![page background](https://cdn.smore.com/u/backgrounds/custom_bg-640a20c613e295fc66194c48-a9db2f3dfd07.jpg)
Washington Elementary
Boyertown Area School District - Home of the Bears
Washington Elementary School News - December, 2023- Mrs. Lisa DeRenzo, Principal
Calendar of Events
DECEMBER
12 ......... Chorus/Select Ensemble "Bearly In Tune" winter concert
15 ......... Giving Tree gift return due date
22 ......... Early Dismissal -K/12
25-Jan1 ............. Winter Break - District Closed
Visit the calendar on our website for additional district events.
Early Dismissal Reminders/School Closed
Early dismissal will be on December 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 Monday, December 25, 2023
Schools are closed on Tuesday, December 26, 2023
Schools are closed on Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Schools are closed on Thursday, December 28, 2023
Schools are closed on Friday, December 29, 2023
Schools are closed on Monday, January 1, 2024
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.
WES Giving Tree
Our school is sponsoring a Giving Tree this year to help our needy families. There is a Christmas Tree in our lobby and the tree is decorated with ornaments which contain items from the wish lists. When you come in to conference with your child’s teacher please consider taking an ornament from the tree, purchase the gift and return the gift to school. We ask that the gifts be returned unwrapped and please attach the ornament to the gift to help us identify the family the gift will be going to. The gifts can be returned to school with your child or parents/guardians can drop them off. We are asking for gifts to be returned to WES by Fri., Dec. 15th. Thank you in advance for your support in helping to make the holidays a little brighter for our WES families!
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.
WES Holiday Dress Up Days Calendar
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 December 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 dwilson@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 - December 2023
Holiday Volunteering Opportunities
The holidays are here! This time of year can be a wonderful time of family togetherness and goodwill. The holidays can also afford us the opportunity to reflect on our own blessings and assist others who are not as fortunate.
Each year during the holiday season, the United Way of Berks County works to mobilize the caring power in our community by promoting and providing information about opportunities to give and serve throughout our region.
United Way’s Volunteer Center connects people with volunteer opportunities throughout the community. A variety of holiday volunteering opportunities are available. If you’re interested in learning more about these holiday volunteering opportunities throughout the community visit the following link to the 2023 Holiday Guide. The guide provides a brief description of hands-on opportunities, wish list items, as well as agency contact information.
If you’re interested in learning more about volunteer activities, or volunteer opportunities throughout the community, visit www.uwberks.org and click on Get Involved. United Way’s Volunteer Center may be reached at 610-685-4574 or darbyw@uwberks.org.
PTO News - December, 2023
- Holiday Shoppe is next week! Be sure to send in money with your child (cash or a Gift Certificate purchased from myschool.holidayshop.org) - Please NO Checks. We also still have openings for Volunteers, especially in the mornings - sign up here - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090845AEAB2DAAFD0-45330167-holiday#/
- SAVE THE DATE!!! - PTO is hosting a Designer Purse Bingo on Saturday March 9th at 6:30pm. Start thinking about who you want to sit with! Stay tuned for details and tickets at PTOofWES.org. For this event we will need donated baskets from individuals and local businesses. If you would like to donate please contact PTOofWES@gmail.com.
- Thank You for all of your support with the Joe Corbi Fundraiser. Our sales were down slightly this year but we still had a very helpful fundraiser.
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
Clipart images used throughout this newsletter
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