Updates 1/14/13

Updates 1/14/13

Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
The holiday celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is coming up next Monday, January 21st. It is recognized by many through a Day of Service. At Wiley, one of our global competencies is to Take Action where "students translate their ideas and findings into appropriate actions to improve local and/or global conditions". Please consider providing an opportunity for your child and your family to take part in doing something for others during the national Day of Service. Ideas nationally and locally can be found at the MLK Day of Service website. "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?'" - Martin Luther King Jr.

African American History Competition
Wiley students will participate for the first time this year in the 11th Annual Omega Psi Phi African American History Competition! The competition is in a quiz bowl format and will take studying, practice (during school hours), and competition participation on Saturday, February 23rd. This opportunity is open to all students in the fourth and fifth grades. Please email Ms. McMahon at kmcmahon@wcpss.net if you would like to sign up your student. (We are allowed a maximum of 4 students, so please make sure you can commit to the program and do so as soon as possible.)

Magnet Application Begins TODAY
Are you a fifth grade parent and want a magnet middle school for your student? Are you a current magnet parent that has a rising Kindergartener? You must apply for these students through the magnet application process between January 14 and 25. Please check the following WCPSS site for school application information.

New Books
We are thrilled that many new books have hit our library shelves! Thanks to our PTA's Phantom Fundraiser we were able to order $10,000 new books for student and teacher use. The first half of the order recently arrived and with volunteers' help Mrs. Molloy has them ready for check out. She even added an entire new nonfiction section for early readers. Thank you for supporting this purchase, now let's get reading!

WCPSS Parent Academies
The Winter/Spring Parent Academies begin January 15, 2013. We are very excited to offer a variety of workshops presented by the WCPSS subject matter experts (see attachments). The objective is to provide parents with the tools needed to support their children’s academic and social success. These workshops are free to WCPSS parents, and free child care for children ages 4-13 years old will be provided.  Topics, presented in English and Spanish include:

• Understanding Common Core and Essential Standards
• Technology Tips for Academic Success
• Planning your Pathway to College and Beyond
• Supporting Health and Nutrition at Home
• K-12 Assessments
• Transitioning from Elementary to Middle and from Middle to High School
• Keeping Children Safe in School
• Is Life in the Digital World Useful or Dangerous
• Preparing your Child for the EOG
• Identify and Protect Your Child Against Bullying

Register for Parent Academy sessions HERE.

Upcoming Important Dates

*Kindergarten Registration for 2013-2014: Happening NOW

*Student Assignment Base Declaration Period: January 7-14
*Magnet Application Period: TODAY (January 14)
*Martin Luther King Day, No School: January 21
*Teacher Workday, No School: January 22
*Magnet Application Period Ends: January 25

Updates 1/7/13

Updates 1/7/13


Hundreds of BOOKS!
Good morning! We are THRILLED that the first half of the library book shipment has arrived!! Hundreds of books are ready to be stamped and labeled. Ms. Molloy would like to get the books into the hands of our students ASAP, but she needs help with the processing work. If you can help during one of these times Tues, Jan 8, 2-4 pm or Wed, Jan. 9, 2-4 pm this week, please contact her at jmolloy@wcpss.net. Thank you!

These books were all purchased through the PTA's Phantom Fundraiser and would have not been possible without those donations. Thank you for giving the gift of the world through books!!

Student Assignment
In your child's Monday Folder will be a sealed envelope from the Student Assignment office. This letter will contain their school assignment for the 2013-2014 year. If your child is NOT assigned to their base school and you want them to change to their base for the 2013-2014 year, you will need to "declare your base" online HERE. This must be done January 7-14, 2013.

All rising Kindergarteners of magnet siblings must be registered at a WCPSS school AND participate in the magnet application period January 14-25. You can find more information about magnet application HERE.

 

Upcoming Important Dates*Kindergarten Registration for 2013-2014 Begins: January 7

*Student Assignment Base Declaration Period Begins: January 7-14
*Magnet Application Period Begins: January 14
*Martin Luther King Day, No School: January 21
*Teacher Workday, No School: January 22
*Magnet Application Period Ends: January 25

Updates 1/2/13

Updates 1/2/13

Welcome Back Wiley Family!

We had Wiley families travel all over the world this year! Wiley kids and teachers were in Germany, France, Australia, Sri Lanka, Guatemala, and Sweden during the break. Wherever you were, I hope it was just what you wished.

Prior to the break, I hosted a parent information session to share current curriculum and assessment updates. In case you missed it, here is a brief recap.
*The state of our state's schools are in forward motion! All subjects in all grades have a new curriculum and new expectations for how students are taught. Training was provided for teachers prior to, however, we are really "living" the changes this year! Expectations for classrooms include: high level thinking, explanations of thinking, and a deep understanding of concepts. Check out this VIDEO for a brief overview of the Common Core curriculum. This spring the Wiley teachers will host a family night for you to have hands on experiences with the curriculum in your child's classes. Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks.  
*Assessments have always been an integral part of school. We use assessments to learn about student learning, to learn how to push students further, and to learn how to fill "gaps" in understanding. This has not changed, however, assessments are becoming more formal in measuring student performance, school performance, and teacher performance. This year students will take district and state assessments in all grades and most subject areas with the state's intention to assess in most subject areas and all grades.
*Our global magnet curriculum continues to evolve from the forward-thinking educators in 1982 that designed it to our current forward-thinking teachers implementing it! The expectation across North Carolina is that all classrooms include global awareness. At Wiley, we must take it to the next level and be leaders in globally focused curriculum design and implementation. We are doing this through integrated units of study, second language instruction for all students, globally focused arts and movement electives, and alignment to the Asia Society's global competencies (Investigate the World, Recognize Perspectives, Communicate Understanding, and Take Action) in all courses.

Points of contact for more information regarding Wiley are:
*General Curriculum and Assessments: Bethany Fleener, Instructional Resource Teacher 919-856-7723 or bfleener@wcpss.net
*International Magnet Program: Kitty Yarbrough, Magnet Coordinator, 919-856-7723 or cyarbrough@wcpss.net 
*Curriculum, Assessment, and International Program: Katie Ware, Assistant Principal, 919-856-7725 or kware@wcpss.net
*Curriculum, Assessment, and International Program: Katie McMahon, Principal, 919-856-7726 or kmcmahon@wcpss.net

Upcoming Important Dates:
*Kindergarten Registration for 2013-2014 Begins: January 7
*Magnet Application Period Begins: January 14
*Martin Luther King Day, No School: January 21
*Teacher Workday, No School: January 22
*Magnet Application Period Ends: January 25
Have you seen the new Wiley PTA Website? It is being updated frequently, so check it out often. There's even a picture of me doing the hokey pokey on skates?!

Have a great week!
-Katie McMahon, principal

Updates 12/17/12

Updates 12/17/12

Upcoming Events:
*Early Release, 1:15 dismissal: December 21
*Winter Holiday Break: December 24-January 1
*Kindergarten Registration for 2013-2014 Begins: January 7
*Magnet Application Period Begins: January 14
*Martin Luther King Day, No School: January 21
*Teacher Workday, No School: January 22
*Magnet Application Period Ends: January 25

Thankful!
Everyone from the Wiley staff would like to extend a huge thank you to all parents that helped with Winter Thanks last week! The time together, the cards, and the delicious food is so appreciated! We are so very thankful for you!

Company Matching
Does your company match donations to organizations? A Wiley family recently made a cash donation to Wiley and Fidelity doubled their donation! If you donate to Wiley or the Wiley PTA, we encourage you to check to see if this is an option through your company.

Information on Magnet Student Applications from Magnet Programs

The Magnet Application period is upon us. You are able to apply for magnet schools between January 14 and 25, 2013. There are changes this year that may affect you and your family if you have students going to middle school and/or siblings of current students entering school. Please contact Tamani Anderson-Powell at Magnet Programs with questions. Her email is tanderson-powell@wcpss.net and phone number is 919-431-7349.

*SIBLINGS MUST apply to the school of the older sibling. There are no more intent forms so siblings must apply.
*Entering grade (Kindergarten, 6th grade, 9th grade) siblings have the highest priority and will be placed at the sibling's school IF they apply.
*Other grade siblings will have a priority but not a guarantee.
*There are NO MORE FEEDER PATTERN assignments. ALL students interested in attending a magnet MUST apply. If you are currently at Wiley and not going to middle school-you do not need to do anything.
*This means that if your child wants to continue in a magnet at the next grade span (Kindergarten, 6th grade, 9th grade) they MUST apply.
*Families wanting their previously promised feeder pattern may ask for it during the final transfer period in May.
*More details can be found at the WCPSS Magnet Website

Updates 12/10/12

Updates 12/10/12

Wiley is a busy place this month! See below for upcoming events:

*Food Friends Food Drive: ends December 14 (See below for urgent needs)
*Interim Reports: December 10
*Conscious Discipline Cohort session, December 11, 7:45am or 4:30pm
*Shop and Dinner Night at Piccola Italia and 10,000 Villages: December 11
*Parents' Chat with Ms. McMahon: December 12, 9:30am or 6:00pm
*Wiley Wear Sale Ends, December 12
*Band Concert: December 13
*Early Release, 1:15 dismissal: December 21
*Winter Holiday Break: December 24-January 1
*Martin Luther King Day, No School: January 21
*Teacher Workday, No School: January 22

Food Items Still Needed for our Food Friends Drive!

peanut butter

hearty soups

rice

canned vegetables

pasta sauce

mac and cheese

canned pasta

All food donated goes to Wiley community families! Thank you for helping curb hunger at Wiley!

Information on Magnet Student Applications from Magnet Programs

The Magnet Application period is upon us. You are able to apply for magnet schools between January 14 and 25, 2013. There are changes this year that may affect you and your family if you have students going to middle school and/or siblings of current students entering school. Please contact Tamani Anderson-Powell at Magnet Programs with questions. Her email is tanderson-powell@wcpss.net and phone number is 919-431-7349.

*SIBLINGS MUST apply to the school of the older sibling. There are no more intent forms  so siblings must apply.
*Entering grade (Kindergarten, 6th grade, 9th grade) siblings have the highest priority and will be placed at the sibling's school IF they apply.

*Other grade siblings will have a priority but not a guarantee.

 *There are NO MORE FEEDER PATTERN assignments. ALL students interested in attending a magnet MUST apply. If you are currently at Wiley and not going to middle school-you do not need to do anything.  

*This means that if your child wants to continue in a magnet at the next grade span (Kindergarten, 6th grade, 9th grade) they MUST apply.

*Families wanting their previously promised feeder pattern may ask for it during the final transfer period in May.

*More details can be found at the WCPSS Magnet Website

Wiley PTA Dine and Shop Night

Come be part of Wiley's holiday tradition in Cameron Village this Tuesday. As in years past, Piccola Italia and Ten Thousand Villages are once again showing their support for Wiley by donating a percentage of their sales Tuesday evening to our PTA! Please help make this a successful event. Show you support for Wiley and come out to Cameron Village Tuesday, December 11th! Let's share a yummy meal together and get holiday shopping done.

Ten Thousand Villages will be donating 15% of sales from 10 am-7pm.

Piccola Italia will donate 20% of all evening sales including takeout orders

Don’t forget to mention Wiley when you pay for your order

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Conscious Discipline Cohort Details

Tuesday, the Conscious Discipline cohort will be meeting in the Wiley Media Center. There are two meeting times for your convenience: 7:45 am or 4:30 pm. We will be learning about encouragement. Encouragement is based on the power of unity; we are all in this together. Its purpose is to create a sense of belonging for all children and is important for the school community/family because social successes prime the brain for academic achievement. It is not necessary to have attended other sessions in order to get something out of this session, so all are welcome.

Wiley Wear Sale Ending

Please remember that all Wiley Wear Winter Sale orders are due by Wednesday, December 12.

Shopping this week?

We need all non-perishable foods for our food drive but desperately need peanut butter, canned fruit, & breakfast bars!

Updates 12/3/12

Updates 12/3/12

I cannot believe it is December already!! Time flies when you're having fun learning!

There is no greater village than Wiley's
On Tuesday, a Wiley parent and I sent you an email and posted a blog about 4 teachers' needs in schools devastated by Hurricane Sandy. As of Saturday--every one of the projects were already fully funded. A few Wiley parents were even specifically mentioned on the classroom's Donor's Choose website in words of thanks. I am so proud to be part of such an amazing group of people. Kids all over the country are better because of who we are as a community.

PBIS Assembly

Did you know that Wiley is an award winning PBIS school? We are because of our dynamic implementation of the Positive Behavior Interventions and Support program. Friday was a great example of why we are so dynamic! Our PBIS student club and teacher committee hosted an assembly for all students. We watched the teachers (hilariously) act out undesirable behaviors and our 5th grade students act out the desired behaviors for the playground and the stairwells. We also practiced pretzel breathing (ask your child to show you how), sang the Wiley Song, and said the Wiley Pledge. Through the school-wide assembly we were able to support student success by positively teaching the expectations for Wiley--and build our community while doing so!

Food Friends Food Drive

Keep the donations coming! Please send  in your non-perishable foods in non-glass containers now through December 14. All food goes to local families!

After-school Playground Update

Thank you to parents and students for maintaining the Wiley Way (respect for self, others and property) after school on the playground. We have seen a great improvement in accidents, damage to the grounds, and supervision!

Upcoming Parents' Chat

Would you like time to hear about the happenings at Wiley? Want time to ask questions and get feedback? Join Ms. McMahon in the media center on December 12 at 9:30am-10:15am or 6:00pm-6:45pm for information on the Common Core curriculum, our international magnet theme, and state and county assessments.

Important Dates to Remember:

*Food Friends Food Drive: November 26-December 14
*Interim Reports: December 10

*Shop and Dinner Night at Piccola Italia and 10,000 Villages: December 11
*Parents' Chat with Ms. McMahon: December 12, 9:30am or 6:00pm
*Chorus and Band Concert: December 13
*Early Release, 1:15 dismissal: December 21
*Winter Holiday Break: December 24-January 1