Penn Wood Elementary School

Email: mgarvin@wcasd.net
NEW! Penn Wood Website: https://pwe.wcasd.net/

NEW! West Chester Area School District Website: https://www.wcasd.net/
Address: 1470 Johnny’s Way, West Chester, PA 19382

Phone: 484-266-1900
X: @PennWood1470

Penn Wood Principal's Post:

Spring is officially here, and with it comes a season of growth, renewal, and new opportunities for learning and connection. As the flowers begin to bloom, so do our students—growing academically, socially, and emotionally each day. It is truly inspiring to see their hard work and enthusiasm as we move through the school year.

I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to our incredible Penn Wood community. Our students, staff, and families make this school a special place where kindness, collaboration, and a love of learning thrive. Whether through volunteering, supporting school events, or simply encouraging your child each day, your dedication makes all the difference.

A special thank you to our Home and School Association for their continued partnership in making Penn Wood a warm and engaging place for all. From our recent Culture Day, Book Fair, Staff Luncheon, Sweet Heart Dance to the upcoming spring events, your efforts bring our school together in meaningful ways.

As we look ahead, there is so much to be excited about—spring field trips, classroom projects, and outdoor learning experiences that allow our students to explore and grow in new ways. We encourage everyone to stay engaged and continue supporting one another as we finish the year strong.

Thank you for being part of this incredible community. Wishing you all a wonderful and refreshing spring season!

Warm regards,

Mike Garvin

Principal, Penn Wood Elementary

March 21 Rock Your Socks/ World Down Syndrome Day

March 31 Eid Al Fitr/ School Closed

April 2 Spring Picture Day

April 9-11 Breakfast with a Buddy

April 17-21 Spring Break

April 23-25 PSSA ELA

April 26 Philadelphia Union Night Out

April 28 4th Grade Concert 9:20

April 29-30 PSSA

Math May 1-2 PSSA Science

May 8 Philadelphia Field Trip – 5th Grade

Thank you to all our parents and guardians who have registered for Pick Up Patrol. This system is our central hub for attendance and dismissal. Please use Pick Up Patrol for all attendance-related reporting, including absences, late arrivals, and early dismissals. Pick Up Patrol now includes a new feature, the Leave & Return option, for short-term dismissals.

We’re happy to inform you that we can now accept absences recorded in Pick Up Patrol as your Parent Note. You no longer need to forward your Pick Up Patrol confirmation to us.

Please make sure to report all absences and late arrivals in Pick Up Patrol by 9:30 am, so we can accurately track attendance.

Dismissal changes may be made until 2 pm each day. If sending an excuse form, it must include student name, date, and reason for absence. The absence of any student failing to comply with this time frame, will automatically become unexcused and/ or unlawful and the school laws of Pennsylvania shall be applied. Excuse notes via email from a registered email address in PowerSchool will be accepted without an original signature.

(Per District Attendance Guidelines Code 204AG1)

Pick Up Patrol Reports and excuse forms are kept on file in accordance with district and state policy.

Safe Arrival phone line at 484-266-1910, is still available to report your child’s absence.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation with this policy.

Questions - contact Gillian Armstrong garmstrong@wcasd.net

All volunteers must have three up-to-date background clearances on file with the school: PA Criminal, PA Child Abuse, and FBI Fingerprinting. These clearances are valid for five years from the date of verification by the agency. When submitting your clearances, please provide all three documents together. Information and links to the three clearances is available on the District site under “Visitors & Volunteers

Morning Arrival Updates for Car Riders: A few reminders that would be helpful for morning carline.

1. Parents should not get out of the car
2. If kids need help with their backpack, they can get out of the car, on the “kids side” of the cones and staff can help.
3. Unload all along the cones, 5 - 7 cars should be able to unload at once to move the line along.
4. Arrival carline drop off - 8:30 - 9:00am (please do not arrive prior to 8:25)
5. The front bus lane is closed for drop offs until 9:15 am. If dropping off between 9:00 and 9:15, please park and walk your child to the front door

Afternoon Carline - 3:30 - 3:45 (after 3:45 children will be brought to the office).

Please follow these protocols:

1) Please stay in car

2) If students can't buckle themselves in the car...please pull forward to the cul-de-sac and buckle there. Please do not block any drive ways.

3) Please do not enter the carline until 3:10. Vehicles cannot line up and wait as this causes unnecessary congestion on Johnny’s Way.

4) Enter the campus eastbound on Johnny’s Way. (PM Carline Directional Map) Below...

5) Do not block driveways on Johnny’s Way or Bobolink Lane.

Have a child turning 5 years old on or before 9/1/25? Have a neighbor or friend with a child turning 5? Spread the word……….it’s time to pre-register for kindergarten! Click here to register for 2025-26 school year.

Items to upload electronically when pre-registering online:

- Birth Certificate

- Immunizations

- Physical Report

- Dental Report

- Proof of Residence #1 – copy of mortgage statement, deed or lease agreement

- Proof of Residence #2 – copy of utility bill, car insurance card, tax bill or insurance declaration page (we need to see current date, name and address)

Please be sure to complete all fields and upload all documents before clicking “submit”.

Once you click on “submit”, you no longer have access to the pre-registration file. If you have any questions, please email Jennifer Shearon at jshearon@wcasd.net