The Weekly Buzz
The Weekly Parent Newsletter for Van Wert Elementary School
Principal's Message
What a fantastic start to the school year!
Thank you for your support, encouragement, and partnership as we welcomed our scholars back to school. We are excited about the positive energy we have seen throughout our building and look forward to continuing that momentum this week.
As we settle into the school year, one of our priorities is establishing consistent rituals and routines. Children thrive when they know what to expect and when routines are predictable and consistent. From morning arrival and classroom transitions to dismissal, our teachers and staff are working to create calm, structured, and supportive learning environments where every student can feel safe, confident, and ready to learn.
You can support us at home by reinforcing the importance of following directions, responding appropriately to adult instructions, and practicing positive behaviors during daily routines. Consistency between home and school helps our scholars develop responsibility, independence, and confidence.
School Safety & Emergency Preparedness
The safety of our students and staff is always a top priority. As part of our commitment to maintaining a safe school environment, students will participate in regularly scheduled safety drills throughout the year. These drills allow our students and staff to practice how to respond calmly and appropriately in the event of an emergency.
Our safety practices include:
- Fire Drills: Conducted monthly with an emphasis on calm, orderly evacuations and ensuring all students and staff are accounted for.
- Lockdown, Shelter-in-Place, and Severe Weather Drills: Practiced throughout the school year to ensure students and staff understand the appropriate procedures for different situations.
- Student Support: Teachers and staff will explain and conduct drills in an age-appropriate and reassuring manner. Our goal is to prepare students without creating unnecessary worry or fear.
- Reflection: Following drills, teachers may briefly review the experience with students, celebrating what went well and reinforcing ways we can continue to improve.
We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of listening carefully and following their teacher's directions during safety drills. A simple reminder that we practice these procedures so everyone knows what to do in an emergency can help children understand the purpose of the drills while continuing to feel safe and supported at school.
Thank you for being an important partner in your child's education and for helping us maintain a safe, positive, and productive learning environment.
If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions, please do not hesitate to reach out. We value your partnership and appreciate all you do to support our school community.
Again, thank you for a fantastic start to the school year. Let's keep the momentum going and make this an outstanding week for our scholars!
With appreciation,
Will Zwingmann, Ed.S.
Principal
