The Loker School Scoop! 2-25-25

Dear Loker School Community,

I hope that you had a great February break! It was so nice to welcome your children back yesterday and see their smiling faces and enthusiasm for school! As a reminder, while spring is getting closer, please have your children bring the "Big 5" (hat, gloves, jacket, snow pants and boots) if they want to play in the snow so that we can keep them warm and dry. Likewise, If your child is in need of any of specific clothing, we have our community Kindness Closet that is stocked with new and gently used items. To make a request for your child, please complete the following google form: Kindness Closet Request Form and we will coordinate the pick-up of these items.

One thing that we are also noticing is that many children are making the decision to go outside without jackets and gloves on very cold days even if they do not plan to play in the snow. If you can remind your children about the importance of wearing their jackets, gloves and other items on cold days as it will keep them warm and help them develop good lifelong habits about navigating weather, that would be quite helpful. Legally, I cannot prevent a child from going outside to recess based on lack of warm clothing. As per state health guidelines, we do go outside if the temperature is at least 20 degrees and the wind child is 10 or more. As the parent of three elementary children, I understand that this is no easy task but setting the expectation at home and school models consistency for your children. Thank you for your continued partnership!

Have a great week!

Best,

Brian

Planning for the 2025 Backpack Auction has begun! The auction is the second (of two) fundraising events that directly supports all of Wayland’s elementary schools. The auction (to take place in March) has historically had a huge response across families and the Wayland community and we hope it lives up to its reputation in 2025! Our goal is to identify thoughtful and exciting bidding items to make this year’s auction a success!
That’s where YOU come in!
Please consider donating any of the following to the auction:

• Your services or hobby or skill (sports or music lessons, hiking guide, photography, baking or cooking lessons, etc.
• Donations from a local business, virtual experiences, online subscriptions, outdoor activities, or even time in a vacation home
• Cook & Deliver a meal for a family
• New toys, apparel or items for the home
• Gift cards to your favorite restaurants and businesses

To Submit Donation: https://forms.gle/H8deThuoLvGCHM6v6

Have questions? waylandbackpackauction@gmail.com

Did you know: The funding we raise for the PTO this year determines our 2025-26 budget and directly impacts what we’re able to do for our students next year--think of the back-to-school picnic, incredible field trips, and all of the other wonderful enrichment opportunities that the PTO enables through your generous support.

~Thank you from the Backpack Auction Team

Thursday, March 6th

Just Like Me, our disability awareness program, is coming to Loker on March 6th! Third graders will be learning about Deafness and Hard of Hearing and fourth graders will learn about Learning Differences. The hour-long session will include an opening introduction with a video and then students will break up into stations for some experiential learning activities. A guest speaker will also come later in the day to speak to the students. We need parent volunteers to help run these activity stations. Activities are heavily scripted and material and the script will be provided in advance. Please consider signing up HERE. Thank you for your help in bringing this back to our community and running smoothly! Any questions, please reach out to Elizabeth Wuerz at elizabeth.wuerz@gmail.com

Wednesday, March 12th

9:15am-10:15am

Happy Hollow Cafeteria
Join Wayland’s PTO boards as we thank our bus drivers and crossing guards for all that they do to get our students safely to and from where they need to go. Whether your child walks to school, rides the bus, plays sports, or has enjoyed a field trip on the bus – we couldn’t do it without these folks! This year Happy Hollow is hosting the event, and there are three ways that you can help:
1) Volunteer to help at the breakfast by donating food, supplies or time on March 12th.
2) You or your student can write a personal thank you note to your bus driver or crossing guard. These can be dropped off in the elementary school offices by the end of the school day on Monday March 3rd, or can be dropped off/mailed to Sarah Shtutin, 7 Old Farm Circle, Wayland, MA 01778.
3) Consider a $10 donation, instead, to help offset the cost of the breakfast and the simple gift bags for each driver/guard. Please make a check payable to “Wayland PTO” and mail to Sarah Shtutin, 7 Old Farm Circle, Wayland, MA 01778

Here is the sign up form: Crossing Guard and Bus Driver Appreciation Breakfast Sign Up

Sunday, May 18th
2:00pm –4:00pm
Loker School Back Field

Mark your calendars for the return of Wayland World's Fair, hosted by all three Wayland Elementary Schools!

Get ready for a fun-filled afternoon of culture, community, and connection! The Wayland World’s Fair is a fantastic event where families can explore traditions from around the world. From delicious food and traditional dress to dance, games, and crafts, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!

Want to be part of the fun? Sign-ups to host a country booth, volunteer, or sponsor the event will open in March—a great way to share your culture and make this event even more special.

Contact Leah at lokerschoolpto@gmail.com with any questions.

Please help your children be properly dressed for the cold weather! Weather permitting, we go outside EVERY day at Loker School. Please be sure to send your children to school with the Big 5:

1. Winter jacket
2. Snow pants (waterproof)
3. Boots
4. Hat
5. Mittens/gloves. (waterproof)

If there is snow on the ground, students who are not properly dressed will be asked to stay off of the fields and play structure areas. Thank you for your support with this. Children have more fun and learn better when they are comfortable! Please be sure to label ALL clothing.

Please pack a seasonally appropriate full change of clothes in backpacks.

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!

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!

MARCH

Thursday, March 6th

• Loker School Meeting, Loker Gym 8:20am-8:45am
• Just Like Me returns to Grades 3 & 4

Monday, March 10th

• 3rd Grade Field Trip to See Science Center, Manchester, NH

• Bus Driver & Crossing Guard Appreciation Breakfast, Happy Hollow School

Thursday, March 27th

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

APRIL
Thursday, April 17th

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

Friday. April 18th

• No School- Good Friday
• Spring Break Begins!

• 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.