The WES Parent Wildcat Weekly
Home of the Wildcats!
Week of January 25-29, 2021
Hello from Principal Holmes!
Dear Wildcat Parents,
This is the last week of January. It's hard to believe February is just around the corner. We look forward to celebrating a month of kindness in February!
This week we celebrate the 100th day of school. As a special tribute to our school and staff, I would like to share with you an activity called 100 Reasons Why I Love My School. We would like for all of our students to participate by sharing with us a reason why they love Wilderness. We will put together a little book and share it with our school community. Use this link for your child to send in their reason.
I'd like to give a big shout out to our teachers! They are working tirelessly to plan engaging and meaningful lessons for our students. I love popping into their classrooms and watch them work their magic. Our students are responding to their instruction and it shows. I can see our students learning! I'm convinced that we have the most dedicated and passionate teachers that exist anywhere! I am so proud to work alongside each one of them! :)
A special thank you to our parents for your partnership and all that you do to make virtual school work for your child. We know it's not easy and we want you to know that we appreciate you!!
So proud to be a wildcat!
With wildcat pride and spirit,
Dianne Holmes
Principal
A Message from our Superintendent Dr. Baker
Leadership is the capacity to transform vision into reality.
–Warren G. Bennis
Thank you to our students and families for your cooperation and patience during this shortened week, in which we adjusted schedules to prioritize vaccination opportunities for our staff.
Below are some announcements and reminders as we look to the week ahead:
Announcements & Reminders
Tuesday, January 26th will be an asynchronous day of learning for high school students ONLY. This is to accommodate those students who are taking the PSAT.
As was indicated in the email shared with staff and community on January 12th, our School Board will be meeting on January 26th (5:30 p.m.) to review our current COVID-19 case data. Our goal is to resume the blend of hybrid in-person and optional virtual learning on February 1st. We do understand that advance notice of any changes in scheduling is very important to our students, families, and staff.
Also on January 26th (6:30 pm), following the status report of our Return To Learn plan, the school board will receive a presentation on the FY22 Superintendent’s Recommended Budget. Linked here is the agenda for the meeting.
A follow up School Board Budget Worksession will take place on Thursday, January 28th (6:30 pm). As a reminder, critical budget dates were approved and adopted by the school board for the FY22 budget season. They are also linked here.
We engaged our Parent Advisory Team this week and received feedback regarding student academic progress and social emotional learning. The insight of parents representing all levels was extremely helpful as we gauge our planning for addressing the academic and social emotional learning impact of this pandemic.
As a reminder, our COVID-19 Dashboard is updated weekly and can be viewed in the Return to Learn section on each school’s website or by clicking this link: SCPS COVID-19 Dashboard. Also on our webpage is a link to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Dashboard. This site provides data and statistics regarding COVID-19 positivity rates and cases per 100,000 by locality, region, and state.
We know and understand that the virtual setting for school can be a challenge. If you are in need of a hot spot, please contact your child’s school. We have some remaining. Additionally, if you need support for your child, do not hesitate to contact your child’s school. We are here to assist!
The mobile hotspots have been placed in the following location parking lots throughout the county:
7XPRESS (2976 Partlow Rd, Partlow, VA 22534)
Dollar General (5720 Courthouse Rd. Spotsylvania, VA 22551)
Belmont Community Center (7124 Belmont Rd, Mineral, VA 23117)
Super Value Inn (5321 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Fredericksburg, VA 22408)
Stay 4 Less (5308 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Fredericksburg, VA 22408)
Garden Inn (5308 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Fredericksburg, VA 22408)
Todd's Tavern (10719 Catharpin Rd. Spotsylvania, VA 22553)
Dollar General (1500 New Bridge Rd, Mineral, VA 23117)
The week of January 24th is School Principal Appreciation Week. As a large and complex organization, our strong, dedicated building administrators are essential and pivotal in transforming “vision into reality.” I know from the feedback I receive how much they are valued for their steady and consistent leadership during this unprecedented crisis. Thank you for joining me in expressing appreciation for their efforts.
Have a great week!
Dr. S. Scott Baker
What's happening at WES?
From Nurse Stevens
If your child has a covid test pending, the child MUST stay home until results are in.
If your family has been diagnosed/exposed to Covid - 19 over the Holiday Break or anytime during the school year, please contact Nurse Stevens or Mrs. Holmes prior to returning to school.
If your child is experiencing Covid-Like symptoms: ie: headache, runny nose, aches, fever, cough, chest pain, or shortness of breath, PLEASE keep the child at home. If the symptoms persist after 1-2 days, we recommend following up with your doctor prior to sending the child back to school.
Text Message Principal Holmes at 540-846-6075 or E-mail: dholmes@spotsylvania.k12.va.us
Contact Us!
Daniella Smith, Assistant Principal
Tori Elliott, School Counselor
Crystal Burton, School Social Worker
Email: dholmes@spotsylvania.k12.va.us
Website: https://www.spotsylvania.k12.va.us/Domain/23
Location: 11600 Catharpin Road, Spotsylvania Courthouse, VA, USA
Phone: 540-786-9817
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WildernessWildcats
Twitter: @WESPrincipal