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