Baltz Bulletin - Family Edition

Believing...Achieving...Learning...Team Building ...with Zeal! We are BALTZ!

Dear Baltz Families,

Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year at Baltz Elementary! Whether your family is returning or joining us for the first time, we are excited to begin a new school year together. To our new families, welcome to the Baltz community. We are so glad you’re here.

At Baltz, everything we do is guided by our mission to use data-driven decision-making to provide high-quality instruction that addresses the unique educational needs of all students and their families in a safe, nurturing environment. Our school motto, BELIEVING, ACHIEVING, LEARNING, and TEAM BUILDING with ZEAL, reflects the values that guide our work each day. The safety, well-being, and success of every student remain at the center of everything we do.

Each morning, our students begin the day with the Baltz Pledge. The first words, “In our school, I am important. I am special. I am loved,” remind us of the environment we strive to create every day. We want every student to feel welcomed, valued, and loved while being challenged to learn, grow, and achieve their very best.

As we prepare to welcome students back, we are excited to introduce our theme for the 2026-2027 school year: Ready. Set. Level Up. This year, we will continue building on the strong foundation of our Baltz community while challenging ourselves and our students to grow, learn, and reach new levels together.

We look forward to welcoming families to our Meet the Teacher & Baltz Team Event on Thursday, August 27, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Families will receive their child's homeroom assignment, and students will have the opportunity to meet their teacher, reconnect with members of the Baltz team, and get ready for a great start to the school year. We are especially excited to welcome families who are new to Baltz and hope this will be the beginning of a wonderful connection with our school community.

Thank you for entrusting your children to us each day. It is truly a privilege to serve the Baltz community, and we look forward to welcoming your family as we begin another wonderful school year!

Warmly,

Ms. Jacqueline Gallagher

Principal

Mr. Aaron Wright

Assistant Principal

Ms. Megan Nork

Student Advisor

• Thursday, August 27 – Meet & Greet (3:30-5:30 PM)

• Saturday, August 29 - Red Clay Block Party – 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM Dickinson High School

• Monday, August 31 – First Day of School for: Grades 1-5, Kindergarten A-L

• Tuesday, September 1– Kindergarten A-L

• Wednesday, September 2 – First Day of School for Kindergarten M-Z

• Thursday, September 3 - Kindergarten M-Z

• Friday, September 4 – School closed for Labor Day

• Monday, September 7 - School closed for Labor Day

• Tuesday, September 15 - School Closed – Teacher In-service Day

• Monday, September 21 – School Closed, Office Open

• Thursday, September 24 – Open House, 6:00 PM

• Monday, October 19 - Fall Picture Day - Mark your calendars!

Planning Ahead: Please use our Family Planner when scheduling appointments and other commitments whenever possible. Planning around school days helps protect valuable learning time and keeps students in school and ready to learn.

Join us for our annual Meet & Greet! Meet new families, catch up with friends, and visit with our staff and community partners.

• Students will receive their homeroom assignment and meet their teacher

• Update your child's transportation and emergency contact information

• New families pick up car tags

• Pick up a free backpack (while supplies last)

• Sign up for the School-Based Health Center (Christiana Care), a free service for all Baltz students

• Raffles and light food/treats will add to the fun

Please note that classroom assignments may change as enrollment and staffing needs are finalized. We appreciate your patience as we work to create balanced classrooms that support the success of every student.

Families are invited to join Red Clay for a FREE Back-to-School Block Party on Saturday, August 29, from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at The John Dickinson School (1801 Milltown Road). There will be food, games, and health services available for families. Baltz will have a tent, and we hope to see some of our Baltz Bears there!

School Hours:

School Day: 8:45 AM – 3:50 PM

Instruction Begins: 9:05 AM daily

Students should not arrive on campus before 8:45 am. There is no student supervision on site until 8:45 am.

Grades 1 – 5, and Autism Program (see flyer below):

Students in Grades 1-5 and all students enrolled in the autism program will begin school on Monday, August 31.

Kindergarten Staggered Start (see flyer below):

To help our youngest learners transition successfully to school, kindergarten students will attend two days during the first week.

• Last names A-L: Attend Monday, August 31 and Tuesday, September 1

• Last names M-Z: Attend Wednesday, September 2 and Thursday, September 3

• All Kindergarten students will attend together beginning Tuesday, September 8.

Bus Routing Information:

Bus routing information for eligible bus riders was emailed directly to families by the Red Clay Consolidated School District.

Student Safety & Dismissal Identification:

Every Baltz student is assigned a transportation number from our main office, regardless of how they travel to and from school. This number helps us safely identify students during dismissal. Returning families should continue using last year's transportation number and display their car tag during dismissal. New families may pick up their car tag during the Meet the Teacher/Team event on August 27.

For the safety of our students, please have a valid photo ID (driver's license or state-issued ID) available during dismissal. Staff will verify identification before releasing a student to an adult they do not know.

Student Safety Zone:

To help ensure the safe arrival and dismissal of all students, the upper parking lot is closed to vehicle traffic Monday through Friday from 8:45–9:05 a.m. and 3:15–4:15 p.m. During these times, the parking lot is reserved for authorized student transportation, including school buses and designated student transportation vehicles. The front circle is reserved for buses, emergency vehicles, and authorized deliveries. Visitor parking is available on the side of the building near the main entrance during school hours outside of these designated arrival and dismissal times.

Free Breakfast & Lunch:

Free breakfast and lunch will once again be available to every Baltz student. Please review the Child Nutrition information and menus posted below.

School Supplies:

As a Title I school, we work hard to provide students with the materials they need to be successful. We also appreciate the support of our families whenever possible. Below you will find a suggested school supply list by grade level.

Chromebooks:

Every Baltz student in kindergarten through fifth grade has access to a Chromebook to support learning at school. New this year, Chromebooks for students in Grades 4 and 5 will remain at school and will no longer be sent home each day. This change helps ensure devices are available, charged, and ready for daily instruction.

Cell Phones:

Students may bring a cell phone to school; however, all devices must be turned off and stored away during the school day.

Celebrations, Food Allergies & Latex Safety

We love celebrating our students' birthdays! If you would like to send something for your child to share with classmates, please coordinate a date with your child's teacher to send a non food item, such as pencils or stickers. Baked goods may not be brought in for birthday celebrations due to potential allergens.

Baltz is a latex safe school. Balloons of any kind are not permitted at school, or school events.

Personal Items & Toys

Please help us keep personal toys and other items at home unless specifically requested by a teacher for a classroom or school activity. This helps prevent items from becoming lost or damaged and keeps students focused on learning.

Student Dress Code:

Please review our student dress code flyer before the first day of school. Students should wear comfortable clothing that allows them to fully participate in learning and recess each day. Sneakers are encouraged.

School-Based Health Center (Christiana Care Partner):

Baltz is proud to offer a School-Based Health Center that provides healthcare services to students at no cost to families. We encourage every family to take advantage of this valuable resource. Representatives will be available during Meet the Teacher to answer questions and assist with enrollment.

YMCA Before & After School Care:

The YMCA continues to provide before- and after-school child care at Baltz. Before care service is available from 7:00 AM-9:00 AM, and after care service is available from 3:45 PM-6:00 PM. Families interested in enrolling should contact the YMCA directly or call the Baltz main office for additional information.

Student safety is our highest priority. Doors open and Grab & Go Breakfast begins at 8:45 a.m. Students should not arrive on campus before 8:45 a.m., as there is no student supervision prior to that time. During regular morning arrival, students will enter the building through designated student entrances as outlined below. Families arriving after the start of the school day should report to the main office using the front entrance to sign students in. Every Baltz student is assigned a transportation number to help ensure a safe and efficient dismissal. Returning families should display last year’s transportation car tag during dismissal, and new families may pick up their transportation number and car tag during Meet the Teacher & Baltz Team. Please have a valid photo ID available whenever picking up a student if requested by a staff member. If you need to visit the school or conduct school business, please plan to arrive after 9:15 a.m., when all students have safely entered the building, and before 3:15 PM. After 3:15 PM, the campus is secured until all students have been safely dismissed. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe, orderly, and efficient arrival and dismissal process.

To ensure the safety of our students, the front circle is reserved for school buses, emergency vehicles, and authorized deliveries only. Parent drop off and pick up in the front circle is not permitted.

Families visiting the school during the school day should use the designated visitor parking area located on the side of the building near the main entrance. Please do not park in the front circle or in areas designated for buses.

The first week of school, we will begin dismissal a few minutes early to ensure all students are in their appropriate dismissal locations.

Morning Arrival:

Car Riders:

Parents of Car Riders will join the car line on the district side of the building to drop off in the back parking lot. Please have your child ready to exit the passenger side of the car. Staff will be present to open your car doors and assist students as they get out of the car. Please be patient and avoid passing stopped vehicles. Car duty staff will direct traffic to ensure the safety of all.

Walkers:

Walkers will enter the school building through the entrance located down the hill near the small playground. Families may walk students to the gate; however, for the safety of all students, parents and visitors are not permitted beyond the gate. A staff member will greet students at the door as they enter the building.

Bus riders:

Bus riders will de-board the bus in the front circle and enter the school through the entrance located down the hill near the small playground.

Van riders:

Van riders will de-board vans in the upper parking lot and will enter the school through the entrance located down the hill near the small playground.

Late Arrival – Important Note:

Students arriving after 9:05 must be signed in by a parent/guardian in the main office and will receive a late slip to proceed to class. It is very important that students arrive on time to maximize their academic and social-emotional learning opportunities.

Afternoon Dismissal:

Dismissal

Dismissal begins at 3:50 pm.

Walkers:

Family members who are meeting walkers should get in line by the gated area near the little playground. Parents of walkers in grades K-2 will need to check student(s) out at the gate with your family’s assigned number. Students in grades 3-5 are considered independent walkers, therefore will not need to be checked out by families/dismissal staff. Students in 2nd grade can be considered independent walkers with a signed parent consent that will need to be turned in to the office:

Car Riders:

Car riders will join the car line on the district side of the building to pick up in the back parking lot. A staff member will be present to take your number and guide your car to the appropriate pick-up lane. Please note that the first 24 cars will be parked in lanes 1 – 6. Your order will designate your lane, so please stay in the lane that you have been directed to park in to ensure a timely pick-up. As lanes are dismissed, additional cars will be parked. The process may seem slow at the beginning of the year; however, the car line moves very efficiently once routines have been established. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Bus riders:

Bus riders will be escorted to their assigned bus by the bus dismissal staff. As a reminder, Kindergarten students must be met at the bus stop by an adult, or they will be returned to the school.

Please encourage your child to wear their badge each day as they get onto the bus. Having their badge ready on their lanyard will help students to scan and board quickly and safely.

Please discuss safety on the bus with your child.

Riders need to:

• Follow all directions from their driver & sit in assigned seats.
• Talk in quiet voices to those around them.
• Sit in the seat with their bookbags on their laps and their "back against the back and their bottom on the bottom" of the seat.

Would you like to track the location of your child's bus? Sign up for the free Where's the Bus App!

Visit www.WheresTheBus.com.

1. Click Create Account
2. Select Red Clay School District (DE) from the school drop-down list.
3. Add the student info (Last Name and Student ID) for the student you want to signup
4. Finish the account set up by entering your email and creating a password

Questions about Transportation? Call 302-322-0251.

Bus transportation is a privilege, not a right. Repeated violations may cause bus service to be suspended. The parent is responsible for providing transportation during any bus suspension.

Expectations for student behavior while riding the bus are included in the section about Discipline.

Pautas: Los estudiantes deben usar ropa limpia que no tenga agujeros ni roturas y que sea apropiada para la estación.

2026-2027 Academic Calendar – English
2026-2027 Academic Calendar – Spanish

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