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:

Happy New Year! As we step into 2025, I want to express my gratitude for the incredible Penn Wood Elementary community. Together, we continue to build a school environment that fosters curiosity, creativity, and connection. January has already been a month of inspiration, learning, and growth for our students, and I’m excited to share some highlights with you.

A Visit from a Renowned Expert

This month, our 5th-grade students had the unique opportunity to learn from Ric Gillespie, a renowned expert on Amelia Earhart. His engaging presentation transported our students into the world of this trailblazing aviator, sparking curiosity and inspiring thoughtful questions. It was an unforgettable experience that brought history to life and encouraged our students to think boldly about their own futures. (pictured below)

Literary Dining Experience

Thanks to the creativity and dedication of our librarian, Mrs. Hashem, Penn Wood students were treated to a “literary dining experience.” Imagine a restaurant, but instead of a menu of food, students sampled a variety of books. This event expanded their reading palates by introducing them to new genres and reacquainting them with old favorites. The excitement in the room was palpable as students discovered stories that piqued their interests and broadened their horizons. Be sure to ask your child about their favorite “book bite” from the event. (See photos below!)

Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

On Monday, we will observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a day to reflect on the values of equality, service, and community. In Dr. King’s honor, we encourage our students to think about how they can contribute to making the world a better place. This year, we’ve been exploring his legacy through classroom discussions, art projects, and acts of kindness. Let this day remind us all to dream big and work together to create a more just and compassionate world. I encourage families to take time this weekend to discuss Dr. King’s impact and consider participating in a community service activity as a way to celebrate his vision.

Looking Ahead

As we continue through January, there are many exciting events and opportunities on the horizon. Please stay tuned for updates and mark your calendars for our upcoming Culture Day celebration. This inaugural event for PWE students promises to showcase the diverse traditions and stories that make our school community so vibrant. Thank you to the community volunteers that will be supporting this event.

Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership. Together, we make Penn Wood Elementary a place where every student can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. I look forward to continuing this journey with all of you.

Warm regards,

Dr. Mike G. Garvin

mgarvin@wcasd.net

Follow us on X - @PennWood1470

January 20 MLK Day/ School Closed

January 28 Culture Day at PWE

February 5 Philadelphia Union Assembly

February 12-13 Kids Heart Challenge

February 14 Half Day/ Teacher In-service

February 17 Presidents Day/ School Closed

February 25 PWE Chorus at the Flyers

March 5 Half Day/ Conferences

March 6 Half Day/ Evening Conferences

March 7 School Closed/ Conferences

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 9/1/24? 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 2024-25. Please note that 23-24 is still open for new residents so be sure to select 2024-25 if your child will be starting next 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