WES- Family Newsletter 9/18/26

September 18, 2026

Dear Whiton Families,

As we head into next week I would like to provide a few very important reminders:

Please wait to arrive for afternoon pick-up until 3:40. The pick-up area is blocked off until that time because our classes may still be using the equipment and playground. When families arrive earlier than 3:40, it is causing a backup onto Whiton Road and preventing cars and buses from safely passing through the road. For everyone's safety, please do not enter the pick-up area before 3:40. At 3:40, the cones will be removed and we will begin preparing for dismissal. Thank you for your help and cooperation with this important safety measure.

School is closed on Monday, and when we return on Tuesday, we will begin our school picture days! Student portraits are scheduled for Tuesday, September 22, and Wednesday, September 23. All students will have their individual photo taken with their homeroom class.

Parents/guardians are encouraged to place online orders before Picture Day. Please note that all students will have their photo taken, regardless of whether an order has been placed.

If you are unable to order online ahead of time, your child may bring a completed order envelope to school on Picture Day.

For families who do not place an order in advance, there will be a limited window following Picture Day to order photos online.

Here is the link from the photographer with more information.

All parents/guardians are required to use Genesis to report student tardy/absences. More information is in our handbook (In the Genesis Parent Portal → Attendance → Notify Office → Fill out the attendance code, date, and leave a reason for the tardy/absence in the comment area).  If your student will be absent due to illness or a family trip, you will need to mark your student as absent.

All visitors must sign in using our iPad located in the entryway. Please bring your driver’s license for scanning. After signing in, you will be buzzed into the main office to receive your visitor badge. 

We can only accommodate a limited number of people in the entryway at one time. You may need to wait outside the main door while we clear the lobby of visitors. Please plan accordingly and allow extra time to complete the sign-in process and visit our building. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Please use the "visitor" spaces in our main parking lot to park when dropping off or picking up students. At no time can you park in the bus lanes.

Please make sure to email the office wesoffice@branchburg.k12.nj.us and your student's teacher(s) should there be a change in your student's dismissal. Please advise our office by 2:00 p.m. of these changes. Please note that parent pick up does not carry over each year, you must let the office and the teacher know every year if your student will be parent pick up. If your student's dismissal will be changing and they normally attend Jointure after care, please make sure to include Mr. Diana on the email advising of dismissal changes as well. 

NOTE: Parent pick up cannot be entered into Genesis, only tardy/absence/early dismissal. If your student needs to be on the parent pick up list you must email the office and the teacher to be on the list. If you do not notify the office, your student will not be on the list. 

Please see our Guidance Newsletter from Ms. Stewart here. 

Please review the Health Services information here for guidelines regarding when your student should stay home from school. As a reminder, please do not send your student to school with a fever. Students should also not come to school if they have been given fever-reducing medication before school in order to lower their temperature.

If you have any questions about whether your child should attend school, please contact our school nurse, Nicole Bonaduce, at nbonaduce@branchburg.k12.nj.us.

Preschool Families: Please remember that flu shot verification paperwork is due to the school nurse by December 1.

In the near future, Ms. Sam Gale, our school librarian, will be sharing information for volunteer opportunities in the library.  Please find her newsletter here. 

Please remember to label all of your students’ belongings. This will make it much easier to identify and return items quickly if they are lost or misplaced.

PTO Membership information can be found here. 

If you are interested in volunteering in the lunchroom, please click here. Be sure to read the information at the top of the link. Lunch volunteers will start on Tuesday, September 22.

Please find information on the upcoming Scarecrow Stroll and Showdown on September 26 here. 

If you are interested in Whiton spirit wear, please click here. Orders will be delivered to the school and sent home. Please make sure to select Whiton and include your student's name and teacher at checkout! 

The 4-H program is for youth ages kindergarten- grade 13; designed to help them explore their passions, grow as leaders, and contribute to their communities.