Principal's Message Continued From The Home Page

May not only brings fairer weather but also a turn in our focus. We now need to have 2 school years fully in our focus; this school year and next school year. Plans are underway to have all students in class 5 full days next year. We are also beginning to plan classroom communities for the fall. We have an extensive process that allows for input from ALL of our teachers (specialists, support staff, counselor, classroom teacher, etc.). They know your child as a student; how they interact with their peers; and will bring that knowledge to the table as classes are built. We take the building of classroom communities very seriously and look to bring together students that will support each other in academic and social emotional success. If you have additional information about your child(ren) that you would like for us to consider (we cannot guarantee a placement as we must consider the needs of ALL students), please complete the Special Considerations Form. The form is open now to May 21st and  is linked here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1DDaseswnsnsxeRptnafTJvKY4QEQfD3ib9zXfIEn-4w/viewform?edit_requested=true

This of course is not required, but instead is optional if you feel you have information that should be considered in our placement process. Please be aware that any form that calls out a teacher by name (either because you want your child to have them OR you want your child to not have them) will not be considered, per Board Policy.

All Special Considerations forms are due on Friday, May 21^st. This will allow us to take your input into consideration while we are forming classes.

Student Pick Up
With most of our students now back in the building and so many families electing to provide their own transportation our pick-up lines have gotten pretty long. Please know that we are doing our best to quickly get students to their cars and on their way. You can help by:

• Putting your child(ren)’s namecard on the dashboard to help us quickly know who to call to get in your car
• Helping your child(ren) learn to get in your car on the right-hand side and to manage their car seat on their own (if at all possible)
• Using the Homestead parking lot if you can (park your car and walk down to pick up your child or arrange for your intermediate grade child to walk up to you)
• Only turning right as you exit 81^st Avenue onto 40th
  Thank you!

PTSA Sponsored Read-a-thon
This will be our 3^rd annual PTSA sponsored Read-a-thon. Thank you to Ashley Sternberg for her continued enthusiasm and coordination of the event! More details will come home shortly from PTSA but here are some details to keep in mind:

• May 14-21: students procure sponsors
• May 22—31: Reading is logged (spirit days during school days, see below)
• Monday, May 24: PJ day (students can wear PJs to school, or online)
• Tuesday, May 25: Bookmark entries due to the office, Wolf Wear spirit day
• Wednesday, May 26: Dress as your favorite book character day
• Thursday, May 27: Read outside day (fingers crossed for good weather)
• Friday, May 28: Flashlight Friday (students bring a flashlight and read by the light of the flashlight)
• June 8: payments due, packets turned into the office

Last Day of School
Monday, June 21^st will be the last day of this school year. We will be in session from 9:15-12:35 (in person hours) but will not have any remote learning that afternoon. Students will need to drop off their technology equipment that day.

Student Supplies for next year
Just as we have for the past few years, we are working in conjunction with SchoolKidz to provide easy to order school supply kits. Please look for more information to come on this in the coming weeks.

Important Dates

Thank you again for being the wonderful, supportive West Mercer community that you are. It is truly an honor to work with you as together we create the supportive school and community that serves our young wolves so well!!

Warmest Regards,

Carol Best                                                       Katy Gibson                                                    
Principal                                                          Interim Associate Principal                            
West Mercer                                                    West Mercer