Welcome to the 2024-25 School Year

509 Widefield Drive

Colorado Springs, Colorado 80911

719-391-3335 (Office)

719-391-9416 (Fax)

Office Information

Office hours: 7:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

To report an absence, please call 719-391-3336

Please notify the office immediately for any changes in student contact information.

Student hours: 8:15 a.m.-3:25 p.m. Tardy bell: 8:20 a.m.

Students are not allowed on school grounds before 8:00 a.m. No early check-out after 3:10 p.m.

School Website: https://widefield.wsd3.org/

School Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/WidefieldSchooloftheArts/

School Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/wesabulldogs/

Link to Parent/Student Handbook: 23-24 Parent/Student Handbook

Before & After School Care: Leading Edge 1-800-341-5791

Important Dates to Remember for August

• August 8th ~ Class Placement Email, 4 p.m.
• August 9th ~ Bulldog Welcome, 1-3 p.m.
• August 12th ~ First Day of School 1st-5th grades
• August 12th ~ Kindergarteners with Last Names A-M only
• August 13th ~ Kindergarteners with Last Names N-Z only
• August 14th ~ ALL Kindergarteners

Office Staff:

Shelley Ruiz - Principal

Ian Schimmel - Assistant Principal

Jessica Walls - Counselor

Peggy Aragon - Head Secretary

Natasha Gallagher - Attendance Secretary

Amber McNeill - Nurse

Christy Salter - Health Tech.

Time to start a new school year! Teacher assignments will be sent out via email/Remind on Thursday, August 8th at 4 p.m. You and your child(ren) are invited to come meet your teacher, see your classroom and drop off school supplies on Friday, August 9th anytime between 1 & 3 p.m. at our Bulldog Welcome. We hope to see you there!

August 12th - 1st - 5th Grades and only Kinders last names A-M

August 13th - 1st - 5th Grades and only Kinders last names N-Z

August 14th - all students

• Health Form - 1 per child

• Climbing Wall Form - 1 per child

• Title Funding Forms - 1 per family

Please complete and return all forms at your earliest convenience. Even if you don't feel you qualify for free/reduced lunch we need all families to fill them out for Title funding. Thank you!

NOTE: Student-Parent Handbook can be found at this link: 2024-25 WESA Parent/Student Handbook If you require a printed copy, please let the office staff know and we will provide one for you.

• Please use the crosswalks

• Drop-off area-High School Parking lot in between WHS & WESA

• Bus stops and buses are an extension of the school - all school rules apply

• No driving through the front parking lot or bus lot when buses are present

• Bicycles - bike racks are between the main building and the modular, lock your bike for safety

• NO PETS on campus before, during, or after school

• Morning drop-off - Students are to arrive between 8:00 & 8:15, when dropped off they are to go straight to breakfast or their classroom.

• DO NOT drop-off before 8:00.

• Afternoon pick-up is at 3:25 p.m.

• If you are picking your child up for an appointment and/or family engagement, please do so prior to 3:10 p.m. The end of the school day is hectic and the office staff is trying to wrap up the day, deliver messages to students and ensure students get where they need to be. We appreciate your cooperation with this request.

Please watch the attached video for a visual representation of our pick-up and drop-off procedures. Thank you! Drop-off & Pick-Up

• Buzzer/Intercom - required visual ID check

• Raptor System - ID scan - required for all visitors

• Infinite Campus - keep your child’s contact & pickup information up-to-date; sign-up for parent portal

• Custody Information - keep updated court signed documents regarding custody in the front office

• Monthly Safety Drills - Each month your student(s) will participate in safety drills.

• Food items to share, including birthday treats, are prohibited.
• Healthy snacks are encouraged. No candy please.
• Be sure to check with your child’s teacher for restricted foods due to allergies present in the classroom. Thank you for helping us keep all students safe.

Widefield Elementary School of the Arts educates using an arts integration philosophy. This will take place in the classroom as well during specials classes.

Every child will be given the opportunity to participate in the All School Musical on April 17, 2025. Last year’s performance of Willy Wonka Kids was amazing! We look forward to this year’s show...Finding Nemo Kids.

The WESA Staff offers many opportunities for students to participate in clubs and activities throughout the year. Be on the lookout for club/activity information and online applications. Tentative clubs and activities: Choir, Chess, Coding, Lego League, Robotics, Drama, Cheerleading, Dance, Running, etc.

Clubs vary by grade level.

We proactively teach expectations and behaviors using B.A.R.K.

B - Be Safe

A - Attitude

R - Respect

K - Know What’s Right

Review and discuss B.A.R.K. with your family! Students will be recognized at quarterly assemblies for demonstrating B.A.R.K. behavior.

We would love your feedback regarding PBIS. Please take a moment to fill out the following survey. This will assist our team in providing the information you want and the strategies that are helpful for transitioning between home and school. Parent/Guardian PBIS Survey

(A full B.A.R.K. matrix can be found on the last page of the Parent/Student Handbook.)

• Watch for information for the WESA Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) meetings and Building Advisory and Accountability Committee (BAAC) meetings in the Bulldog Bulletin.

• Volunteers are welcome & encouraged. Times and days must be arranged with the classroom teacher. All volunteers must complete district background check. Go to the front office to pick up your packet.

We appreciate your support!

On the 1st school day of every month you will receive a link via Remind to the Bulldog Bulletin. This is our monthly communication tool for school wide happenings and events. Please take the time to read it each month to stay informed of what is going on at WESA!

Thank you!

We do our best to plan ahead and give our families plenty of time to plan for events. Attached you will find a calendar of this school year's events. Most of these dates are set, however, they can be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. In the top right corner you will see a date of when it was last updated so you can keep track of any changes that may occur. We hope this is helpful in your planning. 2024-25 WESA Events Calendar