March 1, 2024

Time for an updated look at the progress in the new building.  This view is from the inside of a classroom.  So exciting!!

During the month of March, we are celebrating reading!  Wacouta’s tradition is a March Book Madness tournament.  March Book Madness is a bracket-style tournament that matches books in one-on-one "games”.  The Wacousta staff recorded themselves reading the books, and the classes watched the recordings during the month of February/early March. Each week in March, the students will vote for their favorite books, and the class votes will be tallied. After each round of voting, the bracket will be updated, and the next round of voting will begin.  You can view the March Book Madness bracket here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rnPaPd_U4B4iVbOasWvE-M6FAC4r6SZM/view

Parent Teacher Conferences will be held on March 12 and 13 from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Wacousta Elementary.  Friday's conferences on March 15 are VIRTUAL from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.  The conference sign up links are now live.  You may use this link to sign up for your student(s) conference.  https://www.ptcfast.com/schools/Wacousta_Elementary_School

The Book Fair will be open to everyone during the following hours:

Monday, March 11 -  Thursday, March 14, 9 am - 4pm during school hours.

Tuesday, March 12 and Wednesday, March 13, 5-8 pm (During Conference).

Friday, March 15, 9 am-1:00 pm

*see insert below for more information*

Our school is hosting a Literati Book Fair which means you can expect a selection of fun, engaging and affordable titles for every reading level, from a wide range of publishers. These are books your kids want to read. And you’re invited to come! Success in school starts with reading. Supporting your child’s love of reading is critical to their success. When you open a book with your children, you are opening the world for them. You are making them think and wonder, and want to know more. You are helping them to do well in school.

The Literati Book Fair encourages your child’s reading habits, gives them an opportunity to choose their own books to add to their library at home and raises funds for the school, all at the same time. Profits from the Book Fair are used to add books, supplies and equipment to our school.

Students will preview books and will be able to make purchases on; Monday, March 11 - Friday, March 15 during school hours. Students will also be entered in a drawing for a door prize.

We hope you will consider donating a book to your child’s classroom. Our teachers will have on display in the Media Center a Classroom Book Wish. Books that are at an appropriate reading level and of interest to their class.

We want your children to be readers for life. Support your school and the avid readers in your family by visiting the book fair. We hope to see you there!

Our next Snack Shop is Friday, March 8th.  All items will cost $1.00.  Students may purchase up to 3 items.  If possible please send student with exact change.

The March 5th PTIA meeting has been rescheduled for March 19th.  Please make a note on your calendars.

Wacousta Families....
Yearbooks are typically handed out the last week of school.  If you did not order a yearbook on Picture Day, here is a link that you may use to order one:  https://store.geskusphoto.com/search/YB718.  Yearbooks are included in some packages and if you are unsure if you have ordered one for your child(ren), please call the school and we'll be happy to let you know.  If you choose not to order a yearbook for your child(ren), we do give them an autograph sheet for their friends to sign at the time yearbooks are distributed.

In preparation to begin packing for the move to the new building, we are seeking volunteers to come in and build boxes for our staff.  There is no set time to volunteer; just come in anytime the week you sign up for, and we will have boxes ready for assembly!  If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Taylor at taylors@glcomet.net or Mrs. McKennon at mckennonj@glcomets.net.  

Please sign-up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E054DAFAC2EA64-48141872-building#/

It is imperative that you call the school to identify your student's absence whether it is for illness, vacation, or personal reasons.  Please identify the student by name and teacher. Identify the reason for the absence and if the student is ill include the symptoms, i.e. fever, vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, cough, congestion, pink eye, etc.  Student's must be 24 hours fever, vomiting or diarrhea free before returning to school.  If they have been diagnosed with a contagious illness such as pink eye they must be on antibiotics for 24 hours before returning to school.  Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

We are asking that you include both Mrs. Nichols (nicholsd@glcomets.net) and Mrs. Zerbe (zerbec@glcomets.net) on all email communications.  It is very helpful in case one of them are out of the office.  Thank you for helping us keep the lines of communication open!

These students are being recognized for exhibiting "Engaged" behavior in their class and with their peers and school staff in the month of January: Alex Lopez, Easton Whinnie, Dallas Clark, Harlow Barnes, Sydney Hiltner, Maisie Cobbett, Eloise Lund, Isabella Manore, Amelia Holly, Teigan Bell, Lucy Barnes, Alaina Levey, Alina Villarreal, Austin Hoeksema, Dominic Hill, Ethan Wilson

Thank you to everyone who volunteers for our lunch time help!  You are so greatly appreciated during this busy time of the day.  If you haven't had a chance to volunteer previously, we are still in great need of support each day.  Please consider donating a few hours of time.  You can sign-up using this link.  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E084DAEA629A4F85-lunch#/

Please continue to collect Box Tops for Education! This program is completely online now. To get the app please go to www.Boxtops4education.com

You can follow the Wacousta Elementary School PTIA on Facebook and email us at ptiawacousta@gmail.com

When calling in for any of the following reasons please identify your student by first and last name, grade, and teacher.

School Arrival:  Students may not be dropped off prior to 8:40 a.m. since we do not have supervision available. If your student will be getting breakfast it is important that they arrive at the drop off time and go directly to the cafeteria.  Arriving late, makes them late for class start time at 9:00.

School Dismissal:  School ends at 3:55 p.m.  All students should be picked up no later than 4:05 p.m. If you are picking up your child at the end of the day and want to meet them at parent pick up, please do not get in the parent pick up line.  We ask that you park in a parking spot and walk to meet your child.  ALSO, PLEASE DO NOT GO PAST THE CONES TO COLLECT YOUR CHILD.  WE HAVE ADULT SUPERVISION TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF THE STUDENTS.  If you remain in your vehicle, please continue to move up in line and we'll get your student(s) to you. ~Thank you very much for your cooperation!

Half-day dismissal:  Is at 12:10 p.m.

Late Arrivals:  If you know your child is going to be arriving late, please call or email the school office to let us know.  It is also helpful to let us know if they need a school lunch and which option they'd prefer.  We'll make sure to get that ordered for them.

Parent Pick-Up:  If you are planning to  pick-up your child after school, or change from parent pick-up to riding the bus, please call the school office no later than 2:30 p.m.  We distribute the pick-up list to teachers and staff at this time and are unable to accommodate last minute changes.

Absences:  If your student will be absent or becomes ill and cannot attend school, please call the office and let us know your students name, teacher, reason for absence and symptoms if ill.  Thank you for your cooperation.

Illness Reminder: We ask that your child be 24 hours free of fever, vomiting or diarrhea before you send them back to school after they have been out sick.  We appreciate your cooperation with this!

To report a positive Covid case, please complete the Covid Reporting Form.

All medication needs to be brought to school by a parent/guardian.  This includes all over the counter medication (cough drops, Tylenol, etc).  Prescription and over the counter medications require a doctors order for the school to administer them, that includes creams or lotions. You will find medication documents at this link: medication and health information Click on School Health Information and Forms.

Due to the number of life-threatening allergies we have in our building, we respectfully request that you do not send in any type of food for birthday treats.  Mr. Groves celebrates each child by announcing their name during the morning announcements and he personally presents them with a birthday pencil.

If you so choose, you are welcome to bring in a non-edible treat for your child's classmates but they may not include any type of gum or candy.  Some parents choose to send in something small like a pencil or stickers, but that is up to each family.  It is definitely your choice and we understand that not all families are able to do something like this.

We also request that you do not send birthday invitations to school.  If you would like an address list, we will have School Directories available in the near future for $1.00.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!

Is your student missing their jacket, hat, gloves, water bottle, lunch box?  Our lost and found table and coat rack are beginning to fill up again.  Stop in to reclaim items your student may have misplaced.

Future forecast? COLD and SNOW.  Please make sure your student wears a jacket, has a hat, gloves, boots, snow pants, so they are prepared for the weather. Please also check your students backpack for appropriate extra clothing.  Shorts and short sleeved shirt days have expired.   An extra pair of socks comes in handy for the wet days when our feet just can't stay out of the puddles!

If you are in need of assistance with clothing and outwear please contact the office. You can also find community support information below in the "District and Community News" section of this newsletter.

Thanks for your support and cooperation in keeping our kiddos warm and dry this season.