WELCOME BACK FOR THE 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR!
We are so excited to open our doors back for students on Wednesday, September 1st (for 1st - 5th grades) and on Tuesday, September 7th for our new Kindergarten students! We have been busy this summer, preparing for the new school year, which will certainly be an improvement from our opening of West one year ago! It is so nice to get back to "normal' school, with routines, in person learning, and being able to have our West friends back in the building! I hope everyone had a chance to relax, recharge and refresh! I spent time in Maine, time on Nantasket Beach, and time with my dog, Gracie! I am excited to begin my 9th year as the Principal Of West Elementary School.
Per Governor Baker, The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and our PPS School Committee, masks are mandated to be worn for all staff, students, parents and visitors in all public schools in Massachusetts, K-12. This policy will be revisited on or around October 1st, depending on COVID numbers. We are thrilled to welcome back visitors and parents to West School this fall, but masks must be worn at all times to enter the building. Disposable masks will be provided if needed. It is a relief that we are returning to "normal school" again, but please plan to wear a mask if you would like to visit our school.
For West Elementary Bus routes and pick up locations and times, please check the PPS website for more information at:
https://www.plymouth.k12.ma.us/cms/lib/MA02202215/Centricity/Domain/3891/WES%20BUS%20ROUTES%202021-2022.pdf
Please call us at (508) 830--4350 if you need further information about your child's classroom teacher and assignment for the 2021-2022 school year. Those letters were emailed out electronically on Monday, August 23rd.
Here are some important upcoming dates - mark your calendars:
- Monday, 8/30: Welcome Back Ice Cream Social, 6:00 - 7:30 PM, West Basketball Courts
- Tuesday, 8/31: Opening Day for Teachers
- Wednesday, September 1st: Welcome Back Westies, Grades 1-5. Doors Open at 8:50.
- Thursday, September 2nd: Kindergarten Orientation (Last Names A-J 9:30 - 10:30; Last Names K-Z 10:30 - 11:30)
- Friday, September 3rd and Monday September 6th: NO SCHOOL, LABOR DAY
- Tuesday, September 7th: School Reopens. Doors Open at 8:50. First Day of Kindergarten!
- Tuesday, September 14th: West Staff Meeting 3:35, West School Council Meeting ZOOM (6:00 PM); West PTA ZOOM (7:00 PM)
- Tuesday, September 14th: West Instrument Night, Plymouth North High School, Grades 4 and 5, 6:00 PM
- Wednesday, September 15th: Early Release/Dismissal at 1:05
- Tuesday, September 21st: West Open House, K-2 Parents (Kindergarten Parents 6:00 - 6:30; First Grade Parents 6:30 - 7:00; Second Grade Parents 7:00 - 7:30).
- Wednesday, September 22nd: West Open House, 3-5 Parents (Third Grade Parents 6:00 - 6:30, Fourth Grade Parents 6:30 - 7:00, Fifth Grade Parents 7:00 - 7:30)
Our parent morning drop off will be the same from last year (parents proceed through the parking lot as they did for the 2020-2021 school year. Our doors will open at 8:50. Our parent pick up procedures in the afternoon have not changed, either - same procedures as last year. Dismissal will start at 3:20 in the gym. PHOTO ID will be required to dismiss your child.
Please notify the office in writing of your child's dismissal plan if other than the bus. Due the pandemic, no changes to bus dismissal will be allowed.
Lastly, please join me in welcoming our newly hired staff members at West for 2021-2022 (some names you will recognize, but they have changed their role at West!)
- Gary Parmenter, Grade Five Teacher
- Maureen Carey, Moderate Special Needs Teacher
- Jorie Rioux, First Grade Para Professional
- Bridget Dio, Student Activities Monitor/Para
- Jennifer Bartlett, Student Activities Monitor/Para
- Margie Dunner, CARE Program Para
- Kim Rytell, Front Office Afternoon Receptionist
- Therese Keegan, Second Grade Teacher
If you are interested in joining the West School Council for the new school year, please email me at [email protected]. We are ALWAYS in need of new parent involvement! Additionally, if you wish to become involved with our PTA, please email [email protected].
I am thrilled to see our Westies again, and I can't wait to meet our new kindergarten students for the class of 2034!
See you next week!
Mr. Williams