I wanted to take a quick minute to recognize our amazing teachers and staff. I have been welcomed into the DW hub and have witnessed their hard work and dedication to making the beginning of the school year so joyful, engaging, and successful. I have seen an immense amount of perseverance as staffing changes have occurred at our site. Staff and students have risen to the occasion with grace in more ways than one. Daniel Webster ES is lucky to have such a dedicated teaching and support staff in place who are giving it their all every day.
I would also like to thank all of you parents and guardians for your continued support. We thank you for your help with traffic control at drop-off times/pick-up times, school organization, donating our staff Wednesday treats, volunteering to be room parents, volunteering your time, joining us at the recent PTA BBQ and also those who coordinated such a wonderful event. You are a big part of making DW feel like coming back home everyday and I thank you.
I am looking forward to the school year and making cherished memories with you and yours!
PTA Info From Rebecca Kee, PTA President
Hi all and welcome to the DW 2023-24 school year! If you haven't already, please mark your calendar for our first PTA meeting on Monday, September 11 at 6PM in person in our DW cafeteria. This is your chance to be involved with supporting our awesome community, learning what we already have planned for the whole year, and sharing ideas of your own.
In the meantime, there are lots of volunteer opportunities where we could really use your help.
Room Parents – check to see if your class has room parent(s) yet
Wednesday teacher treats – keep our teachers fed and happy!
Traffic assistance – help keep our kids safe in the morning during busiest drop-off time
Pasta Night – sign up way in advance to lend a hand putting at one of our favorite events of the year (on October 13)
Stay up to date on all things DW by checking out the PTA website here!
PTA Leadership, HERE
No School - Labor Day, Monday, September 4
Observed the first Monday in September, Labor Day is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of workers. The holiday is rooted in the late nineteenth century, when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being.
Back-To-School Night, Thursday September 7 at 5:30PM
Back To School Night will be Thursday, September 7th 5:30-6:30 PM with a Mosaic Presentation for 5th grade Families from 6:30-7PM. This night is entirely in-person. This will be a time for you to meet your child's teacher, see their classroom and find out more about all of the things your child will be learning and doing this year.
We will actually get started in the auditorium for a quick presentation with your Principal and support staff and then head to classes.
Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd grade families:
5:30-6:00PM: Classroom presentation and teacher meet and greet
3rd, 4th & 5th grade families:
6:00-6:30PM: Classroom presentation and teacher meet and greet
6:30-7:00PM: Mosaic Presentation (5th grade families only)
You will receive more specific information about the night from your child's teacher. In the meantime, you can go ahead and block this time off your calendar.
La Noche de Regreso a Clases será el jueves 7 de septiembre de 5:30 a 6:30 p.m. con una presentación de mosaico para familias de 5to grado de 6:30 a 7 p.m. Esta noche es totalmente presencial. Este será un momento para que conozca al maestro de su hijo, vea su salón de clases y descubra más sobre todas las cosas que su hijo aprenderá y hará este año. De hecho, comenzaremos en el auditorio para una presentación rápida con el director y el personal de apoyo y luego nos dirigiremos a clases.
Familias de Kindergarten, 1° y 2° grado:
5:30-6:00 p. m.: Presentación en el aula y encuentro y saludo con los maestros
Familias de 3º, 4º y 5º grado:
6:00-6:30 p.m.: Presentación en el aula y encuentro y saludo con los maestros
6:30-7:00PM: Presentación de Mosaico (solo familias de 5to grado)
Recibirá información más específica sobre la noche del maestro de su hijo. Mientras tanto, puedes seguir adelante y bloquear este tiempo de tu calendario.
New Teacher Spotlight - Iriana Olguin
Ms. Iriana was born and raised in San Francisco. She grew up in the Excelsior district. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Ethnic Studies from Mills College. She just completed the Urban Education & Social Justice Program at University of San Francisco. Ms.Iriana has previously worked at Daniel Webster as an ASEP teacher, paraeducator and substitute. Ms.Iriana is excited to be joining the 4/5 team this year as a teacher. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her dog Mochi, hiking, roller skating and eating mariscos.
New Teacher Spotlight - Yadira Zaragoza Alcala
Librarian Spotlight - Sarah Cahuas
Hello, I am Sarah Cahuas, Webster’s librarian this school year while Ceclia McDonagh is on sabbatical. I am originally from Detroit, Michigan, was a teacher in New York City, and moved to San Francisco 20 years ago. This will be my 12th year as a librarian in the district. I am passionate about diverse children’s literature, bookmaking, creative technology integration, and supporting students’ unique learning interests. Outside of work, I enjoy taking dance classes, trying new recipes, and exploring San Francisco’s museums and parks. I am excited to be part of the DW school this year.
Nurse Spotlight - Kathy Ward
Hi DW families! My name is Kathy Ward and the kids call me "Nurse Kathy". I've been a nurse for many years, (originally from Boston), and this is my 16th year with SFUSD. I have a Masters degree in Public Health, and I have 4 kids of my own! Your child's health and wellness is very important to me. Not only do I provide direct care, but I also teach friendly, health education and self care as well. I look forward to partnering with you and your student this year! I am part-time at D. Webster every Thursday and Friday, and some Wednesdays.
Be well!
Social Worker Spotlight + Mosaic + Rainbow Club Info - Jen Caldwell
Hi Everyone! My name is Jen Caldwell, and I am the School Social Worker at Daniel Webster. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and this is my 3rd year at DW, and my 14th year with SFUSD. At Daniel Webster, you can find me in the Wellness Center with Ms. Susi. Sometimes kids call me the "feelings teacher", and I love being a safe adult for kids to talk to and work through problems and a support for parents and teachers. I also love getting into the classroom and leading community circles or teaching social emotional lessons and leading counseling/social emotional learning groups. In my free time, you can find me hiking, exploring the amazing Bay Area food scene, hanging with my furbaby Oliver, or binging reality TV. I am so excited to support you all and your students this year! caldwellj@sfusd.edu
Mosaic Project: 5th grade parents, be on the lookout for regular email updates from Susi and Jen about Mosaic Camp. There will also be an in person information session at Back to School Night. More information to come!
Rainbow Club: Ms Jen, Mr. T, and Ms. Ana will be co-sponsoring the Rainbow Club again this year. Our first meeting will be on September 7th during 4/5 lunch in the Wellness Center.
Arrival Time + Breakfast + Reporting a Tardy or Absence
Please make sure your child is arriving between 7:50-8:00AM this school year. All students must report to the office for a late owl pass starting at 8:00AM.
Breakfast will be continued to be served 7:35-7:55AM, please arrive on-time to breakfast to ensure enough time for your child to get to class.
When reporting an absence or tardy, send an email to include the following people:
- Your child's teacher
- Our administrative manager of the office, Angela Leung and her email is: leunga3@sfusd.edu
- Our family specialist, Anneliese Carter and her email is: sch497@sfusd.edu
In the email state your child's name and why they are absent or late so that we can mark it as excused in our system.
Three or more unexcused tardies absences results in an automatic truancy letter home.
Friday Circles - Starting Friday, September 15 at 7:50AM
This year we will be doing the Friday circles twice a month. The first Friday circle will commence on September 15th and the next one will be September 29th. All students will report to the lower playground for our first community circle of the year honoring students of the week right at 7:50AM. Light refreshments, bagels and coffee provided to parents and guardians courtesy of PTA.
Immunizations and Medications
Please make sure to contact our school nurse, Kathy Ward for important health info and medications necessary for your child. Including injury and illness reporting.
Nurse Kathy Ward's email is: wardk@sfusd.edu
Please make sure that your child is up-to-date on all required immunizations for school. State law requires students to be up-to-date on immunizations. These immunizations help protect your child against serious diseases. You can submit health documents and/or proof of vaccinations through the online EMERGENCY CARD in ParentVU.
- OR -
Bring the documents to school. For more information, go to:
Health Requirements for School
For immunization updates and additional info please contact:
Suzanne Taviansky
Email: tavianskys@sfusd.edu
