General Updates (25-26)

A copy of the welcome back agenda is linked with this post. Although there is no slideshow there are multiple connected documents linked on this agenda.

2025-2026 Back to School Meeting Agenda

SeeSaw

Using the linked guidance document, Seesaw "starter" (free) version is a communication tool option for 2025-2026.

2025 / 2026 West Rapids Master Schedule: K-2

Finalized Schedule for 2025–2026

Thank you for your patience as we worked through the schedule details for the upcoming school year. I’m writing today to share that the daily schedule is no longer in draft form — it’s now finalized and posted for your review. You'll find it on the first tab of the spreadsheet labeled “Daily Schedule (25–26).”

This schedule reflects the thoughtful collaboration of our Building Leadership and Learning Team (BLLT), who met multiple times over the past few weeks to bring it to life. A huge thank-you to this team for stepping outside of a “me” lens and working through a “we” lens — always keeping students, staff, and systems at the center of their thinking. Their input, flexibility, and big-picture focus helped shape a schedule that supports all of us.

Please know that while the schedule is now considered final, we reserve the right to monitor and make adjustments later this year based on how things unfold.

Here are a few key highlights and changes:

Start Time: 8:30 AM
Announcements will begin promptly at 8:30 to launch the day with a strong academic start.
Specialist Start Time: 8:35 AM
This shift creates a smoother transition in the morning. Students who arrive late will head directly to their specials class from the office.
Recess and Lunch by Grade Level
All students in a grade level will now have lunch and recess at the same time. This supports:
- Stronger peer connections and SEL
- Streamlined SPED services
- Increased adult presence and consistency for supervision and behavior support
Recess Before Lunch
Research shows that movement before eating leads to better focus and nutrition. This adjustment aligns with best practices for young learners.
Staffing Coverage for Lunch and Recess
Teachers will split coverage between lunch and recess to help with ongoing staffing shortages while maintaining support for students.
Reading Intervention Times
We’ve adjusted reading intervention blocks to align with the new schedule while protecting equitable access to intervention minutes.
Dismissal Adjustments
PreK and Kindergarten students with older siblings will now meet in the servery to help balance dismissal times. Last year, the back line often finished 15+ minutes after the front, and this change aims to create more consistency.
Everyone with an end-of-day duty will have a minimum time commitment. We’ll continue to adjust once we settle into a new normal.

I’m still waiting on confirmation from transportation about whether we’ll have midday support during lunch. As more details fall into place, I’ll continue to update the other tabs of the schedule document — but for now, please focus just on the Daily Schedule (25–26) tab.

Thank you again for your flexibility, professionalism, and deep commitment to students. I’m grateful to lead alongside each of you.

Sean

Gearing Up for a Great Start: August Updates

Hi Team,

It’s hard to believe we’re just a few of weeks away from welcoming students back! I know many of you are already starting to prepare your spaces and plans — thank you for all the behind-the-scenes work you do to make the start of school feel smooth and welcoming for kids and families.

Here are a few important updates as we gear back up:

Class Lists + Enrollment

Class lists will go live the morning of Friday, August 15. I’m continuing to make adjustments — we’ve had three new enrollments and one withdrawal just this week. Thanks in advance for your flexibility and student-centered thinking as we finalize placements.

Staffing Updates

Ashley Goodman has accepted a position at RJEMS — please join me in wishing her the very best!
Our SEL/AmeriCorps position is currently pending an offer.
Stephannie Johnson will be on leave for the 2025–2026 school year. We send her our warmest thoughts for continued recovery and health.
Manny Jasso has retired, his position has been posted.
Michelle Larson will fill Bill's 11:00-7:00 custodial shift, her evening custodial position will be posted.
Katlyn Bodin joins our West Rapids Northhomes group.

Leadership Team & Schedule Planning

The BLLT (Building-Level Leadership Team) met yesterday and will meet again next week. We're reviewing logistics throughout the day and working toward a final draft of the daily schedule, which is still in progress. Thank you for your patience — we want to be thoughtful about balancing instructional needs, supervision, transitions, and support staff roles.

Shared Spaces + Storage Reminders

With some changes in staffing and room usage, we’re returning our flex rooms at the end of each wing to their original purpose: truly flexible space for shared, on-demand use throughout the day.

All permanent programs/events have been relocated to other spaces.
Geraldene will manage sign-ups for known/planned uses.
These spaces are not intended for storage and should typically be left as shown in the reference photos. I’ll share images and brief guidelines to support consistent use and help keep them open and available for all staff throughout the day.

Storage continues to be tight. Please note:

The closet under the stairs (1st grade flex wing) is reserved for PTC and school event supplies (KinderCamp, Round-Up, Open House, etc.).
The small closet near the upstairs elevator is available for shared curriculum materials.

Openings & Staffing

We currently have one posted opening:

.7 Interventionist
Apply via AppliTrack

We also anticipate a posting soon for:

Reading Corps Member
View opportunities and apply here

All ESP positions are full as of today!

Thanks to everyone who helped with referrals and support during the hiring process.

Welcome Back Info

District Welcome Back Program

Tuesday, August 26 | 8:30–10:00 AM
Noble Hall Field + Reif Center
(Carpooling encouraged — arrive early for parking!)

West Rapids Staff Welcome Back

Tuesday, August 26 | 10:30 AM–12:30 PM
Servery or Makerspace/Art Room
We’ll share updates, connect as a full team, and get ready for the year ahead.

Writing Training (K–8 Teachers & Admin)

Wednesday, August 27 | 8:30 AM–3:00 PM
For those who missed the August 12 training
Please coordinate coverage or notify your supervisor if you still need to attend.

2025–2026 Open House

Thursday, August 28 | 3:00–5:00 PM
This is one of the most important moments of the year to connect with families and set a warm tone. Classrooms should be ready to welcome students and share key info. More event details will come soon!

RedRover Transition Reminder
As a district, we are transitioning from Frontline to RedRover for absence management and sub requests. You should have already received several emails with instructions for setting up your RedRover account and accessing the system.

Family Communication Tools

Please continue to share the 2025–2026 Parent Site with families:
www.tinyurl.com/WestRapids2526
It includes supply lists, key dates, drop-off details, and more.

Building Relationships: A Few Tips as We Return

As we get ready to welcome new students, families, and teammates, let’s keep a few things at the heart of our work:

With students: Learn names quickly, greet kids by name each morning, and make time for connection in those early weeks. First impressions matter.
With families: A warm, proactive start builds trust. A short welcome call or email before Open House can make a big difference.
With peers: A kind word, a quick check-in, or a shared laugh can go a long way in building a strong team. We’re truly better together.

We’ll dig into more team-building and routines during our August 26 meeting — I’m looking forward to seeing everyone and launching another great year Together at West.

Please continue to reach out with any questions. I’ll share one more staff update just ahead of the August 15 class list release.

Flex Spaces

Flex Rooms

K Wing

1st/2nd Grade

Mid-Summer Update ~ July 15, 2025

Hi Team,

I hope you're finding time to rest, recharge, and enjoy the summer! Below are a few important updates as we look ahead to the 2025–2026 school year. Thank you for continuing to stay connected — even in July!

Kindergarten Staffing & Enrollment Update

Due to lower-than-expected Kindergarten enrollment district-wide, one section is being reduced.

Kim Olson will be transitioning to Cohasset’s Kindergarten team to support their launch.
Krista Sjostrand has agreed to move into an on-call substitute position for the year, offering district-wide support where needed.

We’re grateful to both Kim and Krista for their flexibility, professionalism, and student-first mindset.

Current Enrollment Snapshot

Kindergarten: 164 students | 7 sections
1st Grade: 173 students | 7 sections
2nd Grade: 185 students | 7 sections

Class Lists + Communication

Class lists will be finalized and sent on August 15.
We’ll use Campus Messenger again this year, with Remind available as a backup.
Staff are encouraged to prepare their own class welcome letters and classroom-specific supply lists to send out alongside the school-wide message.

Arrival & Drop-Off Reminders

New for 2025–2026: School doors will open at 7:50 AM, and students may go directly to class starting at 8:00 AM.
As in past years, we expect some walk-ins on the first day or two, but will transition to office-only drop-off after that.

We're currently finalizing our morning supervision plan. Many ESP schedules are being adjusted to a 7:45 AM start to align with the new arrival time. The ESP Realignment meeting is scheduled for Wednesday of this week, and updated coverage plans will follow.

Preschool Drop-Off

Preschool families will continue to drop off in the west (back) lot, following the routine we used to end the year.
If a preschooler arrives before 8:00 AM, their siblings will wait in the cafeteria. Final preschool drop-off times are still being confirmed.

25-26 Family Website

www.tinyurl.com/WestRapids2526

25-26 Facebook Group

www.facebook.com/groups/west2526

Staff Website Updates

🔗 www.tinyurl.com/WestStaffSite

Updates now live:

Daily Dismissal Changes Sheet now includes a column for staff to initial once they’ve seen and confirmed a change.
We're making the site more mobile-friendly for easier access throughout the day.

Kinder Camp Reminder

Monday, July 21 – Thursday, July 24 ~ 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM Daily
Thank you to everyone helping welcome our newest West Rapids Thunderhawks!

K–5 Key Dates & Topics – 2025–2026

July 15 – Mid-summer update posted to staff website
July 17 – ESP Realignment Meeting (morning supervision, 7:45 AM start adjustments)
July 21–25 – Kinder Camp, 8:00 AM–12:00 PM daily
August 15 – Class lists finalized and sent via Campus Messenger
August 28 – Open House, 3:00–5:00 PM
September 2 – First day of school
New for 2025–2026 – Doors open at 7:50 AM, students go to class at 8:00 AM

More back-to-school info coming soon! Please reach out if you have any questions or need support as we wrap up July.

—Sean

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