Mustang Memo
Williams Elementary - September 2020
School Times
(See below for more information)
7:35 Last Time to Drop Off Children at EMCC
7:45 School Doors Open
8:25 Doors on Buddy Riley Side of School Are Locked
(Main doors remain unlocked)
8:30 Classes Begin
2:30 Last time to call with a same day transportation change for your child
3:40 Dismissal
3:45-6:30 Hours of After School Adventures Program
(See below for more information)
Important Dates
September 7 - Labor Day/No classes
September 8 - Students that have chosen face to face instruction return to campus. Online learning continues for students that have chosen this option.
September 21 - No classes/Professional development day
September 26 - Last day to notify school of change from virtual to on campus learning or from on campus to virtual learning for the 2nd nine weeks
October 6 - Fall picture day
October 9 - Last day of first 9 weeks
Principal's Message
WES Parents and Guardians,
For students that return to campus, our goal is to make school as normal as possible while still following safety protocols. Children will still go to specials and recess and eat in the cafeteria. They will be spread out more than before and will have assigned seats. Teachers will educate students daily on safety procedures such as washing hands, using hand sanitizer, and social distancing. Although it is required for all staff members to wear masks while at school, masks for elementary students are not required. The Montgomery County Health Department does recommend that children wear them, but this has not been mandated. You know your child better than anyone. If you think that your child is capable of leaving a mask on during the day, then this may be a good option for your family. If you think that wearing a mask will cause your child to touch his/her face more than normal or if you know that wearing a mask causes anxiety in your child, then you do not need to send them to school with a mask. We understand that the younger the child, the less likely that he/she will be okay with wearing a mask all day. Regardless of what you choose for your child, you can rest assured that all of the adults in the building will be wearing masks while on campus.
Planning and staffing for both on campus students and online students has been quite the challenge. Some grade levels had about 20% of their students choose to continue with online learning, while other grade levels had very few students choose to remain only online. Because of these student and staffing changes, some students may receive a new teacher on September 8. We understand that no one wants a schedule a change, but in many cases it was our only option. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work to provide ALL of our students the best education that we can.
If your family has chosen for your student to remain at home and continue with online learning for the first nine weeks, please know that you will have the option to change to on campus learning beginning October 13. Virtual teachers will be sending out information on how to do that two weeks before the nine weeks ends. You will, of course, also have the option to continue with virtual learning for the school year. We look forward to working with your children this year!
Sincerely,
Claudia Dominguez
Principal
Frequently Asked Questions
Not at this time. In an effort to keep your child safe, we are limiting the adults on campus to essential personnel.
I bought school supplies but never picked them up. Where are they?
If you never picked up your child's school supplies, they have been to delivered to your child's classroom.
I still need to buy school supplies. Does the school still have any packages left?
Yes, we still have some left. You would need to come by or call the front office and then pay with a check or cash. The price is $35.
I filled out the lunch application last year. Do I need to fill it out again this year?
Yes. This is application must be filled out every year. Children that were on this program last year will be allowed to continue eating for free or at the reduced price for the first 3 weeks of school, but the application must be completed again for the program to continue past that time. Families that fill out the form and qualify for the program, also receive discounts on the Adventures after school child care registration and, in some cases, a lower rate on home internet.
I want my child to wear a mask at school but he/she left it at home. What do I do?
Don't worry. We have all types of children's masks at school in different sizes and with different designs. Just call our main number and let the receptionist know that your child left his/her mask at home and you would like us to supply one. Not a problem.
I need to come in the school building for a meeting, but I forgot my mask. What do I do?
Call the receptionist and let her know that you forgot your mask. We will meet you at the front door with a disposable mask. Don't feel bad, it happens.
Has the dismissal process changed this year?
Yes, but only on the inside of the building. As a parent, you should not see a difference. Parents still drop off and pick up students on the Buddy Riley side of the building. Instead of putting all car riders in the gym to wait on parents, we have students waiting in different locations and divided by grade level so that we can continue to social distance during this process.
I know that the school is offering all meetings via ZOOM, but what if I need to meet in person for something?
If you feel that you need to meet face to face with school personnel or if you need to bring in documents, a meeting can be set up in the front office area. We have several offices in that front area and will gladly set up a place for the meeting to take place.
How long will it take to get through the car rider line?
We do not have an answer to this yet. Last year, the car rider line finished about 4:05. Based on how many parents picked up students on the small group days in August, it appears that more students are getting dropped off and picked up this year. This may change after September 8.
Do I still need a sign with my child's name to put in my car when I pick up my child?
Yes, we will be getting those to you the week of September 8.
Can I drop off lunch for my child?
Yes. We ask that you do this only now and then to help us limit the number of visitors/adults on campus.
Can I still bring food/desserts for the class when it is my child's birthday?
No. The MISD nutrition department is now offering individually wrapped cupcakes, cookies, and ice cream desserts that can be purchased ahead of time and delivered to the class.
If the water fountains are not being used, what happens if my child is thirsty?
We are asking that you send a reusable bottle with your child's name on it which we can refill with our "no touch" water dispensers. For students that don't have/lose/forget their water bottle, we have water stations in each grade area that will either have small cups of water with lids or small water bottles, depending on the age of the students.
Will WES be having concerts and assemblies this year?
It is too early to say what will happen for the entire school year, but, at this time, we are not planning for anything that requires large groups on campus. Hopefully, this will change.
My child has to go to the clinic daily to take medication. I am concerned that he/she might be around a sick student. What can I do to avoid this?
We have expanded our clinic waiting area by converting our registrar's office into an area for students that feel sick and are showing covid-19 and/or flu symptoms. Sick students and students needing medication/asthma inhalers/band-aids, etc. will not use the same waiting area.
My child is returning to school on September 8. What do I do with the Chromebook/tablet that we checked out?
It depends on the grade your child is in. Please see below for more detailed information.
This has been a hard year for my family and we need help with school supplies and other things to get our children ready for the school year. Who do I contact if we need help?
Please reach out to our counselor, Claudia Gonzales at cgonzales@magnoliaisd.org. The year 2020 has been difficult for many families. Mrs. Gonzales is our resident resource expert.
Early Morning Child Care
After School Adventures Program
School Chromebooks and Tablets
If your child is returning to campus on September 8, we are asking that students in grades 1-4 bring their devices back to school. Please be sure to return the charging cord with the device. The device will remain checked out to your child, but we will keep the devices in the classrooms for the students to use during the school day. This prevents students from having to share devices which are difficult to sanitize. In the event that your child is sent home sick, the device will be sent home with him/her. If a group of students has to be quarantined, the devices will either be sent home with the students or placed in the front office for parents to pick up. Hopefully, this does not happen. Please have your child return his/her device on Tuesday or Wednesday, if possible.
At this time, prek and kinder students may keep their devices at home. They may be asked to bring them back at a later date. We want to focus on teaching our younger students school routines and procedures the first couple of weeks.
What bus does my child ride?
We will have staff members riding our school buses for the first two days to assist in getting our students home safely and smoothly.
Our Campus Resource Expert, Mrs. Gonzales
Important Links and Instructions
Early Morning Child Care Registration Information
After School Adventures Registration Information
Instructions on How to Log In to Canvas and ClassLink for the First Time
Information on Free and Reduced Lunches and Link to Application
Motto
Dream It, Believe It, Achieve It
Vision
Empowering learners and leaders who will create a
better present and future.
Mission
Williams Elementary is committed to providing a safe and positive learning environment where everyone feels valued and empowered. We are a community of learners who continuously develop relationships, seek relevance, and embrace rigorous challenges.
Williams Elementary
Email: cdominguez@magnoliaisd.org
Website: https://wes.magnoliaisd.org/
Location: 18101 FM 1488, Magnolia, TX 77353
Phone: (281) 356-6866
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WillieEWilliamsElementary
Twitter: @weselementary