WES Weekly Update

December 2-6 - Hour of Code Activities

December 3 - Student Council, 8:00am

December 4 - WES Wednesday (wear WES cares shirt or other spirit wear)

December 11 - WES Winter Concert, 7:00pm

December 17 - Student Council, 8:00am

December 20 - 12:30pm Dismissal (modified schedule for Kindergarten)

December 23-January 1 - NO SCHOOL (Winter Break)

January 7 - PTO Meeting, 6:00pm

January 8 - WES Wednesday (wear WES cares shirt or other spirit wear)

Dear WES Families,

I hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday last week; it is hard to believe we are in December already! Thank you for your active participation in our parent teacher conferences last week. We had some very nice feedback that was shared, and quite a few teachers were touched by words of appreciation from parents.

Although December is a short month for us in school, we do have a lot to pack in. The Hour of Code activities are happening in classrooms all across the school this week, giving students opportunities to understand and practice skills and concepts related to coding through interactive and engaging games and activities. This Friday we have the fourth grade Turkey Bowl, which offers an opportunity for some physical activity, teamwork, and football fun! And next Wednesday, December 11th will be our WES Winter Concert at 7:00 PM. Our student ensembles and our teachers have worked very hard on their musical selections, so don’t miss it if you are free. Bring the family!

The weather has also recognized the time of year and adjusted itself accordingly. When I left my house this morning, my car read that it was 18 degrees outside! Make sure you are sending your little ones in with their coats, hats, and gloves, and be sure to label your clothing items in the event that they are misplaced.

Have a great week and stay warm!

Mr. Stephen Krall

Acting Principal

Wallingford Elementary

skrall@wssd.org

Show your school spirit this Wednesday, December 4 by wearing your blue WES CARES t-shirt, WES spirit wear or our school colors. WES Wednesday is one Wednesday per month. The schedule for the remainder of the year will be:

January 8, 2025

February 5, 2025

March 5, 2025

April 2, 2025

May 7, 2025

June 4, 2025

DCIU's 3rd Annual Adapted Art Show will feature art work from 11 WES students! The show features art work from students aged Early Intervention through age 21, with one or more of the following diagnoses: Autism, Deaf-Blindness, Deafness, Hearing Impairment, Intellectual Disability, Multiple Disabilities, Orthopedic Impairment, Other Health Impairment, Traumatic Brain Injury, Visual Impairment, or Developmental Delay.

Thursday, December 5th from 6-8pm is the celebration and show opening with a sensory friendly hour prior from 5-6pm. It is a wonderful event with lots of proud families in attendance, and all are welcome to attend if interested!

If your family sends a holiday card, consider adding WES to your mailing list (or drop one off in the front office). We love displaying them each year to help brighten our winter days. Happy Holidays!

Questions concerning online registration should be directed to Derrick L. Clements at dclements@wssd.org or 610-892-3470 ext. 1203. If you are unable to register online, please call the Educational Data and Registration Office at 610-892-3470 ext. 1304 to schedule an appointment to complete the registration online at the Administration Office.

Lice are always in season. Please see below attachment from the nurse for basic information on lice. Please be sure to notify the school nurse if your child has lice prior to returning to school. As winter approaches, also talk to your child about NOT sharing hats. Thank you!

Food service is exited to announce that our website has been updated. We now have an ala carte drop down that includes all snacks for sale in the cafeteria, as well as how to set up restrictions for your students. This information can be found at https://www.wssd.org/Page/1049.

Please feel free to reach out to Kate Rittler, Director of Food and Nutrition, with any questions! krittler@wssd.org, 610-892-3470 ext. 2151 or visit the WSSD Food Services website.

We are urging parents/guardians to complete the process for clearances if you have not already done so. Clearances are mandatory, are good for 5 years, and are kept at the district level. Volunteer clearances are required for anyone volunteering to work with our students or be present in our school; whether that is in school, on a field trip, or at an athletic event/practice, etc. Essentially, everyone who is volunteering with our students or in a school is required to obtain volunteer clearances.

You will not be permitted to volunteer without valid clearances on file with the district.

Save the Date! Dine-in, takeout, or order online from Chipotle in Springfield this Wednesday, December 4 from 4pm-8pm. Present a printed or digital Flyer and Chipotle will donate 25% from your bill towards the WES PTO. Thank you for your support!

Last chance to order cozy sweats, hoodies and beanies from the WES Spirit Wear store! Updated high quality cotton pigments and fleece, and we looove the new sweatpants. Order this week and packages will go home in backpacks before break. Any questions or concerns, please contact Kristina Dechter and Suzanna Seltzer.

From December 2 through December 13, the WES PTO Sustainability Committee will be collecting like-new and gently used small toys and trinkets in the front lobby of WES. This year we are also collecting pre-used plain or holiday gift bags. These items will be given new life in our Holiday Shop on Sunday, December 15th. Please see the attached information sheet *here* for full donation guidelines before contributing. Questions? Please reach out to Erin Stancill, Amanda Hemmer, Christina Forwood, Shannon Swierczek or Danielle Grugan.

Save the date! On Sunday, December 15 from 1 to 4 pm, the WES Sustainability Committee is hosting a secret holiday shop where kids can purchase small gifts for family and friends. All products are sourced from the school Re-Prize Drive. Items will be priced 3 for $1. More details to come!

Save the date for the most fun night of the year — WES Bingo Night — Friday, January 24! We will be hosting two sessions in the gym with more details and registration opening soon. In addition, we will be accepting book donations for the prizes starting Monday, December 2. Please consider gathering some gently used books over Thanksgiving break. Please contact Jessica Diamond with any questions.

Girls in grades 3-5 are invited to join the WES Girls on the Run team this spring! Registration is open until December 10th at www.gotrpa.org. Practices will begin on February 24th and will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30-5pm, for 8 weeks. Please reach out to Christine Greco or info@gotrpa.org with any questions or to express interest in volunteering as a coach. Please note that all volunteers must have clearances on file with WSSD.