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Washington Elementary
Boyertown Area School District - Home of the Bears
Washington Elementary School News - February 2024
Mrs. Lisa DeRenzo, Principal
Calendar of Events
FEBRUARY
9 ........... WES Spirit Day
10 ......... United Way of Boyertown Area Pancake Breakfast
16 ......... Professional Learning Day - No school for students
19 ......... Presidents' Day - Schools Closed/Offices Open
Visit the calendar on our website for additional district events.
PSSA Testing 2024
English/Language Arts: April 22, 2024 – April 26, 2024
Math/Science: April 29, 2024 – May 3, 2024
Please know that Educational Trips are strongly discouraged for students in Grades 3-5 during the testing weeks.
WES Spirit Day
Circle February 9th on your calendar for WES Spirit Day! Demonstrate your school pride by wearing your WES T-Shirt or Hoodie. Splash the day with smiles and unity as we showcase our vibrant colors. Let those WES colors take center stage - together, we amplify the brightness of WES! 🎉👕
THANK YOU
We would like to extend a HUGE thank you to everyone who purchased gifts for our families who were a part of the Giving Tree this school year. All the tags on the tree were taken and the gifts purchased. Our families were very appreciative. Your generosity and kindness helped to brighten the holidays for several of our families!
“To kindness and love, the things we need most.” THE GRINCH
A Special Announcement
Dairy Queen Fundraiser to honor Luis
Dairy Queen of Gilbertsville will also honor Luis Day on March 7, 2024, with their own fundraiser. They have pledged to donate 20% of all sales from 3 - 7 PM to help Luis and his family. No flyer is necessary. We hope to see you there in your Miracl4Luis shirts!
“Helping Children Learn” Title I newsletters and daily planners
Dear WES Families,
Please enjoy the February “Helping Children Learn” Title I newsletters and daily planners at the links below. These Title I resources are provided each month to involve families in their child’s education. Here we will share with you simple ideas for nurturing literacy, as well as effective work habits and study skills. In February’s edition, you will find information about supporting your child’s self-regulation skills, setting realistic expectations, and tips for reinforcing responsibility at home.
Helping Children Learn February Title I Newsletter
Title I Daily Learning Planner February
Please do not hesitate to reach out to Mrs. Ramirez at jramirez@boyertownasd.org with any questions or concerns.
Feeding School Kids Campaign
The GIANT Company is excited to kick off its Feeding School Kids Campaign to support our district’s meal program. The campaign kicked off on January 1 and will run through the end of March. One hundred percent of the proceeds raised at our local GIANT store on Holly Road in Gilbertsville through ‘round up’ will benefit our school district.
‘Round up’ is Giant’s program of asking its customers if they want to round up their grocery bills for non-profit organizations. BASD has been the recipient of their winter program generosity in the past. Through their giving, we have offset the rising cost of food and provide nourishing meals to all students regardless of their ability to pay.
Along with customer generosity, The GIANT Company will match up to $100,000 of dollars raised across their stores.
Thank you for your ongoing generosity!
It's Winter - Recess
Students go outside for recess unless the outside temperature/wind chill factor is 18° fahrenheit or below (real feel), or it is precipitating. It is most important that all students dress warmly so that they will be comfortable when they are outdoors. This includes having students bring coats, mittens, and hats. Please send warm clothing with your child for outdoor recess. Thank you.
NEWS FROM THE NURSE’S DESK February 2024
Below you will find information regarding health room procedures. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the health room nurses at 610-473-1970.
February is National Children's Dental Health Month. According to the American Dental Association, early childhood tooth decay has become the most chronic childhood disease. More than 40% of children have tooth decay by the time they reach kindergarten and children who suffer from poor oral health are three times more likely to miss school due to dental pain. Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits can help children to have a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Dental visits include an exam and thorough cleaning of the teeth, fluoride treatment, and instructions on how to brush and floss properly. Dental providers will also discuss important treatment options to help prevent decay, tooth loss and gingivitis.
How can parents help?
1.) Schedule routine dental visits every six months.
2.) Ensure your child is brushing their teeth for 2 minutes, flossing and using mouth wash twice per day.
3.) Replace your child’s toothbrush every 3-4 months.
4.) Choose healthy drinks/snacks. Fruit juice, sports drinks, fruit snacks and sticky candy all can threaten the health of your child’s teeth. Instead, give calcium-rich snacks like cheese or low-sugar yogurt.
5.) Water, water, water! Water helps to rinse away any sugar or food particles that can lead to cavities.
Physical & Dental Forms: All state mandated Kindergarten and 3rd grade private dental forms and all Kindergarten private physical exam forms are due now. Screenings performed by the district dentist will be held on either 2/21/24 or 2/28/24. If you would like your child screened by the district dentist, please complete this form and return asap to the health office: ..\Dental exam missing - WES.doc
Medication Information: If your child requires prescription or over-the-counter medication while at school, a medication authorization form must be completed by your physician. Once completed, please submit the paperwork, then contact the health room to schedule an appointment to drop off your child’s medication. Prescription medications must be in an original pharmacy labeled container. Over-the-counter medication must be in original packaging. Please refer to the BASD website for more information.
Returning Paperwork: Please return any health room forms (Physical, Dental, Medication) via email if possible. You can scan and email the original document or email a photograph from your phone to dwilson@boyertownasd.org or chackman@boyertownasd.org
* Change of clothing: Please keep a change of clothing in your child’s backpack, regardless of their age. Clothing can become soiled due to a bathroom accident, fall outside in the mud, or because of spilling food/drink. The health room may not have appropriately sized clothing, so if your child does have an accident of any sort, a parent will be called to bring clothing in for the child.
A Message from Your School Counselor, Mrs. Oxenford - February 2024
Random Acts of Kindness Day is Saturday February
Random Acts of Kindness Week is February 11 – 17, 2024
Let’s uphold this annual tradition of celebrating kindness because we know everyone can use more kindness in their lives. Scientific evidence shows us the positive effects of doing kind acts for others as well as receiving or even witnessing kindness. Even the smallest act of kindness can change a life. Can you imagine a world where kindness is the norm? That’s the world we want. In 2024 we encourage everyone to Explore the Good and Make Kindness the Norm!
Following is the link for the 2024 Kindness Calendar for some fun activities you can do each day:
https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/kindness-at-home/resources#kindness-calendar
KEEP GOING! Even when the week is over, you can continue being kind! Commit to doing one small act of kindness each day! YOU can help make kindness the norm!!
Source: www.randomactsofkindness.orgHere are some fun activities you can do each day of
PTO News - February, 2024
- Gertrude Hawk Fundraiser orders are due February 12th. Delivery will occur the week of March 11th.
- February 29th will be our next PTO meeting in the WES Staff Lounge and on Zoom at 7pm. Link for the Zoom is available on PTOofWES.org
- Book Bingo - our annual event to finish Read Across America week! Friday March 1st at 7pm in the WES Multipurpose Room. Please bring a book to donate to the event.
- Purse Bingo - please plan to attend our largest fundraiser of the year on Saturday March 9th at 6:30pm. Information and a ticket link can be found on PTOofWES.org Opportunities to donate a raffle gift basket to the event still exist. Please email Secretary@PTOofWES.org
- Yearbook orders can be placed at PTOofWES.org/yearbook and parents of 5th Graders can upload their child's baby picture to this site to be included in a special yearbook page. Questions can be directed to yearbook@PTOofWES.org
Questions about any event can be directed to PTOofWES@gmail.com
Thanks for your support of WES!!
Purse Bingo
Purse Bingo is March 9, 2024. Tickets are now on sale. There are a limited number of tickets available, get yours before they sell out! PTO is also taking donations for the basket raffle that will be held during purse bingo. Please click the sign up genius for more information and to sign up to donate!
Purse bingo tickets:
https://www.statestreetbingo.com/event/4754
Basket donation sign up:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4FA8AB28A2FCC70-43829044-wespto
Science Explorers After School Science Club
Tuesday Afternoons - 3:45-4:45 - Grades 1-5
Blinded By the Light - February 13, 20, 27, March 5
Anatomy Academy - March 19, 26, April 2, 9
Earth's Mysteries - April 23, 30, May 7, 14
See PDF below for more information
Board of School Directors Meetings
To see the scheduled Board Meetings for the 2023-2024 school year please visit the district website: www.boyertownasd.org/Domain/60
Visitors and Volunteers
All visitors and volunteers must report to the office whenever entering the building during school hours. This includes before and after school. Before visitor or volunteer badges can be given, a valid driver’s license must be presented and scanned into the Raptor system. Once the badge is given it must be worn throughout your stay with us. Please remember to sign out in the office before leaving. We will be looking for badges on all visitors in our building as a safety precaution.
For information regarding Raptor, please visit the district website. On the district home page click on the parents tab and then click on Raptor/Visitor Management.
Tardy Students
Attendance at school is important. This includes arriving on time in order to be ready to start each school day properly.
- School begins each day at 8:45 AM. Any student being transported by private vehicle who arrives after 8:45 AM will be considered tardy.
- He/she must report to the office with the transporting adult before going to the classroom.
- The adult will need to sign your child in and indicate the reason for the tardiness. When you sign your child in late at the office, please make sure you have recorded the arrival time.
Family Trips
When planning a family trip, please refer to the Elementary Handbook. It is very important to remember that an educational trip form must be submitted to the building
principal at least two (2) days prior to the trip. Failure to submit a trip form prior to departure date will result in trip days being counted as an unlawful absence.
Please note that although permitted, we do not encourage absence from school. The activities of the classroom can never be fully made up.
Trip forms are available in the school office or downloaded below. Once completed please turn it into the school office or email it to the attendance secretary Report an Absence .
WES Dismissal Plan 2023-2024
Parent/Guardian Pick-up Procedures
1. Everyone must complete WES Dismissal Plan Form-2023-2024 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdgYnVe9ItrM0uqMtioc5yTbWNzCt9X0VYccUWDvymz9exOqw/viewform for each child. If you already completed this form by the August 17th at 12 PM due date, please do not complete again. If you still have not completed this form, please complete.
○ Sets plan for student transportation for the 2023-2024 school year.
○ You may specify 1 day of the week or select multiple days for parent pick-up.
○ All families must complete this form for each WES child.
○ Any and all changes to the plan must be communicated by completing the form found in
Item #2 or by emailing Cheri Cronrath ccronrath@boyertownasd.org and Lisa Erb
2. Daily Pick-Up Form 2023-2024. Complete this form when the mode of transportation is changing for a single day. The form is linked https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSepfkrSmxRV7XDpVZJxNj0aOu86NfCvIY8TRrqywZMA_SRjfg/viewform
○ There will be no paper forms. We ask that you do not send a note with your child when there is a
change of transportation.
○ Use the form linked above (Daily Pick-Up Form 2023-2024) to communicate with us, or email Mrs. Cronrath at ccronrath@boyertownasd.org and Mrs. Erb at lerb@boyertownasd.org.
Attendance Information
If your student will be absent or late, please complete one of the following before 9 AM on the date of the absence/tardy event:
- Complete the online attendance form
- Email the attendance secretary: attendanceWES@boyertownasd.org
Please remember - every day your student is out, you must report the absence as noted above.
Absences due to trips or vacations: Educational Trip forms must be submitted prior to the departure date. Failure to submit a trip form prior to departure date will result in trip days being counted as an unlawful absence.
Community Bulletin Board
BASD is proud to host our online Community Bulletin Board. The electronic bulletin board features district and community activities, events, clubs, resources, and more. The board is updated regularly and is an excellent source of information regarding things happening throughout our community and beyond. Be sure to check it out regularly!
#BASDBEARSCareAboutOurCommunity
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template were purchased through Can Stock Photo.
The online clipart vendor is no longer in business.
This picture is a modified version of our BASD logo.
The BASD logo is protected under copyright law.
This is the official BASD bear logo. This logo is protected under copyright law.
Washington Elementary
1406 Route 100
Barto, PA 19504
(610) 754-9589