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Greetings and happy August everyone! It is almost time to begin our new year! This is always such an exciting time and we can’t wait to get started. Principal memos come home by backpack mail on Fridays. Please take a moment to look at the information below. Some of this is repeat information, but I want to make sure everyone has what they need.
8/28: Welcome Back to School and Ice Cream Social 3:50 – 4:50 pm
8/29: First day of school for grades 1-3
Kindergarten orientation
8/30: First day of school for Kindergarten
8/31 – 9/3: NO SCHOOL for Labor Day weekend
9/4: School resumes
9/12: Half-day of school (no lunch served)
Car Riders dismiss at 11:45
Busses leave at 12:05
NO PM DAY CARE
PTO Meeting in the school cafeteria at 6:00pm
9/28: September Birthday Lunches!
Theme: “Fall Fitness” (dress for your favorite sport)
10/5: NO SCHOOL
It is truly a joy to be in the process of planning a new year. Last year, in order to help everyone see the school and the classrooms, we hosted a “Welcome Back to School Afternoon”. It was such a success, that we are going to repeat it this year on Tuesday, August 28 from 3:50 – 4:50 pm. This event is to provide a time for you to see the building and your classroom, even meet your child’s teacher. Since this is a public event, individual conversations about your child are not appropriate, but if you would like to set up a time to meet with your teacher once the year begins, they will be happy to do so.
Our time will begin at 3:50 and go until 4:50. Parking will be tight! Please car pool or walk if you are close enough to do so. The 4th and 5th grade school next door will have their event after us, so please clear the parking lot by 4:50 in order to make room for them. Working together is part of living in a community!
I use a texting system called “Remind” to keep parents notified of events and brief information. The service is free and does not give me your number. In fact, you can use their app instead of it being a text message if you prefer. This is not mandatory, but many do find it useful. To learn more about Remind click here.
Half-Days and the School Calendar
Our school calendar includes many half-days of school this year. Please be advised of the following:
On half-days:
Dismissal begins at 11:45
Busses leave at 12:00 (first half-day maybe 12:05)
There is no pm daycare on half-days, all children need to be picked up or go home on the bus.
Since all staff will be Professional Development on these afternoons, it is critical that someone is at the bus stop for your child or that someone comes at the allotted time for car pick up.
Our daycare program will begin this year much as it has in the past. We have a waiting list each year and we work very hard to get everyone a place, but that is not always possible. Students are given a place in the program on a first come, first serve basis, with preference given to those who ended last school year in the program. If you need to apply for a spot, you may download the form off of the school’s website, or you may come in and ask for a copy.
Please make sure to have your students at school prior to 9:00. Starting the day off on time helps children feel in control and part of the group. This makes it much easier for a child to be emotionally available for learning.
It is critical that student dismissal plans are consistent and predictable. When plans change mid-day, there is an increased chance of miscommunication, and that can lead to a child being put in an unsafe and scary position. It can also cause anxiety, and this can lead to a whole host of social, academic and personal difficulties that make it hard for your child to be happy coming to school each day.
Please make sure that your teacher has your child’s dismissal plan in advance and we stick to it. In addition, please know that early dismissal should only be reserved for those instances of true emergencies and not for convenience or as a regular plan. We use all of our time for instruction and really do need the children here “on time, every day, all day”.
Our procedures for dismissal may seem a little crazy at first, but everything is in place for the safety of the students and for the efficiency of everyone’s time. This is a large school and we all have to work together to keep folks safe. Please review the map and information for our drop off and pick up procedures.
At WVES we do not have school supply lists, but with the daily use of iPads and Kindles, I would ask that you look at purchasing a pair of headphones (over the ear is better than ear buds) for your child’s exclusive use and send them in a Ziploc baggie. This is the easiest way to keep students from sharing things that go on the head.
If a child is ill, please call the school and dial 1 for the attendance voice mail. Leave the child’s name and why they are out. If you would like the nurse to call you, please also leave your name and number.
Due to safety procedures we cannot ask parents to walk their students to class. Thank you for helping keep our building safe.
When you enter the front of the building, please turn left and come to the front office first.
Our school handbook is posted on our website here with other resources. Please make sure and review it.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Enjoy the rest of your summer, and we will see you soon!
West Villages Elementary School
Promotes academic excellence and develops independent problem solvers who will be prepared to be our future leaders. We strive to nurture and celebrate the diversity of our students, staff, and community by providing a positive and peaceful environment of safety, responsibility and respect for all. We are a community of learners, teachers, and volunteers devoted to compassion, empathy, social awareness and an enthusiastic love of learning and the arts.CONNECT 
