Buck Lake Elementary School

3/19/2025

Hello Families,

I hope everyone had a fabulous Spring Break!  The school year is flying by, and May will be here before we know it.  Below is a list of upcoming dates and activities that I know of thus far...

TOMORROW, 3/20

Class Group Picture and Individual Spring Pictures

Only students who have prepaid (online or by returning the order form) will take individual pictures.  

These families have already paid online: 

Cash, Dalton, Evelyn, Olivia

It is not too late to order!!!

Monday, 3/24

Last day to order Yearbook!

Wednesday, 3/26 

Report Cards Go Home

Friday, 3/28

Kindergarten Field Day 12:00p.m.-1:15p.m. 

(Please note the date changed from an earlier date I sent out due to a P.E. scheduling conflict.)

Make sure your child wears their red class shirt, tennis shoes, and brings a water bottle.

Parents are invited to watch.  If you would like to volunteer to help walk our class to scheduled activities, please click the link below. You must have already completed a volunteer form and been approved to sign up. Thank you!

Sign-up here!

Friday, 4/4

Field Trip to Aunt Louise's Farm

Have your child wear their red shirt and tennis shoes.  Send a bagged lunch and a water bottle. If you would like me to get a school-provided bagged lunch for your child, please let me know via e-mail by Wednesday, 3/26. The lunchroom staff needs ample time to order and prepare the food. 

If you volunteered to chaperone, please make sure your volunteer form is completed and approved. Plan to meet us at the farm and bring your lunch too!

Friday, 4/11

BLES Grandparent Lunch

I will let you know the time our class will be eating lunch as soon as I know.  Please plan on arriving early to park and check-in at the front office. We will meet outside of my classroom and walk together to the lunchroom. It is easier to team up with our grandparents before we enter the lunchroom. I will send reminders closer to the day.

Friday, 4/18

Spring Holiday (No School)

What we are learning this week...

Reading: lessons 40a (short vowel e) and 41a (short vowel review)

Math: Ch. 11: Addition 

Science: Living Things: Plants

Parent Conferences

The end of the third nine weeks is here! If you would like to meet to discuss your child's progress, please e-mail me, and we will select a date to schedule your conference or easily use the link provided.

Click here to sign-up for a conference.

Thank you!

A Message from Mr. Wetherington:

Dear Buck Lake Elementary Families,

School starts back tomorrow, January 8th! YEAH! I am excited to welcome the students back!

We hope you had a restful and joyful holiday season! As we kick off the new year, we want to take a moment to share a few important reminders to help ensure a smooth transition back to school after the break. Sorry for the length but there is some good information here. 😊  

1. Labeling New Possessions:
As students return to school, they may bring new items such as jackets, lunch boxes, water bottles, or school supplies. Please make sure all personal belongings are clearly labeled with your child's name. This helps us prevent lost items and ensures that everything gets returned to the correct owner.

2. Field Trip Policies:
We are excited to begin planning upcoming field trips! Please remember that all field trip permissions must be completed online or submitted via the appropriate form. To ensure your child’s participation, please be sure to sign and return any necessary paperwork by the due date. For the safety and well-being of all students, chaperones are selected based on school policies, and we will notify parents in advance if they are needed to volunteer. Please refer to behavior policies that render students ineligible for field trips.  Generally, this is two or more office referrals.

3. Volunteer Applications:
We value the support and involvement of our school community! If you are interested in volunteering for school events, field trips, or in the classroom, please make sure to submit an annual volunteer application through this link: https://fl01903265.schoolwires.net/volunteers All volunteers must complete this process in accordance with district guidelines to ensure the safety of our students. We are always looking for PTO volunteers and the Buck Lake BASH is coming up on February 1^st.

4. Attendance Policies:
As we move into the new year, we’d like to remind parents that regular attendance is crucial for student success. Please be sure to notify the school in advance if your child will be absent for any reason. If your child is feeling unwell or needs to be absent, please email bles-attendance@leonschools.net each day of absence so we can properly document the absence. Excessive absences or tardies can impact a student’s learning, and we appreciate your efforts to ensure consistent attendance.  Not all absences will be excused (refer to attendance policies on BLES website).

- Too sick for school? Generally, they should be fever-free for 48 hours.  Please reference this link for guidance: https://fl01903265.schoolwires.net/Page/57027

-Please refrain from checking students out after 2:30 pm.

-We do not “call ahead” students to be waiting for check out.

5. Cold Weather Preparation:
Winter weather is upon us! Please ensure that your child comes to school dressed appropriately for the colder temperatures. Layers, hats, gloves, and warm coats are essential as we continue with outdoor recess and other activities. We encourage all students to be prepared for the weather, as we will go outside for recess unless the temperature or wind chill is unsafe.

6. 3^rd, 4^th & 5th grade ICT (Industry Certification Test)

3rd, 4^th and 5^th graders will be able to re-take their ICT test (if they did not pass the first time) at the end of January.  Study guides were provided to all students in early December.  Students know their scores...they were provided to them on their screen at the end of the test.  Please email Mrs Perez at perezk@leonschools.net if you have any questions. 

7. Deliveries

Please do not send food to students via food delivery services as this can create issues in the lunchroom.  If you are eating with your student, we have a separate area for this where you can bring your child/children food.

We look forward to a wonderful second half of the school year and appreciate your continued partnership in supporting your child’s education. If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to reach out to the school office.

Wishing you and your family a fantastic start to the new year! 

Warm regards,
Ron Wetherington
Principal, Buck Lake Elementary School