Wildcat Weekly

Read. Run. Relax. Repeat!

It has been about a month since the last day of school and I hope everyone is having fun while managing to keep learning alive! Listed below is information related to a new resource for free access to audio and e-book options purchased for us by the school district.

With all that is going on right now, I can appreciate that the uncertainty surrounding the opening of school may weigh heavily on your mind. I encourage you to stay positive and enjoy the summer while staying abreast of the work being done by the task force. No definite decisions have been made given the ever-changing guidance being provided. There is a lot of work happening behind the scenes for different scenarios in order to be ready to move forward once the plan is finalized.

In addition to one internal teacher move with Mrs. Wethey moving to Kindergarten, Mr. Barry's transfer to a secondary position in the Tech Ed Department, and Mrs. Melanson's promotion to the Instructional Technology Coordinator, the following staff changes have been Board approved:

Amanda Sesher - Grade 3 (she was a long-term substitute last year)
Maddie Conte - Grade 1
Taya Kobrynich - Grade 4
Liz Griffin - Art

There are a few additional positions that are pending Board approval at the next meeting later this month. We are excited to welcome these professionals to our team and know they will do a great job!

Return of Borrowed iPads

If you borrowed a district iPad during our remote learning at the end of the year, you will get an email soon requesting the return of the device to school. Our Technology Department needs time to prepare them for the upcoming school year. Please be sure to include the power cord when you bring it to school!

Transportation Survey Closes 7/17

Click Here if You Can Opt Out!

As part of the district reopening plans, the WCASD Transportation Dept. is trying to determine how many can provide their own transportation to school. The more who can help in this way, the easier it will be to meet physical distancing guidelines.

MackinVIA for Audio & E-book Options!

A Note from Ms. Finegan

Hello Families,

I have wonderful news! Our new MackinVia e-book/audio book platform is now up and running. There are two ways to get into the system.

Option 1: You can access by following the link https://wcasd.mackinvia.com. The link will take you to our WCASD federated login screen where students need to enter their username and password as follows:

Sample Student: John Smith

Make sure to type WCASD\ before student username.

Option 2: You can go through the main website at: https://www.mackinvia.com/

Type: WesttownThornbury Elementary where it asks for School/Library name. Next, enter your username and password.

Important Details:

Students are able to checkout two e-books/audiobooks at a time.
Checkouts have a one week time span with three renewals, if needed.
Items will be checked back in automatically.

Have lots of fun exploring and reading!!!

Ms. Finegan

P.S. Check out our new WTE Library Summer Website

Sail into Summer

Need some ideas to combat the "summer slide" and keep learning alive this summer? Check out the Sail into Summer website!

WCASD Summer Reading & Math Information

Don't forget that you can also find the summer Reading information and Math resources from the District on our school website!

Looking Forward to 2020-21

The WTE Equity Team has done a considerable amount of work in the area of equity the last several years, especially with regard to professional learning for staff and enhanced instructional experiences with students. In addition to being motivated by the Black Lives Matter movement and the reality of current events around us, we wanted this year's school theme to inspire and extend our efforts further in order to showcase our commitment to equity.

2020-21 SCHOOL CALENDAR

School Supply Information

2020-21 School Supply List by Grade Level

While you may want to wait until we know more about the start of school, we wanted to provide the supply list information as well as the link to the PTO sponsored program.

Click Here to Order from School Tool Box

Have you registered your student?

Do You Have a New Student Starting in Fall 2020?

Click the button to do the online registration! After you do this part, please call Mrs. Patterson (484-266-1802) to schedule an appointment to complete the process. It is critical that you register ASAP so that we can properly staff our building.

Volunteer Clearances

If you have clearances on file in the office please note that they expire 5 years from the date that you requested them. If one of the 3 clearances have expired, or is going to expire prior to January 1, 2021, you will need to re-apply for all 3. If you are unsure of the date on your clearances or have any questions, please email Kelly at kpatterson1@wcasd.net. All expired clearances will be shredded unless you request to have them returned to you.

Here is the link that explains who is required to have clearances as well as how to renew or apply.

https://www.wcasd.net/Domain/1039

ATTENTION: Parents of New Students & Rising 3rd Graders

Please remember that dental and physical examinations as well as immunizations are required upon original entry into school and an additional dental exam is required going into 3rd grade. By state law, evidence of completed immunizations must be provided to the school nurse by the 5th day of the new school year. All dental and physical exams must be forwarded to the school nurse, Jeanne Latimer, by October 29th, 2020. These reports are required by state law and WCASD School Board policy. If we do not receive the reports within the identified timeframe, your child will be excluded from school. If you have any questions, please call our Nurses Office at 484-266-1806. Thank you!

Helpful Resources

Spanish Language Phone Line

Si usted prefiere comunicarse en español por favor llame al 484-266-1690 para contactarse con personal escolar.

(If you prefer to speak to a Spanish speaking operator, please call 484-266-1690 to connect with school personnel.)

@WTE750

You do not need a Twitter account to see our tweets!!

Westtown-Thornbury Website

WCASD K-5 Extensions Website

As part of our Homework Policy Committee work, the District created this website to provide parents with ideas to extend learning beyond the classroom and in their child's high-interest areas.

Wildcat Weekly