Westfall Elementary Families, Welcome Back!
We hope you are enjoying a wonderful summer and that you are relaxed, recharged, and ready to start a new school year. We are so delighted that you are part of our amazing learning community. We welcome and value your positive energy and dedication to excellence in education and look forward to working with you and your children.
All signs point to another incredible and productive school year. Our skilled and devoted staff is already planning and preparing for your child(ren). The enthusiastic office team is registering new families, ordering needed materials and updating student files. The hard-working and conscientious custodians have thoroughly cleaned the facility the entire summer. Our much-appreciated CIA Parent group is gearing up to welcome families, provide volunteer opportunities, and offer other exciting events and programs. We are indeed a joyous and caring community with the common goals of nurturing responsible, caring students and promoting high-level learning.
Below, you will find some additional Back to School information for the upcoming school year at Westfall Elementary School.
Emergency Medical and Registration Forms
Parents/Guardians of every student enrolled at Westfall Local Schools must complete Final Forms online registration before the first day of school. Documents such as Emergency Medical Forms, Acceptable Use Policies, and Handbook Agreements are available and must be completed online using FinalForms. This platform allows parents/guardians to complete and e-sign forms for their students. The forms can be found on our website or by clicking https://westfall-oh.finalforms.com/.
School Hours
The first official day of school for students in grades 1-5 and preschool will be Wednesday, August 14, 2024. Kindergarten students will be notified of their staggered start time by their classroom teachers. Students will enter the building at 8:45 each day to attend breakfast. Please understand that students should not be dropped off before the opening of school. To maximize our instructional program, school will begin at 9:00 a.m. Students that arrive after 9:00 will be marked as tardy. Dismissal will begin each day at the calling of car riders at 3:15 p.m. We will begin calling buses at 3:25.
Open House
The start of a school year is a very exciting time for students, parents, and staff. To share in this excitement, Westfall Elementary will be hosting a meet-the-teacher night on Monday, August 12, 2024, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. We look forward to seeing you there.
Student Placement
A great deal of time, effort, and thought has gone into the process of student placement for the 2024-2025 school year. Careful consideration was given from staff and families as well as student’s learning styles. Classrooms have been balanced academically and socially. Our class lists are structured to provide equitable class sizes at each grade level. Moving students is difficult without causing imbalances and inequities. Thank you so much for being positive with your child and helping him or her understand that it is impossible to place all students with a preferred best friend or teacher. Our staff works hard to make school a positive experience for ALL students. Westfall Elementary is eagerly looking forward to enriching your child’s life. Thank you for understanding that it can take a few weeks for a child to acclimate to a new grade, peer group, and teacher.
Student Code of Conduct
All students will receive an electronic copy of the student handbook through Final Forms. The handbook includes all rules, including attendance, dress code, and discipline procedures.
Attendance
All absences must be reported to the office by calling 740-986-4008. If you do not reach the office personnel, please leave a message with your child’s name and reason for the absence.
Transportation
If you have questions or special requests for transportation, you MUST contact our transportation department director, Becky Shaw, in advance. Bus notes or telephone calls regarding transportation changes will NOT be accepted in the school offices.
Food Service
Applications are available through the Free & Reduced Meal Application, effective August 1, 2024. Eligibility for free and reduced-price lunches is based on federal income guidelines or participation in programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Ohio Works First. We encourage ALL families to complete the quick and easy Free/Reduced Meal Application by August 13, 2024, to ensure qualified students are in the system prior to the start of school.
Medication
If your child has prescribed medication that must be administered during school hours, please contact the school nurse for proper documentation. If your child requires over-the-counter medication, it can be administered at school if necessary. However, it must be in the original container, have the student’s name marked on the container, and be accompanied by a note outlining administration instructions. All medicines (prescribed or over-the-counter) must be dropped off to the school nurse by a parent or guardian.
In closing, thank you to all who are helping prepare for the new school year. Your commitment to ensuring that Westfall Elementary remains a celebrated and successful school is awe-inspiring. We eagerly look forward to greeting students and families again. It is our honor and privilege to serve our Westfall community. Please stop by and say hello. Together, we will make this school year one of growth and achievement for all children.
Sincerely,
Amanda Patterson
Principal, Westfall Elementary School