December Tidbits from TN Dept of ED

1. Get ready for flu season 
   Remind your children about washing hands frequently—particularly when kids get home from school, sports, and other activities. Pay attention to school websites and newsletters for alerts about flu or other illness outbreaks. Check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website (cdc.gov) for up-to-date information and the latest prevention advice. And be sure your family gets flu shots.
2. Help end bullying 
   Take the time to talk with your children about bullying behavior. Before you begin the conversation, go to pta.org/bullying and stopbullying.gov to learn what you can do as a parent to instill an attitude of acceptance in your children and get help with bullying behavior if your family needs it.
3. Remember the teacher 
   A simple holiday token is nice if you can swing it. Teachers particularly appreciate cards from their students, and gift cards for their favorite book, crafts, or office-supply stores. Teachers often replenish classroom supplies out of their own pay, so gift cards help cut the cost.
4. Practice cyber safety 
   If your children will be spending more time online during the winter break, or if they get a new laptop or smartphone as a gift, be sure to review family rules and online behavior. 

https://www.ed.gov/parents/countdown-success

November Tidbits

1. Review that report card 
   Pay careful attention to all report cards, but particularly the first one. You want to get help for any problem areas before your child falls too far behind. Ask your child's teacher how grades are determined and for suggestions on how your student can improve. Review grades and the teacher's comments with your child—always starting with something she's/he's doing well, then pointing out areas that need attention, and ending with something positive again.
2. Encourage creativity 
   Urge your children to enter the National PTA Reflections arts contest. They can submit works of art in six categories: visual arts (such as painting, drawing, or collage), literature, musical composition, photography, film production, and dance choreography. This year's theme is “Diversity Means…” Contact your local PTA for additional details or go to pta.org.
3. Make over your meals 
   November is National PTA's Healthy Lifestyles Month, so think carefully about what your kids are eating at home and in school. For more healthy eating and lunch-packing tips, go to pta.org/goodchoices and choosemyplate.gov/kids.
4. Be a good citizen 
   Your child will be learning about good citizenship and they'll be thrilled to go with you when you cast your ballot on November 8. Go to free.ed.gov to learn more about how government works.
5. Give thanks 
   This month's Thanksgiving holiday is the perfect time to talk with your children about all the freedoms the United States has to offer its citizens. Help your children explore what life was like here during the first Thanksgiving at the Library of Congress website: loc.gov/families. 
   
   Checkout the following website for more information!
   
   www.ed.gov/parents/countdown-success

Remember to have your child read independently, to/with someone, or have someone read to them at least 20 minutes a day!

1. Fuel up 
   Children who eat a healthy breakfast each day have more energy available for learning. Try simple, protein-loaded options like homemade scrambled-egg-and-cheese breakfast burritos, waffles smeared with nut butter, or yogurt-and-fruit smoothies.
2. Become a class volunteer
   You'll develop a closer relationship with the teacher and volunteer in the classroom, usually without having to commit a ton of time. Class parents organize other parent volunteers for parties and events, may help the teacher create a newsletter, or might document the school year in photos. Ask the teacher what his or her specific needs will likely be this year.
3. Connect with your kids' teachers  
   Attending school meetings should be a priority for all parents and guardians. This is your chance to see how things are going with your children and to partner with their teachers on improving performance. Ask: “What could we be doing at home to practice what they're learning?” National PTA has created grade by-grade Parent Guides that can be a resource for what to discuss at conferences. Find out more at pta.org/parentsguide.
4. Seek extra help 
   Does it seem your child is going to have trouble keeping up? Ask the teacher about school-provided tutoring programs and resources to help reinforce his or her learning outside of class.
   
   
   See US Dept Of Education Countdown to Success for more information

WSE October Calendar of Events

Oct 4	College and Career Day
Oct 4	Side-by-Side Concert 12:00
Oct 11	Beta Club Induction
Oct 11	End of the Nine Weeks 1/2 Day Theme: Farm/Western Day
Oct 14-18	Fall Break No School
Oct 21-25	Red Ribbon Week
Oct 24	Read for the Record
Oct 24	Parent Data Night 5:00 pm
Oct 24	Literacy Night 6:00 pm
Oct 25	Math Hall of Fame. Wordsmith and Science Bowl
Oct 25	Honors Programs KK-5 8:30 am
Oct 27	Trunk or Treat 5:30-7:30 pm
Oct 30	Report Cards Issued
Oct 30	Walk-a-thon Pep Ralley

Donuts with Dad

September Parent Tidbits

Here are some helpful hints from the Dept. of Ed: Countdown for Success. 

September

1. Reach out to your kids' teachers
   Attend meet-the teacher night, orientation, or other welcome events, but don't stop there. Make a point of introducing yourself and learning about class activities and expectations for the year. Find out how each teacher prefers to communicate.
   Many use e-mail as the main form of contact, but phone calls and conferences (make an appointment first) are usually welcome, too. For more advice on building a parent-teacher relationship that will last the entire year, as well as links to all the websites featured in this guide, go to parenting.com/success.
2. Get in the groove
   Establish healthy at-home routines for school days, such as consistent waking times and getting-ready patterns. Decide on a regular homework time, and create a comfortable, quiet work space. Set bedtimes that allow elementary-age kids to get 10 to 12 hours of sleep.
3. Time things right
   Stay on top of everyone's school, activity, and work schedules with a free online calendar or a smartphone app.
4. Pack smart
   Make sure your child's backpack never weighs more than 10 to 20 percent of his body weight; heavy packs can strain developing muscles and joints. Encourage your child to use both straps, and tighten them so the pack hangs close to the body, about two inches above your child's waist.
5. Commit to volunteering
   With help from parents like you, your school can offer many more programs and services for your kids. Join our PTO and ask about volunteer opportunities in the school community and your children's classrooms. National PTA's “Three for Me” campaign encourages parents to pledge to volunteer at least three hours during the school year. Go to three4me.com for more information.

WSE September Calendar

Sept 2	Labor Day (No School)
Sept 3	KK Independence Day
Sept 6	Donuts with Dad 7:30 Watch Dog Kickoff
Sept 6	Fall Pictures (uniforms required)
Sept 9-13	Penny Wars
Sept 13	Goodies with Grandparents
Sept 13	Watch Dog Movie Night 6-8 pm (Parents must stay)
Sept 13	Yankee Candle Fundraiser Ends
Sept 18	Dictionary Project 1:00 pm
Sept 18	Progress reports Issued
Sept 19	Parent Teacher Conferences 4:00-7:00 pm
Sept 20	Student 1/2 Day Theme: TBA
Sept 27	Math Hall of Fame. Wordsmith and Science Bowl

Welcome Back, Spartans!

Parents,

The start of school is the most exciting time of the year for students!

They want to meet their teachers, catch up with their friends, and explore a whole new world of knowledge. As exciting as these first weeks of school are, your children can't do this on their own. They need your help to get ready—now and every day. You need to read aloud to young children to reinforce the importance of literacy. You should help them when they're stuck on homework. Make sure they have a nutritious lunch every day. Build relationships with their teachers, so you can work together to provide your children the best learning experience. Helping your children with school is one of your most important jobs as a parent. That's why the U.S. Department of Education, National PTA, and Parenting have teamed up to bring you Countdown to School Success. I will post monthly parental advice from the Department of Education, explaining how you can help your children at home, support them in the classroom, and assist their teachers as they address each of your children's unique abilities. 
Here is a link to 9 Back to School Tips to help you all kick start the year:  https://blog.ed.gov/2016/08/9-back-to-school-pro-tips/

Wishing you all a wonderful start to the 2019-2020 school year. Go Spartan Nation!

Source: Department of Education website 

Summer Tips

1. Challenge your children to a read-a-thon  
   See who can read the most books this summer, with each one slightly more challenging than the last. Make it happen by setting a designated family reading time, when the whole gang curls up with a good book, parents included.
2. Minimize summer brain drain  
   Look for fun ways to keep your children's academic skills sharp during the warm weather ahead. Consider signing them up for camps, and visit nature centers, museums, and libraries as a family. 
   
   
    
   
   Make sure to check the WSE website for summer work packets and calendar updates. WSE wishes you all a fun and relaxing summer break. We look forward to an exciting 2019-2020 school year. 
   
   Here is a link for an article about how to keep your children engaged over summer break. 
    https://advancedbrain.com/summer-learning-tips-for-parents/

WSE MAY Calendar

1-15	Field Day Tickets Presale
6-10	Teacher Appreciation Week
7-11	4th and 5th Grade Washington DC Trip
13	Redbirds Trip (Guys in Ties and Girls in Pearls)
14	Redbirds Trip (Chorus and Drum Club)
14	Volunteer Reception
20	Career Day
21	Field Day
22	Beach Book Swap AR Party Basketball Game
23	KK Graduation: 8:15 5th Grade Graduation: 10:45 1st-4th Honor's Program 1:30

May Calendar

Hey All!

Just a reminder to check out our school website or my link to the WSE calendar for all the special events that will take place this month. You won't want to miss out on all the fun! 

May Tips

1. Get a move on 
    It's National Physical Fitness & Sports Month. Prep your child for it—as well as your school's field day (May 21), a favorite spring event with kids everywhere—with some family recreation activities. Take walks after dinner, go on a weekend bike ride, or have chin-up contests on the monkey bars at a nearby playground. For more fitness ideas, check out letsmove.gov, fitness.gov, and presidentschallenge.org.
2. Keep kids safe 
   The weather has warmed up and school's almost out for the summer, which means kids will be spending more time outdoors. Give them a refresher course in safety whether they're bike riding, swimming, or playing indoors on game systems. For more tips, go to pta.org and click on “Topics: Child Safety.”
3. Give props to your children's teachers 
   As the school year winds down, encourage your children to write thank-you notes to their current teachers. Prompt younger kids with suggestions like “Something new I learned this year was…”or “My favorite part of this school year was….” Teacher Appreciation Week is May 6 to 10.

April Parent Tidbits

April

1. Get schooled in math 
   April is Math Awareness Month. Check out the website of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics: nctm.org/resources/families.aspx.
2. Go a little greener 
   Commemorate Earth Day on April 22 by planning an activity for your entire family, such as joining a local park's litter-cleanup team or planting a tree on your block. 
3. Share your career 
   May 20 will be WSE's annual Career Fair. Be on the look out for a flyer to volunteer to share your career during Career Fair. Sign up to visit, and encourage other parents to do the same.
4. Thank your school staff 
   These overlooked helpers are often the ones who keep things working smoothly for your children, so take time to recognize school office staff during the week of April 22 to 28, which is Administrative Professionals Week. Join with other parents to recognize these wonderful professionals, or have your kids make a card of their own.

WSE March Calendar

1	College and Career Friday
11-15	Spring Break
27	Report Cards Issued
28	Math Hall of Fame, Science Bowl, Word Olympiad
29	Parent Meeting 8:00 am Honor's Program KK-5 8:30

March Parent Tips

 

1. Read some more 
   National Read Across America Day is March 2. Take time at home to read aloud on this day with your kids, and have them take turns reading to you. Encourage older children to read on their own and to their younger siblings. Anything that interests them—from comic books to the classics—counts! And if you haven't taken the pledge to have your kids read at least 20 minutes a day, go to parenting.com/pledge and make the promise now!
2. Get art smart 
   Exposure to art and music can help your children excel in math, problem solving, and reading, and help them develop teamwork skills and self-esteem. Check out the resources on free.ed.gov, and then do your part at home. Replenish your arts-andcrafts supplies. Let your kids experiment with inexpensive music-makers like a harmonica, a recorder, or an old guitar. Check out child-friendly music CDs and art books from your library. Urge older siblings to join their school's choir, band, or drama program.
3. Landscape Day 
   Kids learn firsthand about weather, plant life cycles. Join us for our Spring Landscape Day, March 1 at 9:00.

February Parent Tips

February Tidbits

1. Connect with other families 
   National PTA's Take Your Family to School Week is February 12 to 18. Help out at events such as family reading night, parenting workshops, or educational family activities.
2. Celebrate African American History Month 
   Your school, local museums, and libraries will have special events. You and your children can also go to africanamerican historymonth.gov for online exhibits and activities.
3. Honor Presidents' Day 
   Search online for activities you can do with your kids, such as matching presidential portraits with their names or doing word searches about them. Older students will enjoy learning about the four presidents carved into Mount Rushmore at nps.gov/moru.
4. Schedule a midyear checkin with the teacher, if you missed Parent Conference Night Discuss your children's progress and how homework is going. And always reach out to teachers when important changes are happening in your family's life, such as the death of a relative, a move to a new home, or anything that might affect your children's behavior or performance at school—so the school staff can offer support as well.

NWEA MAPS

Hey Parents!

February has flown by and we are marching quickly into March. NWEA MAP Testing started this week. Here is a link with parent tips to assist you and your child with MAP testing. 

 https://www.nwea.org/blog/2017/preparing-map-test-20-tips-parents/