Westwood Weekly Family Newsletter
Sunday, September 6,, 2020
Back to the Building Letter
Dear Westwood Families,
As we get ready to transition to in-school learning on September 8th, I want to take this opportunity to explain a few processes and procedures, especially in the midst of Covid 19 protocols and safeguards. Please know that all decisions were made by an administrative team to make sure that all factors were considered when finalizing plans.
I am eager to be able to welcome back students who are attending in person; I look forward to getting to know both our students and families. I also look forward to being able connect virtually with our students who will continue to learn from home.
Please take note of the following pieces of information that will be helpful as back to the building gets underway:
· The transportation department will be contacting families with bus assignments. Kindergartners are encouraged to ride the bus even on the first day.
· Due to Covid 19 restrictions and safeguards, family members are not permitted to walk their students to class.
· Any and all visitors must prearrange their visit with the office; parents and family members may not visit the school or wait for students inside the building.
· Please make sure your child has their bus or car tag on their backpack. If you need a visor tag for pick-up, please notify the office.
· The elementary school day is 9:00 a.m. to 3:40 p.m. Doors will open for students at 8:35 a.m. Students who arrive after 9:00 a.m. will be considered tardy and must be signed in by a parent. The sign in clipboard will be on the table between the double doors. Parents will buzz the office after signing in their students and someone will admit the student into the building. The parent will not be permitted to enter.
· Dismissal will begin at 3:40 p.m. for car riders and bus riders. Please be aware that for the first two weeks of school, students’ arrival home may fluctuate several minutes from the given time as drivers learn new students’ names and residences. Please remember that students must wear a mask to board the bus and enter the building.
· Any students who need an early dismissal must be picked up prior to 3:00 pm. This need must be communicated in writing or transportation form by 9:00 a.m. Parents will buzz the main doors and sign the student out at the table between the two doors. The student will be released to the parent from the inside door.
· After 3:00 p.m. all students who are car riders will be dismissed from the pick-up area. Until we get to know families’s faces, we will be asking for a picture ID of anyone picking up a student. Please make sure we have all names on file.
· The school calendar and student handbook are available on the Westwood website. It is important that families take the time to review the handbook and discuss the rules and expectations for both school and the school bus. There is a statement about expectations for following all Covid 19 policies, practices and procedures.
· This year, because of health concerns, students will not be permitted to bring any food birthday treats to share.
· There will be communication regarding classroom parties and activities as school gets underway.
I realize there are many changes to remember; I greatly appreciate everyone’s cooperation, understanding, and patience as we prepare to come back to school in a new manner. As always, if you have any questions, concerns, or needs, please reach out to me via email or phone.
With much excitement for September 8th,
Deborah Nanney
Important Reminder about Bus Arrivals Times at End of Day
1) It will take us longer to load buses at dismissal the first few weeks. With 18 buses, we have to extra time and care with our youngest students to make sure they get on the correct bus.
2) Until drivers learn student names, faces, and routes, it takes a bit longer to drop off students. Our youngest students often do not realize that a particular stop is their stop.
We appreciate everyone's patience as everyone grows accustomed to dismissal processes and routines.
Westwood Car-Rider Arrival & Dismissal Procedures
· Morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up will be similar processes.
· All vehicles must use the parking lot entrance on the north side of Caves Road.
· All vehicles need to immediately turn left toward the south side of the parking lot, parallel to Caves Road. Please note that the front part of the parking lot closest to the building is reserved for buses.
· Please be mindful to keep the entrance clear for buses. Three lines of vehicles need to be formed when the lot is busy (see attached map)
· Vehicles will merge into one line of traffic when proceeding around the southwest side of the building.
· Please refer to the map for the “stop sign” as a reference to where the first vehicle in line stops.
· For the safety of students, all children must exit or enter the PASSENGER side of the vehicle only.
· For the safety of students, vehicles need to stay in line and exit in order. DO NOT pull around other vehicles still loading or unloading.
· During arrival, vehicles may proceed all the way around the building to the drop-off lane. Overflow traffic will wait in the three lines to continue around the building.
· DURING DISMISSAL ONLY, all vehicles must remain in the 3 lines until directed by a staff member to proceed around the building. The staff member will be writing down names of students for pick up order as well as checking IDs.
· All vehicles must give the right of way to buses leaving the parking lot; please be aware that buses and vehicle traffic cross paths at the south side of the parking lot.
Return of Chromebooks
Dear West Geauga Families,
As we look towards Tuesday, we wanted to give you some reminders on Chromebooks loaned out to families.
For families with students in grades kindergarten through 5, please return any district Chromebooks and the charger to school on Tuesday. These are needed to prepare for instructional needs in the coming weeks. They will be returned to your child’s classroom and staff will verify that the equipment has been returned to school.
For families with students in grades 6 through 12, your child is responsible for bringing the device fully charged to school each day. Teachers will be expecting them to be there for instruction. Please go over safe handling and make sure they do not put anything heavy on the device when bringing it to school. The safest option is to load other items into the book bag first and the Chromebook last.
Note: If you opted to participate in the online virtual academy for the semester, you can disregard this email. This is only for families returning for in person instruction on September 8.
We appreciate all of your patience and support as we return to school on Tuesday. Have a healthy and safe weekend!
West Geauga Local Schools
Important Reminders for In-School Learning
- All students must wear a mask on the bus and upon entering the building.
- Students need to bring a refillable water bottle daily; an 2nd water bottle is highly encouraged.
- Students are encouraged to bring a beach towel in a drawstring bag; whenever possible, teachers will take students outside to learn on the lawn.
- PLEASE practice your child's last name and address with them.
- PLEASE pack easy to open lunches so that students can independently open containers without trying to tear packages with teeth or needing others to touch their food items.
- If possible, send an extra set of clothing with your child.
- Lunch must be paid for electronically via the Parent Portal.
- Please notify your child's teacher if you want your child to eat breakfast at school.
Please consider sending in an Ziploc activity bag with your child; add a few items that your child may like to play with during breaks or indoor recess. This bag will be for your child only, but make sure that these are items that if lost or broken, they are not considered a great loss. Please make sure to label your child's bag with their name.
Please make sure your child has a car or bus tag on their backpack. If you still need a visor tag, we will hand these out during drop-off on Monday morning.
Electronic Change in Transportation Form
Westwood Elementary School
Email: pam.mihalik@westg.org
Website: https://www.westg.org/westwoodelementary_home.aspx
Location: 13738 Caves Road, Novelty, OH, USA
Phone: 440-729-5990
Twitter: @WestwoodWG
Mrs. Nanney's Contact Information
Email: deborah.nanney@westg.org
Phone: 440-813-4647