Penn Wood Elementary School

Email: mgarvin@wcasd.net
Website: https://www.wcasd.net/Domain/752
Location: 1470 Johnnys Way, West Chester, PA, USA
Phone: 4842661900
Twitter: @PennWood1470

Penn Wood Vision: Highly Effective - Academic Excellence, Personal Growth, Creative Thinking, Service to the Community

From the Principal's Office

Greetings Penn Wood!

As we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, I am filled with profound gratitude and admiration for the incredible Penn Wood educators who dedicate their lives to shaping the minds and hearts of our future generations. On behalf of our entire Penn Wood community, I want to express our deepest thanks for the invaluable contributions our teachers make every single day. Our staff creates safe and inclusive spaces where students feel empowered to express themselves, explore their interests, and discover their unique strengths. Through their unwavering dedication and commitment, teachers not only educate minds but also uplift spirits and foster a sense of belonging within our community. I have always said that teachers are the bridge to the community and we are fortunate to partner with this one. Thank you for your tireless dedication, boundless compassion, and unwavering commitment to shaping the future. Your impact extends far beyond the classroom, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of generations to come.

Below are some important dates to keep in mind as we close out the 23-24 school year.

Have a great weekend!

With Penn Wood Pride,

Dr. Mike G. Garvin

mgarvin@wcasd.net

Follow us on X - @PennWood1470

May 10 PA Day – 4th Grade

May 14 Autism Awareness Assembly

May 15 Track Meet Grade 4 & 5

May 20 THINKTank District Competition

May 22 Art Show 5:30-7:30

May 24 No School

May 27 Memorial Day School Closed

May 30 Science Day

June 4 Arrowhead – 5th grade

June 5 Arrowhead Rain Date

June 7 5th Grade Party - After School

June 11 - 5th Grade Send-Off ceremony - @ 9:30am - Outdoors (BYO Chair)

June 11, 12, 13 Half Days

June 13 LAST DAY

Happy Spring PWE Families!

A few reminders as we start to prepare for next school year.

If you have a rising 3rd grader, ( 2nd grade currently) please know a 3rd grade a Dental form is required to be submitted to the nurses office. Dated at least 2024.

If you have a rising 6th grader ( 5th grade currently) please know a 6th grade Physical form is required to be submitted to either myself or the middle school nurse.

Listed are when to keep your child home and some of the reasons I will send a child home if they stop in my office for a visit:

1. Students with temperatures of 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit and above are to be kept home or sent home. And must be fever free for 24 hours WITHOUT fever reducing medications (acetaminophen and/or ibuprofen) in order to return to school.

2. Students with persistent and /or witnessed vomiting should be kept home or sent home. The child should be 24 hours without vomiting to return to school.

3. Students with any communicable disease or suspected communicable disease should be kept or sent home. Communicable disease is defined as an illness which is capable of being spread to a susceptible person through the direct or indirect transmission of an infectious agent (aka. GERM) Including but not limited to, Flu, Covid, untreated Strep, untreated pick eye.

4. For ALL covid infections please refer to your primary care physician for guidance.

As always, please reach out with any questions!!

Thank you,

Nurse Amy Becker, RN, MSN, CSN

abecker@wcasd.k12.pa.us

484-266-1906

Important Change to Absence Notes

Thank you to all of our parents/guardians who have registered for Pick-Up Patrol and already began using it this school year. Pick-Up Patrol (PUP) should be used for all dismissal plans and changes. Absences must be reported by 9:30 a.m., either through PUP OR through the Safe Arrival Line. When we initially rolled out PUP, our understanding was that it could be used in lieu of submitting an excuse form. We have just learned that is not the case.

Excuse forms, completed with the necessary data such as child’s name, date and reason for absence, are to be turned in by the student within three (3) days, after his/her return from an absence. The absence of any student failing to comply with this time period, will automatically become unexcused and/or unlawful and the school laws of Pennsylvania shall be applied. Excuse notes via email from a registered email address in PowerSchool will be accepted without an original signature. (Per District Attendance Guidelines Code 204AG1)

Excuse forms need to be kept on file in accordance with district and state policy. For absences reported in Pick Up Patrol, you may forward your Pick-Up Patrol Absence Confirmation email to garmstrong@wcasd.net.

Safe Arrival phone line at 484-266-1910, is still available to report your child’s absence.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation with this policy.

Morning Arrival Updates for Car Riders: A few reminders that would be helpful for morning carline.

1. Parents should not get out of the car
2. If kids need help with their backpack, they can get out of the car, on the “kids side” of the cones and staff can help.
3. Unload all along the cones, 5 - 7 cars should be able to unload at once to move the line along.
4. Arrival carline drop off - 8:30 - 9:00am (please do not arrive prior to 8:25)
5. After 9:00 am (Late Arrivals) - drop off is in the front of the building

Afternoon Carline - 3:30 - 3:45 (after 3:45 children will be brought to the office).

Please follow these protocols:

1) Please stay in car

2) If students can't buckle themselves in the car...please pull forward to the cul-de-sac and buckle there. Please do not block any drive ways.

3) Please do not enter the carline until 3:10. Vehicles cannot line up and wait as this causes unnecessary congestion on Johnny’s Way.

4) Enter the campus eastbound on Johnny’s Way. (PM Carline Directional Map) Below...

5) Do not block driveways on Johnny’s Way or Bobolink Lane.

Early Dismissal end at 3:00. If you have to take your child to a doctor’s appointment, sporting event, etc.…please arrange to pick up prior to 3:00 and update Pickup Patrol

Thank you in advance for your understanding as we look to increase efficiency and safety with our dismissal procedures.

Have a child turning 5 years old on or before 9/1/24? Have a neighbor or friend with a child turning 5? Spread the word……….it’s time to pre-register for kindergarten! Click here to register for 2024-25. Please note that 23-24 is still open for new residents so be sure to select 2024-25 if your child will be starting next school year.

Items to upload electronically when pre-registering online:

- Birth Certificate

- Immunizations

- Physical Report

- Dental Report

- Proof of Residence #1 – copy of mortgage statement, deed or lease agreement

- Proof of Residence #2 – copy of utility bill, car insurance card, tax bill or insurance declaration page (we need to see current date, name and address)

Please be sure to complete all fields and upload all documents before clicking “submit”.

Once you click on “submit”, you no longer have access to the pre-registration file. If you have any questions, please email Kathy Oswald at koswald@wcasd.net. Thank you!!