April 11, 2024
Dear Pirate Families,
— Tickets for the spring musical, Into the Woods, are on sale! I had the privilege of seeing a preview of the musical when students performed for our friends at Canterbury Court in West Carrollton and for the School Board. The kids have worked hard and are still rehearsing. It’s going to be a fabulous show! You can purchase tickets in advance and reserve your seats. Tickets will also be available at the door. Show times are Friday, April 19 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, April 20 at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, April 21 at 2 p.m. Connect to
https://www.westcarrolltonschools.com/protected/ArticleView.aspx?iid=6GG0AGY&dasi=4GYU2 for more information and to purchase advance tickets.
— Spring has arrived and temperatures are getting warmer. That means children are outside playing. Please watch for them when driving in your neighborhood. As always, use caution AND patience when driving on school property and the streets around the schools. Use extra caution at intersections and remember that pedestrians have the right of way. Working together, we can keep our Pirates safe.
— Last week, I addressed a social media incident that occurred. This week, I would like to remind all of our families and students to be safe, respectful and responsible when using social media. We see so much negativity on social media. It would be nice to replace it with positive comments and kindness!
Be safe. Be respectful. Be responsible. Be kind.
PIRATE PROUD!
Dr. Andrea Townsend
April 4, 2024
Dear Pirate Families,
Early this morning, I was made aware of a social media threat made against the school district. I want you to know I take these matters extremely seriously and the school district took immediate action to determine if the threat was credible. Working with school administration as well as law enforcement, it was determined that the threat was not credible. Once I knew students were safe, I used our One Call system to contact parents. Unfortunately, the system did not work properly this morning, and not all families received the call. We are currently working on implementing a new call system because we know these calls are important and reliability is imperative.
I know that keeping your child safe is your top priority; keeping your child safe, as well as all of the district students, is my priority. Threats made against the school district are not jokes or pranks and legal action will be taken. Please talk to your children about what is appropriate and not appropriate to post on social media. A resource can be found at http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/social-media-smarts.html
DATE REMINDERS:
— The West Carrollton Band Boosters will be hosting TRIVIA NIGHT on Friday, April 5. Mark your calendar to enjoy an evening with friends and family to support the band. CLICK HERE for more information.
— There will be NO SCHOOL Monday, April 8.
Be safe. Be respectful. Be responsible. Be kind.
PIRATE PROUD!
Dr. Andrea Townsend
March 21, 2024
Dear Pirate Families,
— We are continuing to celebrate Music in Our Schools Month and this week I want to recognize all of our band members. They begin practicing in the summer to prepare for marching band performances and continue to practice and learn new music for concerts and competitions throughout the school year. I want to congratulate all of the Concert Wind Band members who received an Excellent rating at a recent Ohio Music Education Association event that was held at the High School. There were 21 other schools participating during the two-day event and over 900 students who performed.
— The West Carrollton Band Boosters will be hosting TRIVIA NIGHT on Friday, April 5. Mark your calendar to enjoy an evening with friends and family to support the band. CLICK HERE for more information on how to register for this fun event and get an early-bird discount if you register no later than April 3.
— I want to thank ALL the booster groups who support student activities. That would include our PTO’s and those who volunteer at our schools to insure that every child has enriched experiences during their school career in West Carrollton.
— Next week is the beginning of Spring Break. There will be no school Monday, March 25 through Monday, April 1. Students will return to school on Tuesday, April 2. Please enjoy time together as a family. Remember to be safe, respectful and responsible.
— Have you done a Random Act of Kindness today?
Be safe. Be respectful. Be responsible. Be kind.
PIRATE PROUD!
Dr. Andrea Townsend
March 14, 2024
Dear Pirate Families,
— March is Music in Our Schools Month and I am so proud of our Chamber Choir and Symphonic Choir who competed last weekend at the Ohio Music Education Association Large Group Adjudicated Event held at Kettering Fairmont High School. The Chamber Choir performed in class A and performed singing in English, French and Portuguese Latin. The judging panel gave them straight Excellent ratings. The Symphonic Choir performed in class C singing in both English and Zulu and received a Good rating from each judge. Congratulations to all of the students for representing the Pirates!
— The Chamber Orchestra and Symphonic Orchestra also performed earlier this month for the Ohio Music Education Association District/State Orchestra Adjudicated Event. Both groups received Excellent ratings from the judges.
— Business Professionals of America held their state competition last Thursday, and two West Carrollton students qualified to move on to the national competition that will be held this May in Chicago. Sophomore, Koen, will be advancing in the C++ competition and Junior, Kaylah, will be advancing in the Advanced Interview Skills competition. Also to be recognized is Lucy who advanced from the regional competition to the state competition in Advanced Desktop Publishing. Earning a state Torch Award was Maddie, Kassidy and Kristen. Congratulations to this talented group of young professionals!
— We have changed our COVID-19 guidelines for students to reflect the recent changes
made by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Returning to school after having signs and symptoms of COVID-19 will be treated the same as other common respiratory viral illnesses, including flu and RSV.
Students should always stay home when they have symptoms of any illness such as cough, fever, sore throat, vomiting or diarrhea with or without a COVID diagnosis.
To return to school after illness, students should:
Be fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen.
Have improved symptoms
Have controlled cough
Be on prescription medication for the correct amount of time, if prescribed by a healthcare provider.
Be diarrhea free for 24 hours.
Masking when returning from illness will be the choice of student/parent/guardian.
If you have any questions, please contact the nurse in your school's clinic.
— I challenge you to continue Random Acts of Kindness!
Be safe. Be respectful. Be responsible. Be kind.
PIRATE PROUD!
Dr. Andrea Townsend
February 29, 2024
Dear Pirate Families,
— Congratulations to Sam F. He qualified for the district bowling tournament that is being held March 1 at Beaver Vu Lanes in Beavercreek. He qualified as an individual at the sectional tournament with a 575 series. Sam has a 197 bowling average this year and placed 6th in the league out of 60 qualifiers. He was named 1st Team for bowling in the Miami Valley League. He is a multi-sport athlete and plays Pirate baseball in addition to bowling. Sam is also outstanding in the classroom! He is a Junior with a 3.565 grade point average. We wish him the best of luck when he competes in the district tournament!
— Good luck to the Pirates Competition Cheer Team! They will be competing this Sunday, March 3, at the OASSA Cheer State Championships. This is the second year in a row that the team qualified to compete at the state level!
— Follow the Pirates at https://www.westcarrolltonpirates.com/ where you can see other outstanding athletes recognized by the Miami Valley League as well as a schedule for upcoming events!
— The High School Student Council is making a difference. They recently attended the Jostens Renaissance Program at National Trail High School along with 500 students from other area schools. Students participated in breakout sessions, heard from motivational guest speakers, had lunch together and danced while playing games. The students returned with new ideas and will be working together to positively change the high school climate and environment. I’m excited to see the results of their collaboration!
— If your child is a West Carrollton student in preschool through 4th grade, your family is invited to a FREE literacy event! Camp-Read-A-Lot will be held March 7 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Early Childhood Center – 510 E. Pease Avenue. There will be activities, games, raffles, prizes, giveaways and pizza. All minors must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times during the event. Families should enter through DOOR 1 to sign in and receive giveaway items as well as raffle and food tickets.
— Eyes up. Phones down. Go slow. Please remember to use caution when driving on school property and in neighborhoods where children are present.
— I challenge you to continue Random Acts of Kindness!
Be safe. Be respectful. Be responsible. Be kind.
PIRATE PROUD!
Dr. Andrea Townsend
February 22, 2024
Dear Pirate Families,
— Congratulations to Mason H. He wrestled his way to a first place finish at a recent meet AND was named the Miami Valley League Middle School Heavyweight Champion! Congratulations to Mason!
— We are working on a new website! The new site will be easier to navigate and have easy access to news and calendar information. It will include a new app that you may download to your phone or tablet, and you will be able to personalize the information you receive. We’re not quite there yet, but stay tuned! I will let you know when it is up and running!
— Spring is less than a month away and we have seen warmer temperatures. Many students are no longer wearing winter coats and have transitioned to lighter jackets. Check your coat closet! If your child is missing a winter coat, gloves or any kind of jacket, check out the lost and found at your child’s school. You may also find that missing water bottle or lunch bag!
— School construction is on time and you can see some changes if you are by the site of the new High School or the new Elementary building. Most of the work being done now is ground leveling and installing support for the foundation.
— Random Acts of Kindness Week is past, but it doesn’t mean we have to stop! Being kind to others is a great example for children to see and something we can do every day! We even have an extra day in February to be kind. It’s a Leap Year, so there will be 29 days in February.
Be safe. Be respectful. Be responsible. Be kind.
PIRATE PROUD!
Dr. Andrea Townsend
February 15, 2024
Dear Pirate Families,
— Watch for important health information coming directly from your child’s school nurse regarding MMR and MMR vaccines if your child is not up to date on vaccines or does not have a waiver on file. Only families who have students who are not up to date on vaccines or without a waiver will receive communication. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s school nurse.
— The Pirate Symphonic and Chamber Orchestras have been working hard to prepare for the upcoming District/State Orchestra contest. They will be having a preview concert next Wednesday, February 21 at 7 p.m. in the Guiler Auditorium at the High School. Come out and support our young musicians and enjoy an evening of music.
— If you have a Middle School student, the National Junior Honor Society will be hosting a “Starry Night Dance” on Thursday, February 22 from 5 to 7 p.m. Tickets are $8 and available at the school. The cost includes admission to the dance as well as a snack and drink.
— I want to recognize students who have been volunteering in the community. Aleigha R. is a High School Senior who has been volunteering at the West Carrollton Public Library providing support with the children’s programs. She was recently the recipient of the LaSertoma Youth Service Award which recognizes youth volunteers in 33 public and private high schools in Montgomery and Preble Counties. Members of the Business Professionals of America spent last weekend volunteering at the Special Olympics Bowling Tournament in Beavercreek. This is one of the events they volunteer at throughout the year. I am so proud of all of these students for giving back to the community.
— Random Acts of Kindness Week continues with National Random Acts of Kindness Day on February 17. Have you participated and been part of the positive Pirate experience?
— There is NO SCHOOL Friday, February 16 and Monday, February 19. Enjoy a long, safe, respectful and responsible weekend!
Be safe. Be respectful. Be responsible. Be kind.
PIRATE PROUD!
Dr. Andrea Townsend
February 8, 2024
Dear Pirate Families,
— Random Acts of Kindness Week begins Sunday, February 11 followed by Valentine’s Day on February 14 and Random Acts of Kindness Day on February 17.
Our lives can become stressful with work, family and other commitments. Sometimes it is easy to overlook, and take for granted, the individuals around us who help to make our days a little easier.
Next week is an opportunity to remind ourselves to be kind and celebrate the positive influence we can have on others as students, educators and families. Please join me in spreading kindness throughout the school community. The best part about kindness is that it can be contagious, and you may even get more than what you give!
Be safe. Be respectful. Be responsible. Be kind.
PIRATE PROUD!
Dr. Andrea Townsend
February 1, 2024
Dear Pirate Families,
— I want to congratulate Senior basketball player, Selena F., who reached 1000 career points at her game last Saturday! She also scores well in academics with a high GPA. She now has her eye on breaking the school record! Come out and support her and the entire team. Find game schedules for all of the pirate athletic events at westcarrolltonpirates.com
— Mark your calendar! There will be no school next Friday, February 9 for QPT Day; no school on Friday, February 16; and no school on Monday, February 19 for Presidents’ Day.
— Preschool applications for next school year are being accepted through the end of February. Click on https://www.westcarrolltonschools.com/Enrollment.aspx and scroll down to preschool to see the requirements as well as access documents you will need to apply.
Students are settling into the second semester of school. I’m excited to see what they will accomplish between now and the end of the school year.
Be safe. Be respectful. Be responsible. Be kind.
PIRATE PROUD!
Dr. Andrea Townsend
January 25, 2024
Dear Pirate Families,
Dear Pirate Families,
Did you know schools no longer have snow days?
There was a time when the state allowed schools to be closed for a set number of days during a school year in the event of bad weather or other calamity such as no heat in the building. The state now designates that every student must meet a set number of hours of instruction per year.
West Carrollton staff carefully plan the school year as well as school start and end times to not only meet, but exceed the minimum state hours. The extra time is a bonus for every child’s education, and also a buffer in the event of a school delay or closure.
What happens if the schools do not meet the state instructional time requirements?
If the time off due to delays and/or closures means that we do not meet the state requirements, we will have to schedule make-up days. This is especially important to our Senior Class because their last day of school is earlier than the last day of school for our other students, meaning that their instructional time for the year is less than other students. This could impact meeting the required hours for graduation.
— We know that children learn best while in school. That is why we do not delay or close unless absolutely necessary. Student safety first….we don’t close or delay based on a forecast which is why announcements normally aren’t made until the early morning.
— I would also like to address the decision of April 8 being a calamity day.
This is our first full solar eclipse in this area since 1806.
A solar eclipse can cause permanent damage to vision and even cause blindness. The time of day the eclipse is predicted to occur is roughly 3 p.m. and is expected to last approximately 45 minutes with total darkness lasting between 2 to 4 minutes. This is a time when many of our students will be outside at the end of the school day.
Children are curious by nature, and many will be tempted to look up to see the eclipse. The Ohio Department of Education had promised schools to send special glasses for students to safely view the eclipse, but were unable to fulfill that commitment.
Another issue predicted for that day is increased traffic in the area. Large crowds are expected that could cause traffic jams that may interfere with school bus transportation times as well as drive times for parents who drop off and/or pick up their children from school. It is estimated that traffic jams in the area could last as long as 13 hours after the eclipse.
There is also a possibility that cell phones and wi-fi may be significantly impacted causing communication to be limited or non-existent at times on that day.
Student safety is always a priority. Even though there is a 60% to 70% chance of rain that day, the eclipse will still occur and the possibility of vision loss or blindness may still occur if an individual looks at that area of the sky.
Good news is, the next full solar eclipse in our path will be in 2099. Find out more about the 2024 eclipse at:
https://www.greatamericaneclipse.com/ohio-2024-eclipse
In closing, I would like to say that our communication last week regarding school closing could have been better. I know that parents received mixed messages from the schools as well as the district. We are always striving to be better and are already addressing how we can improve our communication to you.
Be safe. Be respectful. Be responsible. Be kind.
PIRATE PROUD!
Dr. Andrea Townsend
January 18, 2024
Dear Pirate Families,
Dear Pirate Families,
— The decision to delay or close school is never an easy one. Not only does it affect education time for students, it affects family schedules. We understand that no matter if we delay, close or stay open, not everyone will agree; however, know that many factors, primarily student safety, are considered before a decision is made.
If inclement weather does occur or is predicted, we begin monitoring conditions throughout the night and into the early morning. This includes making sure that schools are heated and that school buses can navigate safely throughout the district. A decision to delay or close is usually not made until early morning as we allow our custodians and maintenance crew time to clear parking lots and sidewalks and city road crews to clear streets.
If a decision to delay or close school is made, we will post the notification on our Facebook page at West Carrollton City Schools; Twitter at WC City Schools; and our website at westcarrolltonschools.com. We will utilize our One Call System to initiate phone calls and text messages beginning at approximately 5:30 a.m. or the evening prior if the decision is made earlier than in the morning.
Local news channels, including 2, 7, 22 and 45 are notified so they may begin televising alerts; however, we have no control over when they begin televising the notification. You may also be notified directly from the television station if you sign up for a text alert from them.
PLEASE WATCH AND LISTEN FOR WEATHER ANNOUNCEMENTS
NOTE: If schools are closed, and a Virtual Day is announced, students should log on to Google classroom and/or complete assignments given to them by their teachers. Teachers will be available via email if assistance is needed. If a student does not have internet access, they may read a book or engage in an educational activity.
This replaces Blizzard Bags per state law.
— College Credit Plus (also known as CCP) offers the opportunity for students in grades 7-12 to earn high school and college credit at the same time. Some of our past graduates have even earned an Associates Degree prior to High School graduation by taking these courses. Even more of our graduates have been able to get a jumpstart on their college education with the credits they received through CCP courses.
All students interested in learning more about CCP (including current or past CCP students) need to attend this very important meeting. The counselors will be holding the meeting on February 7, 2024 in the high school auditorium at 5:30pm. Intent to Participate forms are due no later than April 1, 2024.
— Wednesday, January 24 is National Compliment Day. I want to let our students, families and staff know how much I appreciate your support as we partner together in education. Join the Pirates next week as we continue to be kind to each other and spread compliments throughout the district!
Be safe. Be respectful. Be responsible. Be kind.
PIRATE PROUD!
Dr. Andrea Townsend
January 11, 2024
Dear Pirate Families,
Dear Pirate Families,
— There is no school Monday, January 15 for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
— Cold Winter temperatures are predicted for next week, and Early Childhood through Middle School students will continue to be going outside during recess time. Students should be prepared for recess as well as waiting at bus stops by wearing a coat, hat and gloves. Every student will have access to their coat, hat and gloves prior to outside recess. If you have any questions or need assistance in obtaining a coat for your child, please contact your child’s school at 937-859-5121.
— If your child is a sophomore interested in attending the Miami Valley Career Technology Center, now is the time to apply. High School Counselor, Tricia McGinnis, sent out communication encouraging interested students to submit their application by January 26. Students will learn their acceptance status towards the end of March. Apply at https://www.mvctc.co
— Athletics has a new website! The new site is easier to navigate, find game schedules, team rosters and statistics. Connect to https://www.westcarrolltonpirates.com/ to see the new site!
— A total solar eclipse will be happening Monday, April 8 and the path of the eclipse will be going over our area. This is an exciting event combining both science and history; however, it can also be dangerous. Permanent eye damage, and even blindness, can be caused if an individual directly views the eclipse. The Ohio Department of Education had planned to provide special viewing glasses for students to safely view the eclipse, but has been unable to supply the demand. Keeping our students safe is always a priority. That is why West Carrollton will be joining other school districts in Ohio and having no school on April 8. All schools, as well as district offices, will be closed on that day. Following is additional information available from the Public Health Dayton & Montgomery County.
I’m excited that students have returned from Winter Break as we begin the second quarter of school. I encourage you to continue to be involved with your child’s education as we work together.
Be safe. Be respectful. Be responsible. Be kind.
PIRATE PROUD!
Dr. Andrea Townsend
December 21, 2023
Dear Pirate Families,
Dear Pirate Families,
There is no school on Friday, December 22.
I want to wish all of you a safe and happy holiday season and a happy new year. I look forward to all of our Pirates returning to school to begin the second half of the school year on January 8.
Be safe. Be respectful. Be responsible. Be kind.
PIRATE PROUD!
Dr. Andrea Townsend
December 14, 2023
Dear Pirate Families,
Dear Pirate Families,
— If your child is a sophomore interested in attending the Miami Valley Career Technology Center, now is the time to apply. High School Counselor, Tricia McGinnis, recently sent out communication encouraging interested students to submit their application by January 26. Students will learn their acceptance status towards the end of March. Apply at https://www.mvctc.com/apply
— If your child is a student at the High School, make sure to listen to One Call messages and read text messages from Mr. White regarding testing next week.
— Congratulations to the High School Student Council. They hosted the annual student blood drive last Thursday. There were 55 units received which can save 165 lives in the community. There were 54 first time donors. Did you know that those who donate in High School are more likely to become life-long donors? Thank you to all of the students who participated.
— Dates to Remember: December 21 is the end of the second quarter and the first day of winter. Winter break begins Friday, December 22. Students return to school on January 8.
— Cookie Monster is a new ice cream flavor available at Jubie’s Creamery in Moraine. Students in Miss Niewoehner’s Middle School advisory class came up with the recipe of blue moon ice cream with cookie dough and sugar cookies. The class got to sample the new flavor this week when Julie from Jubie’s came by to give them ice cream and coupons. The class got to create the new flavor because they had the highest attendance at the November fundraiser. Cookie Monster is available for a limited time at the Moraine location if you would like to try a scoop.
Be safe. Be respectful. Be responsible. Be kind.
PIRATE PROUD!
Dr. Andrea Townsend
December 7, 2023
Dear Pirate Families,
Dear Pirate Families,
— Don’t forget that tomorrow is QPT Day. There is no school for students.
— Earlier this year, the High School hosted a College Fair where students got information from a variety of colleges and universities about continuing education following graduation. Earlier this week, the High School had a Career Fair where students could ask questions from a variety of potential employers including those in health services, construction, fire prevention, law enforcement and lawn care as well as representatives from the military. Exposing students to opportunities following graduation is important as our High School counselors work with students to navigate a path to student goals whether it be college, trade school, the workforce or the military.
— Congratulations to Kaiden, Gabriel and Adam for being named the Students of the Month at Harry Russell. Kaiden was recognized for school engagement; Gabriel was recognized for caring; and Adam was recognized for honesty. These young people are examples of leadership for the school and the entire community!
— Are you caught up with your child’s lunch charges? You may send lunch money to your child’s school or pay online at PaySchools. You may also use the PaySchools link to complete an application for a free or reduced price lunch if you feel your child qualifies. Contact our Food Service Department at 937-859-5121, ext. 1121 if you have any questions.
— Thank you to everyone who donated a food item for the annual food drive. All items collected will be distributed to local families and our students get to see the benefit of giving back to the community.
Be safe. Be respectful. Be responsible. Be kind.
PIRATE PROUD!
Dr. Andrea Townsend
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