Washington Elementary News

Hello Washington Families,

‘Tis the season… for snow gear! This week brought our first significant snowfall for this year, and it was wonderful to see so many kids prepared for recess fun with their snow gear! We will go outdoors for recess daily as long as the temperature is at least 0 degrees (real temp or wind chill/”feels like”) and the weather conditions are not extreme.  This temperature designation is based on the National Weather Service’s wind chill safety guide, which indicates the temperatures and wind speeds at which frostbite may occur on exposed skin when outdoors for a length of 30 minutes or more. Our student recesses are much shorter than 30 minutes at a time.

Even when there is not snow on the ground in the winter months,  we want our students to get into the habit of bringing their snowbag (snow boots, snow pants, gloves, hat, etc) to school daily from now through the winter.  It can be quite chilly and wet this time of year, and the snow gear helps them to stay toasty and their clothes dry.  There are also many times during this season that students are required to have boots and snow pants in order to get off of the blacktop area; this helps to keep the outdoor slop out of our classrooms. Be sure to label all items with your child’s name/family last name!

Additional News and Notes:

Monday 12/8 - Friday 12/12: Student Council Spirit Days - Please see calendar here.

Tuesday, 12/9: 

• Green Team Meeting at 8am. Students in grades 3-5 are welcome.

• Santa Shoppe at Washington (See details below)

Santa Shoppe: Each class will have the opportunity to shop during the day on Tuesday December 9th.  Envelopes were sent home to hold your child’s money.  

• Please fill out who your child should be shopping for (and a suggested amount of money to be spent on the person), that will help our Santa Shop helpers assist your student.

• Please remember that your student only has a small window of time to shop when making your list!

Santa Shop will also be open after school from 4-5pm for you to come shop with your student if you should choose to do so! Please use this Parent Sign Up for Santa Shop to help! 

Student Council: This team of students put together a spirit day calendar for the next two weeks, along with a NEW hat and mitten drive.  Collected hats and mittens will be used for Washington students who need them for recess.

Support Our Fifth Grade:

• Our 5th graders are selling Bulldog Necklaces. Order information was sent home and can be found here as well.

• 5th grade Bulldog blanket fundraiser supports 5th Grade activities such as 5th grade camp, 5th grade celebration and 5th Grade mixer. (Ordering details here). Blankets can be purchased for an early delivery date on December 17th (just in time for holiday gift giving) or a later delivery date of January 22nd (or possibly earlier). 

Milo’s 4th Birthday is Monday, December 15:  In honor of his birthday, we will be raising money for D.A.W.G. (Detroit Animal Welfare Group) and collecting donations. Here is a link to the types of things they continually need. We hope you'll help support this important organization; Milo would love for other dogs to be loved as much as he is!  

In addition, on Monday, 12/15, students will be able to donate $1 to take a picture with Milo on his birthday.  There will be a form sent home for families to complete for this, as photos will be emailed to parents.  Also, Milo has his own Amazon Wish List.

Education Benefits Form: We encourage all families 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."

Lunch Parents Needed: We have a very dedicated crew of lunch volunteers and I am not sure how we would make it through without them! If you are able to help, we are always in need of additional hands. Please contact the school office at Rachel.Tippett@romeok12.org  for information about volunteer or paid lunch supervisor positions.

December Specials Rotation Schedule: (Linked here) 

December Food Service Menu: (Linked here)

PTO News: 

Romeo Takes Over Bavarian Blast - An All-District Fundraiser: Romeo's PTO Council is hosting a fundraiser at Bavarian Blast -- Michigan's biggest indoor waterpark and family fun center located in Frankenmuth -- on Wednesday, March 4. Take advantage of Professional Development Day and turn a no school day into an all fun day! Enjoy 16 new waterslides, a rip roaring wave pool, and a not-so-lazy river. Head out Tuesday, March 3 and spend the night -- click here for discounted room rates -- or come for the day with discounted day passes (use Code 1433TC). All funds raised benefit ALL Romeo Community Schools.

Stay connected with the Washington Elementary PTO: Click here to find out more.

PTO Important Dates: Click here for details.

Bulldog Gear: Check out our online merchandise store. Orders will be sent home with your student.  

District News:

2025-2026 RCS District School Year Calendar: Linked here

Ski and Snowboard Club: Time is Running Out! If your child is interested in joining Ski and Snowboard Club for this year, please be sure to register soon! Please go through the Ski and Snowboard Club Website, click HERE. Go to your child's grade level, read all the information: you must register for both the Romeo Club AND Pine Knob. Reminder: ONLY Middle School students ride the bus TO Pine Knob, parents arrange for pick up by 7PM from Pine Knob. All the details you need can be found here.

Bus App: Scan the QR code provided here (you will need to scroll down for the code), and download Edulog Parent Portal Lite, a new app that allows you to track your child's bus to and from school in real time. To subscribe, you will need to provide your student's name, birth date, school, and student ID number. Parent Portal Lite is also available in the Google Play Store or iOS App Store. Use of this app is optional. Please contact the Transportation Department at (586) 752-0267 with questions.

Have a great weekend,

Dana Hepner, Principal

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