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Washington Elementary
Boyertown Area School District - Home of the Bears
Washington Elementary School News - November, 2023- Mrs. Lisa DeRenzo, Principal
Calendar of Events
NOVEMBER
03 ............. Professional Learning Day - No School for Students
13 ............. World Kindness Day
13 ............. Last day for WES Thanksgiving Food Drive donations
20-21......... Early Dismissal -K/12 - Parent Teacher Conferences
22 ............. Early Dismissal -K/12
23-24 ........ Thanksgiving - District Closed
27 ............. Thanksgiving - Schools Closed/Offices Open
Visit the calendar on our website for additional district events.
Early Dismissal Reminders/School Closed
Early dismissal will be on November 20-22, 2023
Grades 1-5 will be dismissed at 12:25 pm.
Kindergarten dismissal is as follows:
PM 10:35-12:25 pm
Schools are closed on Friday, November 3, 2023
Schools are closed November 23, 24 and 27, 2023
W.E.S. Thanksgiving Food Drive
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Please help us make a difference, while also providing the chance for your child to participate in a community service project! Next week our school will begin collecting canned goods and dry goods to provide meals for families in need within our community. Every single donation helps, and together we hope our combined efforts will make a real difference for those in need this Thanksgiving.
We will be accepting donations over the next two weeks. The last day to bring in food donations will be Monday, November 13th. There will be boxes located in the lobby that have signs posted for each grade level. Students will be able to drop off their donations in the school lobby each morning. Parents will also be able to drop off items to the school at any time. There will be large white coolers at the main entrance where you can place donations.
Please consider donating any of the following items for your child’s grade level. Gift cards and monetary donations can also be sent in with students for the committee to purchase any additional items needed.
Please click the appropriate grade level link below for specific grade level items needed.
Pre-K and Kindergarten Food Drive Letter
Thank you for your generosity and help!
November “Helping Children Learn” Title I newsletter
Dear WES Families,
Please enjoy the November “Helping Children Learn” Title I newsletter and daily planner 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 this month’s edition, you will find information about the many purposes of reading, encouraging positive behavior, fostering community spirit and much more!
Helping Children Learn November Title I Newsletter
Title I Daily Learning Planner November
In addition to these resources, we would like to share with you the Title I School and Family Compact and the Title I Family Survey. Families of students who are receiving reading intervention during WIN have already received these electronic forms. As our building is a Schoolwide Title I building, any family is welcome to complete these forms at the links below. The School and Family Compact is a form in which families agree to support the reading of their child at home as the school agrees to support reading at school. The Family Survey asks for information about your child that can help the WES staff get to know them as readers. Both forms are completely optional, but you are encouraged to complete them if you have been notified that your child is receiving reading intervention during WIN. Please do not hesitate to reach out to Mrs. Ramirez at jramirez@boyertownasd.org with any questions or concerns.
Title I School and Family Compact
Thank you! Happy Reading! 😊
Mrs. Jessica Ramirez
Reading Specialist
Washington Elementary
Chorus and Select Ensemble "Bearly In Tune" winter concert
Our chorus and Select Ensemble (“Bearly In Tune”) will have their Winter concert on Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at Middle School West. The concert will begin at 7:00 p.m. Students in chorus and Ensemble should wear their red or black Washington Shirt from the PTO, nice black pants, and nice shoes. Students should report to west at 6:45.
Do you have a few hours each day to join us at WES?
We are in need of lunch/recess aides. Please email Mrs. DeRenzo (lderenzo@boyertownasd.org) if you are interested in working a few hours (10:45 – 2:15) each day supporting our kids.
Science Explorers After School Science Club
Tuesday Afternoons - 3:45-4:45 - Grades 1-5
Magical Mixtures - December 12, 19, January 2, 9
Invention Lab - January 16, 23, 30, February 6
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
NEWS FROM THE NURSE’S DESK November 2023
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.
Physical & Dental Forms: All state mandated Kindergarten and 3rd grade private dental forms and all Kindergarten private physical exam forms are due now. If you have an upcoming appointment, please notify the health room of the appointment and we will make note of the date in your child’s record.
Mandated Health Screenings: All current state mandates are still in effect. Students in grades K-5 will have their annual health screenings from now through December. If your child does not pass a screening, a referral letter will be sent home for you to follow up with a private physician. For more information please review the Mandated Health Screenings page on the BASD website.
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 either ewismer@boyertownasd.org or chackman@boyertownasd.org
When to keep your child home:
As stated in the BASD student handbook, if your child exhibits any of the following symptoms, it is recommended that you keep your child home from school and consult with the child’s primary health care provider:
1. A cough interfering with your child’s sleep or ability to participate in school activities.
2. A cough that is productive and has phlegm or is associated with fever or trouble breathing.
3. Fever: A temperature equal to or greater than 100 degrees without the use of a fever reducing medication. Please note that the student’s temperature should remain normal without the use of fever reducing medication for 24 hours prior to the return to school.
4. Nausea, Vomiting or diarrhea.
5. Unusual skin eruptions, hives or rash.
6. Redness or drainage from the eyes.
Please refer to the BASD student handbook for more information.
*We recommend keeping a change of clothing in your child’s backpack, regardless of their age, as clothing can become soiled due to a bathroom accident, fall outside in the mud, or because of spilling food/drink.*
A Message from Your School Counselor, Mrs. Oxenford - November 2023
World Kindness Day is celebrated annually on 13th November. The goal is simple: to make kindness a regular act instead of an exception. On this day, participants attempt to make the world a better place by celebrating and promoting good deeds and pledging acts of kindness, either as individuals or as organizations.
World Kindness Day was first launched in 1998 by The World Kindness Movement, an organisation formed at a 1997 Tokyo conference of like-minded kindness organisations from around the world. There are currently over 27 nations involved in The World Kindness Movement which is not affiliated with any religion or political movement. The mission of the World Kindness Movement and World Kindness Day is to create a kinder world by inspiring individuals and nations towards greater kindness.
Source: www.theworldkindnessmovement.org
Source: www.inspirekindness.com
RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS FRIDAY: November 24, 2023The goal of RAK Friday is to transform “Black Friday” into RAK Friday with people committing as many Random Acts of Kindness as possible. Instead of shopping on Black Friday kick off the holidays by doing a random act of kindness.
Source: www.randomactsofkindness.org
PTO News - November, 2023
*Volunteers are needed to help with the Holiday Shoppe on December 4-8. If you have your clearances and are available to help during the day, please sign up using this link:
https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/4090845AEAB2DAAFD0-45330167-holiday
*The pick up for Joe Corbi orders will be November 14th from 5-7pm at the school. If you are able to help with sorting and/or handing out orders, please email ptoofwes@gmail.com
*Our next meeting is November 2 at 7pm in the teacher’s lounge. You can also join via zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84594277605?pwd=N0JzRDB0cG1BUUdicnJlMDdhREdZUT09
Meeting ID: 845 9427 7605
Passcode: 401508
*Parent teacher conferences are November 20-21 and the PTO will be providing dinner for the teachers on the 20th. If you are available to help set up or would like to provide donations, please email ptoofwes@gmail.com
Once again, this year, a homework assistance program for Washington Elementary School students will be available each Wednesday through the school year. The Program for After-School Students (PASS) begins on October 4, 2023. Students will be picked up at the school at 3:30 PM and transported to the Bally Community Center.
PASS is open to all students in grades K through 5 and will meet every Wednesday in conjunction with the school calendar. Parents can register their students through the web site, BallyCommunityCenter.org or request information by email at http://www.ballycommunitycenter.org
There is no fee for this program, but registration is required.
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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Washington Elementary
1406 Route 100
Barto, PA 19504
(610) 754-9589