Dear Woodward Families,

Welcome to the 2024/2025 school year! As we embark on this exciting new chapter, I am thrilled to extend a warm welcome to all our students, parents, and guardians. This year promises to be filled with growth, learning, and memorable experiences. Our dedicated team of educators is eager to work alongside you to support and inspire your child’s journey. Together, let’s make this year one of collaboration, discovery, and achievement. This year, our new start time for students will be 7:40 AM, so please plan accordingly. For your convenience, detailed arrival and dismissal procedures are provided below. We encourage you to review all the important information included in this newsletter to help you prepare for a smooth and successful start to the school year. Here’s to a fantastic year of learning, growth, and community spirit!

Warm regards,

Brett Umbenhouer, Principal

August 26 - Kdg. & New Student Orientation at Woodward - 5:00-6:00 pm

August 28 - First Day of School for Students

September 2 - Labor Day - No School

September 3 - PBIS Kickoff Assembly for students

September 19 - PTO Meeting - 6:00-7:00 @ Woodward Library

September 26 - Homecoming Parade - more information to come

September 27 - PBIS Reward for students

This year, we will be offering monthly ‘Keystone Conversations’ in an effort to provide our parents and guardians with information they feel would be most helpful to assist in closing the gap between home and school. We would love to hear from parents / guardians to know what training or information they would like to receive. We would like all parents / guardians to complete this short form to let us know what you need.

KCSD has moved back to ClassDojo as our messaging app. Please be sure to connect (or reconnect) so you don't miss any important information from your child's school or teachers.

Stay informed about:

• School events and activities
• Important deadlines and assignments
• Emergency alerts and school delays/dismissals/closures

All elementary schools within the district are Title I schoolwide schools and receive Title I federal funds to support the positions of Interventionist and Title I Associates. We determine how to use the funding to staff our buildings based on family input and our school data. If you are interested in becoming a part of our Title I team, please reach out to your building Interventionist or principal. Our Policy 917/918 meetings are a great place to start, because we always review our School Improvement plans and the most updated school data during those meetings.

At all school levels, we use Title IV federal funds to purchase incentives for PBIS (our positive school-wide behavior supports) rewards, and we emphasize the goal of following school rules in all schools.

Required documents for families:

Right to Request Qualifications of Teachers (see Annual Notices and Policy Review button above) - if you wish to request a paper copy, please contact jevey@kcsd.k12.pa.us .

Note: If your child is taught for four or more weeks by a teacher who is instructing in a content area for which they are not currently certified, the district must notify you. Four-week notification letters will be added here if that becomes necessary.

Non-Discrimination Statement (see Annual Notices and Policy Review button above) - if you wish to request a paper copy, please contact jevey@kcsd.k12.pa.us.

Title I District Parent Policy - Policy 918

Coaching Newsletter for Families - How We Teach Reading

Title I Complaint Procedure

Math is everywhere! When you measure an ingredient for a recipe, tell time, pay a bill, or look at the daily temperature, you are using math. These activities offer ideas on how to make math fun at home and start building some math skills that kids will use as they get older. Click to learn more!

Video (Spanish Only)

If your family speaks a language other than English, the district has access to translators and interpreters that can accompany you in meetings with teachers and school members. If you would like to be connected with a translator or interpreter please reach out to your child’s teacher or the school guidance counselor. The accessibility features in the top right corner of this Smore allow you to translate this page.

We're so excited to have our schools filled with students and teachers where we can all grow and learn together!

There is so much awesomeness that can be achieved when we're present at school. If something is getting in the way of your student coming to school, please reach out to your student's teacher, school counselor, district social worker, or school nurse. We want to make sure that your student is receiving whatever supports necessary to help them be successful.

REMNDER: As we start a new school year, excuses need to be turned in within 3 days of an absence. Use your school's attendance email to make sure that the excuse notes get turned in on time.

Wildcats on the Prowl: AttendanceMatters Now!

If you are concerned about a student for any reason, you can make a SAP referral. The SAP referral can potentially lead to any needed services and/or supports the student may need to be successful.

Scan the QR code on the picture to make a referral!

School Counselors are able to assist your child in 3 main areas: Social/Emotional Development, College/Career Readiness, and Academics:

Some activities provided may be:

• 1:1 Counseling

• Group Counseling

• Classroom Guidance on Interpersonal Skills

• (i.e. being a good friend, showing empathy, etc)

• Academic Achievement Strategies

• Career Awareness and Interest Inventories

To learn more or to schedule a meeting, please contact:

Bonnie Owens: School Counselor, Woodward Elementary

Phone: 570-893-4900 x3104

Email: bowens@kcsd.k12.pa.us

The link in the button above should take you to our Volunteer Application.

You may also apply on-line at https://www.applitrack.com/kcsd/onlineapp/ instead of using a paper form.

Clearances and Mandated Reporter training are also required. Here are the links:

· Clearances

· (Act 34) PA State Police https://epatch.pa.gov/home

· (Act 151) PA Child Abuse https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home

· (Act 114) FBI https://www.identogo.com/locations/pennsylvania

Use service code to receive the correct clearance: 1KG6XN

Mandated Reporter Training http://www.reportabusepa.pitt.edu/

Elizabeth Nace is our Personnel Secretary & Volunteer Specialist, you can use the information below to contact her, and she said she is happy to help you and answer questions!

570-893-4900 x 2319

https://www.kcsd.us/district-offices/human-resources/volunteer-information

enace@kcsd.k12.pa.us

86 Administration Drive, Mill Hall, PA 17751

Keystone Central School District has School Resource Officers throughout our district for safety and security.

Officer Scott VanGorder - Central Mountain High School

Officer Cory Beaver - Bucktail High School & Renovo Elementary

Officer Luke Motter - Central Mountain Middle School

Officer Mike Fetzer - Elementary district-wide and District Attendance Officer

Officer Todd Brian - District-wide

Did you know that KCSD has an online cyber option for students? Please visit our website to learn more about the flexibility and courses that are available to our students!!

Check out our Virtual Academy Newsletter!

Please use the following link to read the upcoming events and information for August and September.

https://secure.smore.com/n/6axde

Many questions can arise concerning your child's laptop, internet access, busing information or maybe you'd like to volunteer in your child's school. These links below can help you get answers or point you in the direction of who to speak to.

Brett Umbenhouer, Principal, (570) 893-4900 ext. 3102

Samantha Hardy, Secretary, (570) 893-4900 ext. 3101

Bonnie Owens, School Guidance Counselor, (570) 893-4900 ext. 3104

Evie Shaffer/Natalie Schaefer, School Nurse, (570) 893-4900 ext. 3103