Waite Elementary Parent Update
December, 2024
Dear Waite Families:
This is my favorite time of the year at Waite Elementary School. There is a festive atmosphere that permeates the building each day. Our students are in good spirits and excited about the upcoming break and holiday celebrations with family. There are musical programs and fun activities, spirit days, and classroom parties. The Holiday Shop has returned this December as well. This is a special time of the school year when we have a unique opportunity to create experiences and lasting memories for our students and their families.
School is about more than academics, although incredibly important. School is a space for growth and hope. It is during this magical time of the year that I am reminded how grateful I am to have the opportunity to spend each day working with your children and fostering conditions with our amazing Waite educators to cultivate rich learning experiences. Your children give me hope for our future and it is a true gift to serve as Waite principal.
This month our PBIS focus will be on Gratitude. We will be looking for occasions to promote gratitude with our students. Students will continue to review the three (3) Rs: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Ready to Learn.
We also plan to have a few guest “elves” visiting the building throughout the month to encourage and support our focus on gratitude this holiday season (in the spirit of Elf on the Shelf - I know many of our families enjoy this tradition in their homes as well).
Spirit day information is included below (12/11-12/19). Classroom holiday parties will be on either 12/18 or 12/19. See information from your child’s teacher. Please note that all snacks MUST be store bought and pre-packaged. A simple craft, game, or other activity is a good and safe alternative to food items. For a list of allergen-friendly snacks, please visit the Snack Safely website: Click HERE.
We have much to be grateful for and there is a lot of hope for our school community moving forward.
Best wishes to all of our Waite families for a beautiful holiday season full of family traditions, new memories, and a happy New Year!
Sincerely,
Mr. Mattie
Waite, Principal
The Holiday Shop is open for business this week! The Waite PTO has collaborated with The Penguin Patch Holiday Shop company. Every child wants to surprise their family and friends in a big way!
Our exclusive Penguin Patch gifts were designed with every budget in mind. Plus, it’s perfect for families with siblings. Our gifts are priced just for kids! Gifts start at just 25 cents, with 80% of our items being under $5.00 and 60% of our items being under $3.00. The school nor the PTO will apply any markup to prices (this is not a fundraiser), as we want each child to enjoy giving back to others this holiday season.
For this event, there will be NO E-Wallets. On the day of your students Holiday Shop time, please send them to school with CASH. For your convenience, envelopes indicating how much money is enclosed and suggestions of who to purchase gifts for were sent home last week. Please, do not send money to school prior to your child’s day to shop. Please only send CASH the day of their holiday shopping. Teachers are not permitted to collect and keep cash in their classrooms. Cash sent in advance will be sent home.
The holiday shop will function similarly to our book fair. Each class will have a designated shop date and time (during your student’s Encore PE time). There will NOT be an opportunity to shop before or after their class time. Additionally, there will be NO family shopping date. Please encourage your shoppers to know who they would like to purchase gifts for and their approximate budget for each person. Volunteers will also be on-site to assist shoppers.
Participation is OPTIONAL. If families choose not to participate, the PTO will have small holiday crafts set up for students to make and take home with them.
Please look for information from your child's teacher regarding classroom holiday parties. Teachers were given the option to schedule the party on either 12/18 or 12/19. The teacher will indicate the date and time in an upcoming parent communication. There is a limit of two (2) approved parent volunteers per classroom. Teachers will provide sign-up information if you are interested in volunteering. Please check-in at the front office on the day of the party to obtain a visitor badge.
