SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER

 

 

 

 

THE 2007-2008 SCHOOL YEAR HAS BEGUN!

The following information has been included in this newsletter to help answer any questions you may have about the opening of school.  Please keep a copy on hand, since much of the information applies for the entire school year.

 

PARENTS/GUESTS VISITS

Watson Williams is a single point of entry facility.  If you need to conference with staff or have any inquiries, please go to the front entrance and speak into the call

box.  A staff member will accommodate your entry into the building.  All visitors, in order to help ensure safety for all, are to report to the office and receive a visitor’s pass.  Anyone in the building WITHOUT PERMISSION WILL BE CITED FOR TRESPASSING.

 

Parents of Kgn. children will be allowed to walk their children to class the first two days of school, September 6th and 7th.  After that you must leave your child at their entry doors.  This is to ensure the safety of your children.

 

SCHOOL DAY:  ENTRY/DISMISSAL TIMES

All students – 9:05 a.m. – 3:05 p.m.

 

*Reminders:

Please do not allow your children to arrive at school TOO EARLY SINCE THERE IS NO SUPERVISION.  Parents who accompany students to school must abide by the expectations we set for the children such as waiting outside until entry time.  Children will enter the building alone so that they will become accustomed to school routines as soon as possible.

 

ENTRY AND DISMISSAL DOORS

Students will enter the building via their assigned doors in an effort to ensure safety. Below is the list of assigned doors. Signs are also posted at each entrance:

**In case of INCLEMENT weather, there is NO front door entrance.  All students will enter through the cafeteria door.

ENTRY/DISMISSAL DOOR

TEACHER

Elm Street – Front of Bldg

Miss Murphy, Miss Holehan, Mrs. Heenan, Miss Rizzo, Miss Malek

Elm Street – Rear of Bldg.

Miss Kim, Ms. Drescher, Miss Klodnicki, Mrs. Kohlbrenner, Miss Greene, Miss Townsend

Park Side – Front of Bldg.

Mrs. Rotkiewicz, Miss Mundo, Mrs. Komacek, Ms. Weller

Park Side - Modular

Miss Gillmett, Mrs. Griffith, Mr. Colucci

Driveway Side – Modular

Ms. Grube, Mrs. Mastroianni, Miss McCoy

 

ATTENDANCE

Good attendance is an essential part of your child’s training.  We expect your child to come to school on time every day.  While we do not expect you to send your child to school when sick, we do expect all children to be here regularly.

 

If your child is tardy, he/she must report to the office for a late pass.

If your child is absent from school, you are responsible for sending to school a written note signed by you explaining the absence.  This note is due when your child returns to school.  Otherwise, your child’s absence will be considered illegal.

 

Please call school if your child is absent from school two (2) or more days so homework arrangements can be made.

 

The Utica City School District’s Attendance Policy is available in the office for your review.

 

STUDENT MEDICATION

If your child receives medication at school, please contact our school nurse at 368-6782 for arrangements.  A doctor’s statement and signed parental permission are required.  UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES IS A CHILD ALLOWED TO BRING MEDICATION TO SCHOOL BY HER/HIMSELF.

 

BREAKFAST/LUNCH PROGRAMS

Breakfast:  Served from 8:00-8:45 a.m. – begins Monday, September 10, 2007.

 

Lunch Periods:  Teachers will advise students of their scheduled lunch period.

**Those students who eat at school are expected to follow breakfast/lunch rules.  Otherwise, they may lose the privilege of eating in the cafeteria.  Students who eat at school are expected to do so each day and remain on school grounds.

 

Applications for free/reduced priced meals are being sent home. Please complete accurately and return immediately so eligibility can be determined.

 

 

TEXTBOOKS/LIBRARY RESOURCES

Your child will be loaned textbooks and library resources to accommodate his/her grade level course of study.

   

All loaned resources are to be well maintained, safeguarded, and returned by their due date.

    

Otherwise, parents/guardians will be billed for replacement costs and students will not receive report cards nor be allowed to loan any other Watson Williams’ resources until remittance is made.

 

 

 

SCHOOL EXPECTATIONS

The education of your child is of primary importance to us.

Please see to it that your child comes to school ready to learn.

A good night’s sleep, a nutritious breakfast, appropriate clothing, and a receptive attitude are vital.

 

Also, please review with your child appropriate conduct.  Students at our school are expected to be punctual, prepared for class, and courteous to faculty, staff, and other children at all times.  They are to take pride in keeping our school clean and safe.

 

A copy of the district’s Summary Code of Conduct is attached.

 

FERPA

FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) gives parents the rights with respect to their children’s educational records.  A copy of this is attached.

 

OPEN HOUSE:  September 19, 2007 – 6-7 P.M.

Families are invited to Watson Williams’ Open House on Wednesday, September 19, 2007, from 6-7 P.M. Please join us to visit classrooms, meet your child’s teacher, and learn about his/her grade level curriculum, as well as, remedial, ESL, and support services programs.

   

SHARED DECISION MAKING TEAM

Watson Williams’ Shared Decision Making Team is a wonderful opportunity for you to make a difference in your child’s education.  If you are interested, please call the school at 792-2167 to find out how you can become involved.

Please join us on September 20th at 8:00 A.M.  in the Library to kick off our first Shared Decision Making Meeting of the year!!

 

PARKING

On February 5, 2003 the Utica Common Council passed a code of ordinances with respect to stopping standing and parking on Elmwood Place and Elm Street.

 

The following is in effect:

*Elmwood Place – Northside (school side)

NO STOPPING, STANDING or PARKING

           Southside (Across from school)

            NO PARKING – STANDING ONLY – DRIVER MUST STAY IN CAR

 

*Elm Street – Eastside (school side)

NO PARKING OR STOPPING – STANDING ONLY – DRIVER MUST STAY IN CAR

Westside (Across from school)

NO PARKING, STANDING OR STOPPING

Illegally parked or stopped cars will be ticketed.  The fine is $20.00.

*Please note: When dropping your children off for school remember to reinforce safety rules. Please make sure the children look both ways before crossing!!