SWS NEWS
HALLOWEEN PARADE INFO
THE MEANIX MINUTES...for another great video, click below : )
2023 Halloween Parade Route
1. PARADE WILL START @ 9:45
2. Do NOT block the hill, or either loop.
3. Parents/visitors will stand in the highlighted areas...kids will parade around you!
4. Parking is always an issue for our events--lower lot at Stetson is an option, on the grass along the main driveway, and in random spaces at the top.
5. The whole event should be wrapped up by 10:15ish
Wheelchair Ramp
We have several students that use a wheelchair. Cones have been placed at one of the ramps on the front loop. Please do not block the ramp when dropping off or picking up. Thanks!
PickUp Patrol for absenses, late, and early dismissal changes
Starkweather uses PickUp Patrol for ALL plan changes, including late and early dismissals and absences. Please do not send notes, emails or call the school for changes, except in an emergency.
If you are a new family, Mrs. Donna MacLeod dmacleod@wcasd.net (office assistant & attendance secretary) will email you a link at the end of August during teacher in-service week. It is quick and easy to use, and saves a lot of time and hassle!
Important Change to Absence Notes
Thank you to all of our parents/guardians who have registered for Pick-Up Patrol and already began using it this school year. Pick-Up Patrol (PUP) should be used for all dismissal plans and changes. Absences must be reported by 9:30 a.m., either through PUP OR through the Safe Arrival Line. When we initially rolled out PUP, our understanding was that it could be used in lieu of submitting an excuse form. We have just learned that is not the case.
Excuse forms, completed with the necessary data such as child’s name, date and reason for absence, are to be turned in by the student within three (3) days, after his/her return from an absence. The absence of any student failing to comply with this time period, will automatically become unexcused and/or unlawful and the school laws of Pennsylvania shall be applied. Excuse notes via email from a registered email address in PowerSchool will be accepted without an original signature. (Per District Attendance Guidelines Code 204AG1)
Excuse forms need to be kept on file in accordance with district and state policy.
Safe Arrival phone line at 484-266-2210, is still available to report your child’s absence. Any questions, please reach out to Mrs. MacLeod, attendance secretary, at dmacleod@wcasd.net.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation with this policy.
Looking to Volunteer??
If you would like to volunteer to help out here at Starkweather, and especially if you think that you will want to be a chaperone for a field trip, please make sure your CLEARANCES are on file. This process is kind of a pain in the neck, to be honest, but the forms do last for 5 years.
Check out VOLUNTEER FORMS to get the process started. Mrs. MacLeod manages our clearances--you can reach her at dmacleod@wcasd.net with any questions.
Thanks for helping out!
NEW STUDENT REGISTRATION
Use the NEW STUDENT LINK and follow the steps to register. MAKE SURE YOU CHOOSE THE CORRECT SCHOOL YEAR!! For a student for this year, 2023-24, choose the school year carefully, otherwise you may need to start over. Any questions, reach out to Ms. Christine Savage in the office. csavage@wcasd.net or 484-266-2202.
PTO Dues 2023-24 🐺
This year, we are collecting $30 per child with a cap of $100 per family. To make it easy, we offer several ways to pay dues for you to help support Starkweather:
- Online payment will be available through Venmo by sending to @StarkweatherPTO or click our VenmoQR to scan with your phone. Our logo is the wolf; no need to confirm with phone number.
- You can log into our SWSMembershipSite and pay online. *This is also how families can add themselves to our school directory to receive emails, class lists and parent contacts (more information on this in a section below).
- Checks or cash can be sent in with your child once school is in session. Checks should be made out to Starkweather PTO.
WCASD Mental Health / Counseling Website
This is in an effort to increase and improve parent familiarity with our counselors and their services. The current site is being updated by our communications team so that it can be translated.
🚌 DROP OFF & PICK UP 🚙
- DROP OFF is from 8:30 - 9:00.
- Please notice the green line on the map to use the CAR LOOP to drop off kids for regular arrival.
- ALL STUDENTS WILL ENTER THE BUILDING THROUGH THE MAIN ENTRANCE DOORS.
- Parents who are using ACP for Before School Care should notice the RED dashes on the map and drive around the side of the building. ACP uses the cafeteria and the back playground.
- If you are later than 9:00, please park your car and walk your child to the door to sign them in, too.
- If it is later than 9:00 but the buses are also still emptying, you are able to drop them off on the curb as we will still have staff out front.
- YIELD to BUSES--we usually do not have too much congestion in the mornings, but if needed, buses will pass the cars on the way up the hill.
- The best way to cut down on car-line congestion is to have your child use the bus!!
- PICK UP for afternoon dismissal is from 3:30 to 3:50.
- Any student ‘left over’ after 3:50 will need to be picked up from the office.
- As a parent pulls in to the car line, a staff member will use the Pick Up Patrol app to notify the classroom that the parent is here. The student will leave from the classroom and meet the parent in the carline.
- We will have staff members out front making note of the cars as they arrive into the CAR LOOP and helping students get into the cars (notice the green line on the map)
- As you’re waiting in the Car Line on the hill, be aware that buses will pass you on the way up the hill. It is ok, we have done this for years...LOOK BOTH WAYS as you enter and exit the Car Loop.
- YIELD TO THE BUSES!! Look at the RED ARROWS on the map above--those are spots where parents need to be careful when pulling into and out of the car loop. YIELD TO THE BUSES!!
- The best way to cut down on car-line congestion is to have your child use the bus!!