WP Weekly 9/7/25

Greetings Winchester-Potters Parents and Families,

Welcome back! I hope everyone had a restful summer break and is ready to begin a new school year.

A safe learning environment is a priority at Winchester-Potters Elementary. Please review and discuss the Code of Conduct with your child(ren) as soon as you receive it. It is important that they understand the expectations and their responsibilities. (The complete edition of the Code of Conduct is available in the main office and on the district website). You can also click on the link below.

Please remember to check your child’s backpack and read and sign student agendas every night!

Thank you and kind regards,

Mr. Randall Gammiero, Principal

Ms. Nicole Ganshaw, Assistant Principal

AUGUST:

• 26th~ Kindergarten Open House 9:30-11:30

SEPTEMBER:

• 1st~ Open House 4-6 pm
• 2nd~ First day of school!
• 4th and 7th~ NO SCHOOL LABOR DAY HOLIDAY
• 11th~ Bills day (wear your Bills gear or Blue)
• 17th~ Bills day (wear your Bills gear or Blue)
• 18th~ PTA Ice Cream Social @ 5:30
• 25th~ (wear your Bills gear or Blue)

Student Arrival (Morning Drop-Off)

• Time: Drop-off and bus arrival begin at 8:30 a.m. (no earlier).

• Location: Parent drop-off takes place in the designated car lanes.

• Procedure:

• Parents should line up in the first and second rows of the parking lot.

• Once in the lane, please remain in your car throughout the entire process.

• At 8:30 a.m., staff will begin directing students into the building and to their classrooms.

• Do not block crosswalks with your vehicle.

• School buses will be lined up at the front of the building; please do not block the bus entrance or driveway.

Bus Arrival

• Buses drop off students at 8:30AM and Morning Announcements begin at 8:40AM.

• Students who arrive after 8:45AM are considered late/tardy and must be signed-in by a parent inside the Main Entrance door to receive a late pass.

Lunch and Birthdays:

• Please assist your child in selecting healthy food choices for their lunch.

• Please do not drop off restaurant food for lunch during the school day.

• Our primary & elementary schools will not allow edible treats or food items for in-school birthday celebrations to help keep celebrations safe and inclusive for all students.

Student Dismissal (Afternoon Pick-Up)

• Time: Parent pick-up begins at 2:50 p.m. (10 Minutes prior to dismissal on Half Days)

• Bus dismissal begins at 3:00 p.m.

• Important: Parents picking up children cannot enter the bus loop before 2:40 p.m.

• Requirements:

• Each family will receive two car tags with a designated number for their family. We understand the need for multiple drivers to be picking up, so we will be issuing two car tags per family. Please share your car tags as a family.

• Your car tag must be clearly displayed on the dashboard of your vehicle.

• The caregiver picking up must be listed on the student’s pick-up authorization list and carry identification.

Instruction does not end until 2:50PM and then students must prepare for dismissal. Therefore, please do not ask the main office to release students between 2:30-3:00PM.

Early Dismissals

• Notes should be sent to the classroom teacher with your child the morning of an Early Dismissal. If for some reason you have a need to Pick your child up Early and aren't able to send in a note please call the Main Office as soon as possible. 716-677-3580

• For the safety of all students, parents/guardians cannot pull into the bus loop during bus arrival and dismissal. There is no parking in the bus loop.

• When bringing students who are tardy, picking students up early or dropping something off, parents will need to bring their children into the building at the Main Entrance with Photo ID at all times.

Please do not just drop students off without coming in to sign.

• At NO TIME should a car enter the circle when buses are in the circle nor can a car pass a bus when THE LIGHTS ARE FLASHING- A fine of up to $350.00 can result.

***Please do not park in the handicapped parking spaces (unless you have a handicapped parking permit) this includes the striped areas next to the handicapped spaces (those areas are designed to provide additional space for wheelchair access) or in the reserved parking spaces along the front entrance of the building at any time. This also includes before and after school programs and events.***

Flow of Traffic:
To ensure dismissal runs smoothly and safely:

• Once entering the inner loop all traffic will form two lanes.

• Please come to a complete stop and drivers should place their vehicle park.

• Our staff members will help students locate and enter their vehicles

• If your child needs help buckling, weak that you help them as quickly as possible.

• Our staff members will help students locate their vehicle.

Vehicles will be dismissed one lane at a time once ALL students are safely in their vehicle.

• Please follow the directions of the staff members who are supervising your child(ren) walking to your vehicles.

• If you currently pick your student in the reserved space/area, you may continue to do so.

Note: Each child will receive a bus/designated number tag from their child's teacher. This tag will need to be worn on their school bag daily so our staff can safely and efficiently help students exit the building.

Please do not remove these tags from your child's school bag.

• A written excuse must be brought in to the teacher after an absence or the absence will be marked unexcused.

• Phone calls/emails to the school would be appreciated regarding tardiness or absences at 716-677-3582 or Crupert@wscschools.org prior to 9:50AM, or the automated Robocall will be sent out if we do not hear from you.

• Parents are always welcome at Winchester-Potters Elementary! For the safety of each child, visitors must have Photo ID and Approved Volunteer Form to receive a visitor’s pass before proceeding to the classroom.

• Please remember that photo ID is required for everyone entering a school building! We will be using the Raptor system again this year.

• Parents cannot wander the building to visit other classrooms, or to pick up other children of yours at any time during the school day. If you are volunteering in a classroom it is expected that you remain in that classroom until you return your visitor sticker to the Main Office to exit the building.

• Parents cannot go down to classrooms without a pass and an appointment.

• If you are bringing in instructional supplies, instruments, lunches, etc. they must be labelled with Teacher & Student name. Students will be called down to pick up their items.

• If you need to speak with a teacher, please message your child's teacher through MyPowerHub or send a note to make an appointment. Teachers will be unable to conference with parents while supervising students because it disrupts learning.

Flyers will be sent home regarding upcoming events at the school. The information is also located on our building webpage. Parents who sign up for e-mail will also receive notifications. (If you have not already done so and would like to be added to the e-mail list, please contact Mrs. Switzer in the Main Office for assistance).

If you have transportation-specific questions or concerns, you can contact the Transportation Office directly.

Transportation Department Office
3300 Seneca Street
West Seneca, NY 14224
(P) 716-677-3820
(F) 716-677-3826

Before and After School Program: All Before & After School Program parents are to walk their child in the main entrance. This includes all drop-offs between 7am and 8:30am and afternoon pick-ups after 3:30pm. Please park in an area that does not block a bus from coming in and out of the bus loop.

Follow us on Instagram! We are so excited to share our day-to-day adventures with you!

Please Note: This social media account will strictly adhere to all current photo permissions and restrictions.