8/17/23

 

It’s hard to believe, but the first day of school is on Monday, August 28, 2023.  We hope that you and your family have had a safe and restful summer and your child(ren) is as excited as we are about the upcoming school year.  As we prepare for the new school year, we wanted to share some key information with you.  

 

Meet the Teacher:  1st - 5th Grades & ECS 1 & 2
We are excited to invite all of our first through fifth grade families, as well as our ECS families, to Meet the Teacher on Friday, August 25 from 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM. This will be a great time to locate your child’s new classroom and meet his/her new teacher before Monday, August 28.  Families will receive a message through a School Messenger email by August 24 that informs them of their child’s teacher.  Additionally, when families arrive for our Meet The Teacher on August 25, rosters will also be posted on each grade level hallway.  During this drop-in event, you will also be able to join PTA, learn about transportation and cafeteria processes as well as sign up for before and after-school care.  We hope you will join us.  

 

Kindergarten Staggered Entry
Families of kindergarten students should note that we are participating in the staggered entry process, which means only some students attend school each day at the beginning of the year. Please read this message carefully regarding the staggered entry process. 

• Monday, August 28th:  Students with last names beginning with A - I should attend school

• Tuesday, August 29th:  Students with last names beginning with J - R should attend school

• Wednesday, August 30th:  Students with last names beginning with S - Z should attend school

• Thursday, August 31st:  Students who missed their assigned day should attend school for this make-up session

• Friday, September 1st:  Meet the Teacher Drop-In from 10:00 - 11:30 AM

• Tuesday, September 5th:  First full day of school for all Kindergarten students

School Supply Lists
Find a general list of materials you may need by grade level. Your child's teacher will provide you with a specific list.

 

Carpool
Morning carpool begins each morning at 8:45am and ends at 9:15am. Any families arriving after 9:15am will need to be walked into school. Adults will use the QR code to sign students into school when tardy (please have your ID ready). 

 

Students will be dismissed beginning at 3:45pm. Afternoon carpool will operate until 4:10pm. After then, families will need to come into the building to pick up their student(s). 

 

Carpool tags will be distributed to ALL families at Meet the Teacher. Please discard your old car rider number. Families with multiple children will receive a carpool tag from their youngest child. These tags will need to be displayed from your rearview mirror for afternoon carpool.

 

We ask that you please use the carpool line for arrival and dismissal. Do not use the staff parking lot. 

 

For arrival and dismissal, we will utilize two lanes. These two lanes will merge into one single lane at the traffic circle. Please do not pull around other vehicles while students are entering/exiting their cars unless directed to do so by a staff member. 

 

Buses
WCPSS transportation will release bus route information to families on Friday, August 18th.  In this message, families will be notified of bus route information, including when to be at the bus stop each morning.  

 

Communications will also share information in regard to the Here Comes the Bus app, which will be shared by Friday, August 25th.  This is a great online application where families can track where the bus is located.  

 

Kindergarten and 1st grade students must have a responsible person (adult or older sibling) at the bus stop each afternoon to pick them up.   Transportation will bring these students back to school if a responsible person is not at the bus stop. Families will be responsible for picking them up from school.  

 

In the event that a bus route is not operating, families will be notified via Talking Points as soon as possible. Any route changes will also be posted HERE. 

 

Transportation Changes
Please call the front office (919-694-0222) by 1:30pm to notify us of any transportation changes for your child(ren). Staff members often do not check their emails or Talking Points during the day. 

 

Volunteers
We welcome families on our campus. Adults interested in becoming a school volunteer may complete the application during Meet the Teacher right outside the media center or using THIS link.  We need adults to assist with field trips, field day, read to a class, and more. Please do not wait to sign-up to become a volunteer! ALL adults must re-register to serve as a volunteer, as the district has a new system.

 

PTA
We are happy to announce that our PTA is relaunching this year. Mrs. Tranita Alexander is our active president. If you are interested in joining the planning committee, dues are $7.00. Mrs. Alexander can be reached via email at tranita.alexander@gmail.com. She will also be available for families to sign up to join PTA on Friday, August 25th from 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM during Meet the Teacher.  Your participation and support are needed in order to have a successful PTA. Meetings will be held virtually once a month or as needed. 

 

Before & After School Care
Before and After care is a valuable support for our families.  Drop-off and pick-up are in the cafeteria.   The Before & After School Registration fee is $15 per program or $30 for both.  The Before School Fee is $94.64 a month and the After School fee is $111.83 per month.  Please click this link to let us know if your child will be attending the program.  *Only money orders are accepted for initial payment and registration.

 

New Visitor Management System
All WCPSS schools are now using a new visitor management system. Please be mindful that all parents/guardians will need to sign in using this new system and do need to have IDs present. 

 

Late arrival/early dismissal
Students arriving to school after 9:15am or leaving prior to 3:45pm will need to be checked in/out in the vestibule. Families will use the QR codes posted and will need an ID to complete the process.

 

Students will not be dismissed after 3:15pm in order for classrooms to prepare for afternoon dismissal.

 

Cafeteria
Our cafeteria manager will be available during Meet the Teacher to answer any cafeteria related questions.  Free and reduced lunch applications can be found HERE. Please consider completing this application for meal assistance even if you are uncertain about whether or not your family may qualify. 

 

Handbook
The Student/Parent Handbook can be found HERE.  A paper copy will be sent home with your child during the first week of school.