Bear Bulletin

Here’s our amazing Baker-Butler staff! We have 34 classrooms, preschool through 5th grade. In addition to the classroom teachers, we have 8 specials teachers, 2 school counselors, 7 special education case managers, 3 reading specialists, 1 talent development resource teacher, 4 English language teachers, 33 teaching assistants, office associates, a nurse, custodians, cafeteria staff and several other professionals with expertise who are here to help your children learn. 

We are so grateful for the dedication, care, and talent each team member brings to our school community. We are committed to creating a safe, welcoming, and enriching learning environment for every child.

This year, we worked together to create a unifying message that reflects our shared values: Together we learn. Together we belong. You’ll see this message throughout the year as a reminder of what we believe and strive for every day.

Thank you for partnering with us—we look forward to a wonderful year ahead!

Under the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA), the Commonwealth gave school divisions different reading programs from which to select a core curriculum. Albemarle County Schools collaborated with teachers, families, and community members to carefully review all options. After thorough consideration, we selected Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) Into Reading: Virginia as the program for our elementary schools. Last year was the first year we implemented Into Reading and we saw great gains in reading, writing, and speaking.  Here is a brief overview of the program's components.

Writing

Teachers lead students through a step-by-step writing process. Daily practice and feedback help students become better writers.

Structured Literacy and Foundational Skills

Students learn letter sounds, how to put sounds together to read words, and how to break sounds apart to spell words. Students learn how to spell words that have regular or unusual spelling patterns. Students in upper grades learn where words come from and how adding beginnings or endings to words can change their meaning. Students in all grades learn grammar and syntax.

Reading and Vocabulary

Students read books that capture their attention and teach them about the world. Students have their own workbooks, called myBooks, where they can read, respond to reading, write down their ideas, and make connections. Teachers help students learn how to make meaning of words they don’t know. They use these new words in their writing and speaking. Expanding vocabulary increases reading comprehension across all content areas.

Knowledge Building

Each HMH Into Reading module is based on a different science or social studies concept. This helps students learn more about topics that interest them and helps them connect to learning they are doing in other subjects.

Flexible Skill Groups

Teachers provide students with one-on-one or small group teaching while other students practice taught skills. These small skills groups change depending on the needs of the students.

Look for family letters each time your student begins a new module. And, join us at Back-to-School Night on September 25th which will include literacy-focused information and activities.

To help maintain a safe, orderly, and learning-focused environment, pets are generally not permitted on Albemarle County school property during the school day. An exception is possible for service animals—specially trained to support individuals with disabilities—who are protected under federal law. Animals may also be brought in for approved educational purposes under specific guidelines. While we know families may enjoy walking pets to and from school, limiting animals on campus during the school day helps us keep arrival and dismissal safe, minimize distractions, and ensure that our grounds remain welcoming for all students and staff.

Pets that remain inside family vehicles at drop-off or pick-up do not pose the same risks. As long as dogs stay secured in vehicles, families are welcome to have them along for the ride. Pets should remain inside cars at all times to avoid unexpected interactions with children and to keep everyone safe. 

Please note that Baker-Butler's trails and playgrounds are maintained in part by Albemarle County Parks and Recreation and are open to the public after 6:00 PM until dark on school days, as well as during daylight hours on days when schools are closed. Walking dogs, following leash ordinances, during these off-hours is permitted. We kindly ask that all pet owners clean up after their animals to help keep our shared spaces clean and safe for everyone.

Thank you for supporting these expectations. If you have questions or need clarification, please know that our administrative team is here to support you.