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?

Updates 2/11/13

Updates 2/11/13

Talent, Talent, Talent!
The best description of Thursday night's talent show is exceptional. Wiley kids never cease to amaze me each day with their perseverance, creativity, and enthusiasm. The Talent Show is a fascinating look into their courage, determination, and artistic gifts! This year was absolutely no different! The students shined! We could not have had the show without the following parents: Scott Andrews, Tom Hubschman, Tonya Debnam, and Dawson Roark. Thank you for your dedication to Wiley.

Also, don't forget to bookmark www.wileypta.org for frequent updates and pictures published by the PTA, including from the Talent Show!

Lockdown Drill Update
Friday's lockdown drill went very well. The security staff that helped conduct it were very positive with feedback on how effectively the students and staff followed procedure. The next drill will not be announced in advance.

Early Release and Teacher Workday
This coming Friday, February 15th is our Early Release with a 1:15pm dismissal. The following Monday, February 18th is a Teacher Workday with no school for students.

Books Are Magic Donations Start Today
Donate you gently loved books starting today. There will be collection boxes outside the office.

Updates 2/4/13

Updates 2/4/13

Good morning, Wiley Family!
As I logged in to post this week's blog, we had our 7,000th page view!! Thanks for checking in with the Wiley World.

It's Spirit Week
Don't forget that this week is Spirit Week.
Monday is Dress for Success Day
Tuesday is Hat Day
Wednesday is Crazy Mis-Match Day
Thursday is Pajama Day and the Annual Talent Show
Friday is Wiley Wear Day

Books Are Magic Drive
Next week begins our second Books Are Magic book drive. Last year more than 60 Wiley kids received 12 new and slightly used books each. My office was redesigned as a Wiley book store and the students came in to 'shop' for any books they wanted after their teachers had also shopped for them. The shopping days were two of the most joyful days of my career. Watching Wiley families share the world through books with joyous Wiley kids was powerful for all involved. Please go through your home, find those books, and donate beginning next Monday, the 11th.

From Kathy Foglia and Lea Roark, the Wiley parent coordinators for Books Are Magic:

We are excited to partner with Books Are Magic again this year for a book drive here at Wiley! We will be collecting gently used books in the bins in front of the office between Feb. 11 and March 8. Please see the attached flyer for more details. If you have any questions about this drive, please contact Kathy Foglia at kathyfoglia@nc.rr.com or Lea Roark at lea@713communications.com.

Parent Support for Safety Procedures
(Repeat Post) Ensuring safety of all students and staff at Wiley is an obvious, but critical task. We cannot do that without your help. While we have clear expectations and procedures for staff and students, we also have them for campus visitors-including you as a parent. Please note the following expectations with which we need your help:
-Always sign in at the office and wear your Visitor Sticker while you are on campus. This includes when you come for lunch. Please understand that staff will remind you of this procedure and they are following expectations of them.
-If you walk your student in at arrival and plan to stay to volunteer, sign in in the office.
-During the morning hours, remain outside until the 8:45am bell unless you are there for a scheduled conference with a staff member. We cannot provide adequate supervision before 8:45am, so please do not drop students off prior to this time (5th grade Safety Patrol members can arrive at 8:40am).
-Always enter the building at the main (back) office door or ring the bell at the front door. Do not knock or encourage staff or students to open a locked door for you.
-Follow staff direction and procedures at dismissal, even when you are in a hurry. We know you may be inconvenienced, but we are responsible for accurate dismissal of all students. Your need may interfere with another child's dismissal and that could impede safety. Staff have a variety of custodial-parent guidelines to remember, student needs, changes to routine, etc. to think about during dismissal. It is extremely helpful and safe when you follow procedure. This includes: do not pick up students by walking up to the carpool hallway and use the only Wiley designated dismissal types/locations (carpool, walkers, YMCA).
-Alert staff if you notice anything out of the ordinary.

National Digital Learning Day
Wiley students will be participating in Digital Learning Day on Wednesday, February 6th.  This is a nationally recognized day and schools across North Carolina and all over the US will be participating. Digital Learning Day started with the Alliance for Excellent Education led by Bob Wise, former Governor of West Virginia.  NCPDI, NCTIES, and NCSLMA are partnering together to participate in this effort.  NCDPI states "this national campaign is designed to celebrate innovative teaching and highlight practices that make learning more personalized and engaging for students and explore how digital learning can provide all students with the opportunities they deserve – to build the skills needed to succeed in college, career, and life. Through this campaign, we hope to build momentum for a wave of innovation that changes policies, shifts attitudes, and supports wide-scale adoption of these promising instructional practices." As a parent, you are welcome to participate by logging on to the Digital Learning Day parent site.  It provides suggestions and videos on how to spread the word and talk to your child. You can take a quiz to see where you stand in protecting your child online. Additionally, you can offer to share how technology has impacted your career with your child or your child's classroom.  Email your child's teacher if you are interested.  Finally, if you have a twitter account, we encourage you to follow the national recognition by using hashtag #DLDay or following Twitter user @DLDay2013. (written by Mrs. Sadie Hoover, Wiley's Technology Facilitator)

Upcoming Dates
Week of February 4: Wiley Spirit Week
February 7: Talent Show, 6pm
February 8: Lockdown Drill (see last week's blog post for more information)
February 11: Books Are Magic Book Drive Begins
February 15: Early Release Day, 1:15 dismissal
February 18: Teacher Workday, No School for Students

Have a great week! We'll see you at the Talent Show!

Updates 1/28/13

Updates 1/28/13

Congrats, Ms. Verhoeven!!
Ms. Verhoeven has been nominated by the NC Chapter of the American Association of Teachers of German for the national AATG Outstanding German Educator Award!! This award recognizes excellence in teaching and outstanding contributions to the German teaching profession. This is a wonderful honor and we are so proud of your work at Wiley.

Safety Drill Information
All WCPSS schools are required to complete two safety drills a year. One of which is our annual tornado drill and one will be a lockdown drill. Next week, teachers will receive training updates from our WCPSS security administrator. We will follow that training with a practice lockdown drill Friday, February 8. The drill will be calm, quiet, and for practice. With recent incidents in our nation, I understand as adults we have concerns and apprehensions. These drills are to ensure that the adults and students know what to do and where to go in an emergency situation. We will discuss this only as a practice with the students and will not go into detail about examples of real lockdowns. Emergency information from our district is posted HERE. Understand that we cannot explain security procedures in detail with the public because it reduces the ability for us to maintain safety.

Volunteers Needed to Check Eye Sight
Did you know? Wiley parents support the school nurse by providing the initial vision screening for the mandatory grade levels. Parents who had done it for several years "aged up" to middle school, therefore we need new volunteers. The commitment is a three hour class on Friday, Feb 15 from 9:30-12:30;  then together, the parent volunteers schedule 3-4 half days in one week to administer the vision screening to three grade levels. It's a great way to get to know students in different grades and makes a big difference for the school nurse. The nurse  follows up with any child demonstrating a need for further evaluation. This project is a 12-15 hour commitment in a short period of time. If this is a project you are interested in, please contact Pamela Lietz so she can sign you up with NC Prevent Blindness. The half days doing the vision screenings will be scheduled between February 19 - March 15. 

Continuing Band Performs at Royal Bean Coffeehouse

Join us this Saturday, February 2nd at 7pm for a fun show featuring soloists and small ensembles from the Wiley Continuing Band.  The performance is free, and will be held at Royal Bean Coffeehouse (3801 Hillsborough Street).  Come on out and support our excellent young musicians!

Upcoming Dates
January 28: Report Cards go home
January 29: Third Quarter Electives begin
January 31: Talent Show practice
Week of February 4: Wiley Spirit Week
February 8: Lockdown Drill
February 11: Books Are Magic Book Drive Begins
February 15: Early Release Day, 1:15 dismissal
February 18: Teacher Workday, No School for Students

 

Updates 1/23/13

Updates 1/23/13

Celebrating Great Americans
*Our staff and students are celebrating the accomplishments of great African-Americans! For Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday and February's Black History Month, Wiley students are participating in the following awesome experiences (just to name a few):
-4th graders are participating in an interdisciplinary study of the Civil Rights Movement in North Carolina
-3rd graders are studying the life of Martin Luther King, Jr.
-All students will participate in author Don Tate's visit this Friday
-All students will participate in a presentation and workshop with the African American Dance Ensemble in February
-Kindergarten has had whole class read alouds of biographical books
-A team of 4th and 5th grade students has been created to compete in the annual Black History Month Quiz Bowl

There will be more to come in the weeks ahead. Discuss with your child their experiences!

Proactive Support for Safety from You
Ensuring safety of all students and staff at Wiley is an obvious, but critical task. We cannot do that without your help. While we have clear expectations and procedures for staff and students, we also have them for campus visitors-including you as a parent. Please note the following expectations with which we need your help:
-Always sign in at the office and wear your Visitor Sticker while you are on campus. This includes when you come for lunch. Please understand that staff will remind you of this procedure and they are following expectations of them.
-If you walk your student in at arrival and plan to stay to volunteer, sign in in the office.
-Always enter the building at the main (back) office door or ring the bell at the front door. Do not encourage students to open a locked door for you.
-Follow staff direction and procedures at dismissal, even when you are in a hurry. We know you may be inconvenienced, but we are responsible for accurate dismissal of all students. Your need may interfere with another child's dismissal and that could impede safety. Staff have a variety of custodial-parent guidelines to remember, student needs, changes to routine, etc. to think about during dismissal. It is extremely helpful and safe when you follow procedure. This includes: do not pick up students by walking up to the carpool hallway and use the only designated dismissal types/locations (carpool, walkers, YMCA).
-Alert staff if you notice anything out of the ordinary.
-Do not knock on doors that are locked for entry.

Strings, Anyone?
Mr. Julius Prescott, a professional cellist, will begin offering strings lessons at Wiley in February. This will be open to Wiley students with 1 year or more of strings experience, requires weekly participation, will be before school, and a fee will be charged. I will share more information in the coming week!

Potential Winter Weather This Friday
Mother Nature has given us a roller coaster winter, so far. For this Friday, forecasters are predicting a wintry mix after lunch. IF school is released early, we will notify you through a phone call home, Twitter, this blog, and an email. We will dismiss all students to their normal dismissal procedure at the early dismissal time. Bus departure (from campus) times will be posted on our website through our Twitter feed. If you plan to come to the office prior to the dismissal time, please expect a wait time as we accommodate parent requests. If you need to contact the school for a dismissal change, it will be extremely helpful for you to do so at least 30 minutes prior to the early dismissal time.