2013-2014 Band Information

Wiley Band Registration & Instrument Show and Tell

Registration for the 2013-2014 Wiley Before-School Band is officially open, and all rising 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders are welcome to join!  If you'd like to learn more about band, please visit http://www.wileyelementaryband.com. 

If your child is interested in joining band, please join the band for Instrument Show and Tell on April 15 and 17 from 4-5pm in the media center.  At Show and Tell, your child will learn about the instruments in the band, and have the opportunity to try them out!  We'll feature brass and percussion (trumpet, trombone, bells, and snare drum) on April 15th, and woodwinds (flute, clarinet, and sax) on April 17th.

Updates 3/25/13

Updates 3/25/13

WRAL Teacher of the Week
Please join us in recognizing Mrs. Dianne Jones as this week's WRAL Teacher of the Week! Reporter Gerald Owens surprised Mrs. Jones this morning as she taught writing. She will be featured on air Wednesday on the hour from 5:00 am to 8:00 am and again at 5:00pm. As you know Mrs. Jones is Wiley's Teacher of the Year and a semi-finalist for the WCPSS Teacher of the Year award. We are proud she calls Wiley home!

Nomination for Grammy Music Educator Award
Congratulations to Ms. Erika Pawlowski for being nominated for the Grammy Music Educator Award thanks to a Wiley parent nomination!!

Before and After School Safety and Grounds Maintenance
To maintain safe play on campus before and after school hours we need your help in the following:

*No dogs are allowed on campus during, before, or after school.
*Trees and plants are planted on our campus for many special reasons. Help them remain so by expecting your child to follow the Savannah Garden expectations (posted at the garden), to not pull on any plants or trees, and to not climb on trees.
*Please make sure your children are in your eye sight. We have had instances of injuries, dog bites, strangers, and accidental property damage during after dismissal play. We do not want any of this to affect you or your children.
*Please refrain from using the 3-5 playground after school. The YMCA is contractually responsible for that space while their program uses it. They cannot have non-YMCA students on the playground with their program.

Your support in safety and supervision matters tremendously in preserving the ability to maintain a child friendly space. This is a huge help to the entire Wiley community, so thank you in advance for meeting the needs of the community while here.

We'll See You Tuesday Night!
Science/Curriculum Night is tomorrow night. If you are willing to brave this odd March weather, the front lawn is open for picnics from 5-6. We will all meet in the media center from 6-6:30 for a brief overview of the new curriculum for all students. From 6:30 to 7:30, all families will head to all classrooms and enjoy family friendly, hands-on activities.  

Save the Date for the Wiley Pullen Park PTA Family Night, April 18th, 5-7

Upcoming Dates:
March 28-April 5: Spring Break
April 15: Report Cards
April 19: Early Release 1:15 dismissal
Week of April 22: Spring Book Fair
May 10: International Night
May 27: Memorial Day Holiday
June 3: Field Day
June 7: Fifth Grade Graduation
June 10: Last Day of School

Updates 3/18/13

Updates 3/18/13

Come one, Come All!
Based on the parent survey data, 94% of parents reported that their child/children "feels welcomed and accepted at Wiley". Wow. You could not have made us prouder of our work! At Wiley we are an award winning Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support school. We use proactive teaching and modeling of social, emotional, and academic skills to maximize student success. It is empowering to know that you recognize our belief in creating an open, welcoming environment for our students.

The survey also indicated 88% of parents "feel welcomed and accepted at Wiley". Our beliefs about what is important to students transcends into what we do for the rest of our community. This year, we have focused on providing ongoing tutor and volunteer training to parents and community members. In addition, to making the school open and welcoming to our guests, we wanted to maximize their effort and energy through this training. It has been very successful for our students and has created happy volunteers!

The PTA has developed an additional survey to gather parent input on their efforts, on your ideas, and ongoing projects. This is a survey to better understand the needs and wants of the Wiley Elementary parent community. Your feedback and the ability to get parent volunteers to lead these activities will be what drives the PTA agenda for the 2013-14 school year. However, even if you only have a fifth grader, the PTA is interested in your feedback. You can take the survey HERE. A random survey participant will receive a $50 gift certificate.

To Williamsburg and Beyond
This week our entire fifth grade (students, staff, and parents) will travel to Williamsburg, VA for a two-day field trip experience. What an awesome real world introduction into their study of the Civil War?! While traveling, the students will visit Yorktown, Jamestown, and Williamsburg. The trip even includes an evening ghost tour of downtown. I will update you on their travels through our Twitter account Thursday and Friday.

Upcoming Events 
March 26: Family Curriculum Night (family picnics on the lawn 5-6, parent info session in the media center 6-6:30, fun family activities school-wide 6:30-7:30) 
March 28-April 5: Spring Break
April 15: Report Cards
April 19: Early Release, 1:15 dismissal

Updates 3/11/13

Updates 3/11/13

Congrats Ms. Ross!
The weekly e-newsletter Macaroni Kid recognized Ms. Ross as their Teacher of the Month based on a Wiley parent's nomination! She was rewarded with a gift certificate to a local store.

Books, books, and more books
Our book drive ends this week!  We would love to have a strong finish to ensure that all kids have books to read this summer.  Thank you for donating your gently used books in front of the office.

This Week: Wednesday is Picture Day and Friday is an Early Release (1:15pm dismissal).

Upcoming EventsNow through March 15: Books Are Magic book drive 
March 13: Spring Pictures
March 15: Early Release
March 26: Family Curriculum Night
March 28-April 5: Spring Break

Updates 3/4/13

Updates 3/4/13

Engaged Students Abound at Wiley!
Based on the current participation in our parent survey, with 177 families responding, 82% believe their children are engaged learners throughout their day. We are very proud to be providing engaging units of study this year across our curriculum. I would like to highlight a unit that is happening now and upcoming units to illustrate what this looks like for your children at Wiley. 

The second graders are beginning an awesome unit of study around economics. While that may be a stressful topic to us as adults, the students will be immersed in activities that help them in answering the following essential questions:
*How does where you live impact the availability of goods and services?
*What could contribute to changes in a community's future economic resources?
*How does where you live affect the definition of needs and wants?

This exploration will include book studies, creating inventions, and participating as producers and consumers in an economic fair! Learning that is rigorous, related to the real world, celebrates creativity while exploring content, and internationally relevant--fosters engaged students. Don't you wish you could go to second grade, too?!

Similar units designed around essential questions, our curriculum and our magnet theme are on the way across campus!

Check out these other engaging units going on all over the Wiley World:
*The 4th/5th grade language classes are studying cultural elements of food and food related vocabulary and the essential question What distinguishes an American table from another culture's?
*Fifth grade is finishing studying the Westward Expansion and the essential question Why do people move?
*Fourth grade is currently studying immigration and the essential question How do different cultures shape our lives?
*Third grade is getting ready for their unit on plants and geography and the essential question How does where we live influence how we live? 
*First grade is currently studying the Earth in the Universe and the essential question How are day and night connected?
*Kindergarten is getting ready for their Weather unit and the essential question How does weather affect people?
*The arts and movement students are getting ready to study communities and the essential question What is creativity and what is its importance to the individual and culture?

Congratulations Mrs. Jones!!
Mrs. Dianne Jones, our star first grade teacher, was chosen this year as one of 24 semi-finalists for WCPSS Teacher of the Year. We are SO proud of you, Mrs. Jones!

2013-2014 Language Placement Notification
As we approach the end of the year, the language department is beginning to look at students’ progress for language placement for next year, as is done each year. Please note that there are specific criteria that language teachers use to determine the appropriate language level.  

·         strong evidence of retention of target vocabulary

·         writing/speaking/listening/reading skills

·         participation

·         quarterly grades  

Language recommendations will be sent home at the end of May.

Books Are Magic NEED
We are running behind on our goal for our book drive!  To help make sure everyone has books to read this summer, we are extending our collection dates until March 15.  The collection bins are right outside the main office here at school.  Please come by and donate your gently used books!

Any donations are appreciated!  If you have any questions, please contact Kathy Foglia or Lea Roark.
kathyfoglia@nc.rr.com
lea@713communications.com

Free Pictures for Your Time
Could you help with picture day, March 13? We need 2 volunteers in the morning and 2 in the afternoon to help with collars, cow-licks, and lip gloss:) For your time, Lifetouch has donated free picture packages to the first 4 volunteers to sign up. Please email Ms. Porter at aporter@wcpss.net if you are able to help.

Upcoming Events
Now through March 8: Books Are Magic book drive
March 8: Chuck Davis and the African American Dance Ensemble artist in residence day 
March 13: Spring Pictures
March 15: Early Release
March 26: Family Curriculum Night
March 28-April 5: Spring Break

Updates 2/25/13

Updates 2/25/13

There are a lot of good things going on the spring! Check out some of it here:

Kudos to our Team 
This past Saturday, a team of 4 Wiley students participated in the African American History Quiz Bowl at East Millbrook Middle School. They were challenged in buzzer beater questioning and completed a timed written test. The competition was tight and our team did awesome! Way to go Noah, Phoenix, Ekartha, and Sam! Additionally, I would like to recognize two Wiley parents that were involved in the Quiz Bowl. Dwight Coleman was the event organizer and Jessica Whitaker presented the Living Legend award!

National Magnet Recognition
Congratulations to the entire Wiley community on our National Magnet School of Excellence Award. This award is given to the top magnet schools in the country and puts us in the running for the very best magnet school! That award will be given in May in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This award is not possible without continuous dedication from teachers, kids, parents, and the community. To each of you, THANK YOU for making this award happen for Wiley International Magnet Elementary School!

Gotta Keep Readin’! Is THIS week!!!

March 1^st is Read Across America Day! We have many fun events planned for this day to get Wiley students excited about reading. Please send your child to school that day dressed as his or her favorite book character. The Wiley staff will also be dressed as their favorite book character!

March 1^st is also the kick-off day for Wiley’s 2013 reading incentive program called Gotta Keep Readin’! Students grades K-5 are invited to participate in the Gotta Keep Readin’ program, and each grade level has its own age-appropriate goal. The program offers students fifteen different reading activities to choose from in their afterschool time. Each time students engage in an activity, they record their time spent and have an adult initial their sheet. In this way, students work toward their time goals. Students can give their completed reading logs to Ms. Molloy on or before April 12. If they complete their time goal, they will be invited to attend a Library Party! Ms. McMahon attached the reading log and the activity board to her Monday email this week. You can also download these forms from Ms. Molloy and Ms. Brownell’s websites: Ms. Molloy's Website and

Mrs. Brownell's Website

Ms. Molloy will have hard copies of these forms in the media center, as well. We hope you will encourage your child to participate in Read Across America Day and Gotta Keep Readin’. If you have questions, please contact Ms. Molloy or Mrs. Brownell.

Spring Pictures 

Spring individual and Class Pictures are coming up March 13. Ordering information will come home today in the Monday folder.

Running Club 

Running Club is back for its spring season! 

Practice Dates are 4:00pm to 5:00pm on Thursdays March 7th , March 21st, April 11th, April 25th, May 9th, and May 23rd. The members (and any other runners in the Wiley community) are invited to run in the Run for Our Heroes race. 

Run for Our Heroes 5K 

Saturday April 27th 

http://runforourheroes.org/

Science and Curriculum Night is coming!

The Wiley PTA and Staff have combined efforts to plan an awesome interactive, family focused night to explore science, math, reading, and writing. There will be local scientists, the YMCA, and Wiley teachers with hands-on activities for kids and parents alike! Save the date for March 26, 6pm to 7:30pm. We are looking forward to learning through doing with you!

PTA Healthy Lifestyles Committee Update

The PTA Healthy Lifestyles Committee is exploring the possibility of beginning a tasting garden at Wiley. We are looking for Wiley community members who might be interested in helping with such a project.  Advocates for Health in Action will hold a seminar at Marbles Museum on March 9 from 8:30-1:00 entitled "Dig In:  Weaving Edible Landscapes--Community Gardens and Urban Ag--Into the Fabric of Our Community."  Kristine Flora of the Healthy Lifestyles Committee will be attending this seminar. Please let her know if you would like to join her, or if you are not able to attend but are interested in the possibility of creating a garden at Wiley.  Kristine's email is krisflora@yahoo.com.  You can visit http://www.advocatesforhealthinaction.org/eat-healthy/community-gardens/dig-in/  to learn more about the seminar.

Dr. Cecconi-Roberts Website
Dr. Cecconi-Roberts, Wiley's Academically-Intellectually Gifted teacher, has posted a Blackboard website for parents and students. It can be found HERE. 

Upcoming Events
Now through March 8: Books Are Magic book drive
March 8: Chuck Davis and the African American Dance Ensemble artist in residence day 
March 13: Spring Pictures
March 15: Early Release
March 26: Family Curriculum Night
March 28-April 5: Spring Break

Have a great week!!

Updates 2/19/13

Updates 2/19/13

Gotta Keep Readin’!

March 1^st is Read Across America Day! We have many fun events planned for this day to get Wiley students excited about reading:

·        Students can come to school that day dressed as their favorite book character

·        The entire school will “stop, drop & read” from 9:15-9:30 am

·        The Cat in the Hat will visit classrooms and give out prizes

March 1^st is also the kick-off day for Wiley’s 2013 reading incentive program called Gotta Keep Readin’! Students grades K-5 are invited to participate in the Gotta Keep Readin’ program, and each grade level will have its own age-appropriate goal. The program offers students fifteen different reading activities to choose from in their afterschool time. We will send out the activity log next Monday so you can get an idea of how it will work. Each time students engage in an activity, they record their time spent and have an adult initial their sheet. In this way, students work toward their time goals. Students can give their completed time logs to the school librarian on or before April 12. If they complete their time goal, they will be invited to attend a Library Party! We hope you will encourage your child to participate in Read Across America Day and Gotta Keep Readin’, and we will be sending out more information soon. If you have questions at that time, please contact Ms. Molloy or Mrs. Brownell. -Info provided by Ms. Molloy and Mrs. Brownell

Books Are Magic Donations Needed

Keep the book donations coming! We had a great start and need to keep up the trend. Please donate gently used books to the containers outside the office. All books will go to Wiley kids and extras to other local children.

Pull, not Push

Monday, I presented a seminar on Global Education at Meredith College. I shared this TED Talk to emphasize that global education is about skills and attitudes of global thinkers. At Wiley, we work to build these traits through our global matrix. You may remember its elements are: Investigate the World, Recognize Perspectives, Communicate Ideas, and Take Action. Can you find these in the TED Talk?