Dolphin Digest
September 2022
DEAR WINTER PARK FAMILIES:
We are continuing our Word of the Week initiative as a way to build vocabulary while creating school-wide connections. February's focus was homophones: to, too, two; by, buy, bye; no, know, and their, there, they're. Be sure to ask your student if they can use the correct form of the word in a sentence!
As we enter the final months of the school year, each grade level is working hard to wrap up teaching all of their grade level standards. Check out what each grade level is working on below:
Kindergarten: In math, students are beginning to add and subtract numbers. In reading, students are continuing their work with long and short vowel sounds, blending three sounds into a word, and segmenting and spelling three sound short vowel words. Also in reading, students are diving into their fiction unit and are working on completing personal narratives. In science, students are learning about force and motion. In social studies, students are exploring history and how people, ideas, and communities change over time.
First Grade: In math, students are working on adding, subtracting and comparing numbers using place value strategies. In reading, students are working on words with closed syllable blends and reading non-fiction texts. This aligns perfectly to their writing unit on informational texts! In science, students are wrapping up learning about pebbles, sand and silt and will begin learning more about balance and motion. Students are continuing to learn about basic economic concepts in social studies.
Second Grade: In math, students are beginning to learn about strategies that can be used when adding and subtracting within 1,000. In reading, students are working on words with double vowels and the sounds ea, ee, and ey. Students are continuing to read and comprehend non-fiction texts as well as wrap up their Gail Gibbons writing unit.
Third Grade: Third graders are beginning their fractions unit in math. They will be comparing fractions, identifying equivalent fractions, and identifying fractions on a number line. In reading, students are working on using context clues in informational text to find the meaning of unknown words. They will also begin looking at text structures in a non-fiction text. Students are wrapping up their biography unit in writing and preparing for their living museum event on March 24th. They are learning about Earth in science and government in social studies.
Fourth Grade: In math, fourth graders just wrapped up their work with multiplying and dividing multi-digit whole numbers and are beginning to learn about operations using fractions. In reading, students continue to work on comprehending non-fiction texts and will be drafting writing pieces based on their Cynthia Rylant author study. In social studies, students are learning about the Civil and Revolutionary Wars and are continuing to learn about force and motion in science.
Fifth Grade: Fifth graders just began learning about 2 dimensional shapes and are gearing up to learn about volume and coordinate planes in math. In reading, students continue to read and answer questions about non-fiction texts. Students will be starting their poetry unit in April. In science, students are wrapping up their human body unit and will begin to spiral back and review all the units taught this year. In social studies, students are learning about the industrial revolution and and trade in the United States.
You will see from this newsletter that March is shaping up to be another busy month at Winter Park:
- This week, some of our 4th and 5th graders will participate in the Battle of the Books Competition for New Hanover County. Best of luck to all our participants, we are proud of all their hard work!
- March 6th-10th is National School Social Work Week. Thank you Ms. Whitfield for all you do for staff and students!
- This Thursday, March 9th, our 1st graders will be attending a field trip to the Cape Fear Museum to learn more about Force and Motion.
- Tuesday, March 28th is a Designated Workday for staff so there will be no school for students.
- Report Cards go home on Friday, March 31st.
- Musical rehearsals are still happening on Mondays and Thursdays.
Thank you for your continued support and encouragement in the midst of this busy time of year.
We appreciate all that you do to help your child be successful!
~Mr. Hall
Science Olympiad
This weekend, some of our 4th and 5th graders participated in North Carolina's Science Olympiad! Students teamed up to compete in 15 science related events against 8 other elementary schools in New Hanover County. Many of our students placed for their event and Winter Park won 2nd Place Overall! We are so proud of all of our students! Thank you to all the volunteers who helped make this happen!
Here's a comprehensive list of the students that earned medals in their events:
- 3,2,1 Blast-off: Maiya Smith & Gunner Smith-Camesi (2nd place)
- Animal Adaptations: Wren Ooms & Harper Creswell (1st place)
- Bridge-a-roni: Santi Ordonez Alvarez & Wren Ooms (1st place)
- Codebusters: Santi Ordonez Alvarez & Theo Ragain (1st place)
- Data Crunchers: Harper Creswell & Theo Ragain (1st place)
- Movers & Shakers: Linc Jabaley & Leu Morello (4th place)
- Science Sketchers: Luke Tanner, Blaise Mutangana, & Theo Ragain (4th place)
- SkyQuest: Wren Ooms & Ali Frampton (2nd place)
- STEM Design Challenge: Harper Creswell & Ali Frampton (2nd place)
Be sure to check out our school social media for more pictures from the event!
The Winter Park team with the 2nd Place Overall trophy!
Our team ready to rock the competition!
Wren and Ali showing off their medals!
Attendance
Did you know?
Our tardy bell rings right at 7:50, and students should already be in class by this time. All classes begin with 15 minutes of morning meeting, followed by our school-wide D.I.V.E. time; which stands for Differentiate, Intervene, Validate, and Enrich. All students are placed in a group with an adult in the building, and given instruction to meet their individual needs. When your child is tardy, he/she is missing out on this learning opportunity that is unique to Winter Park. Thank you for working collaboratively to be sure your child is at school on time each day. If you are having difficulty with this and need support, please reach out to our social worker, Suzanna Whitfield.
Staff Shout-Outs
Check out these staff shout-outs submitted by families:
- Nurse Autum cares for my daughter and all other students like they were her own. She allows me to have piece of mind while my daughter is at school. I know her diabetic care is always taken care of the way I would if she were at home.
- Mrs. Kotz is always available and really great at helping children understand their fears and anxiety.
- Ms. Meyer is so great and patient every day no matter what!
- Mrs. Poulos helps out every one who works in the building and all the kids love her.
- Mr. Spencer takes the time to get to know his students, meet them where they are, and make them feel at ease. He's a very quiet, calm presence and loves being a part of the team helping students who need the support.
- Ms. Read, Ms. Vaught, & Mr. Johnson go above and beyond to take great care of my child and make sure they are connecting his interests and love of science into learning as often as possible. I was especially impressed with the buddy class STEM building and Breakout Box they did recently! So much great learning is happening in Room 123!
If you'd like to nominate a teacher or staff member to be recognized in next month's Dolphin Digest, use the short form below:
MAKING A S.P.L.A.SH.
We are proud to showcase the students that earned a shout-out for making a SPLASH during the month of February. They were recognized for doing something positive that aligned with one of the five values, and their shout-out was read on the morning announcements. Check out the video below:
National Breakfast Week
March 6-10th is National Breakfast Week! There will be some different items featured like baked apples and biscuits, and chicken and waffles. Sounds delicious!
FRIDAY BROADCAST:
Check out the broadcast created by our 5th grade club and shared on Friday as our morning announcements:
FROM YOUR PTA:
- The March PTA meeting will take place in person this Thursday, March 9th, at 5:00pm at Wilmington Brewing. All are welcome to join! We hope to see you there!
- Be sure to check out all spirit wear options at our online store.
Kindergarten and Open Choice Enrollment
NHCS Kindergarten enrollment started on March 1st and Open Choice enrollment will begin tomorrow (March 6th). Click HERE to access information and procedures from the district.
FEBRUARY DATES AT WPES:
March 6th-10th:
- National School Social Work Week. Thank you Ms. Whitfield for all you do!
- National Breakfast Week
Monday, March 6th:
- Spring musical rehearsal (3:00-4:30pm)
Tuesday, March 7th:
- Battle of the Books Competition
Thursday, March 9th:
- 1st Grade Force and Motion field trip to the Cape Fear Museum
- Musical Practice
- PTA meet up at Wilmington Brewing
Monday, March 13th:
- Musical Practice
Thursday, March 16th:
- Musical Practice
Friday, March 17th:
- St. Patricks Day
Monday, March 20th:
- Musical Practice
Thursday, March 23rd:
- Musical Practice
Friday, March 24th:
- 3rd Grade Living Museum
Monday, March 27th:
- Musical Practice
Tuesday, March 28th:
- Teacher Work Day, no school for students
Thursday, March 30th:
- Musical Practice
Friday, March 31st:
- Report Cards go home