1st Day of School Reminders
September 9, 2021
First Day of School (K-5)- Friday, September 10th
We did it! We finished putting the puzzle pieces of Washington Elementary back together. We are ready for students to return tomorrow. We are so excited to welcome our students and famlies back. Notice the new school start and end times. Students should not be dropped off at school before 7:35 am. Due to Covid recommendations, we are asking parents not to enter the building and/or walk your child to class. Parents are welcome in to school by appointment or scheduled meeting either requested by parents or school staff. We are hoping for even more normal routines in the future.
Be sure to discuss the mask requirement with your child. We have built in an extra recess again this year to provide a mask break. Additionally, students need to practice habit 1; be proactive. They can do this by asking for a mask break if they need one.
Reminder to use the drop off/pick up locations outlined here starting tomorrow on the first day of school.
DON'T forget to sign up for the snack cart. See the information later in this newsletter or call the office for more details.
Thank you for your continued support! Our staff will love your children and show them grace and flexibility as we navigate the challenges of COVID together.
All the best,
Shane Baier
Principal
COVID Preparedness Plan; Planning for a Return to School, Fall 2021
Current District 77 Health Guidance (Click Here) are from the Minnesota Department of Health Best Practices for COVID-19 Prevention in Schools and the Centers for Disease Control - Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools. As we prepare for a return to school this fall, I have been getting a few questions about online school options. While there are still many logistics to work out, families will have an option through the service coop (SCSC) to join an asynchronous online school experience. At the elementary level this model will require parent oversight for their students. As a district we will provide technology for our students who enroll (device and internet if needed).
We are moving the Walkathon Fundraiser to the Fall
SAVE THE DATE
Procedures for Arrival, Dismissal; What we need from Students and Parents to Create Safe Transitions to and From School
We learned a few things (imagine that!) from the procedures we put in place last year to support students and staff during the pandemic. Some of the practices we put in place are good for students in all situations. Here are some procedures that will help us create a safe and supportive enviroment in the year ahead:
Parent Access to School:
Drop Off/Pick up: To start the year, parents will need to drop off their child at the designated curb side location and not enter the building. We will evaluate and adjust when appropriate.
Classroom Access: Parents will not be permitted to visit classrooms unless you are a regular volunteer in the classroom. Contact the office to inquire about being a classroom volunteer.
Lunch Time: At this point, parents are not permitted to have lunch their child at school? Again, we will re-evaluate and adjust when appropriate.
School Drop Off and Pick up:
Each grade level and classroom will have a designated drop off and pick up loction along the curb on the designated street found by clicking here. Families will multiple students may coordinate for drop off and pick up at the youngest child's location.
School Arrival:
Students in grade K-2 will entered the building through assigned doors and go to classrooms immediately upon arrival beginning at 7:35 am. Breakfast will be available in the classroom for those interested. Students in grades 3-5 will go to the cafeteria for breakfast upon arrival or walk to the playground using the sidewalks around the school. Students on the playground will remain on the playground until the first bell at 7:50 am. Students in grades 3-5 have been assigned to a playground zone for the time outside before school; 3rd grade- Zone 1, 4th grade- Zone 2, 5th grade- Zone 3. Click Here to view Playground Zones.
Staggered Dismissal Schedule:
To ensure a safe transition at the end of the day, students will be be excused by grade level beginning with kindergarten and first grade and working our way up to 4th and 5th grade.
- Kindergarten and 1st Grade release time: 2:28 pm
- 2nd and 3rd Grade release time: 2:29 pm
- 4th and 5th Grade release time: 2:30 pm
Late Arrival:
Students arriving after 8 am, will need to enter through the main office doors and check in at the office prior to going to class.
Thank you,
Shane Baier
Principal
SNACK CART Returning to Washington Elementary
Be sure to get signed up for the Washington Elementary Snack Cart. The cost is $50 per child for the year. You can pay check, cash or online through the parent portal. If you would like to provide a scholarship for another child, please indicate that on the form at conferences. If you need financial assistance or you'd like to make payments over time, please let us know. We are excited about the return of the snack cart option for our students. Click here to pay online or print the documents to bring with you to entrance conferences.
Parent-Teacher Organization; A strong Parntership for Washington Elementary
The summer has flown by and the PTO is gearing up for the 2021-22 school year! Our meetings take place each month from 6:30-7:30 pm in the Media Center. Our first meeting will be Monday September 13th. PTO is a volunteer, non-profit organization that is made of parents, caregivers and teachers who want to see students have the best possible educational experience. We fund many field trips, special events, classroom incentives, and teacher appreciation treats. We encourage you to come to the first meeting and get to know some other parents and staff members.
At our first meeting we plan to review what the Washington PTO does, get to know each other a bit, and talk about plans for the school year. We will also chat about opportunities for parents to get involved, whether it is bringing some fruit for a conference meal, helping with fundraising planning, or stepping up to fill in an executive board spot. Please consider attending or contacting us if you're unable to attend. We will need more participation from parents and caregivers for this student and teacher support to continue.
You can follow us on Facebook for update at www.facebook.com/washingtonptomankato. We will also be sending flyers and posting information soon about our Washington Walkathon and fall picnic on October 7. The Walkathon is the PTO's biggest fundraiser and a fun event for the students during the school day. The evening picnic is a great opportunity to have fun with your family and get to know other Washington Families and will be incorporated with Open House this year. Looking forward to another great year at Washington!
Becca Peterson and Cynthia Ballman - Co-Presidents
TBD - Vice President
Shane Drahota– Treasurer
TBD – Secretary
“Washington PTO is a group of parents, caregivers and school staff dedicated to supporting our kids through learning and enrichment.”
Creating a Healthy Environment
Dear Families,
Mankato Area Public Schools is making an effort to promote healthy behaviors among our children and adolescents by making our cafeterias, school stores, fundraisers and vending machines healthier. We have swapped the high-fat, -sugar, and sodium items out for whole grains, low-fat, reduced sugar and nutrient-dense foods.
In order to provide a consistent message throughout our district we are asking that classrooms celebrate students' birthdays, holidays and other classroom we encourage healthy snacks.
Please also consider alternative options in order to make the child or day feel special. As a parent, you could consider donating a book to the classroom, eat lunch with your child, or give small items such as pencils, gel pens or erasers to the students.
Darcy Stueber, CDM, CFPP, FMP
Director of Food Services
Mankato Area Public Schools
Office: 507-388-7442
507-207-4303
School-Wide Title I Site
Washington Elementary continues to be a school wide Title I building. We are fortunate to have resources and additional staff in place to support all students. The philosophy is to support students with what they need, when they need it. Your partnership is essential to the success of each child. Please seek out ways to support your child’s learning here and at home. We will provide opportunities for engagement and resources to support the journey throughout the year. Classroom volunteers, PTO membership, field trip chaperones, and special events planning are just a few ways you can become involved.
Events Calendar
Sept. 8 Early Entrance Conferences 8:30 am -7 pm
Sept. 9 Early Entrance Conferences 8 am -11:30 am
Sept. 10- Classes Start, K-5
Sept. 29 Fall Pictures During Early Entrance Conferences
Sept. TBD- Wildcat Rally (modified to included only a portion of our student body at a time)
Sept. 30- Bus Evacuation, 9am
Sept. 21- PLC 2 hr. Late Start
Save the Date: Washington Elementary Walkathon and Family Picnic have been moved to the fall. Save the Date: Thursday, October 7th
Oct. 7 Walkathon- 1:30 pm
Oct. 7 Open House /Welcome back family picnic 5:30-7:00 pm
Oct. 11- No School- Professional Development Day
Oct. 11- Leader in Me Coaching DayOct. 21 & 22- No School MEA
Oct. 28- Math Night and Book Fair, 5:30-7 pm
Nov. 5- Vision & Hearing Screening
Nov. 5- General Election- School Board
Nov. 9-PLC 2 hr. Late Start Day
Nov. 12- Teacher Workshop Day (No School)
Nov. 16, 18 & 22- Parent/Teacher Conferences
Nov. 23, 24, 25 & 26 No School, Thanksgiving Break