October Newsletter
Waltham Elementary School - Let's Go, Hawks!
Dear Waltham Families,
Fall is definitely in the air at Waltham! The cooler temperatures, changing leaves, and excitement of the season are making their way into our classrooms. Students are settling into routines, building friendships, and continuing to grow as learners each day.
As the rain and cooler temperatures arrive, we are also noticing the added challenges that come with moving between our three buildings throughout the school day. With the addition of our second modular unit this year, there is more movement across campus for both students and staff. We appreciate everyone’s patience and flexibility as we navigate the changing weather and work to keep everyone safe, warm, and dry along the way.
If your student is in grades 5-8, please remind them to come prepared for the weather each day. Proper footwear, raincoats, and, as temperatures continue to drop, warm winter coats will help keep them comfortable as they travel back and forth between buildings. The ramp is a long one! 😊 A little extra preparation in the morning can make a big difference when the weather is less than cooperative.
Here are some important dates to keep on your calendar this month:
- Friday, October 2nd – 📸 Picture Day
- Thursday, October 8th – 🧑🏻🚒🚒 Fire Prevention Lessons & Drill with the Utica Fire Department
- Friday, October 9th – Teacher Institute Day – No School for Students
- Monday, October 12th – Columbus Day – No School for Students
- Tuesday, October 13th – Booster Club Meeting at 3:30 p.m.
- Monday, October 19th – PTCC 🍕Lunches for Students & PTCC Meeting at 6:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, October 21st – Board of Education Meeting at 6:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, October 27th – 📸 Picture Retake Day
- Friday, October 30th – 11:35 a.m. dismissal for K-8 students; no preschool classes. Halloween information can be found below.
We are grateful for the continued support and partnership of our families, PTCC and Booster Club. Your flexibility, encouragement, and involvement help make Waltham a place where students can learn, grow, and feel connected.
Here’s to a wonderful October filled with learning, fall traditions, and plenty of fun!
Mrs. Melanie Lukacsy
Principal
As we move into October, we want to continue highlighting the five schoolwide goals that are guiding our work this year. You may remember seeing these priorities in our September communication. They remain at the heart of what we are doing each day to support our students, strengthen our school community, and ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive.
1. Strengthen Literacy Instruction Through the Science of Reading
We continue to strengthen literacy instruction through evidence-based practices aligned with the Science of Reading. Our teachers are using explicit instruction, structured literacy, and high-impact strategies to support continued growth in reading achievement.
2. Foster a Positive Climate, Culture, Safety, & PRIDE
Creating a school where everyone feels safe, welcomed, respected, and valued remains a priority. Through our PRIDE expectations and positive relationships, we are building a strong sense of belonging for both students and staff.
3. Increase Student Attendance & Engagement
Every day matters! We are continuing to identify and address barriers to consistent attendance while strengthening school-home partnerships. Regular attendance and active engagement are important foundations for student success.
4. Maximize In-House Staff Expertise & Resources
We are making intentional use of the knowledge, strengths, and experiences within our own staff. Through collaboration, professional learning, and sharing best practices, we are building collective capacity and finding new ways to support our students.
5. Strengthen Communication Through Monthly All-Staff Meetings
Our monthly all-staff meetings continue to provide an important opportunity for communication, collaboration, and shared decision-making. We use this time to celebrate successes, share updates, address priorities, and ensure that our staff remains aligned around the work that matters most.
Our Focus Continues
These five goals are more than a list—they are the focus areas guiding our work throughout the school year. As we move forward, you will see these priorities reflected in our classrooms, schoolwide initiatives, staff collaboration, and partnerships with families.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Together, we are creating a school community where our students can learn, grow, and thrive.
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 tgaughan@wesd185.org.
- Do not contact your child's teacher directly with daily absences.
- Any absences for extended periods of time (including vacations), 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. (Preschool may have an alternate plans with families.)
- 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 may 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 5th-8th grade 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.
Every Wednesday will be a 2:10 p.m. dismissal for all PreK-8th grade students.
Early Release Days for K-8 Students
- Students will be dismissed at 11:35 a.m. on the following days:
- Friday, September 4th,
- Friday, October 30th,
- Friday, January 15th,
- **K-8 Final Day of School, 2027 (**date based on number of emergency days taken)
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
K-3 lunch will be from 11-11:30 a.m.
4-8 lunch will be from 11:40-12:10 p.m.
Daily Lunch – Students must bring their own lunch to school each day.
Monthly Hot Lunch – Once a month, students will have the option to order Pizza Hut pizza, organized by our PTCC.
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.
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.