BAKER BITS
Thursday, August 29, 2019
ENJOY THE EXTENDED LABOR DAY WEEKEND
NO SCHOOL - FRIDAY, AUGUST 30 OR MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
LET THE LEARNING BEGIN!!!
REMINDER FOR PARENTS DROPPING OFF
INTRODUCING OUR NEW "GOODBYE ZONE"
BUILDING CONFIDENCE AND BUILDING INDEPENDENCE
The "Goodbye Zone" was designed for several reasons.
1st - and most important it will help us secure our building in the morning and be a safer place for children by not allowing adults to access the entire building. Parents and adults will be contained in a specifically designated area ONLY - allowing us to secure our building every morning by 9:00, instead of waiting for parents to trickle out after the morning bell.
2nd - it will help build confidence with our students. We want you to use the "Goodbye Zone" to give those hugs and kisses and encourage your child with words like "Have a great day." From that point, our teachers will walk with the class to the room.
3rd - our goal is for your child to feel confident and become independent right from the start of the day. Students will be able to do things on their own: hang up their backpacks, unzip their coat, hang up their items, take off their boots, put on their own shoes, etc. When we allow young students to "do it by themselves," we allow them to build confidence in their small accomplishments and it encourages them to want to be more independent.
UPCOMING DATES
Fri, Aug 30 - All WUS schools and offices are closed for Labor Day weekend
Mon, Sept 2 - All WUS schools and offices are closed for Labor Day weekend
Tues, Sept 3 - First day of school for all T/Th AM & T/Th PM Preschool Programs
Wed, Sept 4 - First day of school for all Extended Day Preschool Classes
Wed, Sept 11 - Parent Workshop. Baker Media Center @ 9:05 AM
Mon, Sept 16 - WEPA Meeting @ Steeby Elem. Media Center @ 6:00 PM
Wed, Sept 25 - Picture Day at Baker Elementary. All Grades
Thurs, Sept 26 - Picture Day for T/Th programs
Fri, Oct 4 WEPA Walk-A-Thon at Baker
Fri, Oct 4 Homecoming
Mon, Oct 7 - Parent/Teacher Conferences - By Appt Only
Wed, Oct 9 - Parent Workshop. Baker Media Center @ 9:05 AM
Wed, Oct 9 - Parent/Teacher Conferences - By Appt Only
Wed, Oct 30 - Half Day for Students. Baker will dismiss at 12:00 noon
Thurs, Oct 31 - Fall Parties
PLEASE BE PATIENT - THINGS ARE ALREADY SMOOTHER
Routines takes about 4 days to establish. Our students and parents are learning the beginning and end of the day routines quickly! Thank you for observing all rules and practices we have put in place to make Baker Elementary a safe place to learn and grow.
Our kids will be learning the "3Bs" this year as part of their character education program. Parents, you are always their first teachers so help them remember to...
"B"e Safe
"B"e Respectful
& "B"e Responsible
We teach this from day one - by treating others kindly with patience and respect.
Three Extremely Important Routine Reminders
Our buses are on a schedule. Once the go-ahead is given for the buses to leave, we will not stop the buses to pull a student off the bus. This disrupts the bus loop routine.
2. If you call the bus garage to make a busing change of any kind, please call the Baker office or email the teacher and office about the change. The bus garage does not send these changes to the school. It is the parent's responsibility to inform the teacher/school of any changes.
3. Writing paper notes and putting them in the child's folder or backpack is not a good way to communicate a change of routine. FYI - 1st grade teachers do not go through students' back packs. Informing the school office by phone or email is the best way to communicate a change of routine. Emailing teachers with an end of the day routine will work; however, this needs to be done by 3:00. And emailing Baker employees is the best in case one is out for the day; teacher & office personnel.
mailto:hoffmasters@waylandunion.org
Sally Hoffmaster - Secretary at Baker Elementary
mailto:battenfieldk@waylandunion.org
Krista Battenfield - Secretary at Baker Elementary
PICK UP REMINDER
HAPPENING THIS WEEK - EQUIPPING PARENTS WORKSHOP
Establish Your Child's Routine
As a school, we are trying to establish routines for our little ones. We can not stress enough how important it is to be on time for school each morning. The first 30 minutes of class sets the tone for the day. Within the first 15 minutes of school, classes are doing the following: hanging up coats (& eventually snow pants), changing shoes (& eventually taking off boots), going through backpacks with the teacher and pulling out notes and homework, making a lunch choice, saying the pledge of allegiance and they are starting their morning work. The teacher usually gives instruction and the students do a short pencil to paper writing assignment. When a student walks in late - the entire class is affected by the interruption. It also causes a lot of anxiety for the student who is late. If the teacher is in the middle of instruction, the child does not get to have the personal greeting and assistance the teacher can give during the regularly scheduled routine time. Also, many of our classes leave for specials at 9:15. Students arriving late often walk into an empty classroom. This can cause tears, fear and confusion. Please make every effort to have your child here on time in the morning. Drop off begins at 8:45. Students are allowed to head to class at 9:55. School begins and students are expected to be in their seats at 9:00. We hope this helps you understand the morning routine class experience as well as how being late to class can affect your child and others.
Homework is another routine we are trying to establish. If your child has homework in their backpacks, please have them return it to the teacher on time. This teaches them responsibility.
LEGAL NAMES
Double Check Your Child's Full Legal Name
Who To Contact???
mailto:transportation@waylandunion.org
If you have questions concerning your student's lunch account balance or Free/Reduce lunch information, you must contact the District Food Service Program. 269-792-3150. A student's food service account is confidential and can not be accessed by teachers or Baker office staff.
mailto:mathisc@waylandunion.org
Cynthia Mathis - Dining Services Secretary
If you have a concern about your child or your child's teacher - please contact Principal, Celeste Diehm. She will be your first stop for communication. If you choose to call the administration office, they will send you back to Baker Elementary to speak with the principal.
mailto:diehmc@waylandunion.org
Celeste Diehm - Principal, Baker Elementary
If you have question about your parent portal or need help with you log-in and password - you will need to contact the technology department. They are the only office that can help parents with confidential information. 269-792-6611.
ART CLASS - WELCOME TO YOUR NEW ROLE MRS SPICER
Hi! I am Mrs. Spicer and I am so excited to start a new role as the Art Teacher at Baker this year. This is the start of my 12th year with Wayland Union Schools. I taught Young 5's for 2 years and taught the all-girls Kindergarten class for the past 9 years. When the art position opened up I just knew it was the place for me!
We are kicking off an ART-rageous school year at Baker! First, thank you so much to all the families that donated a needed item for our art room from open house. The students at Baker are going to have a great time in art this year, drawing, painting, and creating! If you would like to help me this year by cutting, folding or changing art displays send me an email at Spicers@waylandunion.org. I am looking forward to working with your little artist this year!