News From The Grizzlies' Den

Dear Grizzlies,

Today is September 11, a day when we remember a significant event in our nation's history and honor all those impacted by the day's event that occurred 25 years ago today. We remember the firefighters, police officers, first responders, military members, and all the people who were there and showed extraordinary courage, kindness, and selflessness.

As we reflect today, let us also think about how we can be heroes in our own communities by helping others, showing compassion, and living the Grizzly Way each day. Let us carry forward the values of courage, service, and kindness through our day. Heroes are ordinary people who choose to help others when it matters most!

Thank you for helping make Greystone a place where everyone feels valued, supported, and cared for.

Erin

9/21 - No School for Student

9/28- 10/2 Greystone Games Spirit week (see below)

10/2 - Color Run (more information to come!)

10/7 - PTO General Meeting 7pm

10/23: Trunk or Treat (more information to come)

10/12 - No School for Students

Have a minute? Could you help us gather information to help our PBIS programming!

This year, Greystone's Title I program has shifted from serving a specific group of eligible students to becoming a schoolwide Title I program. This is exciting news for our school community because it gives us greater flexibility to proactively support all learners and better meet student needs through our reading and math intervention services.

As a schoolwide Title I school, every family plays an important role in shaping our work. We want your input on our programs, school initiatives, family engagement efforts, and continuous improvement goals. Your feedback helps us strengthen the supports and opportunities we provide for our students.

As part of our participation in the federal Title I program, we are required to share the attached Title I Right to Know Letter with all families.

This letter outlines your right to request information about the professional qualifications of your child's classroom teachers and instructional staff. We are proud of the dedicated educators who serve our Bobcats each day and remain committed to providing every student with high-quality instruction and support.

Please take a few minutes to review the attached letter. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please do not hesitate to contact our office.

PTO Announcements:

• Last chance to register for Fall Running Club! Available for grades 3-5. Registration closes Friday 9/11 or when full. Sign up now!
• Greystone Games: Our biggest fundraiser of the year is back! Help your Grizzly raise money to support PTO programs. Set-up an individual fundraising website for your student or send in a paper donation form. Your student can earn fun prizes for raising money! Fundraising continues until October 9th.
• Collect Those Coins: The competition is on to be the class with the highest coin jar collection! Search couch cushions, pockets, and car seats for spare change to help your student(s)' class win the competition. The class with the highest coin jar collection in the school earns a pizza party! The class with the highest coin jar collection per grade wins 15 minutes of recess. Coin collections continue until October 9th.
• Family Fun Run with Colors is here! Join us on Friday, Oct. 2nd at 5pm for a family fun community event! Run or walk the 1 mile route and then enjoy a post-race picnic with your GES Community. Click here for more details and to register. Registration closes 9/25.
• Join us on for the Fall Greystone Adults Social - Thursday 9/24 | 7:00pm | 9 Prime, West Chester. No agenda. No fundraising pitch. Just a chance to grab a drink, meet some new people or catch up with familiar faces. RSVP strongly encouraged.
• Sign up for Pretzel Fridays. 20 weeks of soft pretzels for just $31. Sign up by Friday 9/18 to get a pretzel on the first Pretzel Friday.

If cost is ever a barrier to participating in a PTO activity, please contact GES's Home and School Visitor, Liz Ball at eball@wcasd.net or (484) 883-1048. Support is confidential. We want all GES families to feel welcome and included!

Get Involved at GES:

• Interested in being a homeroom parent? Sign-ups open until this Sunday, Sept 13th.
• Greystone Games' day of team-building, relay races, and fun is on October 2nd during the school day. Come join the fun and volunteer!
• Stay after Greystone Games and help set up for the Family Fun Run with Colors! Or help during or after the run - check out all the opportunities here.
• Sign up for September recess duty. Enjoy some fresh air while helping our Grizzlies have a safe, fun recess!
• Sign up for a GES PTO Committee and make a difference this year!

• 5th Grade Parents - We need your help to make our 5th Graders' last year at elementary school extra special. Sign up for the 5th Grade Committee!

Upcoming Events:

• 9/14 - Running Club starts (must be pre-registered)
• 9/18 - Pretzel Friday orders due
• 9/24 - Adults Social, 7:00pm, 9 Prime
• 10/2 - Greystone Games
• 10/2 - Family Fun Run with Colors - 5 pm
• 10/9 - Last day for Greystone Games fundraising drive and for coin jars

Late Elementary School Start & End Times

• Student Arrival Begins: 8:30 a.m.

• School Day starts: 9:00 a.m. (students will be marked late after 9:10am)

• Before-School Care (AM): 7:00 – 8:30 a.m.

• After-School Care (PM): 3:30 – 6:00 p.m.

• Early Dismissal Time: 12:00 p.m.

• Carline and Walker Dismissal: 3:30 p.m.

**Student drop off doors will be open 8:30-9am. After 9am all students must be dropped off at the main office doors. After 9:10am, parent must escort their student into the building to sign in**

Student Drop-Off

Student drop-off will take in the smaller loop outside the gym. Students being driven to school will be dropped off along the sidewalk.

■ When dropping off, drivers should pull all the way along the sidewalk.

■ Please have your child exit on the passenger side of the car for their safety.

■ A staff member will be at the door to usher students inside.

■ Students may be dropped off between 8:30 am and 9:00 am.

■ After 9:00, students will need to enter at the main office and starting at 9:10 a parent must sign in students in our main office.

■ Parents should remain in their cars throughout this process.

■ If you child need extra time or assistance getting out of the car please park in one of the parking spots to help them.

Student Pick-Up

We will do our best to make this process fast and smooth. Please remain in your cars, keep moving, and follow directions given by the staff members on duty.

■ Dismissal begins at 3:30. Please do not enter the car loop until 3:20

■ When picking-up, drivers should enter the large loop by the main entrance.

■ If your child needs help getting buckled or getting into the car we ask that you park to give yourself and your child the additional time.

■ A staff member will be outside to track the students’ names.

■ Students will be dismissed and exit the gym doors, and walk directly to their cars.

■ Staff members will guide students to their cars.

■ Once students are safely in the cars, parents should safely exit the car loop.

■ Please wait patiently for the car in front of you to move. We should never pass on the left for student safety.

■ Parents should remain in their cars throughout this process.

All Families picking their child up by car should be entering the carline.

If you did not remember to change pick up patrol to parent pick-up ahead of time, please park and go to the office and your student will be called to meet you. The school must know by 2pm if you are changing your pick up plans and are planning to pick up in carline.

**Arrangements for student who need assistance during pick up can made so all students can safety get home from school**

We have some important updates to share regarding attendance and communication:

1. Marking your child absent in Parent Portal: By marking your child absent in Parent Portal you will notify attendance office, teacher, and stop the automated call. If the absence is a parent note no other steps are necessary!

2. Doctor Note Submission Options: Caregivers now only need to submit doctors notes for medical absences. These can be provided by email or paper copy.

3. Automated Phone Calls: Automated phone calls will be sent to caregivers of students with unexcused (LAW) absences at 10:00 AM each morning. This will help keep you updated on your child's attendance. If this automated call ever feels inaccurate, please contact our main office.

4. Attendance Email for Medical Notes: GESattendance@wcasd.k12.pa.us. Our school secretaries will receive emails to this address which will ensure a smooth communication process.

5. Early Dismissal and Tardiness: Parent are provided a combined total of 10 excused dismissals and tardies per school year.

6. Nurse Exclusion Policy (NE): In Parent Portal families will see the code (NN) if the nurse sent a student home. Parent Notes will be used for any additional absences caused by the illness unless a doctor's note is provided.

If you have any questions please reach out to our attendance secretary Mary Platt at MPlatt@wcasd.net

Our school uses Pickup Patrol for parents to communicate dismissal plan changes only. All Change must be made by 2pm for the teacher to get notification. PUP can not be used to report a child's absence.

Notes, emails or phone calls are not accepted for dismissal changes, except in emergencies.

Thank you for using PickUp Patrol to make safety a priority and to ensure our dismissal process is efficient for all our students. If you have any questions, please check the PUP Parent Guide. If you still need help, contact the office.

We love having our families involved in school life! If you plan to volunteer during the school day—such as helping with recess, class parties, assisting at Greystone Games or other PTO events, or chaperoning field trips—you’ll need to have updated volunteer clearances on file. (Clearances are not required for attending concerts, spectating at events, or visiting during Sneak-a-Peek.) Since state processing can take a couple of weeks, we recommend starting the update process as soon as possible. Please reach out to Mary Platt if you’d like to check the expiration date on your clearances.

What is required for volunteering:

1. Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check (fees waived)
2. ChildLine (Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance through the Department of Human Services) (fees waived)

In addition to 1 & 2, one of the following is required for applicable volunteers:

3a. If a resident for the past 10 years, a signed Disclosure Statement for Volunteers (download from PA.GOV website) affirming no charges in other states that would prohibit selection as a volunteer;
OR

3b. If not a resident for the past 10 years AND the volunteer has received certification at any time since residency established, the volunteer must provide a copy of the certification received since residency established;
OR

3c. If neither 3a or 3b apply, FBI Criminal Background Check required (fingerprint check) for federal criminal history records (fee charged)
WCASD employees use the service code 1KG6XN
Volunteers at the WCASD use the service code 1KG6ZJ

Dr. Erin Stephen

Principal

Email: EStephen@wcasd.net

Phone: 484-266-2300

Mrs. Ashley Melanson

Assistant Principal

Email: AMelanson@wcasd.net

Phone: 484-266-2332

Address: 1195 Aram Ave, West Chester, Pa 19380

Instagram: @GreystoneGrizzilies