Hi Gayton families!

We hope you are enjoying the start of your summer break. We will update you intermittently this summer with important information. Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the school (804-360-0820) or email me at kbeggleston@henrico.k12.va.us.

Our 25-26 theme (above) will inspire us to think big and work hard with respect to planning, instruction, assessment, student relationships, parent outreach, and staff wellness. We look forward to going beyond the reef together!

HVAC Update:

Our new chillers have been fully installed but HCPS will be replacing signficant portions of piping throughout the building this summer. The goal is to have the system working efficiently by August.

New Marquee!

We are preparing for installation of a new electronic marquee in July. Thanks PTA!

Parent Input

We are excited to share that Gayton had the most parent responses in the Tuckahoe district on the HCPS family survey. We won $500 toward staff development priorities! We appreciate the positive feedback and suggestions for improvement. We will incorporate these into our 25-26 planning.

Kindergarten Registration

If you or a neighbor have a rising kindergartener, PLEASE REGISTER NOW! Our kindergarten enrollment will determine if we have need for an additional teacher. Call the school office at 804-360-0820 for an appointment.

Enjoy your family time this summer!

Dr. Kirk Eggleston, Principal

RESERVATIONS FOR June and July 2025.

Click on the link below for more information!

https://gaytonpta.membershiptoolkit.com/spiritrock

The GES Rock is a Gayton Community Builder, a tool to promote PTA or school/SCA events, and a PTA fundraiser. The Gayton Spirit Rock is for current Gayton families only.

**Please note: the PTA has blocked off dates to use the Spirit Rock to support Gayton & PTA Programs and Events. Thank you in advance for your understanding and for being flexible! We can't wait to see your SPIRIT ROCK designs!

We have shared the items below with you previously, and they are permanently linked below for your continued reference. At this time, we ask that you review/reference them (again) to have safety at the forefront in our partnership with you.

Crisis Preparedness Handbook

Gayton Family Handbook

Another area that is very important to fostering a culture of safety at Gayton is student discipline. Please also see the following links for your review/reference.

Student Discipline at Gayton

HCPS Student Code of Conduct.

Should you have any questions or concerns about student safety, crisis preparedness/protocols, or student discipline, please give Mrs. Reeves or Dr. Eggleston a call at 804-360-0820.

Walkers

• Only those students who are not assigned a bus are allowed to walk alone to/from school.
• Students assigned buses may walk to school if accompanied by a parent to/from.
• If you are picking up your child at the walker door, please do not arrive before 2:35. Students may still be on the playground at that time. Walkers will be dismissed at 2:40.
• Please do not park behind the school in Pine Run to pick up your child. You must use the carpool lane.

Car Riders

• If you drive your child to school in the morning, please seat him/her in the rear right seat. Do not exit the car; a staff member will assist your child from the car if needed.
• Please do not drop off your child before 7:50 or after 8:10.
• Please have your number posted prominently in your front window for PM dismissal only.
• Please be patient; the line may be long. It will go faster with each day.
• We encourage you to have your children ride the school bus.

Bus Riders

• Buses are safe. This year most of our buses will have A/C and seatbelts.
• Please be patient; the first few days of school our buses will likely be late in the afternoon.
• Kindergarten bus riders-- please see information below.

Daycare

• Make sure you inform your child's teacher which daycare he/she goes to after school..
• Daycare vans will take attendance before leaving Gayton.
• If your child is ever absent, please alert the daycare provider and the school.

Student IDs

Every HCPS student across the school division will receive a student ID on a lanyard for use throughout the school year. The white cards will include the student’s name and student number, but they will not include a photo. Students will scan their ID cards when getting on and off the bus, checking out books from the library and purchasing meals in the cafeteria. The new student IDs are part of a multi-layered safety plan and efforts to streamline operational processes at the school.

These will be provided to students on the first day of school.

Cell Phone and Smartwatch Use

As in years past, students may not have cell phones out during school. To further reduce distractions in the classroom, students must keep their cell phones, smartwatches, and other Wi-Fi-connected devices out of sight and silenced or in airplane mode during class. Devices may only be used for learning purposes with the teacher’s permission. If your child has a documented medical condition requiring a monitoring device, please contact the school nurse.

During class, students should keep their cell phones out of sight in their backpacks, bags, or safe storage containers provided by the school in each classroom. If a student leaves class to visit the restroom, clinic, etc., their cell phone must remain in the classroom. If a student fails to follow these guidelines, the following steps will be taken in alignment with the 2024-2025 Code of Student Conduct (insert link to Code when posted).

Consequences of Cell Phone Use Infractions*

First Offense

Second Offense

Third Offense

Fourth Offense

Fifth Offense

*School administrators may check for cell phones following the established HCPS Search and Seizure policy.

Student Medication

Written parental permission on the appropriate form is required before any medication may be administered. The school nurse or clinic attendant must administer all prescription and over-the-counter medications (including cough drops, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and cold and cough preparations) in the school clinic.

• Download the prescribed medication form.

• Download the over-the-counter medication form.

Daily Attendance

Daily learning and following established routines are essential for students, especially our youngest learners. Research shows that students who attend school regularly read better, are more proficient in math, and are more likely to graduate from high school and college. Students in every grade, including preschool and kindergarten, learn and develop new skills daily. Missing even one day of learning can cause a setback. Please take a minute to review the HCPS attendance policy and these family resources from Attendance Works.

Below you will find our Parent/Student handbook, school website, and other important links.