American Education Week Will Be Nov. 14-18; Approved Visitor Forms Due Nov. 9

American Education Week (Nov. 14-18) is quickly approaching! American Education Week is observed in communities annually for the purpose of informing the public of the accomplishments of our students and schools, and to garner parent involvement in the education of their children. Parents and guardians are encouraged to come to school during American Education Week to see first-hand the work of their children, experience the school climate and culture, and show support for their child and for the school.

Along with this excitement of having you as an integral part of your child’s education during American Education Week, we also are intently focused on ensuring that school safety and minimal distractions to the learning environment are strictly enforced.

To that end, we need your assistance by completing the attached Approved Visitor Form and returning it to your child’s school by Wednesday, Nov. 9. This form provides your child’s school with a list of any and all visitors you would like us to allow to visit and observe your child during American Education Week.

The completion of this form is essential and is required in order for a visitor to be allowed to visit your child’s classroom. If a visitor comes to the school for your child and is not on the list, that person will not be allowed to participate in American Education Week visitation. Please be sure to include yourselves on the list as well as anyone who is also listed on your child’s Emergency Data Form that you want to visit, as that form will not override this Approved Visitor Form.

Please note that there are visitor criteria and procedures necessary to ensure that valuable instruction continues in our schools during American Education Week. We are also requiring that all visitors adhere to the following guidelines:

All visitors must be over the age of 21 and provide photo identification.

Unless otherwise notified that your child’s school will have babysitting services, please do not bring young children with you during your visit.

All visitors must check in at the front office before proceeding into the school.

Please place cell phones on vibrate. Persons using a cell phone in the school will be asked to leave.

Visitors may only visit in the classrooms of the student(s) for whom they have permission on the Approved Visitor Form.

Food and drink should not be brought into the school during classroom visitation.

Please remove hats and outside garments upon entering the school.

Upon leaving the building, please check out at the front office so that all schools are aware of what visitors are in the building at all times.

As you can see from these guidelines, Wicomico County Public Schools is striving to provide an opportunity for parents and community members to visit our children during American Education Week while continuing to maintain a safe learning environment.

Visitors should be aware that some schools have limited cafeteria seating capacity and that, at some schools, eating lunch with students is not feasible.

If the school has sent correspondence assigning a specific visitation day per grade level, visitors should please try to adhere to this schedule as much as possible. Often this scheduling is due to parking and space constraints.