We are into our routines here at school and students are beginning to settle in. We appreciate your partnership as we begin our school year together! Beginning of the year assessments are underway and we look forward to sharing this information with you during Fall Conferences.

At Baker Elementary, we use Capturing Kids' Hearts in order to explicitly teach lead worthy character traits. For the month of September, our character trait is Empathy. One student in each grade who showcases this trait consistently will be selected as a Student of the Month towards the end of September!

What is Empathy?

• Empathy is the ability to be aware of, understand, and be sensitive to another person’s feelings. Instead of focusing on how these feelings impact ourselves, empathy motivates us to focus on others and respond with care and compassion.

Why focus on Empathy?

• Empathy builds positive classroom culture. Empathy empowers students to learn to understand each other to build trust and safety in the classroom.
• Empathy strengthens communities. Empathy helps students strengthen their relationships with classmates, other students, and adults at school, and at home.
• Empathy prepares your students to be leaders in their community. The best leaders understand the people they lead and are able to show they care.

It has been an absolute joy to see your children meeting new friends, making green choices, and learning a lot! I am so looking forward to the rest of the school year!

Respectfully,

Mrs. Nast

Students participated in Behavior Stations led by Mrs. Deann, Mr. Brott, and Mrs. Nast to learn what the expectations are in different areas of our school!

These Young 5 friends have certainly been enjoying the nice weather outside!

It's so important for our young students to build a social contract together!

Team building in PE class for the win!

Working on those fine motor skills in Kindergarten!

Best buds on the playground!

Who doesn't love playdoh?!

• September 9: WEPA Meeting 6:30 @ Steeby
• September 23 - September 27 (Homecoming Spirit Week - info coming)
• September 24: Picture Day
• October 4: Progress Report (Tri 1) published to portal
• October 7 & 9: Parent/Teacher Conferences
• October 11 & 14: No School
• October 18: Walk-a-thon (more info to come)
• October 23: Literacy Night (more info to come)

See the flyer below for more information regarding Picture Day.

PLEASE NOTE: Everyone in attendance will get their pictures taken on TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 24TH

The Wednesday September 25th picture day is ONLY FOR M/W/F PRESCHOOLERS!

Using our elementary school handbook as guidance, we want to share our district's policy regarding illnesses:

"Students with a temperature of 100.4 and above need to remain at home and/or will be sent home. Students must be fever-free for twenty-four (24) hours prior to returning to school. It is recommended your child stay home until symptom free (vomiting, diarrhea) for 24 hours."

It's also important to note our guidelines on absences and tardies:

"Students not in class at the designated start time are considered tardy. All students who are tardy to school must report to the Main Office to sign in. Students will be marked absent after fifteen (15) minutes from the start of the school day. Students who leave at day’s end more than 15 minutes, will be marked absent for the half day."

* Also worth noting: if you call to report an absence due to sickness, the absence will go in our system as unexcused. A doctor's note is required in order to mark an absence EXCUSED. While we recognize that not every minor ailment requires a doctor's visit (and we agree), our policy is designed to promote consistent attendance.

If you plan on attending classroom parties or field trips, we require an annual background check to be done. Use the button ABOVE to access the form online. Please send this link to anyone in your family or friend group who might want to be involved this year. We would hate to turn away a dedicated grandparent or other relative!

Teacher or Staff at Baker Elementary - Any and all staff can be reached via email by using the employees last name and first initial. Example - Krista Battenfield, school secretary at battenfieldk@waylandunion.org

Technology - Any and all questions concerning parent portals (log-ins, passwords, changing information, etc) must be directed to the WUS technology department. You will also want to contact technology with any Ipad concerns, including broken Ipads.

• Technology - helpdesk@waylandunion.org OR call 269-792-6611
  
  

Busing - If you need to change a student's assigned busing routine, you must contact the bus garage. Please follow up any answers or changes made by calling/emailing with the Baker office staff and your child's teacher. These changes are not automatically communicated between the two buildings. It is the parent's responsibility to communicate the change.

• Transportation/Busing - transportation@waylandunion.org OR call 269-792-2262

Food Service - All Free/Reduced Hot Lunch Applications are confidential. If you have questions concerning the WUS food service program, please contact the following:

• Food Service Program - mathisc@waylandunion.org OR call 269-792-3150