W E D N E S D A Y  W E E K L Y
October 26, 2016
 
In this Issue


Upcoming Events

October 26
Halloween Read Aloud
3:30 p.m., Learning Commons


October 27
Halloween Parades
Primary - 9:15 a.m.
Elementary - 11:15 a.m.

October 28 & 31
Primary/Elementary Conferences
No school for these levels. Pre-registered child-care is available.
Note: Toddler classes will continue as scheduled. 


November 1
Photo order forms due.
Learn More


November 3
Picture Make-up/Retakes

Auction Meeting
5:30 p.m.
Get involved with the biggest fundraising even of the year! Email   [email protected] for more info.


Workshop: Strategies to Increase Respect & Community Within Schools
7 p.m.
Learn More 


November 5
Admissions Open House
10 a.m.
Tell a friend! 


November 7-11
Annual Fund Drive
More details to follow! 
 

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Message from 
Head of School Lisa A. Lalama

 
Read more from Lisa on the Montessori Message blog.
This week, we will hold the first of two sets of parent-teacher conferences scheduled during the school year. Conferences are time when parents have the opportunity to meet with their child's teachers and learn about their child's school day - a time when the true meaning of partnership reveals itself. 

For many of us, parent-teacher conferences from our childhood consisted of our teachers sharing a list of things at which we were "good" or "bad." The conversation probably focused solely on our academic performance - how we measured up.

At WMS, conferences also serve as check-in points for your child's learning. What may be different is the way learning is defined. Children are learning and developing socially, emotionally and academically. They are so much more than the academic knowledge they have acquired. They are moving along continuums of growth in each of these areas and constantly developing as human beings, just as we are.

As a WMS parent, you have demonstrated your interest in the development of children by nature of being part of our community. You understand that we value all aspects of growth and recognize that the social and emotional growth of our students is as critical as the academic growth - for without the social and emotional skills in place, children will not be ready to learn academically.

During the next few days, each of you will have the chance to further your partnership with WMS and the people who teach your child each day. You will hear about your child's efforts and the observations and assessments that have been conducted so far this year. Then, you will work together on a plan for the next few months. This is a time of reflection, learning and collaboration.

Your child is unique. We appreciate the individuality of each child and strive to meet his or her needs. We do this best as partners with you, your child's first and most seasoned teacher.




 
News & Notes News
Horsing Around in After-Care
Last week, WMS alumna and Extended Day staff member Becky Siple stopped by with her horse, Sonic, and his pony friend from Cloverleaf Stables. The elementary after-school groups took turns visiting with the horses, learning how Becky takes care of them, and trying their hands at some grooming.  
 
Of course, some parents and their younger children noticed the trailer and joined the festivities, and it turned out to be a beautiful afternoon of learning and fun.

Odyssey of the Mind Interest Meeting
Thursday, October 27 at 3 p.m.
in the Great Room

Once again, WMS will be participating in what is known as the largest creative problem-solving competition in the world - Odyssey of the Mind!

In this STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) program, students work together to find creative solutions to problems, create large projects without the help of parents, present their solutions to judges and answer additional questions on-the-fly, showing their ability to improvise and think quickly.

Interested students in kindergarten through fifth grade, along with their parents, are invited to attend a brief informational meeting on Thursday at 3 p.m. If your child would like to participate but cannot attend the meeting, please contact coaches Anna Quisel and/or Nora Lober.


Halloween Parades & Costume Guidelines halloween
 
Halloween parades will be held on Thursday, October 27 (9:15 a.m. for Primary classes and 11:15 a.m. for Elementary students). In order to make the day fun for all of our students, we ask that children's costumes meet the following rules:
  • No weapons of any kind are allowed as part of a costume.
  • Costumes should not depict blood, guts or gore.
  • Hair color and makeup should be applied at home and not brought to school.
  • Since we have very young children at our school, please make sure that costumes are not frightening to small children.
If you have any questions, please contact your child's teacher.

Workshop for Parents & Teachers: Strategies to Increase Respect & Community Within Schoolsterrell
Thursday, November 3 at 7 p.m.

Nate Terrell, LCSW
Nate Terrell, LCSW, will discuss ways in which parents and teachers can support positive student behaviors and build increased respect and stronger communities within schools. 

Nate is a licensed clinical social worker who has spent his career helping children and schools eliminate bullying. He helps children and adults work together to create respectful schools and classrooms. 

Register Now Button
Photo Orders - Due November 1photos

If you are planning to order your child's school picture, please submit your form and payment to the front desk by Tuesday, November 1. Online ordering is also an option - see your order form for details.

If you would like your child to have his/her photo re-taken, please check "Make-up Day" on the order form and send it to school with your child on Thursday, November 3.

Questions? Contact [email protected] or  [email protected]. 
After-School Family Play Areas

We welcome our families to enjoy our campus and facilities after school; however, we ask that families who are not enrolled in our after-school programs use the Peace Park  and the area with the rocks near the staff entrance for after-school play.

Families are also invited to enjoy the WMS Learning Commons after school, as long as a faculty meeting is not in process!


Today's Learners learners
"Check Out" the new STEAM materials in the WMS Learning Commons
by STEAM Coach Paula Sharpe

The physical space looks beautiful, and you'll still see a wonderful selection of books. We have also added several new, exciting materials, as well as a Green Screen Room and recording area.  As most of you know, a lot of construction took place at WMS this past summer. One area in which the changes are most evident is the library - now known as the WMS Learning Commons. 

Our Green Screen Room allows children to create and record video of their work or writing and add different backgrounds that correspond with their work. For example, a Primary student wrote a story titled "Broccoli's Trip to the Beach." He then shared his story using the Green Screen Room with a beach backdrop (while wearing a green hoodie). He was extremely excited and proud of his writing and the video we made. The 9-12 students have created "Thank You" videos to families using this space. The children get so excited if I say, "Let's make a green screen video." We use this technology to allow children to express themselves in a new imaginative ways.

During the past couple of weeks, we have added new STEAM bins to the Learning Commons.  What are STEAM bins? These innovative materials allow families to participate in making and tinkering at home. They come in bins or folders with instructions inside explaining what to make and how to make it. You may need to provide a few items from home such as tape, straws or toothpicks. STEAM bins allow children to bring the WMS Maker Studios into your home.  Some of the materials available to check out include the following: Makey, Makey , photo instruction books, a Rainbow Loom and several different themed STEAM bins. Presently, we have STEAM bins for the Primary and Elementary levels; however, we will be adding more materials for toddlers soon.

Finally, we have several Literacy Bags available for families to check out. These bags come with a book that you can read with your child and materials with an activity sheet to work on at home. 

After your child returns the signed permission slip, he or she can check out the STEAM materials and Literary Bags.  So, p lease take some time to look them over, and let the fun and learning start in your home. And, don't forget to share pictures of your creations with us. We would love to see pictures or videos of these materials being used in your home.

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Want to bring more STEAM into your home through fun and educational holiday gifts? Paula will host a webinar titled  "STEAM Gift Ideas for Holidays" on Tuesday, November 15 at 7:30 p.m. Register today!
Tomorrow's Leaders leaders
Alumni/Former Student Survey
 
As part of our AMS re-accreditation process, we are surveying our alumni and past students about their experiences at WMS and the years to follow. If you are a former WMS student and did not receive an email with the link to this survey, please contact Noel Dietrich, Director of Communications, at [email protected]. Thank you for your participation!
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 Communications.
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