Whitson Elementary Newsletter

We love having your student at school! Being present each day helps students stay connected, confident, and on track with learning.

As winter brings snow, rain, and seasonal illnesses, we know getting to school can be harder. While some absences are unavoidable, even excused absences can disrupt learning and connection.

Here are a few ways to support attendance this winter:

• Make a backup plan for getting your child to school if needed.

• Check with your child’s school nurse if you’re unsure about sending them to school.

• Watch for signs of stress or anxiety and reach out to your child’s teacher, counselor, or nurse for support.

• Encourage healthy habits like handwashing, good sleep, nutritious meals, and warm clothing.

• If your child is out for more than a day or two, contact the teacher for learning materials.

If you need help with winter clothing or other resources, please call the school at 509-493-1560.

Thank you for partnering with us—showing up matters, even in winter!

Student safety and our ability to safely operate school buses to and/or from school is our top consideration when making weather related closures or delays. There are two ways WSVSD sends messages to staff and families about delays, closures, snow routes and other weather-related decisions: emails and text messages.

WSVSD will communicate with families in their preferred language. If a family is not receiving information from their student’s school or, if family contact information has changed, please notify their student's school office.

If staff and/or families “opted out” of receiving information from WSVSD via text messages, you can choose to opt back in by texting the word “start” to 98900.

WSVSD also posts updates online:

Facebook: Connect with WSVSD at www.facebook.com/whitesalmonschools

WSVSD website: Go to www.wsvsd.org and look at the “live feed.”

Inclement weather protocols can be found on www.wsvsd.org/o/wsvsd/page/snow-closures

FlashAlert: Download the FlashAlert app for updates about closures and delays.

Snow Routes

WSVSD implements snow routes to enhance safety and maintain continuity of learning during winter weather. Snow routes will allow buses to stay on main roads that are more likely to be cleared and safe, minimizing the risks posed by ice or snow-covered back roads with the hope of improving safety for our buses and avoiding weather-related school closure.

Snow routes have been developed for families that live off of Snowden Road, and off the Cook-Underwood Highway. Families whose regular bus stops are affected will have designated alternative stops along these routes.

The pick-up and drop off times are posted to our webpage. Please follow this link to review.

Notification of when we will be using snow routes will be made in the same manner as our inclement weather notifications; which is outlined in this newsletter.

We appreciate your flexibility and understanding as we prioritize the safety of students and staff while adapting to winter conditions​.

The White Salmon Valley School District continues to offer school-based counseling services for students in grades K–12. WPSIS, HMS, and CHS provide 6–8 week, goal-oriented therapeutic support on campus, with opportunities for ongoing services or referrals to community partners when needed. If you have questions or would like to request on site services, please contact Katie Rixon at Katie.Rixon@whitesalmonschools.org or 509-493-1970 ext. 279.

We are also excited to share additional mental health resources now available in our community. ESD 112 is offering Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder services for any youth ages 5–18, regardless of insurance coverage, at the Community Roots Wellness Hub in White Salmon. To learn more, please contact Rita Pinchot at rita.pinchot@esd112.org or 509-637-8143. If you would like to request services from ESD112 for yourself or a family member, you may also submit a referral here:

https://www.esd112.org/safety-center/wellness-treatment-services/?target=request-a-referral

Hi, Parents,

We’d love to welcome your kiddo to Champions for a day on us. Send them for a day of friends, discoveries, and play.*

I’ve attached a flyer with more info, but feel free to reach out to me for all the details or to save your spot.

Jocelyn Torres Flores- Site Director
480 NW Loop Rd, White Salmon, WA 98672
509-281-9715

CH003098@disocoverchampions.com

January 8, 15, 22 and 29th
Kindergarten - 4th Grade: 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Kindergarten - 8th Grade: 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
$2.00 per person or $8.00 per family of 4 or more

NO SCHOOL

January 19 - Martin Luther King Day

Cold & Wet Weather
Remember, cold weather is upon us, please send your student to school, with hat, gloves, boots and coat. We will be going outside.

We have many items in the lost and found. If you're missing something, please remind your child to check here at school. Unclaimed items will be donated during Winter Break.