Playground Update 3/19/26

Thank you again for the incredibly valuable feedback on the playground options—we truly appreciate the time and thought you all put into it.

We wanted to share a quick update following spring break, as our timeline has shifted slightly. Based on your input, we selected Burke as our vendor, and they’ve refined the initial design to align with both our budget and community priorities. The updated design has been with MNPS for review and ADA approval since the first week of February.

While we’ve encountered a few delays during that process, we’re actively working through them and staying closely engaged to keep things moving. The PTO is focused on completing this process as quickly as possible.

We’ll share more details on installation as soon as we have a confirmed timeline. Thank you again for your partnership and patience—we’re excited to bring this project to life for our community!

-Brittany Finney (New Playground Initiative Lead) & Bethany Gillin (25/26 PTO Pres)

26/27 PTO ROLES

Waverly Belmont families — we need YOU! 💛


The PTO is recruiting for 26/27, and there’s a role for every schedule and skill set — big or small, behind-the-scenes or front-and-center.
Whether you have 1 hour a month or want to take on something bigger, we’ll help you find the perfect fit.  Want more info? CLICK HERE for a spreadsheet with all the info on available roles, or scroll below for an embedded version.


Interested in learning more? Email waverlybelmontpto@gmail.com 

2026/2027 PTO ROLES!

4th Grade Music Program

The 4th Grade Music Celebration will take place on Thursday, March 19th at 6:00 PM. The performance will take place in the school gym, and we cannot wait to share this special evening with you!

Important Details:

Date: Thursday, March 19th

Performance Time: Performance 6:00 PM - Student Arrival Time: 5:30 PM (Students will meet in the music room.)

Location: School Gym

Dress Code: Students should wear School-approved bottoms, Any Waverly Belmont shirt, Comfortable shoes suitable for standing and light movement

This year's celebration will focus on spreading a positive message, highlighting themes of kindness, leadership, and using our voices for good. Students will also honor and reflect on the impact of Black history through music and message, showcasing both their musical growth and their understanding of how music can inspire change.

Our 4th graders have been working incredibly hard on singing, instrument playing, rhythm work, and ensemble skills. More importantly, they are learning how music can help us build community and lift one another up. Students can find practice videos with this link HERE

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpvq4AkFVarvH9HdCysgZLCj89DcPl0sK

We are so proud of their effort and can't wait for you to see them shine! Thank you for supporting your child and the arts at Waverly Belmont.

With appreciation,

Kris Liegey

Waverly Belmont Music

FONDA HOT CHOCOLATE FUNDRAISER

All Waverly-Belmont families are invited to enjoy an afternoon of delicious treats, Mexican hot chocolate, and family-friendly fun! Ticket includes an assortment of refreshments (dessert, snacks, hot chocolate) and exclusive access to FONDA 12South from 3-5 pm on March 1st. 
This event is generously sponsored by FONDA 12South. All proceeds go directly to the WB PTO to support school-based initiatives. Thank you to FONDA and to YOU for supporting the students of Waverly-Belmont!  
Tickets ARE $15 for adults and $10 for kids and can be purchased by clicking the link HERE!

SGA Share The Love Toiletry Drive

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.

E + Rose PTO Meet & Greet

Drop your kiddos off at school and walk next door to E + Rose.  Meet current and future PTO board members and find out how YOU can get involved with current or future-year projects!  Interested but can't make it to this event? Email the PTO Board at waverlybelmontpto@gmail.com and let them know you can't attend but want to be involved!  There is a place for everyone to be plugged in to help make our school a wonderful place to learn and grow!

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!)

Hello, Dolly! At Hillsboro Highschool

Hello, Dolly! Live at Hillsboro High School - Hillsboro High School Players proudly present Hello, Dolly! Make it a family night out and join us for one of five performances: Friday, February 27 at 7 pm; Saturday, February 28 at 2 pm and 7 pm; Sunday, March 1 at 4 pm; and Monday, March 2 at 7 pm. Enjoy an evening of big Broadway numbers, laughter, and heart as our talented student cast and pit orchestra bring this beloved classic to life. Tickets are available atwww.hillsboroplayers.com (http://www.hillsboroplayers.com/) FYI: The Sunday 4 pm performance will be interpreted in ASL (American Sign Language).

We have some WBES current students, siblings and alum in this production so be sure to support!

J.T. Moore: Rising 6th Grade Cheerleading Tryouts

We are excited to announce that J.T. Moore Middle School Cheerleading Tryouts will be held the week of March 23–25, 2026! We invite all interested students to consider trying out to represent the Matadors with pride, spirit, and teamwork.

📣 Tryout Schedule

    •    Monday, March 23 — Practice Day

    •    Tuesday, March 24 — Practice Day

    •    Wednesday, March 25 — Final Tryouts

Tryouts are open to all rising 6th, 7th, and 8th graders.

Important Requirements

All students who wish to try out must complete the tryout sign-up form at the link here: JTM Cheerleading Tryouts 2026 - 2027 – Fill out form (https://forms.office.com/r/65PKSUnS11) 

In addition, students must have an ACTIVE and up-to-date physical on file with the school in order to participate in tryouts. No student will be permitted to try out without a current physical — no exceptions.

Mandatory Uniform Fitting

Students who make the team will be required to attend a mandatory uniform fitting on Wednesday, April 1. 

We are looking forward to an exciting tryout week and can’t wait to see the talent, energy, and enthusiasm of our future Matador Cheerleaders!

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Go Matadors! ❤️🖤

Cheerfully,

Coach Saltkill & Coach Knighten

2nd Grade Black History Month Wax Museum

Second Grade Black History Month Wax Museum

Thursday, February 26, 2026 10:30-11:00am

As we continue through Wit & Wisdom Module 3, "Civil Rights Heroes," we are excited to showcase what we are learning with a Wax Museum Presentation on Thursday, February 26 from 10:30-11:00 in the Waverly Belmont gym.

Each student will choose an African American to research, write about, and represent for their presentation. Students are encouraged to dress up in a way that respectfully represents the person who they have researched! If your child needs assistance with an outfit or props for their presentation, please let your child's teacher know ASAP.

Families are welcome to attend the showcase to see the presentations of our research! Please reach out to your child's teacher if you have any questions.

-The Second Grade Team

Mrs. Gough, Ms. Gumucio, Ms. Kent, and Ms. Key

Summer Camp with Ms. Elliott!

Join one of our amazing GATE teachers, Ms. Elliott for camp this summer!

Games & Gadgets camp will be offered June 15-19 and June 22-26 with different challenges offered for each week of camp.

Jungle Camp will be offered July 13-17 with a readers theater!

$295 per camper per week, Rising K-5th, 9am - 3pm at the Wedgewood Houston Community Center. To register or ask questions, email Ms. Elliott at daveandnat0607@yahoo.com

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.

Laptops/Remote Learning Protocol: Jan 2026

❄️ Snow Days / Possible Virtual Learning

With snow and ice approaching, please stay safe! Students already have next week’s homework in their folders to work on if needed.

If (and only if) MNPS uses all 5 inclement weather days, admin will communicate clearly about what virtual learning will look like for your student.

💻 Computers (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY)

• Computers came home on Friday in students’ backpacks.

• These computers are property of Waverly Belmont.

• They are ONLY to be used if we move to virtual learning.

• Please keep laptops powered OFF and inside backpacks unless we officially transition to virtual school.

• Chargers were not provided by the district, so computers should not be used for games, free time, or personal use at home.

Thank you for helping us keep devices safe and ready if we need them!

Waverly Belmont Soccer Try-Outs

Tryouts for the WBES Soccer team will be on February 13th, after school until 430pm @WB. Tryouts are:

  • Open to ALL 4th and 5th grade Students.

  • You must have a Physical Form on file to participate!

  • Shin Guards are required by Metro to play.

  • Team will be selected and notified on the 14th.

  • Practices will be after school on Fridays for an hour and we will have four regular season games on Saturday mornings.  The TOP 16 metro schools will play in a City Tournament on April 18th

  • The league is 7v7 and we must have two girls on the field at all times.


This is the 4th year of Metro Soccer and we have been so Close to the City Championship, but this is the year!!!!
If you’re interested, email Coach Dison for more details. Jdison@mnps.org

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: