Notes from Mrs. Zent

Transportation Changes for 3023-2024

Posted by Carol Zent on 7/20/2023

We hope this finds you well- the 2023-24 school year will be here before we know it! Registration for the coming school year will open on July 17.

Additionally, district leadership wants to communicate changes to transportation services as soon as possible to give affected families as much planning time as possible. With the ongoing driver shortage, we are having to adjust our transportation services to better ensure continuity of services. We understand the hardship reduced or inconsistent bussing places on many of our families; it’s the unfortunate reality of inability to find more drivers. District leaders have spent the beginning of the summer studying ways to minimize the impacts to learners after receiving word which drivers will be returning this fall. We hope to resume our traditional services as soon as possible: we are currently twelve drivers short of regular bus services, down by more than half from just three years ago.

Adjustments to transportation services for 2023-2024 include:

1. Increased walk zones

a. Elementary (grades K-5) walk zones will be increased from 0.9 miles to 1.0 miles, as determined by the district’s routing software. Any learners previously receiving transportation services living within one mile of their neighborhood school will no longer be eligible for transportation. Maps showing the adjusted walk zones can be found HERE.

b. Secondary (grades 6-12) walk zones will be increased from 0.9 miles to 1.5 miles, as determined by the district’s routing software. Any learners previously receiving transportation services living within one and a half miles of their neighborhood school will no longer be eligible for transportation. Maps showing the adjusted walk zones can be found HERE.

2. Adjusted school start times

a. To maximize the ability of every driver to drive multiple routes, we will be adjusting the starting times of several schools:

i. LE Berger Elementary will begin at 7:50 AM and dismiss 20 minutes earlier.

ii. South Elementary will begin at 8:30 AM and dismiss 20 minutes later.

iii. Harwood Elementary will begin at 8:00 AM and dismiss 10 minutes earlier.

iv. All WFPS middle schools will begin at 8:40 AM.

v. All WFPS high schools will begin at 8:25 AM.

3. Adjustments to Special Education Transportation Likely

Learners receiving special education transportation will not see immediate changes at the beginning of the school year, but families should anticipate potential changes during the school year. Any changes to services will be made with safety, efficiency, and individual needs in mind. Families affected by these potential changes will be notified prior to any changes going into effect.

If you have any questions, please contact the Transportation Department.

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School News

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PARENT RESOURCES

Here are websites that might be of interest to you.

School Newsletter https://www.smore.com/gtua7

Parent Portal Parent Portal / PowerSchool Login (k12.nd.us)

School Handbook:

Student Handbooks / Elementary School Student Handbooks (k12.nd.us)

School Supply List

Supply List / Section Overview (k12.nd.us)

School calendar:

West Fargo Public Schools / Calendar (k12.nd.us)

Lunch Menu:

Nutrislice Menus | West Fargo Public Schools

My School Bucks:

MySchoolBucks

Bus information:

Transportation / Department Overview (k12.nd.us)

Return to Learn Information

Return to Learn / 2021-22 School Year (k12.nd.us)

Horace PTO

PTO / Section Overview (k12.nd.us)

Please feel free to visit our website to retrieve additional school information:

Horace Elementary School / Homepage (k12.nd.us)

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iPad Care

Carefully transport your iPad to school every day. Do not put your water bottle inside your backpack unless you know for certain it is leak proof. Avoid placing weight on the iPad. Never throw or slide an iPad. Never expose an iPad to long-term temperature extremes or direct sunlight. An automobile is not a good place to store an iPad.

iPad Case

Your iPad comes with a school-issued case. The purpose of the case is to protect the iPad, especially while the iPad is being transported. When not in use, closing the iPad case will save battery life and protect the screen. The iPad must remain in a protective case at all times. No stickers or any other items should be attached to the iPad itself unless placed there by school staff.

iPad Battery

The iPad should be charged using the provided wall charger. Fully charged iPad batteries will typically last 12 – 15 hours of use. Waiting to charge the iPad until the charge is low (less than 20% life or red indicator light) will extend the battery life. It is your responsibility to charge the iPad and ensure it is ready for use in school each day. Failure to do so may result in your inability to participate in classroom learning activities.

iPad Screen

The iPad is an electronic device; handle it with care. Never throw a book bag that contains an iPad. Never place an iPad in a book bag that contains food, liquids, heavy, or sharp objects. While the iPad is scratch-resistant, it is not scratch proof. Avoid using any sharp object(s) on the iPad. The iPad screen is glass and vulnerable to cracking. Never place heavy objects on top of the iPad and never drop your iPad. Careful placement in your backpack is important.

IPads do not respond well to liquids. Avoid applying liquids to the iPad. The iPad can be cleaned with a soft, slightly water-dampened, lint-free cloth. Avoid getting moisture in the openings. Do not use window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, alcohol, ammonia, or abrasives to clean the iPad. The use of unapproved cleaners may remove the protective film covering the face of the iPad.

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Smartwatches can be a distraction in the classroom. From social media to texting, allowing digital devices could hinder a student’s performance in the classroom. Therefore we ask all students and parents not to text or call using the smartwatch during school hours. If a student uses the watch to text or call, we will ask them to keep the watch in their locker. If it happens again, we will keep it in the office. Thank you for your understanding.

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SCHOOL HOURS - 7:50-2:30
- When dropping off or picking up your child, please pull forward as much as possible in the lane nearest to the curb so we can get as many cars as possible in the lane at one time.
- Please do not leave your vehicle unattended in the loop. If you need to meet your child at the door, please use a parking space.
- Kindly reserve the handicap designated parking spaces for those displaying the appropriate permit in their vehicles.
- Remember that we do provide supervision at 7:30 am as well as after school in the drive-thru loop area. Parents do not need to enter the building to walk students to class in the morning or when meeting them at the end of the day.
- Remember to SLOW DOWN when school is in session.
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We are a local Parent Teacher Organization that is organized by interested parents and teachers. All parents are automatic members and are welcome at monthly PTO meetings where we plan a variety of special events, appreciation gifts, and other activities that benefit the staff and students.

-PTO

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