Countryside News

It’s hard to believe the summer is slowly winding down. We hope you were able to relax and enjoy time with family and friends. We are looking forward to a great 2023-24 school year! 

The PTO is a group of parents and staff who work together with Countryside families to enhance the educational and social experience for our children and families. This is a volunteer, non-profit organization and is open to all families, as all parents/guardians are automatically a Countryside PTO member. The majority of our efforts are focused on planning events to strengthen our community. We hope you will consider volunteering for some events or committees this year, as many hands make light work. 

We are excited to welcome Adam Lipson to the co-president team this year! He has a daughter, Emma entering second grade, and a son, Sam entering fifth grade. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or concerns you may have throughout the year. If we don’t know the answer we will find the right person to ask. You can reach us by email at copresident@countrysidepto.org. 

An informal Open House is planned for August 31st from 2:00 to 2:30p.m. This is a chance for your child to see the school and say hello. This is optional as we understand that some families may have other commitments during this time. 

For our incoming Kindergarten class, the PTO has organized playground meetups so that the kids can meet one another before the first day of school, and families can meet as well. The first one is on August 27th at 4 pm, and the second on August 31st at 5 pm. Both meetups will be held at the Countryside playground. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Please contact Lori Yurgelun for more information 

While the PTO has filled many of the various volunteer positions for this school year, we still have some positions that are in need of filling. Please click here to see the positions that still need volunteers, and email us if you are interested in any of them. 

The first community event hosted by the PTO this school year will be the Fall Picnic. It is scheduled for September 11th from 5:30-7:30 outside in the field at the school. Families will have the choice to purchase dinner onsite or they can bring their own picnic dinner. Please mark this event on your calendar. More details to come. We have some wonderful volunteers heading up the picnic, but are in need of some more hands. Sign up here.

Important Information about student drop off and The Blue Zone 

For everyone’s safety, please review and adhere to the Blue Zone Rules and remember to never park in a blue or yellow zone. The zones are marked by sidewalk curbs that are painted blue or yellow. The Blue Zones are for active pick-up and drop-off per the hours listed on the Blue Zone signs. The Yellow Zone is for buses only during school hours. Please pass this information along to anyone who picks up or drops off your child(ren) so safety can be maintained for everyone. 

The Blue Zone is located on the school side of Dedham Street near the flagpole/teacher’s parking lot and also on the opposite side of the street by Woodcliff Road. These two areas are for active drop-off and pick-up only. It is important to keep cars moving through the Blue Zones before and after school. To use the Blue Zone, simply stop at the curb, allow your child to exit the car on the curb-side only, then drive away. The Blue Zone is not for every family. If your child(ren) is/are unable to get out of or into the car independently on the curbside of the car, the Blue Zone is not for you at this time; please find another place to park and help your child. Please note that all kindergarten students are only released to a parent/caregiver at the end of the school day, and thus the Blue Zone should not be used by these families for pickup. 

A few important dates for the start of the school year: 

– August 27- 4pm incoming K playdate at Countryside playground 

– August 31- 2pm Open house to visit Countryside 

– August 31- 5 pm incoming K playdate at Countryside playground 

– September 5- First Day of school and Welcome Back Coffee for parents/caregivers – September 11- Fall Picnic 

– September 13- CS PTO meeting (monthly on the 2nd Wednesday)  

– September 21- Countryside Back to School Night 

– September 23-Boston playground meetup 1pm at Harambee Park 

– September 25- No School, Yom Kippur 

– September 27- School Picture Day

– September 28- Early release, dismissal 12:10 p.m. 

We are looking forward to a great school year! 

Best, 

Chelsea, Melissa and Adam