org

  
  

  Wednesday Schedule
  This year, we will continue our Wednesday Schedule starting this Wednesday, Aug. 27. Families are encouraged to take advantage of the extra hour when they are able. If your student receives outside services, this would be a great time to schedule it.
  
  

  Wednesday Schedule

  Early Arrival drop off period: 7:30-8:00 a.m. Arrival: 8:45-8:55 a.m. Start of School: 9:00 a.m.

  
  Wednesday Early Care Drop Off Information
  On Wednesdays, students should arrive between 8:40-8:55 a.m. Early care will be provided to families who need to drop off between 7:30-8:15 a.m. Early care will occur in Nichols Activity Center for first-fourth grade and will be monitored by faculty members. Please do not drop off students before 7:30 a.m. Drop off for early care will be in the Nichols Activity Center circle drive. Please do not drop off students for early care at the LD building.
  

   

  Parent Information Night
  Thursday, Sept. 4, is Parent Information Night from 5:45-6:45 p.m. Please report directly to your student’s homeroom. Teachers will share information about their grade level curriculum, procedures, and special events. Our Specials Teachers will be located in their rooms. If you have any questions or would like to see their space. If you have questions and cannot attend, please feel free to email your teacher.
  
  Circle the State
  Fourth grade parents, please review the Circle the State information.

   

  SoulCraft Wednesdays
  As a reminder, this school year during our Wednesday Chapel (also known as SoulCraft) and classroom instruction, our faculty will be utilizing the Second Step curriculum, which is a research-based social-emotional learning program designed to improve students' social-emotional skills. This is a vital piece of our chapel program because Jesus said that the most important rules are to love God and love our neighbor as ourselves. These Second Step lessons help students learn how to love themselves and each other well. 
   
  During the months of August and September, your student will be learning more about Growth Mindset and Goal Setting. Students will learn how to pay attention, manage distractions, develop a growth mindset, and apply goal-setting strategies to their social and academic lives. 
   
  You will receive weekly communications from your student’s teacher to help you reinforce Second Step language, skills, and goals at home. You will also be receiving “Home Links” at the start of each new unit. These one-page resources highlight the themes and research behind each unit, and include strategies that parents and caregivers can use at home to reinforce the unit’s social-emotional skills.
  

  • First Grade Home Link
  • Second Grade Home Link
  • Third Grade Home Link
  • Fourth Grade Home Link

  Thank you for your support as we work to build a safe and supportive Casady Community!
  
  Rev. Tim Sean Youmans 
  Rev. Kirsten Baer
  Director of Student Support Services Samantha Kobs 
  PD/LD Counselor Emily Sill

• Aug. 17

  Dear Lower Division Parents,
  
  

  Welcome back to a new and exciting school year in Lower Division! We hope your summer was filled with rest, joy, and special moments with loved ones. A heartfelt thank you to CPO for the beautiful flower bar and for hosting our Work Week luncheon, it was truly appreciated and enjoyed! Thank you also for stocking our faculty lounge, we felt very spoiled and cared for.
  
  This year, our focus will be Together We Bloom, a reminder that our greatest growth happens when we learn, work, and support one another. This theme reflects Lower Division's shared commitment to helping every student develop academically, socially, and emotionally.
  
  To support this, our staff began the year with training on CliftonStrengths, a framework that helps us identify and build on our individual and collective talents. Our training will allow us to better connect with students, create stronger teams, and provide learning experiences that help each student shine.
  
  This year, we will focus on helping every student:
  

  • Build on Strengths – Recognizing and developing each student’s unique talents.
  • Learn Through Challenges – Encouraging resilience, problem-solving, discipline, and a growth mindset.
  • Own Their Talents – Inspiring confidence and pride in who they are and what they can contribute.
  • Open Doors to Growth – Providing opportunities for exploration, creativity, and discovery.
  • Make a Difference – Fostering kindness, empathy, and a sense of responsibility in our community.

  We’re excited to share that Mrs. Emily Morris welcomed a baby boy into her family over the summer! She will be on maternity leave at the start of the school year and plans to return by the end of September. In her absence, we have support in place to ensure our students continue to receive the care and guidance they need. If you have any questions or need assistance during this time, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Director of Student Support Services Samantha Kobs at (405) 749-3129.
  

  • As you visit about the first day of school, "First Day Jitters" is a great read-aloud as well as this resource.

  We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday at Orientation Day between 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet your student’s teacher and explore their classroom. If you did not receive the Back-To-School Welcome Letter, please review it for important information. 
  
  We have fun information to share from our librarian, Mrs. Kendall: Aaron Reynolds, author of best-selling books "Creepy Carrots" and "Creepy Pair of Underwear," is coming to Casady on Sept. 4 to speak with students in second through fifth grades about his new chapter book, "Troubling Tonsils." Your student has an opportunity to purchase signed copies of Aaron Reynolds's books. Use this link to order signed copies of his books.
  
  If you have questions about the author visit or the book purchase, please contact Laura Kendall.
  
  Don’t forget to mark your calendars for Parent Information Night on Thursday, Sept. 4, from 5:45–6:45 p.m. to learn more about our plans for the year and our curriculum. See you soon!
  
  

  Best regards,

  
  

  Montie Sill Lower Division Director sillm@casady.org

  Tai Shriner Lower Division Assistant Director shrinert@casady.org

   

• Aug. 3 - Back to School Orientation

  Dear Lower Division Parents,
  
  

  Welcome to the 2025-26 school year at Casady School. I hope you had a safe, relaxing, and fun summer vacation! This email officially welcomes you and provides the necessary information to begin our new school year. 
  
  

  Please plan to attend Orientation Day on Tuesday, Aug. 19. This day allows you to meet your teacher anytime during 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. The teacher may request information from you during this visit. You do not need to plan on attending the duration, as it is organized as a come-and-go event.
  
  Please read the following before Orientation Day
  

  • The Lower Division Parent and Student Handbook on MyCasady
    • After reviewing, please share this information with your student and other family members. This informative booklet covers procedures for most of our School activities. If you have any questions, please call the Lower Division office.
  • School Uniform Information
    • We have Spirit Wear Fridays. Please pay particular attention to the outerwear and headband requirements. Uniform compliance is expected.
  • Teacher Email
    • Parents will receive an email on Tuesday, Aug. 12, from their student’s homeroom teacher. This email will contain back-to-school information, an online Google Carpool Form, and any information you need before Orientation Day on Aug. 19.

  
  

  FLIK Dining
  We are excited to welcome FLIK! I want to encourage parents who have students with special dietary needs to make an appointment with or inform Robin Preuss. You may also reach her at 405-749-3156.
  
  Please also alert our School Nurse, Keema Kinchen by Aug. 5. Menu items and ingredients are available on MyCasady.
  
  

  Speech, Language, Hearing Screenings
  We are pleased to offer an opportunity for first grade, third grade, and new Lower Division students to be screened for speech, language, fluency, and hearing development. The speech, language, and hearing screenings will be provided starting Monday, Aug. 25 by Sensational Kids Inc. at no charge to you. Parents will be notified if their student’s screening suggests a further evaluation is needed.
  
  If you DO NOT wish to have this screening, please fill out this form.

  
  If there are questions about this service, please feel free to contact Assistant LD Director/LD Learning Specialist Tai Shriner, or Director of Student Support Services Samantha Kobs.

  
  First Day of School
  The first day is Wednesday, Aug. 20. Our school day begins promptly at 8:00 a.m., and students are released at 3:25 p.m. Please make every effort to have your student at school by 7:50 a.m. so they can be prepared for their classes. We will spend this day reviewing safety protocols and procedures and getting to know each other. The day will go quickly. We know everyone is eager to see each other. Please remember we prefer parents to stay in their cars for arrival and dismissal. This allows us to dismiss students in a safe and timely manner. If you need to walk up to pick up your students at the end of the day, please report to the students' exterior homeroom door after notifying the front office or teacher. More information about arrival and dismissal procedures will be provided at Orientation. 
  
  Wednesday Schedule

  This year, we will continue our Wednesday schedule starting on Wednesday, Aug. 27. Families are encouraged to take advantage of the extra hour in the mornings when they are able. If your student receives outside services, this would be a great time to schedule it.
  
  

  Regular Schedule	Wednesday Schedule
  Early Care: 7:30-7:40 a.m. Arrival: 7:40-7:55 a.m. Start of School: 8:00 a.m.	Early Arrival drop off period: 7:30-8:00 a.m. Arrival: 8:45-8:55 a.m. Start of School: 9:00 a.m.

  
  
  

  On Wednesdays, students should arrive between 8:40-8:55 a.m. Early care will be provided to families who need to drop off between 7:30-8:00 a.m. Early care will occur in Nichols Activity Center for first through fourth grade and will be monitored by faculty members. Please do not drop off students before 7:30 a.m. Please do not drop off students for early care at the Powerll Lower Division Building, please use the circle drive by Nichols Activity Center.
  
  

  New Faces
  You will see a few new smiling faces this year in LD. We are welcoming the following teachers and staff to the Lower Division:
  

  • LD Administrative Assistant Substitute/Grade Level Assistant- Ms. Cate Kurtz
    • Ms. Kurtz will substitute for Mrs. Miller while she is on maternity leave. When Mrs. Miller returns, Ms. Kurtz will move to a grade-level assistant position.
  • First Grade - Ms. Amy Whitson and Mrs. Lawren Kerr
  • Second Grade - Mrs. Namia Nixon
  • Third Grade - Mrs. Alicia Carter
  • Fourth Grade - Mrs. Sara Chown

  They are all thrilled to be joining us and will be great additions to our talented faculty and staff! Mr. Sheldon will send an email next week with links to all new faculty and staff and short bios.
  
  

  Don’t forget to mark your calendar for our Parent Information Night on Sept. 4 and Picture Day on Sept. 11. More details will be shared soon. 
  
  

  Please contact me with any questions. We are very excited about starting a new year.
  
  Together, We BLOOM! 

   

  Best,

  
  

  Montie Sill Lower Division Director sillm@casady.org

  Tai Shriner Lower Division Assistant Director shrinert@casady.org

  Phones and Smartwatches
  To protect our students' attention and focus, encourage community, and foster a culture of learning and play, we ask that all devices, including smartwatches, remain off and in backpacks during the Lower Division day. Students will only be allowed to use these devices after 3:40 p.m.
  
  

  Lower Division Security
  Each day, our exterior doors will be locked. All faculty have ID badges that include functionality to unlock all doors. All visitors must enter the main doors of the Lower Division, and check in with the LD administrative assistant. 
   
  Vehicle Identification for Controlled Access to Campus
  Casady School has a vehicle identification system. The purpose of this policy is for the School to be able to recognize vehicles connected to our community and aid in our Visitor Management system. All vehicles shall display a school-issued front windshield decal when entering campus during the school day. Visitors entering campus in a vehicle without a decal will be asked to check in with our Welcome Center. They will be given directions to their destination and asked to check in with the appropriate Division Office or Building for their visitor ID badge. Decals can be picked up at the Division Office. Please remember to remove your old tag and replace it with the most current one.

   

  Morning Drop-Off, Dismissal and Carpool, and After School
  Students should arrive between 7:40-7:55 a.m. Early care starts at 7:30 a.m. Please do not drop off students before 7:30 a.m. Utilize the circle drive for drop off. Early care is housed in Lower Division in each grade level area.
  
  

  Parents should pick up their students in the carpool circle, or by walking up to the student’s exterior homeroom door.
  

  • Dismissal starts at 3:25 p.m.
  • All students should be picked up by 3:50 p.m.

  After-School Care Program
  A supervised after-care program is provided until 6:00 p.m. for students in first through fourth in Nichols Activity Center. Registration will be through the Extended Programs portal located on the MyCasady Resource Board. Registration is now open. If you have any questions, please contact Extended Programs Manager Joella Pearson. 
  
  Students remaining in Lower Division at 3:50 p.m. will be walked to Nichols Activity Center, and parents will be billed accordingly. All students must be picked up from After School Care by 6:00 p.m. 
  

  
  Cyclone Express
  Registration for Cyclone Express closed on August 1.
  
  

  Health or Dietary Needs/Medication
  Students requiring medication administration during school, prescription or over-the-counter (OTC), must complete a medication administration form. This form is available through the August Schools Health Enrollment portal or you may email Keema Kinchen school nurse. Administration guidelines are available in the Health Services Handbook. Unless declined, OTC medication is based on standard practice as needed:
  

  • acetaminophen
  • antacids
  • ibuprofen
  • Benadryl (for allergic reactions)
  • throat lozenges

  Please update all health information in August Schools before the start of this school year. If you have any questions, please contact School Nurse Keema Kinchen.

• July 15 - Mid Summer Update

  Dear Lower Division Parents,
  
  

  Our LD students are making great strides with their summer reading! So far, we’ve logged 66,378 pages in Beanstack, blowing our goal out of the water and earning an out of uniform day! 
  
  

  Don’t forget: Students who read at least 400 pages will earn an "I ❤️ Reading" bracelet and be entered into the drawing for a $50 Amazon gift card (one winner per grade level)!
  
  

  Homeroom Assignments
  Your student’s 2025–26 homeroom assignment is listed on the end-of-year Skills Report. Rising second and third grade homeroom assignments are located on the Language/Arts Math Skill report, and rising fourth grade homeroom assignments will be in the content area of your 2024-25 homeroom teacher. New families should have received this information via email. If you have not, please email me.
  
  

  Uniform Closet and Sizing Info
  Our Uniform Closet is open for families needing gently used uniform pieces. Stop by the front office before or after orientation to check it out! Helpful information from Flynn’O Hara below:

  • Virtual Sizing Tools: Families can now access easy-to-use sizing guides, instructional videos, TruFit virtual measuring tools, and virtual appointments with a Flynn O'Hara customer service rep from the comfort of your home, at any time of day, by clicking here.

  • Updated Return/Exchange Process: Families can return items at their convenience and place a new order, allowing for a quicker turnaround compared to the traditional exchange process. Do so by clicking here.

   

  Orientation Reminder
  LD Orientation Day: Aug. 19
  10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
  
  This is a great opportunity to meet your student's teacher, tour the classroom, and get ready for a fantastic year ahead! You will not need to stay the entire time. It is designed to be a come-and-go event.
  
  

  Enjoy the rest of your summer — and keep those pages turning!

   

  Best,

  
  

  Montie Sill Lower Division Director sillm@casady.org

  Tai Shriner Lower Division Assistant Director shrinert@casady.org

   

• June 13 - Early Summer Reminders

  Dear Lower Division Parents,
  
  

  Summer Reading Challenge

  We’re excited to kick off our Summer Reading Challenge through Beanstack, and we hope you’ll help us encourage your student to keep reading throughout the summer!

   

  The challenge is simple: Read and log at least 400 pages over the summer, and your student will receive an "I ❤️ Reading" bracelet and have their name entered into a drawing for a Grand Prize: a $50 Amazon gift card. One lucky winner will be chosen from each grade level.

  But that’s not all! We’re also working toward another school-wide reward.

   

  35,000 pages logged collectively by Lower Division by July 31 = Out of Uniform Day

   

  All reading must be logged in Beanstack to count toward individual and school-wide goals. Look for more information on how to use Beanstack from the email you received on May 21st, or in the Summer Reminders section below.

   

  We are excited for our new families joining Casady and would love for them to participate in our reading challenge too! Currently, we do not have a way to add new families to Beanstack, but you are welcome to keep a paper log or track via the Metropolitan Library's summer reading program in Beanstack, and hopefully, we'll be able to sync the reading before school starts.

   

  Let’s work together to make reading fun, help our students grow, and earn some awesome rewards! Thank you for supporting a summer filled with great stories and even greater learning.

   

  Lands' End Uniform Discounts

  Parents ordering Casady uniforms from Lands' End are eligible for discounts up to 30% off.

  • June 28 - July 4: 30% off
  • July 5 - 18: 20% off
  • July 19 - Aug. 1: 10% off

  
  

  Best,

  
  

  Montie Sill Lower Division Director sillm@casady.org

  Tai Shriner Lower Division Assistant Director shrinert@casady.org