West Elementary School
October 23, 2020
Drill Practice
An important task to keep students safe is to teach and practice our safety drills. Each year we practice Fire Drill, Shelter in Place (Tornado) and Lock Down Drills. We practice them a few times so that the students feel comfortable and understand what they need to do in case of a real event. We do have the Fire Department present at one of our Fire Drills and a Police Officer present at one of our Lock Down Drills. They watch our procedures to ensure we are following the best safety guidelines and always give feedback.
Due to our COVID safety protocol, our drill practice looks different. The teachers are walking through the Fire Drill by just explaining what they do and walking the students to the outside area where they would go. We are staggering our classrooms to practice this so we do not have a crowded hallway. Our Shelter In Place drill is being practiced by walking to the area they will go for shelter, but the children are not getting on the floor in safety position. Finally, our Lockdown drill being explained by the teacher in terms of where in the classroom they will go and how she/he secures the classroom to be safe.
At this time, the dates for the Fire and Police Department are not finalized. We will share with the families and students when those dates are set. We will also remind them that it is a practice drill. During the drills, the students often see these Front Line workers in the building and they praise the students and teachers for doing a good job.
During the week of October 26th, we will have the alarms for all three drills sound off in order for the students to know what they sound like. We will let them know when they will be heard and reminded it is a drill.
It is a good idea to talk to your children about these drills at home. You can ask them how they practiced and where they go for the drills. Another good way to talk about this at home is to talk about where your family goes if there is a need to shelter in place or leave the house due to a fire. The more you help them feel at ease, the better. Let them know that we do them to make sure they are prepared and safe.
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Klinsky at BAKlinsky@d47.org.
Color Portraits Picture Day
We are excited to announce that Color Portraits will be at West on Thursday, October 29th to take student photos for the 2020-21 school year! Please see below for important information.
In-Person Students:
- Photos will be taken during the school day between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. Students will stay with their class and will practice social distancing while waiting in line and will be required to wear a mask until the moment they have their photo taken.
Remote Students
- Students will report to the school between 4 and 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 29th to have their photo taken.
- Kindergarten, First, and Second grade students please come between 4:00-5:00
- Third, Fourth, and Fifth grade students, please come between 5:00-6:00.
- If you have children in both age groups, please choose the 4:00-5:00 time slot.
- Pictures will take place in the cafeteria. Parents will not be allowed in the building -- they will need to remain in their car or outside. Drop off your child by Door 8 and a staff member will be there to let your child in. After your child gets their picture taken, they will exit door 11 and walk back to the parking lot to your car. A staff member will supervise this transition.
- There will be 3 photographers, so the process should go pretty quickly. We will only allow enough students in the cafeteria to ensure social distancing. If we are at capacity, then we will kindly ask your child to remain outside until a spot opens up.
- Children entering the building must wear a mask. They can take off their mask when it is their turn to take their picture, but then will need to put it back on as soon as they are done.
Please click here to order a picture package on or before picture day. Our school event code is 10023301.
HALLOWEEN COSTUME DAY
We thought it would be fun for our West students to wear their Halloween costumes on Friday, October 30th. Students who wish to dress in costumes for the day must ensure that these costumes may easily be removed so that students may use the restroom if necessary. Furthermore, the costumes must be comfortable enough to sit at their desk for the school day. Students may not wear scary costumes or scary masks. We will also not allow any costumes with guns, blood, swords, knives, or other weapons. In addition, no “web shooting’ devices should be brought as part of a costume. PLEASE NOTE: Students still need to wear their mask. A Halloween costume that covers the mouth will not take the place of their mask that they wear each day to school.
Also, please do not send any treat bags (candy or non-candy) with in-person students, as they will not be allowed to be handed out and will be sent back home with your child.
Thank you for your help in making this a fun day for our students. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mrs. Klinsky.
Yearbook Photos Needed
The yearbook staff needs your help this year! We invite all families to submit photos to be considered for the yearbook. If you’ve got great photos of your West students learning or participating in special school events at home (Halloween, spirit days, etc.), we’d love to see them! Help us get as many photos as possible to create a terrific book everyone will want to have.
There are a few ways you can share your photos:
1) Use the Jostens ReplayIt link that will upload the photos directly to the yearbook site for the staff to view: https://images.jostens.com/415466064
• Browse to select the photo(s) you wish to upload, click on “Select My Images.”
• Enter information about the photo and provide contact information in case the staff needs additional information.
• Click “Upload Chosen Images.” It’s that easy! Submit your photos today. This link will be active until February 21, 2021.
2) If you have photos stored on a Google Drive, you can use this form. (You will be required to sign in to your Google Drive in order to complete this form.)
https://forms.gle/dUH3UYMm8BcmWgzz8
Simply complete the two responses on the form and then upload up to 5 photos per form. You may submit more than one form until February 21, 2021.
3) Email photos to Mrs. Winsor at kwinsor@d47.org. Simply attach photos to an email and send them directly to Mrs. Winsor. Please include your child’s first and last name and grade in the message to help with organizing the photos. You may submit photos until February 21, 2021.
The yearbook staff will review all photos and determine final yearbook content. We cannot guarantee that all submissions will be used. Thank you for your help!
FAMILY ASSISTANCE
The Salvation Army of McHenry County
290 W. Crystal Lake Ave., Crystal Lake, IL 60014
ph. 815-455-2769
centralusa.salvationarmy.org/mchenry
Families in Need of Assistance: Please call the Salvation Army Corps Community Center located at 290 W. Crystal Lake Avenue, Crystal Lake 815.455.2769
Eligibility is based on annual household income that is no more than 200% the poverty guideline $48,500 for a family of four) and verified residency in McHenry County.
To qualify for assistance, you must bring the following:
1 form of verification of residency in McHenry County (e.g., driver’s license, utility bill or lease contract)
Proof of monthly income (pay stub, social security or child support statements)
Birth certificates only for all dependent children ages infant - 16 years old.
Applications being accepted in Crystal Lake:
Monday, 11/9 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Tuesday, 11/10 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m./5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Wednesday, 11/11 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Thursday, 11/12 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m./5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday, 11/13 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Saturday, 11/14 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Tuesday, 12/1 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Wednesday, 12/2 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Click here to visit the Salvation Army of McHenry County website.
Salvation Army Angel Tree
We realize that so many of our West families have helped to support this program in the past, so we wanted to let you know it is still an option this year even without the Angel Tree in the foyer. You would just need to drop off any purchased items directly to the Salvation Army (located at 290 W. Crystal Lake Ave.) where they will then distribute your gift to families in need in our community.
Thank you for your continued support. If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Moreschi at 815.788.5558.
West Family Assistance
Throughout the school year, our school social worker is often asked by various community agencies to submit names of families who would appreciate some assistance, usually with clothing and food items. Names of families are submitted to these agencies only after consent has been given.
Does your family need assistance? If you would like your family to be considered for assistance, please complete the Family Assistance Consent form below.
If you have any questions regarding our family assistance program, or if you need are in need of winter items for your child, (coat, snow boots, hat, gloves, etc.) please reach out to Ms. Beata Moreschi, West School Social Worker at 815-788-5558 or BMMoreschi@d47.org. Thank you.
Scholastic Book Fair
It's Scholastic (Virtual) Book Fair Time! From 11/16/20 - 11/29/20, discover new books with your kids. Bonus: Every purchase supports the school! For more information, please visit: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/west47
West Elementary School
Email: jschoepel@d47.org
Website: www.d47.org/wes
Location: 100 Briarwood Road, Crystal Lake, IL, USA
Phone: 815-788-5550
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/D47west
Twitter: @d47west