Wiley’s
2015/16 Teacher of the Year: Please
join me in congratulating Gretchen Ross as Wiley’s 2015/16 Teacher of the
Year. Ms. Ross teaches fifth grade
science & social studies and is a long-time member of the Wiley team.
Hooray for Ms. Ross!
Congratulations! Way to go Ms.
McCann and Ms. Ziada-Brandt! They are
our newly renewed Nationally Board Certified Teachers! Yahoo!!
Enrollment
Cap Proposal: Check
out this link
to access an N&O blog post that provides information about a recent
proposal to add Wiley to the list of capped schools for the 2016/17 school year.
Morning
Arrival: Our
Wiley staff begins their morning arrival duty at 8:45am, and we have noticed
that students are being dropped off before our adult supervision begins. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us
keep your students safe by making sure that an adult remains with your child
until the 8:45 bell rings.
Homework: This summer, our
K-2 teachers and administrators engaged in discussion around recent (and
not-so-recent) research around homework.
We committed to trying a different approach that incorporates more
reading for understanding and practical application of taught/learned concepts.
We certainly don’t want to leave families in the dark, though! On the WCPSS website, you’ll find a great link to grade-by-grade parent guides. Further, our WCPSS Mathematics Departments
has offered one suggestion for extending mathematics learning at home, the
Bedtime Math app. From the website: We know to read to their kids at night, but what about math?
Our mission is simple: to make math a fun part of kids' everyday lives, as
beloved as the bedtime story. Choose the Math Problem of the Day, or explore
over 400 additional math problems with various zany topics, ranging from
electric eels and chocolate chips to roller coasters and flamingos. Each has
three levels of challenge ("Wee Ones," "Little Kids," and
"Big Kids"), and many also have harder questions ("The Sky's the
Limit") for really big kids, grown-ups, and anyone who's feeling brave! Try it out and let
us know what you think!
Hour of Code is returning to Wiley! 60% of jobs are in the
field of Computer Science, while only 2% of students are seeking a Computer
Science education. In order eliminate the gap and promote Computer Science
education, every Wiley student will be participating in Hour of Code, which is a world-wide celebration where students
participate in a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to
demystify code and show that anybody can learn the basics. We will host Hour of
Code during Computer Science Education Week, the week of December 7th. Be
on the lookout for volunteer opportunities!
Holiday
Support: This year, Wiley is partnering with the Salvation Army and Hayes
Barton Methodist Church to provide support for some of our Wiley families. Ms. Cherry, our Social Worker, and Ms.
Williams, our School Counselor, have assisted families expressing need for the
holidays to connect them with the Salvation Army. Margaux, our Salvation Army contact, has
suggested several opportunities that you & your family may wish to consider
if you’re looking for opportunities to serve (below). Additionally, we are hoping to continue our ‘giving
campaign’ with a special outreach event during our December Spirit Week.
Stockings: Over 8,000 Stockings need to be filled with goodies for boys and
girls 0-11 years old. Stockings can be picked up now and we ask them to be
returned by Dec 12. A guideline of items to include can be provided, and
stockings can be picked up at 1863 Capital Blvd during regular office hours.
Adopting Angels: Individual angels can be adopted from Angel Tree locations at Crabtree Valley Mall, Triangle Town Center or Cary Towne Center. Angels can also be adopted online by visiting our website www.wakearmy.org. Should you or your group be interested in adopting a large quantity of angels or a family staying in our shelter, please contact us. We ask that gifts be returned by Dec 12.
Fill the Truck: Walmart has partnered with The Salvation Army to host a nationwide Toy Drive. Help us collect toys and fill the truck! On December 4 through Dec 6th we will be at Walmart’s throughout Wake County and hope you will volunteer or come drop off a toy. This is a fun opportunity for volunteers of all ages. Contact us for locations and more information.
Dates: Dec. 4, 5, & 6
Thanksgiving & Christmas Baskets: Each holiday we pack a grocery bag full of all the items families need to make a nutritious and warm Thanksgiving or Christmas meal at home with their families. Donated items such as potatoes, canned green beans, turkeys, pies, etc are needed and a complete list of what we include in the baskets can be given to groups or individuals interested in helping.
Contact Margaux Austin, Volunteer & Resource Coordinator, with any questions or for more information: 919-834-6733 ext 104 or Margaux.austin@uss.salvationarmy.org
Adopting Angels: Individual angels can be adopted from Angel Tree locations at Crabtree Valley Mall, Triangle Town Center or Cary Towne Center. Angels can also be adopted online by visiting our website www.wakearmy.org. Should you or your group be interested in adopting a large quantity of angels or a family staying in our shelter, please contact us. We ask that gifts be returned by Dec 12.
Fill the Truck: Walmart has partnered with The Salvation Army to host a nationwide Toy Drive. Help us collect toys and fill the truck! On December 4 through Dec 6th we will be at Walmart’s throughout Wake County and hope you will volunteer or come drop off a toy. This is a fun opportunity for volunteers of all ages. Contact us for locations and more information.
Dates: Dec. 4, 5, & 6
Thanksgiving & Christmas Baskets: Each holiday we pack a grocery bag full of all the items families need to make a nutritious and warm Thanksgiving or Christmas meal at home with their families. Donated items such as potatoes, canned green beans, turkeys, pies, etc are needed and a complete list of what we include in the baskets can be given to groups or individuals interested in helping.
Contact Margaux Austin, Volunteer & Resource Coordinator, with any questions or for more information: 919-834-6733 ext 104 or Margaux.austin@uss.salvationarmy.org
If you’re looking for something that hits closer to home, consider
the following that will directly impact our Wiley students:
·
Donate expenses to cover
the cost of a field trip for another student
·
Chaperone a field trip
and make it a meaningful experience for your small group
·
Share your time each
week with a lunch bunch book club
·
Purchase extra Wiley
wear and let your student “gift it” to a friend that doesn’t have a Wiley
t-shirt
·
Distribute Backpack Buddies food through the Cecilia
Rawlins Fund and/or donate to the Fund (theewens@gmail.com)
·
Donate to our cafeteria’s
emergency lunch fund (CNS620@wcpss.net)
·
Build a relationship
with a student as a Wiley Pal (jwilliams7@wcpss.net)
Principal
Chat: Our October Principal Chats covered some of the pressing issues
around funding and student enrollment, particularly in terms of the effects on
Wiley. The small groups allowed for
insightful dialogue and question/answer. Many thanks to those that shared their
time with the group and especially to the Wiley PTA for drinks & treats! The next Principal Chat will be scheduled for
January.
Free
Family Concert: Ms. Wolfgang, our Music Specialist, wants to let you know about a
free family concert to be held at 3:00pm on Sunday, November 29th at
Carswell Recital Hall, Meredith College – “Santa’s Gift to the Monsters”.
Wiley Spotlight
This week’s Wiley spotlight shines on our newest members
of the Wiley family.
Missy Overby – Speech Language
Pathologist
Jackie Stocks – School Nurse
Thelma Cherry – School Social Worker
Challie Sullivan – Special Education
Teacher
Erin Wilson – Kindergarten Teacher
Elizabeth Fogleman – First Grade
Teacher
Lia Sticweh – First Grade
Instructional Assistant
Kristina Wise – First Grade
Instructional Assistant
Stacey Smith – Second Grade Teacher
Whitney Bickelhaupt – Third Grade
Teacher
Eman Ziada- Brandt – AIG & Magnet
Coordinator
Meghan Sollars – AIG
Lori Jones – ESL
Tracy Avery – Assistant Principal
& Technology Facilitator
WELCOME!!
Upcoming Events
Wednesday,
11/18: 1st grade field trip to glean sweet
potatoes; Lunch & Learn for 5th grade parents wishing to learn
more about Middle School Magnet opportunities
Friday, 11/20: Fourth grade field trip to NC Museum of History; Fifth
grade field trip to Outer Banks
Monday, 11/23: Make-up pictures
Tuesday,
11/24: Board Advisory Council Meeting, hosted by Christine
Kushner, WCPSS Board of Education Chair – 12:00 at Brentwood Elementary –
topic: Magnet Schools
Wednesday, 11/25: Teacher Workday – no school for
students
Thursday & Friday, 11/26 & 11/27: Thanksgiving Vacation - no school for students
Wednesday,
12/2: Ms. O’Brien’s class participates in Special Olympics; Magnet
Mini Fair @ Poe Magnet School from 9:30am-11am
