WES Weekly Update

October 22 - WES Night at Swarthmore Pizza (PTO fundraiser)

October 26 - Pancake Breakfast & Halloween Carnival

October 31 - Halloween Parade, 2:00pm & Class Parties (throughout the day)

November 1 - School Picture Re-Take Day

November 5 - NO SCHOOL (Election Day)

November 6 - WES Veterans Day Assembly (3rd grade)

November 6 - PTO Math Night, 6:00pm

November 12-15 - Fall Book Fair

November 12 - PTO Meeting, 6:00pm

November 13 - Reveal Mathematics Information Night, 7:00pm

November 21-22 - Kindergarten Conferences (during the school day)

November 25-26 - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS (Teacher Conferences)

November 27-29 - NO SCHOOL (Holiday)

Dear WES Families,

As we roll through October, it seems like the school days and weeks are flying by at a quicker pace than anticipated. Our hallways are now filled with student work, reflections of their identities and ideas are present, and colorful artwork brings vibrancy and life to the school! Each day is filled with new opportunities, and challenges that help our students grow. It is a beautiful time of year!

Our kindness tree is also in bloom! Students wrote down kind things they have done for others and they are posted near the cafeteria as a reminder to choose kindness.

In order for school to run smoothly each day, there are so many tasks, jobs, and processes that require daily attention. Students, staff, and family members can all play a vital role in the success of these individual pieces, and how they can either help or slow up our school routines.

Thank you for your attention to these important reminders for parents and family members:

1. Our back bus loop is restricted to buses only during our afternoon dismissal time. Parent cars and pickup vehicles are not permitted to pull up the driveway to the school where the bus loop or parking lot is during this time. Parents will need to exit their parked vehicles and walk up the driveway to pickup your child(ren).

2. Volunteer clearances need to be completed well in advance of anticipated dates of field trips, volunteer dates, and school events. Unfortunately, we do not have the ability to accept clearances on site at WES, we simply cross reference the district approved list. The submission process does take some time, so please anticipate planning ahead. We certainly want to allow everyone to participate, but also need to follow our district protocol. See below for more information.

Enjoy your week, and consider getting some pizza from Swarthmore Pizza on Tuesday evening for the WES PTO fundraiser! Make sure you mention the WES PTO!

Mr. Stephen Krall

Acting Principal

Wallingford Elementary

skrall@wssd.org

Cold and flu season is upon us. In order to protect the health of our students and staff, we ask that you use the guidance available on our website to determine when to keep your child home.

We have recently experienced an influx of students arriving very early to school. Please note that our school day begins at 8:45 am with drop off beginning at 8:20 am. We do not have adequate staffing in the building in the early morning to accommodate drop off earlier than 8:20am. This applies to students arriving for the regular school day, not those participating in early morning programs such as orchestra, band, chorus, student council, etc. Thank you!

October is Pedestrian Safety Month! We want to remind everyone to stay alert, follow traffic rules, and always use crosswalks. Whether walking, biking, or driving, let’s work together to create safe routes for everyone. Let’s make this month—and every month—safe for our community.

Please feel free to reach out to Kate Rittler, Director of Food and Nutrition, with any questions! krittler@wssd.org, 610-892-3470 ext. 2151 or visit the WSSD Food Services website.

We are urging parents/guardians to complete the process for clearances if you have not already done so. Clearances are mandatory, are good for 5 years, and are kept at the district level. Volunteer clearances are required for anyone volunteering to work with our students or be present in our school; whether that is in school, on a field trip, or at an athletic event/practice, etc. Essentially, everyone who is volunteering with our students or in a school is required to obtain volunteer clearances.

You will not be permitted to volunteer without valid clearances on file with the district.

The WES community is rallying around St. Francis of Assisi School in Springfield after a devastating fire destroyed the lower school’s building. We are collecting new art supplies now through Wednesday October 30th. Collection bins are in the front lobby and see the flier for needed supplies. Let’s show our neighbors that WES cares. Thank you!

WES Night at Swarthmore Pizza is a perfect answer to your busy fall schedules! Eat in, take out, or order delivery from Swarthmore Pizza on Tuesday, October 22 between 4pm and 9pm. A portion of the proceeds goes back to support our school - be sure to mention WES Night!

The 12th Annual WES Halloween Carnival is right around the corner, and you're invited!! Wristbands and raffle tickets are available to pre-order here until this Wednesday, October 23rd! Pre-registration is highly encouraged! Have a spooktacular time this Saturday, October 26th from 9am-12pm with Trunk-or-Treating, our Haunted Hallway, Pumpkin Decorating, Carnival Games, Photo Booth, Cake Walk, Sensory Room, Raffle Baskets, Prizes and so much more! Wear your favorite costume and join us for a morning of fun and games at WES! *Complimentary wristbands available upon request. Questions? Please contact Jessica Diamond.

Cake Walk and Trunk-or-Treat Donations are needed! Please consider signing up here to donate baked goods (homemade or store-bought) for the Cake Walk - the sweet & spooky WES version of musical chairs! Families can also sign up here to host a spot for Trunk-or-Treat or to provide candy and trinket donations for those setting up cars.

The WES Halloween Carnival is one of the most fun events of the year, and it's also the biggest fundraiser for our 5th Grade Class! We need all fifth graders to help make it a spooky success! Fifth graders and families - sign up here to volunteer your time! (Parents and 5th graders are needed to help run the games and activities) Please remember to wear a costume!

Thank you so much for your support!

Mark your calendar for the annual WES Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, October 26th from 9:00 am — 12 noon. We need volunteers to flip pancakes, work the food line and serve as cashiers. We are also looking for food donations. We are so excited to continue this fun and beloved tradition where some of our teaches will be in the kitchen volunteering to cook your pancakes! Deadline for donations is 10/25. Please see the sign-up here to volunteer and donate. No tickets necessary — you will pay cash only at the event. Can’t wait for a sweet morning together!

This fun WES tradition should not be missed! Students will arrive with parents (siblings welcome too, of course!) and spend the evening visiting engaging math-related stations. Families will take part in each math-related station with the volunteer station facilitator‘s guidance. You and your children won’t want to miss shopping at the WES Mart, building marshmallow toothpick structures, making origami, playing dice and coin games, and so much more! Students will receive a passport and after they travel with their families to 6-8 stations, they will earn a homework pass. Families will travel together, play together and have fun doing math together. We hope you can make it!

We need your help to staff over 25 math-related stations to make math night a success! No prep work needed and you must have your volunteer clearances submitted with the district. Please click on this sign-up for more information. We are 100% sure you will have fun!

Our Fall Scholastic Book Fair is right around the corner! It will take place Tuesday, November 12th – Friday, November 15th during your child’s library special day. All the exciting details are coming out soon but for now, mark your calendars for this exciting week at WES! In the meantime, you can always Visit our Book Fair homepage to browse books, make a wish list or even start your shopping!

If you are ready to part with your new student "Welcome to WES" lawn sign, please consider recycling it in the collection bin at WES. The collection bin will be in the WES front entrance from October 21st - November 4th and will be available at the Halloween Carnival on October 26th and the Halloween Parade on October 31st. The Sustainability Committee and the New Parent Committee are working together in an effort to reduce waste and cost. If we can return 50% of signs this year, we may not need to purchase new signs next year, which helps save the PTO budget and the earth! Thank you for helping in this effort!

Print copies were sent home in backpacks last Thursday for families who purchased the WES Student Directory. A limited quantity is still available to order here! Access to the app version has been sent by Directory Spot to the email(s) provided when purchased. Please reach out to Jen Griffin with any questions about App access. Thank you for supporting the WES PTO!