WELCOME TO PVE Pronghorn Post

When the staff discussed the vision for this school, we all agreed we were looking for a community school in which our students and parents are proud and feel as if they are a part of the community. A school that believes in student and parent voice, a school where families and staff work hand in hand to support our students. We want a school where all stakeholders are valued, and communication is vital. We want a school where ALL students succeed and grow, a school built on the culture in which students take ownership of their learning and actions—a school where kindness and compassion reign. But most importantly, we want a school where students look forward to going and learning together each day.

Although we still have work to accomplish our goals, our students are becoming owners of their learning. Pleasant View is blessed with strong connections with our community and to have witnessed the high success of our students and staff in the short time we have been open. We look forward to continuing to better our systems to meet the high expectations we have placed on ourselves regarding our culture and instruction. And we look forward to continuing to celebrate our success together.

We are thrilled to have you join this amazing community and for your child to grow. Pleasant View values our families, and we look forward to partnering with you.

~Amy Senethavilay

School begins at 9:10 and releases at 3:55 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

We run three bells in the morning to help ensure students are not tardy to class. Please be sure to allow plenty of time for drop-off.

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday

9:00--First bell to move students and open doors

9:05--Clear outside. All entries are locked except for the front doors

9:10--Tardy bell and announcements

Wednesday

Wednesdays are late start with school beginning at 9:25 and releasing at 3:55.

• NO students should be on campus before 9:05, as there are no duties to supervise until this time.

9:15--First bell to move students and open doors

9:20--Clear outside. All entries are locked except for the front doors

9:25--Tardy bell and announcements

If your child is not in the classroom at the final 9:10 (9:25 Wednesday) bell, they are tardy. Please be sure to plan accordingly to get students here timely. Also, if you drop students off after 9:05 (9:20 Wednesday) and the playground is clear, please send your child through the main front doors to the office. We have all doors locked at this time as students have entered the building. Doing so will allow us to capture attendance for any students who may be tardy, thus eliminating an inadvertent call regarding your child being absent after dropping them off.

Pleasant View runs a 4-day, rotating block schedule or 42-minutes to support fewer transitions and greater collaboration within the day to maximize our instructional time and learning opportunities for students. Your child's teacher will have a class schedule to identify the color-coded instructional day and specials your child attends. They will also share their grade level instructional calendar, so you are aware of when specific core instruction takes place.

For detailed information on student school supply lists, please visit: https://www.westada.org/page/school-supply-lists

Items may need to be replenished if lost, used up, or damaged. throughout the course of the school year. Please note that pencils, glue sticks, and tissues are the most used and needed items throughout the year.

Also, headphones are used weekly, so please make sure your child is prepared.

Please note, the following items ARE NOT NEEDED for these grade levels:

2nd Grade please remove:

• 3 Ring Binder
• Wide Rules Paper
• Ruler

3rd Grade please remove:

• 3 Ring Binder

It's very important that you and your child review and understand the West Ada Dress Code Policy before the first day of school to avoid any possible disciplinary actions. To review the dress code in its entirety, please click here.

*Please note the detail about no hats at elementary. These may only be worn outside.

It is essential to know that all communications from the school and the district rely on the contact information listed for your student in PowerSchool.

PLEASE KEEP THIS INFORMATION UPDATED AS NEEDED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR!

Please follow these steps to update all of your student's parent, guardian, and emergency contact information:

1. Sign in to PowerSchool - Student and Parent Sign In (westada.org)
2. If you need to reset your PowerSchool password, there is a link to help you with forgotten usernames and passwords: Powerschool: Recover Account Sign In Information (westada.org)
3. If you need further assistance getting access to PowerSchool, contact the Service Desk at 208-350-5300.
4. Sign in and then click on the "Update Student Information" link in the screen's top right corner.
5. Click on the "SchoolForms" link in the Applications window.
6. Click on the "Update Contact Information" link (Make sure to fill out all necessary information on all 3 of the contact pages (Student Info, Household Information, and Emergency Contacts).
7. After updating all the contact information, go to the Confirmation page. Type in your full name and click the "Save Form" button.

If you have questions or need assistance accessing PowerSchool, please contact the West Ada Service Desk at 208-350-5300.

If you are not receiving text messages from the school, please check your PowerSchool account, as many of you have opted out of text. We use this for bus issues, emergencies, and for quick reminders.

Our student population has more than doubled since the opening of this building, which means our pick-up and drop-off are much more crowded, prompting significant changes. Thank you for working with us to streamline the procedures with such limited space to load cars safely and get student bikes/scooters through our valet loop.

For the safety of our students and staff, we would like to ask the following:

You may pick your child up at the valet loop, at the crosswalk to the parent parking (parking lot side), or meet your child at the exit points. Due to the number of staff and students, we ask that you work to pick up in those areas only. We will not walk students to meet parents on campus anywhere but to the designated exit points or parent loop.

VALET LOOP:

• Please place a clearly printed paper in the passenger side of the windshield with the names and grades of your children. (Template available below)
• Pull up to the first available cone, where we will load your children curbside only. We know you may see your child nearby, but please pull forward.
• Remain in your vehicle.
• Be patient and allow for time. We know there are many appointments and events after school. We will all work diligently to get students loaded quickly.
• Please wait to exit. Once all cars in the loading zone are loaded, our crossing guard will move traffic through to bring the next set of vehicles forward.

CAMPUS EXITS:

Thank you so much for waiting for your students at those exit points just outside the boundaries of the campus. We have also instructed all siblings to meet at those locations before walking or riding home.

Please remain consistent with your decision regarding how students get home. *If a change is needed, contact the front office by phone BEFORE 3:00 to ensure we have time to get messages to classrooms. Suppose a change is not communicated to the classroom teacher or the front office. In that case, your child will remain in the agreed-upon location. Please note that we do not change routines even if a student tells us, as we need to hear from the adult. Thank you for understanding.

PARENT PARKING:

Should your child need extra support with buckling or daily supplies, or if you prefer to get out and meet your student, you may use the EAST parking lot directly in front of the valet loop. You may walk your child to the crosswalk, where they will be crossed by one of our staff members.

If you want your child to meet you in the parking lot at the end of the day, you may line up on the sidewalk against the parking lot and wait for your child to cross. Our crossing guard and other support staff will be working to move groups to parents. Students will not be crossed until a parent or guardian is present. (We ask that you model safety and respect by remaining on the sidewalk and out of the planters and drive aisles)

Thank you for being patient and not crossing the campus to get your child.

PARKING LOTS:

Please remember that parent parking is only in the EAST lot with the valet loop.

ACHD, homeowners, and transportation have asked us to ensure parents are not driving into the WEST lot for pick up and drop off. The West lot is for staff and bussing only! Live traffic while loading buses is a concern.

*If you are in a hurry, please plan to come into the office to check out your child early. However, please note that students who leave campus early will receive a tardy.

BLACK CAT SIGNAL:

Our crossing guard will be helping to man the signal and check traffic before sending students across Black Cat to meet families. Please do not work the signal for our crossing guard, and do not call your student across the road before the adult manning the signal. We will wait to gather a large group before we move students.

We also ask that you be aware of the neighbors and the main artery of Gondola Road so as not to create a congestive area for traffic flow.

Again, we appreciate the help you have all given in supporting our campus with the process and limiting the congestion in one central location. Please do not plan other meeting locations on campus or gather on the sidewalks at the front of the school. Thank you for helping to keep the walkways clear.

Our neighbors often voice concerns regarding speeding, trash in yards, and people parking in the driveways of others. We ask that you help us to be good neighbors. We know parents are dropping off and picking up in other areas of the neighborhood and that the pick-up line can back up and cause traffic to block neighbors.

PLEASE make sure you are:

• Leaving crosswalks open
• Do not block hydrants, driveways, or mailboxes
• SLOWING downs and be extra vigilant about students and bikes

*Please remember that driveways are personal property, and you should not be parking and waiting for your child in someone's driveway, nor should you be blocking a driveway. Although these are public streets, we would like to make sure PVE is in good standing with our surrounding neighbors.

The safety of our students is a top priority for West Ada and PVE. Therefore, the following measures have been put in place:

• All doors, except for the main front doors, will remain locked. A doorbell is located on the right side of the big picture window looking into the office from the foyer. Please ring the bell and remain on the dot located on the floor while we wait to answer before opening the office doors.
• Classroom doors will remain locked.
• The use of the Raptor Technologies system is in place. You will be asked to provide your driver's license EACH time you enter the building to volunteer, visit the campus--whether in the building or the outside property--and check out your student(s). An initial registration process is necessary upon the first visit to the building.

All visitors are required to sign in at the office and obtain a visitor's sticker. This included parents who are visiting the school grounds.

The district uses the Raptor System for all visitors. If you have already entered your information into the Raptor System in past years, please feel free to scan your Driver's License to receive your visitor's pass. If you have not completed this process, you will need to see the front office for support the first time you visit. If there is a reason for you to be in the building or on the grounds, you will need to check in with the office.

Thank you for being so helpful with keeping our students safe.

In light of schools needing to be more security and safety minded, please understand that each school in the West Ada School District has an Emergency Response Plan that has been carefully developed and addresses a multitude of emergency situations. In addition, all West Ads School District Schools conduct lock down drills in conjunction with local law enforcement two times each school year. If there is an emergency at your child’s school, your cooperation is necessary to help us respond effectively to such situations.

In the event of an emergency, please help us by doing the following:

Please do not call and do not go to the school.

• In an emergency, onsite staff are focused solely on getting everyone to a safe location. Showing up to the site can create unnecessary traffic, preventing emergency vehicles from responding quickly. You could also put yourself or others in danger.
• If you get a call or text from your student, help him or her remain calm. Remind your student that school staff know what to do in an emergency situation, and will work to keep everyone safe.
• Please know we will communicate with parents/guardians about reunifying you with your child and that this reunification site may not be at the school.

Check the West Ada School District homepage at www.westada.org

• We will provide credible, accurate and useful information to the public as soon as possible. Please be aware that Information received from sources other than the school administrator or West Ada School District may be inaccurate.
• Expect to see our posts updated as necessary. We will also provide updates to local news media, but emergency situations can change rapidly. Typically, multiple agencies are involved, so communication is coordinated through the “lead agency,” which may cause a delay in notification.

Sign-Up for Emergency Text Messaging:

• We will use our emergency text notification system to contact parents and guardians. Please make sure your emergency contact information in PowerSchool is always up to date.

Familiarize yourself with the terms that can be used during any emergency situation:

• Hall Check: Used to secure the building from a potential threat outside the building, such as when an unauthorized person is loitering on school grounds or when there is criminal activity in the neighborhood. Exterior doors are locked, but normal activities.

Bus Request Deadline: July 31st.
Eligible students needing a bus during the 2024-2025 school year must fill out the Request for Transportation form when registering for school. Bus stop assignments will be available in early-August in the My Ride K-12 app. New stops will not be added during the first 2 weeks of school, however eligible students will be allowed to use existing stops during that initial window.

Who can ride the bus?
Transportation is provided for students who live in the bus zone (i.e. over 1.5 miles to their appropriate school). Non-bus zones are based on a 1.5 mile distance utilizing pathways, neighborhood streets, and arterial streets with sidewalks and crosswalks. Consideration is given to hazards. For more information regarding busing eligibility, please visit the following link: West Ada School District - Attendance Areas.

RFID Badges
We're excited to introduce a new initiative designed to enhance the safety and efficiency of our school bus transportation services. Students at all levels will begin carrying a Bus Badge when boarding the bus. Parents will have access to information through the My Ride K-12 app when students scan on and off the bus.

My Ride K-12
My Ride K-12 is our primary communication for bussing needs. Push notifications about late buses or any vital information that is pertaining to your child's bus information will be sent via the My Ride K-12 message center. Bus stop assignments will be available in early-August in the My Ride K-12 app.

Transportation | West Ada School District

WASD utilizes LINQ Connect to support student accounts for breakfast/lunch. Setting up a LINQ Connect account is free. From your account, you can monitor your student's activity, view menus, add funds (credit card only, transaction fee applies), and apply for free/reduced lunch.

Payments can also be made directly to the Kitchen with cash or check (payable to School Nutrition). There are no transaction fees associated with these types of payment.

If you would like to set up your child's lunch account, please use this LINK.

We ask that you work to keep your child's account current to save valuable staff time from having to make calls regarding delinquent balances.

The applications for free/reduced meals are now open. Families can visit LINQ Connect - Making Schools Stronger to fill out an application to see if they qualify for free or reduced school breakfast and lunch. In addition, families may use the same link to add money to their student’s meal/nutrition account.

If you or any member of your family needs any help filling out an application, you are welcome to reach out to the Nutrition Team at 208-855-4575.

As all our wonderful students prepare to return to school, we've prepared some tips that can be used on school-issued devices to help them perform their absolute best on the first day of school.

• Turn devices on and/or restart and log in

• Connect to your home Wi-Fi to ensure internet connectivity

• Complete a Company Portal Sync

• Click the Windows button
• Type “Company Portal”
• Open Company Portal and Navigate to “Settings”
• Click "Sync”

Check for Windows updates using system settings

1. Click the Windows button
2. Click settings
3. Click update and security
4. Click "check for updates"
5. If prompted, restart the device to complete update installation

• Short on time or not seeing any updates available? Simply keeping the device powered on, logged in, and with the lid open will allow updates to install in the background.

With students having a personal device checked out to them, we wanted to remind all of our families about the Optional Device Protection plans. These plans offer a smart and practical safeguard to your family from the expense of repairing any accidental damage to your school-provided devices.

Without an Optional Device Protection plan, loss or damage to school-issued devices or accessories can result in a charge of either $30 or $150 per incident. Purchasing a $25 plan covers the first incident for free, and then $20 for subsequent incidents. Furthermore, families who enroll before August 1st can enjoy the Early Enrollment price of $20.

Important Dates:

July 31st: Last day to sign up for Device Protection at the discounted Early Enrollment rate of $20.

September 30th: Last day to sign up for Device Protection at the regular rate of $25, without a device inspection.

• Families may still sign up for Device Protection after this date but will be required to have their school-issued device inspected by a District technician to ensure it has not already been damaged. Students can accomplish this by bringing their device into their school's library or designated technical support location.

• New students to West Ada will have 30 days from the student's first day at their new school to sign up for Optional Device Protection.

For any questions about Optional Device Protection or outstanding Technology balances, families can still send an email to onlinepayments@westada.org.

How to Purchase Optional Device Protection:

1. Login to PowerSchool (https://ps.westada.org/public/)
2. Click on the Payment Portal in the left sidebar
3. Click on the name of the child you would like to purchase protection for
4. Click on either Early Enrollment Optional Device Protection or Optional Device Protection
5. Click Add to Cart
6. Click the cart icon in the upper, right-hand corner.
7. Enter payment information and click Submit to complete your purchase.

For more detailed information and answers to frequently asked questions, please visit our website:

Device Protection Program | West Ada School District)

In West Ada, an elementary student's learning is focused on the priority standards, which are the key skills and knowledge for a content area (i.e., math, reading, health, music, etc.). At the beginning of every unit, teacher teams create lessons using proficiency scales. A proficiency scale is an instructional tool that provides information for teachers, students, and parents on levels of understanding while learning the skills and knowledge in a priority standard. During the unit, the student is frequently assessed to gauge understanding and application of the material. Teachers use a variety of assessments, such as traditional pencil and paper tests, projects, discussions, or reports. Grades are based on evidence the teacher collects demonstrating a student's mastery of the essential priority standards.

The button below will take you to the WASD Assessing and Reporting Grades webpage with links to help guide your understanding of our grading system.

Please note that students and parents may not have these services deliver lunches to students, as it is a disruption to the learning process and adds an additional workload to the front office staff. We appreciate your understanding and support of this area of concern.

Cell phones are to be off and in backpacks. Students may not use them while on the school campus, beginning at drop off and ending when picked up. If the device allows, watches must be silenced or on school mode. These may remain on their wrist as long as they can be utilized as a tool and not a toy, meaning they are not used during the school day, nor should students play with the item. PVE reserves the right to change this procedure at any time if watches become a distraction.

If a student needs to contact a parent, a staff member or student will use a classroom or office phone. Students should not contact parents on their devices during the school day or receive calls from family members. Don't hesitate to contact the front office if you need to have a message sent to your student before the end of the day, preferably before 3:00.

I know safety and communication with your children are essential; we value and respect this but ask that you make sure to work with your children about the school expectations with these devices.

If the items are not used correctly or become a distraction, the item will remain with an adult until the end of the day. If the problem persists, the item will be turned into Mrs. Senethavilay, and she will call to have a parent pick up the device.

Thank you for understanding and working with us as we continue to maintain privacy for all and limit interruptions to the learning environment.

We love your furry friends but ask that you please keep them off campus during school hours, including pick up and drop off. (Refer to the Elementary Student Handbook)

If you bring your dogs after hours, please help clean up after them. Our staff and students appreciate it!

There have been many questions about birthdays and birthday treats. At PVE, we love celebrating our students, and our teachers have their systems in place to recognize our students, but we also ask that you follow the plan we have set.

• NO FOOD will be distributed. Due to the National Health Policy, allergies, and other health issues, we will not be accepting food items (Please know we will turn those away if they come to the building.)
• Pencils and erasers are always needed, used, and loved by students.
• Think about donating a book or game in your child's honor to the classroom this year.
• Reverse the birthday celebration and have the student recognize their peers with notes of thanks.

Our teachers will make your child feel special on their day. And for those students who have summer birthdays, we will also recognize them. Your child's teacher will share how that will happen in their room.

Also, no deliveries of gift, balloons, or flowers to students will be made. (Please see the Elementary Handbook.)

Thank you for supporting this policy at PVE!

Although we have functioning water fountains, students are encouraged to bring their water bottles with them to limit the number of times a student asks to leave the room, interrupting their instructional time.

Part of my responsibility is to connect families with resources when there is a need. If you are a family in need of assistance, please reach out to the school counselor. My email address is jerome.breeonna@westada.org.

Please note the following opportunities for you if you are needing assistance:

• The Assistance League of Boise is currently helping those in need receive a new winter coat and a few back to school clothes items.
• The Idaho Foodbank is providing weekend food bags for students in need of additional food for the weekend.

For a quick FAQ about school counseling, please click here.

Sincerely,

Bree Jerome

Welcome to Pleasant View Elementary. My name is Carrie Allumbaugh, and I am the registered nurse covering the health office.

I know this is a hectic and exciting time for you and your family, as there is so much going on. Some of the most important things are your student’s health needs. Providing physical, emotional, or behavioral support is challenging if I am unaware they exist. Don’t hesitate to contact me at Allumbaugh.carrie@westada.org if we have not been in contact to discuss your student needs.

For a complete overview of the Health Services Department, click on the link. This is a great start to answer any questions that you may have.

If your student requires daily or as-needed medications, they will be required to keep them in the health office for the safety of all students. Please see the guidelines for medications on the Health Services Department page.

If your student has dietary needs, please see School Nutrition. For students with severe allergies or other major medical issues, please contact me for additional paperwork and review your student’s complete needs while at school.

I look forward to working with your child to meet their wellness and medical needs at Pleasant View.

Carrie Allumbaugh, RN, BSN

Have a student with medication that will be taken at school? Please use the button below to complete the required form.

Remember all medication must in the original container with the student's name. Medication is housed in the Health Office. Please do not send it to school with you child if you have not contacted the nurse. All medication also requires a Medical Consent Form. For more information, refer to the following link: Guidelines for Administration of Medications and Other Products.

Website: https://www.westada.org/o/pleasant-view
Location: 4600 W Gondola Dr, Meridian, ID, USA
Phone: (208) 350-4490

Do you have a general question about Pleasant View that you think would benefit others or a suggestion for information to be included in the Pronghorns Post? Click HERE, and we might include your question/idea in future editions of the Pronghorns Post.

Have a safety or peer concern that needs to be addressed? Please click HERE.

If you have a time-sensitive specific question, don’t hesitate to call the office at 208-350-4490.