Wolf Families,

I hope you are staying warm on this cold weekend. Friday we sent devices home just to be prepared IF we have to move to Remote Learning. Whenever possible, EPS tries to make the decision the evening before to allow everyone time to plan. Sometimes changing conditions overnight, simply, make that impossible. In those cases, the EPS goal is to make a decision by 5:30am, so they can communicate it to families no later than 6:00am. EPS will report a school closure through local TV stations, text messages, phone calls, social media platforms, and the EPS website. Oklahoma winters change at the last moment...

The last few weeks have been difficult for our school family. We appreciate the love and support for ALL as we continue to heal from the loss of our sweet friend in 2nd-grade. Thank you for your patience and grace.

Our first Howlin Rodio was a wonderful way to end the week. Mrs. Lonberg and I had a blast seeing all the smiles and hearing all the laughter of everyone that was able to attend our 1st Howlin Rodeo. A HUGE thank you to our PTO for creating such a special night. We are looking forward to our 1st Let's Go Barbies Party this coming Friday, January 26th!

Make sure to come to our PTO General Meeting Tuesday, January 23rd for some exciting news! We will have a special presentation on the upcoming Bond. Remember all registered voters who live within EPS boundaries can vote! You can also click below for more information.

The week of February 12th is a busy week! Mark your calendars:

• Voting day on Feb. 13th
• Friendship Parties February 14th
• Annual Open House and Health Fair February 15th
• Book Fair Week!!! All purchases help update our library with new books!

As we are getting into the swing of things for our 2nd semester please read a few reminders consistent in all EPS elementary schools...

• We ask that parents do not come in to check out their student after 3:00 p.m. During this time we are preparing for dismissal and our secretaries are getting messages to our teachers about dismissal changes. It makes it very difficult to prepare for dismissal if families come in to check out during this busy time. If it is after 3:00, we are happy to get your student to you as soon as possible. This may be after dismissal is over, so we will ask you to wait patiently.
• Party Invitations: Birthday/Personal party invitations cannot be distributed at school.
• Deliveries: Flowers and/or balloon arrangements, candy and other gifts will not be delivered to students and cannot go home on buses. These deliveries should be made to student’s homes.
• Student Birthdays: Student birthdays will be recognized at each school according to site administrative decisions. All students will be recognized equally (i.e. announcements, birthday pencil/sticker, special celebration cake/cookie provided by the school, etc.). Individual birthdays will not be celebrated with parents/guardians supplying snacks/treats at school.
• Washington Irving celebrates all of our birthdays monthly with a special celebration where all birthday students come to the cafeteria one day the last week of the month for a fun cookie, birthday pencil, and bracelet.

Wishing you well,

Angie Zeiler and Amanda Lonberg

January 2024:

January 23 -- PTO General Meeting, EPS Bond Presentation

January 24 -- Spirit Night at Qdoba - Don't cook - Grab Qdoba! Tell them you are with WI

January 26 -- WI Barbies, dancing, food, and fun 6:00 - 8:00

January 29-30 -- School wide vision screening - conducted by Vizavance - Students need to wear their glasses

January 30 -- Spirit Night at Nhinja Sushi

February 2024: Kindness Week Details Coming

February 5 -- EPS Board Meeting

February 11-16 -- Book Fair Week

February 13 -- Voting Day - Get out and show your voting spirit!

February 14 -- Friendship Parties - remember PTO will reach out to you if you are signed up to attend

February 15 -- Open House, Health Fair, and Book Fair - Such a fun night! Get our Health On at WI!

February 15 -- Last day to order Pup Prints for the yearbook

February 19 -- NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS -- Professional Development for Staff

February 27 -- PTO General Meeting 6:30

The Literati Book Fair is coming! Join us for a great big story safari on February 12-16, or start shopping online at efairs.literati.com now. Every purchase benefits our school.

Orders purchased online will ship at the end of book fair week. Please allow approximately 10 business days for orders to arrive at your school.

🗳️Are you election ready? The EPS bond election will take place on February 13 and we encourage everyone to VOTE!

At this link, you will find all bond information as well as:

✅ Your designated polling place

• Take the time to double check your polling place as many precincts were added after the 2020 census and many people have new polling places.
  

✅ The link to request an absentee ballot

• You must request your absentee ballot annually!
  
• Requesting an absentee ballot still allows you to vote in person during early voting or on election day at your regular precinct (your precinct officials will have you sign an additional paper when voting in person - easy peasy!)
• An absentee ballot is a great way to make sure you never miss an election and that you know exactly what will be on the ballot!
  

✅ The link to register to vote - January 19th is the deadline for the February vote

• While you cannot vote until you are 18 years old, students can register to vote at 17.5 years of age. This allows them to be able to vote in the elections right away after they turn 18 - this is extra important this year where we vote so many times!
  

Make your voice count; your vote matters on February 13!

https://out.smore.com/e/pyfvbj/8T5Rdc?__$u__

Our social media feeds often include the latest challenges which can be a fun way for students and adults to feel connected with their community on social media. Depending on the challenge, they can also be dangerous or harmful. It is important for parents and families to be aware of what’s popular on social media so you can help your student navigate the positives and negatives of these trends. This month’s Smart Social tip includes information about social media challenges and some ideas for how to have these conversations with your students. To access this information, just click on this link: https://smartsocial.com/post/social-media-challenges?org=edmond

And, remember, if you haven’t signed up for Smart Social yet, EPS is providing this resource to all of our families for free for this school year. When you click the link, it’ll prompt you to sign up for your free EPS account. We hope you continue to find this information useful!

This year's Treat Squad (formerly known as Cookie Phantom) is an easy way to volunteer and make an impact at your child's school. Treats can be anything: a cookie, a coffee, a gift card - whatever you want! It's a small gesture to let the women and men who love on our kids every day know they are appreciated. Please consider signing up and making someone's day.

Treat Squad Link

PALs is Washington Irving's newest program, expanded from last year, to give you more opportunities to volunteer inside the school. Below is our interest survey and volunteer sign-ups

Contact Info- This form gathers your email address so that the Homeroom Parent can send communication directly to you. Some teachers would prefer for the Homeroom Parent to communicate directly with class parents, especially about the Teacher's Birthday and Staff Appreciation.

PALs Interest- 9 options for even more opportunities to be involved in Washington Irving!

Holiday Celebrations Sign Up- This year, each child will have an opportunity to have ONE parent/representative for ONE celebration this school year. You will be able to select which celebration you would like to attend in this Google Form

Yearbooks are on sale at jostens.com for $25

Before Care: 7:00 am - 8:20 am

Drop Off: 8:20 am - 8:45 am

School Day: 8:45 am - 3:25 pm

PK Early Release 2:55 pm

K-5 Dismissal: 3:25 pm

After Care 3:45 pm - 5:30 pm

Front Office Hours: 8:20 am - 3:55 pm

Please note: school begins at 8:45 a.m.

SchoolCafe is now available!

You can now access student meal accounts and apply for free and reduced-price meal benefits. Menus and nutritional information will also be coming soon!

To get started, you'll need your child's Student ID# in order to create/manage the account and/or complete an online meal application.

• Your student's school ID# is generally known by your North student. If you had a previous MyPaymentsPlus account, you should have received an email on July 7th with your student's ID number listed.
  
• Your unused balance from last year will roll over to your new account once you make your parent/guardian account and add your student(s).
• New features include the ability to restrict various types of a la carte purchases as well as customize the frequency of low-balance alerts.
• You can also donate or request a refund of unused funds through the program as well.
  

Check it out here: www.schoolcafe.com/Edmond

Sincerely, Child Nutrition Department

What happens if I forget to put my CAR RIDER PLUS TAG in my car?

You will have to park your car in a parking space, go inside to the office, present your driver’s license for verification to receive a temporary tag, then join the car line.

Can I use the CAR RIDER PLUS TAG to check out my student during regular school hours?

NO, you must present your driver’s license during regular school hours.

Can I show my driver’s license to the duty teacher instead of the CAR RIDER PLUS TAG?

NO, the duty teacher will only dismiss your child if you have the CAR RIDER PLUS TAG.

Can my friend or a grandparent pick up my child from the car line?

Yes, but they will need to have the CAR RIDER PLUS TAG with them to pick up your child. If they do not have the card, they will go to the office and present their driver’s license for a temporary tag, then join the car line. If their name is listed in the parent portal, they will be allowed to leave with your child.

Can my child go home with a friend’s parent?

If the friend’s parent has your child’s CAR RIDER PLUS TAG, then your child will be dismissed with them. If they do not have the CAR RIDER PLUS TAG, they must go to the office and present their driver’s license for verification. If their name is in the parent portal, then your child will be allowed to leave with them.

Please read the attached letter below regarding stock inhalers.

• Letter on treating students who experience sudden life-threatening respiratory distress while at school.
• If you do NOT want your child to receive an albuterol treatment from the school’s supply in the event of respiratory distress, please notify your child’s school nurse in writing. melissa.king@edmondschools.net

Email: washingtonirving.elementaryschool@edmondschools.net
Website: washingtonirving.edmondschools.net
Location: 18101 North Western Avenue, Edmond, OK, USA
Phone: 340-2210
Facebook: www.facebook.com/WIElementary