Dear Seneca Families,
As principals, we wear many hats, none more important than student safety. This means making sure students feel emotionally, academically and physically safe. One safety aspect is preparing students for a variety of scenarios, including what to do in the event of a fire, if there is something unsafe outside the building or something dangerous happening in our school. Finally, if we needed to relocate our students and staff to a different building. We are in the midst of fall safety drills and want to ensure you are aware of some of our most common:
- Shelter in Place: All students are brought inside and take shelter in a designated location away from windows and exterior walls. This may be weather-related and/or something else outside the building (fire nearby?).
- Hold in Place: We use this when we need hallways kept clear. Scenario: An injury in the hallway. During a Hold in Place, the announcement is made, teachers pull in students from the hallway and business continues as usual within classrooms until the announcement is made to end the Hold in Place.
- Evacuation drills (AKA Fire Drill): We would use evacuation in the event of a non-human danger within the school building. For example, a fire or gas leak. During these drills and events, students follow their classroom teacher to a designated location, in which attendance is taken and students are accounted for. All halls, classrooms, restrooms and offices are swept by building leaders to verify a safe evacuation.
- Lockout: This is not to be confused with a Lockdown. During a Lockout, the danger is outside of the building. Building doors are locked, and no one is allowed in or out. For example: Stranger danger outside of the building.
- Lockdown drills: A Lockdown is used in the event of imminent danger within the building (example: an intruder). During these drills, classrooms turn off all lights, cover windows, lock classroom doors and move to a designated meeting place within the classroom out of sight. The Lockdown is lifted by a building Principal, WICSD Security or Local PD only after an “all clear” is given.
In addition to the above drills, we are also in the midst of our annual visits from the St. Paul Fire Department to review fire safety in school and at home. Some K-3 students may have already participated and come home excited to share!
Students do not learn when they do not feel safe, so these exercises are critical. Conducting thorough drills with fidelity is one of the ways we ensure that all students are safe and prepared. Thank you for trusting us and continuing to partner with us in your children’s education.
In partnership,
Alicia Spitz
Secretary: Connie Iglewski | connie_iglewski@westiron.monroe.edu
Main office: 585-336-1620
Health office: 585-336-1628
Fax: 585-336-1621
Transportation: 585-336-2992 | Website
District Office: 585-342-5500
District website: westirondequoit.org
Email: connie_iglewski@westiron.monroe.edu
Website: https://seneca.westirondequoit.org/
Location: 4143 Saint Paul Boulevard, Rochester, NY, USA
Phone: 585-336-1620
X/Twitter: @Spitzy19
November
11: NO SCHOOL-Veterans Day
19-21: Book Fair
21: Fall Open House 6:00 p.m.
26: NO SCHOOL-Parent/Guardian Teacher Conferences
27-29: NO SCHOOL- Thanksgiving Recess
December
13: Winter Sing-Along
23-31: NO SCHOOL- Holiday Recess
January
1-3: NO SCHOOL- Holiday Recess
20: NO SCHOOL- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
21-25: Great Kindness Challenge
24: PTSA Family Movie Night @ IHS 6:00 PM
29: NO SCHOOL- Lunar New Year
Report cards for 1st through 3rd grades will be available on the Parent Portal on Friday, Nov. 15. Click here to go the portal. The first report card for our kindergarten students will be in January 2025.
If your child is going to be late or absent from school, please call or email the office by 9 a.m. each morning of the absence. If a student is changing their dismissal/pick up routine, please send in a note that morning. Call (585) 336-1620 or email: connie_iglewski@westiron.monroe.edu
The weather is changing, which means we need to be ready for chilly outdoor recess weather! As long as the temperature "feels like" 20 degrees or higher we will be heading outside for recess. students will need a warm coat, snow boots, snow pants, gloves/mittens, and a hat.
Please note that even with minimal snow, students must have boots to play so they aren't in wet shoes for the remainder of the day! If it is easier for the home-to-school transition, you are more then welcome to keep an extra set of snow gear at school. We do not have extra snow gear to loan for the days that are forgotten. If you have any questions, or need help with warm clothing, please let us know.
Families, do you:
· Have a new cell phone number or new carrier?
· Have a new email address or work phone number?
· Need to update your emergency contacts?
Be sure to keep your child's school informed of any changes to your phone numbers or emergency contact information. Update info directly on the Infinite Campus Parent Portal via this link, or send in a note with your child. Questions about Portal Access? Contact the appropriate support person below:
· K-6: diane_bretz@westiron.monroe.edu
· Grades 7-8: jane_csaszar@westiron.monroe.edu
· Grades 9-12: howard_dutton@westiron.monroe.edu
