Welcome Washington Parents

Welcome Back to School Letter 2024-25

Romeo Technology Department

Important Device Information
Información IMPORTANTE del dispositivo

iPads:

Connecting iPad to Wi-Fi
iPad Guidelines
iPad Adapters and Cables

Dell Chromebooks:

Connecting Chromebook to Wi-Fi

Technology Handbook:

Technology Handbook - Connected for Success
Technology Handbook - Connected for Success (Spanish)

Parent / Guardian / Student Responsibility:

Student Devices (Chromebooks and iPads) are property of Romeo Community Schools and are loaned to students for use under the guidelines of the Romeo Community Schools Technology Handbook.

Parents / Guardians are financially responsible for accidental or purposeful damage to or the loss of the Device, as well as for any costs incurred due to student's use or misuse of the Device.

If the District-Issued Device is damaged:

The fine assessed to the Parent / Guardian will be as follows:

• 1st incident    -  $25
• 2nd incident   -  $50
• 3rd incident    -  Full cost of repair

If a Device is lost / stolen / intentionally damaged / damaged beyond repair:
 

• The fine assessed to the Parent / Guardian will be $200

If your student transfers out of Romeo Community Schools:
 

• Please be sure to return all Chromebooks and/or iPads, along with the chargers, to the school by the last day of attendance.  Payment of outstanding repair fines before you leave is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
• If not returned in a timely fashion, the Device and accessories may be considered stolen and result in legal action, or be required to pay $200 for replacement costs.

Accessory Fines: 

The fine assessed to the Parent / Guardian for damaged or missing items will be as follows:

• Dell Chromebook Charger: $40.00
• Chromebook Protective Case: $35.00
• iPad Charger Block and USB Cable: $38.00 for both, $19.00 each piece.
• iPad Protective Case: $30.00 

Paying assessed fines:

There are a few ways to make payments:

• Preferred way - Pay online with SchoolPay
• Send cash to school with your student;
• Send a check to school with your student, made out to Romeo Community Schools

Digital Parenting:

Securly App for Parents - With the Securly Home app (included with your district’s Securly partnership), parents can safeguard their child’s online activity when devices come home.
Download the app for Android or Apple. Securly Parent Home

Common Sense Media helps families make smart media choices.

Reduced Internet Programs:

Affordable Connectivity Program

T-Mobile Student Internet Program

Internet Essentials from Comcast

To find out if you qualify for reduced-cost internet access, please visit: Michigan Home Internet Options

Web Permission:

If you do NOT give permission for your child’s work or photo to be published on the school website, please print and sign Denial of Permission to Publish to RCS Website and return it to the school.

Health, Wellness, and Medical Information

Washington Elementary School Online Library Catalog

• Search by title, author, keyword and subject.

DAILY INSTRUCTIONAL SCHEDULE - 9:03am-3:58pm

1st Arrival Bell: 8:58 am
2nd Arrival (Tardy) Bell: 9:03 am
Dismissal Bell: 3:58pm
Half-Day Dismissal Bell: 12:12pm
*Students who are driven to school may not be released from their vehicles until 8:50am.

Supply List 2024-25

RCS 2024-2025 District Calendar

STAY CONNECTED

Your child's teacher will communicate through Google Classroom and email. Always keep an updated email address on file to receive School Messenger Communications from the school and district.  If you have not done so, be sure to opt-in to School Messenger Text Messages to get important school and district updates.

School Messenger Sign Up You can sign up for district messages via text, email, and phone.

www.facebook.com/washingtonelbulldogs

ABSENTEE CALLS/NOTES

If your child is ill, please remember to call the school attendance line at 586-281-2150 before 9:30a.m. 

1. Please give the spelling of the child's last name
2. Teacher's name
3. Reason for absence

The answering machine is on 24 hours a day.  If your child needs an early dismissal, please send in a note (not an email) to the teacher, who will forward the information on to the office.  It is very important to include the child's last name on all notes and envelopes.  If a child is riding home with another student in the school, please send in a note with this information also.  Due to the busy end-of-school day in the office, please call us no later than 2:30 p.m. with any changes to your child's dismissal schedule.

Allowance of bus ride changes at the end of the day is at the discretion of the transportation department, therefore all change requests must be communicated through a note to the school office in the morning. Please be sure to have a back-up plan in case transportation is unable to honor the request. NO CHANGES are allowed during the first month of school and it is possible that none will be permitted during the year.

Doctor's notes matter!  While we encourage you to try not to pull students out of school for appointments, we understand that scheduling sometimes necessitates it.  Any absence verified by a doctor's note is marked as excused.  Please make sure to forward these notes to the office as they do make a difference in your child's attendance record.

MEDICATIONS

Washington maintains and follows State of Michigan school policy regarding the dispensation of medication: Any
medication, whether sold over the counter or dispensed by the pharmacist, must be brought to the office by the
parent/guardian. Students may NOT bring medication(s) to school.

There MUST BE a “Medication/Treatment Consent” form completed and signed by the attending physician and
the parent/guardian. This form must be filled out whether the medication is sold over the counter or dispensed
by the pharmacist. If your child has asthma, severe allergies, seizures or diabetes, the aligned management plan
form MUST BE filled out and returned to the school office. All medication must be in the original container, clearly
labeled with the student’s name, the dosage, the doctor’s name and phone number. All necessary forms are
available in the school’s office and online at Romeok12.org.

VOLUNTEERS/VISITORS

All volunteers/visitors must enter the building through the main door into the secure lobby area. Ring the doorbell inside the lobby and front office staff will communicate with you through the intercom system. Please be
prepared to have your driver’s license run through Raptor, our visitor management system, in order to access the building beyond the lobby and office. Visitor Management Protocol Information

If you plan to volunteer for school or classroom activities, you must fill out a volunteer form to have a background check prior to volunteering. Volunteer Release Form

FOOD SERVICE INFORMATION

One free breakfast and one free lunch each day is again available at school for the 2024-25 school year thanks to
Michigan School Meals funding! Seconds will not be available for students. Families will need to complete an
Education Benefits Form, as this can qualify your student and our school for additional benefits! Please visit
https://romeo.familyportal.cloud and click "apply for benefits." Students will indicate to their teacher each
morning upon arrival if they are ordering a school breakfast and/or school lunch. Breakfast and lunch menus will
be available on www.romeok12.org under “Lunch Menus” at the top of the home page and are included in the
Washington Weekly. Families interested in participating in (formerly Blessings in a Backpack) will need to complete
the Sharing Benefits form.

BIRTHDAY TREATS

At Washington, we believe that birthdays are an important part of a child’s life and we want to recognize them at school. Children’s birthdays are announced on our daily student broadcast, and students who are celebrating their birthday at school receive a birthday prize from the office.  For students who would like to bring items to share with their class on their birthday, they are encouraged to bring a small NON-FOOD surprise to school (for example - pencil, eraser, stickers) to give to each classmate. Another idea would be to gift a favorite book to the class for the classroom library. Any food items must be store bought and individually packaged and will be sent home. Our teachers do not have the time or supplies to package treats (i.e.: bulk cupcakes) so please do not send in these types of treats. Always consult with the teacher ahead of time before sending in a birthday surprise.

WATER BOTTLES

Students are encouraged to bring a full water bottle to school daily.  Please label your student's water bottle with their first and last name to avoid mix-ups.

DAILY NUTRITIOUS SNACK BREAK

Students are welcome to bring a nutritious snack to school.  A snack should be simple and should take no more than 5 minutes for a child to eat.  Fruit, veggies, cheese sticks, and goldfish are examples of a few recommended snacks.  Be aware of restrictions due to food allergies in your child's classroom (the teacher will communicate those with you).

PARTY INVITATIONS 

While we encourage friendships outside of school, our teachers WILL NOT pass out birthday invitations unless everyone in the class is receiving one. If you are inviting a small group of children, please reach out to those families outside of school hours. Teachers will not “slip invitations” into a few backpacks. Thank you for understanding.

CELL PHONES

Cell phones are not permitted for use during school hours. These devices will be taken and held in the office for parents to pick up if students are found in possession of them. While students may wear watches with cellular capabilities (Smart Watches), students are not permitted to receive or send messages during the school day. These watches will be taken and held in the office for parents to pick up if students are found using them for communication purposes. Phones are available in the school office for students who need to contact parents.

TOYS & PLAYGROUND BALLS

Toys are not allowed to be brought to Washington.  Toys are a distraction and cause a variety of problems when brought to school.  PLEASE, leave them at home.  This includes playground balls.  Students who bring these items to school for after school plans will be asked to keep them in their backpack, and items taken out will be held in the office for parents to pick up.

Washington Elementary PTO Facebook Page
 

 washingtonelementarypto.romeo@gmail.com

Romeo Merchandise Sales: Use this link to place your order! 

How Can Families Help? Click here for many easy ways to support our school efforts. 

The SACC program is offered at Washington Elementary before and after school daily from 6:30am-9:00am and 4:00pm-5:30pm.

All interested parents, or questions about SACC, should be directed to the Early Childhood Department at 586-752-0314. Washington is unable to accept SACC registration forms.

Students may not be dropped off at school prior to 8:50am. Should your schedule need a drop off time prior to 8:50am, please contact Early Childhood Services regarding SACC.

WASHINGTON SACC: 586-651-8350

SchoolPay is an online payment tool that allows families to pay for school fees without having to make a special trip to the school or send a check with their students.

SchoolPay Parent Brochure

SchoolPay Quickstart Guide

Supply List 2024-25

Please do not feel that you need to have everything ready to get the year started. We also have basic supplies and backpacks available in the building for those who would like some support in attaining school supplies. Please contact the school office if you need more information. Teachers will provide additional details via classroom communications.

2024-2025 Student-Parent Handbook