Welcome Back

Dear Elementary Families,

We believe every child deserves to feel safe, included, and celebrated. This is especially important when it comes to students with food allergies. For some children, exposure to even a small amount of an allergen can cause a serious or potentially life-threatening reaction. With a growing number of food allergies and dietary restrictions among our students, and with the health and wellness of our students as a priority, we are writing to share important information with you.

Our 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. This includes all homemade and store-bought food items. Our goal is to ensure that all children can participate in classroom celebrations safely and comfortably.

We understand that birthdays are special. These are exciting days for our students, and we want to continue making each child feel celebrated by his or her school family. If you would like your child to share something with classmates in honor of his or her birthday, you are welcome to send in a small non-food item instead. Some ideas might include stickers, pencils, erasers, bookmarks, bubbles, crayons, coloring pages, or other small items.

Please know that sending something in is completely optional. Our teachers and staff will continue to recognize birthdays and make these days special for our students—with or without a birthday item from home.

Thank you for your understanding and partnership as we make this change. By working together, we will ensure every student feels safe, included, and celebrated on these special days.

With appreciation and care,

Jennifer Springer, Allendale Elementary Principal

Kim McCartan, Clinton Primary Principal

Angela Ferri, Northwood Elementary Principal

Kristen Frawley, Ed.D., West Elementary Principal

Mr. Randy Gammiero, Winchester-Potters Principal

Lisa Krueger, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools

*Be Safe* Be Kind* Be Ready to Learn*

#bettertogether

August/September 2026

Dear Parents, Caregivers, and Shining Stars,

Welcome Back! On behalf of the staff at Northwood Elementary School, we are incredibly excited to welcome you and your child/children to the 2026-2027 school year. Together, we will focus on “new beginnings” as we reimagine our new 3-5 school configuration. We will prioritize coming together as a school community to ensure a smooth transition. By focusing exclusively on grades 3-5, we will be able to provide a 'bridge' between the primary years and middle school. As such, our newly reconfigured school will be designed to foster greater independence, deeper social connections, and rigorous academic exploration. Together, with your support, we will cultivate excellence and create a school environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging and is future-ready.

We will also continue to support our students through our PBIS model of instruction (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports), a schoolwide "systems approach" that aims to establish a positive student/school culture, creating a safe and effective learning environment for all students. This includes social-emotional lessons in the classroom and building-wide expectations for students and staff.

Save the Date:

Our Back-to-School Open House/Supply Drop-Off for 3-5 will take place on Monday, August 31st, from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM. During this time, you and your child may drop off supplies in the classroom, meet the teacher, and take a walk around the building. Supply lists are posted on our website. The first 200 students to arrive on campus will receive a free backpack filled with supplies! A school bus will be parked in the lot, allowing your child to practice getting on and off the bus safely.

Mark your calendars! Our first PTO event will take place on Friday, September 25, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.

Parent Portal:

The PowerSchool Parent Portal is an online portal accessible anywhere on the web. Parents/guardians can log in to view their child's information, including teacher assignments, grades, attendance, and transportation details. Teacher and busing information will be available on August 24th. Please verify your child's bus information after September 1st for accuracy. Each parent may have one account, which can include multiple children/students. You will need to know your child's PowerSchool Access ID and Password to create an account. Please contact our main office if you require assistance retrieving this information.

Breakfast/Lunch Programming:

Should a child wish to participate, we are pleased to inform you that all students at Northwood Elementary will receive a complimentary breakfast and lunch each day. Meals will be served in the cafeteria. Please call Sue Whalen, our Food Service Manager, at (716) 677-3810 if you have any questions.

Safety Protocols:

Safety and security are a top priority at Northwood Elementary School. To ensure the well-being of our students, staff, and visitors, the following protocols will be enforced:

1. You will be asked to show your ID to the outside camera and will need to state your reason for requesting entry into the building. A staff member will buzz you into the main vestibule through the first set of glass doors. At this time, please present your government-issued identification to a staff member at the sliding window. If you are dropping off your child, you will “sign in” your child at the window. After you sign in your child, they will be permitted through the second set of doors to enter the building.

2. Parents, visitors, and guardians who must enter the building will be buzzed through the second set of glass doors. Otherwise, we kindly ask that you wait patiently in the vestibule.

3. Visitors entering the building will be required to present government-issued identification, which will be processed through the Raptor Visitor Management System. Visitors will sign in and wear a visitor pass, which must remain visible at all times.

Transportation, Arrival, and Dismissal Procedures:

TRANSPORTATION:

All children are encouraged to ride the bus to and from school daily to promote independence and ease separation anxiety. Your child’s busing information can be found in the parent portal. If you have questions regarding your child's bus service, please call (716) 677-3820. Each child will receive a bus/homeroom tag from their teacher on the first day of school. They must wear this tag on their school bag daily so we can safely and efficiently dismiss them from the building. Please do not remove this tag from your child’s school bag. Please be patient with transportation services during the first two weeks of school as drivers become familiar with their routes.

ARRIVAL (grades 3-5): SEE ATTACHED LETTER AND MAP

Arrival time is from 9:05 AM to 9:15 AM. Students must be in their classrooms by 9:15 AM. Please use the designated car lane near the main entrance to drop off your child. Please remain in your car when you do so. You may not park in the fire lane. Students arriving after 9:15 AM must have a parent or guardian with them to check in with the Main Office. Your ID must be presented to the camera before entering the building.

DISMISSAL (grades 3-5): SEE ATTACHED LETTER AND MAP

Afternoon pick-up will begin at 3:25 PM. Parents/Guardians will utilize our car lane system. Car tags will be distributed at our Open House/Supply Drop-Off on August 31st from 4-6 PM. Bus Dismissal begins at 3:35 PM. Buses are called in the order in which they arrive. Notes are also required if you are allowing your child to walk home from school. All notes are kept on file in the Main Office.

Health Office and Absences:

If calling in an absence, please contact the Attendance Office at (716) 677-3642. If you have questions regarding your child’s illness or health records/forms, call Nurse Pisto at (716) 677-3644.

In partnership,

Mrs. Ferri, Principal

Mrs. Zaccagnino, Assistant Principal

Parents who wish to pick up their children regularly using the car lane system for dismissal must complete the permission form below. Please return this form to school. You may drop it off at the main office before your child’s first day of school.

Northwood Procedures:

• Each family will receive two car tags with one designated number. We understand the need for multiple drivers, so we issue two car tags per family. Please share these tags among your authorized drivers.

• Your car tag must be displayed on your dashboard.

The car lane dismissal will begin promptly at 3:25 PM. To keep traffic to a minimum, please do not arrive prior to the designated dismissal time.

Please Print:

Parent/Guardian Name: _______________________ Phone #: ___________________________

Student Name: ______________________________ Teacher: ___________________________

Student Name: ______________________________ Teacher: ___________________________

Student Name: _____________________________ Teacher: ___________________________

Additional Adults Authorized to Pick Up My Child:

___________________________ __________________________ ____________________________

(Name) (Relation to Child) (Phone Number)

___________________________ __________________________ ____________________________

(Name) (Relation to Child) (Phone Number)

___________________________ __________________________ ____________________________

(Name) (Relation to Child) (Phone Number)

___________________________ __________________________ ____________________________

(Name) (Relation to Child) (Phone Number)

My child will be picked up weekly via the car lane on the following days:

□Monday □Tuesday □Wednesday □Thursday □Friday

A change in car lane dismissal will require a note in advance.

________________ ___________

Signature Date

A picture ID is always required at dismissal.

Dear Northwood Families,

Morning Procedures

Student drop-off in the morning will occur in the designated car lane near the main entrance of the building. We are asking parents to remain in their cars throughout the entire process. Staff will be available to direct students into the building and to their classrooms. Please remember to stay in the car lane and do not go around the car in front of you.

Buses will continue to arrive and unload in the bus loop. Each child will receive a bus/homeroom tag from his/her teacher during Open House. Students must wear this tag on their school bag daily so we can safely and efficiently exit them from the building. Please do not remove this tag from your child’s school bag.

Afternoon Dismissal Procedures

• Each family will receive two car tags with one designated number for their family. We understand the need for multiple drivers to pick up, so we will issue two car tags per family. Please share your car tags as a family. Car tags will be distributed at our Open House/Supply Drop-Off on Monday, August 31st (4-6 PM).

• Your car tag must be displayed on your dashboard. You must also provide photo identification.

• If the person picking up your child does not have a car tag when they come to pick up your child(ren), they will be asked to pull out of line into a designated space in the parking lot. After the pick-up lane is cleared, staff will direct this person to the main office. We will check a government issued photo ID and will confirm this person's information in the Parent Portal.

Student pick-up will begin promptly at 3:25 PM. Please do not arrive prior to the designated pick-up time so that we can keep traffic to a minimum.

Please follow the directions of the staff members supervising your child(ren) as they walk to your vehicles. Your child will ONLY be able to get into your vehicle when you are in the “loading zone.”

The initial weeks of school will be a learning experience for all of us, and we anticipate making changes as needed. Please be considerate and patient as you enter and exit our parking lot. Thank you for your cooperation and flexibility as we navigate our return to school.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Ferri & Mrs. Zaccagnino

West Seneca Central Schools Mission

"We are an educational community that encourages kindness, inspires confidence, and instills the belief that together we can achieve anything."