26-27 WBES Parent Newsletter
August 14, 2026 - Issue 5
Whitesburg Elementary Schools
Email: lisa.jones@hsv-k12.org
Website: https://www.huntsvillecityschools.org/schools/whitesburg-elementary
Location: 107 Sanders Road Southwest, Huntsville, AL, USA
Phone: 2564287780
Facebook: facebook.com/WhitesburgElem
Twitter: @whitesburgElem
Week of August 17, 2026 - August 21, 2026
August 17, 2026 (Day 6)
Teaching and Learning
August 18, 2026 (Day 7)
Buddy-A-Thon Kick-Off
August 19, 2026 (Day 8)
Teaching and Learning
August 20, 2026 (Day 9)
Teaching and Learning
August 21, 2026 (Day 10)
Teaching and Learning
Upcoming Dates (dates subject to change)
8/24 - Attendance Week Begins
8/31 - BOY K-5 iReady Inform Math Window (8/31-9/4)
9/1 - Suicide Prevention Month Begins
9/7 - Labor Day - No School
9/7 - BOY K-3 Window for Continuation of Additional Reading Screeners (DIBELS) (9/17-9/11)
9/9 - Progress Reports
9/14 - Book Fair Begins
9/14 - PTA Board Meeting
9/15 - Hispanic Heritage Month Begins (9/15-10/15)
9/16 - Grandparents' Breakfast
9/18 - Fire Evacuations Drill
9/21 - College Career Week Begins
9/22 - Fall Photos
9/28 - AR Point Cut-Off
9/30 - AR Party
10/1 - Bully Prevention Month Begins
10/1 - Down Syndrome Awareness Month Begins
10/1 - Principal's Month Begins
10/1 - PBIS Party
10/2 - School Custodian Appreciation Day
10/2 - Instructional Coaches Day (Oct. 6)
10/2 - Disability Talks
10/3 - Disability Assembly
10/5 - Fall Break Begins
10/12 - PTA Board Meeting
10/14 - Severe Weather Drill
10/16 - Report Cards
10/23 - Christmas Charities
10/26 - Red Ribbon Week Begins
10/28 - Blue/Orange BBQ & Bingo
11/2 - Native American Heritage Month Begins
11/9 - PTA Board Meeting
11/10 - Intruder Drill
11/10 - Veteran's Day Program
11/11 - Veteran's Day - No School
11/13 - Fall Photo Make-ups & Elective Holiday Photos
11/16 - SAIL Week Begins (Odd Sock Day)
11/18 - Progress Reports
11/23 - Thanksgiving Holiday begins (11/23-27)
12/4 - Hazardous Materials Evacuation
12/7 - PTA Board Meeting
12/8 - MOY K-5 iReady Inform Math Window (12/8-12/14)
12/10 - Winter Concert (K-2) 5:30 PM
12/11 - Lion Shop
12/14 - AR Cut-off
12/15 - PBIS Party
12/16 - AR Party
12/17 - Christmas Class Parties
12/18 - 1/2 Day Students
12/21 - Winter Holiday (12/21-1/5)
1/4 - School Board Appreciation Month
1/4 - PTA Board Meeting
1/5 - Students Return from Winter Break
1/8 - Report Cards
1/14 - Lock Down Drill
1/18 - MLK Jr. Day - No School
1/19 - ACCESS and Alt. ACCESS begins (1/19-3/12)
1/21 - Class Portraits and New Students (Yearbook) Photos
1/25-2/5 - ACAP Practice Test Window
1/26 - 100th Day of School
2/1 - Black History Month Begins
2/1 - School Counselor Appreciation Week Begins
2/5 - Severe Weather Drill
2/8 - PTA Board Meeting
2/1 - 0Progress Reports
2/10 - Kinder Cap and Gown Photos
2/11 - Valentines Parties
2/12 - Weather Day
2/15 - President's Day - No School
2/22 - Book Fair Begins
2/23 - Tall Small Ball
2/25 - Black History Program
3/1 - Women's History Month Begins
3/1 - ACAP Alt. Window Opens (3/1-4/2)
3/8 - AR Cut-Off
3/8 - PTA Board Meeting
3/10 - AR Party
3/10 - Fire Evacuation Drill
3/11 - Spring Photos
3/11 - PBIS Party
3/15 - Spring Break Begins
3/15 - ACAP Summative Window Begins (3/15-4/23)
3/22 - ACAP Science Test Week Begins - Dates TBD
3/25 - Color Run
3/26 - Report Cards
3/26 - Color Run Make-up
3/29 - ACAP ELA Test Week Begins - Dates TBD
4/1 - Month of the Military Child Begins
4/2 - 1/2 Day Students
4/5 - Assistant Principal Week Begins
4/5 - Librarian Appreciation Day (4/4)
4/5 - PTA Meeting
4/7 - Paraprofessional Appreciation Day
4/1 - 2ACAP Math Test Week Begins - Dates TBD
4/14 - Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast
4/15 - Purple Up Day
4/19 - Severe Weather Drill
4/20 - Merrimack performance at 1:00
4/21 - Field Day PK-2
4/21 - Admin. Professional Appreciation Day
4/22 - Field Day 3-5
4/23 - Weather Day
4/26 - Field Day Make-up
4/27 - Bus Driver Appreciation Day
4/28 - Progress Reports
5/3 - Asian Pacific Islander Month Begins
5/3 - Mental Health Awareness Month Begins
5/3 - Teacher Appreciation Week Begins
5/3 - Principal Appreciation Day
5/3 - EOY K-5 iReady Inform Math Window (5/3-5/7)
5/6 - Bomb Evacuation
5/7 - School Lunch Hero Day
5/10 - PTA Board Meeting
5/12 - School Nurse Appreciation Day
5/18 - Speech Teacher Appreciation Day
5/20 - Awards Day
5/20 - AR Cut-Off
5/21 - 5th Grade Clap Out and Picnic
5/21 - Grissom Clap Out
5/24 - AR Party
5/25 - PBIS Party
5/27 - 1/2 Day Students (student last day)
WBES Mission: Inspire, Engage, Empower
WBES Purpose of Whitesburg Elementary is to inspire, engage, and empower all students to a successful future.
WBES Vision of Whitesburg Elementary School is to be recognized globally as a model school offering transformative opportunities for students.
WBES Mission of Whitesburg Elementary is to provide a safe and supportive learning environment characterized by quality staff, rigorous academic instruction, innovative programs, outstanding extracurricular opportunities, and exceptional resources.
WBES Mission: Inspire, Engage, Empower
Best Faculty and Staff Ever!!
WHITESBURG ELEMENTARY IS BRICK HOUSE STRONG! ALL STUDENTS DO ALL ASSIGNMENTS!
Character Word of the Month
Hello Whitesburg Families!
What a great week of teaching and learning we have had at the Burg!
Please look for a Parent Letter and Instructions for our Buddy-A-Thon Fund Raiser that begins on 8/18/26. Our students loved this fundraiser last year and it is so easy for the students and the parents. Not only do the students raise money for the school, but they also get a Buddy to stuff on stuffing day and also fun outfits for Buddy if they get enough donations. (They are all new buddy's this year - different than last year). There will be days in the year that your student will be able to bring their buddy to school. For example, Read to your Buddy Day.
Let's continue to strive for excellence in everything that we do.
Thank you for your support! I am blessed to serve with you at the BURG!
One Team. One Pride 🦁
Mrs. Jones
Principal
**Important** Change of Student Dismissal Transportation
If your child will have a change in dismissal from their normal routine, please CALL THE OFFICE at 256-428-7780 BEFORE 1:00 p.m.
Your child's safety is our top priority, and calling before 1:00 gives our office staff enough time to make sure the message reaches your child's teacher before dismissal.
We know that sometimes a last-minute change is unavoidable. However, please understand why we ask for this cutoff:
- Teachers are teaching throughout the day and are not continuously checking phone messages or emails.
- Teachers and students may not always be in their classrooms when a message comes in.
- As dismissal approaches, our office becomes extremely busy assisting families and preparing students for dismissal.
- We do not want to simply leave a note in a classroom or leave a message on a teacher's phone and hope that it is seen in time.
A little extra time makes a BIG difference in helping us ensure that your child gets home safely and according to your instructions.
Please save our number:
Whitesburg Elementary Office: 256-428-7780
Thank you for helping us keep dismissal safe, organized, and as smooth as possible for everyone! 🦁💙🧡
One Team. One Pride.
Guidance Parent Survey
Please click on the link below to complete a very short survey for our Guidance Counselor.
Guidance Parent Survey
Title 1 Parent Coordinator Needed
If you know anyone that is interested in our Title 1 Parent Coordinator position, please contact Ms. Jones, Principal. It is a 19 hours a week part-time contracted position.
Slushies
We will sell slushies each Friday afternoon.
· $1 for 5oz cup
· $5 for souvenir Whitesburg Elementary Plastic Cup. This cup can be reused each Friday for a $2 refill.
(Slushie Friday's intention is not a fundraiser. It is for student encouragement and celebration. However, we do make a little money off of the sales, and that money goes into WBES's General Budget and is used for student incentives.)
Arrival/Dismissal Reminders
Parents, we need your help to ensure that arrival and dismissal run smoothly and, most importantly, safely for our students.
Car Riders
All car riders must go through the car line.
The only exceptions are:
Pre-Kindergarten (PK): You will get directions from your PK teacher.
Resource Students: Parents may park and walk their child to the west side of the building to hand them directly to their teacher.
Car Rider Arrival
Please pull your car all the way up to Mr. J that is waving cars forward
Students should exit the right side of the vehicle
Parents do not get out of your car to get your student out of the car
Kindergarten students should be unbuckled and ready to get out of the car
Car Rider Dismissal
You must have your car tag number
If you do not have your car tag number, you will have to go into the office with your ID to pick up your student.
Please stay as close as you can safely get to the car in front of you to try to prevent the carline from blocking traffic on Martin Road and Whitesburg Drive.
Walkers:
If your child is a walker and you truly walk with them to school from off campus, you are welcome to accompany them to the sidewalk at the second yellow gate and say your good-byes there. Students will then walk independently to the arrival door.
Please note: Driving to the school parking lot and then walking your child to the door does not count as being a walker. If you drive your child on to the school campus, they are considered a car rider and must go through the car line.
Parents may not walk students up to the arrival doorway, as that area is reserved for students exiting their vehicles through the car line.
** For all car riders, drop-off and pick-up through the car line is both safe and efficient. This morning, it took only three minutes for a car to move from the entrance of the line to the arrival door. Leaving home just a few minutes earlier ensures you have ample time to follow this procedure.
This process is not meant to make things difficult but is designed to protect your children. Parking lot drop-offs are unsafe, as vehicles often drive through too quickly without regard for students walking.
Thank you for helping us keep every student safe.
PBIS - Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a school-wide approach that teaches, reinforces, and supports positive behavior. At Whitesburg Elementary, we believe students need to know what is expected, why it matters, and how to be successful at school.
We intentionally recognize and celebrate students when they demonstrate behaviors that reflect our school expectations, such as respect, responsibility, kindness, and being ready to learn. Our goal is to create a safe, positive environment where every student can learn and feel successful.
PBIS does not mean there are no consequences for inappropriate behavior. When students make poor choices or engage in behaviors that violate school expectations, staff will respond appropriately and consistently. Whitesburg Elementary follows the Huntsville City Schools Code of Conduct when addressing student misbehavior, including consequences and disciplinary actions when warranted.
Our goal is always to teach, support, and encourage positive choices while maintaining clear expectations and accountability.
At Whitesburg, we believe in both grace and accountability—because our students deserve to know that we believe in them while also holding them to high expectations. 🦁
Please see below for strategies/systems in place to support PBIS.
One Team. One Pride.
Meet Burgie the Goose!
As part of our PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) program, Whitesburg Elementary is excited to introduce Burgie the Goose! Burgie is a fun way for us to recognize and celebrate classes that demonstrate the positive behaviors and school pride we want to see throughout our building. Classes may earn Burgie for things such as excellent cafeteria behavior, keeping the lunch area clean, outstanding hallway behavior, great attendance, respectful behavior during Specials, positive choices at recess, following directions during PE, acts of kindness, and showing school pride. Because our focus may change throughout the year, every class will have multiple opportunities to earn Burgie. When a class earns Burgie, the goose becomes their class mascot and travels with them throughout the school day—including the cafeteria, PE, Specials, recess, assemblies, and other school activities. Burgie is all about celebrating the positive choices our students make and reminding them that kindness, responsibility, respect, and school pride matter everywhere—not just in the classroom! 🦁🪿
One Team. One Pride.
SchoolCash Online
Students cannot be dropped off in the parking lots for arrival-This is unsafe!
Bullying
Any intentional and repeated act of unwanted aggressive or demeaning behavior involving a real or perceived power imbalance, in which one or more people intentionally and repeatedly cause physical or psychological harm to another person. To be considered bullying, the conduct must also place a student in reasonable fear of harm or of damage to property, have the effect of substantially interfering with educational performance or school operations, or create a hostile, intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment.
