WES Principal Welcome Back Letter

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We would like to take this opportunity to welcome you and your child to the 2020-2021 school year at Watervliet Elementary School. As we embark on this new and unprecedented journey together, we promise to do our best to provide every student with engaging and meaningful instruction, while building positive relationships in the safest way possible. We thank you for your continued support of our school. We value your involvement and support in your child’s education and look forward to a productive year. I know many of us faced a difficult decision when completing the learning waiver, but we promise you there is no wrong decision and you must choose what is right for you and your family during this time. 

MANDATORY HEALTH SCREENING

One of biggest changes to this school year is our new daily attestation that must be completed each morning, along with the staggered start times explained below. To reduce the potential risk of exposure in our school, we are conducting a simple online screening. Your participation is mandatory to help us take precautionary measures to protect your child and everyone in this building. You must complete this screening every day prior to your child entering the facility. The online form is located at https://entry.neric.org/watervliet. We suggest bookmarking and/or adding this site to your phone for easy access.

PARENT DROP-OFF & PICK-UP

In order to keep children safe, and keep parent drop-off and pick-up as efficient as possible, Watervliet Elementary School has adopted new protocols. Please review the protocols to contribute to a safe school culture that demonstrates consideration and respect for all. Drivers must remain in their vehicles while parked in the pick-up/drop-off line during designated times. The line is to be used for drop-off and pick-up from:

  • Grades K-2 → 8:00-8:10 a.m. 
  • Grades 3-5 → 9:00-9:10 a.m.

Families are responsible for their children until our staff opens the main doors and greets the students. While in line, please pull all the way to the front until traffic has stopped. Park next to the curb and come to a complete stop. PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE YOUR VEHICLE. A staff member will greet your child at the car and ensure the attestation (link above) was completed. Unlike past years, staff will not be opening and closing doors. Children should have their things gathered and be ready to unload as soon as the car is against the curb.

Students should exit and enter on the passenger side of the car only (curbside). Upon exiting the vehicle, students will follow their grade level color into the building. We have setup cones on the outside and floor circles on the inside.

BUS

The parking lot will continue to be the area where buses arrive and depart each day. Your child will be escorted to and from the bus. Upon exiting the bus students will follow their grade level color into the building. We have setup cones on the outside and floor circles on the inside. **If you have any questions, changes, or concerns regarding the bus, please contact Mrs. O’Brien in the Transportation Office at 518.629.3204.

  • Kindergarten: Orange
  • Grade 1: Yellow
  • Grade 2: Red
  • Grade 3: Green
  • Grade 4: Blue
  • Grade 5: Purple

WALKERS

The Safe Walk to School paths have been marked throughout the community for WES walkers. Children should remain on the sidewalks and always cross at marked corners. The rules and directions of the crossing guards must be followed. There is no supervision before school begins, so walkers should not arrive on school campus before 8 a.m. (K-2) or 9 a.m. (3-6). Students will follow their grade level color into the building. We have setup cones on the outside and floor circles on the inside.

We look forward to seeing you all. Please let us know if you have any questions.

Our Very Best,
Kelly Webster, Principal &
Michael Foust, Assistant Principal