The Loker School Scoop! 2-11-25

Dear Loker School Community,

Happy 100th Day of School! The one hundredth day of the school year also means that today is the 1,000th day of elementary school for our fifth graders. This is an exciting time at Loker such as with our recent School Meeting where our kindergarteners performed the "100s Day Song" In Spanish and English along with their 100s Day Celebration this past Friday in the cafeteria. Likewise, we are excited for our 11th Annual Loker Talent Show tomorrow night from 5:30pm-7:30pm in the gymnasium where we will have special live and virtual performances along with an art gallery!

From our latest School Meeting, I want to share our Team PRIDE performance video which focused on demonstrating integrity and being safe with food. The video can be found at the link below:

2/6 Team PRIDE Video

In addition, Ms. Sandza-Donovan led a School Meeting virtual read aloud on the book, The ABCs of Black History, written by Rio Cortez and illustrated by Lauren Semmer. The video can be found at the following link: 2/6 School Meeting Read Aloud

Have a wonderful week!

Best,

Brian

Tuesday, February 11th

7:00pm

Please join us tonight for the February PTO meeting 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

Wednesday, February 12th

5:30pm-7:30pm (note updated time)

Loker Gym

Please enter through the Loker front doors.

The 2024-2025 Loker School Talent Show debuts on Wednesday! Live performances will occur from 5:30p-6:30pm and virtual performances shown in the gymnasium will take place from 6:30pm-7:30pm. We ask that all attendees enter the school through the Main entrance and stroll through the Talent Show Art Gallery in the main hallway. The "5th Grade Tape Art" Cultural Enrichment installment is now on display in the main hallway. We have such talent in this school!

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.

February 1st- February14th
Families with children that will be 5 years of age by August 31, 2025 may pre-register their child(ren) for Kindergarten for the 2025-2026 school year.

The pre-registration link may be found on the Kindergarten Information website. We request that you pre-register your child by February 14, 2025 so that we may start to determine school placement, class size, and transportation needs for the incoming Kindergarteners. NO registration documents are needed at this time. Official Kindergarten Registration will occur later this Spring.
Notes:

Families interested in the Spanish Immersion Kindergarten program still need to pre-register their Kindergarteners.

Families unsure of their Kindergarten enrollment decision at this time may still pre-register.

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!

FEBRUARY

Wednesday, February 12th

• Loker School Talent Show! 5:30pm-7:30pm Loker Gym
• All 3 Elementary School 5th Grade PTO sponsored Launch Trip, Dismissal-4:45pm

Thursday, February 13th

• Loker Student Council- February Grouping, 2:30pm-3:00pm

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.