Hello there World Changing Walnut Creek Parents!
I hope your children and you have been enjoying your time off this summer! We are in the HOTTEST DAYS of the year right now and supposed to be hitting record temperatures this week. I hope you are staying cool and hydrated! I myself, cannot wait to get this year started. As many of you know we are opening the NEW Walnut Creek this school year. I am very proud to say this school is like nothing else you have seen before! We are so very blessed that the Azle community supported our new school by approving the bond to build this World Changing campus. I cannot wait to show it off to you soon!
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Our passion is changing the world, one life at a time. |
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We are WORLD CHANGERS! School-Wide Expectations: I will follow directions of all staff the first time they are given. I will respect myself and others. I will keep hands, feet, and objects to myself. I will take care of my school and all materials. We will walk the Walnut Creek way, showing kindness and compassion every day.
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I am hoping to use this blog format to communicate with you this school year. Some of the feedback I received last year was that more parents would like more communication about school events and information. A few things I have already completed in order to help us all as busy parents:
1. The Walnut Creek Calendar has been updated with all events for the YEAR! See this webpage here: Walnut Creek Calendar
2. All teacher pages have been updated with the teacher's email addresses: Teacher/Staff Contact Information
3. I will send home a paper and electronic calendar before each month with campus-wide information, however each grade level will send out grade-level specific information as well.
4. I use the Parentlink App to push out quick notifications for news and updates. Please make sure your cell phone provider allows these types of messages. If you are not receiving the notification, please check your phone to make sure it allows "SMS" Messaging. If the problem continues please check with your provider. I always send the Parentlinks to the first two contacts listed in our system, please make sure the appropriate numbers are listed when you register or update your child's information online.
We will have many changes to accomodate the needs of the new Walnut Creek facilities and to improve safety for our students this year. Some important changes:
1. All visitors to Walnut Creek or any Azle ISD school will have to be securely approved to enter the campus. You will now expect to ring a doorbell and be safely buzzed into the campus. After, you will enter the Walnut Creek office and will need to scan your driver's license or photo ID in order to visit the lunchroom or special event that day.
Arrival-7:30-8:10AM-SEE DROP-OFF MAP HERE:
Start Time: 8:10AM-All tardy students MUST be walked in to the building by a parent/ guardian. We encourage all students to be here by 8AM to start morning work.
1.You may walk your child to class the first 3 days of school.
2. Parents will not be permitted to walk their children to class at Walnut Creek beginning on August 20th. Walnut Creek staff members will safely be unloading children from their parent’s vehicles daily beginning at 7:30AM. Rain or Shine! Please make sure your child is ready daily to get out of the car.
3. If you walk to Walnut Creek, you will need to kiss and say goodbye in the front foyer each day. We are trying to teach our children to be independent. Volunteers will not be permitted to class before 8:10AM without prior written notice from your child’s teacher.
Lunch Times:
Lunch Times vary, please ask your child’s teacher for specific time.
You may visit your child for lunch beginning on August 20th, no lunch visitors will be permitted the first three days of school to allow your child some time to make friends and learn cafeteria procedures. The campus is closed to lunch visitors on various days throughout the school year. You may add lunch money in person at WCE or online.
Here is the link to the Azle ISD webpage where you can add money to your child's account:
Dismissal-3:30PM-See PICK UP MAP HERE:
3:30PM-If students are checked out early, it must be before 3PM. Please make sure to send notes. Checking out a student early, even at 3:27PM, affects student perfect attendance rules.
You will need to call the office before 2PM if this changes. See FAQ’s section for more details. You MUST have a school issued car-tag to pick up your child. This is very important and ensures a safe person is picking up your child.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Can I bring cupcakes/cookies for my child’s birthday?
A: Yes, all food items MUST be store-bought, no exceptions. Please bring them to the office or send with your child to school. Cupcakes/cookies cannot be passed out during lunch times.
Q: Can my child have a friend sit with us at a visitor lunch table?
No, unless that child has a letter in writing from their parent to sit with you at lunch that day. All visitors must sit at visitor’s tables in the cafeteria.
Q: What if I need to change how my child goes home?
A. Call the office and ask for a “transportation change” BEFORE 2PM. This will ensure your child receives the change form. WE WILL NOT CHANGE HOW THE CHILD GOES HOME WITHOUT A CHANGE FORM. Please make sure to talk to your child about this and inform them they cannot “decide” to go home with a friend or change their way home without this form. This is very important for your child to know from the start of the school year. Pleae make sure to communicate with teacher and Walnut Creek office any time a transportation change is needed, this is extremely important for student safety.
Q: Can my child bring toys to school?
A: No, no toys are allowed, including "slime", Pokemon cards, or any items deemed a "toy" unless the teacher is asking for them for a special day. We also encourage no devices, phones, tablets, iPods, etc be brought to school. If a child must bring them because you need to communicate after school the child will need to make sure the phone is turned off in the back pack during the school day. 8:10-3:30PM.
Q: What if I need to tell my child's teacher something quickly before school starts?
A: You will be asked to come into the front office and leave a message to be delivered to the teacher. This year teachers will be starting morning work and/or tutoring students before school starts. We ask that this time not be interrupted, and parents contact the teacher at the teacher's conference time each day or via email.
Q: Can my child bring a water bottle to school?
A: YES! The new Walnut Creek has a water bottle filling station for students to fill-up water bottles. Please make sure the water bottle can be secured to not spill if tipped over, no open Yeti cups etc.
Q: What school supplies will my child need?
A: Azle ISD School Supplies List
Q: What happens if my child gets sick at school?
A: Azle ISD School Health Services
Q: What if my child needs to take medication at school?
A: Complete this form and have an adult hand-deliver it to School Nurse, Amy Gilbreath. (Students should not deliver medications to nurse, this is for your child and other student safety.)
Q: How do I update my child's information, phone numbers, etc. in the system you have?
A: Make sure you have the personal child's information that Kristy Young, campus secretary, sent out the last day of the school year. Here is the link to txConnect.
Q: What do they serve for lunch each day?
Q: What should I pack in my child's lunch box?
A: Healthy foods that your child can open easily as they have 30 minutes for lunch each day. We cannot microwave items at school. Please make sure to check your child's lunch if they pack their own to ensure it is healthy and there are no toys in the lunch box.
Q: What is the district policy on bullying? What if I think my child may be bullied at school?
A: First, It is important for each student to report any bullying or threats to the nearest teacher or adult at school as soon as possible so school officials may take appropriate action, this is very important in order for staff to take action.
Here is some information to know: What is bullying? If you feel your child is being bullied at school please report to your child's teacher and administration immediately and complete the following form on Azle ISD's webpage: Bully Report An investigation will occur based off the Texas School Safety Center and Azle ISD protocols. Parents will be notified the outcomes of the invesitgation.
Q: Can my child pass out birthday invitations at school?
A: Yes, as long as your child is inviting the whole-entire class. Please find a different way to pass out invitations if you do not plan on inviting everyone in the classroom.
Q: What is the Azle dress code for elementary students?
A: Elementary Handbook Policy States:
There is a close relationship between high standards of dignity and pride and proper grooming. Personal appearance is important. The student and parents share in the responsibility for proper grooming of the student. The District’s dress code is established to teach grooming and hygiene, instill discipline, prevent disruption, avoid safety hazards, and teaches respect for authority. Students should be dressed and groomed in a manner that is clean and neat and that will not be a health or safety hazard to themselves or others. Modesty will be the dominant feature in all clothing. Behavior, attitude and community standards take precedence over individual clothing and hairstyle. While the enforcement of the student dress code rests with the principal, teachers and other staff should be familiar with the dress code and be cognizant of student dress and grooming, referring violations to the principal. The campus principal is the final authority concerning propriety of clothes, hairstyle, and jewelry.
The following dress code will be enforced:
Miscellaneous
All clothing and grooming should conform to standards that may not, in the principal’s opinion, cause disruption of or interference with normal school operations or safety.
Q: What if I have more questions?
A: Ask! Please call the office and ask Mrs. Sandy Lyon or Mrs. Kristy Young. 817-444-4045 or email your child's teacher here: Directory
I know this is a TON of information! I will continue to communicate campus events and let you know of important changes.
I am so excited to get this year going! We are going to have an amazing year!
Lots of Love,
Mrs. Hanson
Lead Learner-Principal
Walnut Creek Elementary
#walnutcreekworldchangers
