Message from Ms. Hutton and Ms. Candelore
Greetings Helen Baller Families,
We are looking forward to connecting with all of you as we navigate this school year together. As we prepare for our year we are focusing on the gift we have of serving our kids and families in-person five days a week on regular schedules. The opportunity to have our kids with us, in-person, provides great joy, hope and opportunity. We are working hard to ensure that this year is going to be a positive experience for our kids. The beginning of a school year is always an exciting time and we have the opportunity this year to continue partnering in navigating this journey together. Together, we are going to make this an amazing year!
It is important to us that you feel connected to your school and that you know, understand and feel a part of our efforts to serve our children and families. Our goal continues to be to provide a safe and nurturing environment that respects, celebrates and values diversity. We are deeply rooted in our commitment to family-like culture, caring for all of our kids and ensuring they each feel a deep sense of belonging. Many Baller families have heard, “…not yours, not mine, OURS!” As a team, we are all wholeheartedly committed to each of our students. Our children each bring to us beautiful gifts that we have the opportunity to shine a light on, encourage and center in our school community. We continue to grow in our efforts to create equity and access for each child in order to best serve our students and their individual needs. We strive for an inclusive culture that honors and celebrates the uniqueness of each child and family. Our goal is to create an environment where students grow not only in their academics but as social emotional beings. Our team fosters space for our children to feel safe, celebrated, happy and proud of exactly who they are as individuals.
We continue to grow as a Baller community. We are excited to welcome new team members to our Baller family this year. Please join us in welcoming Michael Redlin back as a fourth grade teacher. We are also excited to welcome Amanda Byrd as a K-3 support team member and Katie Redmond as a K-5 equity and literacy support team member. Brittney Tucker will be serving as our speech language pathologist. Josh Reitz joins us as our school social worker/counselor. Candice Ulin will be joining us as an instructional paraprofessional in our LAP reading program and Chelsea Miracle will be serving in our special education program as a resource paraprofessional. We are welcoming Kourtney Bourquin, Hailei Polka and Cheryl Teso as paraprofessionals serving in our ICP program as well as Riley Allison as a playground supervision team member. Jennifer Eckart will be joining us as our new health room assistant and Wes Sheeley as our daytime custodian. We do have team members that have shifted into new roles as well. Danielle Wegener will be serving as a 2nd grade teacher. Karman Distant will be serving in 3rd grade this year and will be taking a brief leave at the beginning of the year so we have a long-term sub partnering with her to begin the year on-site. We will have the opportunity at times to partner with Kimberly Daniels as a district-wide teacher on a special assignment supporting our english learner program. It is important to us that you are able to know all of the faces and names of our Baller team that care for our children.
Our team is ready and excited to welcome everyone this school year. We look forward to seeing our kids’ excitement, smiles and growth as they connect with their peers and our staff. We are here to support your child and family so please feel free to reach out to us with any questions you have via Parent Square. It is our great pleasure to serve this Helen Baller community.
With Gratitude,
Melissa Hutton & Jo Candelore
