Dear Washington Families,
Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! As we embark on this exciting journey together, I am filled with enthusiasm and optimism for the year ahead. I look forward to building relationships with all of you, our students, and their families to foster a positive school community where we all can grow. I hope that you had a restful and enjoyable summer and that your children are recharged and ready to return to school. As we prepare to embark on this new academic journey, I am thrilled to share our theme for this year: "Belonging." As a district, a strong sense of belonging is foundational to our students' success and well-being. When students feel part of a supportive and inclusive community, they are more likely to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. This year, we are dedicated to fostering an environment where every student feels valued, respected, and connected.
Our dedicated staff has been working diligently over the summer to prepare for another exceptional year of learning and growth. At Washington Elementary, we are committed to providing a nurturing and stimulating environment where every student can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Here are a few important updates and reminders as we begin the new school year:
1. New Staff Members: We are thrilled to welcome two new members to our team this year. Emily Rico will be joining the second-grade team. Emily has been an exemplary teacher at Grant Elementary and we are thrilled to have her. Tyler Elliot is our new fifth-grade teacher, coming to us from the Bay Area. Each brings a wealth of experience and a passion for education, and we are excited to have them join our school community. Katie Devlin will be joining Washington as an educational specialist. She is joining our team from Eureka High School. We will also have Rachel Smith as an educational specialist at half-time. We have an in-person speech pathologist Sarah Clark. The new social worker is Jennifer Oliphant.
2. School Safety and Health Protocols: The health and safety of our students and staff remain our top priority. We will continue to follow guidelines from health authorities to ensure a safe learning environment. Attending school regularly helps children establish a routine and develop good habits. Punctuality, responsibility, and time management are skills that will benefit them throughout their lives. Learning the importance of regular attendance at a young age sets the stage for a strong work ethic in the future.
3. Curriculum Enhancements: This year, we are continuing our adoption of our language arts curriculum. We saw incredible growth in our overall reading scores. This will continue to be an area of focus for Washington. Students can access Boost (reading program) and IXL (math program) at home through a computer. We are committed to integrating Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) into our curriculum, to help students develop the skills they need to build positive relationships and manage their emotions. Through SEL lessons, students will learn about empathy, kindness, and respect, which are essential for creating a supportive school community.
4. Parent Involvement: We strongly believe that parent involvement is crucial to student success. Studies have shown that parent engagement in schools can promote positive education and health behaviors among children and adolescents. We encourage you to participate in our Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) and volunteer for school events. Your students will love to have you there! Your engagement and support make a significant difference in our school community.
5. Important Dates: Please mark your calendars for these upcoming events:
- Popsicle posting: August 16th, 2:30-3:30pm
- First Day of School: August 19th, 2024 - School starts at 8:10 am
- Back-to-School Night: September 4th, 6:00-7:00pm
- Empathy Interviews: September 17th - September 20th, **12:55 DISMISSALS**
Detailed information about these events and more can be found in the monthly newsletters.
6. Communication: We strive to maintain open and transparent communication with our families. Please ensure that your contact information is up to date, and if you haven’t already, make sure you sign up for a PowerSchool account. If you need help or information regarding PowerSchool, please contact our secretary, Kristen in the office at 707-441-2547. Additionally, please join your classroom Remind account. This will let you communicate directly with your student’s teacher, and with me, through the Remind app.
We are honored to partner with you in your child’s education and are committed to making this school year a successful and memorable one. Thank you for entrusting us with your child's education. Together, we will achieve great things.
Warmest regards,
Teri Silvers, Principal, Washington Elementary School