BAKER BITS
Friday, September 13, 2019
FORMS COMING HOME TODAY IN BACKPACKS
Flu Vaccination Forms (Sept 26)
WEPA Walk-A-Thon Pledge Sheet (Oct 4)
These may have come home earlier in the week
*Reminder - WEPA Shirt Forms are due Monday, September 23.
UPCOMING DATES
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
Thurs, Sept 26 - Flu Clinic at all WUS schools
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 - Baker/WEPA Walk&Talk - Y5's ONLY - 8:30 AM
Wed, Oct 9 - Parent Workshop. Baker Media Center @ 9:05 AM
Wed, Oct 9 - Parent/Teacher Conferences - By Appt Only
Wed, Oct 30 - Baker/WEPA Walk&Talk - KINDERGARTEN ONLY - 8:30 AM
Wed, Oct 30 - Half Day for Students. Baker will dismiss at 12:00 noon
Thurs, Oct 31 - Fall Parties
Wed, Nov 6 - Literacy Night @ Baker Elementary - 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Fri, Nov 8 - WEPA Carnival - For all Baker & Steeby families
Wed, Nov 13 - Baker/WEPA Walk&Talk - 1st GRADE ONLY - 8:30 AM
Wed, Nov 13 - Parent Workshop. Baker Media Center @ 9:05 AM
NO SCHOOL - Nov 27, 28 & 29 - Thanksgiving Break
Today was National DOT DAY
EXPLANATION OF TARDIES AND ABSENCES
Any time a student is going to be absent from school - the parent MUST call the school office or email the teacher. This is for the safety of the child. Any student not in their seat in the classroom by 9:05 will be marked Tardy or Absent. If the school does not receive a phone call or email before 10:00 AM, the automated caller will make an attendance call. Following is an explanation of attendance marks you will see on the parent portal and on the student's report card.
Students checked in after 10:00 AM and before 12:30 PM will be marked as a Half Day AM absence. Students checked out after 12:30 PM and before 4:00 PM will be marked as a Half Day PM absence.
EXCUSED TARDY - "T" If the student is coming in late from an appointment or leaving early for an appointment, you can provide a note from the place of the appointment as proof of where the child was. We will then log your student as Excused Tardy with a note.
UNEXCUSED ABSENCE - "U" - When a parent calls and reports a student's absence the attendance is still considered an "Unexcused Absence". That is the way the State of Michigan requires us to report the absence. It is coded as "U". The reason given will be typed behind the code; Dr appt, ortho, Ill - parent called, etc. Also, absences are described exactly as the parents tell us; missed the bus, had a bad morning, slept in, vomited, has a rash, car wouldn't start, etc. This is to help jog a parent's memory later in the year if they begin to question their child's absences or ran off for the truancy officer if attendance becomes an issue.
This is also the code we use for Family Emergencies. Things happen and we understand that. Again, when the family calls the school we will document the reason.
EXCUSED ABSENCE - "M" or "E" - Absences are only coded as an Excused Absence if the parent provides proof of the appointment; doctor, dentist, orthodontist, ENT specialist, counseling, etc. If this is the case, you will see "M" - Medical absence with a note. The only other excused absences are mandatory court appointments, CPS parent visitations, religious holiday observances and funerals of immediate family members. Those students will see an "E" for Excused Absence, followed by the reason.
PREARRANGE VACATION - "V" - If your family will be gone for several days on vacation, please let the teacher know. At that time we will mark your child as "V" - Prearranged Vacation. This code is also used for those Family Days when there is a special family reason for missing school.
UNKNOWN ABSENCE - "UK"- If a child is gone for the day and a parent does not call to let us know why, the student is marked as "UK" - Unknown.
If your child has an excessive amount of absences or tardies, the school is obligated by law to notify the proper authorities. The WUS elementary handbook and BOE policies can be found on the Wayland Union Schools website @ http://www.waylandunion.org
FYI - NO Dress Up Days for Homecoming
Kelso's Choice
This week at Baker Elementary students were taught conflict resolution skills in the Young 5’s, Kindergarten, and 1st Grade classrooms. Conflicts and disagreements are normal when young students get together. However, hurtful words, gestures, or physically aggressive behaviors are unacceptable ways to deal with conflict and disagreements at school.
This week our school social worker went into each classroom to teach students several positive ways to deal with conflicts that happen while at school. First the students were taught the difference between big problems and little problems. Students were reminded that they need an adults help to solve big problems but they can try to solve little problems, on their own or with the help of Kelso and Lilly, our friendly frogs!
Kelso and his friend Lilly have nine positive ways to deal with conflicts at school.
Go to another game or activity.
Share and take turns.
Talk it out with friends.
Walk away from the problem.
Ignore the problem behavior.
Ask the person to stop the problem behavior.
Apologize.
Make a deal or compromise.
Wait and cool off.
Kelso’s Choice Wheel is posted in each classroom and all around the school to help students remember these positive ways to solve little problems. Ask your students over the weekend if they can tell you some of Kelso’s problem solving skills!
REMINDER...VERY IMPORTANT...LABEL EVERYTHING WITH YOUR CHILD'S NAME.
PLAN AHEAD - HALF DAYS FOR ALL WUS SCHOOLS
THESE DAYS ALL TAKE PLACE ON WEDNESDAY
OCTOBER 30DECEMBER 11
JANUARY 29
MARCH 18
APRIL 29
Students will be dismissed at noon. The doors for pick up will open at 12:00. Please arrange for half day dismissals. If your child is going to have a change of routine - please let the teacher, the office and the bus garage know at least a week in advance. This will help keep this day from being complete chaos.
FUN THINGS WE DO AT BAKER
PICK UP REMINDER - AGAIN
WE HOPE YOU ARE ENJOYING NATIONAL DOT DAY ALSO
Flu Vaccine Clinic Coming to WUS
COMING SOON...PICTURE DAY
Please note - there is no schedule for picture day photographing. Photographers will start with our youngest students first thing in the morning and work their way up to the first grade class rooms throughout the day. Picture times are sporadic due to classroom schedules, recess and lunches.
ORDER ONLINE to save time. A great option to avoid lost money envelopes and assure accuracy. Money envelopes will be sent home in backpacks on Friday, Sept 13.
Parent /Teacher Conferences
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 questions 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.