Dear Bogota Hawks Students and Families:

Welcome!! I am so excited about starting my twentieth year in education, my ninth year as an administrator in the district and my first year as principal of Steen.   I feel honored and humbled to be part of the Bogota family and look forward to continuing to move our district in the right direction. 

Looking Back

These past few years were definitely unlike no other. We were all challenged in ways we have never been before and I do believe we still have a ways to go with our fight back from Covid. However, I am confident under the guidance of our Superintendent, Board of Education, administrators, and staff, we will come through this together as we continue to live our “NEW NORMAL.”  

RealTime

Please make sure your RealTime information is updated.  All of our communication will come from this platform.  If you have not received a message this summer, please reach out to the main office to check your contact/email information.   RealTime portals allow you to see grades, discipline, letters, contact information, and so much more.  A letter has been sent home with this packet and will be handed out on day one with your username and password.  Please remember to log in to update your information. 

Social Media

As a staff, Bogota is committed to constant contact and teamwork with our parents and students. We regularly use our district and school Twitter k @BogotaPublic, @LillianMSteen1 and Facebook to showcase not only the big events, but the day-to-day activities that happen in our school.  Please follow us for all of the most updated information.  

Moving Forward into Our Future

For our 23-24 school year, the Hawks will be welcoming new staff members, including two new special education teachers (Ms. Ducato and Ms. Semenecz) and several new aides.   

I am very proud of our school and I am looking forward to working closely with the Superintendent, our Board Members, the Parents Teachers Organization (PTO), the community, students, teachers, and staff that have been so supportive and helpful in the past. I know that the school does not work without a strong family and community presence and I am thankful every day for the support. We plan to continue to raise the bar through improved instruction, student leadership, and increased expectations for both ourselves, our staff, and our students. 

Additional Notes of Interest

As you are aware, there is a uniform dress code.  We are counting on your cooperation in this endeavor.  Information related to the authorized uniform provider is available on our district website.

COMMUNICATION: It is vital that our staff has the most updated information pertaining to your student.  Please remember to log into your parent portal to verify ALL contact information (personal and emergency contacts). For your convenience, your parent username and password have been included in this packet. 

Code of Conduct: Our Code of Conduct has been written to ensure that parents and students are aware of the consequences for unacceptable behavior in school. It provides for parent participation in the discipline process. Repeated acts of defiance will be dealt with according to district policy. 

STUDENT RECOGNITION:

Throughout the year we are proud to recognize students’ academic excellence and creative achievements. This is accomplished during awards programs, announcements, Hawk of the Month, and postings.  We are very proud of the hard work and diligence of Bogota’s students and love to show them off.

FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH APPLICATION:

You may now apply for free and reduced lunch via our website.  Please visit www.bogotaboe.com.  Click Our District>Lunch Resources and follow the instructions provided.  Application instructions have also been included for your convenience (in both English and Spanish). Online application results are effective immediately. 

REMINDER: TIME TO UPDATE YOUR PARENT PORTAL BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO!

Stay healthy and safe. We look forward to another successful year.

Sincerely,

Kelly Foley DeCongelio
Steen Elementary School Principal
kdecongelio@bogotaboe.com

(201)342-6446