Wasco Weekly
THE STRENGTH OF THE WOLF IS ITS PACK
October 1, 2020
As the school prepares for the Parent Conferences next week, the topic of goals frequents our conversations. Our staff recognizes the importance of goal setting. Students who know the learning targets and establish personal goals are engaged and purposeful learners. Teaching children this meaningful practice builds life long learners who are empowered to meet opportunities with the necessary skills to succeed.
This year, our school has accomplished many goals such as opening an in-person learning community and staying healthy. As we move forward, I anticipate even more accomplishments. Parent-teacher conferences, and the exchange of knowledge about student targets, are a great way to start this important process at home and at school. We are here to work together, helping our Wasco Wolves learn, grow, and visualize all they can become.
Kind regards,
Principal Brennan
New Conference Information
Fifth Grade Science
Fifth graders are learning about the transmission of germs in their PLTW science unit Infection Detection. Science and Engineering practices are put into play when students plan, carry out investigations, analyze and interpret data. Using the Scientific Inquiry Process, students are designing experiments to test the effectiveness of hand washing techniques. The information gleaned from these experiments helps us relate to the current pandemic and the need to curb the spread of germs and viruses.
News From Physical Education
We are making the best of our Covid-19 guidelines while in P.E. reinforcing safety and social distancing as we move, playing games and competing in challenges. The weather has been beautiful but next week looks a little chilly. Please make sure your student is prepared for outside Physical Education class with necessary layers, and hat and gloves if preferred. Our grassy areas are quite wet in the morning with dew so if you need to send a fresh pair of shoes to change into after PE please do so. Tie or velcro tennis shoes work best. Slip-ons, such as VANS, frequently come off when running, kicking and strenuous movement. We will be utilizing our outdoor space as much as possible for as long as we can.
Please feel free to contact me if you have additional questions at julie.misner@d303.org.
Julie Misner
Physical Education teacher
How's Your Child's Reading Life?
Parents use these reflection questions to examine your child's progress.
- What is your child reading?
- How are they accessing reading materials?
- Do they have enough access?
- How quickly do they turn over reading materials?
This link to the Wasco's Library provides your family with access to electronic and physical text. The public library is also a good resource. Wasco Elementary aims to foster active reading among its student body. Contact your teacher for more information.
Conferences- Meet your Specials Teachers!
Parent Teacher Conferences - Coming Next Week
Each family will be invited to sign up for a Parent-Teacher Conference via Pick-A-Time. The system is scheduled to open Monday, September 21, and closes October 7th. If you are the parent of a remote student, please review the note below.
Conferences will take place Thursday, October 8, 8:00-8:00 pm and Friday, October 9th, 8:00-12:00.
For Remote Learning Parents: How to schedule conferences
Our remote families will also use the Pick a TIme system to schedule their conferences. Here is how to find your child's teacher:
On Thursday, September 16th, Principal Liechty sent the following message to the parents of our remote learners:
The District 303 remote teachers have classrooms containing students from several different District schools. In order to efficiently monitor and schedule their classes, and so that assessment information would flow to the remote teacher and the child's home school, the teacher needed to be assigned a primary scheduling building. This primary building designation does not impact the home school to which your child is attached. Students and families are still connected to their home school for all communication and activities.
To schedule conferences in Pick-A-Time, select the building designated as the “Scheduling Building” for your child's remote teachers from the drop-down menu. Next, select the teacher. Follow the prompts to schedule your conference time.
Book Checkout for Remote and In Person Students
Our school library is here to provide reading materials for your child. We have three ways to access fiction and nonfiction books: Print books for In-Person Learners, Digital/eBooks for In Persona and Remote learners, and Book Pickup for Remote learners. Please use this link below to access the pathway you choose. Happy reading!
Book Checkout procedures
Parent Resource Survey
It is important to us at Wasco that we provide a community of care and support to our families, especially when faced with financial hardship.
The current situation related to the COVID-19 pandemic has caused some families to experience a need related to job loss, medical bills, child care, etc. District 303 has several supports available for families through our schools.
The supports available include: Thanksgiving Meal Support and Big Hearts of Fox Valley Holiday Support Program. If you are interested, please complete this survey.
Attention Parents who drive to Wasco for pickup
Parents we really appreciate your attention to safety you are when you arrive on campus. As inclement weather approaches, we are working to make sure we move traffic as smoothly as possible. Here are some suggestions:
Please pull up AS FAR AS POSSIBLE in available space, without occupying the crosswalks (marked with white stripes). This will enable us to place more students in cars.
Please be aware of loading quickly so that we can exit cars in the pickup line as quickly as possible.
Take care to limit social interactions while driving. During arrival and dismissal, there is a lot of activity and we want to ensure all adults are watchful for moving students.
Encourage your child to watch for your vehicle.
Homework for student absences
If your child is absent from school, your child's teacher will provide the necessary classwork, just as has happened in the past. Teachers can send home online resources as well as provide you with the learning objectives for each content area. Please reach out to your child's teacher when you need information about their lessons.
Mask and Space Requirements When Visiting our Campus
Parents and other visitors to a school campus are expected to be wearing a mask when at the school. Our school community goal is to be as safe as possible and following the precautions such as wearing a mask when sharing space with others or when we are unable to keep our distance is a community practice that decreases the spread of germs. Your help modeling mask-wearing and spacing from others demonstrates our commitment to the health of one another.
New to Wasco? Here is a guide to help! Welcome to Wasco Elementary for Families SY 21
We realize there is much information to digest, especially if you are a parent new to Wasco. Please use this link to access a plethora of information about the daily operation of our school. We hope this guide answers all of your questions. When in doubt, please reach out to our office. We are happy to help! Even if you are a returning family, you might want to keep the link handy.
Bus Information
Transportation route information is accessible to families using this link: Bus Routes. You will need your HAC number to access the information. Transportation route information will not be sent home through the mail and can only be accessed online. Please note that for the first two weeks of the school year, the district will not make adjustments to the transportation routes. Our transportation department will collect suggestions about the routes and make adjustments where necessary after the first two weeks of classes.
Food Service Programs
Since March, District 303 has collaborated with our food service vendors to provide grab and go meals for students to enjoy at home. We want to make you aware of the procedures for making sure that students continue to receive meals, whether they are learning in-person or remotely.
Families who choose to purchase meals for their children will have their PushCoin accounts debited, unless eligible for free lunch. For more information about eligibility for free and reduced lunch, please contact Patricia Townsend at 331.228.6529.
