Elementary Parents – Starting Tuesday
Starting tomorrow, the main lot will be our continuous drop-off area. Please have your child ready to exit at any part of the curb so we can keep things moving. We’re going for a smooth drop-off, not a morning tailgate!
Preschool families: If you need to park and walk your child to the preschool doors, you may use the blue wing parking lot after the buses leave, around 7:50 a.m. Please plan to arrive after that time.
Parents walking children into the building: If you need to get out of your vehicle and walk your child to the door, please use the back parking lots. You can park there and escort your child to the sidewalk leading to the bridge or walk with them to the door. The main lot, which was previously available after the buses left, will now be used for continuous drop-off.
I want to give Mr. Barrows a big shout-out for the time, thought, and effort he has put into looking for ways to improve arrival and dismissal. He has worked hard to listen to feedback, consider different options, and keep trying to make things better for our students and families. That kind of leadership and willingness to keep working toward a solution deserves a lot of credit. We may not get everything perfect, but we are fortunate to have someone like Mr. Barrows willing to put in the work and keep looking for improvements!
Tomorrow could be a home run, or we might strike out and head back to the drawing board! Either way, we’re going to give it a solid try for at least a few days and see how it goes.
Go Tanks!!
All-Call for 7:00 p.m.
Elementary Parents – Starting Tuesday
We are getting close to exhausting our ideas for improving drop-off and pick-up, but we have a few more things we want to try! As Mr. Barrows recently shared, we will be making another set of changes starting this coming Tuesday.
Buses: Morning-only bus drop-off will move to the kindergarten/blue lot.
Parent drop-off: Continuous drop-off will move to the main lot in front of the building. Everyone must still turn right when leaving the parking lots.
Keep the line moving: Please have your children ready to exit the vehicle as soon as you pull into the lot. When the line stops and cars ahead of you are unloading, that is your cue to unload. We need the kids ready and waiting on us, not us waiting on the kids! It only takes 1 car not to be ready to hold up 25 cars, so be ready!! If you are a parent who arrives early in the morning before we open our doors, please pull clear up past the corner, and everyone get as close to the car in front of you as possible.
Preschool families: If you wish to park and walk your child to the preschool doors, you may use the blue wing parking lot after the buses have left, approximately 7:50 a.m. Please plan to arrive after that time to access the lot.
Parents walking children into the building: If you need to get out of your vehicle and walk your child to the door, you need to use the back parking lots. You can park there and escort your child to the sidewalk leading to the bridge or walk with them to the door. Previously, parents could use the main lot after the buses left, but that area is now being used for continuous drop-off.
A quick reminder for afternoon dismissal from the soccer parking lot: Feel free to turn left if traffic is clear, and turn right if things are congested and utilize the loop process.
I’ve noticed our parents did a great job on Friday helping each other out by pausing and signaling on Sandusky to those wanting to turn left out of the soccer lot. I will admit it's nice to see people being nice. Especially in traffic! I also noticed traffic moves the quickest when those exiting the soccer lot are prepared to turn left or right, and everyone helps each other out. So be ready if someone is pausing to allow you to exit quicker. Just make sure it’s clear and safe before you go.
As my old basketball coach used to say, a famous quote from John Wooden: “Be quick, but don’t hurry”
One last reminder for everyone - parents, students, staff: remember that incredible children’s book, Penny’s Power of Perspective, that I read to our school community and kindergarten classes to start the year? Well, everybody, put your perspective glasses on Tuesday morning! Don’t forget your glasses!!
Go Tanks!!
All Call for 5 pm
Elementary Parents:
Dismissal from the soccer parking lot has gone really well, and I appreciate everyone working together as we continue to improve the process.
Just a reminder: If traffic is clear and you can turn left toward the intersection without waiting, please feel free to do so. If traffic is backed up and you would have to wait, please turn right and use the two parking lots to loop back onto Sandusky Blvd.
We appreciate everyone doing their part to keep traffic moving! You can refer to my previous Facebook post with the maps if you need a reminder of how the loop works.
Thanks again for helping us make this work.
Go Tanks!!
Yesterday was our second afternoon experimenting with turning right out of the soccer parking lot toward the end of dismissal, and it worked really well! Traffic cleared very quickly.
I’ve included two maps to help show how to use the main and blue parking lots as loops to get back onto Sandusky. I know this is a change from what many of us are used to, so hopefully the maps and a little explanation will help clarify how it works.
We understand that many families need to head left toward the intersection, and we know it can be frustrating when you’re ready to go, but traffic isn’t moving. That’s exactly why we’re trying something different. When several cars are waiting to turn left, the line backs up into the soccer parking lot pretty quickly and slows everyone down.
When traffic is congested, turning right and looping through either the main or blue parking lot to get back onto Sandusky can get you to the intersection in about the same amount of time, if not sooner, than waiting to turn left. The added benefit is that it helps clear the soccer parking lot and keeps traffic moving for everyone.
We’ve noticed that congestion typically starts building during the last part of dismissal, especially as the buses are leaving. We’re encouraging families to consider turning right when traffic backs up and using one of the parking lot loops rather than waiting in line to turn left. If you’re able to do this, you’re helping the entire dismissal process move along more quickly and safely. The main lot will become available once the buses start exiting.
We know changes to routines can take some getting used to, and we appreciate everyone’s patience as we continue trying to find what works best for our families. We’re paying attention to what we’re seeing, listening to your feedback, and trying different ideas to make dismissal better for everyone.
Thanks again for working with us as we figure this out!
Go Tanks!!
All call for 4 pm!
I want to thank our parents for their patience and input as we continue to try different ideas to improve arrival and dismissal at the U. We plan to try a few more suggestions very soon, maybe as early as next week. Please know we are always open to ideas and feedback from anyone.
In the afternoon at the elementary, cars still have trouble getting out of the parking lot by the soccer field closest to Sandusky Blvd, especially when turning left. Once the buses start leaving, it gets even more difficult.
So, in the afternoon after buses have departed, we are going to try having all cars turn right when leaving that parking lot (Soccer) and then use the main elementary parking lot as a loop to get on Sandusky Blvd and head toward the intersection. The idea is to keep cars moving and allow those turning right onto Sandusky to get out without being held up by those waiting to turn left. If it is an easy left turn and clear, simply go left, but if backed up, turn right and loop through the main parking lot back onto Sandusky. I or a staff member plans to be there to help with this new adjustment for a few days to see if it helps. We will experiment with this beginning Monday! Thanks again to parents for the ideas and keep them coming!!!
Heard a speech from Steve Harvey, and he said: Gratitude erases negativity! If you wake up in the morning and you start with negative thoughts… man, this ain't my day…just stop for a second and start going over in your mind everything you have to be grateful for. Not everything you want…everything you already have! Because what you have is substantial; you just haven’t gone over your list and taken inventory in a long time. The fact that you woke up is a blessing. The fact that you can see is a blessing. The fact that you can feel, think, and reason are blessings. The fact that you can hear or read this message is a blessing. Start filling your mind with gratitude; it will change everything for you. Gratitude erases negativity. I’m grateful that we have a good challenge we can work on together and that I get to do it alongside such wonderful people as we continue trying to improve drop-off and pick-up at the U! Honestly, I may have to repeat this one a few times in my mind!!🙃
Have an outstanding weekend!! 3 days til Monday!!
Go Tanks!!
I wanted to take a minute to share an opportunity to support one of our area school districts, Greenfield McClain. They’re participating in T-Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights competition, and they’ve done a tremendous job getting to this point. They’re currently ranked among the top 40 schools in the nation; they’re the only school in Ohio participating at this level, and they’re currently in second place in the Midwest!
This competition allows McClain to win significant funding to help improve their facilities and provide more opportunities for its students. As you can imagine, that kind of support can make a real difference for a school district and its community.
Now, I know we all take pride in our own schools, and a little friendly competition is part of what makes our communities great. But I also believe there are times when we can set that competition aside and support one another. At the end of the day, we’re all working toward the same goal: giving our students the best opportunities possible.
That’s why I’m asking our families, staff, and community members to take a few moments to vote for McClain each day through October 25. You can vote through the T-Life app or by visiting FridayNight5GLights.com.
Every vote helps, and our support could help McClain move forward in the competition and get one step closer to funding that could benefit its students for years to come.
We may represent different school districts, but when it comes to supporting kids and investing in their futures, we’re all on the same team. I think this is a great opportunity to show that our communities can come together for something bigger than ourselves.
Thank you for taking a moment to support Greenfield McClain and for always being willing to make a difference for students, wherever they may be. Let’s help them bring this home!
Go Tigers!
Go Tanks!
Go Tanks!
Had to say that twice! 😉💜💛
Next week, we will continue making adjustments to our morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up procedures for the middle school and elementary. As always, we are very interested in any input and suggestions from anyone. Parents, staff, students, community members, etc. Anyone, at any time. We are experiencing some improvements both in the mornings and afternoons!
For now, the Middle School parking lot will remain open for morning drop-off from 7:30–7:50 a.m., or until the buses arrive.
We are continuing with the closing of the thoroughfare gate in the back parking lots by soccer and football behind the elementary. The gate will continue to be closed every day.
We are continuing with kindergarten and any sibling pick-up at the end of the day in the blue lot. If you have a kindergarten student, you no longer utilize the back parking lots by the soccer and football fields for pick-up at the end of the day. We have adjusted staff parking to experiment with this idea and have plans for a few more ideas in the near future. We will announce in advance if we move forward.
Again, all of these adjustments are experiments and could be temporary. We appreciate your cooperation and support as we continue to work towards improvements to a longstanding concern with drop-off and pick-ups at Unioto.
We still have openings for bus drivers at the U. If you or someone you know may be interested in becoming a full-time or substitute bus driver, please get in touch with Mr. Ost at 740-773-6031 or sost@gotanks.org to discuss the requirements, qualifications, and necessary credentials.
Excited for our XC team and program hosting our annual night race: Are U afraid of the dark? This Saturday at the U!! A great event!! Grilla Cheese will be here again!!! Yummy!!
Something for parents to consider I recently read:
Gratitude is not something children grow naturally into. It has to be taught. Practiced. Modeled. And built into the culture of your home. Consider the following 3 things to teach and model for your kids to learn as early as possible.
Contribution comes before entitlement. In your home every helps out. Everyone has a role, and everyone contributes. When kids help cook, set the table, take out the trash, have chores, and support the family, they learn real quickly how much effort goes into the life and space they enjoy.
Gratitude is practiced daily. We say thank you and intentionally look for what is already good in our lives. You don’t raise grateful kids by giving them more. They are raised by teaching them to notice the good more.
You don’t get everything you want the moment you want it. Sometimes the answer is no. Sometimes you have to wait. Sometimes you have to work for it. Sometimes you have to go without. That is how children learn patience and value, appreciation, and self-control.
Ungrateful kids are not created because parents love them too much. They are created when love is never paired with responsibility, boundaries, and contributions. Children need to know they are deeply loved, but also that the world does not revolve around them. That is how we raise grateful, grounded, respectful, worldly-ready humans.
3 days till Monday!! I am grateful for the weekend and all the responsibilities I get to tend to, and can’t wait for Monday!!
Go Tanks!!
Another reminder: Picture Included
The Middle School parking lot will remain open for morning drop-off from 7:30–7:50ish a.m., or until the buses arrive. If the lot is empty, please feel free to use it. We are encouraging families to use the main parking lot for morning drop-off whenever possible. It is more convenient and accessible from Moundsville, particularly when exiting, as those exiting from the auditeria drop off tend to hold up traffic at times. Using the main lot will help reduce backups and improve the overall traffic flow. There are 3 available drop-off spots in the middle school main parking lot: the flagpole, main entrance, and corner before exit. Please see the map for more details. Thanks!
All-call for 4:00 pm today!
We will continue with some adjustments to our morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up procedures next week for the middle school and elementary.
The Middle School parking lot will remain open for morning drop-off from 7:30–7:50 a.m., or until the buses arrive. If the lot is empty, please feel free to use it. We are encouraging families to use the main parking lot for morning drop-off whenever possible. It is more convenient and accessible from Moundsville, particularly when exiting, as those exiting tend to hold up traffic at times. Using the main lot will help reduce backups and improve the overall traffic flow. So please use it!
You can expect an announcement from the elementary school very soon regarding an adjustment to afternoon pick-up that will create an additional pick-up area for some families. Once we finalize the details, we will communicate the plan to families.
Again, this is an experiment, and we fully expect the first few days to be a significant adjustment as everyone gets used to the new process. There may be some issues along the way, and we will work through them and make adjustments as needed. We believe, however, that once everyone gets accustomed to the new procedure, it has the potential to result in a much-improved afternoon pick-up and overall traffic flow.
We still have openings for bus drivers at the U. If you or someone you know may be interested in becoming a full-time or substitute bus driver, please get in touch with Mr. Ost at 740-773-6031 or sost@gotanks.org to discuss the requirements, qualifications, and necessary credentials.
Concepts for consideration for parents:
One thing I have learned through my own experiences and, quite honestly, through plenty of mistakes is that sometimes we learn the most about parenting after we have already been through the situation. As parents, we are all learning as we go. I certainly don't pretend to have all the answers, and I am not suggesting that I do. I simply want to share a few thoughts and concepts that may give parents something to consider that could potentially help with parenting and, ultimately, benefit our children.
One concept I have been thinking about is how we view consequences. It is common to think of consequences as punishments. When a child doesn't listen or doesn't meet expectations, we may feel like the consequence needs to be significant enough to make them listen the next time. So we pile on chores, take away television, their phone, plans they had made, or the opportunity to have friends over. Sometimes those things may be appropriate, but I think there is another way to look at consequences that may be worth considering.
What if we viewed consequences less as punishment and more as standards?
For example:
Homework needs to be completed by 8:00 p.m. If it isn't completed, the message isn't, “I'm going to punish you because you didn't do your homework.” Instead, it is simply: “We don't move on to the fun stuff until your responsibilities are taken care of.” Not because I want you to be miserable. Not because I am angry with you. But because responsibility comes before privileges.
I think there is a powerful difference in that mindset. As parents, we don't necessarily need to become angry. We don't need to remind them five times. And we certainly don't need to do the homework for them or continually rescue them from the consequences of their choices.
They knew the standard.
They made the choice.
Now they own what happens next.
That isn't punishment. That's ownership.
And ultimately, isn't that one of the things we are trying to teach our children?
We want them to become adults who understand that their choices have consequences, that responsibilities come before privileges, and that they have ownership over what happens next.
Again, I am certainly not pretending to have all the answers. Parenting is hard, and every child and every family is different. I have made plenty of mistakes myself, and many of the things I have learned came from experiences where I probably wished I had handled things differently.
But sometimes a different perspective (we have learned about the power of perspective) is worth considering. Maybe instead of constantly asking ourselves, “What punishment will make my child listen?” we can ask, “What standard do I want my child to learn to live by?”
Responsibility before privilege. Standards before exceptions. Ownership before excuses.
Those are lessons that can serve our children well long after they leave our homes and our schools.
Go Tanks!!
Go Tanks!
