Welcome Back!
I am excited to welcome you back to the 23-24 school year! The Wattles Gazette is my primary mode of communication with parents. Please be sure to read each edition through to the end for important information about dates, events, and opportunities.
Wattles teachers have been busy preparing their classrooms for your child(ren). Excitement is in the air and the energy is high, as we all look forward to the first day of school tomorrow. As you send your little ones off, please take a moment to enjoy the few minutes before they get on the bus or out of the car. The "first day" of any moment in life should be cherished.
Arrival & Dismissal
I encourage you to have your child arrive at school tomorrow the same way s/he will for the remainder of the year. It's critical that we build habits from the very first day. In addition, it tends to be very congested and overwhelming with the addition of those choosing to drop off and picking up only on the first day. If you do choose to drive your child to school on the first day, please park you car, and walk your child using the crosswalk ONLY. Take your last minute picture by the welcome back sign, and from there, an adult will guide your child to the entrance of building, as parents will not be allowed to walk students inside the building. Please say your goodbyes at home and give those much needed hugs and kisses before arriving at school.
Bus Riders
If you qualify for transportation, we strongly encourage students to ride the bus as it promotes independence and helps with traffic flow. At Wattles, school buses and cars all enter through the same entrance. This often creates congestion in that area, so we encourage all students who have transportation to ride the bus daily.
Arrival - There are three lanes of traffic once you enter the parking lot. Buses will enter and drive straight through using the far lane (closest to the parked cars). Bus drivers will pull forward to the end of the sidewalk, ending nearly parallel to the school. Students will exit the bus, and enter by the LGI room/gym blacktop area, and directed into the building by Wattles staff.
On the very first day of school, each student will exit the bus and have a colored zip tie secured to his or her backpack that will coordinate with the bus number. Note: Bus numbers often change, so we will be securing zip ties on all students kindergarten through grade 5 to align a color to their bus number. Please do not remove this from your child's backpack.
Dismissal - Bus riders will be dismissed in the order that buses arrive. Wattles support staff will oversee this process, and fifth grade safeties are trained to lead kindergarten and students to their buses. Wattles support staff will check colored zip ties to ensure that all students are on the correct bus.
Car Riders
Arrival - While we strongly encourage using bus transportation if you qualify, you can also drive your student to school. Just like the buses, all cars enter the parking lot through the single school entrance. Cars will pull forward to the cones using the lane CLOSEST to the school itself.
When doors open at 8:27 AM, Wattles staff members will allow children from the first four cars in the car lane to exit their car on the passenger side, enter through the main doors, and line up to their designated area within the school. That said, please spend a few minutes working to ensure that your child can safely buckle and unbuckle his or her seatbelt. Arrival by car will move very quickly once the doors open in order to ensure that all students are in their classrooms on time. Please do not drop off your child prior to 8:27 AM as there will be no adult supervision.
You will notice that there is a parking lot to the right of the school. That is reserved for staff only and will be blocked off with cones.
Dismissal - Car riders will be dismissed at 12:20 PM on Tuesday, and 3:33 PM Wednesday and Thursday, though the main school entrance. Mrs. Wallace and several staff members will help direct traffic and students into correct cars. Pull all the way ahead to the cones and only load in the lane CLOSEST to the school itself. Please stay in your car during this process. When parents have multiple students, the older student is encouraged to stand with the younger students.
Once again, we strongly encourage all children (especially our kindergartners) to come to school on the first day in the way they will travel the rest of the school year. If parents would like to take pictures of kids, we suggest following the bus to school, parking, and then capturing your memories outside near the welcome back sign. So many routines are practiced on the first day and it sets the children up for success if they can practice right away with their classmates.
Walkers & Bikers
Arrival - Students need to wait to enter the school building until 8:27 AM. All walkers and bike riders should enter through the main entrance (Please do not go to the back of the building) There is also a bike rack for students to utilize.
Dismissal - Walkers and bikers will be dismissed through the main entrance at 3:33 PM.
Late Arrivals
The first school bell rings at 8:34 AM. Please be diligent about having your student at school no later than 8:39 AM, so that they are not marked tardy. If you are dropping your student off after 8:39 AM, please park you car and walk your child(ren) in. Enter the main office vestibule to sign your child(ren) in.
Alternative Transportation Arrangements
If your child will be going home a different way from their typical routine, please be sure to write a note to your child's teacher and place in their red communication folder (they will receive on the first day of school). For the first day, if plans are different, please email your child's teacher.
Breakfast - NEW This Year!
Families will have the opportunity to opt-in or opt-out to breakfast this year. By clicking "yes" on the survey (see QR code below), your child(ren) will receive a bagged breakfast daily. There isn't a menu option for breakfast, all children receive the same meal (see below). Per legislation, students cannot be denied breakfast unless parents opt-out or notify the school. Breakfasts are delivered to classrooms first thing in the morning.
Specials, recess, and lunch times are below. Please do NOT drop off lunch to your child. All lunches should come with students to school in the morning.
Absences and Illnesses
Please remember to keep your students home with any illness this year. Absences and symptoms must be reported to the main office attendance line at 248-823-3401 by 8:30 AM. If you have a positive COVID-19 case to report, please call the attendance line and leave a detailed message.
That said, in order for your child to learn, he or she must be in attendance at school. Please do your best to have your child in school each day. If at all possible, we also appreciate you scheduling appointments outside of the school day to maximize instructional time.
Important Wattles Dates - This Week
- Tuesday, 08/28: First Day of School! 12:29 PM Dismissal (all students)
- Wednesday, 08/30: Full day for Grades 1-5; 12:29 PM Dismissal for K ONLY
- Thursday, 08/31: Full day for Grades 1-5; 12:29 PM Dismissal for K ONLY
- Friday, 08/01: No School
A Look Ahead
- Monday, 08/04: No School
- Wednesday, 08/06: First Breakfast Served
- Wednesday, 08/06: Curriculum Night (see schedule below)
Updates
Curriculum Night - September 6, 2023
Curriculum Night is a PARENT ONLY event at Wattles. Please make alternative arrangements for your child(ren), so that you can spend time this precious time for your teacher.
Join the Wattles PTO!
Not only is our PTO a fabulous group of parents, but the PTO provides and easy way to connect with the school community. I'm excited to tell you that Mrs. Maiuri will be our teacher representative again this year. Below is a list of meeting dates and contact information. Please consider joining us for our September meeting!
Community Corner
Extras
Breakfast & Lunch Menus
In partnership,
Amy Wallace