Bear Bulletin

Baker-Butler where... Together we learn, Together we belong.

February 19, 2026

This is a weekly publication for Baker-Butler families. Each week's edition is published on the Home page. Previous editions are linked and titled by date.

Save the Date: Student Showcase!

Do you ever ask, "What did you do in school today?" and get the answer, "Nothing"?

This March, we are flipping the script from "talking about the student" to "listening to the learner." Instead of a teacher conference, you are invited to and interactive experience where your child will be the lead communicator of their academic journey.

Research shows that when students can explain their own goals and learning, their achievement soars. By replacing traditional conferences with this Student-Led Showcase, we are:

Building Real-World Skills: Your child is practicing public speaking, self-reflection, and accountability. Students will lead you through an activity to show you how they are mastering key goals in reading, math, and more. In some cases they will take the role of the teacher!
Deepening the Partnership and Student Agency: You will see the how of their learning, not just the what of their grades. Your child will show you not just what they learned, but how they grew.
At-Home Partnership: You’ll walk away with a growth goal created by your child and specific ways you can support them as we finish the school year strong.

📅 Mark Your Calendars

Pre-K through 2nd Grade 3rd Grade through 5th Grade

Wednesday, March 11 Thursday, March 12

4:00 PM – 6:00 PM 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Plan to spend about 20 minutes with your child during this window. Teachers will be present in the classrooms to support as you and your child navigate their learning journey. Keep an eye out for more specific information coming soon from your child’s classroom. We can’t wait to see our students shine!

Questions?

For application questions, contact:

Karla Honaker, Application Specialist (Spanish-speaking)
📞 434-242-0928

For program-specific questions, contact:

Lisa Molinaro, Preschool Coordinator

📞 434-566-7111 (call or text)
☎️ 434-296-5820 ext. 13524
✉️ lisamo@k12albemarle.org

For additional details about program eligibility and services, visit the ACPS Preschool page at:
k12albemarle.org/preschool

If you are seeking preschool options for a child younger than 3, visit Go2Grow.org or contact Amanda Meadows, Early Education Specialist:

📞 434-326-5396
✉️ help@go2grow.org

ACPS Accepting Applications for 2026-27 Preschool

Albemarle County Public Schools (ACPS) is now accepting applications for our 2026-27 preschool program.

Children who will turn 3 or 4 years old by September 30, 2026, may be eligible for this free program. Placement priority is given to 4-year-olds.

We are expanding preschool access for 2026-27 through our partnership with the United Way of Greater Charlottesville. New preschool classrooms will open at Mountain View Elementary and Baker-Butler Elementary. Together, ACPS Preschool and Early Childhood Special Education will serve more than 300 eligible families next year.

Who Can Apply

Families must:

Live in Albemarle County
Meet federal or state income guidelines or other eligibility criteria

We encourage all eligible families to apply. If you know a family with an eligible child, please share this information with them.

How to Apply

Complete the online application at Go2Grow.org. Families submit one application and are considered for all eligible programs.

The online application is available in multiple languages. Paper applications are available in English and Spanish.

Class Placement Input for the Upcoming School Year

Each spring, we begin the thoughtful process of creating class placements for the upcoming school year. Our goal is always to build balanced classrooms where every student can be successful academically, socially, and emotionally.

Families are invited to share input to help us better understand the learning environments and approaches that best support their child. This input is most helpful when it focuses on information such as your child’s learning style, social needs, and the conditions that help them thrive in school. We will send a paper form in your child's folder in a couple of weeks. Return completed forms to the school. Your feedback will be shared with both your child’s current teacher and the teachers at the next grade level as part of this process.

Please note that we do not accept requests for specific teachers. Class placement is a collaborative process that includes input from current teachers, next-grade teachers, and administrators to ensure each classroom community is well balanced.

Because families move into and out of our community throughout the summer, class lists continue to change as we work to maintain balance. For this reason, placements are not finalized until shortly before Open House in August.

We are grateful for your partnership and for the insights you share about your child.

From the PTO

Timberwood Spirit Night - Join us this Monday, Feb 23rd, at Forest Lakes Timberwood Grill for an evening of good food and fun while supporting our school! Dine in or take out between 4pm and close, and Timberwood will donate 10% of the sales from the night to the PTO. The Baker-Butler Bear will be showing up around 6pm to say "hi" to families. We look forward to seeing our BBES community on the 23rd!

Keep up with our plans by checking out our website:

https://www.bakerbutlerpto.org/

and following us on:

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/bakerbutlerpto/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/bakerbutlerpto/