West Elementary

The mission of West Elementary is to CONNECT, LEARN, GROW & LEAD to provide a high quality education for each student's future readiness.

✔️ Meet the Teacher is Thursday, Aug. 15 from 4:30-7:30 PM

✔️ First day is Tuesday, Aug. 20

West Families,

We are so excited to welcome you and your student(s) back into the building this school year. Our teachers and staff have been working hard to prepare, clean, organize, and make our classrooms welcoming. West has added additional classrooms to meet the needs of our growing student population.

Our mission as a school is to “connect, learn, grow, and lead to provide a high quality education for each student’s future readiness.” We desire for every child to feel valued and that they belong to a community that will encourage and give them the tools they need to reach their full potential.

As we begin this school year, we want you to know that we value your input and feedback on how we are doing in our mission to provide a high quality education experience. Feel free to reach out via email or phone to ask questions, make suggestions, or set up an in-person meeting.

We are thankful to have a strong PTA who supports our staff and students through volunteer opportunities and collaboration to bring memorable experiences to our students. We would love to have as many parents/grandparents/guardians join, even if just for a smaller support role. Information on how to join is linked below in the section on joining the PTA.

We have incredible educators and staff here at West Elementary and are so thankful for the students and families we serve each day. Thank you for trusting us with your precious children. We are looking forward to a fantastic year of growth and learning!

The best is yet to come!

Principal Rachel Tabuya (pictured left) and Assistant Principal Natalie Ward

racheltabuya@ozarktigers.org

natalieward@ozarktigers.org

• In nursing profession since 2008
• Worked in labor and delivery, correctional nursing, operating room and school nursing
• Started at Ozark School District in 2020
• My WHY: As a school nurse I have the opportunity to positively impact a child every day. I love forming relationships with the students and their families; providing health education, and support in many different circumstances. It is an amazing feeling to watch and be a part of a student grow in their understanding of a chronic health condition and then eventually manage it on their own. It’s also special to just make a student feel better that day from injury, illness or emotionally. I love being a school nurse!

Phone: 417-582-5752
Fax: 417-582-5761
Email: abigailgentry@ozarktigers.org

• When dropping off students in the morning, you may use the lot that is most convenient for your commute. Please just remember to pull all the way forward before your student exits the vehicle.
• In the afternoon, parents of kindergarten and first grade will use the Fremont Road entrance. Parents of second through fourth grade will use the CC Highway entrance.
• Parents of second through fourth grade will use the CC Highway entrance. We will place siblings together (oldest will sit with the youngest on their assigned side).
• Please do not leave cars unattended in the drop-off or pick-up lane during drop-off and pick-up times.
• For security purposes, the back door of West Elementary will be designated for Tiger Care use and staff parking. No additional cars will be allowed to enter or park in the parking lot. Tiger Care pickups cannot begin until buses have exited the lot which is typically around 4:00 p.m.
• For the first two days, you may park your car in the parking lot and walk your child to class. After the second day of school, we ask that you have your child walk in and to their class on their own.

Parents of bus riders — picking up students on the first day can be tricky, and there is a good chance buses will be running late in the morning as well as after school. Thank you for your patience!

You should have received this in the mail, but just in case, our District calendar for the 2024-25 school year can be found online here.

• Here is a printable version
• Here is a link to our West Elementary Calendar
• Visit the South Elementary website to find more South specific information - elementary.ozarktigers.org/west

Ozark School District is committed to creating a positive and productive learning environment for all students and faculty. We strive to promote safety, respect and responsibility.

Please review these Behavior Expectations with your child.

You can also view this online here.

Are you nervous (or is your child nervous) about starting kindergarten? We hope this helps get those first-day jitters out for both you and your child. Watch this Day in the Life of a Kindergartner video with your child so you and your child are ready for the first day!

We take instructional time very seriously. We want your children to receive the best education possible so we make every effort to utilize every minute of our day from start (8:40) to finish (3:55). As much as possible, plan ahead for doctor/dentist appointments, vacations, and additional student appointments.

There are many ways to connect with West Elementary and Ozark School District!

We love to highlight our students and staff through photos, announcements and recognitions on Facebook and Instagram.