About the Elementary School

Principal’s Message | Attendance | Building Hours | School Supply Lists

Principal’s Message

Welcome to Lawrence Avenue Elementary!

At Lawrence Avenue, we are committed to fostering positive partnerships with families and the community. Together, we strive to help every student reach their fullest potential while encouraging them to be kind, responsible, and respectful members of our school and beyond. We are also deeply committed to helping every student feel a true sense of belonging and engagement at school.

Our teachers and administrators value open communication and understand how vital it is to student success. I encourage families to stay connected with us and reach out regularly so that we can work together to support your child’s learning and growth.

Thank you for entrusting your children to our care. During their time with us, we are dedicated to providing a strong academic foundation while also nurturing a lifelong love of learning. As always, we encourage you to stay involved in your child’s education and to contact the school with any questions or concerns you may have. Your partnership is invaluable in helping us create a safe, supportive, and inspiring place for every child to learn and grow.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. I look forward to working with you throughout the year and to all the great things ahead!

Sharlee Thomas, Principal

Attendance

Daily attendance is important to enable your child to grow steadily in school. Regular school attendance promotes good work habits and encourages a more positive attitude. A student absent from school may not participate in any school activity on that day. Children should be kept home when they are ill to help prevent the spread of contagious conditions.

The following are the only legal reasons for absence from school:

Doctor or dentist appointment
Sickness
Death in the family
Religious observance
Impassable roads
School-sponsored field trips

The State of New York requires regular attendance by school-age students. Potsdam Central School District also believes that regular attendance by its students is necessary for them to obtain an adequate understanding of instruction and materials presented by its teachers and programs of studies.

View the Potsdam Central School District Attendance Policy.

Reporting an Absence

Please call the school as early as possible when a student is ill or will be absent or tardy for some other reason. Students should bring their written excuse with them on the first day of school after their return. The excuse must include the date of absence(s), the reason for absence(s), and the parent or guardian’s signature.

When to keep your child home with an illness

It can be hard to know when to send children to school if they tell you they do not feel well.

Learn more about when to keep your child home.

Building Hours

The instructional day is from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Buses unload at 8:30 a.m. and classes begin promptly at 8:45 a.m. Students are not allowed in the building before 8:30 a.m. unless they are part of a group that meets before school.

Parents will be contacted if children are left unattended, as there is no supervision. Should you need child care before or after school, we offer a Latch Key program. Please contact the main office for more information.

Birthday Celebrations

At Lawrence Avenue Elementary, inclusion is one of our most important values. We believe every child deserves to feel welcomed, appreciated, and celebrated. Beginning this year, the main office will help make each child’s birthday extra special.

Learn more about Birthday Celebrations