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PTA and The Wolford Staff - A True Partnership
Helpful Links
Up-Coming Events
  • 9 - Staff Development Day - No School
  • 10 - In Person Learners - Individual Pictures
  • 13 - Virtual Learners - Individual Pictures- By appointment from School Pix
  • 23-27 - Thanksgiving Holiday - No School
FOR Virtual Parents ONLY
Before Quarter 3 begins on January 5, 2021, I wanted to let our virtual parents know that a letter regarding changes for Q3 will be coming to your inbox via email on November 10th. Parents who wish to switch from in-person to virtual may email me if a change for their child’s learning platform is desired.  Any changes for your child’s learning platform must be received no later than 4:00PM on Friday, November 20th. Thank you.
 
Fran Gratt, Principal
Wolford Elementary
469-302-4700


Wolford’s 
 Thanksgiving Basket Drive

From November 10 until November 17, Wolford will be collecting items to put Thanksgiving baskets together for our families at Wolford who are in need of assistance.   Our aim is to provide a wonderful family meal so that our families in need can have a festive holiday meal. We are requesting the following items to fill each basket. 
 
Each basket will contain the following items.
$10 gift card to a grocery store 
Two cans of corn
Two cans of green beans
One box of instant potatoes
One Package or bag of stuffing mix
Two small boxes or one large box of jello
One can of cranberry sauce
One box or package of cornbread mix
One Graham cracker crust
One large box of chocolate or vanilla pudding
One can of yams
One bag of miniature marshmallows
One box of macaroni and cheese
 
We would love to have your donations! There will be a donation bin in the front hallway to start collections on November 10th. Our goal is to create 55 Thanksgiving baskets for our identified families. 
Thank you so much for your support!
The Wolford Staff
Join Us Virtually
Our teachers and staff are working extra hard this year! We want to help them anyway we can. Below is a Sign Up Genius for food and snacks for the teacher’s lounge. This will be nice if someone forgets a lunch, or if they have to stay late. It’s also nice just to have snacks!
Mrs. Gratt will be providing Keurig cups, oatmeal, various snack items, ice cream bars and popsicles so those aren’t needed. Individual microwave soups and Mac n cheese, and individually packaged snacks are just a few great ideas to get you thinking...
Thanks for helping out!
FREE MEALS FOR ALL STUDENTS
NEWS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE- FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE DEPARTMENT
 
While this is a most unique start to the year, we wanted to share some great news that will affect all students starting November 2, 2020. On October 9, 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service announced program changes that will provide for free meals for all students, regardless of income. This has been made possible by nationwide waivers that will provide for free meals to all students for the remaining 2020-2021 school year.   
Your students may enjoy breakfast and lunch at no charge, whether they dine on campus, pick-up grab & go meals. Free meals will include the standard meal. Students dining on campus may elect to purchase additional a la carte items at normal pricing. Meals for virtual students may be picked-up at our convenient grab & go, located at Finch Elementary and Vega Elementary from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Both sites are open to the community for meal pick-up as well. Our Grab & Go meals will also include the next day’s breakfast when picking up lunch curbside. Food Service is planning on doing a soft marketing approach in order to ensure a smooth transition to this program in the next few weeks as not to overload the service lines in your cafeteria.
Please note we strongly encourage all households to continue to complete the 2020-2021 Free and Reduced student application as this is used for various student programs and does impact MISD funding. Thanks again for all your support and efforts to provide a safe dining environment.
James Shoemake
McKinney ISD
Resident District Manager
Office: 469-302-6363
SAFETY CONCERNS
 
Recently teachers on carpool duty have come to me to express some safety concerns during carpool times. I know that each parent at Wolford wants to ensure the safety of every child on our campus. I REALLY need the support and cooperation of each parent to help our students remain safe. We know that many drivers are very mindful of safety, but it appears that we have some drivers who may not be as attentive as they drive around our campus site. Here are some safety concerns noted:
  1. One main concern that the teachers have expressed is that sometimes parents allow their child to walk into the circular drive and enter the car from this side of the road. While we understand that there may be car seats on the inside door area of the circular driveway, every time a student steps into the drive area is a time that could result in a potential accident. Students may dart out and the car behind your car may be pulling into the passing lane to exit and not see your child. Most cars or SUV’s are taller than our younger students and our students are not always visible as they dart into the circular drive. To maintain the safety of each student, I respectfully ask that all students enter their cars from the inside curb area of the circular drives. Please also refrain from making illegal U turns as you exit our campus and children should never walk unattended across a crosswalk area.
  2. Another issue noted is that some parents are dropping off children in the drop off-line in the morning and then they are stopping, getting out of their car, and walking children into the building. If a parent feels the need to walk a child to the school door, I respectfully ask that parents use the parking lot so as to not stop our traffic flow.
  3. When parents are in the traffic line on Berkshire, some parents are prohibiting cars from attempting to park on the side of the street to walk their children to the school. Please be mindful of blocking any areas on the street so that all students can safely exit their car.
  4. A teacher recently expressed the following concern. Some parents are being argumentative or disrespectful to the teachers while they are directing traffic. Our teachers main concern is the safety of all students and I have to stop and think… what type of an impression must a young child receive if they observe behaviors that contradict the Wolford Way, which they are taught daily at school? Young ears and eyes learn a great deal from what we model around them daily and my hope would be that all members of the Wolford community are met with mutual respect each and every day. Thank you in advance for helping our teachers do their jobs efficiently, with safety and respect always in mind.

I know that some days you might be in a hurry or are running late…. BUT…. the safety of a child may be comprised if you are not attentive while driving or paying attention to the directions of teachers on duty. No child’s welfare or life is worth being in a hurry. We must watch the roads and driveway areas carefully daily. I know we all get busy…. but our children are at stake. Your attention to this very serious matter is greatly appreciated and I want to thank our many wonderful drivers who maintain safe speeds, keep an eagle eye out for our students, respect our dedicated teachers, and keep the best interest of our community in the forefront of their minds. I know each of us can do this too.
                                                                                                           Fran Gratt
Wolford Clinic News
Winter is Blowing into North Texas

Didn't we just begin October? How can it already be the last week of the month? Last Friday, it felt like we went from summer directly into winter! Texas is famous for the Northern Blowing in!!!
 
We hope that you have been able to touch base with your child's teacher during parent conference day. If you were not able to schedule a parent/teacher conference and still need to touch base with your child’s teacher, please send them an email to let them know. I know they are more than willing to discuss progress with you. 

Our recent blast of cold air before the Thanksgiving Holiday break has reminded me that it is time that I write and remind our community about the policy for illnesses. McKinney ISD is dedicated to ensuring that every student has a safe and healthy environment in which to learn. As a result of that dedication, there are specific policies and guidelines that are in place to maintain a healthy atmosphere for all students. Given that fact, it is important to safeguard our students and not send students to school when they are ill or not fully recovered from illness. Ms. Loeb and I have drafted an article, which we hope will be informational and beneficial to all of our families.

Dear Parents,
At Wolford we recognize that learning is greatly enhanced when our children are in good health. It is our goal, as we feel it is your goal as parents, that all children will feel well every day. The fall and winter months can create quite a challenge in meeting this goal. Therefore, we offer the following suggestions in hope that they will keep our children in good health.
·        Practice good hand washing frequently: minimum of 15 seconds with soap and water!
·        Avoid cigarette smoke
·        Get plenty of rest
·        Exercise
·        Stay away from sick people
·        Keep hands away from face
·        Keep objects clean
·        Eat well balanced diet with plenty of vegetables and fruits
·        Reduce stress and worry!
·        Wear clothing appropriate for the weather: Our weather changes frequently in Texas so be prepared; cold in the morning and hot in the afternoon! This may mean wearing long sleeves and pants with a jacket and perhaps keeping them in backpacks.
·        Encourage covering of coughs and sneezes, preferably with a tissue followed by hand washing
·        Encourage adequate hydration: 6 to 8 glasses of water a day
We have already begun to see many signs and symptoms of cold and other respiratory problems in children at school. If you have not already begun assisting your children in these practices mentioned above, we would appreciate you talking with your children about these important health safeguards. Monitor your children for symptoms of colds and begin addressing them as soon as possible. Once again, it is our goal to have all children well and at school learning, but there are times when they must be at home. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic some of our guidelines have changed this year.
·        If your student has a cough or difficulty breathing please keep your student home, contact your doctor, and notify Nurse Beth in the Wolford clinic.
·        If you student develops a fever, headache, sore throat, chills, muscle aches, or a loss of taste or smell please keep your student home and notify Nurse Beth in the Wolford clinic.
·        If your child runs a temperature > 100 degrees and has no other symptoms he/she should remain at home until fever free for 24 hours without medication.
·        If your child continues to run fever three or more days and has other symptoms, which do not appear to be affected by your care at home, he/she should remain home and you should contact your physician as soon as possible.
·        No Vomiting or Diarrhea for 24 hours without medication. Your child must remain home for 24 hours after having diarrhea or vomiting.
·        If your child vomited during the night or as they were getting ready for school, they must stay home.
·        Communicable disease: Any illness diagnosed as a communicable disease (this includes symptoms of Covid-19) requires a doctor's note for re-admittance into school. The Texas Department of Health School Exclusion Guidelines is used to determine re-admittance. Please call the nurse's office for any other information needed.
If you have any questions about your child's health or need more information about the items mentioned, feel free to contact our nurse at the school clinic.

Sincerely,
Fran Gratt, Principal
Beth Loeb, RN
Wolford Elementary School Nurse
Phone 469-742-4700
Fax 469-742-4701

“Healthy Bodies Make Healthy Minds”
Picture Day
It's Time to Order School Pictures!
School Pictures will be taken at Wolford Elementary School on:
Tuesday, November 10th for all Face to Face Students
Friday, November 13th for all Virtual/Remote Students
PLEASE NOTE: Virtual/Remote Students must sign up for a time slot to have their student's picture taken. To sign-up, please go to: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/Wolfordvirtualschoolpicturesignup
ONLINE ORDERING for All Students..SchoolPix has implemented a "contactless" picture day in response to Covid-19! All school picture orders must be placed online.
To order online:
2. Enter Wolford’s School Access Code:  WOLFORD20
3. Deadline to place your school picture order is November 16th!
**A email will be sent to confirm your order has been received. A copy of the confirmation email does not need to be sent with your child on picture day.**
Questions? Call SchoolPix Inc. customer service at 972-334-9140 or email us at info@schoolpixinc.com.
Please note: All school portraits are 100% satisfaction guaranteed.
$$ for Wolford by Shopping for your family
Problems with Loaner Laptops??
Dear Parents,
 
If your child is experiencing any issues with their loaner laptop, the MISD Technology Department is asking that parents open a ticket in the Student Help Desk system. Below is the NEW link to activate a Help Request from MISD.
 
Attention Parents!! We need ALL student's pictures, whether you are attending school face to face or virtual, please submit your pictures! Parents, please note, if you are continuing virtual learning after Sept 3, we want your students included in the yearbook, but we cannot do that without your help!! Don't you worry, individual and school picture times will be arranged for everyone too! Keep an eye out for upcoming dates. In the meantime, send us pictures of your students' learning! It is easy to share, see flyer below for more information.
Drive Through Pantry
Dear Parent or Guardian,
 
In an effort to promote a safe and healthy environment for students and staff, the District has been working to put in place new health and social distancing protocols in response to COVID-19. It is important for all parents to have a working knowledge of the infectious period of someone with COVID-19. People are infectious before they have symptoms, meaning they could be spreading the disease without even knowing it.

 Therefore, it is imperative that parents abide by the following regulations:
  • ·   Parents are to screen their child, daily prior to arriving on campus, for any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 including:
Feeling Feverish or Fever (100.0 or greater) Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Cough Fatigue (Excessively tired)
Significant muscle or body aches Headache
Loss of taste or smell Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose Diarrhea Chills
●       If your child demonstrates any of the above signs or symptoms, he/she must stay home until COVID-19 Return to School Criteria is met OR an alternative diagnosis from a medical professional is received by the campus nurse. Please report your child’s absence to the campus nurse. Please do not give fever reducing medication and send your child to school.
●       When a parent/guardian is called regarding an ill student at school, the parent/guardian must arrange for the student to be picked up in a timely manner (within 30-60 min). Please plan accordingly, and have a responsible adult who is willing and available to pick up your child. In the event you need to send someone that is not in your emergency contact list, make sure that you have communicated who the person is with the campus.
●       A student displaying COVID-19 symptoms will be isolated in the clinic or other designated isolation area with a mask in place until your arrival.
●       Continuously make sure all contact and emergency contact phone numbers are updated in the student information system. Please place your child’s campus phone number in the contacts on your phone. This will ensure calls from the campus are recognized.
●       Students exhibiting signs or symptoms of illness will not, under any circumstance, be allowed to walk or bike home, ride the bus, or utilize a ride service.
●       The District is asking that parents follow the recommendations set forth by the CDC, Texas State Department of Health Services(DSHS), and Texas Education Agency(TEA) and have your child wear a face covering when developmentally appropriate. If there is a medical condition that prohibits your child from wearing a face covering, please contact the school nurse.
●       Please be sure your child washes or sanitizes his/her hands before leaving home for the school day.

No Cost Fundraising
What is AmazonSmile?
AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support WOLFORD Elementary every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organization. You can choose from over one million organizations to support.

**To select Wolford, we are registered as : PTA Texas Congress 6641 Earl & Lottie Wolford Elemenar -- You must type this exactly to find Wolford...yes, Elementary is misspelled on Amazon*
How do I shop at AmazonSmile?
To shop at AmazonSmile simply go to smile.amazon.com from the web browser on your computer or mobile device. You may also want to add a bookmark to smile.amazon.com to make it even easier to return and start your shopping at AmazonSmile.

Wolford Elementary
Wolford Elementary - Where Learning is Visible
6951 Berkshire Road   /   McKinney, Texas 75072  
T: 469-302-4700   /   F: 469-302-4701