September 23, 2021

Dear Families,

Our Open House is an opportunity for families to view their child’s daily environment. While in the classroom, the guardians will be able to view the learning environment which reflects the social and academic learning of your child. We think your child will enjoy the note you leave and the subsequent conversations you have from discussing the learning and experiences of the school.

We realize that guardians are very interested to know the learning progress of their child. Our upcoming conferences, October 7, 2021 8:00-8:00 and October 8th from 8:00-12:00, will be an opportunity for you to discuss your individual child’s growth at their grade level. Because we need to give many parents the opportunity to access the environment, we need to honor the schedule of the evening, which means extended, specific conversations will need to take place at conferences, or feel free to contact your child’s teacher via email or phone.

Attached is our school arrival map. Parents will be entering the event just as their child starts their day, through the grade level entry doors. As a parent, I have always enjoyed experiencing the school day in the same way as my child. We hope this event enriches your connection with Wasco and the education we provide. Your Wasco PTO will be stationed outside the school to offer another opportunity for connection and camaraderie. You are a part of our Wasco Wolf Pack! We look forward to spending time with you!

This is a parent-only event. All participants are expected to follow our safety and health guidelines by maintaining social distance and wearing a mask inside the building.

Grades 1, 2, 4 Thursday, September 23rd, 5:30-6:30

Grades K, 3, 5 Thursday, September 30th, 5:30-6:30

Kind regards,

Principal Brennan

Principal phone number: 331-228-6294

Email: stephanie.brennan@d303.org

Main office phone: 331-228-2900

School Hours are: 8:00am to 3:00pm

(student supervision starts at 7:45am, please do not drop off before that time)

September 23 Open House for grades 1, 2, and 4

September 29 Eary Release at 2:10pm

September 30 Open house for grades K, 3, and 5

We hope it doesn’t happen to your family, but we do want to share the D303 Quarantine Information page for your review. If you have questions about the procedure, or if we can help your family, please contact the Wasco Health office or Principal Brennan.

On Friday, October 8, Mrs. Brennan will be kicking in the annual Kick-A-Thon, which raises money for the American Cancer Society. Beginning Monday, September 20th, and ending September 27th, Wasco Elementary will be sponsoring a “Penny Drive,” to support this important cause.

Information for you:

1. All classes will have a “penny jar” where your child may put his/her donated coins.

2. The class which raises the most money will get to dress Mrs. Brennan Friday, October 1st. (A clown wig? A cartoon character? Your favorite team colors? You name it!)

3. Parents can donate by writing a check to "Kick A Thon" and dropping off in the office.

Thank you in advance for all of your help! If you have any questions, please contact the office.

Did you know, ALL D303 students may receive a student loan card to checkout and access books from the St. Charles Public Library?

Click on the button below for more details on how to get one for your student!

Are there any embarrassing teaching moments you’re willing to share? What are they?

Ms. Goodfellow: Plenty! A lot of lessons that have gone wrong and technology mishaps. The second part of my student teaching was remote with middle schoolers. We compiled a list of songs to play at the beginning of class as students were logging on. As soon as the song started playing the comments rolled in, “What is this?”, “This sounds like music my grandma listens to.” “This is TERRIBLE!” Of course, it was the day that my song was chosen. It took a while to live that one down!

If you could pass on any wisdom to your students, what would you share?

Ms. Goodfellow: Ask a lot of questions. You don’t stop learning when you leave school. I’m still learning new things every day as an adult! Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help or say that you don’t know something. It speaks a lot to your character when you can admit you need help.

What is one of your hidden talents?

Ms. Goodfellow: I’m really good at trivia! I apply to be on Jeopardy every year. I also taught myself how to play the ukulele during our first lockdown. I can play a few songs but I’m still practicing.

October 6, 2021 - SOS for Parents in the Trenches, Zoom Webinar, 6:30 p.m.

Debbie Reber, NY Times bestselling author

(Recording will be available after the event)

Click here to register!

When parents are feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and burned out, it’s hard to show up in a way that best supports their child’s development, especially if/ when our kids are struggling, too. In this practical and actionable talk, Debbie shares ten powerful “tilts,” a.k.a. practical ideas to help parents shift their thinking, responses, and actions in a way that will help them feel more confident and peaceful as they parent their unique children.

October 13, 2021 - Supporting Kids Who Learn Differently: Back-to-School Edition, Zoom Webinar, 6:30 p.m. Debbie Reber, NY Times bestselling author

(Recording to be posted)

Click here to register!

School always presents certain challenges for students who learn and think differently (kids with ADHD, dyslexia, giftedness, autism, anxiety, or other neuro-differences). But the COVID-19 pandemic has created even greater obstacles. Debbie shares ideas on how parents can best prioritize and plan in the pandemic-era school landscape. She also offers advice on how to support differently wired children’s cognitive, social, and emotional needs during this atypical time, while also taking care of one’s own emotional health and well-being.

September 1 & 29

October 27

December 1

January 26

February 23

March 23

April 27

Release will be at 2:10 p.m.

You can use the map link above to identify your child’s entrance and exit door. Upon arrival, students should enter the building through their designated door, where they will be greeted by a staff member. At the end of the day, students exit through the same door and proceed to a designated area sorted by their transportation home. Our students who ride the bus line up with a peer and staff bus monitor. Students who are picked up by car stand on the front sidewalk and wait for their ride to arrive. This is the same pattern we used last year. We appreciate it when you extend cooperation and consideration for others in our school community. The kids learn from all of us and we are a team working together to help children build lifelong skills and positive community habits.