Welcome Back
September 7-September 10, 2021
"Tiger News #1"
2021-2022 Moto: Developing Leaders who can Adapt, Adjust, and Achieve
Welcome Back Students
You can expect frequent newsletters to keep you up to date as to what is happening here at Walnut Hill Elementary School. Please help us by communicating with our school staff as well. A great way of stay up to date on school information is to visit our website at https://www.petersburg.k12.va.us/Domain/13. From there you can find several sources of information that will keep you informed of all that is occurring at Walnut Hill Elementary School.
Our school theme this year is #GAME CHANGERS and it is our desire to truly change the game for not only our school but for our division. We know that it's going to take a collaborative effort from both home and school. With your support, we can get the job done. As we move forward, you will hear me refer to our theme in future communications, in school robo calls, and in our community. I truly believe if we all speak it into existence, it shall happen. After living through a global pandemic, we are ready for a #GAMECHANGING school year.
We are excited to begin the 2021-2022 school year at Walnut Hill. We will strive to provide the BEST education possible for your child.
Sincerely,
Mr. Fisher, Principal
Let's Meet Your New Administration
Mr. Fisher, Principal
Hello Students and Families
It’s time for a fresh start; a new beginning! I would like to welcome all of our returning and new students and families of Walnut Hill Elementary School to the 2021-2022 school year.
It is indeed an honor to introduce myself as the new principal of Walnut Hill Elementary School and to join this extraordinary school community. I am a graduate of Virginia State University, where I received my Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies with a minor in Elementary Education. Later, I received my Masters from Grand Canyon University in Educational Administration. Since graduating from Virginia State University, I have served in several positions such as classroom teacher, academic interventionist, math coach/specialist, and most recent assistant principal of Lakemont Elementary School.
I can assure you that I share this school’s commitment to caring for our children each and every day while providing them with a world-class learning environment. This principalship will provide me the chance to work collaboratively with all of you on a daily basis, while also remaining connected to our students learning and growing in the classroom. I firmly believe that every child can excel but it takes a collaborative effort from all parties; home and school.
In closing, please know that my door is always open to you. I heartily welcome your conversation and positive input throughout this year. Let us always keep our students the primary focus of our work. I look forward to celebrating our collective successes during the 2021-2022 school year.
Mr. Hampton, Assistant Principal
Greetings Tigers!
My name is Padraic Hampton and I am excited to be at Walnut Hill Elementary School as the new Assistant Principal. Growing up I always knew I wanted to be in education and I look forward to sharing my experiences and love of education with you.
I graduated from Virginia State University with my bachelors degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and a minor in Special Education in 2014. In 2018, I obtained my masters degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from University of Richmond.
When it comes to educating our children, I believe it takes a team effort and that together we can do great things for our students. Walnut Hill has all the right ingredients to continue to be the best not just in Petersburg but the entire state of Virginia and beyond.
I am excited to be at Walnut Hill Elementary and look forward to getting to know each and every one of you.
ARRIVAL (DROP-OFF)
PLEASE ADHERE TO THE FOLLOWING SO OUR ARRIVAL AND
DISMISSAL PROCESS CAN OPERATE SMOOTHLY!
- The school day begins promptly at 8:30 and doors to the building will open at 8:25. Only students enrolled in the YMCA may enter the building prior to 8:25.
- Cars will line up on the side of the school and stop at the (kindergarten) door to drop off their child(ren).
- To make the process smoother, we ask that if your child is going to be a PERMANENT drop-off/pickup every day, please get a number. There will be staff members coming to your car to ask this information.
- If you received a number at Open House, have it in the passenger side dashboard.
- For safety, please have your child sitting on the passenger side of the car.
- Students CAN NOT be dropped off before the doors open and no congregation in front of the drop off point is permissible. ALL students must remain in the car.
- Masks must be worn in the building.
DISMISSAL (PICK-UP)
- Dismissal begins at 3:30
- Parent and visitor access to the building will be limited this year. Therefore we strongly encourage you NOT to pick up your child early. If you need to pick up your child early, please call the office so we can have them prepared to go home. If it is after 3:00, we will not be able to accommodate your early pick up due to transitions within the building. If you are picking up a student who is a car rider after 3:00, you will have to get in line to pick up your student. Thank you for your understanding.
- Please have your family number visible on the passenger side of your dashboard at pickup.
- Parents must stay in their cars and line up in the back of the building. Please follow the orange cones, signs, and staff members for directions.
- For safety reasons, please make sure your child enters on the passenger side of the car.
- The first couple of weeks of dismissal will take some time to adjust and adopt to the new changes. Please be patient with us as we work to get your student safely out to you.
Important Information
○ Visitors to the building will be very limited this year to prevent unnecessary exposures.
○ Dropping off or delivery of student lunches will not be allowed.
○ For at least the first 9 weeks, parents will not be allowed to have lunch with their child. We will revisit this procedure and you will be notified.
○ If you need to come to the school, please proceed to the main entrance and ring the bell. Someone in the main office will assist you.
○ If you need to meet with a teacher or administrator at any time during the year, we ask that you call ahead and make an appointment. Again, visits are very limited this year to prevent unnecessary exposures.
○ All students, staff, and visitors will be REQUIRED to wear masks.
Safety and Learning Environment Expectations
○ Our school will be operating under enhanced safety guidelines. There will be little margin for variance from these expectations and guidelines.
○ Keeping our students and staff safe is our top priority. As a result, there will be very little tolerance for defiance of our safety plan. We simply will not put our students and staff in jeopardy.
○ Please discuss ahead of time with your child the importance of adhering to classroom expectations and processes.
YMCA
The Before & After School Program provides children with experiences in arts, sports, exercise, and nutrition with the goal that each child develops social skills and increases positive self-esteem. The program provides activities that are age appropriate, and at the same time allow for individual choices.
Please feel free to contact Markisha Campbell at 804-980-6799 or by email campbellm@ymcarichmond.org if you have any question, concerns, or comments about the program.
Every Day Counts!
- Students who miss 10% (18 days a year) or more are considered truant. Attendance will be taken daily and tracked.
- Please make sure if your child is sick, you call the office to report he/she is absent. If not, they will be marked as an unexcused absence.
- Anytime your child is absent, please provide documentation.
Important Forms
- You will receive several important forms on the first day of school. It is vital that you return these forms in a timely manner. These forms have contact information that is needed to ensure we have the best way to contact you in case of an emergency.
- Every Tuesday, your child will bring home a Tuesday Folder that will consist of important information. Please ensure you look in the folder and send back any documents that need to be returned.
- At any time during the school year, if your phone number and or address changes, please contact the school to update your information.
September 22
Back to School Night 6:00-7:00
More Details To Come
Five(5) Key Mitigation Strategies For Safe In-Person Instruction
• Universal and correct use of masks (required)
• Physical distancing (required)
• Handwashing and respiratory etiquette
• Cleaning and maintaining healthy facilities (proper ventilation)
• Contact tracing in combination with isolation and quarantine; in collaboration with the health department
Let's Work Together to Stop The Spread!
We have new social media platforms this school year and moving forward. Please go and follow. We want 100% of our families to follow our social media platforms.
@WalnutHillES
@WalnutHillES
School Website Page (Petersburg City Public Schools)
Stay Connected to Mr. Fisher
Email: mafisher@petersburg.k12.va.us
Website: https://www.petersburg.k12.va.us/Domain/13
Location: 300 West South Boulevard, Petersburg, VA, USA
Phone: 804-479-6750
Facebook: facebook.com/WalnutHillES
Twitter: @WalnutHillES