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/

December Parent Tips from the U.S. Department of Education

 WSE wishes you and your family a Happy Holiday Season! Below are some Parent Tips for the month of December.

December

1. Get ready for flu season Amp up the reminders 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. 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 learn more about bullying. 
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.
   
   Children are encouraged to continue to read and complete AR tests, and lessons in Zearn and i-Ready at home over the holiday break.  

WSE December Calendar

 

5	Rotary Luncheon 12:00
7	Spelling Bee 9:00
7	College and Career Day
18	Math Hall of Fame Science Bowl
18	Bridge to Middle School 5:30-6:00
18	Holiday Program Grades 3-5 8:30 am and 6:00 pm
19	Winter Parties 1:00 pm
19	Faculty and Student Volleyball Game
Dec 19- Jan 7	Winter Break