Loyola Elementary School

Dear Loyola families,

I hope this finds you all well and savoring the final few weeks of summer. The excitement and anticipation of a new school year is upon us! I cannot wait to see the smiling faces of the students on the first day of school, Wednesday, August 13th.

I am truly honored to be the Principal of Loyola Elementary. I am grateful to get to work with such a caring and supportive community and teachers and staff who are beyond the best at their jobs. I look forward to building on the relationships that were created last year and getting to know our new Lions and families.

As always, our devoted professional staff has already begun planning and preparing for the arrival of our Lions. Our top notch staff are connecting with new families, ordering needed materials and updating student files. Our hard working, conscientious custodial staff have spent the entire summer thoroughly cleaning the facility and, our amazing and much-appreciated PTA is gearing up to welcome families and offer other exciting events and programs. Together, we universally embrace the common goals of nurturing responsible, caring students and promoting high levels of rigorous, personalized teaching and learning designed to ensure each student realizes his/her fullest potential in innovative learning environments. I am excited to partner with families and staff to create the most engaging, supportive, joyful year as we move forward with Deeper Learning.

Here are some items of importance as we approach the new school year…

• 2025-26 Bell Schedule

• LASD 2025-2026 School Year Calendar

• Class assignments will be sent out via email on Friday, August 9th, after 4:00 pm. As we approach the new school year, I know students eagerly anticipate who their teacher is going to be. It is important for you to know that a great deal of time, effort and thought has gone into the process of student placement for the 2025-2026 school year. We have done our very best to ensure classrooms are balanced academically and socially. Our class lists are structured to provide equitable class sizes at each grade level to best serve all of our students. Moving students is difficult without causing imbalances and inequities. Therefore, please understand that I will not be moving or reassigning students.

• Full Class lists will also be posted on the Loyola Office windows after 4:00 on Friday the 9^th.

• Student Supplies are provided to all students by the PTA, so no need to go out and buy Back to School supplies. Please be sure to fill out InfoSnap, this will come in an email from the district. This finalizes your registration process for this year, all families, new and returning, for the new year.

• The parking lot will be closed during arrival and dismissal, with the exception of those who need the handicap parking spaces, to ensure the safety of our students and their families.

• Morning Arrival: Upon arrival, students grades 1-6 must report directly to their respective blacktop areas, gr. 1-3 lower blacktop and gr. 4-6 upper blacktop. There they will gather by their designated teacher sign. Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten students will arrive near the Kindergarten area, just outside the gate.

• Afternoon Dismissal: Students grades TK-6 will be dismissed at their respective bell times.

  • For grades 1-6: If you are picking up your child, I highly recommend using the car pick-up zone. If you do not wish to use the car pick-up zone, you are permitted to wait for your child in the lower blacktop area/lunch area , or in front of the office. All students must be picked up at their dismissal time and remain with and be supervised by parents at all times. Students are not permitted to use the play structures/courts once dismissed.

  • TK and Kinder parents will pick up in the Kinder area.

  • All students are expected to practice Safety, Responsibility, Respect and Kindness, our school rules, at all times while on campus, including before and after school.

LASD participates in the California universal meals program along with all school districts in the state. We will be providing breakfast and lunch daily and there is no charge for meals. Each month, we will provide a menu of meals, with two or more options for breakfast and lunch. Students may bring their own lunch to school, however, no outside vendors will be allowed on campus, including deliveries from outside vendors (i.e. DoorDash or similar service or parent drop off of local food vendors). The monthly menus can be found on both the District Website and Loyola Website. Breakfast will be served from 8:10-8:25 am at the Loyola Servery. Please note: It will be extremely helpful if you would discuss the menu with your child. Thank you.

Please keep your eyes open for communication regarding our PTA Back to School Packet. It is important that you fill out the packet within the first two weeks of school. Thank you!!

Finally, I would like to share with you an article with some Back to School Tips. Though many of the ‘tips’ seem obvious, they are good reminders about sleep, how to make the first day easier, safety tips for getting to and from school, building good homework habits and how to support your child throughout the school year.

I am eagerly awaiting the opportunity to meet and greet students and families to begin our new journey. If you have any questions at all, please feel free to contact me, my door is always open for you.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Kelly Rafferty
Principal, Loyola Elementary

krafferty@lasdschools.org