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W E D N E S D A Y W E E K L Y
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In this Issue
Upcoming Events
9-12 Talent Show
Dress rehearsal
9:30 a.m.
Performance
7 p.m.
Gym
February 2 & 5
Primary/Elementary conferences
February 8
8:30 a.m.
February 8
9-12 Choir sings national anthem at University of Delaware basketball game
7:30 p.m.
University of Delaware
February 12-16
February 12
WMS Basketball -
WMS vs. St. Edmond's
3:30 p.m.
St. Edmond's
February 16
February 21
WMS Basketball -
WMS vs. IHM
5:30 p.m.
Claymont Community Center
February 22
Toddler Maker Faire
8:15-9:15 a.m.
Room 1
February 26
WMS Basketball -
Pilot vs. WMS
3:30 p.m.
WMS Gym
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Keep Calm and Talent On
Message from
Head of School Lisa Lalama
Each year the 9-12 students host a talent show. In past years, they have shared hobbies and interests including ice skating (through video), martial arts, playing instruments, vocal performances, dancing, acting and many other talents. Teachers, students and family members watch with smiles on their faces, happy to watch these students enjoying such great experiences. After all, it isn't often that they get to share these talents during a typical school day.
Schools are about so much more than academic learning. In pursuing the goal of an excellent education, WMS focuses on all the core subjects you know so well from your own education and much more. Just as math, language arts, science and social studies are essential parts of an excellent education, children need experiences beyond those subjects to build their interests and passion for learning. They need to take charge of a program like the talent show, from start to finish, to show their ability to organize an event that stretches them and serves others. They need to learn to include each other, present their classmates in a positive light, and support those who need an extra push to perform for an audience. Some students are way outside their comfort zones, while others lead the charge.
Just as we help students learn to consider their audience when they write, the same applies for the talent show. In math, we help children learn about space, estimation, and scale and ratio; all of these things come into play when putting together such an event like the talent show. As students share art forms like dance or music, they learn the history of the pieces they perform. As they encounter various instruments and the lights and sound in the gym, they work with science to get the best result from the tools they are using. Are they in desks listening to lectures about these topics? Are they conducting experiments in a lab? No. They are learning through real-life experiences that are more valuable than any situation we could set up in the classroom. They are engaging many senses and have opportunities to learn from both their teachers and fellow students. They are learning things they won't forget. That is the hallmark of an excellent education.
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News & Notes
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February 1 is Super Bowl Day
Tomorrow, February 1, students and staff are invited to wear team colors, jerseys and/or accessories in support of their favorite Super Bowl team (which does not have to be the Eagles).
Show your team pride in style!
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February 12-16 is Parent Appreciation Week at WMS
The students, teachers and staff are so grateful for all that the WMS parents do to make our school successful. Parents tackle jobs such as cleaning the classrooms, setting up field trips, serving on the Board of Directors, helping with class receptions and events, preparing auction gifts and so much more.
We appreciate your efforts every week of the year, but we'll take some special time during the week of February 12 to show you just how much you mean to us. Everyone agrees - WMS parents rock!
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Need Help with Online Re-enrollment? Let Us Know.
Some parents have reported experiencing issues with the
new online re-enrollment process. If you are having trouble re-enrolling your student through the online form or have additional questions regarding re-enrollment, please don't hesitate to contact Director of Admissions
Tiffany Harrison for help. Please remember to refer to the email you received from Tiffany on January 9 for your login information.
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Today's Learners
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Problem-Solving and Technology
by Instructional Technology Coach Rose Feehan
Whenever new technology is introduced into a classroom, teachers are always surprised by how quickly students learn to use it. Students are confident and enthusiastic as they jump into a new app or device. Sometimes they need some direction to guide them through the beginning steps, but often they are eager to create and explore on their own. This confident attitude and exploratory approach to technology is something we strive to foster in each student at WMS.
 In many academic areas, there are concrete answers. For example, 2+2 is always 4, and questions end with a question mark. With technology, there are multiple ways to find a solution. From the first moment a student uses technology, he or she is working to solve a problem creatively.
A Primary student working with the Bee-Bot robot starts by figuring out how to work the commands to make Bee-Bot reach a targeted square. Using that same target, a group of children can identify more than one solution to reach the target without repeating a previous path. If a Bee-Bot does not hit the target, it is not considered incorrect - it's simply another chance to try a different way. Students begin to form an understanding that when something doesn't work, it is an opportunity to try again.
Our Upper Elementary students are constantly working to answer questions and solve problems using iPads. When a new app is introduced, students are allowed time to openly explore it before receiving more formal instruction. When the students are asked how to perform a task through a new app, they often identify more than one way to complete it. Students who are timid at first with technology begin to gain confidence and understand that not getting it right the first time is part of how you learn.
 There are times when the 9-12 students hit a wall with their technology - perhaps the printer is offline, an app is malfunctioning or an account login is returning an error. They have a sense of urgency to find a solution so they can complete their assigned task on time. Rather than becoming frustrated and blaming their technology, they respond by asking a peer for help or finding a teacher. They understand that a solution to their problem exists and it's just a matter of finding the right resource to guide them to the answer.
Problem-solving is an invaluable skill for students at all levels. When students realize their power to work out a solution, their attitudes shift. Children who may have sought answers from adults realize they can find answers on their own. With that knowledge, problems are no longer roadblocks - they are challenges to overcome and achieve.
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 The Wednesday Weekly shares WMS news and events that are relevant to the families in our community.
Please send submissions to
[email protected]
by 4:30 p.m. on the Friday prior
to the issue in which you wish to include your information. Content may be edited for length
and style and may be held for a future issue due to space constraints.
For more information, contact Noel Dietrich, Director of Advancement & Communications.
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