Watkins has two book fairs annually. The Fall book fair is held in October and the Spring book fair is held in April.

Flyers and announcements will be made with exact needs, dates, and times.

The library will be open each day from 10:00 a.m. – 3:55 p.m. Students can shop during their scheduled resource time. All family members must sign in before assisting students with book fair shopping.

Field Day is a great way to celebrate the end of the school year. It is a time when students can let loose and have fun with all their family and friends. The day traditionally consists of a variety of events, games, and competitions that everyone can enjoy. More information will be sent out as the time approaches! Many volunteers are always needed and welcomed!

Each class at Watkins decorates a pumpkin to be displayed at Pumpkin Lighting which takes place in mid October in conjunction with the fall book fair. There are games, face painting, a photo booth, dancing, popcorn and music for entertainment. The kids come in costume and they get to see all of the decorated pumpkins.

Student safety patrols enhance enforcement of drop-off and pick-up procedures at school by increasing safety for students and traffic flow efficiency for parents. Such efforts allow students to participate in promoting traffic safety where they learn skills they can use in their everyday lives

For more information about S.T.E.A.M. please check out our website! https://sites.google.com/ccpsnet.net/wkessteam/home

This event happens in February and is open to all students. They do not need to try out but must sign up and attend a rehearsal. Kids can sing, dance, do gymnastics or a performance of their choice.

WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads Of Great Students)– Are you the dad of a “great student” at J.B. Watkins Elementary School? If so, then our school needs you to become a member of the Watkins’ Watch D.O.G.S.

WATCH D.O.G.S. is an innovative father involvement, educational initiative of the National Center For Fathering. This is a nationally recognized program that has brought hundreds of thousands of fathers and father figures into our nation’s classrooms and hallways and it is now available to fathers of J.B. Watkins students.

If you are interested in becoming a Watch Dog, fill out the form at the following link
http://jbwpta.com/get-involved/watch-dogs/. 

If you would like more information about how to join the Watkins’ Watch DOGS team, email:

Our Jog/Walk Club will run from TBA More information will be sent home soon! Our first meeting will take place on TBA, please have students report to track!

Jog/Walk will be held on every TBA. Students please come dressed and prepared for cardiovascular endurance. You may want to bring a water bottle to help keep you hydrated.

Parents please feel free to stay and exercise with your child or you may want to volunteer to handout popsicle sticks or log miles! ANY help will be grrrreatly appreciated. Siblings of students that don’t attend Watkins may stay and exercise as well ONLY if parent/guardian stays to supervise them!

International Walk to School Day is a global event that involves communities from more than 40 countries walking and biking to school on the same day. It began in 1997 as a one-day event. Over time, this event has become part of a movement for year-round safe routes to school and a celebration – with record breaking participation – each October. Today, thousands of schools across America – from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico – participate every October.

We are excited to be offering the Watkins Enrichment Program with online registration! Winter session will begin on February 20 and run each Thursday from 4:15-5:15. The last class will be on March 26.

Registration will begin on January 27. Please understand that some classes have a maximum number of students they can accommodate. Get your registration in soon to have the best chance of getting your first choice!

Please look over all the class information below. Remember – registration will end on February 5. In order to give class instructors time to prepare and purchase materials, we need to give them final numbers. We cannot accept late registrations.

All questions regarding WEP classes should be directed to Brandi Hidalgo at [email protected]

YMCA Childcare- The YMCA is offering before and after school care at Watkins this year. Please click on the following link for more information.

https://www.ymcarichmond.org/jb-watkins-elementary-child-care/

If you have any questions about the program, please contact the YMCA directly.

Program Description

At the YMCA, our program is fun as well as educational. The professionally trained staff helps children develop positive social skills through the YMCA’s Character Development Program. Every child is encouraged to practice the four core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. As with any YMCA program, the YMCA School Age Care Curriculum focuses on the YMCA mission of a healthy spirit, mind and body.

Program Focus Areas

• Physical Fitness
• Wellness/Nutrition
• Homework Help
• Literacy/Math
• Arts
• 21st Century Skills
• Inclusions & Global Awareness
• College & Career Readiness
• Service Learning
• Parent & Family Engagement
• Leadership Development

YMCA members can register April 1.  Non-YMCA members can register beginning April 16.

• Ages: Kindergarten – 5th grade
• Days: Monday – Friday
• Time: Before School Care: 7 a.m. – school begins, After School Care: school ends – 6:30 p.m.
• Location: JB Watkins Elementary – Students will be in the gy for drop-off and pick-up.

Pricing Information

YMCA Member:

• Before School Care: $68 per week
• After School Care: $87 per week
• Before & After School Care: $106 per week

Non-Member:

• Before School Care: $85 per week
• After School Care: $109 per week
• Before & After School Care: $127 per week

A non-refundable registration fee of $25 is required per child per school year.

For YMCA members, we offer a 10% multi-child discount for families with multiple children. (The first child pays full price with each additional child receiving a 10% discount.)

A 30 day notice will be given if transportation routes need to be changed or cancelled.

Contact Information

For billing, paperwork and administrative support:

Youth Development Call Center: 804.729.4825

Youth Development Email: [email protected]

For program questions, contact the staff:

Regional Director: Daniel Jongleux [email protected]  804.474.4317