December 1

Hour of Code:  Next week, every Wiley student will be participating in Hour of Code, a world-wide celebration where students participate in a one-hour introduction to computer science, through the language of code.  We will host Hour of Code on December 8, 11, and 12th.  We are seeking volunteers to assist students in completing online and offline coding activities.  No prior experience is required to volunteer.  We would also like guest speakers to visit each classroom and share a 5-10 minute chat with students about the impact of Computer Science or Coding in their careers.  If you are interested in participating in either capacity, please SIGN UP here.  We'd love to have a volunteer and guest speaker in every classroom.  You may sign up for more than one classroom if your schedule permits. If you have a family member or friend, who is not a registered volunteer, we can still use their help. To speak to a class, only a brief form needs to be completed.  If you have questions, please contact Instructional Technology Facilitator, Sadie Hoover at shoover@wcpss.net. 

Snowflakes for Wiley Students: As in years past, Wiley will be providing assistance to Wiley families experiencing financial hardship so they may enjoy the holiday season. Through the Snowflake Student Gift Drive, toys or gift cards will be collected for Wiley students who would benefit from a holiday giving program. We invite you to participate in this fun and meaningful way to help others in our Wiley community. Please stop by the main office for more details! 

Cecilia Rawlins Fund:  The Cecilia Rawlins Fund was added to Amazon Smile so whenever people shop from Amazon, 0.5% of the price of eligible items will be donated to the fund. More info here: http://smile.amazon.com/about

Amazon shoppers just need to go here and select Cecilia Rawlins Fund as the charity partner. http://smile.amazon.com/.  Snowflake gifts purchased on Amazon could have a double whammy impact! 

WCPSS Survey: WCPSS is conducting a survey in conjunction with Project Tomorrow SpeakUp to learn more about what those we serve think about learning in our schools, specifically around how technology supports that learning. SpeakUp is an online survey for teachers, parents, students and community supporters. If you haven't done so already, please visit the SpeakUp website at http://www.speakup4schools.org/speakup2014/.   

Wiley Spotlight

This week’s Wiley spotlight shines on Sadie Hoover, our magnet coordinator and instructional technology facilitator. 

What do you like to do during the summer?  I enjoy visiting family and friends.  I like to do crafts – sewing, photo art, and Pinterest crafts.  I also like to cook and bake – my kitchen can easily look like a big mess. 

If you could teach anywhere, besides Wiley, where would it be, and why? I would teach in my nieces’ and nephews’ schools so that I could keep an eye on them!  Instead, I have friends that teach at their schools, and they keep me in the loop.

What is your favorite food?  Chocolate!

What is something that most people don’t know about you?  When I was fifteen, I ran through a mud pit at a mud bog to win some money.  My parents were really proud.  I had to take a bath in the river to clean off because there was no running water at the mud bog.

Who is your most memorable teacher?  My kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Turner, at Camden Kindergarten in West Virginia was most memorable for me.  She taught my brother, me, and one of my nieces.  When my brother was in kindergarten (I was three), Mrs. Turner let me stay at school to ride the bus home with him on days when my mom helped out in the classroom.  She was wonderful and full of hugs. 

Tell us about your family.  My husband, Max, and I have a seven month old little boy, Wade.  I also have a dog named Maggie Mae. 

 Upcoming Events

December 1-12: Wiley Food Drive

Tuesday, December 2 - Wiley students participate in Special Olympics; Magnet Mini Fair at Millbrook ES

Wednesday, December 3 - Fifth grade wax museum

Friday, December 5 - Fifth grade field trip to Ligon MS
Thursday, December 11 - Winter Thanks Event for Teachers (9-11am); Winter Band Concert @ 7pm

Friday, December 12 - Fourth Grade field trip to Science Museum

Monday, 12/22 - Friday, 1/2 - Winter Break

News from our Wiley PTA

Winter Thanks Volunteer and  Food Signup: Each year, the PTA organizes a winter breakfast to thank our teachers and administrators for all that they do for our children. The teachers get a morning to enjoy a breakfast together complete with door prizes and delicious food.

Help us make this event a success. It’s not too late to make a donation of cash or door prize gift which can be sent back by your child’s Monday folder. Another alternative is to volunteer to bring food or help out that morning.  You can sign up at the link below:

www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0D44A9AD22AA8-winter/21319502

Food Drive Kickoff:  We are kicking off our holiday food drive! Food Friends: Fighting Hunger Together, is an annual initiative to help our Wiley community. We have 70 kids in need of food to help them through the winter break.  We can help ensure that no bellies grumble over winter break! We can rally together to contribute food to help our fellow Wiley families have a healthy and happy holiday season.

Next time you go to the store, pick up something to contribute to Food Friends. Drop off the food in your classroom any time Monday, December 1 - Friday, December 12. You can also send grocery gift cards and leave the shopping to us!

Examples of food donations that are non-perishable (NO GLASS -- non-breakable packaging only, pop tops are a plus!):

·         canned soup/stew

·         tuna fish

·         canned meat

·         canned beans

·         canned fruit/vegetables

·         fruit cups/apple sauce

·         peanut butter (in plastic jars!)

·         cereal

·         granola bars/cereal bars

·         crackers

·         shelf stable milk/powdered milk

·         macaroni and cheese

·         pasta or rice

·         pasta sauce (in plastic jars!)

·         nuts/dried fruit/raisins

·         can openers

Together we make a huge difference in the lives of our fellow students! Thanks for helping make our Wiley community so special.

Wiley Sweatshirts for Sale through 12/6:  You’ll be receiving an order form today for Wiley Sweatshirts! Orders can be sent back via your child’s folder and are due by 12/6. Reach out to abryson1@nc.rr.com with any questions.

Social Event Calendar and Ornamentea Event: The PTA Board will be finalizing a social events calendar for the remainder of the year at our meeting next week. As per requests, we’re planning on including a variety of events, including daytime, weekend and evening options. If you have thoughts on the events you’d like included, please email vp@wileypta.org with your thoughts.

We do have one event on the schedule before the holidays—a casual, morning event at Ornamentea on December 12^th until 10:00 a.m. Coffee and tea is free, and you’ll have a chance to look for crafting ideas for the holidays or shop for crafting materials. Reach out to social@wileypta.org with any questions.

Restaurant Night and Shopping for Wiley at 10,000 Villages and Piccola Italia: Two great options to support Wiley are coming up next week. 10,000 Villages in Cameron Village will be doing a Week for Wake Schools running from 12/8-12/12. Shop anytime that week and mention Wiley. The PTA will receive a portion of your purchase.

On December 10^th, Piccola Italia will host restaurant night for Wiley. Dine or do takeout and the PTA will receive a portion of your purchase.

Chess Club Registration Opens Next Week:  Registration for the second session of Chess Club will open next week.  Session two will be held in the art room on Friday afternoons, 3:45-4:45, from January 23 - March 20 (full school days only).  Registration will be slightly different this session, as parents will be required to pre-register with the PTA prior to registering with Triangle Chess.  Please see next week's blog for specific registration information.  Need-based financial aid is available.  Please contact vp.communications@wileypta.org for more information.