Lemur Weekly Update

Monday, May 5th

• Talent Show Rehearsal - 1:40pm
• Art Club - Cancelled
• Book Fair - Open until 4:00pm

Tuesday, May 6th

• Kindergarten Field Trip - Alpaca Farm
• Book Fair - Open until 6:00pm

Wednesday, May 7th

• Builder's Club - 2:45pm
• Book Fair - Open Until 4:00pm

Thursday, May 8th

• Book Fair - Open until 6:00pm

Friday, May 2nd

• 1st Grade Field Trip - Nathan Dubin Park
• Kindergarten Play - Mother Goose's Character Camp (Hinnenkamp) -8:50am
• Book Fair - Open until 3:00pm
• Snow Cone Fundraiser - after school

Upcoming Events

State Testing Window 3rd-5th Grade - May 5th - May 23rd

Talent Show - May 22nd

Spotlight Dance Performances - May 30th

• Volunteer Information: Sign up to volunteer at the Book Fair and earn your student's teacher $5 in Scholastic Dollars for every shift you work! Sign up to volunteer here: Book Fair Volunteer
• Book Fair Homepage: Learn more about this year' s Book Fair on our Book Fair Homepage
• Book Fair Coordinators: Kara Duff- kduff@wpusd.org and Jenn Hess - jhess@wpusd.org
• Book Fair Days/Times
• Monday, May 5th: 1:40 – 4:00
• Tuesday, May 6th: 2:40 – 6:00
• Wednesday, May 7th: 2:40 – 4:00
• Thursday, May 8th: 2:40 – 6:00
• Friday, May 9th: 2:40 – 3:00

Each month, volunteers read specially selected books in the classroom and lead discussions and activities about important issues like respect, honesty, conflict resolution, and so much more. We are so grateful for our volunteers! Click here to learn about the books we are reading in March/April: Project Cornerstone Newsletter -March/April

Our PTO has partnered with a local company to bring more spirit wear on campus. Be sure to check out the Fresh Press Ink Lemur Gear Store online. Thank you to Fresh Press Ink and PTO for making Leaman spirit wear more accessible!

Hello WPUSD Students, Staff and Families,

We are seeing an increase in the use of e-scooters as a mode of transportation to and from school. E-scooters, while convenient, must be operated within the law to ensure the safety of both riders and others. We are partnering with the Lincoln Police Department to help educate our students and families about the laws surrounding e-scooter use. Through this collaboration, we aim to raise awareness, promote safe practices, and ensure everyone understands their role in keeping our community safe.

Under California Vehicle Code 407.5(a), an e-scooter is defined as:

A “motorized scooter” is any two-wheeled device that has handlebars, has either a floorboard that is designed to be stood upon when riding or a seat and footrests in place of the floorboard, and is powered by an electric motor.

The law also places clear restrictions on e-scooter operation under Vehicle Code 21235, including:

• Riders are REQUIRED to have a valid driver’s license or learner’s permit.

• E-scooters cannot be operated on sidewalks, except as may be necessary to enter or leave adjacent property.

• No passengers are permitted on an e-scooter.

• Riders under 18 must wear a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet.

Additionally, California Education Code requires schools to take responsibility for student safety during their travel to and from campus. Unfortunately, we have seen an increase in incidents involving e-scooters, some resulting in serious injuries. To address these safety concerns and ensure compliance with the law, e-scooters will no longer be permitted on elementary and middle school campuses starting in January. All high school students riding an e-scooter to or from school must have a valid driver’s license or learner’s permit.

With the holiday season fast approaching, we know that e-scooters are a popular gift item and mode of transportation for students. While they can be a fun and practical choice, we ask families to consider these laws and safety guidelines before allowing their use.

Thank you for partnering with us to keep safety at the forefront as we head into the new year.

Sincerely,

Kerry Callahan
WPUSD Superintendent

Safety Protocols -Student safety is a top priority and I've been working closely with our district and site staff to ensure that we have all safety measures in place. Recently, we had schoolwide "hold" drill and made sure that all components of the plan were successful. To learn more about the safety protocols on campus, please take a look at the Standard Response Protocol Handout for Families

Bikes & Scooters - We are so fortunate to live in a neighborhood where students can ride their bikes to school! Families - we need your help to make sure students are following the safety rules while they ride to and from campus. As a reminder, e-scooters are not permitted on elementary or middle school campuses.

WPUSD is offering a Student Chromebook Service Plan for families to purchase to cover damage or replacement of the student’s Chromebook for the school year. For more information or to register, click here.

For questions regarding becoming a volunteer, please reach out to cmeijer@wpusd.org and jhess@wpusd.org

What is considered an excused absence?

By law [EC § 48205], excused absences are: illness (fever 100° or more], persistent runny nose (not allergy related), vomiting, diarrhea, medical/dental appointments), death in the family, specific religious reasons, required appearance in court, and exclusion from school for contagious disease.

How do I clear my child's absence with the school?

It is important that you communicate with our front office when your child is absent. There are several ways to clear an absence:

• If your student is absent, you will get an automated attendance text/email via Parent Square. Simply reply to that with the reason of your student's absence.
• If you call before 7:30AM you can leave a message on our attendance line at 916-916-409-2402.
• You can email cmeijer@wpusd.org and jhess@wpusd.org (Please email both of our school clerks)
• If you are unable to do any of the methods above, you can call our school between 7:30-4:00PM an office staff member will answer. Due to the number of incoming phone calls and limited staff we ask for this to be a last resort option.
• It is extremely helpful for the teacher to know about any absences, but communicating directly with your child's teachers does NOT clear an absence.
  

What can I do if my child needs to be out of school for a length of time?

If you are planning to have your child out of school, please request a Travel Study from our front office. A Travel Study does not replace a teacher's instruction, but it does allow students an opportunity to continue learning while they are not at school.

• Inform the front office of the planned absence as soon as possible. Travel Studies require school notification no later than five school days in advance. We always appreciate ample notice.
• Once the office has been informed, you will receive an emailed copy of the travel study contract to sign electronically.
  
• Your child's teacher will be notified of the absence and will put together assignments/classwork that will be missed. The work will be given to your child the day before your child's Travel Study begins.
  
• All work must be submitted the day your child returns to campus.

If you have any questions, please reach out to our front office.

Did you know that our breakfast and lunch is provided at no cost to students? You can find the menu here: WPUSD Menu All of the items on our menu are clickable and will give you details about the menu items. Several item also include photos of the items being served.

Our campus gates open in the morning at the following times:

• 7:45am - Breakfast - Students who are eating breakfast can enter campus at 7:45am and must go directly to the cafeteria
• 7:55am - Campus is Open to Students - Supervision is provided on campus

Our campus gates open in the morning at the following times:

• 7:45am - Breakfast - Students who are eating breakfast can enter campus at 7:45am and must go directly to the cafeteria
• 7:55am - Campus is Open to Students - Supervision is provided on campus

When checking students out early from school, it is important to know that we will begin checking your ID to ensure that students are being checked out by someone who is cleared to check the students out. Please be sure to bring your ID with you each time you check your child out early.

Tip: Take a picture of your ID with your phone and mark it as a favorite. We can use a photo of your photo ID to verify your identify.

Our Student Handbook includes many important pieces of information and can be found on school website. Over the past few weeks of school, we've had some real challenges in our drop off/pick up lines that have raised concerns about safety for kids and drivers. Thank you for remembering the the Three Ps of Parking Lot Success!

The Three P's of Parking Lot Success:

• Be Prepared - When dropping your children off in the mornings, please make sure that when you pull up to the curb, your children are ready to get out of the car. Thank you for making sure shoes are on, hugs and kisses are completed before pulling up to the curb, and items are organized for a quick exit.
• Be Patient - The parking lot can be a busy place, and we appreciate you being patient when things aren't moving as smoothly as we'd like.
• Please Park if Necessary - If you know you will need extra time to get your child in or out of the car, please park in a parking spot. Our curbs are for quick loading and and unloading, our hope is to move cars through as quickly as possible.
• Thank you for remembering that our curbs are for drop off and pick up only.

From our Handbook: Students may be dropped off in front of the school along the white curb area (North and West parking lots) which are for drop-off /pick-up only; drivers must remain in their vehicles in these areas. If you are walking your student to school, we ask that you say goodbye to your child at one of our gates. If it is necessary to speak with a staff member, please park your vehicle in one of our parking lots, stop by the office and our office personnel will see if he or she is available.

Our district school psychologists will be providing a monthly feature titled, "Ask the School Psychologist" that will be shared in the district and principal newsletters.

October: How Much Screen Time is Too Much?

November/December: Safe & Responsible Social Media Use

January: Online Games & Internet Safety

February: Screen Time & Sleep

March: Setting Technology Limits

Cinnamon Johnsrud - Principal

cjohnsrud@wpusd.org