Summer Newsletter Part 2
2020-2021
A Note From the Principal
Hello Wabash Community!
We continue to prep and plan for the successful launch of another school year. The pace is fast and furious as we near the launch. I appreciate everyone staying focused and engaged as we work together to prepare our children for the upcoming school year. The start of the school year is always a fun and exciting time, full of hopes and dreams for a great year!
This Summer Newsletter Part 2 is different than the first Summer Newsletter. Please take time to review the info in this newsletter, as we have made updates.
Here are a few random tidbits:
- Parents have been asking me about K-2 students wearing masks. K-2 students are certainly welcome to wear masks, but it is currently not mandatory.
- Students are encouraged to bring a personal water bottle everyday.
- Our PTA has purchased each student a lanyard that can be worn to hold the mask when it is not in use, such as during lunch. The lanyard clips on to both sides of the ear loops on most masks. These lanyards have not arrived yet. Students do not have to use the lanyard. It will be an optional item that students can try out to help manage the mask.
- We also have a parent making another mask management item via a 3D Printer. Excited to see how this one turns out! :)
Lastly, with the Chromebooks not being sent home until the week of September 7th, the upcoming at-home days will not be computer based. The teachers will send at-home activities that can be done without a computer. Prior to the week of September 7th, the teachers will be teaching and training the students in-person on their Chromebooks. This will provide students with the further skills they need to be successful with their Chromebooks.
Please check out our building tour video below. This will provide our students and families a look inside before in-person school starts next week.
You have done a great job with sharing your questions and concerns with myself and our staff. Please continue to share questions and concerns. We are happy to support. :)
As we move forward, let us continue to keep safety our #1 priority! Safety 1st!
Every Student Matters, Every Moment Counts!
Mr. Schulte
Wabash Tour Video / Welcome To Wabash!
Important Dates to Remember...
- August 18 - Teacher assignments are shared with families at Elementary Schools and Parent/Student Portals Open
- August 20 - Meet the Teacher from 5 pm - 7 pm This event will be done virtually for all grade levels,
- August 24 - First Day of the 2020-2021 School Year (A Day students on campus Monday and Tuesday. B Day students on campus Thursday and Friday)
When is my child in a live classroom meeting on Wednesdays? See Chart Below
Meet the Teacher Night Update
MEET THE TEACHER NIGHT UPDATE
Meet the Teacher Night will be on Thursday, August 20th, beginning @ 5:00 pm and ending at 7:00 pm. This is a great opportunity to meet your teacher and see your classroom! We hope to see you there! This will all be done virtually via Google Meet.
Each classroom teacher will share a video for all of the families and students to see. Each teacher will then work with parents to schedule a specific 10 minute meeting time. This will provide some personal time between each family and the teacher. Once a meeting time is agreed upon, the teacher will send a meeting invite including the meeting link to the parents.
WHAT ABOUT BRINGING IN ALL THE SCHOOL SUPPLIES?
SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND GETTING THEM TO SCHOOL!
During a typical school year, students drop their supplies off during Meet the Teacher Night. Since Meet the Teacher is now virtual, we ask that students bring in their supplies gradually. Your child's teacher will provide specific details of what items to bring in each day of in-person learning.
General Information to Share
20-21 School Calendar Found on WSD Website-Parents-Calendar
20-21 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.
Kindergarten Orientation
Our Kindergarten Orientation will be held on Thursday, August 20th. Normally, this is an informational meeting for parents in the gym. This year, this will not be an in-person event. Our plan is to share the normal presentation with parents via email. Parents can then follow up with our specific staff members to field questions. All of our Wabash faculty and staff are ready to support your questions and concerns!
First Day(s) of In-Person School
August 24 for A Day Students / August 27th for B Day Students
Doors will open at 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)
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 1st Week of School:
A parent may walk their child(ren) to class during the our 1st week. The parent must have a mask on that covers both the nose and mouth. Please plan to share your hugs and send-offs outside the classroom, in the hallway or in the main lobby. This is the only visitor access provided during the first week of school.
After the 1st Week of School:
Sorry, but visitors are not allowed in the school, unless there is an emergency. Please know that this includes, but is not limited to: morning arrival, lunch, classroom volunteering, etc. We are sorry that this is occuring, but we wish to keep our in-person learning with kids going as long as we can this year!
Patience Request:
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. We track our arrival and dismissal times daily, working to increase our speed and efficiency. As the dust settles and everyone gets into a routine again, we will pick up speed nicely. :)
DISMISSAL PROCEDURES UPDATES 2020-2021
As a school of 900 students, managing the dismissal of students is a detailed process. During a global pandemic, it adds an added layer of challenge. 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 900 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 2020-2021
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.
Our goal is to continue to provide a safe, healthy, and supportive environment for all.
Current Level 2 Information
LEVEL 2 KEY POINTS
Here are some key points to keep in mind related to Phase 2:
WSD plans to begin the school year in Level 2 and remain there throughout the first quarter.
If needed, we could potentially move to Level 3 during that time.
Students attend in-person on Monday & Tuesday or on Thursday & Friday.
AA (Monday/Tuesday) students are identified by the first letter of the last name of the oldest sibling in a household (A-L); all siblings in the household (regardless of last name) will be AA students;
BB (Thursday/Friday) students are identified by the first letter of the last name of the oldest sibling in a household (M-Z); all siblings in the household (regardless of last name) will be BB students;
DAYS CAN NOT be switched
All students attend virtually on Wednesdays.
Student attendance in classrooms will be approximately 50%.
Elementary students will follow their typical schedules during in-person attendance days.
Students will access learning activities virtually from home three days a week.
Virtual instruction will include learning activities assigned by the teacher and live instruction on Wednesdays.
Elementary special area classes and intervention services will occur in homerooms.
WSD Virtual Academy students will remain in their enrolled grade level and courses regardless of what level the District is at for in-person learning. Schedule adjustments could occur based on building schedule adjustments.
All students and staff will continue to complete a health screening before coming to school or work.
Students in grades 3-6 and all staff members will be required to wear face coverings when physical distancing is not feasible. Students in PreK-grade 2 are permitted to wear face coverings (not required).
To avoid large groups of students gathering in one place, we will adjust the way students move between classrooms and other spaces in our schools.
Students will eat in their classrooms. Lunch options will be chosen in the mornings and collected by cafe staff. All lunch items will be completely disposable.
Full-day Chautauqua care will be offered based on available space and staff.
Reopening Info
Click Here to Head to the District Webpage
Reopening FAQ
Dr. CAIN'S LEVEL 2 PRESENTATION
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.
· 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