Bear Bulletin

In the days leading up to welcoming our students to start the year, we worked together as a staff to craft a unifying message that captures the heart of our school community: “Together we learn, together we belong.” This slogan reflects both our daily work and our shared vision—that learning is not something any of us do alone, and that belonging is essential for every child and adult in our building. It’s more than words on a page; it’s a commitment to building a school culture where every voice is valued, every learner is supported, and every person knows they are an important part of the Baker-Butler family.

As I walked around the school today, I saw many examples of students learning together in ways that demonstrated our slogan. I will share two with you here.

In first grade, students were partnering to sort shapes by various attributes. They used important social skills like taking turns, listening to each other’s ideas, and making decisions together. At the same time, they applied mathematical vocabulary as they developed their understanding of shapes.

In the gym, teams of upper-grade students raced to get a ball into a bucket about 15 feet away using half-pipes (made of PVC). Each team had a ball, and each team member had a section of pipe. They formed a line to pass the ball from one section to the next. The task required cooperation, focus, balance, and persistence. The fact that the challenge was not easy was clear from the joyful screams of success after a few tries!

These are just a couple of the many moments throughout the building and the day that show when we come together, our students not only learn—they know they belong.

Need a Snack? We’re Here to Help!

If your child ever forgets a snack or needs a little something extra during the school day, we’ve got them covered! They’re welcome to ask their teacher to go to Ms. Hukill or Ms. Drew’s office for a quick snack.

If your family could use help consistently providing snacks, please don’t hesitate to reach out — we’re happy to support in any way we can and set up a schedule. Otherwise, it’s helpful to send an extra snack from home if you’re able.

Thanks for helping us keep our students happy, healthy, and ready to learn!

Questions or concerns?

Contact:

Ms. Hukill – ahukill@k12albemarle.org

Ms. Drew – cdrew@k12albemarle.org