Dear Washington Wizards,
On behalf of the entire Washington School faculty and staff, it is with great joy and enthusiasm that I welcome you to the 2025–2026 school year! We cannot wait to see you all on Wednesday morning!
This year promises to be one of growth, learning, and meaningful connections. As always, we are committed to providing a nurturing and inspiring environment where every child can thrive. I truly look forward to building strong partnerships with our families as we work hand in hand to support the success and well-being of each and every student.
As we launch into our theme, Ignite the Spark, A New Beginning, I am going to share a monthly challenge to help you and your family ignite a new beginning and keep the spark alive throughout the year. For September, we are going to Spark Curiosity! Try something new and ask some questions. This could be a new food, a new hobby, a new route to school, or a new place to do homework. The goal is to get out of your routine and discover something you didn't know before. I can’t wait to hear how you sparked your curiosity all month long.
As part of our ongoing commitment to student safety, we are pleased to share that a new video security system has been installed throughout our school. Over 20 cameras have been placed in all main hallways to help ensure a secure learning environment for all students and staff. This system will allow us to monitor activity more effectively and respond quickly to any potential concerns, further supporting the well-being of our school community.
Finally, please see the attached updated Parent Student Handbook for important information on the 2025-2026 school year. Below are some highlights from the handbook as we start the new year:
Arrival at School
Drop-off begins at 8:35 a.m. Please drop off your children after this time, as there is no supervision before 8:35 a.m., and they cannot enter the building.
Students should be dropped off in either the drop-off zone on Morse Avenue or the lower parking lot. Please keep the flow of traffic moving to avoid any mishaps. This includes instructing your child to have their backpacks ready and to exit the car on the passenger side. Under no circumstances should the driver be “parking” and exiting the vehicle while in the car line. We have supervision to assist anyone needing help out of the car.
Students will line up in the hallways outside their classroom. At 8:50 the late bell sounds. Any child arriving after this time should report to the office for a late pass via the front/main entrance.
Dismissal/Pick-Up
Dismissal begins at 3:20 PM. Please note that there is no pick-up line during dismissal. Parents or caregivers must park and meet their child at their school exit door, or, if their child is in grades 3-5, may wait for them in the parking lot.
Please use common sense and make safety a PRIORITY when driving on our side streets and parking lot at dismissal. Please be courteous to each other and our neighbors who live on the side streets adjacent to Washington School, and follow all posted signs regarding parking
Dismissal During the School Day
When a student needs to be released from school early for an unavoidable medical, dental, or other appointment, a note or telephone call from the parent/guardian explaining the reason should be sent to the teacher on that day. The parent must come into the vestibule to sign out the student. If a parent is not available to pick up their child, please let the nurse or office know the name of the person who will be picking up your child. WE DO NOT ENCOURAGE EARLY DISMISSAL OF ANY KIND AS THIS IS NOT ONLY DISRUPTIVE TO THE CLASS BUT COMPROMISES YOUR CHILD’S EDUCATIONAL INSTRUCTION.
Except in the case of a rare emergency, parents may not sign children out of school between 3:00 and 3:20 P.M. as our office is hectic at that time, ensuring a safe dismissal for all.
Dress Code PolicyPer the Wyckoff Board of Education Dress Code Policy, “hats, hoods, visors, and other headgear”, including baseball hats, are not permitted to be worn in school. Students may wear these items when outside for recess or on designated spirit days. Additionally, “extremely low-cut, tight-fitting or transparent clothes, bare midriffs, and suggestive clothing” are prohibited and should not be worn.
Volunteer/Visitor Guidelines
We are very appreciative of parent volunteers who serve lunch at school, assist in the media center, or volunteer in some other capacity. With that being said, safety, security, and the orderly operation of the school must take priority. Please review the following guidelines when volunteering at school, especially for pizza and bagel lunch.
General Volunteer Guidelines
All visitors must sign in at the main office. You will need your driver’s license. The visitor’s badge must be worn clearly on your shirt/jacket.
When volunteering in the school you are not permitted to take photos or videos of students. Do not text photos or send updates to parents as to how their children are doing.
Do not use student bathrooms. If you need to use the restroom, you must report back to the main office and you will be directed from there.
Exterior doors cannot be propped open at any time (even for a few seconds).
When you have finished volunteering, you should report back to the main office to sign out.
Lunch Volunteer Guidelines:
Your job is to make sure the students have the food they ordered. Do not sit down and join the children at the lunch tables. It is their time to socialize with their classmates.
You are not responsible for supervision or for “watching students” at lunch.
Although your parenting instincts might compel you to intervene, get involved with students, impose discipline, or try to help, the staff are responsible for the care of the students.
DO NOT give students any food other than what they have ordered or brought. Even if there are left overs. Many of our students have allergies.
When finished with your shift, you should leave the MPR and sign out at the main office.
Parents are not permitted to walk around the school, visit the door of their child’s class, or stay in the MPR after their assigned shift.
We're almost ready to welcome you back to school! A huge thank you to our PTO for the beautiful new landscaping installed this past week. See you all Wednesday morning!
Sincerely,
Kelly O’Brien
Friday Folder Documents: Please click here to see the most recent Friday Folder documents.
Piece of the Fair 2025
Upcoming Events:
9/2/26 - Buddy Day for Washington’s New Families Grades 1-5 - @ 12:00
Kindergarten Orientation @ 2pm
9/3/25 - First Day of School for Students - Minimum Day - Dismissal @ 1:05 pm
9/4-5/25 - Minimum Day for Students - Dismissal @ 1:05 pm
9/9/25 - Washington’s PTO Meeting @ 9:15 am MPR
9/10/25 - Spirit Day
9/12/25 - Washington PTO Family Movie Night - 6:00-9:00 pm - Field
9/16/25 - Washington Back to School Night - 6:00-8:30 pm
9/17/25 - Washington Picture Day
9/19/25 - Washington PTO Family Moving Night Rain Date - 6:00-9:00 pm
9/22/25 - Washington Picture Rain Date
9/23/25 - School Closed - Rosh Hashanah
9/27/25 - WEF Color Run - 11:00-1:00 pm @ EMS
10/1/25 - Spirit Day -- Washington Walk to School Day
10/2/25 - Schools Closed - Yom Kippur
10/7-9/25 - Washington’s Fall Book Fair - Student Only Shopping
10/8/25 - Fall Book Fair Parent Shopping Night @ 6:00-7:30 pm - Media Center
10/13/15 - Minimum Day for Students - PD for Staff - Dismissal at 1:05 pm
10/14/25 - Washington PTO Meeting @ 9:15 - MPR
10/16/25 - Washington PTO Harvest Festival @ 3:30-5:00 pm - Back Field
10/17/25 - Washington PTO Harvest Festival Rain Date @ 3:30-5:00 pm - Back Field
10/31/25 - Washington Halloween Parade @ 2:30 pm for Parents - Back Field