Letter from the Principal

Welcome to September, Mustang Families!

We are thrilled to welcome your child to WES on Monday (or Tuesday for our PreK and K students). Open house was busy and filled with many happy families.

To help your family prepare for a smooth and successful start, this newsletter contains essential back-to-school information and key updates. It’s never too early to start easing back into our daily school-year habits!

How We Stay Connected:

• Monthly Newsletter: On or before the 1st of each month (typically the preceding Sunday morning), I will send out an updated Smore newsletter.

• Weekly Updates: Every Sunday, I will send a quick email containing important weekly updates along with a link to our Smore newsletter. Please ensure my email address is added to your contacts so you don't miss these messages.

• Teacher Communications: Your child’s classroom teacher will also send weekly updates via email.

We are thrilled to partner with you and your child for a fantastic school year ahead!

Respectfully,

Mrs. LeSieur- Principal

Mr. Stinson- Assistant Principal

Please remember to call the office when your child is absent. If this is not done it gets recorded as unexcused. When a child has 5 consecutive days unexcused or 7 non-consecutive unexcused absences, we are mandated to report the student to the state as truant. When planning a vacation, you must fill out the planned absence form 3 days before the absences. The form is located in our student handbook, on the WES website, and linked above.

"Kindness means being nice to others with your words and actions. A little kindness can make someone’s day better!"

"When you help a friend or share with someone, that’s being kind. It shows you care about them."

"Kindness is like sunshine—when you spread it, it makes everyone feel warm and happy!"

"Being kind is treating others the way you want to be treated, with respect, love, and patience."

Please make sure you review the family handbook.

All new and returning families at Waterboro Elementary can access health related information at the RSU 57 website Health Forms and Information. There is annual paperwork that must be reviewed from pre k - 5th grade. Please contact your school nurse with any questions.

The first day of school is an exciting time filled with many emotions for students and families alike. To help morning drop-off go smoothly, please follow these simple guidelines:

• Car Drop-Off Loop: Please pull into the drop-off loop. Once your vehicle reaches the peninsula area, our staff will open the door and help your child safely out of the car and into the building.

• First-Day Photos: If you would like to take a photo, please park in a designated spot, walk with your child to the main entrance for your picture, and say your goodbyes there.

• Building Entry: To encourage independence and ease the transition, we ask that parents and family members remain outside the building. Our staff will be right there to guide and comfort your child if they are feeling nervous—they will be in good hands!

• If your child is unsure where their classroom is, we will have staff positioned outside to assist in the transition.

• Entrance & Lane Setup: All vehicles must enter through the large parking lot at the main WES school sign. To prevent traffic from backing up onto Route 5, please fill all 3 available lanes.

• Merging into the Loop: As you approach the shed/greenhouse entrance, alternate cars evenly from Lanes 1, 2, and 3 to merge into the drop-off loop.

• Loading & Unloading: Students will load into vehicles only after your vehicle passes the gate/building.

  • Students must watch for their vehicle, notify a staff member on duty, and only approach a vehicle when accompanied by an adult.

  • Adults must remain inside their vehicles at all times while in the pick-up/drop-off lane to keep traffic moving efficiently.

• Buckling Assistance: With over 500 students dismissing, if your child needs help with their seatbelt, please pull into a designated parking spot to assist them.

• Dismissal Card- if you have your orange dismissal card, which has your child's first name and teacher name, please use this at dismissal on day 1. It helps us with our end of day routine. If you did not get one and you will be picking up regularly, please fill out the form linked below.

If you have questions regarding your child's bus, please reach out to transportation:

We are excited for a great school year transporting the students of RSU 57. If at any time you have any questions, comments or concerns please feel free to e-mail or call us at the Transportation Department 207-247-6181, opt 2 or transportation@rsu57.org

If you haven't downloaded the BusRight app, please do so. This app is really helpful to get your child's bus information as well as tracking where the bus is.

Please note that the first few weeks/month of school, the bus may be running a little behind schedule as our drivers learn their route, students, and allow families to take first day photos. Please be patient with us.

If there are any changes to your child's dismissal plan, please call the school ASAP- 247-6126.

1. Gradually Shift Sleep Schedules

• Shift Bedtimes Early: Move bedtime and wake-up times back by 10 to 15 minutes every few days until your child is on their school-year schedule.

• Screen Cut-Off: Turn off screens at least an hour before bed to help rebuild natural melatonin cycles and improve sleep quality.

2. Re-establish Daily Routines

• Practice "Dry Runs": Rehearse the morning routine a few times (waking up, brushing teeth, getting dressed, and eating breakfast) to see how much time everyone actually needs without first-day pressure.

• Visual Routine Charts: Create a simple morning and evening visual checklist for younger children so they can see their responsibilities (e.g., shoes on, backpack loaded).

3. Practice Independence Skills

• Lunchbox Practice: Have your child practice opening their own lunchboxes, thermos containers, snack wrappers, and juice boxes so they feel confident during cafeteria time.

• Self-Care Habits: Reinforce independent shoe-tying, jacket zipping, and handwashing.

4. Ease Emotional Transition & Anxiety

• Talk Openly About Feelings: Ask what they are excited about and what might be making them nervous. Validate their emotions and share positive memories of your own school years.

• Visit the School / Playground: Take a walk or drive to the school, play on the playground, or attend open house events to familiarize them with the building and commute.

• Read Books About Starting School: Read picture books about starting a new grade to spark conversation and normalize first-day jitters.

5. Organize Supplies & Spaces

• Label Everything: Work together to label backpacks, water bottles, lunchboxes, and jackets.

• Set Up a Homework / Quiet Corner: Designate a quiet, well-lit space stocked with basic supplies where your child can focus on reading or homework.

• Involve Them in Planning: Let your child choose their backpack, outfit, or lunch items to build excitement and agency.

As we kick off September, we want to highlight how important regular attendance is for your child's success. Every day in the classroom counts.

Why Attendance Matters

• Building Routines: Coming to school on time every day helps children feel secure and prepared.
• Keeping Up: Missing a few days here and there can make it hard to catch up on lessons and friendships.
• Lifelong Success: Good attendance habits started now turn into strong habits for the future.

Tips for a Great Start

• Set a Consistent Bedtime: A rested child wakes up easier and has more energy to learn.
• Prepare the Night Before: Lay out clothes and pack backpacks before bed to reduce morning stress.
• Plan Ahead for Appointments: Try to schedule medical and dental appointments outside of school hours when possible.
• Stay Home When Truly Sick: If your child has a fever, vomiting, or contagious symptoms, please keep them home to rest and protect others. When they feel better, bring them right back!

Please reach out if you need support with transportation, routines, or anything else to help your child get to school each day. We are partners in your child's education.

September is a month of new beginnings—new classrooms, new teachers, new friends, and new routines. One of the best ways we can help students have a strong year is by helping them attend school regularly.

Being at school each day gives students more opportunities to:

• learn and practice new skills,

• build relationships with teachers and classmates,

• participate in activities and experiences, and

• feel connected to their school community.

We know that getting to school every day is not always easy. Illness, transportation, family responsibilities, anxiety, and many other challenges can affect attendance.

If your child is having a hard time getting to school regularly, please reach out. We want to understand what is getting in the way and work with your family to find solutions.

As we begin the year, let's work together to help every student feel that they belong, that they matter, and that their presence makes a difference.

Every student. Every day. Everyone counts.

Thank you for partnering with us for a strong start to the school year!

If you are a family whose child will never ride the bus and will be picking up your child(ren) at the end of each school day, please complete the form below. Dismissal cards (2 copies) will be created and sent home on the first day of school. If additional cards are needed please contact our main office. Also, please come prepared with a driver's license or alternate identification in case it is needed. If you have more than one child with us, please submit separate forms.

If you are interested in volunteering during the 26/27 school year, the volunteer application forms need to be filled out each school year. It is recommended that you fill out the forms and return to the office ASAP so we can process the application. Oftentimes, teachers will contact family members that have already gone through the approval process when they are looking for classroom volunteers or adults to chaperone field trips. Don't miss the opportunity to help in your child's classroom. Fill these out and return them to the main office for processing.

Small choices can add up to something big! In October, purchase a $2.50 reusable Community Bag at the Waterboro Hannaford location, and $1 will go to our organization while also helping to reduce plastic waste: (20 Sokokis Trail, East Waterboro).

One simple purchase with double benefits.

Click on the green button below to access the link to view the school calendar.

Info will be forthcoming with important PTO events.

Do you want to join the PTO, reach out to wespto@rsu57.org.

August 31: First Student Day Gr. 1-5

August 31: PreK/K Meet and Greet with teacher (by appointment)

September 1: 1st day for PK/K

September 4 No School

September 7: No School, Labor Day

September 9: Early Release Day, Staff Meeting

September 23: Early Release Day, Staff Meeting

November 4: Picture Day, retakes are December 9th (The entire district is using Life Touch this year)

November 12 & 19: Parent Teacher Conferences, schedule by appointment with classroom teacher

Will be added once ready for the upcoming year.

Email: kerrilesieur@rsu57.org
Website: https://waterboro.rsu57.org/
Location: 340 Sokokis Trail, East Waterboro, ME, USA
Phone: 207-247-6126