Tiger Talk: 1st Day Reminders!

As we gear up for an exciting new school year, here is a quick snapshot of important back-to-school dates. Additional details for these events can be found throughout this newsletter.

8/12: 1st Day of School!

8/12: Principal's Coffee at 7:50 am

8/12: Spirit Night @ Dumont Creamery 3 - 9 pm

8/18: Tulley's Taco Tuesday @ Angel's Icehouse 5 - 8 pm

8/27: Tigers' Backyard Bash 5 - 8 pm

9/8: Curriculum Night

Drop off on Day 1: All parents can walk their students into class on the 1st day of school. Only Pre-K, ECSE, and Kinder can continue doing this on Thursday and Friday.

Default Dismissal Choice in SMART Tag: Please update your default dismissal for your student in SMART Tag. Your options are:

• Bus Rider
• Unescorted Walker
• Escorted Walker
• Biker
• Extended Care
• Enrichment
• Car Rider
• Pre-K (for Pre-K students and older siblings of Pre-K students)

Pre-K Drop Off & Pick Up: When arriving for Pre-K drop-off, please park in the designated Pre-K parking lot off Verbena Parkway. Signage will direct you to the lot and to the appropriate door, where a Pre-K staff member will greet your student.

For Pre-K dismissal, park in the same lot off Verbena Parkway and bring your car tag to the door. We will match your car tag to the tag on your child's backpack, which we will provide on the first day of school. In the SmartTag system, please select "PRE-K" as your student's dismissal option unless they are enrolled in extended care. If an older sibling will be picked up with your Pre-K student, also select "PRE-K" as their dismissal in SmartTag.

Please bring your patience and a smile for dismissal the first week (especially tomorrow)! It takes significantly longer than it will normally once we become efficient as a school community!

Kinder-2nd Grade: Students (and any siblings) should be dropped off in the back car rider loop off Verbena Parkway.

3rd-5th Grade: Students should be dropped off in the front car rider loop on Cypress Ranch Boulevard.

• Have your child ready to exit the vehicle before entering the car rider line (backpack on and belongings in hand).

• Pull all the way forward and allow your child to exit wherever staff direct you along the sidewalk. There is no need to wait until you reach the front entrance.

• Please remain in your vehicle. Our staff will assist students with exiting the car, including unbuckling seat belts and helping with booster seats or car seats if needed.

• Allow extra travel time each morning, especially on rainy days.

• All car riders must be dropped off in the designated car rider lane.

• Never allow your child to exit the vehicle and walk between parked cars or across the parking lot.

• Both car rider loops are one-way at all times.

• If possible, consider carpooling and arriving a few minutes early to help reduce traffic congestion.

General Dismissal Reminders

• Please plan ahead when checking out your student early for an appointment. Parents picking up students during the day will need to sign out the student through the Receptionist. Students are called from class once the parent arrives.

• Please remember that school zones are cell phone-free zones.

Bus Riders

• Students can only ride their assigned bus to and from school. Students will be escorted to the cafeteria at dismissal. A teacher/adult assigned to your child’s bus will escort them to the bus.

Car Riders

• Enter the front circular drive and ensure your numbered car tag is hanging from your rear view mirror.

• Please remain in your vehicle at all times. Our staff will assist your child(ren) with getting in and safely buckled if need be.

• Your car will be loaded once you arrive at the loading zone.

• Please pull forward to the next available loading zone. We will move your child to that area if need be.

Walkers

• Parents who walk or ride their bike to campus to pick up their children may meet them outside the fourth grade neighborhood. (lower level side of building facing Sabino). Please have your car/walker tag number with you so that we can quickly match the student backpack number to the tag. There is NO PARKING on Sabino Drive.

• Crossing guards are stationed at the corner of Sabino Drive and Cypress Ranch Boulevard.

• Please do not ask children to cross the street without an adult.

Bike Riders

• Students will be escorted to their bikes and down the front sidewalk to Sabino and Cypress Ranch Blvd.

Extended Care

• Students will be escorted to the cafeteria and check in for extended care each day. When picking up your child from extended care, please come into the front office with your photo ID. Students will only leave through the front office after being checked out by an approved adult.

Pre-K

• Parents will park in the back parking lot off Verbena Parkway. This is the same location where you park for morning drop off. You will walk to the door that leads to the kindergarten hallway. This is the same location you dropped off in the morning. A Pre-K staff member will be there with the students. In order for a student to be released, you will need your assigned Car Tag and/or photo ID in hand that matches the name of your child.

• In the event you do not have your car tag or a photo ID that matches your child’s name, please proceed to the front office and we can access Skyward for approved pick ups. We will meet you there with your child.

• Older siblings will go to the Kinder door to be dismissed with their Pre-K sibling.

Daycare Bus Riders

• Students participating in after school care off campus through the daycare/after school providers, they will be escorted to the daycare bus at dismissal time.

WCHE uses SMART Tag to safely manage student dismissal and transportation. You can access SMART Tag from your smartphone, tablet, or computer.

We use the information in SMART Tag to determine how your child will go home each day. Please do not email, call, or text your child's teacher or the front office with dismissal changes. Instead, update your child's information directly in SMART Tag.

For student safety, early dismissals are not permitted between 2:30 and 3:00 p.m.

SMART Tag allows you to:

• Report absences

• Schedule early dismissals

• Report late arrivals

• Add after-school activities

• Make transportation changes until 2:00 p.m.

Transportation Changes

• Enter changes in SMART Tag by 2:00 p.m. on the day of the change.

• Look for a confirmation email. If you don't receive one, call the front office at 512-533-7500.

• Transportation changes cannot be accepted after 2:00 p.m.

• To help ensure a safe and efficient dismissal, please keep your child's transportation routine as consistent as possible.

Whenever possible, siblings should use the same dismissal method. Older siblings should check in with younger siblings after dismissal. If a sibling cannot find the other, they should notify a staff member immediately.

Join us for an afternoon of fun, laughter, and friendly competition at The Cozy Game Corner! Students will explore a variety of kid-friendly board games, card games, strategy games, and cooperative challenges. From classic favorites to exciting new games, students will practice teamwork, problem-solving, critical thinking, sportsmanship, and social skills while having a great time with friends.

Whether your child loves to strategize, solve puzzles, or simply enjoy game time with others, there’s a seat at the table for everyone in The Cozy Game Corner! No prior experience needed—just bring your enthusiasm and get ready to play!

Once Upon a Club is a fun and engaging opportunity for 1st and 2nd grade students to grow their love of reading! During each session, students will listen to or read Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman. Students will participate in discussions and activities about the story and complete a creative craft connected to the book’s theme, characters, or setting. Throughout the 8-week club, students will also enjoy a special themed snack during each meeting and will get to keep a copy of the book. Once Upon a Club encourages imagination, comprehension, creativity, and teamwork while making reading exciting and meaningful for young learners.

Website: wche.ltisdschools.org

Location: 6112 Cypress Ranch Boulevard, Spicewood, TX 78669

Phone: 512-533-7500

Facebook: West Cypress Hills Elementary School

Instagram: @wchetigers