West Carrollton Elementary School

West Carrollton ES

April 5, 2025
Welcome Back

Welcome Back!

all abilities

April is Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month—a time to honor and celebrate the unique strengths, talents, and perspectives that our children bring to the classroom every day.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong developmental condition that usually emerges in early childhood. It can affect an individual’s social skills, communication, relationships, and self-regulation. No two people experience Autism in the same way. As a spectrum condition, it presents differently in each individual and to varying degrees.

Although there is no single known cause of Autism, early diagnosis is key. It opens the door to vital resources and support that empower individuals to make choices and access opportunities that help them live fulfilling lives.

We deeply value our students' diversity and unique strengths. Our goal is to help them build on those strengths, fostering growth and learning as they develop the foundational knowledge and skills needed to become confident, capable, and contributing members of their communities.

all kinds of minds

Great books for the season!

big feelings

In their bestselling picture book All Are Welcome, Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman celebrate kindness, inclusivity, and diversity. Now with Big Feelings, they help children navigate the emotional challenges they face in their daily lives.

What should we do when things don't go to plan? We may feel mad, frustrated, or overwhelmed, but by talking it through, compromising, and seeing another point of view, we can start fresh, begin anew.

Children are often curious about others and ask questions or form assumptions about those they perceive as different in less than ideal ways. By introducing characteristics of autism in a manner that promotes understanding and inclusion, assumptions based on fear or confusion can be avoided, and attitudes of acceptance, kindness, and empathy can be fostered.

This book allows the discussion to go one step further by enabling families to share about their child with autism, if they choose, in a personalized, authentic way. 

***By local authors Jennifer Schmidt (Beavercreek HS) and Sara Anderson (Wright State University)***

be a friend

"My Brother Charlie"

In the know....

thank you

Due to spring break, we were not here to celebrate National Paraprofessional Day, but we did not want them to think we missed it!

Thank you to our incredible paraprofessionals for the dedication, compassion, and support you bring to our classrooms daily. Your hard work does not go unnoticed—you play a vital role in helping our students succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. Whether offering one-on-one support, assisting with classroom activities, or simply being a steady, caring presence, your impact is profound and far-reaching. You help create an inclusive, nurturing environment where all students can thrive. We are truly grateful for your commitment, patience, and the countless ways you uplift our school community. Thank you for everything you do!

librarian

We also missed National School Librarian Day:

Thank you to our amazing librarians for the invaluable role you play in our schools and communities. Your dedication to fostering a love of reading, supporting student learning, and providing access to knowledge is truly inspiring. Whether you’re helping students discover new books, guiding research, or creating a welcoming space for curiosity and creativity, your work makes a lasting difference. You encourage critical thinking, ignite imagination, and support lifelong learning. We appreciate your expertise, patience, and the heart you bring to everything you do. Thank you for being champions of literacy and learning every single day.

Get YOUR Dayton Metro Library Card!

There is no better way to encourage reading than to visit the public library! Ohio residents of ALL AGES can apply online for a FREE Dayton Metro Library Card. Here is what you gain instant access to with your card:

  • READ thousands of eBook, eAudiobook, and graphic novel titles from our digital collections!

  • WATCH hundreds of movies and television shows streamed to any device!

  • EXPLORE historical and current local, national, and international newspapers and magazines!

  • LEARN a new skill, language, or hobby from our variety of educational providers!

  • RESEARCH a diverse range of topics using our online databases and resources!

Who do I contact if I have a question?

Our administrators are splitting their time between Schnell and Russell in preparation for the new elementary school for the 25-26 school year.

Thobe

Mr. Thobe

Monday, Wednesday, Friday @ Schnell

Tuesday and Thursday @ Russell

bthobe@wcsd.k12.oh.us

Dauterman

Dr. Dauterman

Monday, Wednesday, Friday @ Russell

Tuesday and Thursday @ Schnell

ldauterman@wcsd.k12.oh.us

last day

Due to our move to a new building, the students at Harold Schnell and Harry Russell ONLY will end their school year on MAY 28th, so that staff members can begin the process of moving their materials over to the new building.

All other West Carrollton students will finish on May 29th.

yearbook

To order the yearbook at Russell, visit: https://shop.memorybook.com/login and use school code 214549M

Yearbooks need to be ordered before 04/08/25 and cost $15.00 per copy

testing

As we enter testing season, we want to emphasize the importance of these assessments in helping us understand each student’s progress and academic needs. To help your child perform their best, please ensure they get a good night’s sleep, eat nutritious meals, and take time to relax and recharge. These simple routines can improve focus, energy, and confidence during testing.

Your encouragement and support also make a big difference, helping students feel prepared and motivated. We appreciate your partnership in creating a calm, positive environment that supports student success. Together, we can help our children show what they’ve learned and shine!

BUS SAFETY

Please take a moment to remind your child about the importance of following bus safety rules. Safe behavior on the bus such as:

-staying seated

-using kind words

-keeping hands to themselves

-listening to the driver

which all helps ensure a safe and smooth ride for everyone. The bus driver’s instructions are for their safety, and following them is essential.

Unsafe behavior can cause distractions and put students at risk. If behavior is severe, the driver may return back to the school and ask for the parent to pick up the student.

Your support in reinforcing these rules at home makes a big difference. Thank you for helping us keep all students safe on their way to and from school!

bus

PBIS INCENTIVE FOR APRIL

PBIS supports every student in our school. Monthly, we do incentive parties. Students are expected to:

Be SAFE

Be RESPONSIBLE

Be RESPECTFUL

every day in the classroom, hallway, cafeteria, specials, and bus.

Points are given throughout the day that the students can use to participate in the monthly incentives. Our goal is to have EVERY student participate in the reward!

We are at the start of a new month and coming back from a break, so please remind your young pirates about Schnell and Russell's expectations!

kid pirates
triple p

Triple P

Triple P is a FREE positive parenting support class for caregivers and families. Please click on the link below for the latest Triple P Newsletter. Parents can also sign up for free online classes that are self-paced and available for up to 1 year at: https://www.triplep-parenting.com/oh-en/triple-p/. If you are interested in looking for ways to improve your co-parenting situation click HERE.

dates

April 7| School Resumes

Apr 21| No School

May 8|Multicultural Fair and Art Showcase/2nd grade Music Performance 6:00-7:30

May 26| No School -Memorial Day

May 28| Last Day of School -Schnell and Russell ONLY!

District Social Worker

Need Resources, want to submit a referral to talk with our District Social Worker, or want to check out programs in the school/community?

Check out our Family Resources Page by clicking the link below:

WCSD Resources Website (google.com)

Transportation

If you have concerns about transportation please click HERE and submit your concern.

bus

Final Forms

If you haven’t completed your final forms registration please do so by clicking the LINK.

final forms
telephone

If your child is not able to attend school, please call the office as soon as possible at 937-859-5121, ext. 4 (Russell) and ext. 5 (Schnell)

menu

The daily lunch menu is available for you to review. By clicking on the item, you are able to check for allergens, ingredients, and more. Click on this link: lunch menu!

principal

Principal

Brad Thobe bthobe@wcsd.k12.oh.us

Assistant Principal

LaShell Dauterman ldauterman@wcsd.k12.oh.us

TOSA

Erin Lynch elynch@wcsd.k12.oh.us