Family News

On Thursday, we allow students to come dressed to school as a character from a book. This is not a Halloween celebration but a way to discuss our favorite books. I will be dressed as Cruella De Vil from 101 Dalmatians. I am on the lookout for 101 Dalmatians and will go to each classroom where a student dressed as a Dalmatian is and read the book to the class. If your child did not have a character picked up, please consider sending them as one of my 101 Dalmatians. (White tee-shirt with black spots).

If a child comes dressed up but not as a character, we will ask them to change into their uniform. No masks or other accessories are allowed at school, so please keep them at home.

On Tuesday, November 5th, Election Day, we will have a 1/2 day for students. Teachers will host Parent Teacher Conferences from noon to six that day. Please be on the lookout for your teacher for a chance to sign up for a time slot.

We understand that cell phones are an important means of communication between home and students, especially walking to and from school. However, during the school day, phones and other communication devices (i.e., smartwatches, Bluetooth earbuds, etc.) are banned from use at the school. Cell phone or other personal communication device usage is completely restricted on campus. Unless given explicit directions for necessary purposes by full-time staff, students are not allowed to use their phones or other devices without permission from when they arrive in the building until they leave at the end of their day. If you need to communicate with them during the day, please call the office so we can give them your message. If they need to communicate with you, we will have them call you from an office. If a child does not turn in their device and is found using the device, they will face disciplinary consequences as listed below. We have a procedure in place to ensure all students' phones are safe while at school. Students who are not properly following cell phone policy put their property at risk. School officials are not responsible for the condition of cell phones.

1. Students can not have devices out in the cafeteria/atrium in the morning.

2. Students turn in all devices to their teacher when they first go upstairs starting at 8:00 am.

3. Teachers place devices into a padded envelope and then put the envelope into a lockbox for safekeeping.

4. During dismissal, teachers return devices to their students.

5. Students who are late in being picked up will not be allowed to use their phones when they are waiting. With permission, they will be allowed to call or text home to ask about when they will be picked up.

6. A parent cannot text or call their student to tell them to come out at dismissal time.

Consequences:

1st Offense: The teacher asks the student to put away the cell phone/equipment and documents on the student's record. The teacher then calls home and reminds the parent of the policy violation. If the child refuses to put the phone away immediately, we will move to the second offense consequence.

2nd Offense: The teacher confiscates the device and turns it into the principal, documenting the student's record. The teacher then informs the student that the device can be picked up at the end of the day from the principal's office. The teacher then calls home, reminds the parents of the policy, and informs them about their child's violation.

3rd Offense: Teacher sends student with a device to an administrator. The principal holds the phone until a parent can retrieve the phone and documents on the student's record. The administrator will call the parent to notify them of the situation and discuss and review the cell policy with the parent and student. If a student refuses to relinquish the device to a staff member when asked, that student will meet with an administrator and face possible Reflection Room Referral or Suspension.

The YWCA Program, as well as Fall Clubs, is underway. Please see this week's lineup.

YWCA runs Monday-Thursday 3:00-5:30

CLUBS 3:00-4:30

Girls on the Run (Tuesday & Thursday)

Boys Basketball (Tuesday & Thursday) combination with YWCA 3:00-5:30

Spanish- Hidalgo (Wednesday)

Sports and Fitness(Thursday)

Passport to Adventure (Tuesday)

Book Club- (Monday)

Recycle Club- (Wednesday)

Coming Soon -After Halloween

Hair Club - (Thursday) combination with YWCA 3:00-5:30 - will need to fill out a school permission slip and YWCA application

Join us on Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WestminsterCCS

X: https://twitter.com/WestminsterCCS

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westminsterccs/

Scan the code to join all three.

Check out our updated website: https://www.westminsterccs.org/

With your support, we look forward to building on our school’s 30-year history

of educating our community’s children. With your help, we can grow our pride!

Grades K-3

FACT: Reading is about more than building academic skills. It’s an easy and fun way to support kids as they explore their growing interests.

TIP: Plan a trip to the library this week. Before you go, chat with your child about interests. Ask, “What’s something you want to learn more about?”

GROWTH: Keep exploring interests with books! At the library, invite your child to find a few books about their interests. The librarian can help if needed.

October 28th - Lockdown Drill - NYS requires that the school conducts four lockdown drills each year. We inform you about the drills in advance and give you feedback on how each drill goes. The purpose of lockdown drills in New York schools is to help students and school staff prepare for and respond to emergencies. Drills allow students and staff to practice how they react in an emergency. Drills help ensure the safety of students and staff in a real emergency.

October 31st - Character Day - Dress as your favorite book character; bring the book to share with your class.

November 5th - 1/2 Day for Students, pick up at 11:30 am. Parent Teacher Conference 12 pm-6 pm

November 7th - End of the First Quarter, all report cards published to the Parent Portal

November 11th - No School, Veterans Day

November 13th - Multicultural Night 4:30-6:00, High School Application Night 4:30-5:30 pm.

November 20th - Picture Retake Day

November 21st -Parent Meeting (PAC) 5:30-6:30

November 27th - Friendsgiving

November 28th and 29th - No School

Setting up a Parent Portal account allows parents and guardians to view their child’s assignments, report cards, attendance, and assignments. Follow the directions below to register.

**Note: You will need the 900 number (ID number) for each child you will be adding to your account. Most students in grades 3 and higher know their number, If you need the 900 number, reach out to your child’s teacher, or call the office.**

1. Go to the Westminster website: www.westminsterccs.org. Under the “For Families” tab, click on “Parent Portal”.

2. If you already have a username and password, use them to log in here. If it is your first time logging in, click on “Online Registration”.

3. Fill in the boxes for “Account Information”. Note: the school district is ‘WestminsterCSD’. Be sure that the email address you provide is valid, you will be receiving an automated email at the end of the registration process.
4. Fill in the boxes on the ‘Personal Information’ page. This is information about the parent or guardian (the adult). Student information is in the next section.
   

5. Fill in the boxes for ‘Student Information’. You may add all students that you will need access for.

6. You will receive an auto-generated email sent to the email address you provided with your log-in credentials. Your account will be reviewed by the account administrator and will be available in about 2 business days.

7. Your registration process is complete! Once your account is activated by the account administrator, you can log in at any time to view your child’s assignments, discipline, attendance, grades, and report cards.

GRADES K – 8

Tops: Navy Blue School Logo Top

WCCS Embroidered short sleeve polo
WCCS Embroidered Sweatshirt

Bottoms: Khaki or Navy (color)

Uniform or Dress Pants*

Uniform or Dress Shorts*

Uniform Jumper

Uniform or Dress Skirt*

Dress Pants - do not include denim, ripped material, leggings, or jeggings. Dress pants would be made of cotton, polyester blend, or wool.

Dress Shorts - must be made of dress pant materials and have at least a 7-inch inseam; the bottom must be hemmed (no cut-offs).

Dress Skirts - must be made of dress pant materials and have at least a 9-inch inseam; the bottom must be hemmed (no cut-offs).

Short-Sleeve Polo shirts - students should not wear any visible shirt underneath their polo. If students are cold, they can wear a school sweatshirt.

Clothing that is ripped, cut, slashed, or has holes, is prohibited, even on dress-down days. Clothes with rips that are filled underneath are not allowed.

Footwear: Shoes or Sneakers

• Rubber Bottom Shoes - appropriate for running and playing

• Cotton, leather, or man-made leather, solid uppers

• Shoes must have enclosed heels and toes.

• No sandals, slides, slippers, high heels, house shoes, moccasins, boots, flip-flops, rubber body shoes, or Crocs are allowed.

• These footwear requirements are due to safety issues.

Shirts can be purchased at https://www.westminsterccs.org/ under at families tab, student will bring the shirts home.