Welcome to the 2021-22 School Year
August 3rd, 2021
Wildfire Elementary School Firebirds
Email: wfesfirebirds@pvlearners.net
Website: https://www.pvschools.net/wfes
Location: 3997 East Lockwood Drive, Phoenix, AZ, USA
Phone: (602) 449-4300
Facebook: facebook.com/WFESFirebirds
Twitter: @WFESFirebirds
Welcome to the 2021 - 2022 School Year!
Message from Mr. Schoonover
Dear Wildfire families,
Welcome to the 2021-2022 school year! I hope that everyone has had a great summer and has found time to relax and make some wonderful memories with family and friends.
Our teachers and staff have been working and planning with great excitement for the start of the new school year. They are eager to welcome their students back into their classrooms and to get started with amazing lessons and awesome educational experiences. Personally, I am excited to start my 4th year here at Wildfire. I feel blessed to be a part of this school and community and I look forward to continuing to help our amazing staff guide all of our wonderful students to reach their full potential.
I know many parents and students have a lot of questions about the start of the school year, particularly regarding the challenges presented by the ongoing pandemic. Please know Wildfire Elementary School is committed to ensuring the health and safety of all our students, staff, visitors, and community while providing an amazing learning environment and experience.
The newsletter below provides information on how we plan to keep our school safe as well as other important information for families to be aware of for the start of the school year. Please take some time to look over and review the information with your child prior to the start of the school year.
I would like to thank all our families and our entire community for their patience and understanding as we work to create a safe and fun learning environment for all of our students. I know our community has many options available on how and where they would like to educate their children and I appreciate the trust and support you give Wildfire Elementary School. We know this is going to be a special year and we are looking forward to the opportunities it provides us.
I hope everyone enjoys the remaining days of summer break. We look forward to seeing you for our Greet the Teacher Event on August 9th and the first day of school on August 10th.
Sincerely,
Ryan Schoonover
Principal - WFES
Information to Start the Year
Health and Safety Information
Wildfire Elementary School is committed to following outlined Paradise Valley Unified School District protocols in regards to the cleaning/maintenance of the campus as well as implementing procedures and expectations that maximize a safe learning environment for students. Please note that this plan may change as information, procedure, guidance, and/or laws from PVSchools, Arizona Department of Health, the CDC, and State officials are updated.
Please click on the button below to view the full detailed plan on how WFES will keep our students, staff, visitors, and community safe during the ongoing pandemic.
Highlights
- Masks will be optional for students and staff
- Where possible, implement measures to facilitate social distancing:
- Arrange appropriate seating in classrooms, offices, cafeterias, etc.
- Turn desks/tables to face in the same direction (rather than facing each other) or have students sit on only one side of tables, spaced apart.
- Maintain appropriate spacing in hallways, cafeteria, on the playground, etc.
- Continue to maintain healthy air quality by cleaning all HVAC unit coils and changing air filters as scheduled.
- Maintain hand sanitizer stations in lobbies and campus main entries.
- Maintain additional handwashing sinks.
- Encourage staff and students to bring their own water to minimize use and touching of water fountains.
- Day Porters for cleaning in classrooms and high touch areas
- Assign cafeteria seating with distancing (three students per bench)
- Maintain grade-level cohorts upon arrival at school
Emergency Card Update
If you haven't already completed the 2021-22 Annual Update (Emergency Card), the online version of the process is now available. The Annual Update allows you to make any updates to your contact information such as address changes, phone number changes, changes to a child’s health history, as well as updated emergency contact information. This will replace the printed Emergency Card.
- Please go to portal.pvschools.net.
- Select More and then Annual Update.
- You may also click the Annual Update link on the Announcement Page.
Need help? View our Annual Update Smart Card.
2021 - 2022 Staff Assignments
Lunch Information & Schedule
Drop-Off/Pick-Up Procedures
Morning Drop-Off
Walkers/Bike Riders:
All walkers/bike riders will enter through the side gates and walk back through the bus lane to their class line in the field.
Students remain in their class line until picked up by their classroom teacher
Parents/guardians that walk to school will not be permitted on the field or past the gates and are asked to drop students off at the sidewalk along Lockwood.
Bus Riders:
The bus will drop students off in the bus lane. In accordance with federal law, masks are required while riding on public mass transit; a mask is optional once a student has exited the bus and is on school property.
Students report to and remain in their classroom lines on the field upon arrival (no playground) and wait for their teacher to pick them up.
Kindergarten “Kiss & Go” Car Drop-Off:
Drop off is available from 8:15-8:40 a.m.
Enter via the south Lockwood entrance and immediately turn right (south) to loop around into the kiss & go lane. Please pull as far forward as possible to keep the line moving, and do not let your children get out of the car until you have pulled all the way forward.
Students should exit the car curbside only. - All students in the vehicle should exit at this time.
Have backpacks, water bottles, jackets, etc. ready to go.
Parents should NOT get out of their cars in the Kiss & Go lane. It will slow down the traffic flow.
Kindergarten students are escorted to the kindergarten playground.
Exit via the north exit onto Lockwood.
1st Grade - 6th grade Car Drop Off:
Drop off is available from 8:15-8:40 a.m.
Enter the parking lot/drive-through lane via the south Lockwood entrance and pull forward along the blue lane.
Please pull as far forward as possible to keep the line moving, and do not let students get out of the car until you have pulled all the way forward.
Students may be dropped off anywhere along the blue curb - please do not wait till you are at the front of the line to unload students.
Please have students unload on the passenger side of the vehicle - CAUTION: cars may be passing on the driver side.
Have backpacks, water bottles, and jackets ready to go.
Parents should NOT get out of their cars to assist children. It will slow down the traffic flow.
If children need assistance, kindly ask the drop-off attendant to assist or circle back around to the parking lot.
Do not sit in line once you have unloaded, use the left lane to pass and exit - SLOWLY
Be mindful of traffic and look before merging.
Be kind and mindful of those behind you.
Gates to the lanes will close at 8:40 AM
Exit via the north drives onto Lockwood.
Students walk through the side gates and to their class line on the field.
Vehicles exit via the north exit onto Lockwood.
Afternoon Pick-Up Procedures
To help keep groups separated as much as possible, groups of students are dismissed in staggered intervals at the end of the school day.
Walkers/bike riders
Boys & Girls Club is dismissed to the kindergarten playground
Mascot is dismissed to the MPR
After school clubs (if applicable) are dismissed to the front lobby
Bus Riders
Parent Pick-Up
Afternoon Pick-Up Procedures
Car Riders:
Enter the parking lot/drive-through lane via the south Lockwood entrance and pull forward along the blue lane.
If picking up a kindergarten/pre-k student, after entering via the south Lockwood entrance, immediately turn right (south) to loop around into the kiss & go lane.
If needing to pick up students in other grade levels, carefully merge into the 1st-6th pick-up lane.
Please pull as far forward as possible to keep the line moving, and do not let students get out of the car until you have pulled all the way forward.
Students may be picked up anywhere along the blue curb - please do not wait till you are at the front of the line to pick up your student(s).
Please have the student name sign (two copies are provided by the school) displayed in the side passenger window to help staff/students identify who needs to be in the vehicle.
Please have students load on the passenger side of the vehicle - CAUTION: cars may be passing on the driver side.
Students will be lined up in the front of the school along the front sidewalk and staff members will help students find their parents/guardians vehicle.
Please use the left lane to pass and exit the pick-up lane and parking lot.
Vehicles will exit via the north parking lot exit onto Lockwood.
Parking is available along Lockwood Drive - Please follow all parking signs and traffic laws.
Walkers/Bike Riders:
Students will exit out of designated exits, use sidewalks, and cross the street in designated crossing zones.
Students will be escorted across the parking lot via the crosswalk to the parent waiting zone.
Parents meeting students need to wait in the parent waiting zone on the sidewalk along Lockwood.
Parents/guardians are asked to designate a meeting spot with their student(s).
Bus Riders:
Students will be dismissed via the intercom and wait for the bus at the back of the school at the bus gate.
Students must wear a cloth mask while outside, on the bus, and at the bus stop.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
BE CAREFUL when pulling in and out of the lot. Many students and parents are walking, or riding bikes and scooters on the sidewalk. Pedestrians have the right of way, so PLEASE go slowly and be alert!
Please be courteous to all drivers. If there are lines of cars trying to enter the lot from both directions, please take turns so the traffic continues to flow in both directions.
DO NOT BLOCK THE CROSSWALKS!
PLEASE STAY OFF OF YOUR CELL PHONES SO YOU CAN BE AWARE AND ALERT!
The speed limit is 15 mph in a school zone. PLEASE DO NOT SPEED!
Students should stay on sidewalks and cross at designated points only.
School Supply Lists for the 2021 - 2022 School Year
School Supply Lists for the 2021-2022 school year can be found and printed from the following link. These supplies can be found at any major retail store (Target, Wal-Mart, etc.) and brands can be substituted. The list will also be sent to local Target and Wal-Mart stores so they have them on-site. The list will also be posted on our school Webpage.
Upcoming Important Events
Greet the Teacher! Monday, August 9th
Please save the date for our welcome back to school Greet the Teacher event on Monday, August 9th, 2021. You and your child are invited to come to say hello to their teacher(s) for the upcoming school year and to drop off school supplies in the classroom so your child is ready to go for the first day of school!
For the health and safety of our community and staff, this year we are extending the event time and breaking it into different sections to help limit the number of people in the building. Students with the last name beginning with A-L are welcome from 9:00 - 9:45 AM, and students with the last name beginning with M-Z are welcome from 10:00 - 10:45.
Important Information
- If you ordered an Edukit, it will be delivered directly to your child’s classroom.
- The PTO will be selling Wildfire merchandise so be sure to stock up on your Firebird gear.
- If you are unable to attend our Greet the Teacher event and would still like to drop off school supplies, the MPR will be open from 10 AM - 3:30 PM and those supplies will be brought to your student(s) classroom by a Wildfire staff member.
- Please have supplies in a bag/box labeled with your student’s full name and teacher.
- WFES is hosting a school supply drive to help our PVUSD sister school Indian Bend Elementary. Boxes will be in the lobby to collect any new school supplies that you would like to donate.
COVID Mitigation Information and Strategies
- Do not attend if you are not feeling well.
- Face masks are not required but are recommended.
- Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the building.
- Socially distance when possible.
- Utilize multiple entrances and exit points from the school building.
- We are asking that families please limit the number of attendees to direct family members.
- Limiting the number of people in the building at one time.
Kindergarten Orientation
Welcome to kindergarten at Wildfire Elementary School! We are so excited and honored to have your little learners join us at WFES as they start their educational journey. To help you and your kindergarten student have a great start to the school year, please join us for our Kindergarten Orientation on August 10th, 2021 at 9:15 AM in the Wildfire multipurpose room (lunchroom). This event is for both parents/guardians and kindergarten students.
During this orientation, you will:
- Commemorate the first day of school with fun activities with your child
- Meet our kindergarten and school leadership teams
- Learn about drop-off/pick-up and transportation information
- Learn about lunch and snack information
- Meet our school nurse and learn about health information
- Find out how to get involved at school
- Hear from our PTO President
- Q & A and more!
COVID Mitigation Information
- Do not attend if you are not feeling well.
- Face masks are not required but are recommended.
- Multiple entry and exit doors are available.
- Hand sanitizer will be available.
- Socially distance when possible - families are asked to sit in family units at different tables.
- We are asking that families please limit the number of attendees to direct family members.
We know it is going to be a fantastic school year and can’t wait to get started! See you August 10th at 9:15 a.m. in our Multi-purpose Room/Cafeteria!
Important Information for Incoming Kindergarten Students
Here is what you need to know for the first two days of school:
- Please make arrangements to have at least one parent present for the first day of school from 9:15 - 10:30 AM. Parents will start with their student in the MPR and the students will be taken to the classroom while parents attend an orientation for with our Principal, Nurse, and other school/organization representatives.
- All kindergarten students will be dismissed at 12:00 PM on Tuesday, August 10th, and Wednesday, August 11th. The remainder of the week and year students will follow the regular school schedule and calendar.
- Please note there is no after school childcare (Mascot Club) on either Tuesday, August 10th or Wednesday, August 11th.
Other Important Information
- Busing for kindergarten students who qualify will begin on the first day of school.
- A kindergarten teacher will ride the bus with the students at dismissal on the first day of school to help assist the driver and students.
Curriculum Night is August 16th
Please be sure to join us on Monday, August 16th for our curriculum night. Parents will have the opportunity to hear from their child's classroom teacher and to learn about the curriculum students will be learning this year as well as general information about the class and grade level. Please know this is intended as an adults-only informational event.
Curriculum Night Schedule
Kindergarten & 1st Grade: 5:00 - 5:25 PM
2nd & 3rd Grade: 5:30 - 5:55 PM
4th & 5th Grade: 6:00 - 6:25 PM
6th Grade: 6:30 - 6:55 PM
4th - 6th Grade Honors: 5:30 - 5:55 PM
PTO Information
Smile.Amazon.Com
AmazonSmile is a simple way for you to support Wildfire Elementary every time you shop, at no cost to you. AmazonSmile is available at Smile.Amazon.Com on your web browser and can be activated in the Amazon Shopping app for iOS and Android phones.
How to turn on AmazonSmile in the mobile app:
- Join AmazonSmile. If you are not already an AmazonSmile member, sign up on your web browser. Simply select Wildfire Elementary PTO to start generating donations, at no cost to you.
- Get the app. Download or update to the latest version of the Amazon Shopping app on your phone. You can find it in the App Store for iOS or Google Play for Android.
- Turn on AmazonSmile. Open the app and find ’Settings’ in the main menu (☰). Tap on ‘AmazonSmile’ and follow the on-screen instructions to turn on AmazonSmile on your phone.
On your first visit to smile.amazon.com, you will be prompted to select a charitable organization. Select Wildfire Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization. Every time you shop on Amazon simply start at smile.amazon.com and the school earns 0.5% of every purchase. It's that easy to make a difference! Ask your friends, family and co-workers to participate too! As always, Thank you for your support!
Coke Rewards
Box Top$ for Education
Click here to see how it works and how to contribute.
Fry's Community Rewards
Important Upcoming Dates
- August 9th: Greet the Teacher event - 9:00 AM - 10:45 AM
- August 9th - 23rd: School Supply Drive For Indian Bend
- August 10th: First day of school
- August 10th: Cafe Zupas Family Night Out
- August 16th: Curriculum Night - 5:00 PM
- August 19th: Governing Board Meeting - 7:00 PM
- August 23rd: School Council Meeting - 5:30 PM
- August 23rd: PTO Meeting - 7:00 PM
- August 26th: Barro's Pizza Family Night Out
- August 31st: Early Release Day
- August 31st: After School Treats
- September 2nd: Governing Board Meeting - 7:00 PM