Back to School Information

  • We are excited to have students back for the 2025-2026 School year. We are also excited to share that our annual Title I Meeting andNorthwest Elementary Home of the Stars Open House Event will be on Tuesday, August 7th at 5:00 PM.

    Important School Information

    • School Time: 8:45 AM to 2:55 PM
    • Website: pcsb.org/northwest-es
    • Dress Code: Follow the PCSB dress code policy – No school uniforms.
    • Class lists: Posted outside the office beginning on August 7th
    • Principal: Mr. Casey Maker

     

    Upcoming Dates

    • Aug 7th at 5:00pm – Class lists posted, Title I Meeting, and Open House Event
    • Aug 11thFirst Day of School
    • Sept 1stNo School for Students
    • Sept 19th No School for Students

     

    Class Placement
    A great deal of time, effort, and thought has gone into the process of student placement for the 2025-2026 school year.  Careful consideration was given to your child’s placement. Classrooms have been balanced academically and socially. Our class lists are structured to provide equitable class sizes at each grade level, as well as the best way to meet the needs of all learners based on academic performance. Moving students is difficult without causing imbalances and inequities.

    Start Time and Arrival
    School will start on August 11th. Our times will continue to be 8:45 to 2:55 each day. The campus opens for students at 8:15 AM. Students may not arrive before 8:15 AM due to no staff supervision. Students may enter the cafeteria at 8:15 for breakfast or to their classrooms. Breakfast is served daily between 8:15 and 8:40 AM. Again, there is no school staff supervision until 8:15 AM.

    Before and After School Care
    The YMCA offers before and aftercare each day. JW Cate Recreation Center also provides before and aftercare for students. Seats are limited so please apply as soon as possible. Please visit our school website for registration links and more before and aftercare information.

    Lunch
    Families may once again join their students for lunch on Fridays at our outside picnic tables. Families must come during their child’s designated lunch period as students will not be pulled out of learning in their classrooms to have lunch. Please be sure you have an ID, and all visitors must be on the child’s information card. Rainy Fridays will be canceled as we do not have indoor space to accommodate.

    Clinic
    If your child is not feeling well, please keep them home. If a student gets sick during the school day, our staff will assess your child as in the past and consult with you. If a student exhibits illness, we may request that you pick your child up early. We strongly encourage you to make back-up plans for pick-up and provide the front office with several people to contact on your behalf.

    Dismissal
    Students will be dismissed at 2:55 PM. Walkers, bus and YMCA students will be escorted to their locations by designated staff members. Car riders will report to their designated dismissal locations escorted by a staff member. Each car rider will be given a car tag sign, please fill it out with your child’s name on it and display it on your rear -view mirror so our staff can call for your child. All families should pull up to one of the numbered pick-up spots. If you chose to park, your child must be designated as a walker and will be in a hallway near sign #1. Only NWES staff and students should access the front car line walkway due to traffic and students moving to their number. IF you need assistance, ask the staff member at #1 with a radio to locate your child.

    *** Please be patient the first few days of school as we help our new families adjust and make sure that all students get to their proper dismissal location. The line moves more quickly when everyone is following the procedure. This includes following the traffic pattern and remaining in your car. It does get better!

    Visitors
    Visitors are permitted on campus for designated purposes (i.e., parent conferences, family events, volunteering, etc.). For security reasons, families are not permitted to walk their child to their classroom in grades K-5, except on the first day of school. All visitors must present a valid driver’s license, government issued, or PCS ID at the front office to access the school campus.

    First Week of School
    We will have additional adults / safety patrols to help your child get to their classroom if they need assistance. Parents may walk their child to class on the first day of school only.

    Pre-K Parking
    Pre-K Parking is in the front of building 1 for drop-off only. Please use the designated parking spaces. Pre-K Parents may park and walk their child to exterior classroom door. Parents will be required to sign their child in at the classroom (this must be done by an adult). You will receive additional directions from your child’s teacher at Open House on August 7th.

    Telephone and Email
    It is extremely important we have current telephone numbers, email addresses and contacts. If there is a school emergency, we need to be able to communicate with you about your child and a possible situation. PLEASE be sure the front office has your most current information!

    Labels
    Label everything! Backpack, pencil box, notebooks, shirt collar, jackets, water bottles, etc. Many times we have students who do not know their last name. It is extremely helpful to have your child’s name on their belongings.

    Agenda Books
    More information will be included in the front pages of your child’s agenda and will be shared with you at Open House on August 7th at 5:00 PM.

    Northwest Guidelines for Success

    S – Safety First
    T – Think like a problem solver
    A – Aim for your goals
    R – Respect yourself and others
    S – Share positive friendships

    Thank you to all who are helping prepare for the new school year. We are excited to be a part of your child’s education and learning experience. See you soon!