The Loker School Scoop! 1-7-25

Happy New Year! We are very pleased to host our second annual STEAM Night on Thursday, January 16th. The creativity and innovation of last year's projects by our Loker scholars was so impressive and I am really excited to see this year's inventions! As a reminder, you can sign-up to present a project here. Please register by Tuesday, January 14th.

I am also very pleased to announce we will host our eleventh annual Loker School Talent Show on Wednesday, February 12th from 5:45pm-7:45pm in the gymnasium! We learned during Covid that virtual Talent Show acts provide students with a wider range of opportunities to display their talents. Therefore, the Talent Show will continue to be a hybrid model show where students can either perform live on stage in the Loker gymnasium or send in a video that will be shown on the big screen in the Loker gymnasium. We plan to do live performances from approximately 5:45pm-6:45pm and then show the virtual performances from 6:45pm-7:45pm on February 12th. Performances can include, but are not limited to, singing, dancing, gymnastics, athletics, instrumental music, art work and comedy. Creative performances in non-traditional Talent Show areas such as cooking are more than welcome for virtual acts! Please complete the following google form to register your child if they would like to participate in the Talent Show by Wednesday, January 15th: 2024-25 Loker Talent Show Registration

For Live Performances: Auditions for the talent show will take place on Tuesday, January 21st from 2:30pm-3:30pm and Monday, January 27th from 2:30pm-3:30pm in the Loker School Theater. At the end of the auditions, students should be picked up at the front of the school at 3:30pm on the 21st or 3:30pm on the 27th. If your child attends BASE, they will return to BASE at the end of the audition day. Please note that in order to participate in a live Talent Show performance, your child must attend one of the audition days. Please identify your audition day preference in the registration link. Students who are interested in auditioning must make sure that their act meets the criteria listed below.

For Virtual Performances: There are no auditions for virtual performances as they will be reviewed when they are submitted. Between now and Wednesday, January 29th, students can record a video of them demonstrating their talent and send it to me at Brian_Jones@waylandps.org. The videos can be sent as an attachment or through google drive, ideally in a .mp4 format. I will then create the video for the virtual performances. Our criteria for each performance is below.

Criteria for Performance:

* All acts must be appropriate for grades K-5

* All acts must be 1 minute and 15 seconds or under

* No lip synching

* Appropriate costumes for school

* Appropriate music for children under age 11

Art Projects:

In addition, there will be an art gallery at the Talent Show with students who want to share their artistic talent. For students who do not want to perform but would like to submit art, it should be turned into Ms. Holmes in the main office by Friday, February 7th.

Our 5th graders will also participate in a special Tape Art project on Monday, February 10th which will be prominently displayed in the hallway for the Talent Show.

Please let me know if you have any questions. We hope you can join us for this special community event as we continue our annual tradition of displaying Loker's wonderful talent!

Sincerely,

Brian

Wednesday, January 8th

11:30am dismissal

Tomorrow is the last Super Early Release Wednesday for Professional Development. Elementary school dismissal will be at 11:30am. Please plan accordingly and update Pick Up Patrol, if needed. Pre-ordered bagged lunches will be distributed to students to take with them at dismissal time.

Calling all aspiring artists! This year's bookmark contest theme is "Find Your Path in the Library ." All interested students are encouraged to create a bookmark that reflects this theme. Entry forms can be found in the library or the main office. All entries are due to the library no later than Friday, January 17th. Looking forward to seeing all the wonderful designs. Any questions can be directed to Ms. Powell.

We would like to invite all Wayland families with children who will be 5 years of age as of August 31, 2025 to a Kindergarten Information session (virtual) to learn more about the Kindergarten programs offered for the 2025-2026 school year. Information regarding our programs may also be found on the Kindergarten Information website.

You will learn about the opportunities and unique characteristics of our programs and Principals from each of the three Wayland elementary schools will be available to answer your questions. Also in attendance will be Wayland’s METCO Director and after school program (BASE) Director.

Important Dates:
Kindergarten Information Meeting: TONIGHT!!!!!
Tuesday, January 7th, 7:00 - 8:00 PM (Zoom, Meeting ID: 232 469 1198)

Spanish Immersion Information Meetings:
Tuesday, January 14th, 7:00 - 7:45 PM (Zoom, Meeting ID: 232 469 1198)
or
Wednesday, January 15th , 10:45 - 11:30 AM (Zoom, Meeting ID: 232 469 1198)

Please note: This meeting is not required for Kindergarten enrollment, rather an opportunity to provide information to families with soon-to-be Kindergarteners! However, in order to participate in the Spanish Immersion lottery, a parent/caregiver MUST attend one of the two Spanish Immersion information sessions.

Monday, January 20th

1:30pm-3:30pm

Yawkey Club of Roxbury

115 Warren Street

Roxbury, MA

Tickets: $30 Adults, $15 Children

Join our Wayland METCO Community Celebration Luncheon! This is an incredible opportunity for us to gather as a community to celebrate our AMAZING Wayland METCO Students.

Come and enjoy:

• Senior Reflections from Wayland METCO Class of 2025
• Performances from current METCO Students
• Artwork and statements from our Wayland METCO Students
• Performance by WHS Honors Jazz Combo
• Lunch catered by Murl’s Kitchen

Tuesday, January 14th

7:00pm

Please join us for the January PTO meeting on Tuesday, January14th at 7:00pm in person in the Loker Cafeteria or via Zoom. The PTO is a great way to get to know other Loker families and hear about all the events the PTO supports. Everyone is welcome to join - you do not need to be on a committee to attend! We look forward to seeing you!

Zoom: https://rbteach.zoom.us/j/82058433646?pwd=Ce7decmk5WSzi4Enbcm8fhXCG1tp7C.1

Meeting ID: 820 5843 3646
Passcode: Loker

Your generosity in supporting children in foster care made a big impact this holiday season and beyond! Together the Loker community sponsored 50 foster children again this year. All gifts were delivered to the Department of Children and Families and were overflowing with toys, art supplies, winter and spring clothing, blankets, scooters, books, a bicycle and more. Your help is especially appreciated during this holiday season.

We're thrilled to introduce our new Kindness Closet, dedicated to providing FREE clothing and essentials to our scholars in need. Join us in spreading kindness and compassion throughout our community!

To help us stock the shelves, we're accepting donations of new and gently used clothing, jackets, winter gear, and shoes. You can drop off your donations in the designated bin located at the front entrance from now until February.
But that's not all! We're also accepting requests for clothing and essentials from our scholars and their families. Please know that privacy and discretion are our top priority. If you or someone you know is in need, please don't hesitate to reach out to the Loker School Main Office at 508-358-8601 or cathleen_holmes@waylandps.org. They will be happy to assist you in a confidential and supportive manner. Please see the attached Kindness Closet Request Form.
Together, let's make a difference in the lives of our scholars!

WSCP is excited to announce the Spring 2025 Enrichment Programs, designed to inspire, engage, and support your children beyond the school day. This season, we’re offering a variety of creative, STEM-focused, and skill-building activities tailored for students in grades K-5.

You can explore the details below to find the perfect fit for your child. We look forward to another amazing semester of enrichment and growth together!

SPRING ENRICHMENT 2025 OFFERING

pickuppatrol.net

If your child is going to be absent, tardy or has a dismissal change please be sure to update PickUp Patrol accordingly. New this year: MIDDAY PLAN CHANGES. This new field has Late Arrivals, Leave & Return as well as Early Dismissal options. You can enter information any time - no need to wait until the day of absence, tardy or change. Download the website to your phone home page for added ease. If you still need help, contact the Loker office at (508) 358-8601 or PickUp Patrol at support@pickuppatrol.net. We are happy to help!

JANUARY

Wednesday, January 8th

• Super Early Release Wednesday. Dismissal is at 11:30am -Grab & Go Lunch offered

Thursday, January 9th

• Loker School Meeting 8:20 am-8:45 am (with Chorus performance) -Loker Gym

Tuesday, January 14th

• Loker PTO Meeting 7:00pm- Loker Cafeteria & by Zoom

Wednesday, January 15th

• Town-wide Elementary Chorus Concert @ Claypit Hill Gym, 6:30pm

• Loker 2nd Annual STEAM Night, 6:00 pm Loker Cafeteria

Monday, January 20th

• NO SCHOOL- Martín Luther King, Jr. Day

Thursday, January 23rd

• Loker School Meeting 8:20 am-8:45 am- Loker Gym

Wednesday, January 29th

• NO SCHOOL- Lunar New Year

FEBRUARY

Wednesday, February 12th

• Loker School Talent Show! 5:45pm-7:45pm Loker Gym

Friday, February 14th

• Winter Break begins at the end of the school day

• Classes Resume

Anyone who walks the halls of our buildings, volunteers in classrooms/library or chaperones on field trips, must have a valid Wayland Public School CORI check on file. To complete a CORI application, please present in person at any school office (or central office) with government issued photo identification. It only takes a few minutes. CORI reports need to be renewed every 3 years.