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.