Wildcat News

We've got exciting news!!!!

We are so proud to be named a The 74 Bright Spots Top School — our students are beating the odds in literacy, and we couldn't be more excited to share this achievement.

The 74, a nonprofit newsroom that covers education across the country, named Washington Elementary a Bright Spots Top School in literacy! Washington Elementary School is one of a select group across the country beating the odds for kids in reading. That recognition is based on real data: our students are outperforming expectations, and that's worth telling the world.

For more detailed information, explore this map.

First Day of School Advice

Check this out...it's adorable and so, so wise.

Show your kids!!!!

(This may not work if you don't have Instagram...my apologies if that's the case).

Principal Message

Ready or not...here we go!!! I am so excited to see all of our Wildcat families at entrance conferences! A few reminders as we get closer to the start:

~ Entrance Conferences: We are so excited to see all of our new and returning Wildcat families at entrance conferences on September 8 & 9. Door #1 and Door #3 will be open during conferences; please enter through one of those doors. Be sure to stop at the tables in the area near the office to reconnect with staff, fill out any necessary paperwork, and sign up for student leadership jobs.

~ The First Day of School is nearly here! As a reminder, our front door opens at 7:35 for students in grades 1-5 who plan to eat breakfast. Students in grades 1-5 who do not plan to eat breakfast can play outside on the playground until the bell rings at 7:50. Students should be sure to eat first before playing on the playground. Kindergarten students should say goodbye to their parents outside Door #13 and can then head inside for breakfast in the Kindergarten classrooms.

~ Parents of 3rd & 4th graders: Your child will receive an amazing planner for the 26-27 school year. The cost is $3, and we would LOVE it if you would bring $3 cash with you to entrance conferences to help offset this cost. Exact change is preferred if at all possible. Please give this money to your child's teacher.

~ Early Release Info: OUR FIRST TWO HOUR EARLY RELEASE DAY WILL BE WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2026. The school day ends at 12:30 p.m. Please complete the following REGISTRATION to let us know your plans for your child or children on this day. Please fill out a separate registration for each child. We ask that you fill this form out for EACH Early Release because it is easier for us to track. Thank you for your cooperation.

~ School Pictures: Thank you to everyone who had school pictures taken on August 31. Do not despair if you missed this--another picture day is scheduled for September 21.

~ Snack Cart: Starting on the first day of school, we will be serving students a healthy snack each day for a minimal cost (about $0.43 per day). We are happy to be able to provide this convenient and economical option for families this year. The cost for this program is $75.00 per child for the entire 2026-27 school year. See more information here.

Can't wait to see all of you! As always, thank you for your support!

Ann

Ann Haggerty

Washington Principal

ahagge1@isd77.org

Entrance Procedures

Unless you have a pre-arranged plan with school staff for drop-off that involves coming inside the building, please say your goodbyes to your kiddos outside of our school building. Your child can then come into the building independently and go about their day. As a parent, should you need something, please enter the building at Door #1, ring the bell and go directly into the office area. The Washington office staff will assist you with what you need.

This procedure will also apply to Kindergarten students and their caregivers. We work to build independence in our youngest learners and respectfully request that Kindergarten parents/guardians say goodbye outside of Door #13 and refrain from coming into the Kindergarten hallway. Door #13 will lock promptly at 8:00.

Students in grades 1-5 who arrive after the first bell rings at 7:50 will need to go through the office to access the school, as the interior doors at the main entrance remain locked at all times, and the staff who monitor that door begin their day promptly at 7:50. Please do your best to have your child arrive at school before 7:50. They will be marked tardy if they arrive after 8:00. Students arriving after 8:15 will be marked absent.

We value partnership with parents, as well as creating a safe space for students and developing independence in each child. Thank you.

Mark Your Calendar!

For those of you who like to plan ahead, here are some dates to put on your calendar:

School Pictures: Monday, August 31 - 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM in the gym

Picture Day #2: Monday, September 21 during the school day

Entrance Conferences: Tuesday, September 8 and Wednesday, September 9

1st Day of School: Thursday, September 10

Fall Picnic: Thursday, September 24 (rain date is October 1) - 5:00-6:30 PM

PIcture Retake Day: Friday, October 9

Walk-A-Thon: Friday, October 23 - schedule yet TBD but plan on it for the afternoon

Fall Conferences: November 16, 17, & 19

PTO Game Night: Thursday, January 28 - 6:30 - 8:00 PM

Spring Conferences: March 16, 18, & 22

**Please note the PTO meeting dates listed below. ALL are welcome--we promise we won't assign you too many tasks! AND...we work really hard to provide child care for the meetings, and we strive to keep our meetings to an hour or less!

New Playground Equipment Installed!

HUGE thanks to the Washington PTO for the funding for two new playground pieces--an oodle swing and a volleyball net. Both were ideas that students had to improve our school, and the Washington Lighthouse Team made them happen with funds provided by the Washington PTO!!