Superintendent's Message for October 2025

Hello, Chargers!!

We are excited to invite all students and families to our upcoming school conferences! These meetings are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate student growth, discuss progress, and strengthen the partnership between home and school. We look forward to connecting with you and working together to support your student’s success.  School conferences are scheduled for October 22nd and 23rd.  There is also no school on October 24th.

Below contains communication regarding district expectations and information to ensure we are working together to make our school safe and secure for all our students and staff.  

New Reynold’s Field Expectations for Spectators

We have noticed a rise in incidents of inappropriate behavior from our younger students attending extracurricular activities at Reynold’s Field, specifically during football games.  The following message will be going out to our students and families of new expectations that will be enforced.

We are thankful to have supportive fans who want to attend our games and cheer on the Chargers.  To help maintain a safe and respectful environment for all fans, we ask that you follow these expectations during all contests:

1. No Balls or Throwing Objects
   For safety reasons, no balls or other throwable objects will be admitted into the stadium at any level of competition.
2. Restricted Area – North Hill Section
   For safety reasons, a portion of the North grass hill will be clearly roped off. Spectators are not to play or sit in the restricted area. 
3. Spectator Conduct
   Spectators are expected to remain in designated areas and watch the game respectfully. Please help us create a positive atmosphere for players, coaches, officials, and fellow fans. 

Thank you for your cooperation and support!

School Bus Information and Expectations

As we continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of all students, we want to remind families of the expectations for riding the school bus. Riding the bus is a privilege, and with that privilege comes the responsibility of following rules designed to protect everyone on board. Often, students forget that our school buses are school property and that our district's rules, policies, and consequences concerning their behavior are enforced on these buses.  The following list is a general guideline of bus behavior and expectations and is not intended to be a specific list. All district handbook rules and board policies are expected to be followed by our students while riding our school buses.  

Bus Behavior & Safety Expectations:

To ensure a safe and respectful environment, students are expected to:

1. Stay seated at all times while the bus is moving
2. Wear seatbelts when available.
3. Speak respectfully and use appropriate language.
4. Keep hands, feet, and belongings to themselves.
5. Follow the driver’s directions at all times.
6. Keep noise levels low to avoid distracting the driver.
7. Treat the bus, driver, and fellow students with respect

⚠️ Why This Matters:

Unsafe or disruptive behavior on the bus puts everyone at risk — including your child, other students, and the driver. Seatbelt use, staying seated, and listening to the driver are critical for preventing injuries and accidents.

? Consequences of Unsafe Behavior:

Repeated or serious behavior violations may result in temporary or permanent removal from the bus. While we do everything possible to avoid this, safety must always be our top priority.

We also understand that losing bus privileges can be a hardship for families. Transportation challenges can impact schedules, work, and daily routines. That’s why we are committed to working with students and their families to address concerns early and maintain open communication.

We ask for your support in reviewing these expectations with your child and reinforcing the importance of safe and respectful behavior.

NEW PROCEDURE: In our ongoing effort to provide a safe, positive, and supportive environment for all students, we are implementing a new bus assignment procedure.

What’s Changing?
Students will now be assigned to a specific bus. This adjustment is being made with several important goals in mind:

• Improved Behavior and Accountability: With consistent bus assignments, we can better monitor and support student behavior, ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all.
   
• Stronger Relationships: Riding the same bus daily allows our students and drivers to build meaningful connections. Familiarity helps promote mutual respect and understanding, making the ride more enjoyable for everyone.
   
• Better Communication: Consistent assignments help streamline communication between school staff, families, and drivers when questions or concerns arise.

We believe this change will help create a more positive and structured transportation experience for all students. Your support is vital to its success.

CURRENT PROCEDURE REMINDER

We understand that from time to time, students may need to ride a different bus due to special circumstances such as visiting a friend, going to a different home, or family scheduling needs. In order to ensure all students are safely accounted for and our drivers are properly informed, we have an established bus pass procedure that has worked well.  The following information is how students and parents can request this to be approved.

? Bus Pass Request Procedure:

1. Written Request from Parent/Guardian
   A note must be sent to school in writing, signed by the parent or guardian, stating the reason for the change and including:
   • Student’s full name
   • Date of the change
   • Name and address of where the student will be going
   • Name of the student they will be riding with (if applicable)
      
2. Submit to the Office by 2:45 PM
   Bus pass requests must be submitted to the front office no later than 2:45 PM on the day the change is needed.
    
3. School Approval Required
   Once reviewed, an official bus pass will be issued by school staff and must be presented to the bus driver before boarding. Last-minute requests may not be honored due to space and safety concerns.

These steps help ensure student safety, prevent overcrowding, and allow our drivers to know who is riding their bus each day. Below is the bus pass we are currently using for students who request this change.

Threat Reporting Process

The safety of our students and staff is our top priority. We want to ensure you are aware of the ways you and your child can report any threats, suspicious activity, or serious safety concerns.

How to Report:

1. Emergency Situations
   For immediate threats, call 911.
2. Call or Visit the School Office
   You can contact the main office at 641-774-5967 or visit during school hours, 7:45 AM to 3:45 PM, when school is in session. 
3. Speak to a School Staff Member
   Speak to a school staff member and encourage your child to do the same. Seek out a trusted teacher, counselor, or administrator if they see or hear anything concerning.
4. Reach out to your child’s Principal.
   They can be reached by calling or visiting your child’s school when in session. Business hours are from 7:45 AM to 3:45 PM when school is in session.
5. State of Iowa Safe and Sound App
   The State of Iowa has a Safe and Sound App available.

It is important to speak with a person, not an answering machine.  Do not leave a voice message due to the importance of the call and the timeliness of messages checked.  Messages are NOT checked during non-business hours.

What to Report:

• Threats of violence
• Bullying or harassment
• Weapons or drugs on campus
• Self-harm or suicidal comments
• Suspicious behavior or social media posts

We appreciate your partnership in keeping our school community safe. Thanks for your cooperation in advance.

Community Information

On Monday, October 27th, a free program will be held for the public to educate parents, community members, and students about human trafficking in Iowa. There will be a free public showing of Gridshock - a film about sex trafficking in Iowa. This program is not sponsored or endorsed by the Chariton Community Schools; it is simply community information we are sharing about this topic.  The age guidelines for this program are as follows: ages 11-13 must be accompanied by an adult, while those aged 14 and above can attend without an adult.  The event will be held at the Community Center, located at 502 N. Main Street. This event is sponsored by Grace Baptist Church; please contact them for specific details.  

Please visit our website at https://www.charitonschools.org/ for additional information about our school district. 

GO CHARGERS and THINK BIG !!!!  

Mr. Baker, #LBE

Phone - 641-774-5967

Email- brad.baker@chariton.k12.ia.us

Twitter -  @Super_Charger