Woodbrook Elementary

September 2024

Woodbrook Families,

The start of the 24-25 school year has been a smooth one. The students are getting into a good routine and we continue to practice building and classroom procedures. Students and staff will have Monday, September 2, 2024 off to observe Labor Day. I hope you enjoy the long Labor Day weekend!

Woodbrook teachers understand the importance of a strong home-school partnership. We know that when we can work together our students will reach their full potential. Please mark your calendars for September Parent-Teacher-Conferences to be held on Tuesday, Sept. 24 and Wednesday, September 25th. I will be sending home information on how to register for a conference time. We look forward to meeting with you soon.

I appreciate your patience as we continue to work on getting into a good routine during drop-off and pick-up. I have a few items I would like to share with you about these times of the school day.

1.) Each morning we start our school day with Walking Club from 7:55-8:10 AM. When students are dropped off between this time they join Walking Club. The purpose behind Walking Club is to provide families a drop off window of time and give our students an opportunity to be active before starting the school day. On days that we are having outside Walking Club, the students should walk around the west side of the building to join others walking in back. We welcome parents to participate in Walking Club with your student(s) when it is outside Walking Club. We would also ask that parents refrain from standing around on the backside of the building during Walking Club if you are not participating.

2.) When dropping your student(s) off or picking up if you are the first car in the drive thru lane, please always pull up to the flag pole. This will allow for approximately 10-11 cars to be dropping off or picking up studentts at one time. Please also make sure your student is ready to exit your vehicle during drop off as soon as you are stopped along the yellow/orange line on the drive thru lane. Again, this allows for about 10 cars to be exiting students at one time.

3.) Dismissal time is busy! If you have a question about your child's school day or you want to share information with your child's teacher please email or call versus trying to share information during pick-up. Student safety during this busy time is our main priority and we would like to limit distractions.

It is my daily goal to have a positive impact on the learning of all Woodbrook Elementary students. Please feel free to contact me at any time. If I am not available, I will get back to you as soon as I can. I look forward to working with your family this school year!

Sincerely,

Pam Wahl

Woodbrook Principal

pwahl@epsne.org

402.289.1823

Lifetouch will be at Woodbrook on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. All students will have their picture taken regardless of whether you chose to purchase the photos. If you are interested in purchasing photos you can order today at mylifetouch.com. The picture ID is EVTB7GV6B

Further information was sent out with all students in Friday Folders.

⁓Physical and Immunization Requirements⁓

Nebraska law requires that all school children have a physical examination upon entry into school, at seventh grade, and when transferring from an out-of-state school. Students must also provide proof of a visual evaluation to include testing for amblyopia, strabismus, internal and external eye health and visual acuity upon entry into school and when transferring from an out-of-state school. The law also requires your child be immunized and provide proof of immunization before attending classes. Please visit this link: Summary of the School Immunization Rules and Regulations to view specific vaccine requirements for the age of your child. If you have not yet turned in your Kindergarten or new out-of-state student’s paperwork, please do so ASAP.

⁓Medication Policy⁓

If your student requires any medication (over-the-counter and/or prescription) while at school, each medication must have a Medication Authorization Form signed by the parent and a physician before we can administer. All medications must be unexpired and provided in the original packaging and/or pharmacy container. For prescription medications, please only provide a maximum of 30 day supply at a time. All medication must be dropped off in the office by a parent or guardian. Please do not send any medications with your student. Also, if you believe your student is capable of managing their own inhaler or epi pen while at school (at least 4th or 5th grade), here is the link for the Self-management Of Asthma and Severe Allergy (Anaphylaxis) at School Consent/release form.

⁓Students with Asthma, Severe Allergies, Diabetes, and/or Seizures⁓

If your child has asthma, severe allergies, diabetes, and/or seizures, and you have not yet done so, please submit an Action Plan signed by your physician. Plans must be updated annually.

⁓Sick Child Policy⁓

Just a reminder to monitor your child for symptoms of illness and to keep them home if they have any of the following: fever >100.0, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, head lice, eye infection. Students must be free of these conditions for 24 hours before returning to school.

Stay tuned for screening times and volunteer opportunities!

As always, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns!

Thank You!

April Mowery RN

amowery@epsne.org

Meet Mrs. Haack!

Woodbrook has a Girls on the Run Team! Girls on the Run is open to all 3rd-5th grade girls. Girls on the Run is an innovative after-school program that combines exercise, education, mentoring and “Girl Power!” to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident with a curriculum that incorporates running/walking. Each meeting focuses on a topic like friendship or communication and includes engaging activities and running games that foster learning and skills on the lesson of the day. More information can be found below.

Woodbrook Families,

Woodbrook Elementary has adopted and implemented pieces of PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports), a nationally recognized behavioral program which emphasizes a student's positive behavior. Behavioral expectations for all school environments (classroom and non-classroom) are explicitly defined and taught to students throughout the school year. The goal of the Woodbrook Character Plan, with the support of PBIS, is to effectively involve all staff to promote a positive and safe school climate.

Staff members will on-goingly reinforce students when they are observed to be demonstrating one of the school wide positive behavioral expectations with bobcat bravo tickets. Students will have a designated classroom bin and school wide bin that these tickets will be collected and drawn from. Each Friday, classroom teachers will draw from their classroom bin and monthly bobcat bravo winners will be drawn from the school-wide bobcat den and will be recognized at our monthly school assembly. These students will take a letter home, receive an award and medal, and have their picture displayed in the front display case!

While our goal is to continually focus on the positive behaviors that our students are displaying, Woodbrook uses a team-based problem solving process to replace unwanted or unsafe behaviors. If students display behavior that is disruptive or unsafe to others or to the learning process for themselves or others we will utilize individual redirection, Take 5 Spots, think sheets, and support from the office.

Students will be given a chance through redirection to display the desired behavior and retry. If the behavior continues, students will be asked to utilize Take 5 Spots located throughout all of the rooms in the building. This provides students time to reflect and the teacher and student to debrief on the behavior before rejoining the learning. As part of our behavior plan, if students continue to display behavior that is not following our school rules: be safe, be respectful, be responsible they will be asked to complete a think sheet. This is a problem solving reflection sheet that has the teacher and student discuss what happened and what will change so the behavior does not continue. This is also utilized as a communication tool home so it will be sent home to be signed and returned. The goal is that students reflect on their choices, their impact on others, and improvements so that they can have a safe and productive learning environment for themselves and others.

We know that the partnership between home and school is very important to the success of all students. We appreciate your continued effort to support Woodbrook and the behaviors and well being of our students!

Woodbrook Staff

Here are few reminders to help traffic flow smoothly and keep our students and families safe!

• All drivers need to follow the rules and pull forward. Pulling forward is the key! If you are first car in the lane pull up to the flag pole.
• Always use the crosswalk at the main entrance to cross traffic in the pick up lane. Student should ONLY cross at that location without an adult.
• Drivers parking along Purple Martin Parkway will need to walk down the hill to pick up student or students.
• If your child is unable to unbuckle/buckle him/herself, please practice at home. This is a skill he/she needs to be able to do independently if you plan to use the pick-up/drop off lane.
• Students should enter and exit vehicles curbside only.
• Please do NOT get out of your vehicle if you are in the pick-up/drop off lane.
• The front lane of the building is wide enough for two cars. If you pick up your student and you are able to pull outside of the curbside lane you may pull around and exit the lane by staying to your left. If you curbside you will need to exit by staying to the right and looping around the west end of the building.
• Please be patient and be a positive role model for our children. These procedures are in plsce to maintain a safe and respectful environment.
• Drive slowly.
• Stay off cell phones.
• If you have a nanny, grandparents, friend etc...that will be picking up your student or students please share these procedures.

I love four legged furry friends! Please leave these friends at home during pick and drop off. We appreciate you being cognizant of those with allergies or fears. Because they are so cute they are also a distraction to our students during a time that we need to be extra careful for the safety of all our students. Thank you for understanding.

At Woodbrook, the school doors will remain locked during the school day and all visitors will gain access using the security camera/access panel outside the school's main entrance. Over the summer all Elkhorn schools added an additional layer of security. Once visitors have entered the front vestibule a second check in will be required before being able to enter the main office. Office staff will grant access after you do the following the steps.

1.)Push the button and wait for an identification request.

2.)Give your name and purpose for entering the school.

3.) Access to the front vestibule will be granted.

3.) To enter the school, a second access point is located in the vestibule.

4.)Sign in on the visitor sheet and take a visitor badge.

5.)When leaving the building, return to the office and sign out and return your visitor badge to office personnel.

If you need to drop something off that your child forgot at home, there is a table in the vestibule to leave items. We are happy to take items your child. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us to minimize classroom disruptions.

Photos and Videos During School Hours:

• If you are taking photos or videos duirng school hours (including class trips and events), please note these are allowed for personal use only. Videos and images should not be shared in any form without appropriate consent from the student's parents/guardian. Obtaining consent is the sole responsibility of the person taking the photos and video.
• Elkhorn Public Schools is not responsible for obtaining consent for controlling how such images are shared.
• Please be respectful of all students and families in our school community by not taking or sharing photos or videos of students other than your own.

Birthdays are important milestones in each child's life. At Woodbrook Elementary, we look forward to sharing in the students' excitement over their own special day. Each morning birthdays will be read over the announcements and students will be invited to come to select a book from the office to keep, compliments of PTO. Summer birthdays will be announced on the students 1/2 birthday to ensure each student enjoys this special recognition during the school year,

If you would like to send a special treat or token for your child to pass out to classmates, please send non-edible tokens or treats (most preferred). If you send an edible treat please send store bought and indvidually packaged treats to be sent home with students at the end of the school day. Please do NOT send donuts or cupcakes or other edible treats that are not individually wrapped. This decision has been made with considerable thought to healthy eating habits, good allergies and convenience for teachers and parents. I appreciate your support as we create a healthy and safe environment for all students.

Sept. 2 Labor Day-- No school students or staff

Sept. 3 PTO Meeting 6:30 pm at Woodbrook Media Center

Sept. 6th 2nd grade field trip

Sept. 10 Picture Day-Lifetouch at school for pictures

Sept. 12 & 13 5th grade attends outdoor education at Camp Kitaki

Sept. 24 & 25 Parent Teacher Conferences 3-7 pm (Students dismiss both days at 2:06 pm)

Sept. 26 Teacher Inservice-no school for students

Sept. 27 No school for staff or students

Oct. 4th 3rd grade field trip

Oct. 11th Kindergarten field trip

Oct. 17th End of 1st quarter

Oct. 18th Teacher inservice day-no school for students

Oct. 22nd Picture Retakes

Oct. 25th Halloween Parties @ 2:15 PM

• Woodbrook PTO website
  
• Facebook page
  
• PTO email address: epswoodbrookpto@gmail.com
• Our PTO website offers an online Directory that families can choose to have their information published in at no cost. There is a nominal $5 fee for families to access the directory. This can be a great resource if families are wanting to connect with other families in their class or grade-level.
• Next PTO Meeting September 3rd 6:30 pm @ Woodbrook Media Center. We would love to see you in attendance!

Parents are welcome to come to have lunch with their children during lunchtime; however the students and staff need some time to get into a good routine and understand our lunch procedures before visitors join us. We ask that parents do not start joining us for lunch until after Labor Day. This will give us time to ensure all students learn the correct lunch procedures along with having an opportunity to socialize with their classmates. If you would like one of our school lunches, please call the office by 10:00 am of that same day to order a lunch. Thank you for your cooperation. The breakfast and lunch prices for 24-25 are below.

Breakfast:

 Elem: $1.80

 Middle: $2.00

 High: $2.15

Lunch

 Elem: $3.00

 Middle: $3.65

 High: $3.85

Milk: $0.55

The August breakfast and lunch menu can be found at this link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14o2IUSBOaqYA5gkOvPJPfPk_njDdVhMJ/view?usp=sharing

Severe Weather Protocols

As was shared with all families in an email from Elkhorn Public Schools in early August, information regarding the resources utilized by Elkhorn Public Schools in the event of severe weather can be found at the link below.

EPS Severe Weather Protocols - August 2024 Letter to Staff and Families

Tech Tips for Parents: Screen Sanity

Let's flip the script - creating a sense of "JOMO (that's Joy of Missing Out) encourages students to be fully present and embrace being in the here and now! Check out Screen Sanity for more helpful tips and remember the importance of modeling being where your feet are!

TeamMates of Elkhorn is currently seeking additional mentors to fulfill our waitlist! Mentors spend 30 minutes a week building a lasting relationship, and creating a positive impact that lasts a lifetime. Please consider volunteering your time to meet the growing need for mentors across our District. Apply now by clicking here!

Additionally, visit Runza on Tuesday, September 19, and support your local chapter of TeamMates! 10% of all Runza sales at the 204th and Maple location will be donated back to our Elkhorn chapter.

Per EPS Board Policy 1006.07, District residents aged 65+ are eligible for a free activity pass which admits the holder to District-sponsored events and activities. Passes can be picked up at the EPS Central Office at 20650 Glenn St. during normal business hours. Individuals must provide a valid driver's license showing a current address of residence with EPS boundaries to receive a pass.

Upcoming Events for EPS Families

https://www.facebook.com/ElkhornPSWO

https://twitter.com/ElkhornPS_WO

pwahl@epsne.org

Woodbrook Elementary

18520 Purple Martin Parkway

Elkhorn, NE 68022

402.289.1823

Woodbrook Elementary

Our mission is to develop a strong family bond by fostering positive, meaningful relationships with each other. We will use our strong relationships to establish a safe learning environment with high expectations where the staff, students and parents work together to create a respectful and responsible community. We will ignite a passion for continuous improvement with a growth mindset to be confident learners today, tomorrow and into the future.