Principal Newsletter // October 13th, 2026 (Copy)

Oct 18

Dear Appleton Families,

Parking Lot Safety & Courtesy

Our morning drop-off works best when everyone follows the same routine. A few small adjustments can make a big difference in keeping traffic moving safely for all of our Bookworms.

Use the curb for quick drop-off only. If you'd like to spend a few extra moments with your child, please park in a designated parking space and walk them across the parking lot after 8:35 a.m. Waiting along the curb slows the entire drop-off line.
Please don't stop in the striped area. This creates a bottleneck and makes it harder for traffic to flow. Instead, pull forward whenever possible. There are often open spaces near the bike rack that provide a safer place for students to exit.
Please leave the Auction Winner parking spaces available for the families who purchased them.

Thank you for helping us keep our parking lot safe, efficient, and welcoming each morning. Working together, we can make the start of every school day a great one.

Conference Time is Here!

A huge thank you to the many families who are joining us for Parent-Teacher Conferences today! Your partnership makes a tremendous difference, and we appreciate the time you invest in your child's learning. Conferences continue on October 22, and we look forward to connecting with even more of our Bookworm families.

One of Appleton's greatest traditions is the incredible support of our community. Year after year, more than 95% of our families participate in Parent-Teacher Conferences—a reflection of our shared belief that students thrive when home and school work together. Thank you for helping make Appleton such a special place. Who Belongs? We Belong! If you are unsure of your scheduled time, please confirm with your child’s teacher.

Halloween at Appleton

I know it is a little early but to help in your Halloween costume planning, here are the protocols for our Halloween celebration:

Parade - We will have a costume parade out on the north playground,weather permitting at 10:00 am on Friday, Oct. 30. In case of poor weather the parade will be canceled and will not be held in the hallways.
No weapons or facsimiles of weapons. This includes: all martial arts weapons, bullets, bullet casings, all guns, all bladed props (swords, knives, scythe, tridents, etc.), bows and arrows.
Parents/Guardians - Parents are allowed to participate in person at the parties and the parade. Parents will be asked to sign into the parade (a sign-up table will be set up on the north playground and for parties).

Help Us Get Everyone Home Safely

If your child's after-school plans change, please call the school office before 3:30 p.m. whenever possible. Last-minute transportation changes made just before dismissal can be difficult to communicate to students as our office is managing hundreds of children preparing to head home.

Calling earlier in the day gives our staff the time they need to ensure every message reaches the right student. Thank you for helping us make dismissal safe, smooth, and stress-free for everyone!

Thanks for reading!

~ Corey Hafey

Principal, Appleton Elementary

“Expect Excellence!”