November 30, 2023
Dear Pirate Families,
Dear Pirate Families,
— Winter does not arrive until December, but we have already seen falling temperatures. Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately to stay warm while walking to and from bus stops, waiting at bus stops and during outdoor recess.
— Schools have been having food drives and donated food will be used by local food pantries. Watch for information about how to donate in the weekly electronic news from your child’s school.
— There is no school next Friday, December 8, for Quality Professional Training (QPT) for staff. QPT days are scheduled throughout the year and are important for educators and support staff to provide the best services possible to the Pirates!
— Remember to be cautious when driving through your neighborhood and while on school property. We want all of our students to arrive safely to and from bus stops and to and from school.
Be safe. Be respectful. Be responsible. Be kind.
PIRATE PROUD!
Dr. Andrea Townsend
November 16, 2023
Dear Pirate Families,
Dear Pirate Families,
— I am thankful for students who come to school every day ready to learn.
— I am thankful for all of you who provide family support and let your child know that education is important.
— I am thankful for all of you who are role models by exhibiting good behavior for your child and all of our Pirates.
— I am thankful for all of you who come to conferences, open houses, concerts and sporting events to support your child.
— I am thankful for all of the staff who provide education and services to students.
— I am thankful to be part of the Pirate community!
Next week is Fall Break! Students will return to school Monday, November 27. I want to wish you and your family a happy Thanksgiving!
Be safe. Be respectful. Be responsible. Be kind.
PIRATE PROUD!
Dr. Andrea Townsend
November 9, 2023
Dear Pirate Families,
As you may be aware, on Tuesday, Kettering police received a call claiming there was a student with a handgun in a classroom at Alter High School. Kettering police immediately responded to the school and their investigation later determined that the call was a hoax.
When I was made aware of the situation, the investigation was still ongoing and we were unsure of the severity of what was happening. I immediately began working with Dr. Woods and other Intermediate School staff to implement a lockdown. Moraine police, who were aware of the incident in Kettering, immediately increased their presence at the Intermediate School and surrounding area.
I want you to know that I take these matters very seriously and will always prioritize the safety of students and staff. During a lockdown, my first action along with school staff is to make sure everyone is safe. We will notify parents that the school is on lockdown only after we have determined that everyone is safe. We will not stop before or during our safety check to send out communication because making sure every child is safe is our first priority. Once we have determined everyone’s safety, we will then begin sending out communication.
I appreciate your continued support in safety including having your identification ready when you come to any of our schools.
— Saturday is Veterans Day. I am proud to be the daughter of an Army Veteran. I want to thank all of you who have served, or are currently serving, in the military.
— Would you like to be part of the Pirate team? We are currently looking for full time paraprofessionals, substitute teachers, substitute bus drivers and substitute food service workers. If you are interested, apply at https://t.ly/yDT35 or share the link with anyone you think may be interested.
Be safe. Be respectful. Be responsible. Be kind.
PIRATE PROUD!
Dr. Andrea Townsend
November 2, 2023
Dear Pirate Families,
— UPDATE: The Pirates won the Super Bowl! The WCRA Wee Pirates 5th grade team defeated the Vikings 33 to 14. Thank you to everyone who supported the Pirates and congratulations to the team!
— The time is changing! Turn back your clocks one hour on Sunday.
— The Early Childhood Center Family Involvement Team is collecting gently used or new Halloween costumes. They will be distributed to children in the future who may need costumes at the WCECC. Drop off bins will be located by the front door of the building beginning Nov. 3 on scheduled school days from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through the end of November. Please make sure any costume you drop off is an appropriate size for a preschool through first grade student.
— Work is underway on the new Middle School / High School campus and elementary school. I appreciate everyone who came out to celebrate the Groundbreaking Ceremony on Monday. Check out BUILDING PROJECT to find out more information about the new buildings.
— You may see a fire truck at Schnell and Russell Friday morning. Two students from each school were chosen to have breakfast with the firefighters at the fire station. The students will get to tour the fire station and then get to ride to school on the fire truck. I appreciate the partnership we have with our community that makes this activity possible for our students.
Be safe. Be respectful. Be responsible. Be kind.
PIRATE PROUD!
Dr. Andrea Townsend
October 26, 2023
Dear Pirate Families,
— The Pirates are going to the Super Bowl! Although the school district doesn’t offer organized sports until Middle School, there is plenty of opportunity in the community for young people to participate. This year, the WCRA Wee Pirates 5th grade team will be playing in a Super Bowl championship game against Miamisburg! Come out and cheer for our young Pirates this Saturday, Oct. 28 at 4 p.m. at Wade Field - 705 S. Main St., Springboro.
— You’re invited! The school district will be having a Groundbreaking Ceremony for both Phase II buildings on Oct. 30 at the High School beginning at 5 p.m. Phase II is the construction of a new elementary school and a middle school / high school campus. District officials will be joined by representatives from the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, architect Levin Porter and Shook Construction. Join us to be part of the celebration and view renderings of the new schools. The event will be held outside near the stadium entrance; in the event of rain, the event will be moved inside into the auditorium.
— There are a lot of community events planned for Halloween, including Trick or Treat on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. in Miami Township, Moraine and West Carrollton. Please use extra caution if you are out driving and watch for young people.
— You may see some trick or treaters with blue pumpkin buckets. Families around the world have been using the blue bucket to raise awareness for autism. If you are passing out treats and see a child with a blue pumpkin bucket, that child may be nonverbal or need extra patience when they come to your door.
Be safe. Be respectful. Be responsible. Be kind.
PIRATE PROUD!
Dr. Andrea Townsend
October 19, 2023
Dear Pirate Families,
— Fall sports are wrapping up and I am so proud of our student athletes who have shown determination and grit throughout the season. I want to thank all of our coaches for inspiring our students. I especially want to thank everyone who came out to athletic events to support the Pirates. There was a lot of cheering and Pirate Pride, and I look forward to it extending into the winter sports season.
— The Evening of Strings concert begins at 7 p.m. at the High School tonight. The event is free and will feature musicians from seven area high schools. They will all be playing together for the grand finale! You may also enjoy it at home by connecting to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5iymfAUuVQ which will begin live streaming just before 7 p.m.
— You’re invited! The school district will be having a Groundbreaking Ceremony for both Phase II buildings on Oct. 30 at the High School beginning at 5 p.m. Phase II is the construction of a new elementary school and a middle school / high school campus. District officials will be joined by representatives from the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, architect Levin Porter and Shook Construction. Join us to be part of the celebration and view renderings of the new schools. The event will be held outside near the stadium entrance; in the event of rain, the event will be moved inside into the auditorium.
— Thank you to all of our school bus drivers! We are nearing the end of National School Bus Safety Week and I appreciate all of the drivers who get our students to and from school, field trips and sporting events in a safe manner. If you see your child’s bus driver, give them a wave or a smile to let them know that you appreciate them, too. If you are interested in joining the school transportation team, give Kathy a call at 937-859-5121, ext. 8959.
— We are now into the second quarter of school and I’m excited to see what the Pirates can achieve as we move forward into the school year!
Be safe. Be respectful. Be responsible. Be kind.
PIRATE PROUD!
Dr. Andrea Townsend
October 12, 2023
Dear Pirate Families,
I want to further address the incident that happened earlier this week at the High School when someone identifying themself as a visitor was allowed into the building.
You should have received protocols for entry in the building, or will be receiving them this weekend in your weekly newsletter from your child’s school. What happened earlier this week was not per our protocols and is being addressed at the High School and all other schools in the district.
We are meeting with all school office staff to review protocols. We have done random checks to see if protocols for building entry are being followed and will continue to do so.
We need your help to keep students and staff safe. If you come to your child’s school, be prepared to show your identification. Even if you have a relationship with the office staff and they know who you are, you will be asked to show your identification. When you enter the building, go directly to the office.
Most importantly, if you see something, say something. If one of our safety protocols is not being followed, contact us. It is disappointing when we see social media posts spreading negativity about our schools instead of the individual making the post contacting the school district directly.
We want our students to have a positive experience in the school district, and appreciate your help as we continue to work together.
— It will be positively pink at the football game Friday night for the annual Pink Out game. Put on your pink and join the Pirates at 7 p.m. as they recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The game will be preceded by the Senior Night celebration.
— Join the volleyball team this Saturday at the High School at noon. Their match will be preceded by their Senior celebration beginning at approximately 11:45.
— Next Thursday, October 19, at 7:00pm, we will be hosting Evening of Strings at West Carrollton High School! This collaborative event is in its 53rd year. We will welcome musicians from 7 area high schools (Global Impact STEM, Greenville, Northmont, Oakwood, Sidney, Stebbins, Troy). Each school performs with at least one other school. Everyone plays together for the grand finale for a total of about 330 students this year. This year's guest conductor for the grand finale is Dr. Betsey Hofeldt, conductor of the Dayton Philharmonic Youth Strings and section first violinist for the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. The event is free.
These are just a few of the upcoming positive events happening in the district!
Be safe. Be respectful. Be responsible. Be kind.
PIRATE PROUD!
Dr. Andrea Townsend
October 5, 2023
Dear Pirate Families,
We recently received the Ohio School Report Card for the district and received a 3.5 (out of 5) star rating. It represents the hard work our students and staff made during the 2022-23 school year, as well as the ongoing recovery of learning loss that students experienced during the pandemic.
I am most impressed with the 4 star rating in Progress (exceeding standards) and the 3 star rating in Gap Closing (meeting standards).
It is difficult to significantly change ratings in a school year, but I can see the progress we are making based on the data received from the state as well as internal data we use to monitor every student’s academic strengths and weaknesses. We can use the data to deliver education focused on areas of need and continue to improve our overall achievement.
District residents will soon be receiving our annual Points of Pride publication in the mail. This publication is a review of the 2022-23 school year and provides an overview of academics, involvement, financial stewardship, student services, athletics and the arts. You will see more stories about students and the achievements they are making.
The staff is continuing to work together to provide opportunities for students to learn and succeed, but we can’t do it without you! Family support is an important key to your child’s success. Let your child know how important it is to do well in school.
I appreciate all of the staff and you for your support of the Pirates!
— Congratulations to the Pirate football team who defeated Piqua 14 to 13 at the Homecoming game last Friday night. The next big home game will be the Pink-Out on October 13 beginning at 7 p.m. Join the Pirates as they recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
— Mark your calendar:
Oct. 12 - First Quarter Ends
Oct. 13 - No School for QPT Day
Oct. 16 - No School
Oct. 17 - Second Quarter Begins
Be safe. Be respectful. Be responsible. Be kind.
PIRATE PROUD!
Dr. Andrea Townsend
September 28, 2023
Dear Pirate Families,
— Spirit Week continues as we celebrate Homecoming. It has been fun watching the students being involved with activities in the schools this week and I’m looking forward to the parade this evening. Friday night will be another community event. The details follow.
— Fri., Sept. 29 at 6:30 p.m. - Homecoming Court Introduced and King and Queen Announced prior to the football game.
— Fri., Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. - Football - Come out and cheer for the Pirates!
— A Community Forum is being held Wednesday, October 4 at 5 p.m. in the Community Room at the District Office - 430 E. Pease Avenue. You are invited to attend and see a presentation regarding Phase II of the district’s two-part construction plan. CLICK HERE to find out more about the event as well as a brief history of the construction plan. The School Board meeting will begin immediately afterward at 6 p.m.
— Schools are looking for volunteers. If you are interested in being involved, contact your child’s school office to see how you may help. All volunteers must pass a background check prior to volunteering and we offer that service at no charge.
— School fees can be waived if your child qualifies for a free or reduced price lunch. School fees may be paid at your child’s school office or online. CLICK HERE to pay fees, pay for school lunches OR complete the application for a free or reduced price lunch. Paper applications are also available at every school office.
— FREE Positive Parenting Support classes are available beginning October 3. There are four classes scheduled in October. All are from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and all are online. CLICK HERE to find out more.
Be safe. Be respectful. Be responsible. Be kind.
PIRATE PROUD!
Dr. Andrea Townsend
September 21, 2023
Dear Pirate Families,
— Congratulations to the girls’ tennis team! They are bringing home the first place trophy for their division of the Miami Valley League. The team has put in a lot of hard work to prepare for competition, and they still have matches scheduled. Check out mvlathletics.com for your favorite Pirate sports and game schedules.
— Spirit Week begins Monday as we prepare for Homecoming activities.
— Thurs., Sept. 28 at 6 p.m. - Homecoming Parade - The parade will begin in front of the Early Childhood Center on Pease Avenue, then a right onto Cedar Street; a left on Catherine Avenue; a right on Burns Avenue; a left on William Street; a left on N. Locust Street; a left onto E. Main Street and will end at the Middle School.
We look forward to seeing the community come out to see the Parade and support the Pirates. Please be respectful of our neighbors on the parade route and do not leave anything behind.
— Fri., Sept. 29 at 6:30 p.m. - Homecoming Court Introduced and King and Queen Announced prior to the football game.
— Fri., Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. - Football - Come out and cheer for the Pirates!
— The Homecoming Dance will be Saturday evening and will conclude Homecoming activities.
Be safe. Be respectful. Be responsible. Be kind.
PIRATE PROUD!
Dr. Andrea Townsend
September 14, 2023
Dear Pirate Families,
— There is no school on Friday, September 15, for QPT Day.
— The Friday Football game tomorrow night begins at 7 p.m., but plan to arrive early! The West Carrollton Police Department is having a Tailgate Party prior to the game and will be giving away free pizza! I want to thank the WCPD for doing this!
— Last spring, orchestra students auditioned to be members of area orchestras. I am proud of the three High School students and two Middle School students who were chosen to be members of the Miami Valley Symphony Youth Strings; one Middle School student who was chosen to be a member of the Dayton Philharmonic Junior Strings; two High School students and one Middle School student chosen to be members of the Dayton Philharmonic Youth Strings; and two High School students chosen to be members of the Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. Following a highly competitive audition, one High School student was accepted as a member of the Ohio Southwest Region Orchestra and was one of only nine violists to be accepted into the ensemble. Congratulations to all of the students as well as orchestra teacher, Mrs. Ericson.
— Reading is a fundamental part of every child’s education, and it’s never too early to begin! Reading to your child is a first step, and you can receive a free book every month for your child from birth to school age from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The organization has given away over 200 million books! If you have children at home who have not yet entered school, this is a great opportunity to begin reading together. Feel free to share the link with anyone you know who may benefit!
Enjoy a long weekend! Be safe. Be respectful. Be responsible. Be kind.
PIRATE PROUD!
Dr. Andrea Townsend
September 7, 2023
Dear Pirate Families,
— I want to thank everyone who came to the football game this past Friday night. It was nice to see so many people in the stands who came out to support the Pirates! I was especially impressed with the student section who came out to cheer and enjoy the game.
— The Wee Pirates section at the football game was equally impressive! The young athletes were there to be celebrated and cheer for the team. One of our Wee Pirates told me, “we are the best.” Of course, I have to agree!
— The Homecoming Parade will begin at 6 p.m. in front of the Early Childhood Center on Thursday, Sept. 28. The theme for this year is Enchanted Garden. I’m excited to see the creativity students use with costumes and when decorating their floats.
— I’m looking forward to continued family and community support for the Homecoming parade and future athletic events. It means so much to our Pirates!
— Mark your calendar. There is no school on Friday, September 15, for QPT Day.
Be safe. Be respectful. Be responsible. Be kind.
PIRATE PROUD!
Dr. Andrea Townsend
August 31, 2023
Dear Pirate Families,
— As you are aware, we had extremely hot weather at the end of last week and the current forecast is for high temperatures to return throughout next week.
— I want to address rumors that were circulating regarding the High School.
RUMOR: Classroom temperatures were over 100 degrees
FACT: No classroom reached 100 degrees. We monitor temperatures throughout the day.
RUMOR: There is no air conditioning at the High School.
FACT: There are several areas in the High School that have air conditioning including the library, cafeteria, auditorium lobby, auditorium and community room. Each of those areas can contain more than one classroom of students, and some classes did utilize those areas last Friday.
RUMOR: Dozens of students went to the clinic because of heat related issues.
FACT: Approximately 10 students visited the clinic on Friday, but not all were heat related.
— While the warmer temperatures continue, please make sure your child dresses appropriately for the weather. Despite the temperatures, we have seen many students come to school wearing hoodies and/or sweatpants.
— REMINDER: The Homecoming Dance is less than a month away. All school fees must be paid prior to purchasing a ticket to the dance.
— REMINDER: If you qualify for a free or reduced price lunch, you will qualify for a fee waiver for school fees. If you think that you qualify, visit https://westcarrollton.healtheliving.net/what-we-do/meal-applications/ for an online application or request a paper application from any school office. You may also contact our Food Service Supervisor, Tina Pett, at 937-859-5121, ext. 8, if you have any questions.
— There is no school on Monday, September 4, for Labor Day.
Enjoy a long weekend! Be safe. Be respectful. Be responsible. Be kind.
PIRATE PROUD!
Dr. Andrea Townsend
August 24, 2023
Dear Pirate Families,
It’s been a great first week of school, and it has been wonderful seeing all of our students return to the classrooms. Pirates are already competing in athletic events. Check out mvlathletics.com and choose Fall to see game schedules and standings.
Homecoming begins with the parade on Thursday, September 28; the football game on Friday, September 29; and the dance on Saturday, September 30. There is a deadline to purchase tickets and that date will be announced to students and parents by the High School Principal, Mr. White. All school fees must be paid prior to purchasing a ticket to the dance.
We have recently been informed that any child who qualifies for a free or reduced price lunch will receive a free lunch this school year. Qualifying for a free or reduced price lunch also means you will qualify for a school fee waiver. If you think that you qualify, visit https://westcarrollton.healtheliving.net/what-we-do/meal-applications/ for an online application or request a paper application from any school office. You may also contact our Food Service Supervisor, Tina Pett, at 937-859-5121, ext. 8, if you have any questions.
Remember to be cautious when driving on school property. When you have dropped off or picked up your child, please do not pass vehicles in front of you. Wait until the cars in front of you proceed to the exit. Passing other vehicles causes traffic congestion and danger for students getting in or out of a vehicle. Please be patient so that everyone, including you and your child, enter and exit in a safe manner.
I want to thank all of the families who came to school open houses and kindergarten screenings. Family support is a key component in your child’s education and we appreciate your involvement!
Be safe. Be respectful. Be responsible. Be kind.
PIRATE PROUD!
Dr. Andrea Townsend
August 15, 2023
Dear Pirate Families,
Most of our Pirates will be having their first day of school on Wednesday, August 16. One thing we know from the past is that there will be a lot of congestion in school parking lots and the roads around the schools during the first days of school.
Please be patient when driving on school property as everyone becomes accustomed to student drop off and pick up traffic patterns. Our students, especially our little ones, will be adjusting to new routines and we anticipate that drive time on school property and around the schools will be delayed during the first days of school. Eyes up. Phones down. Go slow. Give yourself extra driving time.
Delays may also be possible for school buses, especially at the end of the school day when students are finding the right bus to ride home. If a delay occurs at a school with an early dismissal time, it will affect the schedule for all of the schools with later dismissals. Our drivers work hard to stay on time, but please be prepared for possible drop off delays during the first days of school.
Use caution when driving in your neighborhood as children walk to and from bus stops and to and from school. Remember that pedestrians have the right of way in crosswalks.
We are excited to have the students returning to learn, and we want all of our Pirates to arrive at school and back at home in a safe manner. We appreciate the help of the community!
Be safe. Be respectful. Be responsible. Be kind.
PIRATE PROUD!
Dr. Andrea Townsend
August 4, 2023
Dear Pirate Families,
School is about to begin, and I wanted to share information with you to make the start of the school year a little easier. Below are school hours and connections to access the supply list and bus routes for each school.
There is also a connection to FinalForms. This is important for you to verify and update your child’s information every school year. This includes contact information, health history, emergency medical authorization, review of the student handbook, ODE connectivity questions, student media release, field trip permission and review of the acceptable use policy for technology.
If you have questions about anything, call us at 937-859-5121. School offices, as well as the transportation and student nutrition office, are open.
Early Childhood Center
Preschool through First Grade
Aug. 15 Open House for All Families - 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Preschool
Aug. 18 - 23 Classroom Visits
Aug. 24 Preschool - First Day of School
Kindergarten
Aug. 16 - 17 Kindergarten Screening by appointment
Aug. 18 Half of Kindergarten Class Attends -
students with the last name beginning with A-L
Aug. 21 Half of Kindergarten Class Attends -
students with the last name beginning with M-Z
Aug. 22 ALL Kindergarten Students Attend
First Grade
Aug. 16 Half of First Grade Class Attends -
students with the last name beginning with A-L
Aug. 17 Half of First Grade Class Attends -
students with the last name beginning with M-Z
Aug. 18 ALL First Grade Students Attend
Harold Schnell
Second and Third Grade
Aug. 14 2nd Grade Back to School Open House, 4:30 to 6 p.m.
Aug. 15 3rd Grade Back to School Open House, 4:30 to 6 p.m.
Aug. 16 First Day of School
Harry Russell
Fourth Grade
Aug. 15 Open House, 4:30 to 6 p.m.
Aug. 16 First Day of School
Intermediate School
Fifth and Sixth Grade
Aug. 10 5th Grade Orientation, Schedule Pick Up,
10 to 11:15 a.m.
Aug. 10 6th Grade Orientation, Schedule Pick Up,
1 to 2:15 p.m.
Aug. 15 Open House, 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 16 First Day of School
Middle School
Seventh and Eighth Grade
Aug. 9 Informational Meeting for 7th Grade Parents, 6 p.m.
Aug. 14 Open House, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 16 First Day for 7th Grade Only
Aug. 17 All Middle School Students Attend
High School
Ninth through Twelfth Grade
Aug. 14 - 15 Schedule Pickup, Cafeteria Lobby, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Aug. 16 Freshman Class Only attends
Aug. 17 All High School Students Attend
Watch for more communication from your child’s school as we get closer to the return of the Pirates! Be safe. Be responsible. Be respectful. Be kind as we begin the 2023-2024 school year!
PIRATE PROUD,
Dr. Andrea Townsend
School Superintendent