west york area school districtmr. michael d. brandt
TRANSCRIPT
www.office.com
West York Area School District
PRIMARY SCHOOLS
Loucks and Wallace Elementary Schools
PRINCIPAL NEWSLETTER ~ SUMMER 2014
Greetings, students and families of West York’s Primary Schools!
As principal of Loucks and Wallace Elementary Schools, I am very happy to welcome you to the 2014-2015 school year. I hope your summer has been safe and enjoyable, and I hope that you’re as excited as I am for the new school year!
This school year, you and your child can look forward to many fun and exciting learning experiences. These include back-to-school night, seasonal classroom and community events, and Parent Visitation. Look for details of these and other activities in the pages of this newsletter and on the school district website (www.wyasd.k12.pa.us).
As your Loucks and Wallace principal, my most important responsibility is to make sure that your child has a safe and comfortable place to learn and grow each school day. You can count on me, teachers and staff to act with SAFETY, RESPONSIBILITY and RESPECT every day. In fact, these are the same expectations all of us can have for each other at Loucks and Wallace Elementary Schools.
School begins for all West York students on Wednesday, August 20, 2014. For elementary students in first grade and above, the day begins at 9:00 AM and ends at 3:30 PM. For kindergarten students and their parents/ guardians, the first day of school consists of a school and bus orientation. Refer to the student assignment letter included with this mailing for details of the kindergarten orientation schedule.
On the next few pages of this newsletter, you will find important information for students and parents for the start of the school year. For additional information on a number of topics, please review the Elementary Student Handbook. You can access the online version of the Student Handbook in the “Parent Information” section of the school website (www.wallace.wyasd.k12.pa.us) You can also request a printed copy of the Student Handbook by contacting the office at either school.
With Bulldog Pride,
Mr. Michael D. Brandt, West York Primary Principal
MR. MICHAEL D. BRANDT, PRINICPAL
www.wyasd.k12.pa.us
WALLACE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
2065 High Street
York, Pennsylvania 17408
(717) 764-6869
http://wallace.wyasd.k12.pa.us/
LOUCKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
1381 W. Poplar Street
York, Pennsylvania 17404
(717) 843-6631
http://loucks.wyasd.k12.pa.us
∞ This is your principal when I was your age.
Favorite Toy: LEGOs
Favorite Food: hot dogs
Favorite Sport: T-ball
Favorite Movie: Swiss Family Robinson
(it’s still awesome!)
Teachers: Mrs. Singer (kindergarten),
Mrs. Ksenick (first grade)
What I wanted to be when I grow up: a
circus clown
www.telegraph.co.uk
Office Staff - For the new school year, we welcome some new faces to the offices at both schools. At Wallace Elementary, Ms. Patti Myers, formally at Loucks Elementary, will assist parents, students and staff. At Loucks Elementary, Ms. Angie Brenneman and Ms. Brenda Gross will perform these roles.
Wallace Construction – Construction continues at Wallace Elementary. Beginning with the 2015-2016 school year (that’s next year), all West York students in kindergarten and first grade will learn together in new or renovated classrooms. Look for updates on this exciting project in future newsletters and other media sources, including Twitter (see page 1).
Arrival and Dismissal - School supervision of students begins at 8:30 AM, and students should not arrive at school prior to this time. During the first days of school, teachers will join staff members in welcoming children to school and escorting them to their classes.
Attendance – When your child is feeling sick, please phone or email the school secretary to report your child’s absence. Please submit excuse blanks to the office the day your child returns from an absence. We are required by law to monitor student attendance. If an excuse blank is not received within 3 school days, the absence is coded as unlawful. Repeated unlawful absences may result in fines or other civil penalties. Please refer to the online Student Handbook for additional information on attendance policies.
Request for Educational Tours/Trips – When completing a request for an educational trip, please cite an educational experience that the trip will provide. Travel can be educational if it is presented as “visiting” a different geographical region as opposed to a family visit. Seeing historical landmarks and/or industrial plants can also qualify as valid reasons. Visiting educational exhibits, participating in educational activities, or touring different cities are also educational experiences.
When requesting an educational trip, it recommended that the application be submitted at least five (5) school days in advance of the trip. Trips will not be approved after the dates have passed. The following criteria apply to educational trips: • Excused absences are limited to five (5) days per school year. • Students must have passing grades in all current subjects in order for an educational trip to be considered excused. • Students must have a satisfactory attendance record (i.e. no citations for unlawful absences, no warning letters for excessive absences, etc.) to be considered excused. • The amount of class time and material missed when absent from school should be of significant importance to parents and students. Work missed through legal absences shall be made up as quickly as possible.
MEET OUR OFFICE STAFF
Wallace Elementary Building Clerk
Ms. Patti Myers [email protected]
(717) 764-6869
Loucks Elementary Building Clerks
Ms. Angie Brenneman (AM) [email protected]
(717) 843-6631
Ms. Brenda Gross (PM)
[not yet pictured] [email protected]
OFFICE HOURS
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Our busiest times during the school
day are 8:30-9:15 AM and 3:00-3:45
PM. We are best able to assist you with
non-urgent matters at times other
than these. We are happy to help you
with the following and other matters:
General school information
Attendance records
Requests for educational trips
Volunteer applications
Obtaining printed copies of online district information
What is a Bulldog Biscuit!? Faculty and staff at West York primary schools work hard to recognize the positive behavior and good choices or our youngest Bulldogs. At home, you might hear your child talk about our mascot-themed incentives and awards. Here’s a simple parent glossary:
Bulldog Biscuits – Bulldog Biscuits are given to individual students when they demonstrate exemplary behavior. Any teacher, aide or other district employee may give a student a “biscuit” with the student’s name and his/her teacher’s name on it. Students whose Biscuits are selected by weekly drawing receive a PAW PRIDE pencil.
Bulldog Barks – Classes can be awarded “barks” when all students in the class are demonstrating exemplary behavior. Classes accumulate “barks” until they have reached a goal determined by the teacher. Then, all students in the class enjoy an activity to celebrate their shared accomplishment.
Top Dog – Each month, one outstanding student from each class is recognized for his or her safe, responsible and respectful behavior. The names and photographs of Top Dog students are displayed in the school building for the entire year. Additionally, each Top Dog student also receives a Top Dog “dog tag” to celebrate his/her hard work and positive character.
Volunteer Opportunities – If you are interested in becoming a classroom volunteer, you may obtain a “Volunteer Packet” from the school office or district website. Additionally, we are very fortunate to have the support of an excellent Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) that provides many opportunities and services to our children. You will be receiving information shortly about joining the PTO.
“Green” Policy – Please contact our office if you require paper copies of district information. Much of our information is posted on the district website. All community information flyers are posted to the Community Corner of the website. Thanks for your support as we work hard to “Go Green!”
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How can I contact the principal? I can be reached most directly by email (mdbrandt@wyasd. k12.pa.us), but you can also contact me through the school offices. For questions about classroom-specific matters, please first communicate directly with your child’s teacher.
How should I contact my child’s teacher? Most teachers prefer email communication since they cannot take phone calls during the instructional day. You will soon receive a letter from your child’s teacher, providing contact information and other classroom details.
What /supplies should my child bring to school? Other than a bookbag, your child will not need specific supplies for school. In forthcoming “welcome” mailings, teachers may invite the donation a few small items for classroom use.
What about full-day kinder-garten? A limited number of spaces is available in each school’s extended-day kindergarten program. Parents/ guardians of students identified for participation in this program will be contacted by school personnel after the first two weeks of school.
When will Loucks and Wallace schools be combined at one location? The proposed addition to the current Wallace Elementary building will be completed in time for the 2015-2016 school year. Both Loucks and Wallace Elementary Schools will continue with their normal use until that time. We are very excited about the benefits of this combined building for students, staff and the West York community!
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Student Dress Guidelines - Shoes that cover toes (ex. sneakers) should be worn each day for safety on the playground and stairs. Flip-flops should not be worn and are not permitted for play on the playground. Shorts should be an appropriate length, and shoulders are to be covered.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How can I contact the principal? I can be reached most directly by email (mdbrandt@wyasd. k12.pa.us), but you can also contact me through the school offices. For questions about classroom-specific matters, please first communicate directly with your child’s teacher.
How should I contact my child’s teacher? Most teachers prefer email communication since they cannot take phone calls during the instructional day. You will soon receive a letter from your child’s teacher, providing contact information and other classroom details.
What /supplies should my child bring to school? Other than a bookbag, your child will not need specific supplies for school. In forthcoming “welcome” mailings, teachers may invite the donation a few small items for classroom use.
What about full-day kinder-garten? A limited number of spaces will be available in our extended-day kindergarten program. Parents/ guardians of students identified for participation in this program will be contacted by school personnel after the first two weeks of school.
AN IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT CLASSS TREATS
Please help us support the health and allergy needs of our children by providing healthful, store-bought, and/or non-food treats for special occasions in your child’s classroom. For a list of recommended snacks, and beverages, as well as possible non-food goodies, please refer to the district website or contact the school office.
West York Area School District:
Opening Minds Through Educational Excellence
A message from our PTO – Welcome back, Bulldogs! Your PTO hopes you
had a fabulous time over the summer break! This summer we have been
working hard to get everything in place to make this a great year. Here are
some things to know for the 2014-15 PTO year:
· Please join us for our first PTO meeting of the year on September 10th at 6:30 pm in the Trimmer cafeteria. We want your input!
· Stop and talk to us at either of the Kindergarten playground nights or any of the Back to School Nights. PTO will have representatives at these gatherings to share information about PTO programs and events.
· To keep up with PTO activities and events, “like” us on Facebook at West York Elementary PTO or email us at westyorkelementarypto@ gmail.com. Sincerely, Lisa Connolly and the West York Elementary PTO board
Car-Rider Drop-Off/Pick-Up (Wallace) – Parents/guardians driving their
children to school should park on High Street and monitor or accompany
their children to the front of the building between 8:30 and 9:00 AM.
Please remind your children that they should stay on the inside of the
sidewalk, well away from bus traffic. We ask that you kindly give the buses
the right of way on High Street in an effort to provide drivers with ample
space for making their turns and safely entering the bus circle.
Car riders should be picked up at dismissal at 3:25 p.m. Parents/guardians
should park along High Street and wait outside the lobby doors to meet
their children. Parent pick up cards will be available from the school office.
For the safety of all students and staff, car traffic is not permitted in the
bus circle or school parking lot from 8:25 to 9:10 AM and from 3:20 to
3:55 PM.
UPDATING CONTACT INFORMATION
It is critical for our Safety Plan and
communication procedures that we
have updated phone numbers and
email addresses for our families.
Please review and update your contact
information at the start of the school
year and as often as that information
changes.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS (WALLACE)
Subscribe to the online calendar at www.wyasd.k12.pa.us.
August 19 – Wallace Kindergarten Openhouse/Playground Gathering, 5:30-6:30 PM
August 20 – First day of School; Kindergarten Orientation
August 29 – School Closed (In-Service)
September 1 – Schools Closed (Labor Day)
September 2 – Wallace First-Grade Parent Information Night, 6:30-8:00 PM (parents only, please!)
September 10 – WY Elementary PTO Meeting, 6:30 PM in Trimmer Cafeteria
September 12 – Early Dismissal (11:30)
October 6 – Two-Hour Data Delay
* October 13 – Schools Closed (Columbus Day)
October 14 – School Picture Day
October 24 – Early Dismissal (11:30)
November 3 – Two-Hour Data Delay
November 11 – Parent Visitation
November 14 – Early Dismissal (11:30)
November 18 – School Picture Retakes
November 24-25 – Parent Conferences
November 26 – School Closed (In-Service)
November 27-28 – School Closed (Thanksgiving Holiday)
* December 1 – School Closed (Thanksgiving Holiday)
* Possible Snow Make-Up Day
Last year the PTO brought
naturalist Jack Hubley to
Wallace and Loucks to introduce
students to many animals native
to our region.
CAFETERIA MENU* (A complete menu is available at www.wyasd.k12.pa.us.)
August 20 – turkey/cheese on whole-wheat bread, multi-grain chips, carrots/dip August 21 – cheeseburger on whole-wheat bun, green beans, fruit August 22 – French bread pizza, steamed broccoli, fruit
Price: $2.05
* Alternate – cheese sandwich
Parents can create an online lunch account to pay for school meals and track account balances. To create your free LunchTime account, click on the “Cafeteria” tab on the district website (www.wyasd.k12.pa.us). Meal payments may also be made by cash or check sent to school with your child.