Walters Jr. High School
39600 Logan Drive
Fremont, CA 94538
Brian W. Weems, Principal
Jana Holmes, Assistant Principal
Tracy Clark, Secretary
Phone (510) 656-7211
Fax (510) 656-4056
Cheryl Baldwin, Registrar
Alana Sumbler, Attendance Clerk
Welcome to the 2013-14 school year. This is my fourth year as Principal at Walters. My main priorities are to make sure our students are safe, attend school every day, and are prepared for high school. I feel when students, staff, and family work together we can achieve these priorities.
We have many exciting events and programs for everyone to participate. I want to encourage all parents and guardians to be involved in their child’s education. There are many committees we have for our community to participate (PTSA, SSC, ELAC,
DELAC, and other volunteer opportunities).
Information for all of these committees will be provided in this packet, during MAZE day, and on our website (www.fremont.k12.ca.us/walters).
I am eager to start another productive year for our students and community. Our staff is dedicated to educate and inspire as our students move toward high school and beyond. Working together as a team will increase our ability to succeed as we change our focus of education towards Common
Core State Standards (CCSS) and meaningful assessments. We as a District and school are dedicated to helping students achieve their goals in education and career.
Brian W. Weems, Principal
Email:
Phone: (510)-656-7211 x28150
Welcome to the 2013- 2014 school year! I am so happy to be returning for my second year as
Assistant Principal at Walters Junior High School.
The relationships I built with students, families and staff are very important to me and I look forward to another year of working with our amazing community. During 2013-2014, I plan to build upon the Anti-Bullying climate we have established. We will have our first Unity Day in October and the
Anti-Bullying Club has many exciting plans for its second year. We are pleased to add an additional full time School Counselor to our staff, and she is eager to offer student support. The entire staff will continue our focus on academic achievement and as we move further into the new Common Core State
Standards. Most importantly, we will create an environment where students feel safe as they begin to explore their career path and plan for their futures. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns as the year goes on. I am honored and excited to be here.
Jana Holmes, Assistant Principal
Email:
Phone: (510) 656-7211 x28151
Please note that the student drop off/pick up area is at the south side of the school. The parking area is reserved for staff only and should only be used for office business.

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER CALENDAR
August
21 MAZE Day (in the Gym) - (NO SCHOOL)
Students to arrive at times indicated below
(Alpha, by last name)
A-D 8:00 AM
E-J 9:00 AM
Lunch 11:00 AM
R-T 12:30 PM
K-Q 10:00 AM U-Z 1:30 PM
Doors Close 3:00 PM
28 First Day of School – Minimum Day 12:19 PM
September
3 Labor Day – No School
6-20 Science Dept. Fundraiser
11 Collaborative Day – Early Release 12:19 PM
PTSA Meeting & Root Beer Social – 6:00 PM
18 ELAC Meeting – 5:30-6:00 PM
Back to School Night – 6:00-7:30 PM (in MPR)
25 Collaborative Day – Early Release 12:19 PM
Picture Make-up Day
October
2
9
Site Council Meeting - 2:45 PM (in Library)
Collaborative Day – Early Release 12:19 PM
16 Latino Parent Night – 6:00 PM
17 Vision & Hearing Screening
23 Collaborative Day – Early Release 12:19 PM
First Quarter Ends
All students at Walters will have six class periods each day. A warning bell rings at 8:10 a.m. and Homeroom begins PROMPTLY at 8:15 a.m. Homeroom is the first five minutes of 1 st period.
Strict punctuality is expected. School concludes at 2:29 p.m.
Consequences of detention and/or parental contact for each tardy will begin immediately. STUDENTS ARE
NOT TO ARRIVE ON CAMPUS BEFORE 7:50 A.M.
Those students who must arrive earlier must report to designated classrooms or to the multi-use room.
R.E.A.D. (Read Each Afternoon Diligently)
The R.E.A.D program provides ten minutes of quiet reading time daily immediately after lunch. Students are expected to provide their own books. However, we would like to have a supply of sufficient books in each classroom. If you have any books, which are appropriate for junior high students, please consider donating them to our school.
BE AT MAZE DAY
ON Wednesday, AUGUST 21, 2013
MAZE Day takes place in the gym/multi-purpose room and consists of various “stations” that must be visited to accomplish all the prerequisites for receiving a class schedule and being ready to begin school at Walters on
Wednesday, August 28, 2013. The stations are listed on the “Maze Day Packet Form” included in this newsletter.
The “Maze” opens at 8:00 AM and closes at 3:00 PM.
If a student does not attend the Maze and pick up their schedule, they will need to go to the school office as soon as possible with all the paperwork listed below
(fully completed) before receiving their schedule of classes.
 Parents are welcome to accompany students to the
“Maze” but it is not necessary for them to be there as long as both have read the newsletter and have prepared the various materials (signed the forms, written checks for any purchases, etc.). Unless otherwise noted, all payments must be made by
exact cash or separate checks payable to “Walters
Junior High”.
The following are included in this newsletter and should be brought to the Maze. They must be turned in to receive the student’s class schedule.
 Emergency Information Card
 Maze Day Packet Form
 Signatures Pages
Please fill out all forms completely. We MUST have two
(2) phone numbers for immediate contact!! We need to be able to reach someone who is responsible for making decisions for your child between the hours of 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM in case of an emergency. (This is a State
Education Code and District Board Policy
Requirement.) If there are any changes to the information on this form during the school year, we must be informed IN WRITING immediately.
AGENDA/ASSIGNMENT BOOKS FOR SALE
Each year, Walters has professionally produced agendas available for student use. These books include daily calendars for students to log class assignments.
The books also include our student handbook, discipline policy, dress code, general information such as tables of number facts, and much more.
We expect each student to maintain an assignment log. Having the Walters agenda will provide the additional information needed to be a successful student.
These books cost $10.00 each and can be purchased during MAZE day on August 21, as well as during the first week of school. Thank you for your continued support of a strong academic program at Walters.

EARLY RELEASE DAYS
(Collaborative & Minimum Days)
School will end 12:19 p.m.
on early release days. Many of these days are collaborative planning days that allow our teaching staff some much needed discussion time for planning future lessons and for developing new and improved programs to better serve our students. Refer to the bell schedule included with this newsletter for more detail.
Early Release Days for this year are:
August 28 December 11 March 26
September 11 December 20 April 17
September 25 January 15 May 7
October 9 January 29 May 23
October 23
November 6
February 13
February 26
June 10
June 11
November 20 March 12 June 12
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT
On September 18 at 6:00 p.m., parents are invited to attend our "Back to School" night presentation. We will meet for exhibits, introductions, and information in the multi-use room - followed immediately by classroom visitations. Be sure to obtain a copy of your students’ schedule. You can visit each of your child's teachers for a brief explanation of course content, teacher expectations, and School Loop/website information. We are looking forward to meeting you on the 18 th .
P.E. CLOTHES/LOCKS
In order to protect the health and safety of your child in class, the
Physical Education Staff requires your child to dress in clothing appropriate for physical activity. This includes a Tshirt, shorts, socks and a pair of athletic shoes. Warm-ups or sweats are optional, but handy to have during cold weather. Clothing must be loose enough to allow a full range of motion yet not so baggy as to affect participation. T-shirts must be tucked into shorts or sweatpants at all times during physical education class. Acceptable colors are solid purple, gold, or grey. It is recommended that the students purchase a
Walters P.E. uniform from the P.E. department. The uniform and locks will be on sale at MAZE Day, during the first week of school, and throughout the school year.
The items offered are as follows:
Shirts
Shorts
Sweatshirts
Sweatpants
$ 9.00
11.00
13.00
13.00
Locks 4.00
Please remind your child how important it is to lock their
PE lockers at all times to prevent theft.
DAILY SCHOOL
ATTENDANCE: A MUST
Daily school attendance is extremely important. Be aware that only illness, doctor/dentist appointment or bereavement are seen as excused absences.
If an absence of any kind occurs, a phone call
(656-7211, then press 1 ) or a note is required by the
State of California Educational Code.
Please have your student bring the note to the office before school on the first day they return from an absence. The attendance clerk will make every effort to clear such absences daily, calling home and/or work if necessary. Please call the absence in by 9:00 a.m.
STUDENT SIGN OUT
PROCEDURES
If your student must be dismissed early from school due to illness, appointments, or other reasons you must sign them out in the office. Only adults listed on the emergency card are permitted to sign your student out. If you are unable to pick your student up, you will need to fax or send a note with your signature authorizing release of your student to another adult or giving them permission to walk home. Verbal permission to release a student will not be sufficient.
Students will not be signed out between 2:15 and
2:29.
If you need to pick-up a student for an appointment, please do so prior to 2:15.
MEDICAL AND DENTAL
APPOINTMENT/ABSENCE
Please send your student to the office in the morning before the start of school with a note indicating the reason and the time he or she needs to be picked up.
The student will receive a PASS that allows him or her to leave class and meet you in the office where an adult will need to sign them out. This saves time (especially if the student is in PE and needs to change clothes) and also minimizes interruptions to the classrooms (which is naturally our highest priority).
If it’s a last minute arrangement, even a call ahead to the office will assure that we can send a PASS out to the class with a minimum of disruption.
Adults do need to sign students out in the office when leaving but when a student returns from an appointment, the adult does not need to sign. The student does, however, need to come to the office to get a pass so they can return to class.

MAKE-UP WORK
When a student is "legally" absent from school, they have the opportunity to make up missed work. For your assistance and information, make-up work requests are appropriate when the anticipated absence is 3 or more days. Students have as many days to make up work as they were absent.
Parents should allow 24 hours notice when requesting make-up work. Please call the attendance clerk, Alana
Sumbler, at extension #28101 to make requests, or speak directly to the teachers.
Students on suspension may or may not receive make-up work. By State Education
Code, assigning make-up work for suspended students is at the discretion of the teacher.
MESSAGES TO STUDENTS FROM HOME
In an effort to keep from disrupting classes, messages are only delivered directly to students in emergencies .
The following are
NOT CONSIDERED EMERGENCIES:
1) Forgotten lunches or lunch money, books, homework, papers, etc. (Alert students to stop by the office and inquire if these items have been dropped off for them.)
2) Transportation arrangements. (These should be arranged in advance.)
Emergency requests sent to classrooms are classified as real family emergencies. Thank you for assisting us by preplanning emergency strategies with your student.
CLASSROOM INTERRUPTIONS
FORGOTTEN LUNCHES/ITEMS
If your student forgets his or her lunch, homework, book, or other items, instruct your student to go to the office to pick it up between classes or on the way to lunch. If you need to get an item to your student, please drop it off in the office and remind them to check for it between classes. Please do not use the office as your regular lunch drop off. This procedure is for emergencies. Our goal is to minimize classroom disruptions as much as possible as it interrupts instruction.
DISASTER SUPPLIES – PLEASE DONATE
The School Safety Committee is requesting a $5.00 donation for each child attending in Walters. The funds will be used to purchase food, water, and other supplies necessary during a disaster. Money can be turned in at
MAZE Day to the PTSA Table.
BREAKFAST & LUNCH PROGRAM
Each school day a breakfast and lunch program is provided by the District Child Nutrition Services
Department for our students. Before school each morning, students can purchase breakfast for $2.25. In addition, lunch can be purchased for $3.25 and includes a beverage.
On-line prepayment is strongly encouraged and can be accessed by going to the
FUSD homepage Quicklinks and click on Child Nutrition
Services.
Pay online for your student(s) meals
*Please Note* Your student ’s nine digit Student ID number is required. Add zeros at the beginning of the number if your child's student ID number does not have nine digits.
This number will be printed on each student’s class schedule that they receive on MAZE day.
Child Nutrition Applications (English and Spanish) for the free/reduced lunch program are now available on the district website: www.fremont.k12.ca.us Please note: only one application needs to be submitted per family, regardless if other students within the family attend FUSD schools . They need to be returned to us as soon as possible. Students who ended the year with free or reduced meals will receive free or reduced meals for the first ten days of this year. Call 659-2587 for more information.
Please remember that all junior high campuses are closed campuses. That means that students may not leave school once they arrive for the day. This includes going home for lunch.
MEDICATION FOR STUDENTS
If your student is required to take medication during school hours, a doctor's signed form must be on file in our office. These "Medication at School – Form D" forms are available in our office. This applies to prescription drugs as well as OVER-THE-COUNTER medications such as aspirin/Tylenol, cough drops, decongestants, bronchial mists, INHALERS, etc.
Medications must be kept in the office.
IF YOU HAD A “MEDICATION AT SCHOOL – FORM
D ” ON FILE IN A PREVIOUS YEAR, IT NEEDS TO BE
RENEWED EACH YEAR.
If medication changes during the year, we need a new Form D letter filled out.
Students are NOT to have any medications of any kind on their person.

SEVERE ALLERGIES AT SCHOOL
We have several students that are allergic to foods, especially nuts. When exposed to nuts and nut oils
(especially by eating them, but sometimes just by touching or breathing the oils), these students may break into hives, or even have their airways swell up and they could stop breathing!
Please notify the office, our nurse and your child’s teacher if your child has, or develops, such allergies.
PLEASE help us to keep all of our students safe and healthy at school.
1. Talk to your children about not sharing or trading their food, lunches, etc. with other students unless an adult permits it.
2. If you bring, or send, food to school for parties, etc. please do not send any foods that have any nuts or nut products. Read food labels for nuts or nut derivatives.
Sometimes even plain M&Ms, gummy bears, peanut butter jelly beans, pudding (pistachio etc.) may have nuts or nut oils.
3. If your child will need medication at school to handle allergies, please make sure you have a current permission form completed by parent and doctor. If your child requires an EpiPen at school, contact our nurse or the office as there are other forms that will need to be completed.
SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL
The Walters School Site Council is composed of administrators, teachers, parents and students. The function of this council is to act as an advisory board in the development of school wide policies and procedures.
Site council also approves the spending of School
Improvement Funds and the School Improvement Plan.
This year’s council needs to elect parents and student representatives. We are looking for at least one bilingual representative to act as spokesperson for our English
Language Learner program. Any parent interested in being a School Site Council representative should contact the principal, Mr. Weems at 656-7211.
Attention EL students and parents… we are looking for
YOU and hope that you will join the Walters’ English
Language Advisory Committee (ELAC). Membership involves attending after school meetings, helping make decisions that directly affect our EL students and sharing your ideas regarding our program. We are also looking for additional parent representatives to attend the District
ELAC meetings. Please call Jacyln McClintock at (510)
6567211 ext. 28014 if you’re interested in representing
Walters!
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
On the first day of school, the following supplies are recommended:
1) A three-ring binder**
2) Binder paper
3) Pencils with an eraser
4) Pens
5) A sturdy book bag or backpack
6) A book for our Silent Reading period
**Some teachers may require a SEPARATE three-ring binder for their class only.
We do not have lockers at Walters Junior High.
Students must carry their materials from class to class.
Many of our classes have enough class materials so that your students may be able to keep copies of their textbooks at home.
PHYSICAL EXAMS NEEDED
FOR AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS
All students participating in our after school
(interscholastic) sports program MUST have a physical examination within the past year. A form for physicals is available from the coaches or the office.
Tryouts for girls ’ volleyball will begin in September. It is recommended that all required medical verifications be completed as soon as possible.
STUDENT/ATHLETIC INSURANCE
If you are interested, you may go online to check out student insurance coverage through Pacific Educators
Insurance Services at www.peinsurance.com
(click on
Products, then Student insurance).
School Loop is a parent reporting system and teacher gradebook. It offers: homework email subscription, message system among teachers, parents, and students
(Loopmail) and calendar, where the school can easily post important events. If you haven’t registered for
School Loop yet, please go to: http://walters-fusdca.schoolloop.com
.
PROOF OF RESIDENCY
If you moved during the summer, proof of residency must be established before school starts. Your child cannot attend classes until this paperwork is provided.
Please contact our registrar, Mrs. Baldwin, at extension
28162, as soon as possible.

REMINDER
Tdap booster immunizations are required for incoming 7 th graders or
8 th graders who are new to FUSD.
You WILL NOT receive your schedule unless we have received your proof of immunization. If parents do not provide proof by the first day of school, August 28, 2013, your student
WILL NOT be allowed to attend until proof is submitted. Valid proof must show: 1) type of shot given, 2) date,
3) provider’s signature/stamp.
DISCIPLINE POLICY
Walters Junior High has a clearly defined discipline policy. It is detailed in writing and is a part of our agenda book. We ask that you review its contents with your child. It will also be discussed at school, and parents and students will be asked to sign and return a notice of understanding. This policy is regularly reviewed and updated. Any revisions will be forwarded to you as they occur.
RESPONSIBILITY CENTER (RC) &
ON CAMPUS SUSPENSION (OCS)
The purpose of the Responsibility Center (RC) is to provide a place and a program to send disruptive and/or irresponsible students in order to promote an environment in which the teacher can teach and the remaining students can learn. A further purpose is to provide an alternative to off-campus suspension which enables the students to stay in school. This program is designed to modify inappropriate behavior and strengthen appropriate behavior. While in the RC, students will:
 complete assignments in silence
 undergo screening for appropriate referrals
 obtain assistance in conflict resolution, anger control, and other interpersonal skills
 receive material to build and enhance basic academic skills
Students who are sent to the RC may also receive consequences ranging from a warning, lunch or after school detentions, or a referral to the Assistant Principal.
Any student with 6 or more RC referrals will be sent to the Assistant Principal and may be assigned other consequences including an on-campus suspension.
The goal of the RC/OCS staff is to assist students in returning to class promptly with the interpersonal skills and attitudes necessary for them to be both productive and successful.
ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Per Fremont Unified School District Board Policy:
Students in grades 7-8 will be allowed to carry cell phones and/or pagers at school with the stipulations listed below. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the administration. a. Students bring electronic devices on campus at their own risk. The schools are not responsible for call charges or lost, stolen, or damaged electronic devices or accessories. b. Cell phones and/or pagers are not to be used during instructional time. c. Cell phones and/or pagers are to be shut off completely at the start of school and may be turned on again at the end of the school day. d. Students that use cell phones and/or pagers at any time during instructional periods shall be subject to the following progressive discipline :
1. First offense – confiscate the instrument, send it to the office, call parent to pick up the instrument from the school and have parent sign a contract that clearly states the steps of the progressive discipline process now in place
2. Second offense – the student loses the privilege of carrying the instrument for the remainder of the school year
3. Subsequent offense(s) – suspension from one to three days
MOMMY & ME CLASSES
AT FREMONT ADULT SCHOOL
The Parent Education Department at Fremont Adult
School offers classes for parents to attend with their toddlers and/or preschoolers. Each parent will participate with his/her child in activities provided in a preschool setting to develop skills in the following areas: creative art, pre-math, reading readiness, science exploration, drama corner, physical fitness, social circle time, and cultural awareness. Classes are offered Monday-
Thursdays and begin the week of September 9, 2013.
For registration information, please call 510-793-6465 or visit www.face.edu.

DRESS CODE REMINDER
All Fremont school students must comply with a
District-wide dress code.
Although our school Dress Code will be discussed with students as we review our discipline policy with them, we're printing a reminder here to help guide you through clothes shopping and planning for school. As always, we appreciate your cooperation.
1. Only hats with a Fremont Unified School District school logo are allowed.
2. No pajamas or sagging pants. (Pants must be worn at waist level in a manner which does not expose underwear.)
3. No bandanas, gang insignias, colors or tagged items.
4. No wallet chains.
5. No spiked jewelry or clothing.
6. No slippers, flip-flops, opened-toed or backless shoes.
7. No drug, alcohol, tobacco, sex-related, hate or discriminatory symbols may be inscribed on any item worn, or brought to school.
8. No hairstyles or colors, or other physical alteration of hair or body which is so distracting as to interfere with the learning process.
9. No article of clothing which exposes any part of the body from mid-thigh to shoulders.
-Shorts must reach the end of fingertips (when
standing with arms at side)
-No tank tops
-No spaghetti straps
-No exposed midriffs
-No muscle shirts
-No holes in clothing which expose breasts,
buttocks, or crotch area
-No low-cut necklines
10. “Roller” tennis shoes must have the rollers removed. It would be preferred if students did not wear roller tennis shoes to school. Thank you!
11. No markings on backpacks/book bags other than name

 Bike Riders – Please discuss bicycle safety and laws with your child. Remember all bike riders must wear a helmet. Once on campus, our students must walk their bikes from the side.
The school is not responsible for loss or damage to bikes. However, using the bike rack by the office and having the required lock and chain will help.
 Pedestrians - should only cross in crosswalk areas. Jaywalking is dangerous and illegal, and could cost you a substantial fine. Students walking to school must stay on sidewalks. Also, walking with a friend or group is better and safer than walking alone.
 Passengers in Cars - must be dropped off/picked up in designated drop-off zone. Adult drivers should drive to the most forward space to drop off or pick up students. The curb in front of school IS NOT for loading/unloading students.
California Helmet Law
In California, anyone under the age of 18 must wear a helmet that is properly fitted and fastened when riding a bicycle, scooter, skateboard, or when using inline skates. This includes children being towed in a trailer behind a bicycle. Please model and follow this law for the safety of our children.

Walters is extremely excited that we now have two full time counselors. Michael Cross will be supporting the eighth grade students and Anita Yepez will be supporting the seventh grade students. Please call or email us if you have any questions or concerns. We would like to encourage you to register for School Loop. It is the best way to stay on top of your child's homework and grades. Your child will have homework every day except possibly Friday.....remember you can always check
School Loop. A good practice is to ask your child to show you their homework if they tell you they did it at school. Teachers will not collect homework the same day they assign it. If your child tells you he/she has already turned it in, please call the teacher immediately.
The more your child sees you communicating with their teachers on a regular basis, the less stress there will be for you.
The fact that we will have two counselors on site will allow us to stay in better contact with you. Please don't hesitate to call or e-mail. We look forward to hearing from you. We are expecting to have a great year. On a more serious note, if your child comes home complaining of being bullied it is important that you make us aware of it as soon as possible. Ignoring the problem only makes it worse. Thank you, Michael and Anita.