Western Primary School News
July/August 2024
Meet the Principal - Mrs. DeWeese
Hello! I hope this newsletter finds you well and enjoying the last of your summer days before school starts! We are looking forward to a great year and can't wait to see the faces of our returning students and meet the new ones. I would to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Melissa DeWeese and I am the principal at Western Primary.
This is my nineteenth year at Western. I started my career in education teaching first grade here at Western Primary. During my time here at Western I have also had the honor of teaching fifth grade, supporting teachers through technology integration, and being the assistant principal in the middle school. My husband, Eric, and our three children all graduated from Western. It is a fantastic school community and I am glad you are apart of it as well! I am looking forward to a wonderful year!
Make sure you mark your calendar for our Back to School night on Monday, August 5th from 4pm-6pm. This is when you and your child will visit their classroom, meet their teacher, and drop off school supplies. Teachers will be released in Skyward around a week prior to school starting. Please check Skyward for your child's teacher and classroom before coming to Back to School Night.
Also, for our new Kindergarten students and those who have never ridden a bus before, we will have a school bus parked in front of the building so the students can practice getting on and off the bus during Back to School Night. Our new Mobile Literacy Lab will also be parked out front so be sure and stop and check it out! The Kona Ice truck will be here and PTO will also have popcorn and candy for sale! It's going to be a fun night so make sure you join us!
We are looking forward to seeing everyone and beginning a new school year! See you soon!
All the best,
Melissa DeWeese
WPS Principal
- August 5th - Back to School Night 4pm-6pm
- August 7th - First Day of School, no 30 minute delay
- September 2nd - Labor Day, no school
- September 10th - Chipotle Fundraiser for WPS
- September 17th - WPS Picture Day
- September 25th - E-Learning Day
Mark Your Calendar for Back to School Night 4-6pm
Monday, Aug 5, 2024, 04:00 PM
Western Primary School
Meet the Assistant Principal - Mrs. Morgan
Meet the School Social Worker - Mrs. Leap
My name is Kristi Leap and I am starting my 17th year as the Western Primary School Social Worker. As the School Social Worker, I work with students individually and in groups. I help students when they are struggling with many issues, including anxiety, anger management, sadness, attention, self confidence, friendships, and managing overall behavior. I also teach monthly classroom guidance lessons on topics such as trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, empathy, bullying prevention, friendship, cooperation, and anger management. I am here to support our students and families. Please reach out to me if you have questions or need resources to help your student.
Meet the Secretary - Mrs. Hawkins
My name is Stacy Hawkins. I am the secretary in the Primary. My husband and I both graduated from Western. We have two daughters and three grandchildren. I take care of student enrollment, supply fees, and I am the ECA treasurer for the building. You will call me if you have any changes to your student's records or have any general question about the school.
Meet the Receptionist - Mrs. Maddox
My name is Jodi Maddox. I am the receptionist in the Primary. I graduated from Western, and I have always called it home. I have been married for 28 years to my awesome husband. We have 5 kids, and also a handful of grandkids. I am starting my 8th year here at Western. I take care of attendance, busing and pickup needs. You will call me if you have a change in transportation or your student will be absent.
The first day of school is Wednesday, August 7th. All students (Kindergarten included) will attend school for a full day on the first day of school.
Car riders will be allowed in the building starting at 8:30am. Please stay in your car and join the car rider line. No parents will be allowed inside the school building during drop off and pick up. Dismissal starts at 3:30pm.
There is NO 30 minute delay on the first day of school! Every Wednesday after the first day, we will have a 30 minute delay to allow for staff professional development.
Click below for the latest breakfast and lunch menus! They will be posted soon!
WPS Mobile Literacy Lab
This summer we unveiled our new Mobile Literacy Lab. This project was made possible from grant funds that we were awarded with our Excellence in Early Literacy Award from the Indiana State Department of Education last fall. We worked with Stellhorn RV and Camping Supplies to purchase and renovate an RV to create a space for student learning that could be used at school as well as in the community.
The WPS Literacy Lab is designed for children ages 2-8 and is packed with fun, hands-on games and activities that promote a love of phonics and reading. Children can explore the magic of letters, play interactive games, and build essential literacy skills. It's a fantastic way for them to develop a lifelong love of reading!
Important Car Rider Information
New students - You will receive your Pic My Kid tag and information on Meet the Teacher night. This is the system that is used for car rider student dismissal.
Western Primary Book Drive
Do your kids have books they've read but don't pick up anymore? We will give your books a new life and get them in the hands of our youngest Panthers. Check your closets and your bookshelves because Western Primary is doing a Book Drive August 1st-12th! In past years, your generous donations have helped to add variety and new characters to our teachers' classroom libraries and add more options to our Book Cart for students to take home. Please drop off donations in the tub located outside Door A. All levels of books are acceptable, we will make sure to pass along older chapter books to the Intermediate side!
Thank you in advance for donating your gently used books back to our Western community of young readers!
Throughout the year if you'd like to donate, please contact Jessica Hollingsworth, WPS Reading Specialist.
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Community Resources
Western Primary School
Email: mdeweese@western.k12.in.us
Website: wps.western.k12.in.us
Location: 2671 South 600 West, Russiaville, IN, USA
Phone: 765-883-5528