Dr. Chrisel Clay, Westchester Elementary School

August 2007

Dear Westchester Families,

Welcome back to school! It seems like yesterday when we were ending the school year and beginning our summer vacation. Although we will miss the fun and relaxation of summer, we are now rejuvenated and have the energy to make this an exceptional school year!

We are very proud of our accomplishments during the 2006-07 school year, including being selected as a Missouri Gold Star School, nominated for a NCLB National Blue Ribbon Award, receiving a Missouri Positive Behavior Supports (PBS) Gold Award, and for being selected again for the Special School District’s PBS Award of Excellence, yet look forward to a new year of working together to refine our skills to ensure that ALL Westchester students are successful learners.

As the countdown for opening day begins, we are now in the office each day, diligently preparing for the start of school. Kindergarten Parent Night is set for Thursday, August 16th, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. This event is for parents only and will take place in the kindergarten classrooms – rooms 121, 124, 125, 126. (Please enter through the door by the cafeteria.) Meet the Teacher Night, for all students and parents, will be on Monday, August 20th, from 5:00-6:30 p.m. This event is an opportunity for students to go directly to their new classroom to meet their new teachers. Our annual VTS picnic is scheduled for Friday, August 17th from 5:30-7:00 p.m., at Tower Grove Park. We hope you will join us for these important events!

Our first day of school is Wednesday, August 22nd. School begins at 8:45 a.m. each day and ends at 3:40 p.m. Students may arrive at 8:30 a.m. Any students eating breakfast should report to the cafeteria upon arrival. Breakfast will begin at 8:30 a.m. If students are not eating breakfast, they should proceed directly to their classroom. Due to supervision concerns, it is very important that students do not arrive any earlier than 8:30 a.m. Students arriving after 8:45 a.m. are considered tardy and need to check in with the office upon arrival. Buses will enter and exit through the upper circle drive in front of the building. Parents dropping off and picking up students may proceed through the lower circle. Please do not park in the drop off lane. In order to ensure the safety of our children, it is very important to drive carefully through the drop off lane and to follow these procedures.

Sincerely,

Chris Clay, Ed.D.
Principal