Saturday, August 17, 2013

First Day of School Reminders







Dear Parents,
It was so wonderful seeing so many of our new as well as returning students at Open House on Thursday afternoon.  It is amazing how much everyone has grown.  Everyone appeared to be so excited.  I know I have awakened every night for the past few days with anticipation of this new school year.  We have so many exciting new activities planned for our students this year.  I did want to tell you about a few things before school begins on Monday. 

Transportation Tags                                                                                                                      

Your child was given a transportation tag at Open House.  We use these tags the first few weeks of school to identify how the children go home.  Please make sure your child has the tag on their book bag daily.  Each child should have identified the bus they will ride as well as each child was given a car number on Thursday.  For parents who will pick up their child in the car line, Please view the car line video to identify how to go through our car line. 

 *PLEASE note, if you do not have a car line number in your car in the afternoon to pick up your child, you will be asked to come to the office to get your child.  If you need additional car line tag numbers, please ask your child’s teacher. 

 
Bus Information
 The routes will be very similar to what they have been in the past; however we have added several new subdivisions.   We have 5 buses this year.  The buses load and unload from the front of our building. 


First Day of School
When the students come to school, whether through carline or on the bus, they will wait in the lunchroom until the bell rings at 7:25.  At that time they are dismissed from the cafeteria and sent a grade at a time to their classrooms.  During the first week of school, we will have teachers and PTA parents there to help all children get to their classrooms. 

BooHoo Breakfast for New Parents and Kindergarten Parents
On Monday, August 19 all Kindergarten and new student’s parents are invited to the BooHoo Breakfast in the Library.  Kindergarten parents are also invited on Tuesday, August 20. 

Kindergarten ONLY
Kindergarteners are on an alternating boy/girl schedule.  Girls will come to school on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  Boys will come to school on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. 

Curriculum Nights Reminder
Our Curriculum Nights were such a success last year; we will have them again next year.   I really encourage you to attend these grade level nights.  The teachers will be presenting procedures as well as pertinent information about the curriculum for each grade level.  This is also a time for you to ask questions.  Please make plans to attend these meetings.  If you are unable to come, we will video tape each meeting and post on our website.  The dates are posted on our website. 

Parent Teacher Partnership PTA
I would like to encourage you to join the West Madison PTA.  The PTA volunteers will be at our school the first week to help students find their classes as well as help Kindergarten and First Grade students to put in their lunch numbers.  West Madison typically only has one major fundraiser per year.  Please stop by the table in the lunchroom to see the items we will be selling.  There will be a display set up.    We are also selling the City Books. They cost $20 and are sold in the school office. 


Communication through Twitter and WMES Principal blog
In order to increase communication to parents, please follow us on Twitter.  The link to follow us is below: 

Please view the West Madison Principal Blog!  wmesprincipal.blogspot.com

West Madison Parent Surveys
I would like to thank you so much for taking the time to complete the West Madison Surveys sent this past spring.  It is important to see ourselves through your eyes so that we may address your concerns.  We had several areas that were very positive.  We care very much about our students and their families.  One of the areas in which we need to grow in is providing more innovative ways to challenge our students who excel.  We will be partnering with Redstone Arsenal and some of the employees at ANCOM to provide some Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Activities with our students.  If you are interested in helping us address this and other concerns, please email me at djah@madisoncity.k12.al.us

Ways to Help Our School
If you are looking for a way to help West Madison, the PTA will be doing a fundraiser in August.  We also participate in the Amazon.com Associates program.  For every dollar amount you spend, West Madison will get 4% and possibly more, depending on how much you spend.  You must, however go through the Amazon.com link on our website in order for us to receive the percentage.  Last year we made over $200 from this program.  We would like to expand it even more.  Please help us publicize this site.  We would like to thank you so much for all you do to help our school.  We are in partnering together. 

We are going to have an exciting year.  If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call or email me. 

Dr. Daphne P. Jah
Principal