Lower School

Orientation Events

Head of School Welcome and General Information Orientation for New Parents Only
Tuesday, August 8
12:00 p.m.
Virtual

Lower School Orientation (2nd/CE1 - 5th/CM2) for New Parents Only
Saturday, August 12 - Start of School Logistics
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Location TBA

2nd Grade Orientation (New and Returning Students & Parents)
Friday, August 18
8:30 a.m.
Location TBA

Lower School Meet-the-Teacher
Friday, August 18
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Classrooms

First Day of Classes

2nd Grade/CE1 - 5th Grade/CM2
Monday, August 21
8:00 a.m.

All of the required books and supplies for students in 2nd/CE1 - 5th/CM2 are included in the Book Fee and will be placed in the classrooms before the first day of school.

If you have any questions, please contact the School Store.

There is no better preparation for the start of school than reading. This is especially important during the early years to avoid what is referred to as "summer slide". Research shows that reading as few as six books over the summer can prevent students from regressing in their reading levels.

The Houston Area Independent School Library Network (HAISLN), of which Awty is a member, prepares a list of recommended reading by age groups. We encourage you to use this list (or to choose any other books of interest) and read all summer long. Additionally, each summer we motivate students to join the Lower School Summer Reading Challenge. To learn more about the Lower School Summer Reading Challenge, click here. Please note: the School Store does not carry the books on the summer reading lists.

SUMMER HANDWRITING PRACTICE
Students in Lower School at Awty learn both block print and cursive handwriting. Cursive writing is based on a European style that has been adapted to Awty’s program. To ease the transition for students who have not been exposed to cursive at all, parents are encouraged (though not required) to purchase practice books of any style, such as the D’Nealian Handwriting Books available at most retail bookstores and online. The practice books should include both lower and upper case letters. In any case, once students start the new school year, teachers will help them transition to the specific cursive style used at the school.

DRIVING ON CAMPUS

Please help us keep our community, especially the students, safe by respecting the following guidelines when driving on campus:

• Drive slowly and prudently on campus. The speed limit is five miles per hour.
• Cell phone use, including texting, is prohibited while driving on campus and in carpool.
• Obey all posted signs and agents of the school.
• Upon entering campus, you will need to display the official Awty window decal. The Awty International School assigns two car decals per family. The decals are to be placed on the upper right corner of your car’s (driver’s side) windshield on the outside. You should receive these decals in the mail prior to school starting. If you require additional car decals, please contact Maritza Ramos.
  • These decals will enable you to enter the school campus. If you do not have the decal on your vehicle for the Awty security to see, you will be stopped for security purposes.
  • In addition to the school car decal, we require all vehicle information to be registered in SchoolPass. This information helps with the safety and ease of access, as we have License Plate Recognition (LPR) Cameras at both campuses. What you need to do:
    • Register your vehicles using the SchoolPass app after July 31, or by completing the School Pass Information form in Blackbaud. You must have this accomplished by the end of September. More information on SchoolPass will come at a later date.
    • The cameras are set up to read your front license plate as you enter campus. Please note: the state of Texas requires a front license plate.
    • The system will also help us identify vehicles not in the system during carpool, so you will be required to register all of your vehicles. This includes leased vehicles, new vehicles with paper plates, and even temporary vehicles such as rentals or loaners.
    • Please understand your due diligence to keep this information updated and help us maintain our safety protocols.

Any violation of these rules may result in the loss of driving privileges on school property.

Due to an increase in pedestrian traffic crossing Awty School Lane, please be patient during traffic delays and watch for pedestrians crossing the street.

CARPOOL

The pick-up times are desired, not required, as we understand it is not always possible to predict exact travel times in Houston traffic. However, if we all work together, we are confident we can organize dismissal in a safe and efficient manner.

LOWER SCHOOL (2nd Grade/CE1 - 5th Grade/CM2):
The LS carpool map for the 2023-2024 school year will be available in the school's Parent Guide which comes out in August.

• Morning Carpool: 7:30 - 8:00 a.m.
• Afternoon Carpool: 2:55 - 3:20 p.m.

Students in Lower School wear the school uniform every day unless otherwise instructed. Dennis Uniform is our provider and offers three convenient ways to shop:

1. Shop online at: https://www.dennisuniform.com. Register an email for sale notifications.
2. Shop at their store located at 7613 Katy Freeway, Suite G, 77024.
3. Call Customer Service at 1-800-854-6951 to place a phone order. School code: VAI.

Please review the Uniform Policy for details by grade level and division. To see the uniform requirements for 2023-2024 with our uniform provider Dennis Uniforms, click here.

For more details including information about our Used Uniform Store, see “Uniforms” under the Information for All New Families section.

Please visit the Awty Plus section of the website for detailed information about our after-school program, which will run both at the ELC and on the main campus.

Registration for Fall 2023 will open in August. You will receive an email with the details in early August.