Dear Parents and Guardians,

Welcome back to the 2023-24 school year. We are super excited for the upcoming year. I hope you were able to enjoy some summer fun vacationing, playing ball, swimming or just hanging out with friends and family. With the start of school in mind, I want to share some important information with you before the first day of school.

The first day of school for students will be Thursday, August 10th. This will be a FULL day of school with lunch provided. Thursday, the 10th will be a Music day and Friday, the 11th a PE day.

The best and most updated way to stay connected with what is going on is through the 1R calendar and Northwest district calendar. You may also follow us on the 1R Facebook page, 1R Website and Northwest Website. Important Links below:

– 1R Calendar

– 2023-24 District Calendar

– 1R Website

– 1R Supply List

Mrs. Bachle has been busy over the summer uploading and updating PowerSchool information. It is vital that your contact information is up-to-date with your most current phone numbers, addresses and email information. We will use this information to contact you in case of emergencies, events, inclement weather and many other important details available through PowerSchool. PowerSchool alerts will ONLY be sent to the first and second listed names on the emergency contact list. Parents and guardians are responsible for adjusting those orders. Please contact the office when any changes or additions need to be made during the year. If you have questions please contact Mrs. Bachle.  

Please welcome these new staff members at 1R and St. Libory. Mrs. Janae Liberty (K-5 music), Mrs. Kari Vyhlidal (6-8 Music) Mr. Clint Simmons P.E., Mr. Joel Shafer Science,  and Mr. Jake Herrmann Social Studies. Mrs.Kenzie Jarvi, K-8 Resource at 1R. We are super excited to have them in our 1R family.

PTO has been busy planning for the upcoming year. The 1R Pool Party is at Lincoln Pool in Grand Island  on Saturday, August 12th from 6:15-8:15 PM. This will be FREE ADMISSION! The next event will be the 1R Open House on Monday, August 14th from 5:30-7:00 PM. They will be serving Walking Tacos with all the fixings, a Rice Krispie treat and a drink. The meal will be a free will donation at the door.  There will be a variety of fun raffle prizes available.  PTO membership and a volunteer sign up sheet will also be available. Teachers will be in their classroom for tours. They will give raffle tickets away to families who visit their classrooms. Raffle drawing will begin at 7:00 PM – more information to come. There is a new 1R apparel design. Shop here: 1R Apparel 2023-24 the store closes August 18th. If you have not already done so through the district please sign up for PeachJar on our website. PTO and the district will use this tool to share flyers, fundraisers and upcoming events this year.  This year’s board members are Lisa Allan-President,  Angela Rodenbaug-Secretary and Nicole Dramse VP/Treasurer. 

Parents and guardians you will need to set up and/or revisit your lunch accounts. There are multiple ways you may set this up. Please visit this link for all your Lunch information and setup. 2023-24 Lunch Prices & Nutritional Information Students will need to have current daily balances for a hot lunch.  If not, you will receive alert notifications, paper notes and/or your child may be asked to call home if balances are negative. If you would like to eat lunch with your child for a special occasion please contact the office the day before or the day of by 8:30 AM so we may include you in the lunch count.  

Middle School Tech Fees – As noted in our device user agreement during the registration process, each year students in grades 6-8 are required to pay a technology use fee. This $25 fee allows students to take the Chromebook home on the first day of school.  Payments can be made with cash/check in the office or credit card via e-Funds. It is important to remember that this fee does not include damage fees. Students will be charged a $25 incident fee for any damage or repairs needed on their device.  This is a per incident fee and is a flat $25 fee per incident. The technology use fee may be waived if you have qualified for Free & Reduced Lunch AND have completed the Sharing Information Form. We ask that these 6th-8th grade fees be paid by Friday, August 11th.  If the fee is not paid the student will not be allowed to take their chromebook home.

Middle School Sports – Please see the 1R Website under Middle School Athletic Information. All athletes must have a current physical on record before they may practice. Practice for fall sports will begin the first full week of school on Monday, August 14th.

As we begin the new school year please review protocol for morning drop off and after school pick up. We ask that students not arrive before 7:45 AM if at all possible. The last bell on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday is at 3:15 PM and Wednesdays at 2:00 PM. We ask that no children are at school 30 minutes after the last bell. Please share this information with other guardians, siblings, grandparents or others who may be transporting your child. Our first priority is the safety of students, staff, and parents. It typically takes less than 15 minutes for pick up on any given day from start to finish. This is not too much time to assure everyone’s safety. If you need to pick up your child early for an appointment please call ahead and park up in the east parking lot. If you need to enter the building please park in the east parking lot NOT in the driveway or on the south side grass.

Traffic flow map: 1R Entry-Exit

Third City Connect will partner with us again this year as an after school provider. You may contact Third City Christian Church for details. Clayton Loghry is the contact (308) 384-5038.

We look forward to serving you and your child with a high quality education in a safe and family oriented environment. The Northwest Public Schools Mission is: “A Culture of Excellence” An exceptional community of learners committed to continuous growth. We strive to meet each child where they are at, and provide them with multiple opportunities to grow both academically and socially. Please do not hesitate to contact myself, our office or staff if you have questions at 308-385-6352.

Sincerely,

Mr. Retzlaff, Principal