The Student Government Association is collecting travel-size toiletries to donate to individuals experiencing homelessness in our community. Travel-size toiletries provide comfort, dignity and care to those in need. Your donation shows kindness and compassion from our school community. Even the smallest items can make a big difference! Donations are accepted through Friday, February 20 and can be delivered to the front lobby of the school during drop-off in the morning.
READ ME WEEK: March 2-6 & Family Literacy Showcase (March 5)
Read Me week is one of the most fun weeks of the year at WBES! The theme this year is “Reading Takes You Places.” Check out the flyer below for the dress up day themes, Literacy night info and volunteer requests!
We also need volunteers to help decorate the school and the different hallways, OR make donations of items and decor if decorating isn’t your thing. You can check out that list and SIGN UP HERE! NOTE: This sign up genius includes BOTH time-slot times to sign up for AND the Amazon Wishlists for each hall are included in the “extended description” at the top of the signup genius.
Lastly, Mark your calendars for the Family Literacy Showcase on March 5th from 5-7pm. This fun FREE event includes pizza, activities a goodie bag and book for each family! Come enjoy all the amazing places reading can take you (including WBES!)
New Playground FAQ
Here are the answers to some Frequently Asked Questions as we anticipate the purchase and installation of new playground equipment.
Why was the Natural Playground deemed unsafe?
The natural playground does not meet Metro ADA standards, the tunnel creates opportunities where the view is obstructed for supervising teachers, and the fall area around the hill and large boulders are not cushioned enough since rain frequently washes away all of the mulch.
Where will the new playground be located?
The new playground will replace the existing natural playground's footprint. The structure and swings will be the primary components with most likely some open space to evaluate a phase two in future years (zipline, climbing tower, obstacle course, etc.) - or to leave open for football/soccer if that's what our kiddos want and need!
How will we know that the new playground is safe?
The new playground will meet all of Metro's safety requirements, including a substantial layer of mulch to provide cushion from falls. The mulch will be secured in place with borders to prevent rain from washing the materials away.
How big will the new playground be?
The primary playset structures range in size between 4,500 sq ft and 5,500 sq ft.
Can we have slides? What will they look like?
Yes! See the more detailed renderings added to the PTO website here: New Playground. Each option includes two slides. The Burke playgrounds (options 1 and 2) include a straight one with a fast decent and a spiral one. The Playworld playground (option 3) includes two that are more 'wavy or curvy' in different heights.
What is the additional amount needed to be able to get the zip line now?
Approximately $20k-$25k, depending on the final design.
Might we be able to raise some additional funds for the zip line?
Several of you have expressed interest in donating towards a zip line, and we are so grateful for this community’s generosity. We have received thoughtful feedback and alternative suggestions, however, that we feel should be fully evaluated before deciding to move forward with this specific feature. Concerns raised include increased supervision and management challenges for our teachers, durability and maintenance inquiries, limited capacity, and safety logistics. Alternative suggestions, including from our kids in grades 3 – 5, that would serve more than one child at a time include an obstacle course, monkey bars, and net climbing structure. We are excited to continue exploring the best options to support our families and staff for this specific space in the future.
Will there be any shade components?
The current designs do not include any features that provide shade, but a number of responses indicated that there is a strong desire for that. If we cannot fit that into this current budget, we feel it should be a priority for next year’s fundraising efforts.
Will there be any trash cans or locations for coats/backpacks?
Like the shade component question, the current designs do not include these features. We will work with Admin to try to source these items upon completion of the playground.
We have some physically challenged students, will there be anything that is easily accessible to them aside from the one swing?
Each playground design is currently going through preliminary review with MNPS to verify that they are ADA compliant. With playgrounds, ADA compliance often comes down to interpretation of the ADA standards, but we can say that each manufacturer has strived to make these designs as inclusive as possible. A small example is the ADA ramp that will be used to access the playground. Also, as part of the playground designs, several of the accesses to the structures are ground-level and designed specifically for children who are mobility impaired. The Quote Comparison Chart highlights some of the ADA/inclusive elements from each design, including elements that may assist with regulation needs for certain students.
Will we be removing the stumps and rocks?
Yes, the plan is to haul those off with the installation of the new playground. If anybody is interested in a commemorative Waverly Belmont tree stump, we’re happy to set it aside J
Can we have a net/rope climbing structure?
Both Burke designs currently have multiple net structures included in the renderings shown on the New Playground website.
Will the new playground have similar drainage issues to the current Natural Playground?
We did speak with the vendors about this issue during site visits. We are confident that a leveled, raised mulch bed with full borders will allow rainwater to seep through and exit the playground without washing the substrate away. Should we experience drainage issues early on, we discussed the possibility of adding a French drain to assist in drainage.
NEW PLAYGROUND INFO
As many of you know, many of our fundraising efforts the past two years have included plans to purchase new playground equipment and the time to do that has come! Read on for:
a VIDEO from Current PTO President Bethany Gillin explaining all the details you need to know
click this LINK to GIVE FEEDBACK on the proposed playground equipment options
click here for some INFO on the upcoming PTO Virtual meeting where we will VOTE on the options and discuss them further if needed!
2026-27 MNPS KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION & PRE-K APPLICATION INFORMATION
2026-27 MNPS Kindergarten Registration & Pre-K Application Information
2026-2027 MNPS Kindergarten Registration Kick-Off: January 26, 2026
Families can register for kindergarten beginning on January 26th. Current MNPS Pre-K families can use Parent Portal to register. Families can also register online or schedule an appointment with an Enrollment Center. EL families that need assistance with registration can also contact the EL Office for assistance.
2026-27 Pre-K Application Opens: March 2, 2026
Families can apply for Pre-K beginning on March 2nd. Families should apply by March 31, 2026 (3:30 pm) to be included in the initial Pre-K application selection process.
For additional support, please visit https://earlylearning.mnps.org
VIRTUAL OPEN PTO MEETING - JANUARY 26TH @ 5PM
Did you know that YOU are a member of the Waverly Belmont PTO just by being the parent/guardian of a WB Student? We are excited to host a virtual PTO meeting on Monday, January 26th at 5pm. Zoom info is below so you can log on and hear general PTO updates including some exciting news about playground updates! Feel free to join us online from wherever you are - home while you’re cooking dinner, stay a little late at the office, pop in airbuds from your kids’ after school practice - anywhere you are, we’d love you to be with us.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://vanderbilt.zoom.us/j/95937525146?pwd=crBdTLW3ljIGaacUxFLuO075je2IVE.1
Meeting ID: 959 3752 5146
Passcode: 279239
LOST AND FOUND ITEMS
Our Lost and Found is full and items will be cleaned out and donated over fall break. If your student is missing something, check it out at school pickup today, during the day, at dropoff tomorrow, if you come to the fun run....whenever you're near WB check it out! (or send your student!)
KICKIN' OFF THE BULLDOG BOLT
The 11th Annual Bulldog Bolt kicked off TODAY! Your student will come home with a Bulldog Bolt flyer and you should have received THIS EMAIL BLAST from the PTO as well. Be sure to visit the All The Bolt Details page on our website for, well…all the details, and we’ve listed some quick-links here as well!
MNPS CALENDAR UPDATE
The following letter went out to all MNPS families this past week and we wanted to make sure you got these important changes on your calendar!
MNPS Families,
Public schools in Tennessee are required by law to make our buildings available as polling sites for elections. Because the state decided after the school year had already started to schedule a special election this fall, we must adjust the 2025-26 school calendar. The district did not have input into these election dates, which are October 7 for the primary and December 2 for the general election. We have worked with stakeholders to develop a calendar that minimizes the impact on staff and families, and the Board of Education approved these changes yesterday during their regularly scheduled Board meeting.
Calendar Changes:
Tuesday, October 7, 2025 – No Students. Stockpile Professional Development Day.
Friday, October 10, 2025 – No Students. Stockpile Day; no school-based staff report.
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 – No Students. Stockpile Professional Development Day.
Tuesday, January 6, 2026 – Students Report. Regular school day (previously a Stockpile PD Day).
These changes reduce the number of reserved inclement weather days from six to five. If more than five closures are needed, MNPS may implement up to two remote learning days. If required, on those days students will receive instruction and assignments through district-supported platforms. Additional guidance and resources will be provided later this fall to help staff and families prepare for this possibility.
We will share additional guidance later this fall to help families prepare for the possibility of remote learning.
We know families and staff make plans around the school calendar, and our goal is to minimize disruption while keeping safety and instructional time as top priorities. We did not learn of these election dates until after the start of the school year, which is why we are required to amend the calendar now.
Thank you for your understanding and support.
Full UPDATED MNPS District Calendar is HERE!
Library Summer Reading Sundae Celebration!
1st through 4th Graders, turn in your completed summer reading challenge to the library to come to the Summer Reading Sundae Celebration! Forms are due by Friday morning, August 8. Celebration will be Friday afternoon during school! Please be sure to include your teachers name at the bottom. There will be dairy-free options available for students with dietary needs. If you need to re-print your 100 books and reading log, you can do so at the link below!
First Week of School Schedule & Walk-To-Class Info
The first week of school can get confusing so we've spelled it out for you below! Be sure to note times and procedures for walking your kiddo to class based on your student(s)' grade level as Kinder students do things a little differently!
First Week Schedule:
August 5 & 6 - Kinder (half day) 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM 1st - 5th (full day) 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
August 7 & 8 - All Grades (full day) 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Walk-To-Class Instructions:
1st day of school - parents of students in all grades may walk their students to class. Please have ID ready.
2nd day of school - parents of Kindergarten students only may walk their students to class. Please have ID ready.
3rd day of school - it’s independence day! All students walk to their class independently 😊
Standard School Attire 101
WAVERLY BELMONT FAMILIES - DRESS CODE 101!
Here's everything you need to know about our 2025-2026. Standard School Attire (SSA): designed to keep things simple, safe, and distraction-free so our kids can focus on learning and play!
👕 TOPS:
Shirts must have a collar (polo, button-down, or turtleneck).
Must be solid colors only and any color is fine!
No graphics or pictures on shirts or sweatshirts, please.
Waverly Belmont spirit wear is allowed every day!
👖 BOTTOMS:
Pants, shorts, skirts, skorts, or jumpers in navy, black, gray, green, or any shade of tan.
Leggings are OK, but only if worn under skirts, dresses, or shorts.
🧥 EXTRAS:
Solid-color jackets, cardigans, sweaters, or sweatshirts are fine to wear over SSA tops.
👟 SHOES:
Closed-toe shoes preferred.
Kids have 40+ minutes of recess daily and gym twice a week, so they need to be dressed for movement! Think burpees, monkey bars, running, etc.
No brand requirements, but logos must be small (2 inches or less), and no words or large designs.
Need help getting SSA clothes? We've got your back! Reach out to either of our school counselors:
