Whisker's Den
The Family Newsletter for the WAS Wildcats Vol 2-3 11/06/23
Parent Info
Parents,
Conferences are in full swing! Parent-teacher conferences are important for several reasons, as they play a crucial role in a child's education and development.
Here are some key reasons why these conferences are valued:
Communication: Parent-teacher conferences facilitate open and effective communication between parents and teachers. This two-way dialogue allows parents to understand their child's progress, strengths, and areas where improvement is needed.
Student Support: These conferences help identify any learning difficulties or behavioral issues early on, enabling parents and teachers to work together to provide the necessary support and interventions to help the student succeed.
Goal Setting: Parents and teachers can collaboratively set educational goals for the child. These goals can be specific and tailored to the child's needs, helping to create a roadmap for academic and personal development.
Understanding Expectations: Parent-teacher conferences help parents understand the curriculum, teaching methods, and classroom expectations, which can lead to more effective home support for their child's education.
Building Relationships: These meetings help foster a positive relationship between parents and teachers. Establishing rapport and trust between these two key stakeholders can create a supportive and nurturing environment for the child.
Involvement: Parents who participate in these conferences often feel more involved in their child's education. When parents are engaged and informed, they are more likely to participate in their child's learning journey and support their academic growth.
Feedback: Parents receive valuable feedback on their child's strengths and weaknesses, which can guide their efforts to provide the necessary guidance and resources at home.
Problem-Solving: If there are challenges or concerns, parent-teacher conferences provide a forum for problem-solving. Parents and teachers can work together to find solutions and strategies to address any issues that may be hindering a student's progress.
Motivation: These meetings can motivate students when they know that their parents and teachers are invested in their education. The recognition and encouragement received during conferences can boost a student's self-esteem and motivation.
Accountability: Parent-teacher conferences hold both parents and teachers accountable for their roles in a child's education. They serve as a reminder of the shared responsibility for a child's academic success.
In summary, parent-teacher conferences are essential for fostering a strong partnership between parents and educators, which is vital for a child's educational success and personal development. They provide an opportunity for open dialogue, support, and collaboration to help students reach their full potential.
To Do:
In the library, students explored the book, Courage. Families can use this home discussion tool to further the conversations around literature at home.
Parents can still access the Infinite Campus parent portal access key for first-time users. Infinite Campus is our student database system. Parents need to log in and use the one time access code on the letter to get started. As a parent, you can see your child's:
- attendance
- report cards
- newsletters
- transportation information
Complete the online meal application. This is an essential form, even if you do not think your family will qualify.
Read our November Family Title 1 Newsletter. It contains valuable tips and tools for all families. William Allen is a school-wide Title 1 school and receives strong federal dollars to help students and families. You can read about our Title 1 plan in our family handbook.
Add to your family calendar:
- We have an Early Release on Wednesday, November 8th, 12:15 dismissal.
- We have no school on Friday, November 10th in observance of Veteran's Day
- Family Math Night will be on Wednesday, November 15th from 5:00-6:00.
Know your family handbook
In this third installment of "know your family handbook" we want to highlight bus expectations.
Bus Regulations
1. No student shall be put off the school bus while traveling to and from
school. Parents shall be notified and the daily trip completed before the
student can be removed from the transportation services.
2. Students may ride only on the bus to which they have been assigned.
(Exceptions will be made only with a note from a Principal.)
3. Only authorized riders will be permitted on the buses.
4. Video cameras are used on school buses, in accordance with School Board
Policy EEACB-A, Use of Surveillance Cameras.
5. Students must be at their bus stop before the bus arrives. The driver will
not wait at the bus stop for students who are not at the bus stop.
6. Students must always cross the street in front of the bus at a distance
sufficient to allow the driver to see them. After getting off the bus, students
(if they must cross the roadway), shall go to the front of the bus and wait
until the bus driver directs them to cross the roadway.
7. Students walking on the roadway to a bus stop should always walk on the
left of the roadway on the shoulder of the road facing traffic and shall not
run alongside the bus when it is moving. When crossing the roadway to
board a bus, students shall walk, not run.
8. Where a bus travels both ways on any given road, pick-ups will be made
on both sides of the road. If the bus travels only one way on a road,
students will wait on their own side of the road until the bus comes to a
complete stop. At that time, the students will cross in front of the bus while
the red flashing lights are blinking.
9. Once a student has boarded the bus, he/she may not get off except at
his/her destination. Exceptions will be made only with a note from a parent
or Principal.
10. The driver is authorized to assign seats to any student at any time.
11. The law allows, and students are expected to sit, three passengers per
seat.
12. Students must promptly take their seats and stay in their seats until all
students have reached their designated stops, and the bus has come to a
complete stop. Students are not permitted to change seats when the bus is
in motion.
13. Anything that would create a safety hazard for the passengers, or the
vehicle, will not be permitted.
14. Students are not permitted to smoke on any school bus at any time. This
includes all charter trips.
15. Students are not permitted to use any profane language or obscene
gestures. Excessive noise, fighting, wrestling, or acts of physical aggression
will not be tolerated.
16. Students must keep their head, hands, feet, etc. inside the school bus at
all times.
17. Students are not permitted to eat food or drink beverages on the bus.
18. Students are not permitted to mark up or deface the bus in any way.
19. Students and their parents will be held responsible for any and all
damage to the bus.
20. Students shall not shout or wave to pedestrians or occupants of other
vehicles, nor throw objects out or within the bus.
21. Students shall keep the aisles clear which includes not placing lunch
boxes or other objects in the aisle of the bus.
22. There shall be no throwing of snowballs or other objects at school buses
at any time.
Failure to abide by these rules will mean a referral notice will be issued by
the school bus driver to the school bus company, school administration, and
the Assistant Superintendent of Schools.
New Staff Highlight
Hi Wildcat families, my name is Jordan Britton, and I am excited to introduce the Olweus bullying prevention program to our students at WAS!
The program's core values aim to reduce bullying and build better peer relationships at school. To do so, I will be holding class meetings to review goals, role play scenarios, and to teach students' how they can better help each other and themselves.
This program has been found to reduce bullying among students and improve the social climate of classrooms. With this in mind, I am so excited to see the impact here at WAS! Thank you for all you do to support (and to help us support) a positive school atmosphere.
You can learn more about the program at https://olweus.sites.clemson.edu/
Please reach out with any questions at britton.j@sau54.org
Jordan Britton, William Allen School Social Worker
Family Math Night
All families who RSVP ahead of time can take home a large cheese pizza to take home for a nice family dinner while you discuss "fractions":)
Wednesday, Nov 15, 2023, 05:00 PM
William Allen School, Granite Street, Rochester, NH, USA
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Nurse Notes
Just a few friendly reminders from Nurse Faith!
* Car safety regulations in New Hampshire.
New Hampshire law requires that any child under the age of eighteen riding as a passenger in a motor vehicle be secured by either a seat belt or a child safety seat and that any child under the age of seven be secured by an approved child restraint (RSA 265:107-a). It is the drivers responsibility to ensure that children are properly restrained while a car is in motion. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to the Rochester Police Department.
We have noticed an increase in students coming to school without water bottles. Maintaining hydration during the day has a large impact on children's ability to learn, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. If you are unable to provide your student with a water bottle, please reach out to Nurse Faith for assistance with this!
Please send any medical appt notes to the nurse to ensure absences are excused !
Thank you!
William Allen School
Email: gray.d@sau54.org
Website: https://www.rochesterschools.com/o/was
Location: 23 Granite Street, Rochester, NH 03867, USA
Phone: 603-332-2280
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WilliamAllenSchool/
Twitter: @WAllenSchool