Wildcat News

Principal Message

Here we go...it's gonna be a great week to be a Wildcat!!!!! I can't wait for Day #1!!!! A few final reminders:

~ The First Day of School is upon us!!! I cannot wait to see everyone's smiling faces! As a reminder, our front door opens at 7:35 for students in grades 1-5 who plan to eat breakfast. Students in grades 1-5 who do not plan to eat breakfast can play outside on the playground until the bell rings at 7:50. Kindergarten students should say goodbye to their parents outside Door #13 and can then head inside for breakfast. It's going to be a GREAT day to be a Wildcat!

~ School Pictures: Thank you to everyone who had school pictures taken on August 20th. Do not despair if you missed this--retakes are scheduled for October 2. For those of you who did have pictures taken, school pictures are ready! To order, log in to your account on mylifetouch.com or create an account using your student's student ID number. All families can also log on and order a FREE Digital SmileSafe card. More about the Smilesafe program here.

We cannot do what we do without the support we receive from each and every parent. Your partnership matters, so thank you in advance for your collaboration, teamwork, and support!

Go Wildcats!

Ann

Ann Haggerty

Washington Principal

ahagge1@isd77.org

Kindness is our theme this year...be on the lookout for any number of ways we are teaching, celebrating, and emphasizing KINDNESS!

Thank you for being such an important part of our school community. We've seen some great teamwork that led to a small increase in consistent attendance last year, and we believe that together, we can make an even bigger impact this school year.

Our main focus is on making sure every student is present and ready to learn. Regular attendance is key to your child's success, and as a school, we've set two clear goals for the 2025-26 school year:

Goal #1: Increase consistent student attendance to 92%.

Goal #2: Decrease the number of students who are chronically absent from 45 to 30 or fewer.

In simple terms, Chronically Absent means: a student missing 17 or more school days. This number is based on the federal government's standard of missing 10% or more of the school year.

The Importance of Every Day & Why it Matters

Learning is cumulative. Missing a single day of instruction can create gaps in understanding that are difficult to overcome.
Social and emotional development. Being at school helps students build friendships, learn social skills, and feel like a valued part of the school community.
Building good habits. Consistent routines, like getting to school on time, teach children responsibility and discipline—skills they will use for a lifetime.

We know that achieving these goals is a team effort, and we need your help. Here are some simple, yet powerful, ways you can support your child's attendance:

Prioritize school attendance. Schedule family trips and vacations during school breaks, not during the school year.
Schedule appointments wisely. If possible, book doctor and dentist appointments for after school hours or on non-school days. If your child must miss school for an appointment, have them return to school as soon as it's over.
Create a consistent routine. A predictable schedule for bedtime and waking up helps ensure your child is well-rested and ready to start the day on time.
Make sure they're prepared. Pack backpacks, lay out clothes, and prepare lunches the night before to reduce morning stress and delays.
Communicate with us! If your child is sick, please call the school office to let us know. We understand that some absences are unavoidable, and we want to work with you to support your child's health and learning.

Together, we can make this the best school year yet for our students. Every day your child is here, they are building a brighter future for themselves. We are so proud to partner with you and look forward to celebrating our progress throughout the year. Thank you for your commitment to our students and our school.

Unless you have a pre-arranged plan with school staff for drop-off that involves coming inside the building, please say your goodbyes to your kiddos outside of our school building. Your child can then come into the building independently and go about their day. As a parent, should you need something, please enter the building at Door #1, ring the bell and go directly into the office area. The Washington office staff will assist you with what you need.

This procedure will also apply to Kindergarten students and their caregivers. We work to build independence in our youngest learners and respectfully request that Kindergarten parents/guardians say goodbye outside of Door #13 and refrain from coming into the Kindergarten hallway. Door #13 will lock promptly at 8:00.

Students in grades 1-5 who arrive after the first bell rings at 7:50 will need to go through the office to access the school, as the interior doors at the main entrance remain locked at all times, and the staff who monitor that door begin their day promptly at 7:50. Please do your best to have your child arrive at school before 7:50. They will be marked tardy if they arrive after 8:00.

We value partnership with parents, as well as creating a safe space for students and developing independence in each child. Thank you.

Help us create a safe, distraction-free learning environment

As we settle into the school year, we wanted to send a friendly reminder about our school's cell phone and electronic device policy. We understand the desire to stay connected with your children throughout the day, especially in case of emergencies, and we truly understand that mindset. However, our primary goal is to maintain a safe, focused, and distraction-free learning environment for every student. This policy is in place to protect student privacy and ensure a positive academic atmosphere.

Our Policy on Mobile Phones and Electronic Devices: Based on ISD77 policy, all student mobile phones, smartwatches, earbuds, gizmos, and other personal electronic devices must be kept silent and out of sight during the instructional day. This means devices should be put away in a backpack or locker from the moment the school day begins until the final bell rings. We ask that parents and guardians please refrain from texting or calling your child during the school day.

We ask for your support with this policy for a few key reasons:

Privacy and Safety: Students and staff have a right to privacy. The policy strictly prohibits taking photos, videos, or recordings of other individuals without their consent. This is especially important in private areas like restrooms and locker rooms.
Focus on Learning: When devices are put away, students are better able to engage with their teachers and classmates without the constant distraction of notifications or messages. This allows for deeper learning and more meaningful interaction.
Academic Integrity: This policy helps prevent cheating and ensures that all students are completing their work honestly and independently.

We know that emergencies can happen. If you need to reach your child during the school day, please call our front office at 507-345-3059. Our staff will make sure your message is delivered to your child promptly and securely. Your partnership in upholding this policy is essential to our school community. Thank you for helping us create a safe, respectful, and productive learning environment for all of our students.

Washington is on the hunt for a Math Corps Tutor for our K-3 students. If you know of any strong candidates or volunteers who might be a great fit for Washington Math Corps, please feel free to share this link with them: https://readingandmath.org/get-involved/become-a-tutor/

This can be a great opportunity for a college student, a recent graduate, someone who may be taking a gap year, or a retired individual. It comes with all the training you need and lots of internal and external coaching to support your success. As a tutor, you’ll receive AmeriCorps member benefits like a regular stipend, extra money for college or student loans, health insurance and more. Plus, you'd have the benefit of getting to work with rockin' Washington Wildcats and amazing adults who support them!