• 2025–2026 School Year
    Home of the Tigers 🐾

    Dear Parents, Guardians, and Valued Stakeholders,

    Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year at Ingleside Elementary —Home of the Tigers! 🐅 We are overjoyed to begin another exciting year of learning, growth, and community partnership alongside each of you. Whether you are returning or joining our Tiger family for the first time, we are honored to have you with us.

    As your Principal, Dr. Alana Balthazar, and Assistant Principal, Mr. Michael James, Jr., we are deeply committed to leading a fully accredited school where every child is nurtured by a sustainable, caring, and supportive staff. We pride ourselves on fostering a school culture that uplifts students academically, socially, and emotionally through a strong foundation of compassion and excellence.

    At our school, adventurous and innovative learning happens every day. Our classrooms are filled with curiosity, creativity, and challenge—where students are encouraged to take risks, ask questions, and embrace the joy of discovery. Beyond the classroom, we offer a wide array of school teams, clubs, safety patrols, and extracurricular activities that give students the opportunity to build leadership skills, form lasting friendships, and explore their passions.

    Thanks to the continued support of the 21st Century Community Learning Center, we are proud to offer after-school programming that includes academic enrichment, arts, Science, and more—providing well-rounded experiences that extend learning well beyond the school bell.

    Our success would not be possible without our incredible community partnerships. Together with local organizations, businesses, and YOU—our families—we are building a school environment rooted in trust, collaboration, and a shared belief in the unlimited potential of our students.

    To kick off the new year, we are excited to invite all families to our "Meet the Teachers & Staff" event  August  14, 2025 between 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. at the school. This will be a wonderful opportunity to connect with your child’s teacher, tour the campus, and learn more about the incredible year ahead. Classroom assignments will be mailed in August.

    We are looking forward to a phenomenal school year filled with Tiger pride, achievement, and memorable moments. Together, let’s make this year our best one yet!

    With heartfelt appreciation and Tiger spirit,

    Dr. Alana Balthazar
    Principal

    Mr. Michael James, Jr.
    Assistant Principal

Administration

Phone: 757-892-3270

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Dr. Alana Balthazar, Principal

Dear Ingleside Students and Families:

My name is Dr. Alana Balthazar and I am your principal! I am thrilled to welcome you to the new school year, and I am looking forward to meeting new faces, revisiting with familiar ones, as well as hearing all about your summer adventures. Currently, this is year  twelve  as a Principal and year six at Ingleside Elementary.   I am very excited to work together to make this a fabulous new school year!
 
All teachers and support staff have spent hours preparing materials, creating child-centered classrooms, and reviewing data. The rooms are beginning to look amazing! School secretaries have registered new students, put together information packets to be sent home with all students, and organized new materials.
As excited as I am to post this letter, it is the face-to-face interaction that I value most. Please know that we have an open door policy, and welcome any opportunity to meet with you. We are looking forward to our collaboration in providing a safe and nurturing environment as well as a challenging and diverse curriculum.

Yours in the service of children,

Dr. Alana L. Balthazar, Principal

Phone: 757-892-3270

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Mr. Michael James, Assistant Principal

My name is Michael C. James, Jr. and I am the Assistant Principal at Ingleside Elementary.  I am a product of Norfolk Public Schools and I have been in education for over a decade.  It brings me joy to continue giving back to the community I grew up in.  My motto is “Do your best”.  This is the philosophy I expect of myself and those I encounter. I am ecstatic to begin working with our teachers, staff, community stakeholders, parents and the Tiger scholars. I am a firm believer in developing the whole person, academically, socially and meeting the needs of all people.  I look forward to an exciting and fulfilling school year. GO Tigers!!!
 
 

Mr. James

Assistant Principal

Ingleside Elementary School