Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Holiday Greetings from Onondaga Road


Holiday Greetings to All!

How did the holiday season sneak up on us without snow?  As the season is fully upon us, we tend to get wrapped up in the busy time and our schedules can get a little hectic!  Remember to reflect and enjoy the season, enjoy one another’s company, and be sure to keep the health and well-being of you and your family at the forefront.    


 Safety First

The well-being and safety of our students is always a priority, and your help is needed regarding safety protocols.  As a small school community, we tend to become lax about safety rules, until something drastic happens in the news calling for our attention.  At this time, it is necessary for me to remind everyone to be vigilant in adhering to these practices:
·         Always announce your arrival in the school.  Once you are “buzzed in” the front door, or if someone from inside opens the door to you, you must stop at the main desk.  Parents and guardians arrive at various times during the day to pick up a child, drop off an item, or bring a child in late, so stopping at the main office should always be a priority. 
·         NO visitors should be in the school hallways without a visible visitor’s badge.  Refrain from walking down the hallways unannounced.  While it may seem harmless to drop off something to your child at his/her classroom door or to go pick your child up from his/her classroom, this is a violation of our safety protocols.  As stated above, you must stop at the main office upon every arrival at school.
·         Dismissal should take place at the main entrance only.  Even if you have parked in the back parking lot, you must walk around to the front door for your child to be dismissed from there.
·         If you are picking your child up at the end of the day, remember that dismissal time is 3:15 and you should wait in the main lobby near the office.
·         You must sign your child out at the main office if he/she is being picked up from school for any reason, including dismissal.  This helps us to keep track of all students’ whereabouts.
Together we can keep our children safe, but everyone needs to follow the established guidelines!

Renovations Are in Our Not-So-Distant Future!

You may have noticed a new addition parked at the north end of our front yard.  Last week we welcomed the arrival of our contractors’ work trailer.  This trailer will remain on site for the duration of our construction project.  While the bulk of our school renovation will take place next summer, the work will begin after the holiday season.
In January, contractors will be creating a driveway into the courtyard.  This driveway will lead from the front of the building (the north end where the work trailer is located), around that side, and into the courtyard closest to the primary wing.
In February, we will be relocating some teachers and reconfiguring some small group teaching spaces.  I do not anticipate moving full classrooms at this time, but I will keep you informed if/when the time comes to move any classes.
Weather permitting, we anticipate breaking ground on or around March 1st.  Literally, this means digging the ground in the courtyard, which will eventually be the floor of our new library.  Recall that the existing library will be converted to a cafeteria, and a new library will be built as an extension into the courtyard.  The students will be excited to watch the trucks and equipment as we enter this phase of the renovation.
Please understand that as always, the safety of our students and staff remains a priority.  There will be very few contractors inside the building during the school year, but those who will be here have district-approved identification badges and access to the building.  This is not my first school renovation, and I am very familiar with the rules and safety regulations.  I will be working closely with the foreman, and I will do my best to keep you informed of the progress and phases of the project.  If at any time you have any questions about the construction, please do not hesitate to call me.  I will also give updates at our monthly PTA meetings, so be sure check the calendar for those dates.
Thank you for your continued support from home.  Have a wonderful holiday season with your family and friends!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Clark


Dates to Remember



  • Wednesday, 12/16 – Board of Education Meeting, 7:00 at WGHS
  • Wednesday, 12/23 – Whole-school Sing-Along - Students are welcome to wear pajamas to school!
  • Wednesday, 12/23 – Classroom Holiday Celebrations – Last day of school before holiday break.
  • Thursday, 12/24 through Friday, 1/1/16 – School closed for holiday break
  • Monday, 1/4/16 – Welcome back to school!  Happy New Year!
  • Wednesday, 1/6 – Board of Education Meeting, 7:00 at WGHS
  • Wednesday, 1/13 – PTA meets at 6:00 at WGHS, not at OR. *Please note the time and location change!
  • Monday, 1/18 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – Schools are closed.
  • Friday, 1/29 – Report Cards are distributed.  This is a half-day 11:30 dismissal for students.