Dear Walker Elementary Families,

I am thrilled to extend a warm welcome to both new and returning families as we prepare for an exciting new school year at Walker Elementary. As the newly appointed principal of our beloved school, I am honored to be a part of this exceptional community and to continue the tradition of excellence that defines the Amphitheater School District.

Allow me to introduce myself – I am Leighann Reynolds, an alumni of the Amphi School District. It is with great pride that I share that I have dedicated 12 of the last 14 years of my professional career to serving the students, families, and staff within the Amphi community. My roots in this district run deep, and I am committed to upholding the values and standards that have shaped my own educational journey.

I am excited to work alongside our dedicated teachers, staff, students, and families to create a learning environment that fosters growth, achievement, and success for all. The dedication and hard work of our educators over the summer months have been nothing short of inspiring, and I am confident that they will continue to provide our students with a high-quality education that prepares them for a bright future.

As we embark on this new school year together, I am filled with enthusiasm and anticipation for the journey ahead. Just like the wolves in a pack, we are stronger together, united by a shared purpose. I am excited to share that our theme this year will be "Part of the Pack". By recognizing that we are all part of this pack, we honor our individual strengths and contributions while embracing the power of unity and togetherness. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as your principal and look forward to partnering with you to ensure a successful and rewarding academic year for all our students.

Thank you for entrusting us with your child's education. Let's make this school year a memorable one! I'm so happy to have you and your family as part of the pack!

Sincerely,

Leighann Reynolds, Principal

Walker Elementary School

Arrival and dismissal procedures will continue to be the same as last year. Parents are highly encouraged to utilize the district transportation services if possible. The Amphitheater School District is using a new app for tracking transportation operations. You can find information to download and register for the app, as well as find the nearest bus stop and pick-up and drop-off times at Transportation Services.

Students who ride the bus will enter the school grounds through the bus gate and will proceed directly to their classroom. Students who do not ride the bus can be dropped off at the west gate beginning at 7:10am. Students will go right to their classrooms, where free breakfast will be available to them.

Students who ride the bus home each day will be brought to their bus at the end of the school day. Those students who will be picked up at the end of the day will be picked up on the west side of the school. All parents picking up their child in the car line, the west gate, or cafeteria door must have a sign with your child's name, grade, and teacher. This will allow us to quickly get your child to you.

Unfortunately, Walker Elementary will not be hosting ACHIEVE this year, so please make sure that each student has arrangements to be dropped off no earlier than 7:10am, and picked up no later than 2:00pm. If you are in need of after school care, AlphaBest is available on campus. Information regarding the AlphaBest program can be found at https://www.alphabest.org/amphiaz/.

A gentle reminder that parent drop off and pick up during the first couple days of school typically takes longer than usual. Please be patient as we work to get students into class and picked up as quickly as possible.

We are excited Walker Elementary will continue to be able to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students. Free breakfast will be provided to students in the classroom and lunch will be in the cafeteria. Families can have their students bring lunch if they choose to do so.

It is very important that families continue to complete the Title 1 eligibility form for our Title 1 funding. Failing to do so could greatly reduce the additional funding the school receives from the Federal Government. Please be on the look out for more information about this form.

In preparation for the first day of school, please be sure that your child knows who their teacher is. Parents will not be able to come on campus with their child the first day of school. Staff will be available and ready to assist with getting students to their class.

Because of our calendar change this year, the first day of school occurs on a Wednesday, so dismissal will occur at 12:00pm. Please be sure that transportation has been arranged and that your child and their teacher is aware of how they will get home from school. Thursday and Friday will be regular days with dismissal at 2:00pm.

We value open communication between home and school. Parents are encouraged to reach out to teachers or administration with any concerns or questions. We will provide regular updates and event reminders throughout the year. To streamline communication, all staff will use ParentSquare as the primary communication tool. If you have not signed up for ParentSquare, please do so as soon as possible so that you don't miss out on any pertinent information. For help signing up, please visit the ParentSquare page on the district website: https://www.amphi.com/Domain/6381

To ensure the safety and security of our campus, all parents and volunteers are required to enter through the front office and sign in. Visitors will be required to leave their ID or keys in exchange for a visitor's badge, allowing us to maintain a secure environment for our students and staff.

We welcome parent volunteers to actively participate in the school day. If you are interested in volunteering, please coordinate with your child's classroom teacher in advance. Parents wishing to assist with lunch, recess supervision, or dismissal procedures should reach out to the front office to arrange their participation.

Our Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) is a vital part of our school community and is always seeking parent support. Whether you attend monthly PTO meetings, serve on the PTO board, or volunteer at school events throughout the year, your involvement is greatly valued. There are various opportunities to contribute, and we encourage parents to engage with the PTO in a way that fits their schedule and interests. Your support helps enrich the educational experience for all students at Walker Elementary School. If you are interested in supporting the PTO, they can be contacted at walker2019pto@gmail.com, or you can stop by their table at Meet the Teacher.

August 2nd:
Classroom teachers available in Campus Parent

August 6th:

Kindergarten Meet the Teacher and Orientation 9:00am-10:00am

First through Fifth Grade Meet the Teacher 1:00pm-3:00pm

August 7th:

First Day of School! 7:25am

August 22nd:

PTO Meeting 2:30pm

August 28th:

Parent Title I and Classroom Information Night 5:00pm

Parents Only