About the Elementary School

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

Principal’s Message

Welcome to Lawrence Avenue Elementary! We are proud to be a school community where every child is valued, supported, and encouraged to reach their fullest potential. We believe that strong partnerships between school and home are essential to student success, and we are committed to fostering positive, open communication with our families. By working together, we can create the best possible learning experience for every student.

At Lawrence Avenue Elementary, our work is guided by our district’s three core commitments:

Every Student Belongs – We are committed to building meaningful relationships and creating inclusive, welcoming learning environments where every student feels safe, respected, and connected.

Every Student Grows – We are committed to providing engaging, rigorous instruction that challenges students to think critically, solve problems, collaborate, and develop the competencies outlined in our Portrait of a Graduate, preparing them for success in school and beyond.

Every Educator Improves – We are committed to reflecting, collaborating, innovating, and continuously strengthening our professional practice to provide the highest-quality educational experience for every student.

Thank you for being a valued part of the Lawrence Avenue Elementary community. We look forward to partnering with you to make this a successful and rewarding school year for every child.

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