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.

Early Pick-Up:  If you are planning to pick-up your child early please call the school office no later than 2:30 p.m.  We distribute the pick-up list to teachers after this time.

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.  Thank you for your cooperation.

MEDICATION 

All medication needs to be brought to school by a parent/guardian.  This includes all over the counter medication (cough drops, Tylenol, etc) as well.  You will find medication documents at this link: medication and health information Click on School Health Information and Forms.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

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!

Wacousta Elementary Families and Community Members,

As we enter the weekend, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the events that took place in our community this week.  Monday began like any other typical school day.  Our students arrived for the start of the school week with smiles and enthusiasm anticipating another Mid October school week.  

Monday afternoon things began to change dramatically as we received the news of a missing toddler.  Before school even dismissed preparations were being made by local authorities and community members to begin a search for our missing little boy.  Throughout the night authorities and first responders continued the difficult search.  Tuesday began with an extended search including police officers and first responders from across the state.  As I visited one of the command centers early Tuesday afternoon, I was awestruck at the magnitude of the search which included more than 500 volunteers and donations of food, water, and supplies from several local businesses.  I could not help but feel blessed to be part of such an amazing community.  

Later Tuesday our worst fears were realized, and our young boy was located in the Looking Glass River.  Wednesday was sure to be a difficult day not only for our students at Wacousta Elementary but the adults that had been part of a tireless search.  Again, our Wacousta Community, the entire counseling staff, social workers, and faith leaders reached out to help begin the healing process.  Our facility dog Sandee was joined with two other facility dogs and met our students and adults as they entered the building.  All staff members participated in classroom discussions, as well as providing activities for students to work on to share their own grief.   Many students colored pictures, created messages, and small projects to send to the family as well as all those that were involved in the search.  Willow Ridge PTIA greeted us Thursday by decorating the entrance of our building with heartfelt messages of support and comfort.  

I hope everyone this weekend can take a moment to appreciate the community we are so fortunate to be part of.   The Grand Ledge Public School Community that wrapped their arms around us in support and most importantly keeping the Jones family (a key member of our Wacousta Community) in our thoughts and prayers as they grieve this tragic loss. 

Take care and God Bless, 

Chris Groves

Principal 

Wacousta Elementary

We have had a recent uptick in the number of Hand, Foot and Mouth cases in our building.  Please know that our custodial staff is taking extra care each evening to help with the spread of this very contagious childhood illness.  Here are some facts about this condition:

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Facts:
Symptoms: Sudden onset of fever, sore throat, tiny blisters/sores in mouth/throat and rash on hands/soles of feet (may also occur on buttocks, legs, or arms).

Mode of Spread: Contact with respiratory secretions, fluids from blisters and stool from an infected person.

Incubation Period: 3-5 days from the last contact with an infected individual.

Contagious Period: A person is most communicable from 2-3 days before onset of illness until several days after onset and it’s shed in the stool for weeks.

Exclusion from School: Children with an active case of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease should be excluded from school during the acute stage of illness including fever, sores in the mouth or open blisters on the hand and feet.

Return to School: Your child may return to school after 24 hours of being fever free (without the use of fever reducer medication), and as long as secretions from blisters can be contained.

You should contact your child’s physician if the above symptoms are noticed. Good hygiene measures, like frequent hand washing, plus washing contaminated surfaces and clothing are the best way to lower your child’s risk and spread of infection. Please notify the school if your child has been diagnosed with Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease.

We have some guidance from the MDHHS Vision Consultant, Dr. Rachel Shuman regarding the upcoming solar eclipse.  Although we are not in the direct path of the eclipse, it will be partially visible in MI if the weather is clear. Unsafe viewing of a solar eclipse can cause solar retinopathy, which is a type of retinal damage equating to sunburn on the ‘satellite dish of the eye.' Failure “to wear proper eye protection will let in a dangerous amount of ultraviolet radiation and damage the macular tissue in the retina.” The American Optometric Association advises looking for eclipse “glasses that have been given the OK by the American Astronomical Society,” which “includes glasses that meet the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 12312-2 standard.” Here is some information to help with viewing it safely:  From Prevent Blindness:

https://preventblindness.org/solar-eclipse-and-your-eyes/
https://preventblindness.org/solar-eclipse-glasses/

FYI! There is another Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024.

Picture Retakes - Tuesday, October 17

If your child is new to Wacousta or was absent on the original school picture day, they will have their picture taken the MORNING of 10/17.

If you would like to have your child have retakes, please send their photo packet back to school as soon as possible.  We will make sure they have those done on 10/17 as well.  They may not have retakes without their original photo packet. 

Fabiano’s Pizza Delivery

*Please limit to a 7-mile radius of Fabiano’s

One Night Only – Wednesday, October 18th

4:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Call 627-5421 and ask for delivery by the Lions

Proceeds go to the Lions Club Charities

*Please tell your neighbors!

Halloween Parties will be held on Tuesday, 10/31.  The parade will begin at 2:00.  Parents and visitors are welcome to line up around the building to enjoy the students and staff parade all the way around!  Classroom parties will take place after the parade.  Please watch for classroom/grade level details in the near future regarding volunteer opportunities for the parties.

Hot Off the Press!!!

Our School Directory is now available!  They are $1.00 and you may get them from the school office.

Our next date will be November 3rd. Each student will be able to purchase up to 3 items. Each item will cost $1. We ask that parents send in exact change if possible. 

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

The Wacousta PTIA is excited to bring a Trunk or Treat event to the school for students, staff, and families! Please see the flyer below for more info! 

If you are interested in signing up for one of the car spaces, please click here-https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050449A4AF29A0FE3-44420013-trunk. 

If you are interested in volunteering at the event, please click here-https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050449A4AF29A0FE3-44447089-trunk. Please note, that more opportunities may be added to this sign up as the event approaches.