EC & Kdg. Meet and Greet and New Student Orientation
A new school and new experience can bring lots of emotions. We want to make sure those emotions are excitement, happiness and safety so please come join us anytime between 6 pm and 7:30 pm at Western Avenue.
Early Childhood and Kindergarten families come and meet your teacher, see the classroom and walk the building before the first day.
NEW families tour the school and speak with Mrs. Isabelli, principal, about any questions you may have. Teachers of 1st - 5th will NOT be present.
*Face masks are mandatory for all visitors and staff.
Supply Drop-off
The office will be open for supply at the following times:
Monday: 8 am - 4 pm
Tuesday: 8 am - 4 pm
Wednesday: 10:30 am - 4 pm
Please make sure to label your student's supplies.
COVID-19 Health Update
Face Mask Use:
All staff and any persons entering the school must be masked regardless of vaccination status.
Masks will be mandatory for all PreK-8th grade students inside of the schools. They will not be necessary at recess, lunch, snack, or outdoor activities.
Masks are mandatory for all students and adults on school buses, regardless of vaccination status, per the Illinois Department of Public Health [IDPH].
The Board of Education will review the use of masks on September 13th to determine if mandatory mask use is still necessary or if they can become optional.
COVID-19 Screening/Testing:
SHIELD testing at all schools for unvaccinated individuals.
BINAX Now diagnostic testing for students who are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms. Results would be available within 15 minutes.
Contact tracing efforts in partnership with the IDPH and the Cook County Department of Public Health will continue.
Social Distancing:
When possible, students will be distanced by 3’ in classrooms and other school areas.
Students will have assigned seats at lunch for contact tracing.
Cleaning Practices:
The district will increase the frequency of air filter change to quarterly at all schools. The district will monitor the ventilation systems and air quality on an ongoing basis.
Increased disinfecting and cleaning protocols will remain in place
Handwash, handwash, handwash.
Arrival Guidelines (Car Riders & Walkers)
Elementary: 8:30 am - 8:40 am arrival
CHANGE for 21-22: All students will enter the building upon arriving at school to prepare for the day.
Upon drop off, students will begin entering the building at 8:30 am and head to their classroom to begin unpacking and preparing for the day.
Teachers will be waiting for students outside of their classrooms.
Staff will be stationed throughout the grounds to help students navigate to their entry doors and classes. (see map for entry points and drop-off)
Masks must be worn upon arriving on the school property if not vaccinated.
DROP-OFF General Safety:
Pull up all the way in the car line until a staff member signals you to stop.
Have children walk to the crosswalk to cross the bus lane
If your child is being dropped off on the nearby streets they need to walk down to the crosswalk/concession area for a safe crossing and not between the vehicles.
Do NOT get out of your car in the car line or leave a parked vehicle in the car line.
Parking on Vardon is only allowed if an adult is going to escort children to the appropriate crosswalk.
Tardy:
Students who arrive after 8:40 am will need to be dropped off at the main entrance Door A.
Tardy log sign-in will be located in the foyer and only the student will be allowed into the office.
Arrival Guidelines (Bus Riders)
Bus information will be available in Skyward by Wednesday, August 4th. If you see any issues please contact Wanda Alexander at 708-546-7072.
Masks MUST be worn for the entirety of the bus ride.
Once the bus arrives at the building a staff member will dismiss the bus and students will proceed to their entrance door (see map below)
Lunch & Breakfast Information
Lunch will continue to be free for all students this year. Students will let their teachers know if they are ordering a school lunch in the morning.
We are in need of lunch supervisors!!! If you would like to be a permanent or substitute lunch aide please contact Mrs. Renko at jrenko@sd161.org
This year students at WA will also be able to receive free breakfast if they NEED it. Students who are IN NEED of eating breakfast at school can arrive at 8:25 am and proceed to door F. Breakfast will be served from 8:25 am - 8:38 am.
Walk-a-Thon: Join us as our wolves Walk the Gem
Capturing Kids' Hearts
Each month we will share the CKH Family Newsletter attached below. This resource includes ideas aligned with Capturing Kids' Hearts processes to help families engage with their students through intentional conversations, empower their children to grow and develop their leadership skills, and EXCEL as a family through activities that help them, love, serve and grow better together.
4 Powerful Ways to Manage Back-to-School Anxiety in Kids
Ahh, the new school year. Freshly sharpened pencils, brightly colored supplies, that clean new backpack. Not to mention the joy of figuring out which friends will be in class. It’s enough to get any kid excited about starting school, right? Well, not so fast.
Returning to school after summer break creates a wide range of feelings in even the most easygoing child. Worries about homework, whether new classmates will be nice, or how strict the teacher means most kids experience some level of anxiety about the upcoming year.
And for children starting school for the first time or transitioning to middle or high school, fears can be even more intense.
Click here to keep reading and access the free printables.
Western Avenue Contact Information
Email: gisabelli@sd161.org
Website: https://www.sd161.org/o/western-avenue
Location: 940 Western Avenue, Flossmoor, IL, USA
Phone: 708-647-7400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/district161wa
Twitter: @western161
