Dear Theresa Primary Families,
My name is Brenda Leddy, and I am the Principal at Theresa Primary School. I am honored to be a part of the Indian River School District, known not only for its academic excellence but also for its dedication to students. As I enter my tenth year of administration, and the seventh year as the Administrator of Theresa Primary, I have many jobs, but my most important job is that of a child advocate. Over the next 10 months, I will spend a lot of time getting to know your child(ren). I will learn more about what they like and dislike, what motivates them, and all other activities that interest them. I will greet them every morning, encourage them every day, and let them know they are valued and are an integral part of our school community. My goal is to ensure that the students at Theresa Primary School are safe, healthy, and happy, so that they can make the most of every day.
Our school day starts at 8:45 a.m. and ends at 3:45 p.m., with parent pick-up at 3:35 p.m. Here are a few essential things to remember when dropping your child off in the morning. Please pull your vehicle up to the door labeled #1, where a staff member will assist your child into the building. Please do not exit your car during drop-off. Simply let your child out and continue to exit the parking lot. This helps keep our line moving in the morning. Our parking lot is small, so one car not following this procedure will back up the entire parking lot. If your child is unable to exit the vehicle without your assistance, we ask you to pull into a parking space to assist. Please note that on the first day of school, parents/guardians are welcome to walk their child(ren) directly to their classrooms. After that first day, we ask that you please say goodbye at the door. This will help foster the type of independence we are working toward. If your child is late and arrives at school after 9 a.m., an adult must sign them in at the office. When picking up your child at the end of the day, all parents/guardians must park in a designated parking spot and gather at door #1. Staff members will unite you and your child. Students will not be released to a parent waiting in a car. If you are new to Theresa Primary, please be prepared to present a photo ID when picking up your child.
Our transportation department will mail a postcard in late August with your child’s specific transportation information. If you do not receive the postcard before school starts, please call Transportation at (315) 642-0331. Changes to your child’s regular bus will only be permitted if the situation is deemed an emergency by the Principal and must occur before 1:00 p.m.
Home-school communication is vital to your child’s academic success. Your child’s teacher and I will make a special effort to stay in touch with you. We kindly request that you check your child's backpack and folder daily. This is where you will find information on upcoming school events, updates, reminders, and general communication between teachers and parents. Communicating with us is also very important.
Something to note, from time to time, students will attend various district-approved performances at other locations within the Indian River campus as part of our curriculum. We do not send permission slips home for in-district trips. These typically take place at the High School Theatre, but may also be held at another school within the district. Additionally, all K-3 PE classes participate in a swimming unit, which is held at the middle school pool. This event occurs each spring. Teachers will send ample notice of all these events in advance. Please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher or the main office if you have any questions or concerns. We can be reached by dialing (315) 628-4432, sending an email, or Parent Square message. Additional information can be found on our website atwww.ircsd.org. Teachers may be contacted directly on Parent Square or by email (firstnamelastname@ircsd.org).
Students benefit from structured routines. One of the most essential pieces of that routine is sleep habits. By having students gradually go to bed a little earlier each night in August, the routine will set itself. Another great tip is to help your child get organized. A convenient way to do this is to select a central location for necessary school items. Often, this works best if that location is by the front door. Keeping their supplies in their backpack, a pair of shoes, and a coat by the door will be easy to remember and to take with them as they leave each morning. Established bedtimes, new organizational routines, and setting clothes out for the next day can not only be a tremendous time-saver but can also lessen the stress that often accompanies the morning rush to get everyone out the door.
Students who are dropped off at school and need to eat breakfast are allowed to enter 10 minutes early (8:35 am). Students who are not eating breakfast will not be allowed in before 8:45 due to a lack of supervision. If your child is bringing a snack to school, please try to make it a nutritious one. Fruits and vegetables are great options. Try to avoid processed, high-sugar foods or foods with nuts, as we have students with allergies. Candy is not an acceptable classroom snack. We provide all students with a water bottle to help them stay hydrated while at school. We have two water bottle fill stations that all students can access. Please note that we do not permit sweetened drinks in water bottles, only regular; unflavored water is allowed.
Finally, I am pleased to announce that the breakfast and lunch program at Theresa Primary will remain FREE of charge to all students for the 2025-26 school year. Although free, we ask all families to please complete the modified version of our application that will be sent home via Parent Square during the first couple of weeks of school. This will help us remain free in the future. For any additional information, please contact Zachary Hamilton, School Food Service Director.
Once again, I look forward to getting to know our students, families, and community members during the 2025-26 school year. Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Brenda Leddy
Principal, Theresa Primary School