Woodbridge News

Awesome job, Woodbridge! We met our fundraising goal and have several classes that earned pizza parties! We can’t wait to celebrate with the students during Bonanza Day!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

WE NEED YOUR HELP to run inflatables and stations for Bonanza Day. If we are unable to get volunteers, then we will not be able to have our reward day. The kids look forward to Bonanza Day so please consider volunteering so we can make this happen! You can sign-up to help with Young Fives through Third Grade in the morning, Fourth and Fifth Grade in the afternoon or stay the whole day! Volunteers are able to stay to watch the slime assembly as well. We have two slots to choose from:

• Bonanza Day: Oct. 13 | 8:45–11:45 a.m. or 12:30–2:45 p.m. | Sign-Up to Volunteer

Beginning the week of October 5th, students at Woodbridge will be taking the NWEA MAP assessment. Please take a moment to read This Letter to better understand how this provides a clearer picture of student learning and growth.

We began our biking unit in PE this week for our students in 3rd - 5th grade. The unit will last until Thursday, October 29.

Students are highly encouraged to bring in their own bike helmet if they own one. However there is no need to purchase one, as we have plenty available to borrow. Students are welcome to bring their own bike to school and park them in the bike racks located at the SW corner of our school property.

We do have plenty of bikes available to borrow.

Did you miss having your child's picture taken at Back-to-School night? Picture make-up day next Thursday, October 15th. Send your child with their biggest smile. Even if you do not plan to order pictures, your child’s picture will still be taken for school records.

If you wish to have your child’s picture retaken, they must come to school with their original picture packet sent home in September. If they do not have that packet, we will not have them re-take their picture.

Our Annual Fall Book Fair is scheduled for the week of Oct 19th. Your student will have the opportunity to visit the book fair and make purchases during their Media Maker special. You may send money on that day, or you may pre-purchase a gift certificate here- https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/woodbridgeelementaryschool3

Your student's teacher should communicate with you what day and time that will be.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

WE NEED YOUR HELP to run inflatables and stations for Bonanza Day. If we are unable to get volunteers, then we will not be able to have our reward day. The kids look forward to Bonanza Day so please consider volunteering so we can make this happen! You can sign-up to help with Young Fives through Third Grade in the morning, Fourth and Fifth Grade in the afternoon or stay the whole day! Volunteers are able to stay to watch the slime assembly as well. We have two slots to choose from:

• Bonanza Day: Oct. 13 | 8:45–11:45 a.m. or 12:30–2:45 p.m. | Sign-Up to Volunteer

BOOK FAIR

Our fall book fair will be held on October 20, 21, and 22 and we are looking for a few volunteers to help make it a success. Only one volunteer is needed per time slot and you will have help from Mr. McCarty. Volunteers will assist with running the cash register, tidying up, and restocking between class visits. If you would like to sign up during a time when your child’s class will be attending but aren’t sure of their schedule, feel free to email us and we will be happy to help. Sign-up to volunteer

STAY CONNECTED

Visit our website and Facebook for updates, volunteer opportunities, and the PTO calendar.

Questions? Email the PTO at pto.woodbridge@gmail.com.

October 9

Half Day of School - 11:55am Dismissal

October 13

Bonanza Day (If we reach our Fundraising Goal!)

October 15

Picture Retake Day

October 19-22

Book Fair

October 22

Popcorn Day - sponsored by Zero Gravity Ministries

October 29

Half Day of School - 11:55am Dismissal

October 30

No School for students

Nov 2 & 4

Parent/Teacher Conferences, 4-6:30pm

Regular School Day

Nov 5

Half Day - 11:55am Dismissal

Parent/Teacher Conferences, 1-7

Nov 6

No School

Nov 19

Popcorn Day - sponsored by Zero Gravity Ministries

Nov 25-27

No School - Thanksgiving Break

Dec 11

Half Day of School - 11:55am Dismissal

Dec 21-Jan 1

Christmas Break

Zero Gravity provides an after school program for Woodbridge students (3rd - 5th grade) on Wednesdays. If you were planning for your student to attend, please go here for information and to sign up.

Zero Gravity generously provides free, fresh popped, popcorn for all students throughout the school year.

Dear Parent/Guardian,

We would like to offer your student the opportunity to participate in a program called "Hand2Hand". This program helps provide a student with food for the weekends and is intended for families who currently may be experiencing a financial burden.

Here's how it works: At the end of each week, students who are signed up for Hand2Hand will receive a minimum of 10 food items in a bag. These food items will be a combination of breakfast, snacks, and lunch or dinner items. There is no cost to participate! If you sign your student up to receive Hand2Hand, they will continue to receive the weekend bag of food each week throughout the school year. Bags will be discreetly delivered to your child at school.

If you feel like your child would benefit from this opportunity, please complete this form. (You will need to complete one form for each of your children.) If there comes a point when you no longer need the assistance, alert your school office. It will take at least two weeks to receive your first bag. If you do not receive a bag, please contact your school office.

(Please note: if your student or another family member has food allergies, it will be the responsibility of the parent/guardian to check the contents of the bag each week to ensure the food doesn't contain ingredients which could cause an allergic reaction).

We are looking for volunteers to help our friends from Zero Gravity to pop popcorn for our students. We have popcorn days 6 or so times a year and volunteers are needed from 8-9:30am.

Please use this link to sign up.

Thank you!

Absences

If your child is not going to be in school, please call the attendance line (616-748-3410). Be sure to clearly speak your child’s name, grade, teacher, and the reason for the absence. If your child is sick please leave a description of their symptoms. We must track every student who is not in school. This is very important for the safety of our students. Often we spend a lot of time on the phone trying to reach a parent whose child is absent.

Late Arrivals

If your child will be arriving late, please call the attendance line (616-748-3410) to let us know that they will be arriving late. If your student needs a lunch, please let us know their lunch choice (A or B or bringing from home) on the attendance line. The menu is linked in every Newsletter for your benefit. We are unable to order lunch for your child unless you request one before 9am. If we do not hear from you, we plan that you are providing lunch from home.

Did you know that Woodbridge has an online store for Chix gear? All items are custom made and produced in scheduled batches. Orders are delivered directly to the school office twice per month, on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday. Once your order arrives, a school representative will reach out with

pickup details so you know when it’s ready.

Orders are processed based on this delivery schedule, with a typical production timeline of approximately 2 weeks from the order date. If any unexpected delays come up, updates will be communicated.

Click here for our store.

This video is an oldie but goodie! We ask that you review this video to help keep our drop-off and pick-up lines moving safely and swiftly.

If you are dropping off or picking up students, please pull all the way forward. This allows for more vehicles.

Do not allow your student to exit or enter your vehicle until you are next to the sidewalk. Students should only enter or exit your vehicle from the sidewalk. If you are in the parent pick up line, please DO NOT leave your vehicle unattended or park in the pick-up line.

Please DO NOT drop off or park in the bus loop!

If your student needs help getting in and out of your vehicle, please park in the parking lot and walk them to the sidewalk.

ZPS is committed to providing a safe environment for our children to learn. This year, we will continue to use a visitor/volunteer sign-in program called Raptor. This system will help us accurately and efficiently screen all visitors and volunteers in our schools, providing us with a safer environment for our students and staff.

Below is the information regarding our new security system, including what is needed from you to complete a background check and what to look forward to when coming to volunteer in a classroom or chaperone a field trip! We are excited about the new system and the updated level of security. Please note that if you do not complete the background check form (linked below) at least 3 business days before an event at Woodbridge, you will be turned away. In addition, if you do not have your state issued ID upon arrival for the event, you will be turned away. We do not have the capacity to run emergency background checks like we have done in previous years, and the only way to sign into the system is with your state issued ID. We do not want any sad kids because mom, dad, grandma, uncle, etc. could not attend the event they were hoping to, so PLEASE fill the form out IMMEDIATELY, do not wait! Please read ALL of the information below before clicking on the background check link!

Complete the form from the link below (this will be a ONE TIME A YEAR form to fill out; no username and no password needed!). The information you enter on the application must match your government-issued identification card including your full legal name.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1pA5N5xzvUL7QweO1C_kceWP2kCrsEZaC4-jrW_PWE3s/viewform?ts=66c75165&edit_requested=true

On the day of your volunteer opportunity, you will need to bring a government-issued ID and scan it into the Raptor Visitor system prior to entry (this is EVERY TIME YOU come to volunteer).

Thank you for your willingness to support the students in our schools and help maintain a safe learning environment.

On November 11, at 9:45 AM, Zeeland Public Schools' senior classes will come together to learn more about Veterans Day and honor those who have served. We are proud to welcome staff, parents, grandparents, and other veteran family members to join us in person, and the assembly will also be livestreamed. In-person guests must register in advance. Registration Link

Z Catalyst is a local organization that exists to collect donations of unused, pre-owned or new items with a goal to reduce waste. These items are then shared with educators and used in our schools.

Please see the below picture for a list of pressing needs. Donations may be dropped off in the Z Catalyst bins in the Woodbridge lobby or at any school location.

School breakfast and lunch is free for all students. A student must take a complete meal in order for it to be free. Any student taking just a milk will be charged $0.60.

We are asking every family to complete the Education Benefits Form:

https://zeeland.familyportal.cloud/benefits/onlyapplying. Your child or family might qualify for some extra services, including reduced cost Zeeland Recreation activities or classes. Thanks for your help!

Zeeland Public Schools is committed to ensuring all students have access to nutritious meals through the School Breakfast and National School Lunch Programs.

To learn more, please visit this link - email questions to Director of Nutritional Services, Sarah Stone at sstone@zps.org

My Ride K-12 is our tracking system for ZPS busing.

Please download the My Ride K-12 app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store to stay informed about your children's transportation schedule.

You will need the unique 8-digit student number that begins your child's email account (#201...). Most students have that memorized.

The information is also available in the Parent Portal. You may contact the school or transportation office to obtain that number too.

If you have not yet signed up for busing, please know that it may take up to a month to assign a bus route to your student.

Sign up using this form for busing - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeN8yTMiCvV85JYRmy7ydKb8CpO0SD1U5it2h1CfBlVVR5FtQ/viewform

As you may be aware - ZPS, along with several surrounding school districts is experiencing a shortage of school bus drivers. Please see the graphic on the steps to become one of our drivers. We love our school drivers and appreciate the ways they care for our students as they transport them to and from school each day!

Apply for open positions HERE