Summer Newsletter
2021-2022
A Note From the Principal
Hello Wabash Community!
I want to thank all of our parents and friends of our Wabash Family for your support. We at Wabash feel privileged to have a great supportive community of parents willing to support public education. Our entire faculty and staff promise to give our very best for our children, every day, guaranteed!
The faculty and staff at Wabash are very excited about starting our 5th year of serving students. For me, this will be the start of my 21st year in education and my 13th year as a Head Principal. We have already made great gains working together thus far and I look forward to our continued partnership together. I believe strongly that our partnership is the key to student success!
Wabash will continue to place added focus on reading, writing, and math, while integrating science and social studies across the curriculum. We will also continue to focus on “Staying on Track, The Wabash Way!” The Wabash Way puts added focus on being respectful, responsible, caring, and safe. We expect our students to come to school eager and ready to learn. Together, we will challenge our students to work to their full potential. I know our students are ready for the challenge!
This year, Wabash will again be continuing our use of the Choose Love Program. The Choose Love Program is a social-emotional learning program that focuses on Courage, Gratitude, Forgiveness, and Compassion. Now more than ever, our kids need lessons and discussions that support their social-emotional development. We are excited as a staff to continue to share this special learning with our kids and community!
As we move forward, let us continue to keep safety our #1 priority! Safety 1st!
Every Student Matters, Every Moment Counts!
Mr. Schulte
Important Dates to Remember...
- August 13 - Transportation information emailed to families (this could be delayed...)
- August 13 - Teacher assignments are shared with families at Elementary Schools and Parent/Student Portals Open @ 4:00 pm
- August 14 - Back to School Fair Drive Thru Style at Liberty 8 am - 11 am, or until supplies run out
- August 19 - Kindergarten Orientation in the gym from 4:30 pm to 5:00 pm
- August 19: Meet the Teacher Night for all grades from 5 pm - 7 pm
- August 24 - First Day of the 2021-2022 School Year
Meet the Teacher Night
MEET THE TEACHER NIGHT
This event will be on Thursday, August 19th, beginning @ 5:00 pm and ending at 7:00 pm. This is a great opportunity to meet your teacher, see your classroom, and talk to some friends. This is also a great time to bring in all of your school supplies. We hope to see you there!
General Information to Share
21-22 School Calendar Found on WSD Website-Parents-Calendar.
21-22 School Supply List School Supply Lists.
Supply lists remain that same, but some supplies may be kept at home and some supplies will be sent to school. This will ensure your child has the necessary supplies in both learning environments. Your child's teacher will provide more details on what to send to school and what to keep home. There may be some additional requests by individual teachers as the year progresses.
Teacher Assignments
Teacher assignments will be shared with families on August 17, 2021.
Transportation Information
An email will go out via the WSD Transportation Department to families on August 13th.
Kindergarten Orientation
Our Kindergarten Orientation will be held on Thursday, August 19th. This is an informational meeting for parents in the gym starting @ 4:30 pm.
First Day(s) of In-Person School
Tuesday, August 24
Doors will open at 8:20 am. Staff members will be stationed throughout the hallways to help students get to their designated classrooms.
Daily Schedule
Office Opens 7:30 am
Doors Open 8:20 am (No drop off before 8:20 am) (Walkers and bike riders should not be on campus until 8:20 am, as staff are not outside until 8:20 am for crosswalk duty)
Breakfast 8:20 am-8:35 am (Grab and Go Only)
Morning Announcements 8:35 am
Afternoon Announcements 3:32 pm
Dismissal Begins at 3:35 pm
Office Closes 4:15 pm
During the first 1-2 weeks of school, it is typical for the buses to run late in the morning and afternoon. The same is true for the car rider lines in the morning and afternoon. Historically, after the first 1-2 weeks, the times are considerably better. Please be patient with bus drivers and staff as we work to ensure the safety of all of our kids.
DISMISSAL PROCEDURES UPDATES 2021-2022
As a school of approximately 850 students, managing the dismissal of students is a detailed process. At the end of each day, our staff is responsible to make sure our students get to the correct assigned locations, including: buses, walkers/bike riders, car riders, daycare van riders, and Chautauqua. Last minute changes create situations where students are not where they need to be. This results in lost time and added stress for students, parents, and staff.
Please keep the following in mind:
1) We need to know in advance, by 3:00 pm, if your child’s transportation is changing. This will provide adequate time to notify your child’s teacher and to make sure everyone is on the same page prior to the dismissal process beginning. Transportation changes cannot be made past 3:00 pm.
2) Students will not be dismissed between 3:15 pm and 3:35 pm in order to maintain a secure and orderly environment for the dismissal of our approximately 850 students. We understand doctor appointments and emergencies come up from time to time. Please try to limit early dismissals, as it disrupts the classroom learning environment for all the kids in the classroom. If you need to pick up your child early, please do so prior to 3:15 pm.
BIRTHDAY TREAT PROCEDURE UPDATES 2021-2022
For the upcoming school year, Wabash will be using the following guidelines for student birthday treats:
1) We are no longer allowing students to bring in any food items or non-food items. This includes, but is not limited to: goodie bags, candy, gum, trinkets, pencils, stickers, etc. Please know that any food, drink, or items not from our café will not be served or delivered to the classrooms.
2) Please use this form to see and order the food and non-food choices that are available to share with classmates via our cafe. Our cafe does provide non-food options as well. We also ask that birthday items only be shared with the main classroom, rather than sharing all around the school (classrooms, friends, teachers, staff, etc.) Please keep that in mind when making purchases so that you get just enough items for the students in the classroom.
3) Orders need to be submitted at least 5 days prior to the date needed. Payments are check only. Please keep your order to a maximum of one food and one non-food item per order.
Our goal is to continue to provide a safe, healthy, and supportive environment for all.
BACK TO SCHOOL REMINDERS AND TIPS
Reminders and Tips for a Smooth Return to School
· If your child is absent from school, we ask that you call our office at 636-887-3884, ext. 50221, to let us know the reason for the absence. If you need make up work, let us know that too!
· If a student is to be picked up by a parent before school is dismissed, a note to the teacher is expected. We do ask that the parent sign the student out from the office. The office will call for the student and the parent can meet the child in the office. If your child is late to school, we ask that you bring them to the office to be signed in and they will receive a late slip to enter the classroom.
· All students who are car riders will be picked up and dropped off using the front entrance of the school. This area is closely supervised as to maintain a safe area for students. Drop off does not begin until staff are outside, on the front sidewalk, at 8:20 am. Please do not release your child from your vehicle until the staff are positioned on the front sidewalk. Safety First!
· Students can enter the building starting at 8:20 a.m. The tardy bell will ring at 8:35 a.m. The dismissal process begins at 3:32 p.m. The car riders are dismissed to the front of the building, while bus riders are dismissed to the bus loading area in the rear of the building. Walkers and Bike Riders exit the side of the building near the bike rack. This year, there are NO WALK UP PICK UPS via the gym doors. Everyone must be a car rider, bus rider, daycare van rider, or walker/bike rider.
· Walkers and Bike Riders: This is a special treat for those who live too close to school to qualify for bus transportation. Only those in our closest neighborhood get to be bike riders and walkers. These students should not step on our campus until 8:20 am. Staff are not at the multiple cross-walks until 8:20 am. There should not be any cars dropping off or picking up students on Golden Gate Parkway.
· Remember that all students must be current on all immunizations before the first day of in-person school Also, all medications must be brought to school by an adult, not in the student’s backpack. Please call our office if you have any questions at 636-887-3884, ext. 50222.
· Wabash does provide a before and after school program called Chautauqua. Program hours are 6:00 a.m. to beginning of school and after school until 6:00 p.m. If you are interested in registering your child(ren), please call 636-327-3800 ext. 20356 for more information.
At Home Tips:
· Make a plan for after-school activities. Schedule adequate time for homework, play, clubs, sports and practice.
· Scale back TV time. Establish a daily family reading time.
· Reestablish bed times for school nights.
· Keep a large calendar. Mark each family member’s activities in a different colored pen.
· Collect important phone numbers. Update doctor, work and other listings for the school office, after-school program and a neighbor.
· Create a car pool. Compare schedules and determine which parents can drive kids and when.
· Have a backup plan. Find another parent who will exchange school pickup favors in case you get sick or delayed by work or traffic.
· Prepare a file for school papers. Place all school notices in it so you don't misplace them.
Wabash Elementary
Email: jillmitchell@wsdr4.org
Website: www.wentzville.k12.mo.us
Location: 100 Golden Gate Parkway, Wentzville, MO, United States
Phone: 636-887-3884
Twitter: @WabashStation