Wrightstown Ravens' News
August 23, 2021
This is an exciting week as we officially welcome teachers back to school and host our annual orientations and meet and greet events. The building is in the final preparation stages. That said, there may be some areas of the school that is still being readied. In addition, you may see other areas of the school that are completely set up, but there could be modifications to our set up if there are any changes to the district's Health and Safety plan prior to our first day of school. You will see that a portion of the gym has been set up to accommodate music classes. Our Music room needed to be used for an additional section of first grade this year. The art room will also hold a few music classes as well.
The Council Rock Board of School Directors will hold a Special Board Meeting on Thursday, August 26, 2021 at 7:00 pm to discuss how the latest guidance from Bucks County Health Department may impact our Health and Safety Plan. Any changes will be communicated to families after the meeting.
Kindly take a moment to review the information below. There are some items that were communicated previously, and other information is new. Thank you.
I am looking forward to seeing everyone soon!
Beth
IMPORTANT DATES
Thursday, August 26th - Open House Activities: AM Kindergarten Orientation - 9:00 AM, PM Kindergarten Orientation - 10:30 AM, New Family Open House - 2:15 PM, First through Sixth Meet and Greet - 2:30-3:30 PM
Staffing Update: Nurse
I recently shared that we will have two new school nurses this coming school year. This change is a result of Mrs. Stephanie Mallee's reassignment to CRHS North and Mrs. Dianne Mullin's retirement in October. As such, Mrs. Michele Adames and Mrs. Shauna Berman will be assigned to Wrightstown this coming year.
Hello from the Nurse & Medication Drop Off
Dear Parents/Guardians
I’m so excited to join the WES family along with Mrs. Shauna Berman.
If you child will require medications or additional medical supplies during the school day this year, Mrs. Berman will be available Wednesday, 8/25 (1:00 pm -3:00 pm) and both Mrs. Adames and Mrs. Berman will be available Thursday, 8/26 (8:30am-1:00 pm). If you are unable to deliver your child’s medication during these times, please contact the school nurse to make an appointment at madames@crsd.org; sberman@crsd.org or call 215-944-2309.
Please note that medications cannot be accepted without a medical order or action plan signed by both your child’s health care provider and parent/guardian. All medications must be in a pharmacy labeled container in accordance with our medication policy. Extra copies of all forms may be found on our district website under Department/Special Services/Health Services-Medications/Medical Procedures in School:
· https://www.crsd.org/site/default.aspx?PageID-237
If you have any medical concerns regarding your child, please do not hesitate to contact the health office.
Have a great last few days of summer break!
Michele Adames, CSN, RN
Certified School Nurse
WES/CRS
Shauna Berman, RN
Staff Nurse
WES/GES
Meet Mrs. Aiello - School Counselor
Dear WES Community,
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself! My name is Barb Aiello and I am the new Elementary School Counselor at Wrightstown Elementary. I am so excited to be part of the WES team; already it is so apparent how close-knit and welcoming this community is, I feel very lucky to be part of it!
My passion for school counseling began during my time as a student at The Pennsylvania State University where I received my Bachelors of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies and then at Holy Family University where I earned my Masters of Science in Counseling Psychology. I have over 7 years of school counseling experience at the elementary level. What I love most about the elementary level is the genuine curiosity students have in their learning and the world around them, as well as the opportunity for early intervention support that can have a lifetime positive impact on a child.
As a School Counselor, my primary responsibility is to promote the academic, career, and social/emotional development of all students. I look forward to offering support to the WES students, staff, families, and community. I will be meeting with students individually and in small groups, conducting classroom counseling lessons, meeting with parents, and collaborating with teachers and staff to benefit and meet the needs of all WES students.
You may have noticed above that I put in bold and underlined the word, “all” students. Sometimes when the term “counselor” is heard, some may perceive that a counselor may only work with a select few students in a 1:1 counseling capacity, but that is not the case! School Counseling programs reach and meet the needs of all students in a school through many various ways, including those listed above. I am here to advocate for all students. If you ever have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to call (215.944.2300) or email me (barbara.aiello@crsd.org) at any time.
I am so excited to work with your students and get to know you throughout the school year!
All the best,
Barbara Aiello
School Counselor
Wrightstown Elementary School
School Meet & Greet: UPDATE
Thursday, August 26, 2021
2:30 - 3:30 PM at WES
Students in grades 1-6 will have an opportunity to meet their teacher and see their new classroom. Note: This is only open to students in grades 1-6. Kindergarten students will be attending a separate orientation earlier in the morning. Specific entrances to the building will be open - see the map below. In an effort to lessen the number of people in the classrooms at one time, please do not linger while visiting. Parking may pose challenges. The open grass fields that surround the exit area is available if needed.
Also, the staff and I ask that families visit only with their current teacher. The teachers want to make themselves available as much as possible to speak with new students and their families. I’m sure that the teachers would love to catch up with former students, but this is a time for meeting with current teachers only. Thanks for your help!
HELLO FROM THE WES PTO
The WES Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) would like to wish a warm welcome to all of our new families and to welcome back all of our returning families to a new year at Wrightstown Elementary School! We are looking forward to making this a fun and exciting year for our students, staff, and families!
What does the WES PTO do? The PTO sponsors lots of fun events to promote a sense of community at WES and within the Council Rock School District. The PTO also provides financial and volunteer support to teachers and staff to enhance the educational experience of WES students.
How can you help? Parents can help by attending monthly PTO meetings, signing up to help at PTO-sponsored events, volunteering to be a Home Room Parent, and/or making a monetary donation to the PTO to help us do all of the great things that we do for the WES community.
We will be in touch soon with more information about each of these opportunities. Please stay tuned, and feel free to reach out to us at any time with questions, ideas, or offers to help!
Best wishes for a great school year!
The WES PTO
Julie Shilane, President
Heather Heckathorn, Vice President
Lyndsey Halderman, Secretary
Danielle Smith, Treasurer
IMPORTANT: CRSD MOBILE DEVICE USER AGREEMENT
As you are aware, CRSD is now a one-to-one device district. For the upcoming school year, elementary students will once again be issued a district Chromebook. Devices will be distributed to students at the start of the school year. Please review and complete the electronic CRSD Mobile Device User Agreement. Both the student and a parent must sign the form. Failure to submit the form shall result in usage restrictions, loss of access privileges, disciplinary action, and/or legal proceedings.
STUDENT TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION
Below is important information for families regarding their child's login information:
Student login information:
- Student email: IDnumber@student.crsd.org
- ID numbers are located on HAC
Student password:
- All elementary student passwords are currently the same as they were at the end of the school year. Please note that if a student attended ESY or Summer Academy, the password may have been changed.
Here is a video on how to login with your CRSD account and join Google Classroom.
From the Council Rock Transportation Department
The FirstView Bus Tracking App will be available for the first day of school, student IDs and "security codes" will be available in HAC at the same time as bus information. Bus information is now live in HAC. You can find information for the Tracking App at the bottom of the page at the following LINK.
Similar to last year, there will be a black out period for changes at the beginning of the school year.
- Blackout period will be 8/16/21 to 9/13/21. No change requests will be processed or implemented during that time frame.
- During that time, the completed routing is transmitted to First Student who will complete dry runs and allow our drivers time to learn and acclimate to the routes without having to adapt to changes.
- Only urgent safety concerns will be evaluated during that two week period when our drivers perfect the routes.
- Students should arrive 10 minutes prior to the time indicated in HAC until a routine is established. The pick-up time may differ slightly from the time noted on HAC as stops or the order of bus stops may need to be changed.
We ask parents to be patient during the first two weeks of the new school year. Our drivers need that time to settle into their runs and adjust to the needs of their passengers. We are especially mindful of the kindergarten and first-grade students during this time. Additionally, individual schools extend the time for loading each bus to ensure that all students are placed on the correct bus. While afternoon drop off times are provided, these are the optimal (earliest) estimations. For more information please visit the CR Transportation Webpage under the Transportation heading.
Student Transportation Slip for Car Riders
If you are planning to pick your child(ren) up from school, please complete the attached form and return it to Mrs. Winslow at gwinslow@crsd.org by August 27th. This will help us best prepare for the first day of school.
CAR RIDER PROCEDURES FOR ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL
During the first week of school every car rider family will receive two (2) placards. Students will be given these placards to take home. Please note, these placards will be distributed per family, not students.
- Two (2) placards will be provided per car rider family.
- Placards must be displayed in the car windshield in full view for staff to see when picking up students.
- Remember to remain in your car during this process. Staff members assigned to this area will assist your child to your vehicle.
- If you don’t have a placard displayed and the staff doesn’t recognize you, you will be asked to park and visit the main office in the front of the building to provide identification to sign your child out.
Arrival procedures for car riders:
-Student drop-off begins at 8:50 AM. Supervision is not available before 8:50 AM.
-Once on-site follow the signs for car rider drop off located on the gym side of the school.
-Parents pull their car up to the gym side of the school where you will remain in your car.
-Children exit the car from the passenger side only and enter the school through the gym doors.
-Students should report directly to their homerooms. We will have staff available to assist students as needed.
Dismissal procedures for car riders:
-Display your school-issued placard in your car windshield so that it is visible.
-Upon entering the school site you will turn left (there is a sign on the right of the driveway indicating this) and drive through the front parking lot.
-Once you come to a stop sign you will cross over the bus lane into another parking lot and turn right.
-You will proceed down toward the gym entrance and pull your car up as far as you can go. Cones will be stationed in this area.
-Please remain in your car.
-A staff member will write down your child’s name and radio the office to call for your child/ren to be dismissed from their classroom to the gym doors.
-Depending on the time that it takes your child to exit the building, you may be asked to move your car out of the line and park in a parking space. Staff will direct you.
-You are asked to remain in the car line to pick up your child/ren.
A directional map is provided below for your reference.
REMINDER! Birthday Celebrations
Beginning last school year (2020-2021) we implemented the following practice:
We will celebrate birthdays in school ONLY in ways that do not include food while in school. We have chosen to move in this direction due to the safety of all of our students. With 1 in 18 of our children having at least one food allergy, anyone serving food to children needs to be aware of food allergies and the potential for a life-threatening allergic reaction. The safety and welfare of all students is our top priority and accommodations for students’ medical and food allergy needs must be considered.
We can still mark these special occasions with non-food items such as stickers, pencils, themed erasers, or other small trinkets rather than food. Such items can be sent in with the student or will be accepted in the Main Office.
Please note that any food birthday treats sent in with students, for distribution, in grades K-6 will be sent back home. We need to ensure that we are consistent with this policy and therefore exceptions will not be considered. We thank you, in advance, for your compliance and understanding of this needed change.
REMINDERS!
Kindergarten Student Orientations & Back to School Presentation
Thursday, August 26, 2021
9:00 AM for AM Kindergarteners
10:30 AM for PM Kindergarteners
All incoming Kindergarteners will have an opportunity to complete an activity in their classroom. They will meet their Kindergarten teacher and other members of the staff. While your children engage with staff in various activities, the Kindergarten teacher will meet with parents in their classrooms to share “Back to School” information. This will include information related to the Kindergarten schedule and academic programs. The orientation will provide students with an opportunity to learn about bus safety and students will take an actual bus ride to the Grange Fair and back.
This Back to School parent session will replace the one typically held on the school-wide Back to School Night in September, and this is a practice at other elementary schools in the district. Here is the rationale: It's necessary to provide a lot of information to parents of kindergarten students before the first day of school. In the past, parents have expressed that information during the kindergarten Back to School Night presentation was redundant and already communicated during the orientation. Further, these parents missed out on the opportunity to attend a presentation from another grade level.
However, if a family is away or a parent is working on the day of the orientation, it won't be a problem at all. Parents simply have to contact Mrs. Stahl, and she'll work out a time to meet with the parents(s) to share information.
New Student/Family Orientation
Thursday, August 26, 2021
at 2:15 PM in the Cafeteria
All parents and students who will be new to the Wrightstown community in the 2021-22 school year, are invited to the building to receive general information about the school. You will also have an opportunity to meet select staff and members of the PTO. Immediately following, you are welcome to tour the building and visit your child's teacher.
2021 Back to School Night
Grades 4, 5, & 6 - Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at 7:00 PM
Grades 1, 2, & 3 - Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at 7:00 PM
* Kindergarten Back to School information will be shared with parents on Thursday morning, August 26th.
Grade Level Supply Lists
Wrightstown Elementary School
Principal
Email: bfox@crsd.org
Website: https://www.crsd.org/wrightstownes
Location: 729 Penns Park Road Wrightstown PA 18940
Phone: (215) 944-2300
Twitter: @BethFox_WES