Greetings Wildcat Families!
We have completed our first week of what I anticipate will be another exciting year for our Wildcats! I am certain your child arrived home tired after returning to a school schedule and routine. We do not take for granted your choice to be part of the Woodland Elementary School community. We are extremely proud to serve your family and look forward to partnering with you to support your child's academic, social-emotional, and behavioral growth.
Our first week was filled with smiles, new routines, safety drills, friendships, learning, and even a few tears. Our students are entering the building confidently and adjusting well to school expectations. It is not uncommon for some of our younger students to experience those first-day emotions again on Monday morning as they realize it is time to do it all over again! We will be excited to welcome them back and help them transition smoothly to their classrooms.
If you are looking for an opportunity to connect with other Woodland families, please join the Friends of Woodland PTO for Popsicles on the Playground!
Date: August 15, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Woodland Playground (enter through Door 3 and follow the signs)
We look forward to seeing you there!
ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL
Some families may have experienced afternoon bus delays due to traffic as buses transport students. This is not uncommon during the first few weeks of school as drivers and the Transportation Department fine-tune routes and schedules. If you are waiting in the morning or afternoon carpool line, please allow buses to enter and exit campus without obstruction.
Our buses transport students to elementary, middle, and high schools. Delays at one school level can create delays throughout the district, affecting student arrival times and afternoon transportation schedules. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and patience.
For families using afternoon carpool pickup, please take time to help your child learn their assigned carpool number. As staff become more familiar with vehicles and student numbers, the dismissal process will become more efficient.
Additionally, during both arrival and dismissal, students should be prepared to enter and exit vehicles from the passenger side. Afternoon loading will also occur from the passenger side to help ensure the safety of students, staff, and families.
Please Keep the Following in Mind:
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If your student is a car rider, please remain in your vehicle during dismissal. For the safety of all students and staff, exiting your vehicle to meet your child slows the dismissal process and creates additional safety concerns.
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Our school day begins at 7:40 a.m. and ends at 2:20 p.m. Students may begin arriving and enter the building at 7:10 a.m. Staff members are not on duty to supervise students prior to 7:10 a.m.
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Students should be in their classrooms by 7:40 a.m. Once instruction begins, families will be asked to say goodbye in the front lobby and complete the Late Arrival Form when checking in a student. Establishing a consistent and timely morning routine helps set students up for success.
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If your child rides the school bus, please arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes before the scheduled pickup time. Bus route information can be found at: https://www.fultonschools.org/transportation
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Families may wish to consider school bus transportation for both morning arrival and afternoon dismissal. Students arriving by bus will not be marked tardy as long as they arrive with their assigned route.
BEGINNING-OF-YEAR ASSESSMENTS
Beginning next week, students will participate in our i-Ready Beginning-of-Year Diagnostic Assessments in reading and mathematics, as well as the Amira Reading Screener. These assessments provide valuable information about each student's current academic strengths and areas for growth, allowing teachers to personalize instruction and set meaningful learning goals for the school year.
We encourage students to do their very best and remind families that these assessments are not graded. The results help us ensure every child receives the support and challenge they need to be successful. Please help your child arrive at school on time each day, well-rested, and ready to learn as we complete these important beginning-of-year assessments.
Parents can expect to receive additional information regarding assessment results and how the data will be used to support their child's learning throughout the school year.
STAYING CONNECTED
Parents are encouraged to connect with their child's teacher through ClassDojo for important classroom updates, announcements, and direct communication. ClassDojo is one of the best ways to stay informed about classroom activities and ensure timely communication between home and school. If you have not yet connected with your child's teacher on ClassDojo, please do so as soon as possible.
Again, thank you for partnering with us to make this a successful school year. Please stay connected through our:
Sincerely,
Dr. Marcquez Haley - Principal
