March Madness at WSS
Welcome, Spring! As we welcome the new season, we are reminded of the strength of spring blossoms, as through adversity flowers still bloom. March is often a challenging month for everyone as we are ready to say farewell to the cold weather that may not be ready to leave us, we have new progress reports shared out to families and we realize that we have just 3 short months left before we move on from the classroom community and academic routines we are now so familiar with. So, it is a perfect time to remind ourselves to keep growing.
Community Events
The month of March has welcomed our PARP Celebration, a Spring Parent University, our Character Education focus on Respect and much more.
During PARP (Pick a Reading Partner) Month, we welcomed in volunteers every Wednesday to read to our students during lunch. We also enjoyed Mystery Readers on the announcements, Drop Everything And PARP and of course, dress up days. Our goal was for students to embrace reading even more than they already do - and realize how many different opportunities there are to read with a variety of partners throughout each and every day. Check out our PARP Kick-Off Video Here!
We hope to see you on Friday, March 24th for PARP Fest from 6-7:30pm!!
National School Breakfast Week brought kiddos healthy bagged breakfast, an orange sampling and even free ice cream at lunch time! Thank you to Mrs. Saunders and the cafeteria staff for making meals so special!
Save the Date: WSS Summer Learning Activities!
Invitations & Registration Opportunities are Coming Soon!
By Invitation Only, WSS 1st-7th Summer Academia Camp
This offers a 16 day boost in the areas of reading, writing, math and mindset. You will receive an invitation letter by mail if your child is to take part in this. This is designed for students entering grades 1-7.
By Registration Only, WSS STEAM Camps We have 6 offerings this year over a 6 week period (7/10-8/17). Mrs. Tran & Mrs. VanDerBeck have worked on some high interest activities for each camp and students can choose any of these week long camps. STEAM camps help students learn to apply their knowledge of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math in new exciting ways.
Each camp is offered Monday-Thursday for students going into grades 2, 3 & 4 8:30-10am and students going into grades 5, 6 & 7 10:30-12:30pm
Parents must transport for these camps (drop off at the main entrance to WSS)
Location is the WSS Media Center
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WSS Academic Update
On Monday, March 13th we held our 2nd Parent University. Parents rotated through sessions to support the home-school connection for our current PK-2 math program, Bridges and the math program that will be coming in the Fall for our older learners, Eureka. Parents also chose to attend how to support a Growth Mindset through SEL & Character Education at home and learned strategies to support your growing reader in the home. These intimate sessions allowed for learning and authentic conversation.
From our Math Coach, Mrs. Wilson:
At our Parent University night our PK-3 parents had a more in depth look at our new math program, Bridges in Mathematics. Parents had the opportunity to engage in a variety of workplace games and saw what the Number Corner component of the program looks like in the classroom. Our 4-6 parents were given a brief introduction and overview of the new Eureka Squared math program. This program will be implemented next September in grades 4-6. If you weren't able to attend the Parent University, but are curious to see what Eureka Squared is all about, visit their family page at: https://greatminds.org/eureka-math-squared-family-resources
From our ELA Coach, Mrs. Beswick:
Fifth grade students have been reading various fiction and nonfiction passages in Scholastic StoryWorks magazine with a focus on analyzing perspective and point of view. Students have also been working on procedural and opinion writing. They concluded the writing unit with a choice opinion writing piece.
Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Le Roy, NY
Our local chapter of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library partners with The Richter Family Foundation to provide free, high quality books to families in our community. The foundation has just passed the 80,000 mark for books that have been given out. That makes 2800 children that have received books through The Richter Family Foundation. Within the last few years of joining the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, 107 children from our community have registered and are receiving books monthly. Please visit Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library for more information on the program and to register your children.
We look forward to continuing Parent Universities in the 2023-24 school year.
WSS Special Area Updates
PE: Elementary Intramurals sadly are all finished for this year. They were a huge success with over 200 students participating. Physical Education would like to welcome our student teacher, Mr. Buck. He will be teaching our Frisbee unit. Grades 4-6 just completed the unit Team Handball. This unit is a team sport that works on many skills such as throwing, catching, and goalie skills. This activity is very fast paced that switches between offense and defense quickly. Grades K-3 unit was the parachute. This is a team focused activity where students need to cooperate and work together. For an "inside view" follow this link: Parachutes in PE
Art: Students have been busy creating paper circuitry with Ms.Tran & Ms.VanDerBeck.
3rd grade students create a picture with a light element, then using a LED light attached to copper tape on the back with a battery, it lights up. Save the Date for the Art Show: May 16, 2023 5:30-7pm.
Music: Students in Mr. DeLuca's General Music classes grades 4-6, are learning and applying their music skills to play the ukuleles and the guitars, in addition to participating in group singing for the months of March and April.
Students in grades K-3 will be learning the fundamentals of melody and harmony by participating in active music making using the electric keyboards in March and April.
Thank you to all our fantastic students K-6 for their enthusiasm and excellent effort in music class!
Band Updates: The Beginner Band is doing an amazing job learning the music for the upcoming Spring Concerts! So far, our favorite piece to play is entitled At the Edge of Chaos--it's a lot of fun!
The 6th Grade Jazz Band is working hard after school to learn jazz, blues, rock and pop standards. We can't wait to perform for our families!
STEAM: Have you seen how 6th grade students use technology to create a different type of Art? Check this out!
Mr. Weaver has also enjoyed working with a variety of elementary classrooms. In Mrs. Holman's 1st Grade classroom - What can you do with all of these tools?
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WSS Character Education/SEL Updates
Students were recognized for demonstrating TRUSTWORTHINESS during our March 10, Assembly. These students choose to "do the right thing even when no one is looking," "be honest even if when it may be hard," and they "be the person the class and adults can count on to know what to do." We also kicked off March's Pillar of Character, RESPECT by modeling some entertaining scenarios of how to show respect throughout our building and community. Enjoy the video recordings of our assemblies below!
Coming Soon - April's Character Education Pillar of the Month: RESPONSIBILITY
Principal's Corner with Mrs. Messura
We have a new role model in town! Welcome back, LPD School Resource Officer Mattingly! Officer Mattingly is often seen in hallways, classrooms and maybe even on the outdoor playing field. Be sure to say hello if you see him out and about.
March 24-31: Spring Book Fair! Remember to add money to your child(s)' EWallet. Here is a link the interactive book flyer. April 3-10th: Spring Break
April 11th: Return to School
April 14: Character Education Assembly - Who will be recognized for the Character Pillar of Respect?
