Wrightstown Elementary
August 13, 2021 Welcome Back to School Edition
I hope this email finds you enjoying a break from school routines and opportunities to make wonderful memories with family and friends. I would like to extend my appreciation to Mrs. Winslow, Mr. Harron, and the ABM team for their hard work to prepare the building for a new school year. I am looking forward to everyone's return and to kick-start what promises to be another tremendous school year!
I am excited to share that Wrightstown Elementary School has qualified and will be receiving Title One services this school year. This additional reading support will be available to students that meet specific requirements. Families will be contacted directly should your child meet these qualifications.
At the present time, the building is set up as it was prior to COVID-19. Please take some time to read over this newsletter and the included CR Health and Safety Plan as it is full of pertinent information. This year, I will be communicating with the WES community on a bi-weekly basis through this Smore format. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions at bfox@crsd.org or by phone at 215-944-2306.
We look forward to welcoming new and returning students to school in just a few short weeks. Enjoy the remaining weeks of your summer vacation.
Respectfully,
Beth A. Fox
Principal
Staffing Update
As we look forward to the 2021-22 school year with excitement I want to share some staffing updates with you. This is not an all-encompassing staff list but provides an overview of grade levels and special area teachers.
Mrs. Mallee, School Nurse, has been reassigned to a position at CRHS North. We will greatly miss Mrs. Mallee and appreciate the wonderful care she provided to our school community during her time at WES. I will provide an update regarding her replacement as soon as it is available. In addition, Mrs. Mallee will be working with the incoming nurse to help ensure a smooth transition.
Retirements:
We had a couple members of the staff retire. Mrs. Mariotti, Mrs. Rodgers, and Mrs. Mullin (effective 10/21). I know you join me in wishing them all the best in retirement.
Leaves:
Mrs. Matteo will be on leave for the school year. Ms. Katherine Simon will be assigned the teacher in her absence. Additionally, Mrs. Kessler will also be on leave this year. Mrs. Brittney Diamond will be the assigned teacher. Mrs. Zengloewicz will be on leave until December. We welcome Ms. Stephanie Gillen to the team in her absence.
New Staff:
Ms. Brianna Kinney - 1st Grade Teacher
Mrs. Brittney Diamond - 1st Grade Teacher
Ms. Katherine Simon - Special Education Teacher
Ms. Kate Ortendahl - P.E. Teacher
Mr. Trey Balasco - Temporary P.E. Teacher (Mrs. Miller will return in December)
Mrs. Lisa Weiss - Librarian
Mrs. Noreen Moore - Librarian
Mrs. Amanda Pfannenstiel - General Music Teacher
Mrs. Lisa Montebello - Cafe./Recess Monitor
Mrs. Bridget Scipione, Mrs. Michelle Buonomo, and Mrs. Nicole McCrane - Title One Staff
Grade Level Changes:
Miss Quinn - General Education Teacher switched from 2nd to 4th Grade.
Miss Manero - General Education Teacher switched from 5th to 6th Grade.
Homeroom Teachers:
As we look forward to the upcoming, 2021-2022 school year, I would like to share our homeroom teacher assignments by grade level. A complete staffing list can be found in the parent handbook.
- Kindergarten - Mrs. Stahl
- First Grade - Mrs. Downer, Ms. Kinney, and Mrs. Diamond
- Second Grade - Mrs. Murray and Mrs. Cirelli
- Third Grade - Mrs. Schubert, Mrs. Fortunato, and Ms. Johnson
- Fourth Grade - Mrs. Borah, Mrs. Bowman, and Miss Quinn
- Fifth Grade - Mrs. Oberdick and Mrs. Gilbert
- Sixth Grade - Ms. Ross, Mrs. Tyson, and Miss Manero
Student placement assignments will be accessible on Monday, August 16th beginning at 9:00 AM in the Home Access Center (HAC).
Important Dates:
- Monday, August 16th - Home Access Center (HAC) Opens
- Thursday, August 26th - Open House Activities: AM Kindergarten Orientation - 9:00 AM, PM Kindergarten Orientation - 10:30 AM, New Family Open House - 2:15 PM, First through Sixth Meet and Greet - 2:30-3:30 PM
- Monday, August 30th - First Day for Students
- Tuesday, August 31st - Back to School Night for Grades 4, 5, 6 (7:00 p.m.)
- Wednesday, September 1st - Back to School Night for Grades 1, 2, 3 (7:00 p.m.)
- Friday, September 3rd - No School for Students
- Monday, September 6th through Wednesday, September 8th - No School for Students
Teacher Information LIVE on HAC - August 16th
Access to your child's class placement for the 2021-2022 school year will be available to view on Monday, August 16th via the Home Access Center (HAC). At that time, families will be able to view the Demographic Update Form and Student Homerooms.
We also ask that parents please take the time to update any necessary information on HAC at that time (i.e. - email change, emergency contact information, etc.). It is important that we have the most current information on file.
If you encounter any issues while trying to log into HAC, please click this LINK for support.
Thank you for your cooperation in refraining from requests for class placement changes and for the understanding, trust, and support you put in us to place your child in the best situation for success. Much time, effort, and conversation goes into placement for each student. Please know that the teachers and staff always have your child's best interest at heart!
Kindergarten Student Orientations & Back to School Presentation
Thursday, August 26, 2021
9:00 AM for AM Kindergarteners
10:30 AM for PM Kindergarteners
All incoming Kindergarteners will have an opportunity to complete an activity in their classroom. They will meet their Kindergarten teacher and other members of the staff. While your children engage with staff in various activities, the Kindergarten teacher will meet with parents in their classrooms to share “Back to School” information. This will include information related to the Kindergarten schedule and academic programs. The orientation will provide students with an opportunity to learn about bus safety and students will take an actual bus ride to the Grange Fair and back. This Back to School parent session will replace the one typically held on the school wide Back to School Night in September.
New Student/Family Orientation
Thursday, August 26, 2021
at 2:15 PM in the Cafeteria
All parents and students who will be new to the Wrightstown community in the 2021-22 school year, are invited to the building to receive general information about the school. You will also have an opportunity to meet select staff and members of the PTO. Immediately following, you are welcome to tour the building and visit your child's teacher.
School Meet & Greet
Thursday, August 26, 2021
2:30 - 3:30 PM at WES
Students in grades 1-6 will have an opportunity to meet their teacher and see their new classroom. This is only open to students in grades 1-6. Kindergarten students will be attending a separate orientation earlier in the morning.
2021 Back to School Night
Grades 4, 5, & 6 - Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at 7:00 PM
Grades 1, 2, & 3 - Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at 7:00 PM
* Kindergarten Back to School information will be shared with parents on Thursday morning, August 26th.
Grade Level Supply Lists
Teacher Assignments/Busing Information
Teacher assignments for the 2021-22 school year will be accessible via the Home Access Center (HAC) on Monday, August 16th beginning at 9:00 AM.
Student Transportation Slip for Car Riders
If you are planning to pick your child(ren) up from school, please complete the attached form and return it to Mrs. Winslow at gwinslow@crsd.org by August 27th. This will help us best prepare for the first day of school.
CAR RIDER DROP OFF TIME IN THE MORNING
Students may be dropped off at Wrightstown
beginning at 8:50 AM.
Please note that supervision is not available before 8:50 AM.
During arrival ALL students should report directly to their homeroom. We will have staff on hand to help anyone who needs it during this time.
CAR RIDER PROCEDURES FOR DISMISSAL
During the first week of school every car rider family will receive two (2) placards. Students will be given these placards to take home. Please note, these placards will be distributed per family, not students. We appreciate your patience as we transition to these new procedures. It will take some time for this new process to become routine.
- Two (2) placards will be provided per car rider family.
- Placards must be displayed in the car windshield in full view for staff to see when picking up students.
- Remember to remain in your car during this process. Staff members assigned to this area will assist your child to your vehicle.
- If you don’t have a placard displayed and the staff doesn’t recognize you, you will be asked to park and visit the main office in the front of the building to provide identification to sign your child out.
Here is how car rider dismissal procedures will work:
-Display your school issued placard in your car windshield so that it is visible.
-Upon entering the school site you will turn left (there is a sign on the right of the driveway indicating this) and drive through the front parking lot.
-Once you come to a stop sign you will cross over the bus lane into another parking lot and turn right.
-You will proceed down toward the gym entrance and pull your car up as far as you can go. Cones will be stationed at this area.
-Please remain in your car.
-A staff member will write down your child’s name and radio the office to call for your child/ren to be dismissed from their classroom to the gym doors.
-Depending on the time that it takes your child to exit the building, you may be asked to move your car out of the line and park in a parking space. Staff will direct you.
If your child is a car rider, you will no longer be permitted to park in the staff/visitor parking lot, walk up and receive your child. You must remain in the car line to pick up your child/ren. No child will be released to a parent/person outside of their car.
Car rider procedures for morning drop off remain the same.
-Once on site follow the signs for car rider drop off located on the gym side of the school.
-Parents pull their car up to the gym side of the school where you will remain in your car.
-Children exit the car from the passenger side only and enter the school through the gym doors.
A directional map is provided below for your reference.
Parent/Student Handbook 2021-22 SY
Reminder - Masks Optional for Council Rock Students and Staff
On May 20, 2021, the Council Rock Board of School Directors voted that "effective upon the start of the 2021-2022 school year, face coverings (masks) will be optional for all K-12 CRSD students and staff subject to any contrary state order or mandate that may be in effect at that time."
The Council Rock school community is advised that this approval still stands, making masks optional for students and staff for the start of the upcoming school year.
2021- 2022 Food Service Information for Families/FAQ
Will the cafeterias be open for lunch service?
- Yes.
Do families have to pay for meals from the cafeteria?
- CR students in grades 1-8 are eligible to receive a free lunch if they so desire.
- CR students in grades 9-12 will return to the traditional model of lunch service, where students pay for their meals based on approved eligibility status (paid, reduced or free).
- A la carte items (e.g., snacks, ice cream and certain drinks) are NOT included as part of the free meal, and must be paid for out of the student’s lunch account.
- To add funds to your child’s lunch account, check their account balance or sign up for low balance notifications and auto-replenishment, please visit MyPaymentsPlus.
Do I qualify for the Free and Reduced lunch option?
- All CR families are encouraged to fill out the Free and Reduced Lunch application. Applications must be completed annually to determine eligibility. Please reach out to Karen Moody via email at kmoody@crsd.org or 215-944-1068 should you have any questions regarding the Free and Reduced program.
- Free and Reduced application.
How long will the free lunch program last?
- The federal waiver will expire at the end of the 2021-22 school year, BUT it may end sooner if the government funding expires. If the federal waiver expires, it WILL NOT impact anyone who qualifies for free/reduced lunches.
What happens after the free lunch program ends?
- CR will return to the traditional model of lunch service, where students pay for their meals based on approved eligibility status (paid, reduced or free).
Does my student need to pre-order their food if they want to receive a meal from the cafeteria?
- A pre-ordering process already exists at the elementary schools for grades 1-6.
- Middle and High school students DO NOT need to pre-order their food.
Where will students eat their lunches?
- All CR students will eat in the school cafeteria, at cafeteria tables.
- There will be alternative options available for elementary school students who have not had the opportunity to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Please contact your elementary school for information regarding alternate options.
Champions
There are openings in the Before and After Champions program. If you're interested in learning information about the programs, please visit the Champions website at www.discoverchampions.com.
Council Rock Attendance Letter
Please take a moment to review this year's attendance letter from the school district that outlines information regarding Council Rock policies on student absences. You can find the letter at the link below.
Wrightstown Elementary School
Principal
Email: bfox@crsd.org
Website: https://www.crsd.org/wrightstownes
Location: 729 Penns Park Road, Wrightstown, PA 18940
Phone: (215) 944-2300
Twitter: @BethFox_WES