RISE Community Day School

Dear Parent/Guardian

Welcome to RISE! My name is Hillard Smith and I am honored to serve as your Principal for the 2025-2026 school year. I look forward to meeting and getting to know the families and students we serve. This year we will focus on academic improvement by building a positive, supportive environment where students feel welcomed, connected, inspired and empowered to learn and become the best version of themselves. We look forward to meeting all of you and learning how we can best serve our families and meet the needs of your child. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the office or schedule an appointment to meet in person so that we can address your concerns. Below is information that will help you and your child better understand the attendance, academic and behavioral expectations at RISE.

Class assignments will be given out the week prior to the first day of school. Students enrolled after the start of school will have their class assignments the day before they start.

All students enrolled in Lancaster School District will receive a healthy breakfast and lunch each school day, with no cost to your household. Unless your child has dietary restrictions that have not been communicated to the district, no further action is required of you.

Please remember that at RISE, we follow the Board approved District Dress Code Policy.

Most school notifications are sent by email, phone, text messaging, school website and Parent Square. So that you don’t miss important notifications, please call the office or come in to update your information if it changes.

An important part of the program at RISE is learning how to comply with the basic behavioral and academic expectations that will be explained at our intake meetings and in each classroom. To maximize learning and minimize distractions, cell phones are not allowed to be used while on campus. If cell phones are brought to campus you must register with TRUCE Family and add the app to your child’s phone. Students may bring healthy snacks to eat during their break but they must be bagged and turned in upon arrival and will be distributed during break periods. Insulated or other type water bottles are permitted, but must be turned in on arrival and will be made available during breaks. Water is generally provided as needed.. Eating in the classroom is prohibited, unless approved by the classroom teacher and/or administration. To avoid students being distracted, please leave toys and electronic gaming devices at home. We want our students to have just what they need for class and keep learning at the forefront of their minds.

Making sure your student is at school, on time, every day is very important to their educational success. If your child misses a day of school, please make it a point to communicate with the office so we can clear your child’s absence. “We Strive for Less Than 5” absences per year.

We expect this school year to be full of engaging opportunities that promote academic achievement and personal development in our students and we look forward to building positive relationships with families and community members. We invite you to become a contributing member to our “Village”.

Sincerely,

Hillard Smith

Principal