Waterford News
February 2018
Dual Language for the 2018-2019 School Year
If you are interested in enrolling your upcoming Kindergarten student in the Dual Language Two-Way Immersion Program at Waterford Elementary School for the 2018-2019 school year, we will be holding a parent information meeting on Thursday, March 1st from 7-7:30 p.m. The Dual Language Two-Way Immersion Program provides kindergarten students with the opportunity to begin a journey toward bilingualism, biliteracy, and biculturalism, in both English and Spanish. The Dual Language Two-Way Immersion Program serves both native English speakers and native Spanish speakers, with each language serving as a model for the other. We use the 50/50 model with two teachers. One teacher instructs exclusively in Spanish for half of the day, and the other teacher instructs exclusively in English the other half of the day.
Goals of the Program:
· Develop bilingualism, biliteracy, and biculturalism in Spanish and English.
· Achieve grade level or higher academic progress in Spanish and English.
· Participate in a rigorous academic program that will increase student achievement, and prepare students for a global society.
The Benefits of Dual Language Two-Way Immersion
· Language Skills: Students achieve high proficiency in the immersion language, and a deeper understanding of their primary language.
· Cognitive Skills: Students in immersion programs typically develop better critical thinking skills and problem-solving skills.
· Cultural Competency: Immersion students develop an appreciation for and an understanding of diverse cultures.
· Long-Term Benefits: Immersion students are better prepared for the global community and job markets where bilingualism and biliteracy are assets.
Thank you!!!!
Student Pick-Up/Drop-Off
School doors open earlier than 7:15 am, but we ask that students are NOT dropped off before 7:15 am. Office staff does not need to be in the school until 7:15 am, so students dropped off before 7:15 am run a risk of being left unattended. When dropping off students, please remain in the line and DO NOT GO AROUND the vehicle in front of you. Students will be considered late if not in class by 7:50 on regular schedule days and 8:30 on delay start days. If your student is late, please park your vehicle and come in to sign your student in to avoid an unexcused tardy.
Pick-Up:
Parent pick-up takes place at the side entrance of Waterford. If you are the first car, you are to pull up to the front of the door. All other vehicles are to line up bumper-to- bumper. A staff member will ask your students name and the student will come to you. Please be patient.
*To avoid any confusion, any end of day transportation changes need to be made BEFORE 1:30 pm by calling the office.
Thank you for your continued support in keeping Waterford safety a priority.
2/3 Grade New Year Luncheon
Thank you!!!
Mrs. Zimmerly's 2nd Grade Class
Mrs. Haas' 3rd Grade Class
Next Special Lunch: Kindergarten Valentine's Day Lunch
You are cordially invited to join us for a Valentine's Day Luncheon. The luncheon will be on Thursday, February 08, 2018 from 10:00-11:30 pm. You will enjoy a wonderful time completing a craft in your child's classroom, then follow your student to the cafeteria for a delicious meal. We ask that you purchase tickets before hand if you will be eating with your child. NO TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE THE DAY OF THE EVENT. Those that are present will also be placed in a raffle for a chance to win some gifts like a bouquet of flowers, a box of chocolates, gift cards and so much more.
Hope to see you at the luncheon!
Delay/Closings and Automated Calls
**Please see the information below regarding the automated calls that go out if there is a delay or school closing:
The automated GCS calls will go to the first phone number listed for the parent(s)/guardian(s) with legal custody checked in our computer system.
This means if you do not want to receive calls on your home phone at 5:30 am, you need to indicate to us which number you want the calls to go to.
For example, if a parent wants these calls to go to their cell #, this should be the first number listed on their contact information.
Please call our office to request changes or if you have further questions about the automated calls.
Afterschool Activity Guidelines
- Happy Day Club- Every Monday, after school from 2:30-3:30 p.m. This club will run until Monday, March 27th, 2018. The students are picked up at the front doors.
- Chess Club- Every Tuesday from 2:50-3:45 p.m. the final meeting and pizza party will be on Tuesday, February 27th. The students are picked up at the front entrance.
- Reading Camp-2nd Grade-meets every Tuesday and Thursday from 2:50-4:00 p.m. It starts Jan. 30th and runs thru March 22nd. The students are to be picked-up at the front entrance.
- Girls on the Run-4th/5th Grade Girls- Registration ends on February 9th and the sessions begins on Monday, February 26th thru May 18th. The girls will meet every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:00-4:30 p.m. The students are to be picked-up at the front door.
If a change needs to be made to a students transportation plans, please call 574-533-6811 before 1:30 pm. Please clarify that plans are for after or before a club.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!!
You are invited to the 2018 Waterford Related Arts Night on Tuesday, March 6th, 2018
- Art Show will take place with original artwork by every Waterford student displayed throughout the building.
- 3rd Grade Music Program: 6:00 p.m.
- 4th Grade Music Program: 7:00 p.m.
**All 3rd and 4th graders must attend! Parents: Please check your concert time above and plan to make sure your child has transportation to the school on this night.
This event is free, and you are welcome to invite family and friends!
Students are already working hard to create original artwork and prepare instrumental and vocal music for this special event.
Please contact Mrs. Shenk (Music Teacher) or Mrs. Brookmyer Graber (Art Teacher) if you have any questions: 533-6811, ashenk@goshenschools.org, or jbrookmyer@goshenschools.org.
NURSE NEWS
SEAL INDIANA
FROM THE PTO
BOX TOPS
Please help your students collect box tops, as each box top is worth 10 cents. You can find box tops on many grocery store products. For questions, comments or concerns please feel free to call 574-533-6811.
SAVE THE DATES:
- Scholastic Family Fun Night- will be Thursday, April 19 from 5-7 pm.
Culver's Waterford Night- Please make plans to join us on Monday, April 23 from 5-8 pm for our Culver's Night. A percentage from the sales from that evening will be given to the Waterford PTO to fund student and teacher activities. Take a day off from cooking and eat for a great cause!
District News
Bus Drivers Needed!!!!
Consider being part of Goshen Community Schools:
Bus Driver
**$500.00 SIGN ON BONUS**
(PAYABLE AFTER 60 DAYS OF DRIVING)
REQUIREMENTS:
- Commercial license (CDL) - will help train for test.
- Able to pass health and vision screenings
QUALITIES DESIRED:
- Able to safely transport students to and from school
- Can assist students and other passengers to enter and leave the vehicle as necessary
- Enjoys students
- Keeps vehicles clean and in safe operating condition
- Makes arrangements for needed service and mechanical repairs
- Maintains order among the children transported
- Operates the assigned bus on schedule routes on the time schedule fixed by the employer
- Fills the bus with fuel as authorized; checks lights, tires and other parts of the bus on a regular basis to be sure they are in safe operating condition
SALARY: Wages are $19 per hour plus $25 per day. Longevity added up to 3 years, if experienced.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Prior to an interview, all applicants must have completed their on-line application (go to www.goshenschools.org, click on employment opportunities and follow the directions).
- Letter of interest
- Complete resume
*IF hired as a regular route driver, PTO days and Holiday will be available. Also, if they’re hired as a regular driver and IF they have over 30 hours (combined with another regular time job within the school system) they would also be eligible for PERF and Health ins.
Hired sub drivers do not receive benefits.
About Us
Email: koverton@goshenschools.org
Website: http://waterford.goshenschools.org/
Location: 65560 S.R. 15 Goshen, IN 46526
Phone: 574-533-6811
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/waterford.elementary
Twitter: @WaterfordElem