Baltz Bears Weekly Announcements
December 3, 2023
Believing...Achieving...Learning...Team Building ...with Zeal! We are BALTZ!
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Hello Baltz Families,
Greetings Baltz Families!
Some notable things this week---
Monday December 4th is Baltz Spirit Night at Chik-Fil-A (Prices Corner) between 5-8 pm. You can place an order at the counter or by going through the drive- thru. You don't need the flyer, you can just mention Baltz Elementary and a portion of your bill will benefit Baltz. You can also place an order on the mobile app by using the community event code: Baltz2023.
There is no school on Friday, December 8th for students. It is a Professional Day for Teachers.
We had our first (of three) Brilliant Bear Award Ceremony of the year on Friday. Students are honored for great effort in a wide variety of categories. Awards are given for each of our school-wide expectations: Being Safe, Being Kind, Being On-Task. Awards are also given by each Special Teacher(Library, Art, Music, Learning Lab & Physical Education) for students who are Making it Count when they go to specials. Other categories include using Kelso's Choices to be a great problem solver, Extraordinary Growth and Hard Work. Our Safety Patrollers and Bear Paw Patrol members were also recognized.
Extra Clothes--A request for students in K-1-2:
We have nearly run out of "extra clothes" for when students have accidents or spills. If your child has worn some home that they don't need, please send them back.
Also- it would be really helpful if students in K-2 bring an extra set of clothes that they can leave in their bookbags or cubbies. Please put it in a bag and label with your child's name. If you want to send in some items that your child has grown out of, we would be happy to receive them!
We have plenty of options for older kids but are running out for little ones.
A Morning with Santa is on December 16th. Flyers are going home tomorrow! Reservations are required.
Last Bagels with Bears of the Year is on Dec. 15th. Those who have reservations will receive a reminder early this week.
This week the Scheduled Days are:
Monday- Day 5
Tuesday - Day 1
Wednesday - Day 2
Thursday - Day 3
Friday - No School for Students
Soon! Baltz Fundraiser - Chik Fil A - Dec. 4th
Wishing for your help...
As we enter Winter... We are running low on a few supplies....
The Scholastic Book Fair has Ended!
But it will stay open for 2 more weeks online.
There has been so much excitement about books!
Huge thanks to Ms. Personti and all of the Fair Volunteers!
All for Books funds raised = all of our students will get free books!
Breakfast and Lunch
There is no charge for breakfast or lunch for Baltz students. Additionally, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable snacks will be provided to all students twice a week. Other snacks may be available for students to purchase during lunches.
Please encourage your child to wear their lanyard to lunch, this makes movement through the line much more efficient than if students key their Student IDs in at the register.
English Menu : December
Spanish Menu: December
Spotlight on Learning in the Classroom!
In 3rd Grade
The end of 2023 is coming fast and it feels like Winter is already here! We have learned so much in the first months of school, and there is so much more to come. Please make sure your student is practicing their multiplication facts each week. Knowing these facts will help your child understand and have an easier time with the rest of the math units we will be working with this year. Also, please have your child read nightly. This will help to build fluency, add on to vocabulary, as well as foster a love for books.
Remember! Even though it is cold, our students still need to get out some energy! We will still be going outside to recess as long as the FEELS LIKE temperature is above 25 degrees. Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately for outside play. This includes hats, gloves, and coats, not sweatshirts.
In class we have finished up our work with multiplication and division and are starting a unit on place value and rounding. In Reading we are continuing to work on new skills each week including drawing conclusions and cause and effect. We have started a chapter book called The Year of Ms. Agnes and the kids are enjoying it so far. In writing the kids are working on writing narratives with detailed characters and dialogue. We also had our field trip to Hagley Museum and the kids had a ton of fun! We would like to thank you for your continued support this school year and wish everyone Happy Holidays!
Mr. Glanden, Mrs. Ellis, Ms. Lucey, Ms. Bussey, Mrs. Laws, Mr. Henry & Ms. Fillette
Red Clay Nutrition Department Survey
Survey for Parents/Guardians and Red Clay Staff
Red Clay Nutrition Services’ mission is to deliver nutritious meals with a smile. However, we also aim to serve a variety of healthy meal options daily, to provide high quality food products that are appealing, to accommodate most special dietary needs, and to do all this with impeccable customer service. We are asking for your feedback to help us improve and provide insight on the perceptions of our program. Please take a moment to fill out our Red Clay Staff & Parent Survey: Nutrition Survey - Parents/Guardians/Red Clay Staff
Message from the Red Clay Tech Department
Technology Devices - Bring Indoors
As we move into the winter months, it's important to remember that no technology devices should be left in cars overnight.
Batteries drain rapidly in freezing temperatures and condensation can cause permanent damage to the battery and LCD screen. If you do forget to bring in your laptop or Chromebook, the best thing to do is not use it right away. Bring it inside and gradually let it warm up before charging and powering it on.
Thanks for your support!
Pre-Order Your School Year Book
Yearbook Order Forms went home last week. Orders can be sent to the office (Cash Only). Receipts will be issued for all orders placed in the office.
You can order/pay online at ybpay.com Our school code is 15172824. Early Bird Yearbook pricing is $12 (order before 1/19/24).
Curriculum Connections
Math Vocabulary
Flashcards of all of the unit vocabulary is in the Student Activity Book!
Kindergarten Vocabulary - Unit 2
1st Grade Math Vocabulary - Unit 3
2nd Grade Math Vocabulary - Unit 2
3rd Grade Math Vocabulary - Unit 3
Multiplication Strategies
4th Grade Math Vocabulary - Unit 3
Strategies for Multiplication
5th Grade Math Vocabulary - Unit 3
Mark Your Calendars
- 12/4 - Chik -Fil -A Night at Prices Corner 5-8 pm
- 12/8 - No School for Students
- 12/15 - Bagels with Bears - Reservations Required
- 12/16 - A Morning with with Santa - Reservations Required
- 12/21 - MTSS Event- Winter Workshop
- 12/22-1/2 - School is Closed for Winter Break
- 1/3/2024 - School Re-opens
Check the Calendar!
Information below was previously shared & is included for your reference.
i-Ready Testing Parent Information
iReady is a diagnostic test that students in grades 2 through 5 take in ELA and Math, at the beginning, middle and end of the year.
Starting on 10/23/23, Parents will have access to the iReady reports! There are parent letters with instructions below!
Our District Report Code is: Y3R81L
Here are links to parent Letters about the reports.
Letter Home English
Letter Home Spanish
Guide to Understanding Reports
If you want to know more about your child's i-Ready scores, please ask your child's teacher.
Free Internet Service for Students
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a federal program to help eligible households pay for internet service, by providing a discount up to $30 per month. Most internet service providers, including Comcast and Verizon, offer internet service plans for $30.
Families qualify if one member of their household meets at least one of the following criteria:
Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year
Participates in one of these assistance programs
Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program
SNAP
Medicaid
Federal Housing Assistance
Supplemental Security Income
WIC
Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits
Resources for Families
The School Day
School Day is 9:00- 3:50. Doors open at 8:45 am. Dismissal begins at 3:50 pm.
Arrival
The Doors open and Grab & Go Breakfast begins at 8:45. Students should not arrive on campus before 8:45 am. There is no student supervision until 8:45am.
Bus Riders will de-board the bus in the front circle and enter the front doors.
Walkers will come through the front doors to enter the building.
Parents of Car Riders will join the car line on the district side of the building to drop off your child(ren) in the back lot. Please have your child ready to exit the passenger side of the car. Staff will be present to open the doors and assist students as they get out of the car.
Our parking lot is very busy in the morning. Parents will not be allowed to enter the parking lot in the morning to drop off children, all cars should come through Car Line. Parking nearby and walking over is not permitted. These routines are designed to keep everyone safe.
Late Arrival: Students arriving after 9:00 AM must report to the School Office to get a late slip. It is imperative that students arrive on time to be in class by 9:00 when the instructional day begins, to maximize learning.
Dismissal
Early Dismissal
Students leaving school before dismissal for any reason must be signed out in the office. For the protection of our students, a photo ID will be required to sign out any student. In order to maintain the safety of all of our students, we are a closed campus after 3:15 PM. There will be NO early dismissals after this time, unless previously arranged.
Dismissal Procedures:
In order to provide safety for all of our students, we have a closed campus beginning at 3:15. No students will be released for early dismissal after 3:15 unless it has been pre-arranged with the office.
Our dismissal will begin at 3:50 p.m. This is 10 minutes later than last year. *New Time*
*Families will receive Dismissal Number Tags at the Meet and Greet Event.
At Dismissal:
Family members who are meeting walkers should meet them by the gated area near the little playground. *New Procedure for 23-24 School Year* Parents for students in grades K-2 will need to check in with your family’s number before moving to the gate to pick up your child. Students in grades 3-5 will not need to check in. More information about the new Walker Area during dismissal is below.
Parents who arrive by car should join the car line. Parking nearby and walking over is not permitted.
For parents of children picking up by car, please stay in your car and enter the car line on the district side of the building.
Bus riders will be escorted to the bus by staff members.
Thank you for your cooperation in helping to keep our students safe.
Procedure for Walkers at Dismissal for K-2 Students
At Dismissal:
Walking- Family members who are meeting walkers should meet them by the gated area near the little playground. Parents for students in grades K-2 will need to check in with your family’s number before moving to the gate to pick up your child. Students in grades 3-5 will not need to check in.
Students in grades 3-5 will be considered independent walkers. Those being picked up by family members who are also picking up a student in K-2 will come to meet their family at the gate.
Students in Grade 2 can be independent walkers with completion of this form: 2nd Grade Independent Walker Permission Form. If this form is completed they will be dismissed from the Gated area to walk home(without parent pick up).
Form will be available in English and Spanish at the Meet & Greet Event
Dress Code and Supplies for School
Please send your child with a bookbag and pencils.
View the link for other suggested supplies for each grade. These are optional.
Chromebooks for Learning
K-3 students will have chromebooks in school. Students in 4-5 will take them from home to school.
This year students in grades K, 1, 2, and 3 will have access to Chromebooks for learning in their classrooms while students in grades 4, and 5 will bring their devices back and forth from home to school.
Signed Technology Agreements and Insurance Payments will be required for students in grades
4 and 5, only.
Once the agreement and payments have been received, Chromebooks will be distributed to students. It is important that your child charges their Chromebook at home each night and then brings it back to school the next day.
Did you know that we have a School Based Health Care Center right here at Baltz? If your child registered last year, they do not need to register again. If your child didn't register yet, forms will be available at the Meet & Greet!
What are some services that the SBHC can provide? Click on the forms below for more information!
Bus Ridershave ID badges to scan as they board/de-board.
Please encourage your child to wear their badge each day as they get onto the bus. Having their badge ready on their lanyard will help students to scan and board quickly and safely.
Please discuss safety on the bus with your child.
Riders need to:
- Follow all directions from their driver & sit in assigned seats.
- Talk in quiet voices to those around them.
- Sit in the seat with their bookbags on their laps and their "back against the back and their bottom on the bottom" of the seat.
Would you like to track the location of your child's bus? Sign up for the free Where's the Bus App!
Visit www.WheresTheBus.com.
- Click Create Account
- Select Red Clay School District (DE) from the school drop-down list.
- Add the student info (Last Name and Student ID) for the student you want to signup
- Finish the account set up by entering your email and creating a password
Questions about Transportation? Call 302-322-0251.
Bus transportation is a privilege, not a right. Repeated violations may cause bus service to be suspended. The parent is responsible for providing transportation during any bus suspension.
Expectations for student behavior while riding the bus are included in the section about Discipline.