Call Phone Policy
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.
Students can not have devices out in the cafeteria/atrium in the morning.
Students turn in all devices to their teacher when they first go upstairs starting at 8:00 am.
Teachers place devices into a padded envelope and then put the envelope into a lockbox for safekeeping.
During dismissal, teachers return devices to their students.
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.
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.
Afterschool Programs
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)
Starting Soon
Book Club- (Monday)
Recycle Club- (Wednesday)
Hair Club - (Thursday) combination with YWCA 3:00-5:30
Connect with Us
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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!
Tips for Parents To Build Reading Skills
The most common advice parents are giving about literacy is to read a book to their child every night. A daily reading practice has a positive impact on student language skills, vocabulary building, and much more. Fortunately, reading out loud to children isn’t the only way to support them to become skilled readers. Families can still positively impact their child’s literacy development through every day learning moments.
Over the next few weeks I will share a different family-friendly activity that help cultivate literacy skills by utilizing assets and routines already at a family’s disposal.
Model Joy and Curiosity Through Reading
As students move from their elementary schools into adolescence, literacy continues to play an active role in their academics. But reading supports students in so many ways outside of the classroom as well as in the classroom itself. Families can help their students nurture positive relationships with reading — specifically where and how reading can support joy, curiosity, and personal growth.
For example, parents can model curiosity by challenging middle school students to explore new or intriguing words they encounter, even having kids teach the whole family about their newly acquired vocabulary. Families can also support their pre-teen to practice critical thinking and independent exploration — skills essential to secondary school academics — through research using books, news articles, magazines, and other texts to learn more about a subject. Books offer a great opportunity for older students to explore personal interests, too, which is critical on the path to college and career readiness.
Upcoming Events
October 25th - Early Release Drill - NYS requires that schools annually test their ability for emergency evacuation. A fifteen-minute early dismissal is planned for students, please be prepared to pick up at 2:30 instead of 2:45.
October 26th - Super Saturday - Trunk or Treat 9-11:30 am
October 28th - Lockdown Drill - NYS requires that the school conducts four lockdown drill each year. We will notify you of the drills at least one week in advance, and give you feedback on how each drill goes. The purpose of lockdown drills in New York schools is to help prepare the students and school staff prepare for and respond to an emergency. Drills allow students and staff to practice how they would respond 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 with you to share with your class.
November 5th - 1/2 Day for Students, pick up at 11:30 am. Parent Teacher Conference 12pm-6pm
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
Uniform Policy
GRADES K – 8
Tops: Navy Blue School Logo Top
WCCS Embroidered short sleeve poloWCCS 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.