May 9-13 ... International Spirit Week and Wiley Gives Back!

WILEY GIVES BACK!

INTERNATIONAL CARNIVAL SPIRIT WEEK

MONDAY - STOMP OUT HUNGER DAY

GIVE BACK OPPORTUNITY:

Collect canned foods to bring with you to the international carnival for our local food bank.

COMMUNITY PARTNER:

Local Food Bank

UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL:

Zero Hunger

SHOW YOUR SPIRIT!

• Wear boots to promote this drive and STOMP out hunger.

TUESDAY - YOU DAY

GIVE BACK OPPORTUNITY:

Collect books for students to read over the summer.

COMMUNITY PARTNER:

Wiley International Studies Families

UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL:

Quality Education

SHOW YOUR SPIRIT!

• Think of ONE vocabulary word that describes you.
• Dress up in a way that represents this word.
• Try to guess the vocabulary word your classmates dressed as.

WEDNESDAY - ENVIRONMENTAL DAY

GIVE BACK OPPORTUNITY:

Pollution is a worldwide issue. In order to help conserve energy, pick up trash today, keep the lights off, use less water, compost trash, etc.

COMMUNITY PARTNER:

Our School and Community

UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL:

Climate Action

SHOW YOUR SPIRIT!

• Wear an Earth-loving outfit and dress "60's & 70's" style.

THURSDAY - CULTURE DAY

GIVE BACK OPPORTUNITY:

Wiley International Studies Magnet Elementary is standing #withMalala to empower Adolescent girls through secondary education.

Clothing Drive - please donate gently used children and women's clothing to benefit the Malala Fund (no sleepwear, undies, socks, or damaged/stained/altered items).

GLOBAL PARTNER:

Malala Fund

UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS:

No Poverty, Reduced Inequalities, Gender Equality, Quality Education

SHOW YOUR SPIRIT!

• Dress in a way that represents your culture, the language you take, or a country you would like to visit.
• Take time to today to make a small flag that represents your culture, the language you take or a country you would like to visit. (You will get a chance to use these flags during the International Parade on Friday evening.)
• Learn to say hello in the native language so that you may greet others in that language today.

FRIDAY - WILEY DAY!

REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR FOOD, BOOK, and CLOTHING DONATIONS ALL WEEK! 

SHOW YOUR SPIRIT!

• WE LOVE WILEY!
• Wear your Wiley or your Fun Run T-shirt and show your school pride!
• See you at the INTERNATIONAL CARNIVAL TONIGHT!

INTERNATIONAL CARNIVAL

WHEN

FRIDAY, MAY 13TH, 5:30-7:30PM

WHERE

301 SAINT MARYS STREET

RALEIGH, NC

MORE INFORMATION

Come enjoy the fun!

5:30 - 7:30 -Food Trucks $$ and Booths

5:15 - 5:30 - Karate Performance

5:30 - 5:45 - Scottish Dancers Performance

5:50 - PTA Announcement

6:00 - 7:20 -Parade and Language and Music Performances.

7:20 - Go Green Announcement

7:30 - Zumba Session

THINGS TO REMEMBER:

• Bring chairs, blankets, and wear sunblock for the picnic.
• There will be food trucks available (opening at 5ish), but you may bring your own picnic goodies instead. (Food Truck options include: Manna LLC, KocinA, Bo’s Kitchen, Loco Pops, Two Roosters, Pelican’s SnoBalls.)
• All events will take place on or near the 3-5 Playground.
• Parking is prohibited in the Wiley parking lot. Please carpool, walk, or park at Gate 4 at St. Mary's or on the street. 
• Wear apparel that reflects cultural heritages or come in your Wiley Wear.
• Adults must supervise children at all times.
• Your Wiley Spirit

Get Directions

THE UNITED NATIONS GLOBAL GOALS - EVERYONE NEEDS EVERYONE!

INSPIRED BY WILEY STUDENTS!

@wileyelementary

Students at Wiley are immersed in the Asia Society Global Matrix (Investigate the World, Recognize Perspectives, Communicate Ideas, and Take Action). This year our 4th and 5th graders spent some considerable time learning about the United Nations Global Goals! We at Wiley can make a difference!

Single Subject Acceleration

Single Subject Acceleration (SSA) Information 

Single Subject Acceleration (SSA) is the practice of assigning a student to a higher-grade level than is typical, given the student's age, for the purpose of providing access to appropriately challenging learning opportunities in either Language Arts OR Math by testing out of the next grade levels material.
What is the process for Single Subject Acceleration? 
Parents can nominate his/her child to skip a grade level of content in either Language Arts OR Mathematics. The nomination window is only open from 4/20/2016 to 5/4/2016. (There will be no late nominations accepted.)  The nomination forms as well as more information are available through the online site listed below. The testing window is from 5/12/2016 to 5/18/2016.For more information, please refer to www.wakeacceleration.weebly.com or contact your school’s SSA contact Mrs. Ziada Brandt at eziada-brandt@wcpss.net.

Way to Go Wiley!

Please join the Wiley Family as we celebrate the following recent accomplishments!  

• Wiley is a North Carolina nominee for the national recognition as a Green Ribbon School!

• Wiley was named as a School of Excellence by the Magnet Schools of America!
• Wiley is a finalist for the Magnet Schools of America's designation as Magnet School of the Year!

• Ms. Ross, fifth grade teacher, was named as a semi-finalist for Wake County's Teacher of the Year. She also recently received a scholarship for a summer excursion to South Africa! 

• Several fifth grade students were recently honored as winners in the NC Poetry Society's Student Contest - Zaniyah (2nd place), Conner (3rd place), Kayla (honorable mention), and Isaiah (honorable mention).

• Sadie (fifth grade student) was honored as a guest poetry reader at Wake County's United Arts Council's First Friday poetry reading.  
• NCACS Illustrated Poem Competition Winners - Noe (1st place in K-2 division), Francesca (1 place in 3-5 division), Gabe (2nd place in 3-5 division), and Kara (3rd place in 3-5 division) 

Thursday, January 28

Proctors Needed: Access testing for English Language Learners will begin next week and we need you!  Please visit this link for more information.  Contact Chris Hahner for more information – chahner@wcpss.net. No experience needed!

Winter Thanks Spirit Week … Wiley Gives Back:  What a success!  We received wonderful feedback about our week of fun and service.  Thank you for your participation! 

We LOVE our Wiley PTA!  The entire Wiley staff was treated to a relaxing & delicious breakfast buffet just before the winter break. Family and friends covered the classrooms while we stuffed our bellies and delighted in a fun raffle for awesome prizes. From donuts to Amazon gifts cards to spa treatments … wow, we were spoiled.  Over 60 volunteers were on campus to make this day a success while many others contributed food & raffle prizes. Thank you!

As if that weren’t enough, PTA recently awarded over $1,000 in grant money to support the professional journeys of several of our teachers and administration. Criteria for selection highlighted professional development and links to either our magnet theme or healthy schools initiative.  Again, THANK YOU Wiley PTA!

 

Spelling Bee:  Congratulations to all of our brave and courageous Spelling Bee finalists! I was so proud of each participant!  Noah, a third grader, prevailed after several tense rounds of battle with a second grader! 

Looking for something to do this weekend?  Hop on over to Dorton Arena where you’ll bump into several of our Wiley students celebrating Chinese New Year.  More information about Raleigh’s Chinese New Year Festival can be found here. 

Welcome … Since our last update, Kristin Brownell has re-joined the Wiley staff as a reading intervention teacher and Meghan Sollars joined us as a part-time AIG teacher.  AND, we also welcomed back (with love) Katie Ware and Chris Hahner from maternity leave.  Please also join me in welcoming Ms. Love (Ms. Smith’s student teacher from Meredith College), Ms. De Leon (Ms. Jeffries’ student teacher from William Peace University), Ms. Shriver (Ms. Thompson’s student teacher from William Peace University), and Ms. Dombroski (Ms. Williams’ counseling intern from N C State University). 

Behind the Scenes:  Big thanks to these guys for getting us up & running after our winter weather this past weekend!  

Wiley Spotlight

This week’s Wiley spotlight shines on our Teaching Assistant of the Year, Mrs. Kari Brown.  Mrs. Brown serves as a Teaching Assistant in Ms. Thompson’s Kindergarten Class.  Staff and students used these words to describe Mrs. Brown - kind, sweet, caring, and loving.  What more could you ask for?

Congratulations to Mrs. Brown and Ms. Ross (Teacher of the Year) for representing us so well!

 Upcoming Events

Friday, January 29:  Magnet Application Period closes

February 1-5:  Ms. Price’s 5^th grade students welcome writer-in-residence Michael Beadle (sponsored by Wiley’s PTA Cultural Arts committee)

Thursday, February 11:  Wiley welcomes Hot Horns for an exciting musical presentation (sponsored by Wiley’s PTA Cultural Arts committee)

Friday, February 12:  Early Release for Students @ 1:15pm

Monday, February, 15: Make-Up Day

Thursday, February 18: Board Advisory Council Meeting @ Millbrook Elementary School at 12:00pm

Tuesday, February 23: Wiley’s Fun Run pep rally

Friday, March 4:  Wiley’s Fun Run; Early Release @ 1:15pm

Thursday, March 10:  Talent Show

News from our Wiley PTA

SPRING TALENT SHOW DETAILS It’s official! The Wiley Talent Show will be held on Thursday, March 10. Contrary to what we wrote in last week’s email, the talent show will be open to all Wiley students (K-5). Interested students should submit information about their acts online by Friday, March 4.

 All the information you’ll need about the show, as well as application instructions, can be found here: http://bit.ly/2016-Wiley-Talentshow 

ANNUAL FUND TAX LETTERS This week, the PTA sent home tax letters for contributions to the Annual Fund. If you did not receive a letter but think that you should have, please email vp.waysandmeans@wileypta.org.

Wiley Gives Back ... Spirit Week

Day of the Week	Give Back Opportunity	Show your Spirit
Friday (12/11)	Wiley Students & their families show their thanks to the Wiley staff @ Winter Thanks!  Community Partner: Wiley PTA	We Are Wiley! Wear your Wiley t-shirt.
Monday (12/14)	Bring in a (small/medium sized) gently-used or new stuffed animal to share some comfort with the child of a refugee family. Community Partner: USCRI Refugees United Nations Development  Sustainable Goal: Sustainable Cities & Communities	Dress in your coziest and most comfortable clothes. It’s pajama day! Feel free to bring your favorite stuffed animal - just don’t get it mixed up with the one that you’re going to donate.
Tuesday (12/15)	Bring in a canned food/nonperishable food item to donate.  Check this list for recommended food.  Community Partner:  Interfaith Food Shuttle/ Backpack Buddies United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: Zero Hunger	Meal times are wonderful times to connect with one another.  Mix it up at lunch!  Sit with someone you don’t know well.  Crazy Mismatch Day (including hair!)
Wednesday (12/16)	Clean out your closets!  Bring in gently-used jeans or tennis shoes to donate to those in need. Community Partner: Note in the Pocket United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: End Poverty	Dress for Success Assemble an outfit that makes you feel successful.
Thursday (12/17)	Bring in a new or gently –used easy reader or board book. (Target age: preschool) Community Partner: Learning Together Preschool United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: Quality Education	Is there anything better than getting lost in a book? Dress as your favorite book character.
Friday (12/18)	Each class will spend time today making holiday cards for our senior friends. Community Partners: local senior living centers United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions	You … Us Express your cultural background by wearing a flag on your shirt or clothing from your native country. (Or, wear your Wiley t-shirt.) *International Showcase throughout the morning.  Families are welcome to join us. Invitation to follow with more details and times of presentation.

Hour of Code: Like thousands of schools around the world, Wiley will be participating in Hour of Code events during the week of Dec. 7-11. Hour of Code introduces children to computer science, a rapidly growing field with many career opportunities. We need volunteers to make these events run smoothly. If you can assist us and are in the computer science field, please sign up only as a speaker. This means we will have you speak about your job for a few minutes and then help with the activities. If you are not in the computer science field and can come to help out with the classroom activities, please sign up as a volunteer. Volunteers do not need any computer science experience. This event is always a lot of fun, and we really appreciate your assistance! Here is the link to our Sign-up Genius form. For more information, contact Jill Molloy (jmolloy@wcpss.net)

First Grade Service Field Trip:  Have you heard about our first graders' exciting experience gleaning sweet potatoes?  If not, you’re missing out!  First graders gleaned sweet potatoes at a Johnston County farm and then rode the bus to a senior living center to donate them!  Their produce was also added to our weekly Backpack Buddies food bags.  Wow! Thank you first graders for your incredible service to our community!    

Winter Thanks Spirit Week … Wiley Gives Back:  Only at an International Studies Magnet School would Spirit Week themes be linked to the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals! That’s Wiley for you! Inspired by our fifth grade students and their work throughout the first and second quarters, you’ll see student-initiated “take action” projects connected to our spirit week themes.  Opportunities to ‘give back’ are highlighted each day and you will receive (via email) a student-created message daily to introduce you to the next day’s theme. In addition to our incredible 5^th graders, big thanks also goes out to several 2^nd and 3^rd graders for their inspiration behind additional themes AND to our PBIS Club for getting the word out. It promises to be an experience like no other!  You’ll find the week’s agenda here and at the end of this blog post! 

Growth Mindset:  Perhaps you’ve heard your student talking about the brain and its connection to mindset. Our entire staff is participating in a book study of Mindsets in the Classroom, led by Dr. Mary Whitehouse, our School Psychologist.  Mary is leading us through thoughtful conversation and reflection as we work together to help students (and ourselves) understand how persistence, effort, and a focus on learning develop our intelligence.  The book, authored by Mary Cay Ricci is geared specifically for educators and builds upon much of the research done by Carol Dweck as showcased in her book Mindsets. We hope to offer a parent study on the topic in the Spring. 

A message from our partners at the Alexander YMCA:  At the Y it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas! This year, we are hosting our second annual Presents of Peace event and inviting families in our outreach programs through the Alexander YMCA to participate in a dignifying and uplifting Christmas shopping experience!  

Presents of Peace is an event where we partner with families to make a mutual investment in the gift-giving process.  The Presents of Peace “store” will take place on December 12th from 3:00pm-6:00pm. Families will be able to shop for their children and purchase each of them 3 items: a clothing item, a toy, and an educational item.  All proceeds from the event will benefit our Annual Campaign, which funds all of our Outreach Programs (which includes Wiley’s Y Learning Program and students), and many of our families will also be attending the event to shop for their kids!

There are different ways that you and your family can get involved. We currently have hundreds of tags on Christmas Trees at the Alexander Y that list items we will use to stock our store. To help us stock the store you can choose a tag off of the tree and return the unwrapped gifts to the Y by Thursday December 10th. You also can give of your time, by signing up to volunteer the day of the store. You can sign up by clicking here. If possible, please sign up by Thursday, December 2, or ASAP if you would like to help! 

If you have any additional questions about how to get involved, please feel free to contact Sarah Peterson at Sarah.Peterson@ymcatriangle.org

Enloe Charity Ball:  Christine, an Enloe High School student opened our staff meeting this morning to share information about the Student Council’s annual Charity Ball benefitting Learning Together Preschool.  If you’d like to learn more click here. 

Have You Walked Your Art Today?  If you’re looking for a fun community activity this weekend, you may wish to consider visiting some of our teachers and several Wiley families at Boylan Heights’ Art Walk on Sunday (12/6) from noon-5pm.  (boylanheights.org)

Wiley Spotlight

This week's Wiley Spotlight shines on our Broughton High School interns. Their class in Early Childhood Education allows them to share their time & talents with our Kindergarten and First Grade Students each week.  

We love them ... and so do our students!  

 

 Upcoming Events

Thursday, 12/3:  Ms. O’Brien’s class participates in Special Olympics
Monday (12/7)- Friday (12/11):  Hour of Code

Tuesday, 12/8:  Third grade field trip to Morehead Planetarium

Friday, 12/11:  PTA hosts Winter Thanks for Wiley Staff

Friday (12/11) – Friday (12/18): Winter Thanks Spirit Week … Wiley Gives Back

Monday (12/14):  Wiley Restaurant Night @ Village Draft House – Cameron Village

Tuesday (12/15):  First Grade Field Trip to Marbles

Friday (12/18):  International Showcase (various hours throughout the morning – more details to come); Early Release – dismissal @ 1:15pm

News from our Wiley PTA

VOLUNTEER & DONATE FOOD FOR WINTER THANKS (12/11): Thank you to everyone who has already signed up to volunteer and donate food for Winter Thanks!  We have such a wonderful community of parents supporting our teachers and helping to show them just how much they are appreciated. However, we still are in need of a large number of volunteers in the classrooms and with cleanup after the breakfast. Any and all help is very much appreciated!

We are also still in need of fun gift items to raffle off for the teachers .  If you are a small business owner who can donate a gift certificate or a fun item for our teachers, please contact Tina Hlabse at thlabse@gmail.com. 

To learn more about the event or volunteer using Sign Up Genius, click here: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/508094daeab22a31-winter

WILEY RESTAURANT NIGHT: VILLAGE DRAFT HOUSE: Join us Monday, December 14th for the first Wiley Restaurant night (day) of the year at the Village Draft House Cameron Village.  The restaurant will donate 10% of all sales ALL DAY LONG to the Wiley PTA.  Please come out to share some food and fun with Wiley families and support your school!  

SPIRIT WEEK

Day of the Week	Give Back Opportunity	Show your Spirit
Friday (12/11)	Wiley Students & their families show their thanks to the Wiley staff @ Winter Thanks! Community Partner: Wiley PTA	We Are Wiley! Wear your Wiley t-shirt.
Monday (12/14)	Bring in a (small/medium sized) gently-used or new stuffed animal to share some comfort with the child of a refugee family. Community Partner: USCRI Refugees United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: Sustainable Cities & Communities	Dress in your coziest and most comfortable clothes. It’s pajama day! Feel free to bring your favorite stuffed animal - just don’t get it mixed up with the one that you’re going to donate.
Tuesday (12/15)	Bring in a canned food/nonperishable food item to donate. Community Partner:  Interfaith Food Shuttle/ Backpack Buddies United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: Zero Hunger	Meal times are wonderful times to connect with one another.  Mix it up at lunch!  Sit with someone you don’t know well. Crazy Mismatch Day (including hair!)
Wednesday (12/16)	Clean out your closets!  Bring in gently-used jeans or tennis shoes to donate to those in need. Community Partner: Note in the Pocket United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: End Poverty	Dress for Success Assemble an outfit that makes you feel successful.
Thursday (12/17)	Bring in a new or gently –used easy reader or board book. (Target age: preschool) Community Partner: Learning Together Preschool United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: Quality Education	Is there anything better than getting lost in a book? Dress as your favorite book character.
Friday (12/18)	Each class will spend time today making holiday cards for our senior friends. Community Partners: local senior living centers United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions	You … Us Express your cultural background by wearing a flag on your shirt or clothing from your native country. (Or, wear your Wiley t-shirt.) *International Showcase throughout the morning. Families are welcome to join us. Invitation to follow with more details and times of presentation.