West Homer Elementary
August 2023
Vision: The mission of West Homer Elementary School is to build strong connections among community, families, staff, and students in a safe, healthy, nurturing environment that challenges each student.
A Note From The Principal
Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year at West Homer Elementary. Our Orca Pod is ready for another wonderful year full of excitement, creativity, and growth. Please note the important information below as August 15th, the first day of school, approaches!
Sincerely,
Eric Waltenbaugh
Principal
907-226-1200
NEW WHE Family Handbook!
Our Site Council has worked hard over the course of last year to develop a Family Handbook that answers many questions parents may have about our school. A wide range of topics are explained including technology use in the school, field trip procedures, classroom placement, school discipline, pets, and much much more.
This resource can be accessed HERE on our website, or you can stop by the office and pick up a hard copy. Thank you to our WHE Site Council members for their guidance with this document.
ARRIVAL: Doors open at 7:30am. Instruction begins at 8:00am.
Families can drop off their children anywhere in the designated yellow drop zone like an airport. Please note buses will be traveling in the lane next to you so please signal when pulling out. Please pull forward as far as possible without blocking the cross walk and make sure you child is ready for their hug/kiss goodbye so they can exit efficiently and make room for the vehicle behind you.
Breakfast is served from 7:30 - 7:55am
*Please do not drop children off prior to 7:30am as the doors will be closed.
*Students who arrive late to school must enter through the main door of the building and sign in at the office with Ms. Tiffany. Tardy students begin at 8:05am.
DISMISSAL: 2:50pm
Traffic flow moves like an airport: Inside lane closest to school is for pick up, then move to outer lane as you leave. Students will be waiting outside of the main building entrance. When your student sees your car, they will let a staff member know which car is theirs. Staff will release your child and they will load into your car from the curb side only. This is a safety precaution as the outside lane will have moving cars.
You can also park and walk up to the entrance or even into the foyer to pick up your student. Just make sure to connect with a staff member who is out front and only cross traffic at the crosswalk.
In an effort to minimize the back up of cars onto the Sterling Highway, please don't start forming the pick up line until after 2:40pm. If you arrive before that, please park and come inside.
There will be a walking crosswalk near the Fireweed side awning as there has been in the past. Students who walk home will cross there and be free to walk home.
School Supplies
You do not have to shop for supplies this year! (unless you want to). Please bring the following to Meet Your Teacher on August 14th:
- backpack
- water bottle
- gym shoes
- $30 to cover school supplies
Registration
New and returning students must complete student registration online using this link: https://kpbsd.org/students-parents/student-registration/ Returning students will simply update the information.
Free and Reduced Meals
Please fill out the Free and Reduced Meal Application even if you don’t think you will qualify.
KPBSD Free and Reduced Meal application: http://mealapp.kpbsd.org
Parent Teacher Organization
Our PTO continues to work hard to support all children through a variety of exciting ways, and I would encourage you to join. Contact the office for more information.
Fall Activities
Fall activities will start the week of August 28th. Permission forms will go out the second week of school.
- Soccer M/W 3:00 – 4:00pm
- Cross Country Running T/TH 3:00-4:00pm
Be on the lookout for potential additional activities. Have an idea of an activity you want to lead? Check in with the office to see if we can make it happen!
Important Dates
- August 7th and 8th: In-Person Registration 8:00am – 3:00pm for those who need access to a computer or would like assistance with registration.
- August 11th: 4:00pm Class lists posted on the windows in front of the school.
- August 14th: 2:30 – 3:30pm Meet Your Teacher.
- Come visit your child’s classroom and teacher. We hope to see you there!
- August 15th: First Day of School, doors open at 7:30am.
- August 23rd: 5:00pm – 6:00pm Open House
West Homer Elementary
Email: ewaltenbaugh@kpbsd.org
Website: https://kpbsd.org/schools/west-homer-elementary/
Location: 995 Soundview Avenue, Homer, AK, USA
Phone: 907-226-1200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WestHomerElementary/