Wildcat News

Dear Washington Parent(s) or Guardian(s),

Welcome to the 2023-24 school year. Summer has flown by, and we are eager to see all of our returning Wildcats and meet all our new students. Back-to-school is an exciting time of year as we look forward to reconnecting with everyone in the Washington family.

As you are well aware, parents are an essential part of making each child's school year a success. The first step in that process is attending the entrance conference, which is designed to give teachers the opportunity to get to know your child and give you the opportunity to meet your child's teacher, share important information, and set goals for the upcoming year. You can also bring your child's school supplies to entrance conferences.

Here are the steps for finding out who your child's teacher is and signing up for an entrance conference:

1. Create a Parent Portal Account. If you already have an account, be sure you can log-in. If you do not remember your username and password, please send an email to ICSUPPORT@ISD77.ORG. If you have not yet set-up a Parent Portal account please visit the ISD 77 website at www.isd77.org to set up your account.

2. Complete Census Verification. The Census Verification link in the Parent Portal will walk you through this process. This is a critical step as it replaces all the paperwork you have completed in past years. If you need assistance filling out or accessing the Census Verification email ICSUPPORT@ISD77.ORG.

3. Early next week, you will be able to log into the Parent Portal to find out your child's teacher assignment and to sign up for Entrance Conferences. Number 1 & 2 above must be completed in order to do these next steps:

Step 1: Log into your Infinite Campus Parent Portal account

Step 2: Select Student

Step 3: Select Schedule from the menu along the left side to view your child's teacher

Step 4: Sign up for a conference using the PTCfast online sign up system. Steps 1-3 above must be completed in order to do this step. The link you will use will be sent next week.

If you do not have access to a computer or if you need help with any of these steps please call Diane, the school secretary, at Washington Elementary School (507) 345-3059.

Entrance Conferences will be held on Tuesday, September 5th from 8:00am-6:00pm and Wednesday, September 7th from 8:00am-12:00pm. PLEASE NOTE: School pictures will be taken during entrance conferences again this year.

Enjoy the remaining weeks of summer.

Sincerely,

Ann Haggerty

Principal, Washington Elementary

Thanks for staying in the know! A few important items as we near the start of a new year:

~ School Pictures will be taken during Entrance Conferences on September 5 & 6. Here is a link that will allow you to sign up to receive updates via email regarding your child's school portraits. These updates include promotions, additional deals and the ability to order more pictures at a later time. When entering student information, please be should be sure to enter the student's name as it is on file at the school.

~ Backpack Food Program: Your student(s) in grades K-8 are eligible for this program if you find it difficult to provide enough food and nutrition on weekends and school breaks. The BackPack and Power Pack Food Program discreetly provides packs of youth-friendly food to elementary and middle school students to sustain them on the weekends and school breaks when access to adequate food may be limited. *This is not a school-operated program, is not federally funded, and has no income requirements* To unenroll: Call (507) 385-3627 or email layne@feedingourcommunitiespartners.org

If you would like to enroll in this program, here is the online google enrollment form for 2023-24. See the flyer below for more information.

~ Looking for volunteers: The Washington PTO is looking for volunteers to help with school pictures during entrance conferences on September 5 and 6. Volunteers will receive a free picture package for helping with a time slot. You'll also sit near the PTO table and help encourage parents to look at the information from the PTO. If you are interested, sign up here--one spot left!!! (free picture package for volunteering!!!).

~ PTO Secretary: The PTO is on the hunt for a secretary as this position is open. We are a fun group, and the duties and responsibilities are all laid out for you. Please, please, please consider this. If you are at all interested, please email me at: ahagge1@isd77.org

~ Mark your calendar: For those of you who like to plan ahead and get events on your calendar, here are some of the biggies for the upcoming few months:

* September 5 & 6: Entrance Conferences

* September 7: School begins!

* September 19: 1st PTO meeting 6:00 in the Media Center

* September 20: First Early Release of year (12:30 dismissal time)

* October 5: Walk-A-Thon

* October 5: Fall Picnic 5:30-7:00pm (rain date October 12)

* October 9: No School - Indigenous Peoples' Day

* MEA Break: October 19 & 20

~ Staffing Update: There have been some teaching staff changes over the course of the spring and summer. We welcome Kelli Hollerich at 5th grade and Cynthia Cerdas-Lopez at 2nd grade, replacing Ms. Twedell who moved to the cities. Sarah Chambers will be joining the Wildcat family as one of our music teachers. It is wonderful to be able to welcome them to our family!

~ Snack Cart: We will again be having a snack cart. The cost of this will be $65 this year. Be looking for more information coming regarding this, but if you can plan that expense as part of your back-to-school budget that would be great!

As always, thank you for your support of Washington Elementary--it's going to be a GREAT year!

Ann

Ann Haggerty

Washington Principal

ahagge1@isd77.org

Mankato Area Public Schools (MAPS) is committed to working together equitably, with families and communities, so that each learner has the knowledge and skills to be a successful and contributing citizen in a diverse global society.

Email: ahagge1@isd77.org
Website: http://www.we.isd77.org/
Location: 1100 Anderson Drive
Phone: 507-345-3059