WMS Wednesday Weekly - January 18, 2023

WEDNESDAY WEEKLY

January 18, 2023

NEWS & NOTES

2023-24 re-enrollment is now open!

If you are a returning WMS family, you should have received an email earlier today from admissions@wmsde.org (sent via FACTS SIS) with information and instructions regarding next steps for enrolling your child for the 2023-24 school year. Enrollment emails were only sent to the addresses used for enrollment through FACTS last year - if you don't see this email, please check other email addresses we may have on file for your family, as well as your spam folder.

Note: If you attempted to access the re-enrollment contract immediately after the emails went out this morning, you may have been unable to see the enrollment option. It should now be visible.

Because this process is new, we have scheduled times for staff to assist you with logging in and answering any questions you may have regarding your enrollment packet. Staff will be available in the Learning Commons at the following dates/times:

Wednesday, 1/18 - 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Thursday, 1/19 - 9-10 a.m.

Thursday, 1/19 - 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Friday, 1/20 - 11 a.m. - noon

Friday, 1/20 - 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Re-enrollment contracts will be due on February 15 in order to secure your child's space for the 2023-24 school year.

Questions regarding re-enrollment can be sent to admissions@wmsde.org. We thank you for your patience as we launch the new FACTS SIS!

Classroom Highlights - As seen on Bloomz

Toddler Program

Slimy Science in Room 5 - Toddlers Start Classroom Worm Farm

When toddlers from Room 5 go outside, they can often be found lifting up small rocks to find insects and worms underneath. On rainy days, the children love to count the worms on the playground, but as the weather started to get colder, the children noticed it was getting harder to find worms under the rocks and the stumps, which led to a discussion about hibernation and how some insects and animals go underground or someplace warm to sleep through winter. They also learned that as worms dig holes in the ground, it helps the dirt stay healthy. For children this young, it’s difficult to visualize what worms actually do, so yesterday, Lead Toddler Teacher Kira Stauffer helped the children build a worm farm in the classroom. First, Kira shared the lifecycle of a worm - from egg to newly hatched baby to adult. The class discussed where worms live and what supplies are needed to build a worm farm. The children went outside and used shovels and rakes to dig up dirt and collect some worms. When they returned to the classroom, they added the dirt to their worm farm, along with the three worms they found and some decomposing fruit for the worms to eat. The students and teachers are looking forward to observing everything that happens in that environment in the upcoming days and weeks!

Middle School (7th & 8th Grade) Program

Hands-on Learning - Chemical Reactions

During the past month, Middle School students have been learning about the scientific method and chemical reactions. They began their studies with an experiment using bath bombs. Students took detailed notes on their observations and modeled what they thought was happening chemically and physically on a microscopic level. Later this week, they will meet to discuss their observations and come up with questions that will guide their next steps as they seek to understand this chemical process.

For another opportunity to learn about chemical reactions in the real world, middle-schoolers took a trip to the UDairy Creamery. There, they learned about the science behind making cheese and ice cream. They even made their own cheese, which they were able to bring home to enjoy after the trip.

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The Wednesday Weekly shares WMS news and events that are relevant to the families in our community.

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