Message from Ms. Bridget Wallace
Just this summer, my old Fitbit watch finally stopped working so I splurged and bought myself an Apple watch. Wow, expensive! To be honest, I don't even know how to use it yet except to tell time and my daily steps. Imagine my surprise when several teachers came to me with concerns the first week of school that students as young as 5 were preoccupied with using their Apple watches and causing distraction with peers during class time!
We all understand families may want their child to have a cell phone or smart watch to use after school or in case of school emergencies. Please know you can contact the office and/or your child's teacher at any time during the day and we can get your child a message (i.e. pick up plan has changed). Cell phones should be off and in backpacks from arrival on campus until dismissal. Apple watches are tricky. We like children to wear watches to tell time, but if they are playing on them, Googling, texting or calling (that includes getting messages from home!), then that student will need to keep their watch in their backpack from arrival until dismissal like a cell phone. If your child has an Apple watch, please have a conversation with your child about using Apple watches for telling time only during the school day.
To be clear, no one wants to take away your child's cell phone or watch, the key word is "use." If they are using them, we will remind them of the policy. If it happens again, we will ask students to keep them in their backpacks. We can't have students using their electronic devices during the school day which may "disrupt the educational program or school activity" (from the district policy). If you have any questions about SLZUSD Electronic signaling device policy, please reach out to Principal Wallace: bwallace@slzusd.org
- Get your volunteer forms in the Bay Office from 9-3. Level 1 forms are turned in at Bay for approval and Level 2 forms are turned in at the District Office for approval.
- Please send your child with light clothing and refillable water bottles with Name/Teacher/Room # on it on hot days to keep cool.
- Use a Sharpie to put your child's name on all sweatshirts, jackets and lunchboxes. Check the Lost and Found rack near the Office if items are missing.
- Please encourage healthy snacks, such as fruit, cheese sticks, crackers, Goldfish, pretzels, yogurt, etc. No soda or candy allowed at school.
- SLZUSD has a “non-food birthday treats” policy in all elementary schools. No food or candy is to be distributed for birthday celebration; however, other options may include providing each student in class with a colorful pencil, stickers or eraser, donating a book to the classroom library with your child's name inside, or donating a ball or other outdoor equipment for the class to play with at recess.
- If your child is going to be absent, please call the Bay School Attendance line at 510-317-4399 or email bay.att@slzusd.org to let us know the reason for the absence or it will be considered unexcused.
- Be sure to check the Bay Website https://bay.slzusd.org/ for up to date information, calendar, staff directory, etc.
- Our extended day program is with Boys & Girls Club. If you have any questions about the program, please contact Ms. Etonya Titus, Bay Program Director at 510-495-4563
Welcome Genoa Sperske, our new Guidance Counselor! (known to the students as Ms. Sperske)
Ms. Sperske is so excited to be at Bay full time, supporting our students’ success in school and beyond. Some of the ways that she will do this are: helping them care for their emotions and social interactions, helping them understand how to be the best students they can be, and introducing them to the possibilities that lie ahead for them after high school. Ms. Sperske has a husband, three kids, and two cats. She loves the arts, and had a career as a dance teacher, choreographer, and director before becoming a school counselor. Please reach out to Ms. Sperske if you have any questions about school counseling at Bay (gpserske@slzusd.org).
Welcome Olivia McArthur, our new School Social Worker! (known to the students as Ms. Olivia)
Ms. Olivia is new to SLZUSD, however, she has over 8 years of experience as a school social worker with San Francisco Unified School District. She will be splitting her time between Bay and Hillside. In her free time she loves to travel, go hiking with her dog Churro and make pottery. Ms. Olivia is looking forward to supporting the Bay community!
Welcome Ash Momoh, our new Playworks Coach! (known to the students as Coach Momoh)
Coach Momoh is is a new Play worker with the non profit Playworks, a company that upholds the belief in the power of play to increase social emotional learning and equip kids with the skills needed to be happy and successful beings in their communities. Her goal is to create inclusive spaces where students have access and opportunity to join several different game options at recess. She wants to engage kids in safe and healthy play by facilitating and introducing new games. She will also be working with Coach Bone to support the Junior Coach Program. In her free time, Coach Momoh likes to sing, dance and travel with friends and family. As someone who grew up in the East Bay, she is excited to work with the youth and wonderful staff who have been so welcoming during her first few days at Bay Elementary.
