By now, students have had the chance to settle into their classrooms and get to know their new teachers.
On September 12, parents and guardians of students at the Primary Elementary School had the same chance.
The school held a “Meet the Teacher Night,” an opportunity for parents, guardians and other family members to meet their child’s teacher, learn about the grade level curriculum, become familiar with classroom procedures and discover ways they can reinforce what is being taught in the classroom at home. It was also an opportunity to tour the Primary Elementary School. Formerly known as Westmoreland Elementary School and for grades PK-4, the school is now home to grades PK-2. Also located in the school, are a pre-kindergarten program run by Upstate Cerebral Palsy (UCP) and three classes for disabled children offered by the Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES. The change is part of the Westmoreland Central School District’s school building reconfiguration plan, which was initiated two years ago and took effect this school year. The plan also converted the Middle School into the Upper Elementary School (grades 3-6) and the High School into the Jr./Sr. High School (grades 7-12).
“In addition to meeting their child’s teacher, families were able to see all of the other great things happening in our new Primary School, like STEAM (Science-Technology-Engineering-Arts-Math), coding, the Little Bulldog Fitness Center and music and art,” Primary Elementary School Principal Mrs. O’Connell said. “We have an energetic and committed teaching staff. We’re really looking forward to our continued focus on ‘Read for Success’ and teaching kids about healthy living, including nutrition, exercise and caring for each other.”
Mrs. O’Connell says the transition into a PK-2 building is going great.
“You can really sense a close community as you walk the halls, and our kids also have the opportunity to interact with friends from the BOCES and UCP classrooms,” Mrs. O’Connell said. “We’re hoping this will help kids to experience empathy from an early age, as well as learn the importance of accepting others into our community!”
“Our families are really happy about the new security measures we’ve taken in the building, too, like having a more secure check-in at the main entrance,” Mrs. O’Connell added.
We hope everyone has a great 2018-19 school year!