Warrensville Heights Elementary School

Dear Third Grade WHES Parents and Guardians,  

Ohio's Third Grade Reading Guarantee is a program to identify students from  kindergarten through grade 3 that are behind in reading. Schools will provide help and  support to make sure students are on track for reading success by the end of third  grade. In order to accomplish this goal, ALL 3rd grade scholars will take the Ohio  State English/Language Arts test at the end of October.  

The ELA test is designed in two parts, each 90 minutes long. Scholars will complete  each part of the exam on separate scheduled school days. The test includes a set of  multiple choice questions and a multi-paragraph response to 2-4 reading passages.  

Below, you will find the dates and times for testing:  

What you need to know:  

• Testing dates are October 18, 2023 and October 19, 2023 

• Testing will begin ON TIME at 9:30am; late students will not be permitted to  test. Instead, late and absent scholars will take any missing parts of the test on  Friday, October 20, 2023. 

• All third grade students are required to take the English/Language Arts Exam · All scholars that receive accommodations (small group, extended time, etc.)  for special education services will receive them under the supervision of their  assigned Intervention Specialist  

• Once testing is complete, scholars will continue with their regular schedule  · Consider sending your scholar to school with a note of encouragement from  family on testing days  

• Remind your scholar to bring their prescription eyeglasses!  

If you need further assistance, please contact your scholar’s counselor, Ms. Finch at  [email protected] or 216-230-2468 x2552. 

Sincerely,  

Jasmine M. Finch 

Ms. Jasmine M. Finch, M.Ed.  

School Counselor, WHES Grades 3-5

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We hope this letter finds you well. As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we are excited to introduce an innovative tool that will enhance the learning environment and promote better focus among our students.

In our continuous efforts to create a distraction-free and engaging educational atmosphere, we will be implementing Yondr – a technology solution designed to help students manage their use of mobile devices during school hours. Yondr provides locking pouches for mobile phones, ensuring that students can focus on their studies, classroom discussions, and interactions without unnecessary distractions.

Why Yondr?

We understand the growing challenges posed by technology distractions in today's learning environment. While technology plays a valuable role in education, we also recognize the importance of creating a balanced and focused setting for effective learning. Yondr offers a practical solution to strike that balance.

How Yondr Works:

Each student will receive a Yondr pouch at the beginning of the school day. The pouch is designed to securely store their mobile device, allowing students to keep their attention fully on their lessons and classmates. At the end of the school day or during specific class periods, students can easily unlock their pouches to access their devices.

Benefits of Yondr:

Enhanced Focus: Yondr will help students stay fully engaged in their studies, discussions, and activities without the distraction of incoming messages or notifications.

Reduced Disruptions: Classroom disruptions caused by phone use will be minimized, creating a more productive and respectful learning environment.

Promotion of Face-to-Face Interaction: Yondr encourages students to interact and connect with their peers, fostering meaningful in-person conversations.

Responsible Technology Use: Yondr supports the development of responsible technology habits, teaching students to manage their device usage effectively.

Implementation Timeline:

We will begin implementing Yondr at the start of the upcoming school year. To ensure a smooth transition, we will conduct training sessions for teachers, staff, and students on how to use the Yondr pouches effectively. Clear guidelines for using Yondr will be established, outlining scenarios such as classroom instruction, designated break times, and more.

We are committed to maintaining open communication throughout this process. If you have any questions or concerns about the implementation of Yondr, please do not hesitate to reach out to our school administration. We value your input and partnership in creating a positive and focused learning environment for all students.

Thank you for your continued support as we strive to provide the best possible education for our students. We look forward to a successful school year ahead.

Sincerely,

Donald J. Jolly II

Superintendent

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, September 6, 2022

Statement from Warrensville Heights City School District Regarding Ohio Supreme Court Ruling

(Warrensville Heights, Oh.) Today the Ohio Supreme Court, in a split decision, ruled that a Settlement Agreement entered into in 1997 between the Warrensville Heights City Schools and the Beachwood City Schools to share educational services and programs and to share tax dollars stemming from the eventual development of the then vacant Chagrin-Highlands territory is enforceable.

Warrensville City Schools had argued, among other things, that to send tax dollars away from one school district to another school district, approval by the Ohio State Board of Education was required but never occurred.

The litigation now returns to the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas for further proceedings.  According to Superintendent Donald Jolly, “The Common Pleas Court must now determine remaining legal issues including the amount of Chagrin-Highland tax proceeds that must be diverted from the Warrensville Heights City Schools to the Beachwood City Schools and how the two school districts will begin sharing educational programs.”  The Warrensville Heights Board of Education will be meeting in the near future to discuss the Supreme Court’s decision and related litigation issues.

XXX

Hello Tiger Families,

On behalf of the Warrensville Heights City School District, we want to welcome you to the 2022- 2023 school year at WHES!

We will have our Open House on Monday, August 15, 2022 from 6pm – 8 pm at WHES. At this time you will learn who will be your child’s teacher (Grades K- 5^th) and tour the classroom. Pre K families are welcome to come and meet the teachers, you will not be placed into a class until after your child’s testing session. You may also drop off any school supplies, complete classroom paperwork and inform your child’s teacher on how he/she will go home daily.

Pre K / Kindergarten will Phase in, to allow students a full day to get to know their teachers and the building in small groups. Pre K and Kindergarten families, make sure your child’s physical is completed by physician on their physical form OR our form- within one year and updated immunization records are submitted to the district. Pre K families will also need the dental form completed. 

Pre K Families – IF you have children in other grade levels please note that arrival and dismissal is different, you will need to wait or make arrangements. Pre K arrival is 8:50 am - 9:00 am and not a minute earlier due to our licensing and teacher to student ratio. Pre K dismissal begins at 2:15 pm and ends at 2:45 pm.

News You Can Use! 

-Attendance matters! Be sure your child is in school and on time, daily.

-Scholars in Grades 1^st – 5^th will begin school on Wednesday August 17, 2022

-Phase In for Kindergarten is August 18^th and 19th, 2022- You will be notified of your date. All Kindergarten students will start together on Monday, August 22, 2022.

-Phase in for Pre K is August 22^nd and  23^rd- You will be notified of your date. Testing for Pre K and all paperwork must be completed before this date.

Arrival: Car riders enter Door 13 (rear of the building) - Pull up and drop off, Walkers enter door 4 (side of the building), School Bus riders enter Door 2 (front of the building).

-School Days and Hours for K-5th grade are Monday – Friday 8:15 am – 3:45 pm

K- 5th Grade Students eat breakfast in the cafeteria from 8:15 am – 8:50 am, students are considered tardy after 9:00 am (Use Door 2 in the front to receive a tardy pass).

Dismissal for K- 5th Grade students begin at 3:15 pm for our Car riders exit- Door 13 (rear of the building)-Parents DO NOT EXIT YOUR CAR we will get the name(s) of your child(ren) and walk them to your car. Parents are not permitted to walk up to door 13. This is a process, please be patient your child’s safety is our number one priority. Walkers exit Door 4 at 3:45pm (side of the building)-There is no matching parent to students. The door opens at 3:45 pm and students walk out. We DO NOT suggest that K-3 scholars walk out alone due to safety. School Bus riders exit Door 2 (front of the building) and get directly on the school bus.

Early dismissal for grades K- 5th end at 2:30 pm, please do not attempt to pick up after this time there may be a delay.

Dress Code is mandatory for grades- Kindergarten- 5th – polo style shirts (blue, black, white, etc.) and pants (beige, black, navy) NO JEANS, NO HOODIES.

Cell Phones – Cell phones in a Pre K – 5^th grade building are a huge distraction to the learning environment and often causes problems. If students have their cell phones, it should remain in their locker or completely out of sight (book bag).

Masks are required. 

Transportation

If your child is riding a school bus please contact Transportation Department – 216-364-1041 **BE SURE TO COMPLETE THE Survey so that your child has a space on the school bus grades Kindergarten – 5^th- Need to be completed by 7/31 OR it may take 2-3 weeks after school begin for a spot on the school bus. ALL Families, old and new need to complete the survey for a space on the school bus.

https://forms.gle/MgzKyR2jnZ62zPFi8

Before care and Aftercare is available through the YMCA, please call 216-263-6860 or visit www.clevelandymca.org (Childcare). This is for Pre K – 5^th Grade.

More information will come out soon. Please enjoy the rest of the summer and be safe.

Educationally Yours, 

Mrs. T. Thompson, Principal