Baker Elementary
February 3rd 2023
A Note from Mrs. Cimek
This month we are pouring into kindness and compassion, using the language "Spark the Heart". Kindness boosts positive emotions, is self-replicating, and reduces stress and anxiety. All of these together creates a safe environment for learning. Please join us in these conversations at home. You'll see more information within the newsletter below.
We are also launching our Equipping Parent Workshop Mini-Series! Please join us for these presentations. More information is available below. We look forward to seeing you!
Respectfully,
Rachel
KIDS HEART CHALLENGE IS STILL GOING!
Preschool Enrollment Info for 2023/2024 Year
If you have a child who will enter preschool next school year, please keep reading!
We are glad you are considering Wayland Union Schools Preschool programs for your child! Our preschools promote learning through play by providing developmentally appropriate activities. We focus on the whole child to help them grow socially, emotionally, physically and cognitively. We offer both 3 and 4 year old programs at either Baker or Dorr Elementary schools.
Our three year-old classes have a limit of 16 students. Our four year-old classes have a limit of 17 students at Baker Elementary and a limit of 20 at Dorr Elementary.
2023-2024 Preschool Programs & Rates
Dorr Elementary Programs:
4 year old Half Day AM (Mon, Wed, Fri) 9:05am - 11:45am
4 year old Half Day PM (Mon, Wed, Fri) 12:30pm - 3:15pm
3 year old Half Day AM (Tue, Thu) 9:05am - 11:45am
3 year old Half Day PM (Tue, Thu) 12:30pm - 3:15pm
Baker Elementary Programs:
4 year old Extended Day 3 Day (Mon, Wed, Fri) 9:05am - 3:20pm
4 year old Extended Day 2 Day (Tue, Thu) 9:05am - 3:20pm
4 year old Half Day AM (Mon, Wed, Fri) 9:05am - 11:45am
4 year old Half Day PM (Mon, Wed, Fri) 12:30pm - 3:15pm
3 year old Half Day AM (Tue, Thu) 9:05am - 11:45am
3 year old Half Day PM (Tue, Thu) 12:30pm - 3:15pm
Preschool Rates:
3 yr. old Half Day $110/month (in-district*) $125/month (non-district)
4 yr. old Half Day $150/month (in-district*) $165/month (non-district)
4 yr. old Extended Day 2 Days $190/month (in-district*) $210 (non-district)
4 yr. old Extended Day 3 Days $280/month (in-district*) $310 (non-district)
*In-district prices reflect the use of Gun Lake Casino revenue in-lieu of taxes reducing in-district pricing.
Requirements - Enrollment in our preschool requires that a child meet age requirements, which means the child needs to be either 3 or 4 by September 1st, 2023. All children must be toilet trained to attend our school.
Enrollment Procedure
Pre-Admission Link (You must complete this step first)
Completing the pre-admission application does NOT guarantee a spot in a classroom, but will allow us to contact you with the next steps and/or be placed on a waitlist. The online pre-admission form will save your spot in line for registration while you complete the forms and submit the enrollment fee.
*Current preschool families and WUS district families and staff are being given priority before February 27, 2023. This email is your priority notice.
Public online registration for the 2023-2024 school year will begin on Monday, February 27, 2023 at 9:00am. At that time a Pre-Admission application will be placed on the homepage of the district website at www.waylandunion.org and on the Preschool page (click on the Early Childhood tab under Departments and then click Preschool.) Enrollment will be on a first come, first serve basis.
What is the next step after I submit the pre-admission application?
Step 1: You will receive an email or text invitation from Brightwheel to connect to your child's profile and to set up your Brightwheel account.
Step 2: Within 5-7 business days, you will receive a confirmation email with an invite to complete online enrollment forms and set up billing information. ( Please note: your child is not enrolled until we have received your enrollment fee and the required paperwork is completed).
Step 3: Enrollment Fee - if there is an immediate opening, we will add an invoice into your Brightwheel account. If there is not an opening, you will be placed on a waitlist and no deposit is required.
Step 4: By the first day of school, please submit your completed Health Appraisal Form to the school.
How do I know if I have a spot on the roster? Within 5-7 business days you will receive a confirmation email with instructions to secure your spot on either a classroom roster or on a waitlist. If we are able to offer you a spot right away, then an invoice will be added to your Brightwheel account for the non-refundable $75 enrollment fee ($100/family). If we need to add you to a waitlist, then you can join the list at no charge.
Enrollment Fee - A non-refundable enrollment fee of $75 for one child or $100 for two or more in the same family is due upon registration. An invoice will be posted in your family's Brightwheel account and the payment will be processed online. We will only collect an enrollment fee if we can offer you a confirmed spot on the roster and will be applied to your first monthly payment. If the class you selected is full, you are welcome to join the waitlist at no charge. If an opening becomes available, then we will contact you to collect your enrollment fee to confirm your spot.
Monthly Tuition Payments - Families enroll at the beginning of the year for auto payments in their child's Brightwheel account. Payments are posted on the first of each month from September to May (9 months).
Questions? Please reach out to Laurie Zywiczynski, Director of Early Childhood at lauriez@waylandunion.org.
Kindergarten Screening for 2023/2024
For all incoming Young Fivers and Kindergarteners, we will be having our Kindergarten Screening during the week of April 24th through April 28th.
More information on how to sign up will be coming soon. Keep an eye on our Baker Facebook page and the Wayland Union Schools webpage.
WHAT IS SCREENING?
Screening will be done by current Kindergarten and Young 5’s teachers. A small portion of the screening is done as a group and the rest of the screening is done individually per child. The screening takes approximately 40 minutes. Parents do not attend the testing with their child.
Based on the screening results and the opinion of the Wayland Union School professional, there will be a recommendation to place your child in the Young Fives or Kindergarten program for the 2023/2024 school year. You may agree or disagree with the recommendation; either way, there will be a placement form for the parent to sign.
WHY IS SCREENING IMPORTANT?
Screening is not something that children “pass” or “fail”. Teachers are assessing where the child is developmentally: interaction skills, fine motor skills, personal and social skills, language skills, auditory memory skills, visual skills and basic concepts. School readiness is not based entirely on academics. Screening helps the staff make a recommendation for the best placement for your child.
Distinguished Artist
Baker Elementary has a Distinguished Artist Program in which student artwork is on display
like an art gallery for the school year. Each year 9 students are chosen as a
Distinguished Artist. The distinguished artist is a student who is responsible
in art, shows their creativity and works hard on all projects.
Charlotte is the Distinguished Artist for her adorable polar bear project.
This was a multistep project where we first painted our background paper. I love the
unique plaid pattern Charlotte did. Then we used a black oil pastel to draw the polar bear
and smear the outside a little to make it look furry. Finally we cut and glued our bears on the background paper. Charlotte was chosen for her polar bear because she followed all the steps wonderfully and put her own creativity into the background.
Way to go Charlotte!
Student of the Month: Respect
Please join us in congratulating these students who were chosen by their teachers to be this month's Student of the Month!
back row L-R (JR, Claire, Cooper, Drew, Lillian, Madeline, Libby)
front row L-R (Olivia, Henry, Sawyer, Jack)
We are so excited to begin offering Parent Workshops again!
Check the graphic below for more information about the first workshop and click this link to RSVP https://forms.gle/xSddrhNyykBwDHLt7
WEPA Meetings
Upcoming Dates
- February 6 - 100th Day of School
- February 6 -- WEPA Meeting 6:30pm at the Steeby Library
- February 14 - Valentine's Day (festivities vary; check with your child's teacher)
- February 17 & 20 -- Mid Winter Break
- February 22 -- Parent Workshop: Self Regulation and Calming Strategies for Kids
- March 1 -- Reading Month Begins (more info coming)
- March 3 -- End of 2nd Trimester
- March 6 -- Parent Workshop: Kicking and Reading - Tips for When Your Child Hates Reading
- March 7 & 9 -- Parent/Teacher Conferences
- March 9 -- Report Cards Published to Portal
- March 10 & 13 -- No School
- March 14 -- Parent Workshop: How to Engage in Productive Play at Home
- March 31 thru April 7 -- Spring Break
- April 18 @ 6-7pm - Kindergarten Round Up (more info coming)
- April 21 -- Progress Reports Published to Portal
- April 24 thru April 28 - Kindergarten Screening (more info coming)