Hello there World-Changing Walnut Creek Parents!

If you are new to Walnut Creek we would like to welcome you to our school! You are a World Changer now!

Please read below for some important information about Walnut Creek:

Our passion is changing the world, one life at a time.
We are WORLD CHANGERS!

School-Wide Expectations:
I will follow the directions of all staff the first time they are given.
I will respect myself and others.
I will keep my 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.

1. All teacher pages have been updated with the teacher's email addresses: Teacher/Staff Contact Information
2. I will send home a weekly newsletter to parents each Saturday for the upcoming week's news. 
3. 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. 

Walnut Creek and Azle ISD facilities work consistently to always improve safety for our students. Some important safety information:

PLEASE REFER TO THE RETURN TO SCHOOL GUIDELINES AT THIS TIME

Arrival-7:15-7:45 AM - Parents will stay in one lane of traffic in the front-drive. Please make sure your child is ready to get out of the car and has their mask on.

7:45 AM - Students are tardy after 7:45 AM.

1. Due to COVID19, our procedures have changed. Parents will not be permitted to park and walk their children up to the building. All parents must use the drop off lane. 
2. Walnut Creek staff members will safely be unloading children from their parent’s vehicles daily beginning at 7:30 AM. Rain or Shine! Please make sure your child has their mask on and is ready daily to get out of the car.

Lunch Times - Lunch Times vary, please ask your child’s teacher for specific time. At this time, no lunch visitors will be allowed. Lunches will be served in the classroom. 

Here is the link to the Azle ISD webpage where you can add money to your child's account: Student Nutrition Accounts

Dismissal: 3:15 PM - If students are checked out early, it must be before 3 PM. Please make sure to send notes. Checking out a student early, even at 3:12 PM, affects student perfect attendance rules.

You will need to call the office before 1:30 PM 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: What if I need to change how my child goes home?
A. Call the office and ask for a “transportation change” BEFORE 1:30 PM. 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. Please make sure to communicate with the 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 backpack during the school day (7:45-3:15 PM). 

Q: What if I need to tell my child's teacher something quickly before school starts?
A: Please email the teacher or call the student and ask that a message be given to the teacher. If it is health-related please ask to speak with the school nurse, Nurse Samantha Bachman. 

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. (Note: Due to COVID19 the drinking part of the water fountain will be closed until further notice.)

Q: What school supplies will my child need?
A: Azle ISD School Supply Lists

Q: What happens if my child gets sick at school?
A: Azle ISD 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, Samantha Bachman. (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 ParentPortal. 

Q: What do they serve for lunch each day?
A: Azle ISD Nutrition Page 

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 on the Texas School Safety Center and Azle ISD protocols. Parents will be notified of the outcomes of the investigation.

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: 

DRESS AND GROOMING CODE

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 the 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 teach 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 the propriety of clothes, hairstyles, and jewelry.

The following dress code will be enforced: 

Due to COVID19, all students must wear a mask. Please find a mask that is comfortable for your child to wear. We will also provide masks for students if they do not have a mask to wear. Please note students will take mask breaks and have times throughout the day where masks are not appropriate. example: lunch, recess, PE socially distanced. 

Shirts

• The shirt/top must cover the midriff at all times (e.g., standing, sitting, stretching, and bending).
• No spaghetti strap shirts will be permitted.

Shorts or Skirts

• Shorts or skirts must allow students to be able to stand, sit, bend with modesty.

Shoes

• Shoes must be worn at all times.
• No house shoes or slippers.
• No shoes with wheels.
• Tennis shoes are required for PE and recess.

Hair

• Hair shall be neat, clean, and well-groomed.
• Hair must not obstruct the student’s vision or a view of the student’s face.
• NO extreme color or style that is reasonably likely to cause disruption will be allowed. For example Mohawks or unnatural hair color.

 Miscellaneous

• Clothing items must be free of pictures, emblems, and/or writings that are lewd or obscene.
• Clothing items must not advertise or depict tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, drugs, violence, vulgarity, gang symbolism, sexual symbolism, and/or substance prohibited under policy FNCF (LOCAL).

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! 

Love and light, 
Mrs. Hanson 
Principal 
jhanson@azleisd.net 
#walnutcreekworldchangers