PAW PRINT PRESS

Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! The staff at Wesley Chapel is looking forward to a great school year! This newsletter contains some important back to school information along with the exciting upcoming events for September.

Please reach out to the school if you have questions or need anything to make your child's school year successful.

School hours: 9:50 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Mr. Mykita -Principal

Mrs. Wallen - Assistant Principal

Ms. Ray - Achieve Principal

Gates open at 9:20 a.m. each morning. Please do not drop off students before 9:20 as there is no adult supervision. In the morning, parents may enter in both entrances to drop students off in the car line.

For dismissal, parents that pick up at the Parent Walk-Up Gate (church side), please make sure you have your car rider tag. Also, please do not park on the grass or block the entrance. The church has graciously allowed us to use the parking lot but can revoke the privilege at any time.

Parents are essential partners in making sure students get to school on time each day. Families should start building good attendance habits in preschool, so children learn that going to school every day is important. When students are at school every day, they are developing the academic and social skills they need to thrive.

Having great attendance throughout a student’s school career increases academic achievement due to more instructional time in the classroom. Research shows that students with less absences read at an earlier age. They are also more likely to graduate and have a higher likelihood of earning a college degree.

With September being Attendance Awareness Month, Kurt Browning, Pasco County Superintendent of Schools, wants to talk to students about the importance of having good attendance. Please watch the Superintendent’s video with your child to learn how making attendance a priority today will help them later in college, career, and life.

Resources:

• Pasco County Schools Calendar
• 12 Tips for Success
• Talk to your School Counselor

All Wildcats will take state assessments in Reading and Math. Third through fifth grade students will also take a Science assessment. Below is the most updated testing schedule. Please note that students who receive testing accommodations stated on his/her IEP or 504 may test on different days. The schedule is subject to changes in order to meet the needs of the school.

Wildcat students can receive a free flu shot on October 5, 2023. Consent forms have been sent home last week. If you would like your child to receive the flu shot at WCES, please complete the consent form and return to the school as soon as possible. If you have any questions regarding the flu shot, please contact Sarah Chiarell at schiarel@pasco.k12.fl.us.

Readers are Leaders! Help Wesley Chapel be on the district leaderboard!

Be on the lookout for more information on student incentives for reading and logging minutes using Beanstack!

Birthdays are special and we love celebrating with students. Please review the district policy stated below. If you would like to provide a birthday treat for your child's classroom, you must order the treat through the school cafeteria. The order form link is provided below. You are welcome to provide a non-food treat to your child's class if you prefer to do so. Please make arrangements with your child's teacher if you plan on purchasing treats.

Foods for school celebrations often include unhealthy choices such as cupcakes, candy, cookies and soda. While there is nothing wrong with an occasional treat, unhealthy foods are often the norm rather than the exception. Parties, food rewards, food fundraisers, and school stores often include foods that are low in nutrients and high in fat, added sugars and sodium. Birthday parties and/or classroom celebration food items must meet USDA Smart Snack Standards and be prepared in a commercial kitchen. Our School Board’s Wellness Policy and Procedure 8510 was recently updated to comply with USDA Local School Wellness Policy requirements. Celebration foods are available to parents to purchase for their child’s class through their school cafeteria.

September 5th - School Advisory Council Meeting @ 8:45 a.m.

September 6th - Early Release Day - Students release at 2:00 p.m.

September 6th - Smoothie King Spirit Night

September 7th - PTO Meeting @ 6:00 p.m.

September 11th - September 30th - Cookie Dough Fundraiser

September 13th - Twisty Treat Spirit Night

September 15th - Hat Day

September 15th - All Pro Dad @ 8:45 a.m.

September 15th - Progress Reports Available on Parent Portal

September 17th - Advent Ice Rink Spirit Day

September 20th - Fall Picture Day

September 22nd - First Grade PJ Day