Principal's Principles
Gayton Elementary Family News and Updates
April 22-26, 2024
Dear Gayton Families:
Thanks to all who attended and/or volunteered at Field Day! Thanks to teachers who accompanied their classes. Most thanks of all to Mrs. Wright, PE Teacher, for coordinating the entire event. Great organization, interactive games, and a spirit of fun student competition made for an AWESOME DAY! Please check out our Facebook page for fun pics!
Our field day was downright chilly, but we know parents are anticipating hot weather soon. So I want to give you some updates on our HVAC replacement.
Elementary director, Dr. Stacey Austin, and Assistant Superintendent of Operations, Dr. Lenny Pritchard, were at the school this week assessing room temperatures. I walked the building with them and shared that interior rooms—art, music, cafeteria, library—are generally warmer than others and cannot use spot coolers without windows. These rooms are being monitored closely here at school and remotely from Central Office. The current AC system is working at this time, and the gym is actually chilly. There were HVAC workers here all week. While the new chiller is on order and being delivered, HCPS has identified Gayton as “critical” for continued HVAC response/troubleshooting daily and as needed until the new chiller is installed in September/October. Spot chillers will continue to be utilized in classrooms until that time and have proven to be effective. Concerns regarding warmer weather are on our radar and, when outdoor temperatures are high, we will be actively monitoring internal temperatures for student/teacher comfort and safety as we did in August. Should internal rooms (art, music, library) be too hot, these classes will be held in classrooms with spot chillers. Should the cafeteria be too hot, lunches will be eaten in classrooms.
We appreciate parent concerns and will continue to communicate transparently. We appreciate your patience and understanding as the chiller replacement timeline is lengthy but well underway. Should you have additional questions, please contact me. 804-360-0820.
Here are some other important items.
EARTH DAY!
We will celebrate Earth Day on Monday, April 22. Students should wear BLUE and GREEN.
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
Kindergarten registration is open and ongoing. Please encourage your neighbors with rising kindergarteners to register.
May 3rd is PTA CARNIVAL!
We look forward to this annual Gayton event!
MAY 6-10 IS TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK!
Thank you for making your teachers feel special.
May 21st Kindergarten Performance, Animal Showcase, and Parent Social
Students will share their animal projects, followed by the performance (outside weather permitting) and a kindergarten parent social while children have popsicles and play on the playground.
May 27th Schools Closed
Memorial Day
May 30th
Fifth grade graduation and celebration. Details forthcoming.
May 31st
Last day of school assembly, 9am.
As always, thank you for your partnership and trust with educating your children.
Kirk Eggleston, Ed.D. :)
VOLUNTEER VIDEO
If you are a Gayton volunteer or plan to volunteer, please watch this important and required safety video from HCPS. Thanks so much.
FROM OUR PTA
Membership Toolkit
Don’t forget to register on Membership Toolkit (MTK) on gaytonpta.com. This is the primary way the PTA communicates important updates. Room Parents also use Membership Toolkit to post to classroom message boards. It doesn’t cost anything to register for an account, but we’d love for you to become a PTA member while you are visiting the website!
Interested in volunteering in the cafeteria? Complete your online volunteer form (https://apps.raptortech.com/Apply/NTQ4ODplbi1VUw==). Sign up will be on MTK this weekend.
OTHER PTA LINKS:
Gator Bites (PTA newsletter)
https://gaytonpta.membershiptoolkit.com/newsletters
Volunteer Opportunities
Safety is Priority One!
We have shared the items below with you previously, and they are permanently linked below for your continued reference. At this time, we ask that you review/reference them (again) to have safety at the forefront in our partnership with you.
Another area that is very important to fostering a culture of safety at Gayton is student discipline. Please also see the following links for your review/reference.
Should you have any questions or concerns about student safety, crisis preparedness/protocols, or student discipline, please give Mrs. Reeves or Dr. Eggleston a call at 804-360-0820.
Walkers
- Only those students who are not assigned a bus are allowed to walk alone to/from school.
- Students assigned buses may walk to school if accompanied by a parent to/from.
- If you are picking up your child at the walker door, please do not arrive before 2:35. Students may still be on the playground at that time. Walkers will be dismissed at 2:40.
- Please do not park behind the school in Pine Run to pick up your child. You must use the carpool lane.
Car Riders
- If you drive your child to school in the morning, please seat him/her in the rear right seat. Do not exit the car; a staff member will assist your child from the car if needed.
- Please do not drop off your child before 7:50 or after 8:10.
- Please have your number posted prominently in your front window for PM dismissal only.
- Please be patient; the line may be long. It will go faster with each day.
- We encourage you to have your children ride the school bus.
Bus Riders
- Buses are safe. This year most of our buses will have A/C and seatbelts.
- Please be patient; the first few days of school our buses will likely be late in the afternoon.
- Kindergarten bus riders-- please see information below.
Daycare
- Make sure you inform your child's teacher which daycare he/she goes to after school..
- Daycare vans will take attendance before leaving Gayton.
- If your child is ever absent, please alert the daycare provider and the school.
What is Star Power?
Star Power is belonging to a community of learners.
Star Power is rising to high expectations.
Star Power is showing kindness and respect.
Star Power is honoring diversity.
Star Power is communicating and collaborating.
Star Power is problem solving.
Star Power is thinking outside the box.
Star Power is showing the best version of yourself.
Star Power is growing academically, socially, and emotionally.
Star Power is following directions.
Star Power is leading others.
Star Power is empowering vs. entitling.
Star Power is shining with individual and collective SUCCESS!
IMPORTANT LINKS
Below you will find our Parent/Student handbook, school website, and other important links.