February 27, 2020
We recently communicated that one year ago, the Wilson School Board and District Administration embarked on a comprehensive feasibility study to guide our long-term decision making about the District’s educational facilities.

To ensure we provide an opportunity to hear the voice of all of our stakeholders, we are embarking on a “Thoughtexchange” to gather additional insight into the thoughts of our community regarding the District’s plan for future growth.

Please click here and take a moment to respond to the question, “After reviewing the Feasibility Study that addresses the District’s plan for future growth, what is the top priority we should be considering?” Also, please visit the Exchange frequently to rate thoughts that others have shared. Your participation is confidential, so no one will know who shared or rated which thought. Please come back often, until the "Thoughtexchange" closes on March 5, 2020 to rate new ideas.

We look forward to working together to create the best opportunities for students and staff at the Wilson School District!
Wilson Mini-THON Weekend!
It’s Mini-THON weekend! This annual event allows our students and community to raise as much money as possible for the Four Diamonds Foundation which helps in the fight against pediatric cancer.
 
Our community is invited to join us for Mini-THON Community Hours from 6:00-9:00 pm, February 29, 2020, in the Wilson High School Gymnasium. It is a $5 entrance fee for adults and $3 for students. Enjoy food, drinks, games, music, merchandise, bouncy house, raffles, and fun for the whole family!
And it’s all For The Kids!
What's So Cool About Manufacturing
This year, our Wilson Middle Schools have again teamed up with the Manufacturers Resource Center for the "What's So Cool About Manufacturing?" video contest. 
 
This exciting opportunity has put the teams of 8th-grade students in direct contact with some of Berks County's top manufacturing companies. The students have been creating storyboards, editing video, and getting first-hand video production advice. Middle schools from Berks and Schuylkill Counties will be competing against each other in various categories for the best two-and-a-half minute promotional video showcasing their company.  
 
Online voting for "Viewers Choice" ends February 28, so vote NOW here .
Iron Chef Fundraising Event - Volunteers Needed!
The Wilson Education Foundation is excited to be hosting the Iron Chef Competition & Benefit Auction on Sunday, March 24. Volunteers are crucial to the success of the event! All volunteers will receive complimentary admission and will have the ability to enjoy the event either, prior to, or after, their designated shift. We are, once again, using SignUp.com (the leading online Sign-up and reminder tool) to organize our upcoming sign-ups.
 
Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:
 
1) Click this Link to see our SignUp site.
2) Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.
3) Sign up!
 
Thank you for your support of this event!
Kindergarten 2020-2021 Online Registration Is Now Open!
If you have a student that is ready for Kindergarten for the 2020-2021 school year, you can register them on-line.

Click on this link to go to the Kindergarten Registration page for instructions. Once your online application has been completed, you’ll be prompted to call for a face-to-face appointment at the building, where we’ll review the application, verify your original documents, and answer any questions you may have. The building-level appointments start next week, so be sure to register TODAY!

Cornwall Terrace Elementary ~ March 2nd & 3rd
Spring Ridge Elementary ~ March 5th & 6th
Green Valley Elementary ~ March 9th & 10th
Whitfield Elementary ~ March 12th & 13th
Shiloh Hills Elementary ~ March 16th & 17th

We are excited to welcome our newest class of Bulldogs to the Wilson School District!
Berkshire Heights Preschool and School Age Program Open for Enrollment
Open Enrollment for our Berkshire Heights Preschool and School Age Before and After School child care programs is Tuesday, March 10, starting at 7:00 am, at Berkshire Heights Early Learning Center.

The Early Learning Center is located at 711 N. Wyomissing Blvd, Wyomissing. For more information regarding our programs, including registration forms, please visit our website . Enrollment is on a first come, first serve basis and space is limited. 
Wilson Senior Representing the US at the 2020 Snowboarding Junior World Championships
We are thrilled that Wilson senior, Mika Kizuka, just received her invitation to represent the United States of America at the 2020 International Ski Federation Snowboarding Junior World Championships in Lachtal, Austria! This will be her second year representing the USA at the FIS Junior World Championships. She is currently ranked 7th in America (out of all ages).

Mika will be competing in both Parallel Giant Slalom and Parallel Slalom. Good luck! We are Bulldog Proud of you!
High School Student "Experience Engineering"
On Friday, February 21, nine Wilson students participated in "Experience Engineering," an event hosted by Penn State Berks in recognition of National Engineering Week. Students were provided with an overview of engineering programs available at the Berks and main campuses.

In addition, a panel of Penn State engineering students, including 2016 Wilson alumnus, Morgan Schwartz, provided insight and advice based on their personal experience as engineering majors. Students also participated in activities including the construction of a paper bridge, designed to hold the maximum load possible, and the creation of a prosthetic leg, using readily available materials. What a great day for our students!
 
Pictured in photo from left to right: Chris Sayer; Arianna Molina; Madison Haraschak; Amandre Hatcher; Adam Vanino; Dylan Edelman; Grace Piscitelli; Jolyon Heffner; Lily Snyder.
Wilson Students Are Tops in the Governor's STEM Competition
Congratulations to the winners of the Berks County Regional round of the Governor's STEM Competition!

Sanchita Bhusari, Cole Chmielewski, Luke Kline, McCord Peterson, and Colby Snyder took first place at the competition last Thursday with their EcoEco System, a system of bike attachments and an App that encourages bike riding over driving by capturing a person's tire rotation and calculating the amount of carbon emissions saved.

The team will now improve its product and take it to the state competition in Harrisburg in May. We wish them the best as they move on to this next level of competition!
Save The Date! Eureka Math Information Night
We will be hosting a Parent Night regarding our Eureka Math program on March 3, from 6:00--7:00 PM, in the Board Room, located in the District Administration Building.
 
This event is a follow-up to our building level parents' nights held in the fall. We will address some frequently asked questions and provide some models of the work students are doing in math. We hope to see you there!
Wilson Theater Company Proudly Presents Beauty and the Beast
Tickets for Wilson Theater Company’s production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast are being sold NOW! This tale as old as time is filled with spectacular costumes, beautiful set design, and memorable music. Bring the family together for a story of learning to love and finding oneself.   Show dates are March 12 and 13 at 7:30 pm, and March 14 at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased here .
Show Your Wilson Pride At The Phillies!
Join us at Citizen's Bank Park on Saturday, April 18 as the Phillies take on the Marlins! We need a minimum of 500 tickets sold to get Wilson West's principal, Mr. Wetherhold, to do the ceremonial opening pitch, so invite your friends and family! Let's make this a night to remember!

Tickets are only $25 each, and can be purchased by:
1) Venmo - @WilsonWest-PTO
2) Check - Made out to Wilson West PTO
3) Cash - Please include name and contact info.

Tickets will be available for pickup in person, Tuesday 4/14 & Thursday 4/16 from 6pm-8pm, at Wilson West. 
Spring Aquatics Events-- Perfect for the Whole Family!
2020 Spring Lap Swim Schedule
  • Deep Water Lap Swim 
Monday & Wednesday 8:00-9:00 pm: Begins Mon., March 16, 2020
  • Lap & Recreational Swim
Tuesday & Thursday 7:00-9:00 pm: Begins Tuesday, March 10, 2020
  • Friday Rec Swims
6:00-8:00 pm: Begins on Friday, March 6, 2020

School Year Community Swim Pricing Information
  • Friday Night & Weekend Open Swims: $5.00 FOR ADULTS & $3.00 STUDENTS
  • Monday through Thursday Night Lap Swimming: $3.00 PER PERSON
  • Special Event Pricing: $5.00
  • (MASTERS SWIM PRACTICE, MOVIE NIGHT, EGG HUNT, AND SPECIAL EVENTS- WILL BE SPECIFIED WITH THIS PRICING)
  • Aqua-Aerobic Classes: $5.00 per class

2020 Masters Swimming Schedule
  • Monday, 5:30-7:00 am  
  • Tuesday, 5:30-7:00 am
  • Wednesda, 5:30-7:00 am
  • Thursday, 5:30-7:00 am 

Spring Aqua Aerobic Class Schedule
  • Monday & Wednesday Evenings - 8:00 to 8:45 PM
  • Begins March 16, Ends May 27
  • Cost $5.00 per class, or purchase a punch card, 10 classes for $30.00

American Red Cross Lifeguard Training
  • Classes begin March 17 and run through May 19
  • For additional information and to register, click here

For additional information, please visit the Aquatics website .
FREE Youth/Elementary Girls Volleyball Clinic!
Looking to learn more about the sport of volleyball? This is a great opportunity for some free instruction! On May 7, from 6-7 pm, in the High School Gym, High School Girls' Volleyball Coach, Denny Werner, will be running a FREE instructional volleyball clinic designed to introduce the great sport of volleyball to our youth/elementary students. If interested, email Coach Werner at DJNW2309@aol.com to pre-register. Be sure to include: full name, current grade, and current elementary school. Open to ALL Wilson School District 3rd-6th grade girls.
Wilson Softball Youth Clinic
Wilson Softball is offering a Softball Clinic to all residents of the
Wilson School District on March 7, from 4-8 pm. The clinic will be an opportunity for your daughter to work with Wilson softball players on improving skills, enhancing techniques, and learning what it takes to become a better softball player. Wilson Varsity Softball Coach, Gregg Kramer, will be directing the camp with the
assistance of the softball coaching staff. The objectives of the clinic are:

Teach the fundamentals of hitting and pitching
Learn proper instruction for infield and outfield play
Emphasize the values of sportsmanship, commitment, and team play
Reinforce proper techniques for throwing, catching, hitting, and fielding.

For more information and to register, click here .
Attention High School Seniors-- Scholarship Opportunity!
The Lauren's Foundation Scholarship is available to graduating Berks County high school seniors who have overcome adversity in their lives to successfully complete high school, and will be continuing on to higher education at an accredited university, college, or trade school. Award winners will meet the following criteria:
  1. Demonstrate a strong commitment to academics in high school
  2. Demonstrate perseverance over challenging life circumstances to better themselves
  3. Exhibit a strong desire for personal growth and success

How to apply?
  1. Complete the Lauren's Foundation application
  2. Write an essay describing how the following quote from American author and poet Maya Angelou applies to their lives and circumstances: “I can be changed by what happens to me. I refuse to be reduced by it.”
  3. The selection committees may, but need not to, consider financial need when selecting recipients. Applicants agree to provide the necessary details if so requested.

Rules and Restrictions
Applications must be submitted electronically through this site to be considered for a scholarship award. A completed application copy should also be submitted to the applicant's high school’s guidance department by March 31. Applicants agree that, if awarded the scholarship, their likeness or image may be included in marketing materials for Lauren's Foundation. The value of scholarships awarded is typically $1,000 but may be more or less at the sole discretion of the Foundation Directors and/or selection committees.
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