Penn Wood Elementary School
July 18, 2024
About us
Email: mgarvin@wcasd.net
Website: https://www.wcasd.net/Domain/752
Location: 1470 Johnnys Way, West Chester, PA, USA
Phone: 4842661900
Twitter: @PennWood1470
Penn Wood Newsletter
Penn Wood Vision: Highly Effective - Academic Excellence, Personal Growth, Creative Thinking, Service to the Community
From the Principal's Office
Greetings Penn Wood!
We hope that everyone has been enjoying their summer! While the staff and students have been away Penn Wood is undergoing its annual summer deep clean and maintenance! Our big summer project is the installation of a new gym floor. Also, Jennifer Shearon officially started at Penn Wood as the new Secretary to the Principal this past week. Next month, we will send out updates for the community welcoming all our current and new staff members.
Over the summer, Penn Wood offices will be open Monday-Thursday 8-4pm. Our website will be updated regularly and updated with school/district information throughout the summer.
With Penn Wood Pride,
Dr. Mike G. Garvin
Follow us on X - @PennWood1470
Important Dates:
August 16 - New Teacher Induction Week
August 19 - 22 - Penn Wood Teacher In-Service Day(s)
August 20 - Back to School Night - Grades 3-5 - 4-5pm
August 21 - Back to School Night - Grades K-2 - 4-5pm
August 26 - First Student Day
August 30 - Schools Closed
September 2 - Schools Closed Labor Day
Design Lab and Penn Wood Library
Design Lab and Flexible Library Updates for the 2024 - 2025 School Year
As a reminder to our families, starting next school year elementary students will have a new special area called Design Lab. In Design Lab, students will explore Design Thinking strategies and experiences, which means they will spend time collaboratively tackling problems, developing creative solutions, and thoughtfully approaching important ideas.
Remember we're also changing our library time. Instead of having a fixed schedule for library classes, we're making it more flexible. Students will still learn how to research ideas properly, work on projects, find good sources, and explore wonderful books, but on a less fixed timeframe. Our library program will keep teaching important skills and making sure all students have access to books.
WCASD News
1) The recent approved PA state budget does include the funding for Universal Free breakfast for all WCASD Elementary and Middle School Students for 2024-25
24-25 School Supplies and Optional Summer Reading
The Penn Wood School Supplies for 2024-25 and the district’s elementary Summer Reading list are both available on the Penn Wood.
Pick Up Patrol (PUP)/District Attendance Policy
Important Change to Absence Notes
Thank you to all of our parents/guardians who have registered for Pick-Up Patrol and already began using it this school year. Pick-Up Patrol (PUP) should be used for all dismissal plans and changes. Absences must be reported by 9:30 a.m., either through PUP OR through the Safe Arrival Line. When we initially rolled out PUP, our understanding was that it could be used in lieu of submitting an excuse form. We have just learned that is not the case.
Excuse forms, completed with the necessary data such as child’s name, date and reason for absence, are to be turned in by the student within three (3) days, after his/her return from an absence. The absence of any student failing to comply with this time period, will automatically become unexcused and/or unlawful and the school laws of Pennsylvania shall be applied. Excuse notes via email from a registered email address in PowerSchool will be accepted without an original signature. (Per District Attendance Guidelines Code 204AG1)
Excuse forms need to be kept on file in accordance with district and state policy. For absences reported in Pick Up Patrol, you may forward your Pick-Up Patrol Absence Confirmation email to garmstrong@wcasd.net.
Safe Arrival phone line at 484-266-1910, is still available to report your child’s absence.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation with this policy.
Car Line Arrival and Dismissal
Morning Arrival Updates for Car Riders: A few reminders that would be helpful for morning carline.
- Parents should not get out of the car
- If kids need help with their backpack, they can get out of the car, on the “kids side” of the cones and staff can help.
- Unload all along the cones, 5 - 7 cars should be able to unload at once to move the line along.
- Arrival carline drop off - 8:30 - 9:00am (please do not arrive prior to 8:25)
- After 9:00 am (Late Arrivals) - drop off is in the front of the building
Afternoon Carline - 3:30 - 3:45 (after 3:45 children will be brought to the office).
Please follow these protocols:
1) Please stay in car
2) If students can't buckle themselves in the car...please pull forward to the cul-de-sac and buckle there. Please do not block any drive ways.
3) Please do not enter the carline until 3:10. Vehicles cannot line up and wait as this causes unnecessary congestion on Johnny’s Way.
4) Enter the campus eastbound on Johnny’s Way. (PM Carline Directional Map) Below...
5) Do not block driveways on Johnny’s Way or Bobolink Lane.
New Student Registration – 2024-25 School Year
Have a child turning 5 years old on or before 9/1/24? Have a neighbor or friend with a child turning 5? Spread the word……….it’s time to pre-register for kindergarten! Click here to register for 2024-25. Please note that 23-24 is still open for new residents so be sure to select 2024-25 if your child will be starting next school year.
Items to upload electronically when pre-registering online:
- Birth Certificate
- Immunizations
- Physical Report
- Dental Report
- Proof of Residence #1 – copy of mortgage statement, deed or lease agreement
- Proof of Residence #2 – copy of utility bill, car insurance card, tax bill or insurance declaration page (we need to see current date, name and address)
Please be sure to complete all fields and upload all documents before clicking “submit”.
Once you click on “submit”, you no longer have access to the pre-registration file. If you have any questions, please email Jennifer Shearon at jshearon@wcasd.net