September Newsletter
Waltham Elementary School... Let's Go, Hawks!
We have had a fantastic start to the new school year! This year we welcomed 20 new families to our district, and we are thrilled to see our Waltham community continue to grow. Our enrollment has climbed to 257 students in PreK–8, a steady increase over the past several years. With this growth, our need for learning spaces also increases. While our building presents some challenges, we continue to make thoughtful adjustments—such as relocating classrooms—to ensure every child has the best possible learning environment.
Each morning of the week brings a different focus designed to help our students connect, grow, and start their day on a positive note:
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Mondays and Fridays are devoted to Tribe Time. During this time, 100% of our students move around the building to participate in high-interest activities led by different staff members. Tribe Time emphasizes relationship-building and connection, giving students the chance to learn from staff and peers they might not normally interact with. Just this morning, I enjoyed making homemade Play-Doh with Mrs. Craven and a group of eager learners from several grade levels—a perfect example of the joy and engagement Tribe Time brings.
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Tuesdays focus on PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports). These lessons reinforce what it means to be respectful, responsible, safe, and kind at school.
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Thursdays are set aside for SEL (Social Emotional Learning). These lessons are co-taught by two staff members and provide important skills to support student well-being and success.
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Fridays kick off with a dance party. As students walk into school, they’re greeted with music, movement, and smiles—setting the tone for a fun and positive end to the week.
There is so much excitement around this school year, and we are grateful to have you with us. Let’s make the 2025–26 school year the best one yet!
Mrs. Melanie Lukacsy,
Principal
We’re also kicking off the 2025–2026 school year with clear goals and strong momentum:
Strengthening Math Instruction
We’re excited to begin our transition to the Illustrative Math program this year, moving away from Eureka Math. This shift is part of our commitment to building deep mathematical understanding at every grade level. I’ll be learning alongside Mrs. Jessalynn DeSerf (Junior High Math Teacher) and Mrs. Mitchell (Instructional Coach) through Mathematical Leadership trainings offered by the Regional Office of Education. We can’t wait to bring this learning back to our classrooms.Fostering a Safe, Inclusive, and Positive Climate
Relationships are at the heart of what we do. We will continue to build a school culture where all students feel welcomed, supported, and safe to be their authentic selves.Increasing Student Attendance and Engagement
Our attendance incentive programs were a big hit last year—so they’re back and even better! Students will once again have chances to win awesome prizes just for showing up and giving their best each day. Our first student AttenDANCE will be on Friday, September 26th!Strengthening Staff Development Aligned to School Priorities
Our professional learning this year is focused on the things that matter most to students: math instruction, use of AI in education, grading practices, and meaningful assessment.Enhancing Communication and Community Outreach
Staying connected with our families and community remains a top priority. From newsletters to social media to in-person events—we’re committed to making sure you always feel in the loop and valued as partners in your child’s education.
Student Absences
- If your child/children are going to be absent for the day, for any reason, please contact the office directly at 815-667-4417 or email both tlewis@wesd185.org and shewitt@wesd185.org.
- Do not contact your child's teacher directly with daily absences.
- Any absences for extended periods of time, please communicate with homeroom teachers AND the main office.
- Any student absences not communicated to the office by 10 a.m. will receive a phone call from the school.
Student Arrival
- Students that do not ride the bus should be dropped off/picked up in the car line in the front of the building. When entering the parking lot, cars should veer to the right and enter the pick-up/drop-off line.
- The car line will begin moving at 8:00 a.m.
- PreK-8 students should not arrive before 8:00 a.m. Students can be picked up at the same entrance at the end of the school day.
- Please stay in your car after you pull up in front of the building during arrival.
Student Dismissal
- Unless written notice or a phone call from a parent/guardian is received by the school office one hour prior to dismissal, students will be sent home on the bus.
- Cars should not line up for the end-of-day car line until 15 minutes prior to student dismissal. If you arrive early, you will be asked to park your vehicle in a parking space until the appropriate time.
- If you need to buckle a child into your vehicle, please pull forward into a parking space after they get into your car. We need to keep our car line moving at a steady pace.
- Please stay in your car after you pull up in front of the building during dismissal.
- It is important that you pass this information along to anyone who may be picking up your child at the end of the day.
Tardiness / Early Departure
- Students will be marked tardy if they are not in their classrooms, ready for learning, at 8:10 a.m.
- If your child needs to be picked up early, please pull up to the front of the building and call the office at 815-667-4417. We will sign your child out and send them out to your car.
- If you are dropping a junior high student off late, they MUST enter the building through the office. No students should go directly to the trailer after 8:10 a.m. without first stopping in the main building.
- We ask that you please make every effort to make appointments for your children before or after school to minimize disruptions to the learning environment and office.
No students will be dismissed in the final 20 minutes of the school day unless they are leaving for a Waltham-sponsored event.
Early Release Days for K-8 Students
- Students will be dismissed at 11:35 a.m. on the following days:
- Wednesday-September 17th,
- Wednesday- October 15th,
- Wednesday- November 19th,
- Wednesday, December 17th,
- Wednesday- January 21st,
- Wednesday-February 18th,
- Wednesday-March 18th,
- Wednesday-April 15th, and
- Wednesday-May 20th.
Non-Prescription Medicines
- Non-prescription medications will not be dispensed by school personnel. If students need non-prescription medicine during the school day, a parent/guardian is required to come to school and administer the medicine.
Student Lunch Information
Daily Lunch – Students must bring their own lunch to school each day.
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Monthly Hot Lunch – Once a month, students will have the option to order Pizza Hut pizza, organized by our PTCC.
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Drinks – Only water or milk are allowed at school. Other drinks such as juice boxes, Gatorade, soda, colored/flavored waters, etc. are not allowed at school.
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Milk at School – Milk can be purchased at school for $0.40 per carton. Please send exact change if possible.
School Day Disruptions
- In order to minimize disruptions in the classrooms, we request that items (i.e., lunches, P.E. clothes, uniforms, instruments, homework, etc.) be dropped off in the office. Office personnel will make sure the item gets to your child.
Cellphones and Wearable Technology
- During the school day, which is the time between 8:05-3:10 p.m. on regular school days, electronic devices such as cell phones, smart watches, and earbuds/headphones must be kept powered-off, and in locker/backpack.
Hello Waltham Families,
Today, Friday, September 5th, is our first Hot Lunch Pizza Day of the year! Sit back, relax, and enjoy not packing those lunches. We’ve got it covered!
Our first meeting of the year will be Monday, September 8th, 6pm.
Other meeting dates this year include:
- Monday, October 20th
- Monday, November 10th
- Monday, December 8th
- Monday, January 12th
- Monday, February 9th
- Monday, March 9th
- Monday, April 13th
- Monday, May 11th
We hope to see you there!
Thanks,
Waltham PTCC
Heidi, Christy, Karen & Kelsey
walthamptcc@gmail.com