Heimgram

Dear Heim Elementary Community,

Welcome to our latest Heimgram! As we progress through the school year, we’re excited to share these updates and celebrations taking place in our school over the past two weeks.

Math Iditarod Challenge

Thank you once again to our Student Engagement Committee and our math specialists for a wonderful celebration to mark the end of our Iditarod Math Challenge. Our very own husky, Hero made an appearance to all classrooms who earned their snowcone parties, followed by Mushers, Mrs. Lorenzo and Mr. Perry!

Heim Middle Partnership

This past week we once again hosted over a dozen middle school students from Heim Middle School’s Cultural Connections Club. On Wednesday, February 12th, our third grade classes listened to a read aloud on Black History Month. Middle school students spent time answering student questions. Throughout the school year, all grade levels will receive a visit from Heim Middle School students to learn about one of the following celebrations: Holi, Eid al-Fitr, and Juneteenth with the goal of fostering inclusivity and cultural awareness.

Arrival/Dismissal Procedures

Over the last month we have been working hard to adjust our arrival and dismissal procedures to ensure all students are safe. At this current time, we have added additional staff members to monitor and assist students and help with traffic flow.

If you are dropping off your child(ren) in the morning, please be mindful that doors do not open until the start of our school day. Staff members will begin crossing students at the crosswalk at this time. We encourage all families to utilize drop off zone 1. Please drive up to the front of the drop-off line and a staff member can help assist students to safely walk the remainder of the way. We discourage any families from parking and walking students across the parking lot while traffic is flowing.

If your child is being dismissed as a walker, we encourage all parents to pull through the pick-up/drop-off lane in zone 1. Staff members will be present to assist students to and from vehicles under the pavilion. Parents may not park or pull through zone 3 or 4 at this time at either arrival or dismissal. Thank you for your cooperation!

North High School Musical Review

On Friday, February 28th we look forward to welcoming students from North High School’s cast of Anything Goes! All students will be attending a shortened review performance in our gymnasium. Williamsville North will present Anything Goes March 6th-8th with four weekend performances.

Mid-Winter Recess: No School

As a reminder, we will have no school Monday, February 17th-February 21st. School will resume on Monday February 24th. Wishing all of our students and staff a restful mid-winter recess and we look forward to welcoming all students back on February 24th!

In Partnership,

Dr. Cassandra Wright, Interim Principal

Mrs. Lindsey Johnson, Assistant Principal

Grade 4 Intramurals

Parents of fourth grade students who participate in after school intramurals must notify their classroom teacher if they will not be attending on a particular day. Our PE teachers will be taking attendance and ensuring all students are accounted for. If your child is scheduled for an after school club on the same day as intramurals, they must attend their club as some students were unable to secure a spot due to limited space.

Transportation Changes

If your child will have a change in transportation, or will be picked up early, please send a paper note to your child’s teacher. Notifying teachers electronically, mid-day will not guarantee teachers will get the information on time. In addition, we can only give bus passes for emergency childcare, not for prearranged playdates. Thank you for your cooperation.

Reminder for Pick Up

Please remember to always have ID when coming into school as you may be required to provide it when picking up your child.

Please see important information below for upcoming dates!

• February 17 Presidents' Day - No School

• February 18-21 Mid-Winter Recess

• February 28th, North High School Musical Review

• March 13th Heim Literacy Night

Recently, Governor Kathy Hochul announced her initiative of "Distraction-Free School Zones" throughout New York State. You can review the proposal and legislation on the Governor's website.

All school districts are required to submit a policy to the New York State Education Department by August 1, 2025 for implementation beginning September 1, 2025.

As a District, we know the perspective of parents/guardians and students is important, and we are forming a committee to review the legislation and provide a proposal for the District. If you are interested in joining this committee, please submit a notice of interest form through the District website by Friday, February 14, 2025. Depending on the amount of responses, we may hold a lottery for selection.

Please also know the committee will have its meeting first on Thursday, February 27th at 4:00 p.m. at Williamsville North High School in the Lower Cafeteria.

The Amherst Police Department is hosting "Game Day with APD" on Thursday, February 20th from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Transit Middle School!

• All ages/grades welcome

• Parents must stay

• Meet with officers

• Play games

Show your school spirit on Saturday, March 1st for the UB Bulls Women’s and Men’s basketball doubleheader

• UB WBB vs. Eastern Michigan at 2:00 p.m.

• UB MBB vs. Toledo at 4:30 p.m.

Students & Faculty/Staff are FREE

• Additional tickets for friends/family are discounted at ONLY $10/seat

• A ticket will get participants in to both games of the doubleheader

Open enrollment is the opportunity for students who live in the Williamsville Central School District to attend a school within the District that is outside of the student’s residential attendance area. Each school year, the Board of Education decides which schools will be available for open enrollment in the following school year, based primarily on anticipated enrollments. If a school is expected to be near or at capacity, the school may be “closed” to any students who reside outside of its designated attendance area.

The Office of Student Services must receive written requests for open enrollment for the 2025-26 school year by June 1, 2025 for grades 1 through 12; incoming Kindergarten students have a July 1, 2025 open enrollment deadline.

Click this link for more information Open Enrollment

Kindergarten Registration is starting! Letters for students on our census will be mailed out by

February 3rd . If you do not receive a letter, or know of someone that did not, please contact the Heim Elementary School office at 716-626-8687. Registration for Heim Elementary will be completed on-line this year. Please use the link or QR code below to the right to complete your registration, no later than March 15, 2025. Kindergarten Registration

Before you start your registration, please be prepared to UPLOAD the following documents:

 Your child’s birth certificate

 Two Proofs of Residency – (examples for Proof #1: Lease with starting and ending dates, names

of all occupants, including student’s name) or Deed or Tax Bill or Mortgage; Proof #2 – Utility

Bill or Post Office form documenting official change of address. Both proofs must include your

name, address and a current date (within 45 days).

 A copy of your child’s most recent immunization record and physical

 If Applicable - custody papers or a letter signed and notarized by both parents outlining the

custody agreement and the child’s visitation schedule

If you have already submitted your registration materials, If you have already submitted your registration materials, please call the Heim Elementary Office to schedule your child’s Kindergarten Screening!

• Music Boosters
• Fight the Flu!
  
• When to Keep your Child Home with Illness
• Returning to School Following an Illness
• Respiratory Illness Health Reminders

• SEPTSA Membership
• Programs and Events
• Know your Rights
• Self-Direction Survey (OPWDD)

Parent Network Series