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MWE Update

Posted on: July 28, 2022
Update

Miami Whitewater Parents & Guardians -

Welcome back Wildcats!  Summer vacation has given everyone at Miami Whitewater Elementary the opportunity to rest, relax, and recharge so we can be even better for your kids this school year.  I am thankful that you put your trust in our teachers and staff members to take excellent care of your most prized possession.  Have confidence and faith that your child’s safety and wellness is our top priority! 

I am thrilled to lead our teachers and support staff in growing your child academically, socially, and emotionally.  Education and working with children is my passion!  As the parent of two children, I recognize the importance of a strong home-school connection.  Parents and guardians are every child’s first teacher and I believe that by working together, we can make sure that your child’s needs are met.  It’s exciting to see children through their parent’s eyes, so please understand that my office door will be open and I welcome visitors at any time! 

“Back-to-School” time is so exciting!  There are several updates and lots of information for you below.  If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call the school office (513) 367-5577.


Food Service Update
 - For the past two school years, the USDA has offered waivers to public school food service programs across the US, allowing us to offer all students breakfast and lunch at no charge.  Unfortunately, these waivers expired June 2022.  Breakfast and lunch are no longer free at SLSD schools.  This means that families will once again be asked to complete and submit a Free/Reduced Meal Application for the 2022-23 School Year if they would like to see if their students qualify for free or reduced meal prices based on the household income of all family members.  This window for applications opened July 18 and will remain open for all families to complete prior to the start of the school year.  Please click https://mealapp.lunchtimesoftware.net/ for the online application or you can pick up a paper application in the Miami Whitewater Elementary office, fill it out, and return it to school.

Does your child have allergies or special dietary needs?  Please make sure this information is updated in Final Forms and notify Nurse Simpson as well so we can be prepared at barb.simpson@southwestschools.org.  If you have any additional questions about food service or how to put money on your child's lunch account, visit our food service website at southwestschools.org/foodservice .


School Hours –
Arrival begins at 8:40am and the school day officially starts at 9:10am when the tardy bell rings.  Breakfast is available for purchase starting at 8:40 in the café.  Breakfast is not grant-funded or free this year.  Afternoon announcements and dismissal begin at 3:40pm.  Our office staff is available starting at 7:30am if you are in need of assistance before students arrive.


Summer Reading –
During the summer months, please continue to enjoy some special reading time with your child. Just twenty minutes of reading each day will help your child maintain acquired skills and can have a great impact on his/her success in the upcoming school year. To help you continue summer reading adventures, here are some tips:

  • Set the stage for pleasure-reading by choosing a quiet time and location.
  • Participate in Scholastic's new Reading program, "Home Base".  Each child will need to set up a “home base” account to help log their reading time.  This is not a fundraiser but a way to keep kids engaged with reading over the summer.  You can find more information here:  https://www.scholastic.com/site/summer-reading.html
  • Don’t forget the value of read-alouds; children love to have adults read to them, and an engaging chapter book is a great treat for a parent and child to share.
  • Check the Harrison Public Library’s schedule of reading-related activities and events: https://chpl.org/locations/HA/


Kindergarten Boot Camp –
A special welcome to our youngest wildcats, the Harrison HS graduating class of 2035!  Don’t worry, Parents & Guardians, we are experts at making your kindergarten child’s transition to school as smooth as possible.  All incoming Kindergarten students are required to attend Boot Camp Aug. 2 or Aug. 3 in order to be screened for Kindergarten readiness.  Several teachers and volunteers will also be assessing your child’s ability in the areas of early numeracy, early literacy, and fine motor skills.  All students in attendance will receive a special treat and yard sign for their home upon completion of Boot Camp!  Please sign up for a time that is convenient for your family at: https://signup.com/go/MrBuCfS 


New MWE Teachers & Staff Members –
Miami Whitewater Elementary has several new teachers and staff members due to growing enrollment.  Please help us welcome the following family members:

  • Mrs. Kelsey Schaber – 5th grade Teacher
  • Miss Kylie Rack – 4th grade Teacher
  • Mrs. Katy Pfeffer – 1st grade Teacher
  • Mr. Bailey Esterman – Tech Support
  • Mrs. Lora Dadosky – Building Substitute
  • Ms. Brandy Neumiller – RBT (Registered Behavior Technician)
  • Mrs. Lesley Ficker – Speech Pathologist
  • Ms. Megan Treft – Intervention Specialist
  • Mrs. Ashley Jackson – Intervention Specialist
  • Mrs. Patricia Gourley – MTSS RTi/Skill-Building Aide (4th & 5th grade)
  • Miss Molly Boeckermann – ParaProfessional I
  • Miss Kylie Huesman – ParaProfessional I
  • Mrs. Amber Holmes – ParaProfessional I
  • Mrs. Trisha Robison – ParaProfessional I
  • Mrs. Karie Swafford – ParaProfessional I
  • Miss Brooke Vaught – ParaProfessional I
  • Ms. Chasity Carter – ParaProfessional I
  • Mrs. Terri Carpenter – ParaProfessional I


SchoolSAFE ID & New Dismissal Procedures–
Miami Whitewater Elementary is partnering with SchoolSAFE ID this year to make our dismissal procedures safer and more efficient for car riders.  More information and a welcome letter will be sent out early next week in a separate email from Mr. Kelly.  All vehicles pulling into the lot at dismissal will have a green hang tag with a number that matches your child’s backpack tag (grades 1-5 only).  As a reminder, all cars should enter at our main entrance and should not pull into the bus lot between MWE & Harrison Junior School.  This presents a safety hazard for our students.  Dismissal will still take place in three waves by last name to alleviate traffic in the carpool lane.  Last name A-I = 3:40, Last name J-Q = 3:45 and Last name R-Z = 3:50.


Class Lists –
Class lists will be posted on the front doors of school at 2:00pm on August 5th


PTO -
We are looking forward to the upcoming school year! Stop by our table at the kindergarten boot camp for a popsicle and special t-shirt for your kindergartener. We will also have a table at Open House with give-aways, please stop by and join! We will kick off Mumkin sales once again, look for info coming home the first week of school. Please follow us on Facebook (Miami Whitewater PTO) for updates and information and look for our PTO updates in the school email blasts. Meetings are in the school cafeteria on the 1st Tuesday of the month at 6:30 starting in September and we are always happy to see new faces and would love for you to join us! 


School Supplies –
School supply lists by grade level for the 2022-23 school year can be found on our website https://www.southwestschools.org/media/miamiwhitewater/Supply%20List%20MWE%2022-23.pdf   Please note that MWE did not partner with Bright School Kitz this year.  Their prices were elevated compared to what parents & guardians can find at local stores or online through vendors like amazon.com.  We are trying to keep out of pocket costs down for our families.  This was a MWE administrative decision and had nothing to do with our PTO.


Highlighter Event –
Church on Fire will be hosting their annual back-to-school Highlighter event August 5th from 6:00-9:00.  Highlighter is located at 10544 Harrison Ave., Harrison, OH 45030.  You can find more details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/532124741947098


Open House –
Open House will be August 11th from 5:00-6:30.  Full-Day Kindergarten & AM Kdg. parent/guardian orientation will start at 4:30pm before Open House.  PM Kindergarten parent/guardian orientation will start at 5:30.  Please do not enter the academic wing and visit classrooms before 5:00 if your child is in grades 1-5.  Teachers will not be ready to welcome you quite yet. We will have several tables set up in the café and gym areas for PTO membership, SLSD transportation, Scouts, MWE raffle basket, and a sweet snack!  SchoolSAFE ID tags should be available for pick-up at Open House in the office as well.


SLSD Core Values –
Our Southwest Local School District core values are – Trust, Respect, Ownership, & Leadership.   As we move forward as a Miami Whitewater family, I challenge all our students, teachers, staff, family members, and community to help elevate our wildcats this school year with the goal of focusing on being leaders, taking ownership, respecting one another, and being trustworthy.  Our PBIS (Positive Behavior Support & Intervention) program highlights character traits and our core values at school while celebrating each of our successes. This school year, we will also be continuing our launch of PBIS and teaching our students the expected behaviors across all school settings. We will kick things off in a school-wide assembly on August 19th by reviewing, and teaching our students how to treat each other and our beautiful new school building with care and respect!


Social Media -
Follow us on social media to see how our Wildcats #FindYourGreatness this year and see how we show our WILDCAT PRIDE!

Twitter – @SLSDMWE
Facebook – Miami Whitewater Elementary
Instagram –  @slsdmwe
MWE Website - mwes.southwestschools.org

 

Upcoming Dates:
8/2/22 – 8/3/22– Kindergarten Boot Camp
8/5/22 – Class Lists posted at 2:00pm (on front doors)
8/10/22 – SLSD Mercy Health Clinic Ribbon Cutting Ceremony 5:00
8/10/22 – SLSD State of the Schools 6:00 at the Activity Center
8/11/22 – Full-Day Kdg. & AM Kdg. Parent/Guardian Orientation 4:30
8/11/22 – PM Kdg. Parent/Guardian Orientation 5:30
8/11/22 – Open House 5:00
8/16/22 – SLSD First Day of SCHOOL!

 

A final word to our young wildcats:  Thank you for all your hard work throughout last school year.  I am so honored to be your principal; you make me proud to be a Miami Whitewater Elementary Wildcat.  You keep me laughing and young at heart.  I am grateful for your joy, astute insights, wonderful character, and amazing talents.  Best wishes to our graduating fifth graders, whom I will miss greatly—please come back and visit since you’re right next door at the Junior School.  Until school starts on August 16, here’s wishing you love, laughter, and learning in the bright sunshine!