Windermere Family Update
Windermere Weekly Parent Update 3.1.24
It’s March! We are so excited to see the sunshine and hopefully have some warmer days ahead. As a reminder, please make sure your child(ren) bring some layers of clothing, as we go outside to get fresh air and play as much as possible, weather permitting. Thank you!
Next week, I will be out of the building. Many of you saw Mr. Dan Morris with me this week in the morning at Stop, Drop and Go. Mr. Morris had an opportunity to visit all of our classrooms and say hello. He will be here next week to help out. Mr. Morris is a retired principal from Dublin.
This update will serve as this week’s and next week’s update.
Julie
Julie
Upcoming Dates:
3.7.24 - Third Grade Musical
3.8.24 - End of 2nd Trimester
3.11.24 - No School for Students: Teacher Workday
3.19.24 - Election Day: No School for Students
3.20.24 - Family Read Aloud
3.25-29.24 - Spring Break
Safety
Safety and security is a top priority in the Upper Arlington Schools. We make every effort to be prepared for every possible type of emergency. This involves a multi-layered approach to safety in our schools. This year we have been using state safety grant funds to upgrade security equipment like two-way radios and security cameras, including installing cameras on school buses. Remember that any type of safety concern, including potential bullying or harassment, can be reported through the STAY SAFE, SPEAK UP! reporting system, which is available on the district website and on every student iPad. For more information on safety measures, visit the Safety and Security page on the district website, or watch the safety update from the February 2024 Board of Education meeting.
News from our School Counselor:
Please take some time to read our Counselor Connection Newsletter for parents. You will find updates about monthly counseling lessons, upcoming small groups, and parent resources.
Windermere Library Media Center News
WOW! We are reading TOGETHER! We have 158 families participating this year in the Family Read Together of Simon B. Rhymin! I've received great feedback from the first few days that our readers are enjoying the book and the text is prompting important and interesting conversations...exactly what a book should do! Enjoy this event with your loved ones and again, mark your calendars for the evening of March 20th for the culminating event that will take place in the Eyrie at Windermere! More to follow!
This month in the library media center and on Wake Up Windermere we will be spotlighting the following events!
Women's History Month (more to come in your child's newsletter from their teacher)
Pi Day (3/14)
St. Patrick's Day (3/17)
Holi (3/25)
Easter (3/31)
AI Toolkit | InnovateOhio
AI Toolkit | InnovateOhio The Department of Education and Workforce recently released the linked toolkit to support educators and parents with the implementation of artificial intelligence. This is technology that can and will make a significant impact on the learning environment.
Wireless Usage/iPhones/Gizmos
As smartwatches become more common among students, parents have asked about settings that might reduce the risk of the device causing a distraction during school. Here are links to information about school-time settings for two devices we see here at school, the Apple watch and the Gizmo watch. We kindly ask that students use these settings. Please know we will always call you or allow your child to call you during the day, if needed. If a Smartwatch becomes a distraction, we may ask a child to keep it in their backpack.
Summer Academy 2024
Upper Arlington Schools is proud to offer an exceptional summer school program for our students for the summer of 2024. Course descriptions and schedules for Summer Academy 2024 will be available on our Summer Academy website beginning on Friday, March 8, and registration will open at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, April 2. Summer Academy 2024 will offer academic and well-being programming. All courses will be offered free of charge for 2024 thanks to federal funding.
hUmAn Connections Festival - Next week!
Mark your calendars for next week’s 2024 hUmAn Connection Festival, a two-day event celebrating the diverse experiences and perspectives that make our community unique.
Please join us on the evening of March 6 at UAHS for a FREE community-wide event featuring:
6 to 7 p.m.: hUmAn Connection Festival exhibit gallery on Golden Bear Boulevard
7 to 8 p.m.: an interactive and inclusive performance by Columbus Jazz Arts Group in the performing arts center
The hUmAn Connection Festival is offered by Upper Arlington Schools with support from the Upper Arlington Community Relations Committee and Upper Arlington Education Foundation.
Questions may be directed to Denise Lutz or Kristyn Anderson.
Spring Break Food Support
The district is partnering with the Tri-Village Packers to support their Spring Break 2024 food distribution program. The Tri-Village Packers will distribute groceries to families with UA students for the days when school is not in session. The food will be provided at no cost to district families experiencing food insecurity who would benefit from additional food.
We know that spring break occurs during a season of religious and cultural holidays that impact dietary practices. Volunteers will try to honor any restrictions you share with us to support your nutritional needs while recognizing your obligations.
To sign up for this round of food distribution, please complete this form by March 1, 2024. Once registered, you will receive an order number allowing you to pick up your food at the Upper Arlington Senior Center on March 21, 2024, between 3:30 and 6 p.m. If you cannot pick up your food, arrangements can be made for delivery.
Please contact Kristyn Anderson in the district office with questions about this opportunity at kmanderson@uaschools.org.
Lost and Found is Overflowing!
We are back outside for recess and it has gotten a little warmer, which means our lost and found is piling up! Please have your child take a look or pop inside the office and ask Maria if you can take a look. As a reminder, all items with a name in them are returned to their owner so please label all coats and sweatshirts worn to school. All items will be donated at Spring Break.
2024 Golden Apple Awards
The Upper Arlington Civic Association is excited to announce that our annual Golden Apple Award nominations for 2024 are here! We would love to honor someone from your school. This prestigious award can go to ANY faculty or staff member. Whether your nominee is an outstanding teacher, administrator, nurse, custodian, secretary, aide, paraprofessional, counselor, resource officer etc.… they ALL make a difference in the lives of our children. Voting begins January 5 and runs through March 1st. Nominations are done through the Upper Arlington Civic Association website at www.uaca.org.
Our schools are a huge part of what makes this community an amazing place to live! Vote for your favorite faculty or staff member to say thank you to those who shape the lives of our children.
Stop, Drop & Go
Please see this doc for our drop off and pick up procedures.
Attendance
Please make sure you are emailing windermereattendance@uaschools along with your student’s teacher to notify us of any absences
Planned Absences:
Please make sure you have a planned absence form on file with the office for vacations and/or absences other than medical. If a planned absence form is not submitted prior to the absence, it will be unexcused.
Medical appointments:
If at all possible, please submit a note from your child's medical provider for all health appointments, ie: doctor, dentist, ortho, therapy, etc.
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