MARCH
Monday Mixer with Principal Espania
Monday, March 2
9:15 am, Library
Two Hour Early Dismissal
Wednesday, March 4
1:05 pm
Read Around the World Begins
Monday, March 9
PTA Board Meeting
Tuesday, March 10
7:00 pm, Library
Please RSVP to Jennifer Bucher. Childcare is available.
Scrip Orders Due
Thursday, March 12
Math Night
Thursday, March 12
6:30 - 8:30 pm
Professional Development Day - NO SCHOOL
Friday, March 20
Spring Break - NO SCHOOL
March 30 - April 3
Welcome Back Wedgwood Families!
We had a great week prior to break and we have a great deal of learning to accomplish prior to our next break.
It was a wonderful week full of activity prior to our week away from school. Friday was filled with a bustle of activity. Ms. Sokolow and I enjoyed doing creative cards with the 5th graders while their teachers had grade level collaboration time. They did an amazing job putting together a variety of supplies to create their own cards from scratch. During morning recess all of our children effectively and efficiently completed the reverse evacuation drill. We were proud to see that our students quickly and independently came in and met their teachers with minimal amounts of reminders and guidance. I also enjoyed attending a meal with manners with some of our classes. Sitting with a napkin in their lap, using quiet voices, and everyone using their polite words and utensils was so impressive! My Friday ended with a number of 5th grade groups performing and delivering heart-o-grams. We have such a talented and wonderful group of students at Wedgwood! As we head into school tour season, I am proud to have the opportunity to share with our larger community Wedgwood students and teachers and all they are accomplishing.
I hope that you all had an enjoyable mid-winter break and you are energized to get back to school! It is great to have the building filled with energy again.
Come join us on Monday, March 2nd at 9:15 am in the Library for our monthly Monday Mixer with Principal Espania. It is an excellent way to get any questions or concerns you may have addressed or just meet other parents. See you there!
We Need You! A co-chair for Scrip sales is needed through the end of the school year to learn Scrip system and take over as chair for the 2009/10 school year. Filling this position is a very high priority as the generous volunteer parent running Scrip will be moving on to middle school and we could lose valuable training time. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact PTA VP Volunteers Julie Stevens.
Jane Addams will open in Fall 2009 as a new K-8 in the Northeast Cluster. Co Principals Debbie Nelsen and Christopher Carter welcome you to join in building an exciting program focusing on environmental science. In addition to a rigorous academic program, the new school will offer Spectrum for gifted students, bilingual services for English Language Learners (ELL), special education services and multiple art opportunities. To learn more, attend one of the informational nights which will be held March 5th and 17th from 6:30-8:00 pm at Jane Addams. For more information, go to http://www.janeaddamsk8.com/.
Wedgwood’s fundraising efforts at the Lunar New year celebration enabled the Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS) to purchase six 50-pound bags of rice, which feeds 120 families! The ACRS would like to thank Wedgwood on behalf of their clients who have culturally relevant foods because of people like you and the students at Wedgwood Elementary. Way to go Wedgwood!
Wedgwood Elementary Math Night
March 12
6:30-8:30pm
What is Math Night?
Math Night started as a Math Fair in Seattle elementary school, a project co-sponsored by the National Science Foundation (via the VIGRE and GK-12 grants), the Department of Mathematics at the University of Washington and the local store Math-N-Stuff. The goal of this project is to bring mathematics closer to home for the families of the students in Seattle Public Schools. Our main motivation is to promote mathematics as fun activity for all kids.
How will Math Night work at Wedgwood this year?
Tatiana Toro, parent of a kindergartner and Professor of Mathematics at UW, along with Leanne Robertson, Professor of mathematics at Seattle U and parent of a 2nd grader, will run two training sessions for parents and student volunteers. An adult must accompany all students attending training sessions. The two training sessions are Thurs., 2/26, 6:30-8:30pm and Thurs., 3/5, 3:30-5:00pm. Both training sessions will take place in the Wedgwood Library. During these sessions, parents and kids will have a chance to learn how to play some games, learn the strategies involved and most importantly, have FUN! Adults and kids that attend the sessions will become game leaders who will then teach the games to our Wedgwood community on Math Night. You only need to attend one training session to become a “certified” game leader. Parents and student game volunteers will have the opportunity to same strategy, memory, sequencing and geometry games.
Contact Tatiana Toro at toro@math.washington.edu or ttoro64@gmail.com if you and your child can attend either training session. This event cannot happen without the enthusiastic support and volunteer efforts of our school community. Come to a training session and be prepared to have FUN!
On Monday, February 9, 2009, Wedgwood 5th grade students Gabe Briggs, Erin Cunningham, Claire Demorest, Nick Jansen, Garret Lawrence and Caroline Malone traveled to Olympia and asked state lawmakers to vote for the Olympic Marmot as the official endemic mammal for the State of Washington. The students testified in front of the natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation Committee headed by Ken Jacobsen, whose wife Rachel has been a longtime supporter of students at Wedgwood. This process began in 2008 when students participated in Ms. Clark’s 4th grade classes’ introduction to government.
Things have moved quickly since February 9. The bill (Senate Bill 5071) has passed from the Natural Resources Committee to the Rules Committee, which decides if the bill can be brought to the floor of the Senate for a vote. As part of this report, our diligent 5th grade students are now in the process of lobbying the 18 senators on the Rules Committee via email, in hopes that they can persuade them to pull SB 5071 onto the Senate Floor.
Please stay tuned to see if Team Marmot’s bill progresses. The Rules Committee will be deciding soon whether to bring the bill to a vote or not. If you are interested in hearing the students testimony and learning about the research they uncovered about the Olympic Marmot and why it is important to our state, please visit: http://leg.wa.gov/Senate/Committees/NROR/membersstaff.htm.
FEBRUARY
4th and 5th Grade Instrumental Music Concert
Tuesday, Feb. 10
6:30 pm, Cafeteria
PTA Board Meeting
Wednesday, Feb. 11
7:00 pm, Library
Please RSVP to Jennifer Bucher at rjmlbucher@comcast.net
Childcare is available
President’s Day
Monday, Feb. 16
NO SCHOOL
Mid-Winter Break — NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, Feb. 17 to Friday, Feb. 20
MARCH
Open Enrollment
March 2 through March 31
Monday Mixer with Principal Espania
Monday, March 2
9:15 am, Library
2 Hour Early Dismissal
March 4
Professional Development Day — NO SCHOOL
March 20
Spring Break — NO SCHOOL
March 30 to April 3
Dear Wedgwood Families,
The following is a review of topics discussed at the February Monday Mixer last week:
The new Wedgwood Elementary website will be up and running soon. We will put conflict forms on the new website.
Denise Espania
A reverse evacuation is the process for moving students/staff indoors quickly. It is needed in the case of gunshots, drive by shootings or if law enforcement notifies the school of an armed individual in the area.
On Wednesday, Feb. 11, Mrs. Espania will speak to all the students about the process and how they will be alerted. On Friday, Feb. 13, we will have a drill during each morning recess of the reverse evacuation procedure.
Please let your child know that this drill will take place and the need to follow directions for their safety.
The 5th Graders will be selling Heart-O-Grams before and after school and during lunches all this week until lunchtime on Friday the 13th. The cost is 50 cents each or 3 for $1.00. Heart-O-Grams will be delivered on Friday.
Friends, teachers and staff always love getting these!
DON’T FORGET TO SIGN UP FOR MUSIC ENSEMBLES!
3rd - 5th Grade Rhythm Ensemble
Mondays, 3:15 - 4:15 pm
Feb. 23, March 2, 9, 16, 23
JUST ADDED:
1st - 5th Grade Piano Ensemble
Before School
Tuesdays, 8:15-8:50 am
Feb 24, March 3, 10, 17, 24
NEED MORE INFO?
Contact Ms. Becker at 252-5677 or cmbecker@seattleschools.org
KidsPlay is coming to Mid-Winter Break!
From Tuesday the 17th to Friday the 20th, come join us in the gym, and if the weather is nice, outside for some free play, calisthenics, scooter races, yoga and art from 9:00 am until 4:30 pm.
Pack a lunch and a couple of large snacks. The last two camps, the kids have been gobbling up their snacks and have still been hungry, so load up. Bottled water will be provided. Dress for sports wear those sneakers!
The cost will be: $60 for a single day, $110 for 2 days, $150 for three days and $180 for all four days. There’s also a 10% discount for signing up siblings. For more information, call Kevin Oyama at 206-529-1132 or email at kdoyama@comcast.net.
See you there!
FEBRUARY
2 Hour Early Dismissal
Wednesday, Feb. 4
1:05 pm
Scrip Orders Due
Thursday, Feb. 5
4th and 5th Grade Instrumental Music Concert
Tuesday, Feb. 10
6:30 pm, Cafeteria
PTA Board Meeting
Wednesday, Feb. 11
7:00 pm, Library
Please RSVP to Jennifer Bucher at rjmlbucher@comcast.net
Childcare is available
President’s Day
Monday, Feb. 16
NO SCHOOL
Mid-Winter Break — NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, Feb. 17 to Friday, Feb. 20
MARCH
Open Enrollment
March 2 through March 31
Monday Mixer with Principal Espania
Monday, March 2
9:15 am, Library
2 Hour Early Dismissal
March 4
Professional Development Day — NO SCHOOL
March 20
Spring Break — NO SCHOOL
March 30 to April 3
Dear Wedgwood Families,
Last Thursday, the school board finalized the building closures and program relocation plan for the 2009 to 2010 school year. Although surrounded by tremendous emotion, the decision was made based on data and research that was complied over time as well as an in-depth examination of the current situation of programs and buildings. At the heart of the decision is the district’s vision of excellence for all students.
Over the upcoming weeks we will be looking deeply at our own practices at Wedgwood as we begin to prepare for creating our budget for next school year. Also guided by the vision of excellence for all, we will continue to look at our student learning targets as well as the services we presently have in place to ensure that our budget for next year aligns with our goals set forth in our Continuous School Improvement Plan (CSIP).
The district and our school face an economic situation that mirrors that of the greater city, state, national, and global economies. As a school community we are here to support our students and families. We know that in order to impart academics we first need to ensure that students’ social and emotional needs are addressed. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to support your children.
Denise Espania
The amount of income a family can earn and still qualify for Basic Food (food stamps) has increased. Families in Washington will benefit from this change. Basic Food (food stamps) helps families to afford a nutritious diet by providing eligible households with benefit cards and monthly benefits to buy food at participating grocery stores. Families receiving food stamps automatically qualify for free breakfast and lunch at school.
You can apply at the local food stamp office, by mail or online at www.food.wa.gov or call 1-877-514-3663. Families can also contact the front office at Wedgwood for more information.
BE ON THE LOOKOUT! YOUR CHILD'S MID-YEAR DRAWING COLLECTION COMING HOME IN FEBRUARY!
Sometimes these papers get shoved in the forever depths of the backpack or piled onto an enormous pile at home. Please look for this folder containing your child's Drawings from the PTA Sponsored Wedgwood Drawing Program.
I am fortunate to spend 8 one-hour sessions throughout the year in all classrooms teaching Drawing. This year the topic is Animals of Washington State. The students have done a beautiful job on these works and many are framable and gift-worthy. The second half of their collection will come home in May. (I am running out of storage room!)
Special Ed classes will bring their entire collection home in May. These students are doing a modified version of the curriculum and creating lovely pictures as well.
Thank you for supporting the PTA and its programs!
Lori Davies - Drawing Instructor
Questions? Comments? Call me at 522-7769 or e-mail lorid@isomedia.com
The advanced Learning Office sent out decision letter about Spectrum and APP qualifications last week. If your child participated in the testing process, but you have not received a letter, please contact the Advanced Learning Office at 206-252-0130.
If your child qualified for Spectrum or APP and you would like to enroll him or her in one of these programs, you will need to re-enroll your child through the district. This is true even if your child will be attending Wedgwood again but switching to the Spectrum program. Forms are available at the enrollment office as well as online at http://www.seattleschools.org/area/eso/story/dxml.
If you believe that the districts test results do not reflect your child’s abilities, please carefully read the information about the appeals process on the back of your decision letter. More information can be found at http://www.seattleschools.org/area/advlearning/appeal.htm.
The district must receive the appeals application and documentation by February 23rd.
If your child qualifies for free/reduced priced lunch and participated in the fall testing, he or she may qualify for additional free testing through the district. The deadline for requesting this testing is February 13th. Call the Advanced Learning Office at 252-0130 for more information.