12/16/13

The Wonderful World of Wiley Updates

Volunteers Needed

We are in need of K/1 and Gr. 5 parent volunteers to participate in the WCPSS PreK Magnet Mini Fairs.  These fairs invite families of rising Kindergarten students to come learn about magnet schools.  Wiley will be represented at all PreK Magnet Mini Fairs.  Wiley volunteers are needed to talk with parents and help answer questions and concerns. Families who attend the fair appreciate talking to magnet parents about our program, how it works for their families, and knowing what to expect. 

We need two parents to attend each mini-fair. Volunteers will be given a Wiley "Cheat Sheet" and a list of FAQs to help prepare for the fair.  Sadie Hoover, our Magnet Coordinator, will be there to answer all the tough questions and share details about our International Studies magnet theme.  A teacher will also be present to help answer curriculum questions.  If you are interested in sharing your experiences with potential families, please email Sadie Hoover at shoover@wcpss.net.  The WCPSS PreK Magnet Mini Fair dates and locations are below. Both fairs are from 9:00 to 11:00 am.  

Tuesday, January 14th, 2014 at Highcroft Elementary School

Tuesday, January 21st, 2014 at Millbrook Elementary School

Magnet Schools of America Poster Contest

Magnet Schools of America (MSA) is sponsoring it's 8th Annual National Magnet Schools Poster Contest.  Wiley has been invited to participate!  

Project Objective:

To celebrate National Magnet Schools Month, MSA is sponsoring the 2014 Magnet Poster Contest. We are encouraged to involve students in this exciting and educational project. MSA is looking forward to receiving many innovative, student-created posters.

Entry Process:

Wiley will conduct a contest of it's own, announcing a school-wide winner.

The school-wide winner will be submitted to represent Wiley for the WCPSS district contest.  

The WCPSS district winners (one for elementary, one for middle, and one for high) will be submitted to MSA where they will compete in the MSA 2014 Magnet Poster Contest.

The final winners and the top winning poster will be recognized at the National Conference on Magnet Schools in Hartford, Connecticut May 15-18, 2014.  

How Can Wiley Students Participate?

K-5 Students must complete the poster individually.

The poster must match the 2014 theme. (see rubric below)

The final poster must be submitted to Mrs. Hoover no later than Friday, December 20th at 3:45 pm. Early submissions are welcome.

Please use correct poster size.

On the BACK of the poster, please neatly write in black pen: Student's First/Last Name, Homeroom Teacher, and Grade.

Scoring Rubric:

The 2014 Theme is "Magnet Schools- Creating Opportunities for All"

*Adherence to Theme (20 pts.)

*Adherence to Specifications (20 pts.)

Poster Board Size: 14x22

Orientation: Portrait

*Originality and Organization (25 pts.)

*Use of Color and Design (15 pts.)

*Clear and Concise Message (20 pts.)

TOTAL POINTS: 100 pts.

Other Important Information:

Please note that all entries submitted to MSA will become the property of MSA and will not be returned. Those submitted to WCPSS may be put on display in the Magnet Offices at Crossroads in Cary.  Mrs. Hoover will complete all necessary paperwork to submit to WCPSS and MSA.  Late submissions or those not meeting criteria will not be accepted.  

To see the 2013 top winning poster, visit the MSA Website.

Wiley Auditions for Broughton High School's "Seussical" the Musical 

We are looking for 10-12 students in 2nd-5th grade to be the "Who's" in the musical "Seussical" on March 13th, 14th, and 15th.  They need a 2nd or 3rd grader to be Cindy Loo Who and they need a chorus group of 2nd-5th grade children to be "Who's."  Auditions will be held in the music room at Wiley on Thursday, January 2nd from 3:45-4:30.  Rehearsals begin on January 9th.  The rehearsal/performance schedule is below.

The audition will include singing the song "Oh, the Thinks You Can Think" which is available for listening at wileymusic.weebly.com under the photo/video section entitled Seussical (password is learn).  If trying out for Cindy Loo Who, students will also need to read the narration part available on the Seussical webpage.  Let Ms. Pawlowski know if you have questions about this exciting opportunity!  She can be reached at epawlowski@wcpss.net.  Thanks, and good luck!

Wiley Children’s Chorus for Broughton HS production of “Seussical, The Musical”

Rehearsal Dates:

Thursday, January 9, 3:45-4:30 PM at Wiley

Thursday, January 23, 3:45-4:30 PM at Wiley

Thursday, February 13, 3:45-4:30 PM at Wiley

Thursday, February 27, 3:45-4:30 PM at Wiley

Thursday, March 6, 4:00- 5:30 PM at Broughton

Monday, March 10, 3:30-6:00 PM at Broughton, Dress rehearsal              

Tuesday, March 11, 3:30-6:00 PM at Broughton, Dress rehearsal

Wednesday, March 12, 3:30-6:00 PM at Broughton, Final Dress rehearsal

Thursday, March 13, 6:00 call/7:00 Show                           

Friday, March 14, 6:00 call/7:00 Show                                

Saturday, March 15, 6:00 call/7:00 show                 

Wiley PTA Updates

Boosterthon Fun Run Coming in February!

The Wiley PTA is proud to announce that the "Boosterthon Fun Run" fundraiser is coming to Wiley in February (27th)! After consultations with other area schools, the Wiley PTA board unanimously decided to implement a Boosterthon Fun Run to help raise money for needed technology updates at Wiley. Specifically we are looking to add 300-400 tablets over the next few years to enhance project-based-learning and differentiated curricula among other benefits.

 

The Wiley PTA is in need of a few creative volunteers to help with promoting, decorating, handing out/collecting info to teachers/parents, etc. If you can help, please join us at our first planning meeting on Tuesday, Dec 17th at 9:15am in the Media Center. 

More information on the Fun Run can be found at www.boosterthon.com. Please contact Kristine Flora on kristineflora@hotmail.com to help with this healthy Fun Run!

 

In addition, Boosterthon, as a company, will be donating meals to those children in need.

 

Wiley Wear is Here--Pick Up Your Orders!

The new orders for Wiley Wear will be in this week! If you have ordered something as a gift and DO NOT want it delivered to your child’s homeroom, please come to the area outside the media center on Wednesday, Dec 18th from 8:45 - 9:30 am to pick up your order.

All orders that have not been picked up will be delivered to your child’s homeroom by end of day on Wednesday, Dec 18th, so look for your new Wiley Wear soon! Thank you to all supporting Wiley!

 

Thanks to All Teachers, Volunteers, and Donors!

Thanks to everyone who has volunteered / donated to the Wiley PTA during the first half of the school year! We have had a large variety of successful events this year which would not have happened without your support!

 

A special thanks goes out to the teachers who have helped facilitate all of the events. Special thanks go to Mrs. Jones, Ms. Tucker, Mrs. McCann, Mrs. McMillan, Ms. Ross, Mrs. Ware, and Mrs. Ziada-Brandt, who took an evening to present and help at our Fall technology night.

 

Have a wonderful winter break! The PTA is looking forward to a great spring semester of activities!                           

Updates 12/9/13

Wonderful World of Wiley Updates!

Coding, Anyone?
We’re trying something new and exciting this week and wanted to let you in on the fun:  we’re participating in Code.org’s Hour of Code campaign during Computer Science Education Week!  This initiative has an audacious goal: to introduce 10 million students to one hour of computer science education.

Some CS Education Facts:

• Coding is a GLOBAL "language" and is transferable across the world.
• Software jobs outnumber students 3-to-1. The gap is 1 million jobs over 10 years- and these are some of the highest paying jobs.
• 90% of schools in the US do not teach computer science.
• In many countries, it’s required (China, Vietnam, Estonia. Soon UK, Australia).
• The basics can be learned by anybody, starting in elementary school. But fewer than 10% of students try. Only 2% are women. 1% are students of color.

While your children will have the opportunity to participate at school, I  encourage you to participate in two ways:

1) As a family: set aside an hour in December to learn the basics with your children.  Coding can be fun for everyone!

2) In our community: the Hour of Code campaign extends beyond students and you can help introduce others to computer science, whether in an after-school club, your neighborhood, a veterans group or more!

For more information, see http://hourofcode.org for details. If you’d like to help a teacher as a classroom volunteer, www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C49A8A629ABF58-hour! Also, we need Solo sized plastic cups. Please send in cups to your child's homeroom teacher.

Lost and Found

Please check the Lost and Found for your child's missing clothing, water bottle, lunch box, etc. Items remaining in the Lost and Found will be donated next Monday to a local charity.

Wiley PTA Updates

Winter Thanks Needs Your Help!

Winter Thanks is THIS Thursday. Please take a look at the sign-up genius and help us get volunteer parents in ALL the classrooms!  Parents are welcome in any classroom!  

Monetary donations, food and door prizes need to be in by Thursday morning at 9:00. 

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040448ABAA292-food

Winter Band Concert December 12th

Join the Wiley Band for an exciting Winter Concert!  The concert will be on Thursday, December 12th at 7pm in the Media Center, and will feature exciting music from the Beginning and Continuing Bands, plus a special performance by Wiley alumni.  To learn more about band, please visit http://www.wileyelementaryband.com. 

Updates 12/2/13

Wonderful World of Wiley Updates

Guest Blog from Ms. Kurtz and Ms. Jeffries
Specialized Instruction at Wiley
The special education team at Wiley provides specialized instruction and related services to meet the individual needs of Wiley students who qualify for services according to the mandates of the Individual with Disabilities Education Act. Students in grades K-5 receive individualized academic assistance developed by their IEP (Individualized Education Plan) team.  Instruction is provided on a continuum of services, from consultation to full day support, to meet the varied needs of our learners.  Students who qualify may also receive support in Speech, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy.  

Wake County also provides parent and family support. Special Education Services maintain a Parent Information Center Blackboard site with a wealth of information, including the Special Education testing and eligibility process as well as a guide to the commonly used forms and acronyms.  You can visit the site at:  http://www.wcpss.net/what-we-teach/services/special-ed.html.  Additionally, Special Education Services has established the Office of Family and Community Connections as a clearinghouse for community resources, procedural advice and general questions.  They can be reached at (919) 431-7334,  (919) 431-7143 (Spanish line) or by e-mail facc@wcpss.net.

Wiley has a rich history of meeting the needs of all students and the special education team is proud to be a part of that tradition.  

Good study habits are important for all students:

--Establish a study time. Choose one that works best for your child. Some kids need to blow 
off steam right after school, while others like to finish homework right away. 

-- Create a study space.  Make sure your child has a quiet, comfortable, well-equipped place to work. It 
should be free of distractions, especially noise from the TV. 

--Take study breaks.   Help your child determine a strategy that works best for them.  Some students enjoy setting a timer while others prefer to take breaks after completing activities such as taking a breather between math and social studies activities.

--Role play.  Your child may enjoy pretending to be the teacher and recite what he has just learned.

-- Plan ahead. Long-term assignments are perfect opportunities to teach the value of 
planning. If your child has to write a book report, for example, split the project into parts 
and set a deadline for each one. 

--Celebrate effort.  Use phrases such as “You really worked hard on that assignment” or “I notice you put a lot of thought into this project.”

Fifth Grade Williamsburg Field Trip Fundraiser this Saturday, Dec. 7

To take advantage of the Jingle Bell Run taking place this Saturday, 5th grade students and parents will be holding a bake sale Dec 7, from 8:30 - 11:30 am at the corner of St. Mary's and College Streets.  100% of the proceeds will go toward the 5th graders' Williamsburg overnight field trip in the spring.   Many of our Wiley families already participate in the run - come out to support all of our Wiley runners and the 5th grade students' fundraiser.  Thank you!

If you are a 5th grader's parent, we hope you'll volunteer with your child - please use this LINK to sign-up. 

Upcoming Important Dates
Winter Food Drive begins Dec. 2
Preliminary Spelling Bee Test, Dec. 4 (only for students who have entered)
PTA Executive Board Meeting, Dec. 5 6:30pm
Wiley Band Holiday Concert, Dec. 12, 7:00pm

Winter Break, Dec. 23-Jan. 1

Wiley PTA Updates

Winter Thanks Needs You
Don't forget Winter Thanks is coming up on December 12th. This is Wiley's way of saying "THANK YOU" to all of our Wiley teachers and staff. Attached is a doodle poll if you would like to sign up to bring food the morning of the 12th. Also attached is the Winter Thanks flier,a hard copy of which went home in Monday's folder a couple of weeks ago. Let's let our Wiley family know how much we appreciate them. 

Sign Up for Winter Thanks food donation HERE. 

Thank you,
Tina Hlabse
Co-chair Winter Thanks