The Weekly Update #4

Dear Walker Families,

I am honored and thrilled to welcome you to the new school year as your new principal! Over the summer, I’ve had the joy of meeting many of our incredible teachers and staff, and I am so excited to finally open our doors to our students and families.

A little about me: I have been in education for over 21 years as a fine arts teacher, special education teacher, and assistant principal, driven by a deep belief that every child deserves a safe, encouraging, and inspiring place to learn. Outside of school, you’ll usually find me volunteering at my church, conducting my volunteer wind ensemble, and spending time with my family.

Our school theme this year is "Rooted and Rising." Together, we are focused on keeping our students rooted in strong character development, deep community connections, and engaging foundational learning so that they can keep rising to reach their highest potential, both academically and personally.

This newsletter will be your home base for campus updates, key dates, and celebrations as we grow together.

Meet the Team: Popsicles with the Principals!

I would love to meet you in person! Please join us on Tuesday from 4:15 PM – 5:00 PM on our playground for Popsicles with the Principals. Drop by to cool off with a sweet treat, say hello, and help us kick off this year of growing and rising together. We can't wait to see you there!

Your Proud Principal,

Shana Gaines

As we kick off the year, please review two important updates regarding our cafeteria routines:

• No Third-Party Food Deliveries: To maintain campus security and prevent instructional and operational disruptions, food deliveries from services like DoorDash, UberEats, or Grubhub will not be accepted for students. Any orders delivered to the front office will be turned away. If your student forgets their lunch, they may pick up a standard meal in the cafeteria or receive a delivered lunch dropped off directly by a parent/guardian.

• Parent Lunch Visits Resume Soon: We love hosting family visitors! Parent lunch visits will officially begin on Monday, September 14th. This initial window gives our students time to master cafeteria routines, bond with peers, and adjust to their daily schedules.

All campus volunteers must complete a background check for the 2026-2027 school year. Please take a moment to complete the online form linked below.

8/13 - First Day of School

8/27 - Camp Grady Spruce Family Information Meeting

9/1-9/4 - RCHS HOCO Week

9/7 - Labor Day Holiday

9/11 - Patriot Day/First Responders Day

9/14-9/18 - Celebrate Freedom Week

9/15-10/15 - Hispanic Heritage Month

9/15 - International Dot Day

9/16 - All-Pro Dads,

9/21-9/22 - Student Holiday

9/25 - American Indian Heritage Day