West Principal Letter 09032026 E
9/3/2026
Dear Families,
We're writing to make you aware of an active yellow jacket/wasp issue on our school grounds. There has been a marked rise in bee stings on school grounds in the recent days.
The safety of our students and staff is our top priority. Until this issue is resolved, we will be moving to indoor recess on days when yellow jacket activity is high ("active bee days"). Staff will monitor conditions daily and make this call as needed.
What we're doing:
- Alerting our grounds/pest control team to locate and address nesting sites near the building
- Monitoring outdoor areas before recess and adjusting plans as needed
- Reminding students to alert an adult immediately if they see a nest or are stung
What you can do at home:
- If your child has a known allergy to bee/wasp stings, please make sure the school has an updated action plan and any necessary medication (e.g., EpiPen) on file with the office.
- Talk with your child about staying calm and walking (not swatting or running) away from yellow jackets if they see one.
- Contact the school nurse with any questions about your child's specific needs.
We know indoor recess isn't ideal, and we appreciate your patience while we work to resolve this safely. We'll update you as soon as the situation improves and we're able to resume normal outdoor recess.
Please don't hesitate to reach out to the office with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Dr. William Stanton
Principal