School to Home Connection
January 2022 Edition
What's Going on at WD?
Jan. 5: Semester 2 Begins
Jan. 6: PALS Mid-Year Testing Begins
Jan. 7: Report Cards sent home with students
Jan. 17: MLK Jr. Day (No School)
Jan. 18: Benchmark Testing (Gr. 3-5) Begins
Jan. 26: Division-wide Spelling Bee @MMS 5:30 PM (This is a change)
School Hours
*If your child arrives after 8:05 AM, you will need to park your car in the main lot and walk them into the building. Students who enter the building after announcements are over will be considered tardy.
Announcements: 8:05 AM
School Day Begins: 8:10 AM
School Day Ends: 3:10 PM
Dismissal Begins: 3:10 PM
Buses Leave WDES: 3:15 PM (Approximately)
Students who are picked up before 3:10 PM will be considered an early release.
Bus Riders: Someone must be present to receive your child from the bus. If you would like to have your child dropped off at your home without someone receiving them, you may complete a Bus Waiver Form (Grades 3-5 Only). This requires approval from Central Office Administration. Please ask your child's teacher if you would like a bus waiver form.
Car Riders: Our car rider dismissal takes place in the car rider loops. If you are picking your child up after 3:05 PM, parents must use the car rider loop. If you need to get to an appointment and cannot wait in the car rider loop, please notify the front office and plan to pick up your child before 3:05 PM. This allows our staff to ensure that your child leaves school safely with the correct adult.
In the car rider loop, please remain in your vehicle at all times. A staff member will bring your child to your car. The safety of our students is our first priority. Please note, the posted speed limit in the WD Parking lot is 15 MPH. Thank you for your cooperation.
*All transportation changes must be made by 2:00 PM. This must be done by parent note sent to school or a phone call to the main office (804) 224-9100. Transportation changes after 2:00 PM will not be possible. Thank you for your understanding and support!
Congratulations to the WD Spelling Bee Winners
Grade 1:
Winner: Emory Townsend
Runner Up: Jacob Hays
Grade 2:
Winner: Raegan Roberts
Runner Up: Akel Ringo
Grade 3:
Winner: Colton Townsend
Runner Up: Gavin Groves
Grade 4:
Winner: Ryan Gould
Runner Up: Malia Madison
Grade 5:
Winner: Gastavo Cabanillas
Runner Up: Aubree Hogg
WD Canned Food Drive: Success!
WD Students Engage in PBL!
Mitigation Strategies & Quarantine Information
Morning Temperature Screenings: All car riders and bus riders have their temperature taken upon arrival at school. Any student who has a temperature of 100.4+ will not be permitted to attend school that day. Please screen your child for Covid-like symptoms before sending them to school each day. Thank you for your cooperation!
Face Masks: Should be worn properly by all staff, students, and all other persons inside the building and on school transportation buses/cars. No exceptions. Masks do not need to be worn outdoors at this time. Masks should be work over nose and mouth while inside the building unless they are eating/ drinking. Teachers have built outdoor mask breaks into their schedule throughout the day. Please contact your child's teacher if you have any questions.
3-6 Ft Distancing: Our classrooms are set up to keep our students three feet apart (6 feet when possible) from one another. Certain grade levels who eat lunch in the cafeteria are spaced 6 feet apart while eating. At this time, visitors are not allowed during lunch. Thank you for your understanding.
Cleaning: Teachers provide students with frequent opportunities to wash hands, use hand sanitizer, and use the lysol spray to clean frequently used areas after student use. Our custodial staff completes a detailed cleaning regimen at the end of every school day after staff and students have left.
Students Required to Quarantine: If a student tests positive for Covid-19, they are required to quarantine for 10 days after the day they test positive or are presumed positive. If a student is identified as a close contact (within 6 feet of a positive case for 15 minutes or more) they will also be required to quarantine for 10 days after the last day of exposure.
If your child is identified as a close contact or has shared a space with someone who is Covid positive, you will receive a phone call from a WD staff member and a letter sent home with your child. If your child is required to quarantine, a staff member will inform you on the day your child may return to school (no symptoms and fever free for 24 hours).
If your child tests positive or is a close contact of someone else who has tested positive, please notify the school immediately and begin quarantining your child at home. Thank you!
Please click the Dashboard Button below to see current Covid-19 information for all Westmoreland Schools.
Students in Quarantine
The WDES staff is grateful that all students are able to receive full-time, in-person learning this school year! However, during this challenging time, some students may be required to quarantine due to COVID exposure. During this time, the WD staff is going to do everything possible to ensure that your child has continued learning during their quarantine. Students who are required to quarantine in accordance to VDH and CDC guidelines will be provided the opportunity to participate in learning each school day and will be considered present if daily learning objectives and participation are achieved.
Please review the following “Students in Quarantine Expectations” that is attached below. Please keep in mind that this is only for students who are designated to quarantine and does not include absences for any other reason. If your student is required to quarantine, please reach out to your child’s teacher. The teacher and student's family will create a Quarantine Learning Plan together. After the plan has been created, please review the student expectations carefully and sign the agreement page and return it to school.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your child's teacher. Thank you for all you do. We are in this TOGETHER!
Caught Being an EAGLE!
Excellent Attitude
Always Responsible
Good Friend
Leader
Exceptional Attendance
Many WDES students have already been "caught being an Eagle" by demonstrating these traits! Check out some of the students (pictured above and below) who have already been "caught"being an Eagle by the WDES staff. Classroom teachers will share celebratory photos of your student when they are caught being an Eagle! #EaglePride
Student Attendance
-Provide the Child's Name
-The date(s) of the absence(s)
-Excuse for why they are absent (see list of possible excused absences below)
Possible reasons for absence to be considered excused:
-Note from parent that the child is sick
-Doctor's (Medical/ Mental Health) or Dental note
-Note from an Officer of the Court
Parent written excuses can only be accepted for the first 5 consecutive absences or 10 total absences. Once a student has reached 10 total absences, only a note from a doctor/ dentist or from an officer of the court can be accepted per attendance policy.
Notes must be received within 5 days of the absence.
Please review the following actions that will occur upon the following absences:
3 Unexcused Absences: Class DOJO note and/or phone call reminder from school.
5 Unexcused Absences: Phone call, 5 Day Attendance letter, and attendance plan & meeting.
10 Total absences: Phone call, 10 Day Attendance letter, and attendance plan & meeting.
Your child's attendance is recorded daily in Power School. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child's attendance, please call the WDES Main Office.
Happy Birthday, January Babies!
Christie Douglas, WDES Principal
Email: douglascc@wmlcps.org
Website: https://wd.wmlcps.org/
Location: 454 Oak Grove Road, Colonial Beach, VA, USA
Phone: (804) 224-9100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wdpto/