SWS UPDATE Sept 9, 2026

Wed, Sept 16--School Pictures--paper order forms were sent home

Mon, Sept 21--NO SCHOOL--Yom Kippur

Please know that during the first week or so of school, drop off and dismissal are new for lots of people involved--new parents, new drivers, and new variables. Here is how you can help to make things go as smoothly as possible:

• PASSENGER SIDE: please have your student use the passenger side, so they can use the sidewalk to get in and out of your car...I know there are often little siblings in baby carriers also in the car, but having the student use the passenger side is the safest option!
• Buckling / Unbuckling: This is tricky for our youngest K students, but with practice and diligence, they can do it. If your child is working on this, let them know they can earn a nice set of WolfBucks if you let me know they are now independent with this skill! This helps to keep the line moving.
• Stay in Driver's Seat: With the two variables above, the parent staying in the car also keeps the line safe and moving. Staff are usually able to help with doors.
• Small Buses & Vans: As you have noticed, we have many small buses this year, along with a couple small vans and also parents who need to use the designated handicap parking spots during drop off and pick up. We thank you for your patience to keep EVERYONE safe. It is ok to leave some room between you and a small bus/van and to pull around them when you are able--keep it slow and keep it safe!
• Construction equipment: And, another HUGE variable is having less space to operate and big stacks of bricks all over the place. Take your time, make sure you can pull out safely and we will do our best with this changing environment.

Another school year opening in the books!

It was great to see so many of you at our K-1-2 and our 3-4-5 Back to School events this week. It is always nice to familiar faces while also meeting so many new families! We appreciate your patience with parking and all of the loveliness that comes along with a massive construction project!!

For those who were not able to attend, you should have received the information either emailed to you or brought home by your student...if you have questions about any of it, please be sure to reach out to the homeroom teacher.

Starkweather is moving back to a FLEX Library system. In this system, which we did use two years ago, Kindergarten and 1st grade will have a set day/time for Library. Grades 2-5 will have a flexible schedule for their library time in terms of class lessons or projects. For book checkout, students will have the ability to go and check out a book at most times of the day on Mon/Wed/Fri.

We will be keeping an eye on circulation numbers, lesson scheduling, etc. as we move through this fall in a flex schedule in our Library.

Reach out to me or Mrs. Gadaleto ( mgadaleto@wcasd.net ) know if you have any questions.

Starkweather continues to qualify for Title 1 Support, as we have for many years now.

The letter attached explains our T1 status, and what that means for Starkweather. As I have mentioned we are shifting from 'targeted supports' to 'schoolwide supports' and that is proving to be a bit of a moving target. More info to come on this topic, but for now, please check out the letter if you are looking for some specifics.

Every year, we have about 20% of the school that are new families to us.

This is just a reminder to NOT send in birthday treats with your child.

You can send in stickers, or pencils, or erasers, or, you do not need to send in anything : )

Thanks!

**A quick Tucker update--things are going very smoothly so far. We are in the process of determining what sorts of questions the kids have at this point (teachers have done a really nice job of discussing this with their kids). When I see Tucker in the rooms and hallways, even arrival and dismissal, he is calm and attentive to McKenzie.

If your child has questions for you at home you feel you need some help with to answer, please let us know!

check us out! click @SWSWolves for glimpses into our day to day, renovation pics, addition pics...etc!

check out the latest SWS PTO eblast...and be sure to follow SWS PTO on Instagram, too!

PTO News Week 2

Please be sure to log-in to Membership Toolkit ASAP to update your personal information, move your students to their new grade/teacher and add any new students that may have recently joined SWS! Please note that if you do not log-in and update your information annually, you will move to inactive status and not receive further communications from the PTO. You are able to select which information is visible in the directory and we know that parents value the directory for contacting their child's friend's parents for playdates, birthday parties and more!

NEW! Wolfpack Wednesdays: Every Wednesday, gear up in your blue and green or SWS spirit wear and show off your Starkweather pride!

Spirit Wear Store: Closes Friday. Grab your gear while you can. Order here

Stay Informed:

NEW! SMS Text Messaging: We're adding text messaging to our communication toolkit! Texts will be reserved for time-sensitive updates (event reminders, last-minute changes, urgent volunteer calls). Want in? Opt in now: Membership Toolkit → My Account → Update My Account → Communication Settings tab → enter your mobile number → Opt In. We'll keep it low-volume and reserved for what matters, and we'd love your feedback as we roll this out. Reply STOP anytime to opt out. Questions? Reach out to swspto.president@gmail.com.

SWS Year at A Glance: Stay on top of what's coming with our Year at a Glance Calendar.

Socialize and Have Fun

Grade Level Social Dates & RSVPs - Click Here

Ice Cream Social Tickets - Purchase Here (Deadline for tickets is September 18)

Mabel's Labels: Fundraiser ends September 30. Order Labels Here

Volunteer Ops:

Ice Cream Social Volunteers - Sign Up Here

Mrs. Neubert, one of our Reading Specialists, is also running an after school group...check out the image and follow the prompts. Spaces are limited!

Use the NEW STUDENT LINK and follow the steps to register.

MAKE SURE YOU CHOOSE THE CORRECT SCHOOL YEAR!!

Registration for '26-27 is now open for all incoming students.

Any questions, reach out to Ms. Christine Savage in the office. csavage@wcasd.net or 484-266-2202.

⌚ "Smart" Watches ⌚

Each year, we seem to get an increase in students with some sort of smart watch. Please understand that these are a pretty big distraction to the kids. Imagine having a computer on your wrist when you were in elementary school!

Please do not consider a smart watch as part of the back to school outfit...if it becomes a distraction, it will need to stay home.

Parents, please do not text your kids during the school day. If your kid texts you, you don't need to reply.

Thanks for understanding!!!

PickUp Patrol for late arrivals and early dismissal changes--

Starkweather uses PickUp Patrol for ALL plan changes, including late and early dismissals. Please do not send notes, emails or call the school for changes, except in an emergency.

Any questions about PickUp Patrol can be directed to Mrs. Kathy Walker in our main office. kwalker@wcasd.net or our main number 484 266 2200.

Parents can also utilize our new attendance reporting system that we implemented last year in PowerSchool. Information can also be found on our district website https://www.wcasd.net/families-students/report-attendance-in-parent-portal. You can utilize the system to report late arrivals, early dismissals and full day absences. Again, reach out to Mrs. Walker with any questions.

Universal FREE Breakfast Program

All SWS students are able to access a free breakfast at school for the duration of the school year.

• PLEASE BE SURE THAT YOUR CHILD KNOWS WHETHER OR NOT THEY HAVE YOUR PERMISSION TO HAVE BREAKFAST.
• This year, our morning arrival room will be in the cafeteria, so we want to be sure that kids are not getting an 'extra breakfast' after already eating at home without their parents knowing.

If you would like to volunteer to help out here at Starkweather, and especially if you think that you will want to be a chaperone for a field trip, please make sure your CLEARANCES are on file. This process is kind of a pain in the neck, to be honest, but the forms do last for 5 years.

Check out VOLUNTEER FORMS to get the process started. Thanks for helping out!

• DROP OFF is from 8:30 - 9:00.
• Please notice the green line on the map to use the CAR LOOP to drop off kids for regular arrival.
• ALL STUDENTS WILL ENTER THE BUILDING THROUGH THE MAIN ENTRANCE DOORS.
• Parents who are using ACP for Before School Care should notice the RED dashes on the map and drive around the side of the building. ACP uses the cafeteria and the back playground.
• If you are later than 9:00, please park your car and walk your child to the door to sign them in, too.
  
• If it is later than 9:00 but the buses are also still emptying, you are able to drop them off on the curb as we will still have staff out front.
• YIELD to BUSES--we usually do not have too much congestion in the mornings, but if needed, buses will pass the cars on the way up the hill.
• The best way to cut down on car-line congestion is to have your child use the bus!!

• PICK UP for afternoon dismissal is from 3:30 to 3:50.
• Any student ‘left over’ after 3:50 will need to be picked up from the office.
  
• As a parent pulls in to the car line, a staff member will use the Pick Up Patrol app to notify the classroom that the parent is here. The student will leave from the classroom and meet the parent in the carline.
  
• We will have staff members out front making note of the cars as they arrive into the CAR LOOP and helping students get into the cars (notice the green line on the map)
  
• As you’re waiting in the Car Line on the hill, be aware that buses will pass you on the way up the hill. It is ok, we have done this for years...LOOK BOTH WAYS as you enter and exit the Car Loop.
  
• YIELD TO THE BUSES!! Look at the RED ARROWS on the map above--those are spots where parents need to be careful when pulling into and out of the car loop. YIELD TO THE BUSES!!
  
• The best way to cut down on car-line congestion is to have your child use the bus!!