What's Happening at Whitman...📏✏️
Back to School Edition
Note and a Quote
As the summer days wind down, the excitement of a new school year approaches. We understand that the transition back to school can be both exhilarating and a bit overwhelming. Please remember you are not alone on this journey. We are here to support your child's growth and learning every step of the way. The Whitman Elementary School Staff would like to welcome you to a new school year. Our dedicated teachers and staff are eager and excited to bring worthwhile educational experiences to our Wildcats! We are dedicated to creating future leaders and will highlight our work with your children. This newsletter contains pertinent information relevant to the 2023-2024 school year. See you all soon
Thank you and I look forward to an AMAZING year.
Mrs. Dulude 😀
Whitman Principal
Class Assignment
Your child's teacher will be emailed to you on August 30, 2023 by 4:00 pm.
Kindergarten Meet the Teacher...
August 31, 2023 from 2:00-2:30
Incoming kindergarten students will be able to meet their teacher on August 31. Get ready to begin your journey at Whitman.
First Day of School for students...
September 6, 2023 at 8:55 am
First day we welcome students back to Whitman!!!!
Arrival
Student Arrival and Dismissal Information ARRIVAL PROCEDURE / PUPIL SUPERVISION
All homeroom teachers and supervisory staff will be on duty by 8:55 AM each morning. Supervisory staff will be stationed at several locations including the corner of Whitman School Road and the driveway. At least two staff members will have a two-way radio at all times. Furthermore, additional crossing guard assistance has been assigned to the school.
Walking students (grades 1-5 only) should report to school no earlier than 8:55 AM as they wait for the teacher to open the doors for their arrival. We will begin admitting students promptly at 8:55. Kindergarten WALKERS will assemble on the blacktop next to the playground closest to the building and will be greeted by adults who will help them to their classrooms.
Students in grades 1-3 shall enter through the side doors near the trailers upon announcement. Walking students in grades 4-5 shall enter through the double doors at the other end of the blacktop near the Art Room. Please be advised that there is no supervision available for students prior to 8:55; therefore students should not arrive to school earlier than that time.
Crossing Guard times are approximately 8:50 to 9:05 AM and 3:20 to 3:35 PM. An additional crossing guard will continue to be present this year to assist with our students each morning/afternoon.
Bus students will be dismissed from their bus at 8:55 AM each morning and report to their assigned homerooms to be greeted by their teacher(s).
Private vehicles are not permitted in the driveways from 8:45 to 9:15 AM and from 3:00 to 3:45 PM, unless for medical reasons. Parents who drive their child to school are asked to drop him/her off along Whitman School Road, Coach Road, or Academy Lane by the trail. Please note that the area in front of the main entrance by the Whitman School Sign is a NO PARKING AREA. You may pull up to the area, allow students to safely exit, and then drive on your way. Parking there and leaving your car is prohibited and drivers must remain in their cars.
Additionally, although not an “official” drop-off area, a staff member continues to be stationed on the corner of the walkers’ path and Academy Lane as an added “unofficial” drop-off point to alleviate the traffic in front of the school. Parents are asked to be considerate of other parents and not park or remain in their cars beyond a quick drop off or pickup. This has become an issue, of which the police has been made aware, of blocking the roadway.
* For safety reasons the child should exit the car on the passenger side. Children should be dropped off on Whitman School Road by the school sign or on Coach Road. The end of the trail on Academy Lane, although not an “official” drop-off location, may be utilized by students as well for traffic reasons and for courtesy toward the residents around the school.
Late to School
Late To School
After 9:05 a.m. you will need to sign your child in to school. You must sign your child in upon arrival. Please bring your photo ID.
Dismissal
REGULAR DISMISSAL / PUPIL SUPERVISION
At dismissal, walking students are supervised to the exit doors a few minutes prior to the buses being called. Teachers and support staff members are stationed in the hallways and along the outside walkways. The students will exit through the side doors facing the playground and walk towards either the path leading to Academy Lane or along the sidewalk to the corner of the driveway and Whitman School Road.
Parents who wish to personally meet their child are asked to meet him/her near the pathway exit on Academy, on the opposite side of the blacktop closer to the field (soccer nets), or on the corner of our school’s driveway NOT on school property (for security reasons).
Walking students may be picked up along Whitman School Road, Coach Road, or Academy Lane. If you do not want your child to walk home and want to ensure that he/she is always released only to you, please see the attached letter and form. KINDERGARTEN WALKERS (fill out the Transportation waiver; see attached email) will be dismissed through the fence at the kindergarten playground and can be met there to start the year ONLY.
Parent/guardians are responsible for reviewing the school calendar and e-backpack to comply with all school dismissal times and procedures.
On announcement, students will proceed quietly down the halls and exit through the front doors and go directly to their assigned bus. Teachers on duty will supervise.
No student will be detained after school except under emergency circumstances or with prior parent contact.
Any student leaving before regular dismissal must be picked up at the front doors by a parent/guardian or person authorized to act on his/her behalf as designated on the emergency information. All authorized persons must ring the bell and show a photo ID to office personnel. The student will be signed out by office staff and escorted to the front door for pick up. Parents are asked to limit these early dismissals for emergencies and appointments only and not on a daily basis.
Students in grades 1–5 who are not eligible for district-provided transportation shall be permitted to leave the building unescorted unless the parent/guardian provides prior written notification to the school of any arrangements for students requiring an escort. •
Bus students will be permitted to leave the bus stop even if no escort is present. Students who miss their bus or are waiting to be picked up by a parent/guardian are to report to the main office. Supervision will be provided by either the homeroom teacher or office personnel for a limited number of minutes. Adults must present a photo ID prior to signing a student out of school.
All documented escort arrangements for unscheduled early dismissal will be considered applicable for the entire school year. Arrangements may only be altered in writing to the building Principal. Parents/Guardians are urged to discuss an emergency backup plan with their child(ren).
Notification of Student's Absence
Parents must call the school Nurse at 856-227-1103, option 1 to report their child’s absence or tardiness from school as soon as possible. Every attempt will be made to notify parents by 11:00 AM if a child is absent and the school has not been notified.
A note is required on the day the child returns to school and a medical note is required after three consecutive days of absence.
Picking Up Students Early...
If you are picking your child up from school early, please reach out to the main office and the teacher.
Please inform the office and your child’s teacher if you are picking up early or if another approved person is picking up. Any change to the schedule must to go the Office and Teacher. The office must be included as a teacher may not be able to see an email during instructional time.
The person picking up your child must have ID and will need to ring the bell for the main office to inform our staff who is being picked up. Next you will sign out the child using the sign out book on the cart out front. A staff member will escort your child to the front doors.
Health Office Information...
Information from the Whitman Health Office as you may know from previous years, we utilize an online format for Emergency Cards and Medical forms. You will be able to access your student’s information through PowerSchool. Kindly refer to the district email for details.
We ask that you update any medical information, including medications (taken at home and at school), allergies, operations, as well as insurance information. Kindly take some time to review your contact information and update any phone numbers and email addresses so that we have the most recent information in case we need to contact you.
We ask that you have three emergency contacts with updated contact information. Please ensure that those individuals you list would be able to pick up your child within 30 minutes if you are unable to pick him/her up yourself. Thank you for your continued support.
Kid's Choice Program
If you would like your child to be part of the before and after school program, please contact Kids’ Choice with any questions you may have about their updated procedures for their before and after school program. The Kids’ Choice contact numbers are: 856-316-6375 or 609-617-5310
Back to School Night...
September 7, 2023
Back to School Night- See the attached letter for more information.
Grade level supply lists...✏️🏫🎒📏
Kindergarten Supply List
· Full-size backpack that is able to hold folders, lunch box, library books, ipads etc.
· A water bottle
· Lunch box if your child is packing lunch
· Box of tissues
· Container of Lysol Wipes
Grade 1 Supply List
· 1 pencil box (no more than 3 inches high please)
· Backpack
· Standard size glue sticks (as many as possible)
· Fine tip Expo dry erase markers (as many as possible)
· Piece of soft felt or an old sock to erase the dry erase boards
· 2 plain colored 2-pocket folders (pockets that go across the bottom, not from top to bottom)
· 1 container Clorox/Lysol disinfecting wipes
· 1 bottle of hand sanitizer
· 1 pair of scissors
· 10 sharpened pencils
· 2 boxes of 8 count crayons
· 1 pair of earbuds/headphones
Grade 2 Supply List
· 1 book bag (labeled)
· 2 yellow highlighters
· 1 package of colored pencils
· 1 box of 8-10 colored markers
· 4 oz. bottle of Elmer’s glue
· 8 glue sticks
· 2 composition books
· 1 container of baby wipes
· 12 skinny black Expo makers
· 1 box of 24 colored crayons
· 24 sharpened Ticonderoga pencils
· Pink erasers (pencil cap and block)
· 1 clean sock
· 1 box of quart or gallon size zip lock bags
· 4 packages of square post-it notes
· Headphones in a labeled bag
Grade 3 Supply List
· flat- rectangular zipper pencil case (no box or cylinder shape)
· scissors (child size – metal)
· 8 dry erase markers (black only)
· 1 whiteboard dry eraser
· Pack of Highlighters (multi-colored)
· 6 to 8 glue sticks (no liquid)
· 2 boxes of Ticonderoga pencils (no mechanical or scented)
· 2 colored pens (NO BLACK)
· box of 24 crayons
· 1 composition notebook
· 1 Pack of Hole Punched Loose Leaf Paper
· 2 post-it notepads (3x3)
· 2 two-pocket folders
· Earbuds/ headphones (for laptops) NO BLUETOOTH
· 4 sandwich-size Ziploc bags
· 4 gallon-size Ziploc bags
· 1 container of alcohol safety wipes
*Additional supplies may be needed as per teacher’s request
Grade 4 Supply List
- 1 Zipper pencil pouch (no boxes)
- 2 black sharpies
- 1 box of color pencils
- 12-inch rigid ruler (not flexible) metric and standard
- 1 box of crayons
- 1 pair of scissors
- 3 black and white marble composition book
- 6 dry erase markers and eraser or clean sock
- 4 glue sticks
- 20+ sharpened pencils (no mechanical pencils)
- 6 two pocket folders
- 2 packages post-it notes
- 4 Highlighters
- 1 box of baby wipes
- 1 protractor to be kept at home
- 1 drawstring bag/ tote bag for changing classes
- 5 one-gallon size zip lock bags
- 1 pair of earbuds/headphones in a labeled bag
Grade 5 Supply List
· Red pens for correcting
· 2 Glue Sticks
· 1 Pack of dry erase makers
· Sock or dry eraser
· Zipper pencil pouch
· 2 inch hard cover 3 ring binder
· 1 package of 6 dividers
· 1 package 3 hole standard lined paper
· 1 marble composition book
· 3 two pocket folders
· 1 pair of wired earbud or headphone to keep
Donations of the following items are always appreciated:
· 5 1 gallon Ziploc bags
· 1 12 inch ruler with centimeters
· 1 pair of scissors
· Highlighters
· 1 box of colored pencils
· Pencils
· Erasers
· Crayons
· 1 black sharpie
Additional Reminders...
Additional Reminders LAPTOPS AND IPADS
Please be sure to send your children each day with their district issued devices fully charged so that they may participate in all the day’s lessons.
Families in need of tech support are asked to please submit your request, including your child’s name, PIN/ID number (if available), and the issue to studenthelp@wtps.org.
FORMS Please make sure to complete all required forms in PowerSchool for the start of the 2023-24 school year. They include the Health Information, Health Authorization and Student Contacts forms.
OTHER INFORMATION • Students are permitted to pack refillable water bottles as we now have 2 bottle filling stations at Whitman! • No outside food or drinks (Starbucks, Dunkin’, etc.) are permitted to be brought into the building and must be consumed prior to entering • Please be mindful of our Student Dress Code (no flip flops or sandals, appropriate length to shorts/skirts, etc.)
FOOD ITEMS/ BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
Due to food allergies, please do not send in food for the entire class. If there is an event scheduled where food is provided or needed, parents will be notified. Food should not be sent in for Birthday celebrations, alternate plans can be coordinated with the teacher to recognize this special day.
Welcome Officer Leadbeater...
It is our pleasure to announce Officer Chris Leadbeater as our School Resource Officer!
HSC Membership
We hope you consider joining the Whitman HSC (Home and School Counsel).
We are looking for volunteers to help make it a special year for our students. Information on how to join will be sent home and available at Back to School Night.
Our first HSC meeting will be held on September 19 at 6:30 pm in the Whitman Library.