The WES Parent Wildcat Weekly
Home of the Wildcats!
Week of February 8-12, 2021
Hello from Principal Holmes!
Dear Wildcat Parents,
It's a snowy morning! Watching the snow fall is so peaceful and relaxing. Winter season is upon us and Mother Nature is reminding us of just that. I hope all of our families are able to enjoy the snow while staying warm and safe.
This week is Friendship week. We hope that all of our students will join us in making our school community friendly and a more inviting place. Celebrating friendship, love and care will help make us all stronger. So let's be extra intentional this week and reach out to befriend and spread our friendship to others.
February is designated as African American History Month. We are proud to celebrate and recognize their achievements. Attached you will find information on how our classrooms are celebrating and recognizing African American history.
We are looking forward to welcoming back our hybrid students on February 22nd! If anyone is in need to consider a change based on a change in your situation, please reach out to me as soon as possible. Any possible changes will impact staffing. Those wishing to remain virtual for the remainder of the school year will be able to do so. Your schedule will not change. More detailed information to come.
Thank you for your continued partnership of support for our teachers and staff along with our students. Together, we prepare our students for their future.
With wildcat pride and spirit,
Dianne Holmes
Principal
A Message from our Superintendent Dr. Baker
This past week, we saw our first significant snowfall in this area since 2019. It also appears possible we may see more into this weekend. Monday, February 8, is a student academic holiday. Our teachers and staff have a scheduled planning and professional learning day.
Below are some announcements and reminders as we look to the week ahead, including reminders of messages sent out earlier in the week:
Announcements & Reminders
At the February 3, 2021, School Board Work Session Meeting, the School Board voted to return to in-person for all hybrid students and low incidence students as follows:
Beginning Tuesday, February 9, our students with disabilities in low incidence programs will return to in-person learning. It is important to note that due to the continued impact of COVID-19, parents/guardians of students participating in the low incident programs will need to provide transportation to and from school for your student on Tuesday, February 9. Bus transportation will resume on Thursday, February 11. Parents who are unable to provide transportation on February 9 should contact their child’s teacher.
Additionally, any students needing internet access may come to the school buildings. At this time, we will not be able to provide transportation.
Beginning Monday, February 22, all hybrid students will return to in-person instruction. Transportation will be provided.
We will continue the Monday-Friday schedule for synchronous and Wednesday asynchronous learning that was used prior to the winter break. Students who were designated as 100% distance-learners will remain in that instructional mode. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s school.
Important Budget Dates for Information & Engagement: Also on February 3rd, the school board held a public hearing, followed by their second FY2022 budget work session. The budget presentation from that evening is linked here.
As a reminder, the below are upcoming important budget dates:
Feb 08 - At this school board’s general monthly meeting, one of the action items will be the school board’s approval of the FY2022 budget. This meeting will be held virtually and the announcement/notice is linked here.
Please see the detailed calendar here: FY 2022 Approved Critical Budget Dates
School Board meetings can be viewed online at https://www.regionalwebtv.com/spotsysb. Meetings are live-streamed. Recordings of each meeting may be accessed at the same link. Additionally, meetings may be viewed on cable channels: Comcast Channel 17, Cox Channel 18, and Verizon Channel 36.
As a reminder, our COVID-19 Dashboard is updated daily 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 are pleased to share that Katrina Riggleman, Riverbend High School teacher, and Kristi Rice, Spotsylvania High School teacher, have received the Teach Cyber Platform for Cybersecurity award, which recognizes teachers who actively support systemic change in cybersecurity education within their communities as well as are advancing cybersecurity education beyond the reach of their own classrooms.
This past week we recognized the tremendous work our school counselors do each and every day during National School Counseling Week. Cedar Forest Elementary school counselors Brooke Marshall and Kaitee Nicholas were featured by the Virginia Department of Education as Difference Makers for their dedication to their students with hosting virtual career-exploration field trips, innovative classroom lessons, and community engagement efforts.
These are just a few examples of the phenomenal work of our dedicated staff. Please let us know how we can help support your child. We are Spotsy Strong!
Have a great week!
Dr. S. Scott Baker
What's happening at WES this week?
Valentine Exchange & Friendship Celebration
Due to our current instructional model being 100% virtual and with the COVID restrictions in place, we need to adapt our tradition of Valentine Exchanges.
Valentines will be ready for re-distribution and pick up by parents after 4:00 pm on Tuesday, February 9. 2021.
Participation is optional. If you do participate, please include all students in your classroom.
The friendship celebration will be on Friday, February 12, 2021. Thank you for supporting a healthy and fun Valentine's Exchange!
Congratulations to our Superstar 🌟🌟🌟 Rob Stocking! 🌟🌟🌟
Each year at this time, Spotsylvania County Public Schools publicly recognizes key individuals who set the standard of excellence in service for our division. These remarkable staff members deserve every accolade for routinely surpassing their written job descriptions and playing such a vital role in helping us to carry out our mission. In short, they truly are Superstars. Please join us in celebrating their positive presence and consistent dedication to our students, school, and community.
School Counselor's Corner
For the month of February WES is taking household supply donations of: laundry detergent, dish soap, and any other household cleaning products. All donations can be dropped off in the labeled drop box located in the front of the school. Thank you for supporting our community!
5th grade families! Mrs. Elliott will be sending some information home about Rising 6th Grade Scheduling. I will be helping 5th grade students complete elective scheduling online in the month of February. More information to come.
Interested in food support? At Wilderness on Thursday’s from 12:30 pm - 2 pm our food pantry is available for you. You can also schedule an appointment with Mrs. Elliott or Mrs. Burton (school social worker). To learn more: Food Distribution
Stop by our Wilderness counseling site for resources:
Wilderness School Counseling Website
If you have any questions, please feel free to call or email me. I am happy to help!
Tori Elliott
School Counselor
From Nurse Stevens
Training Announcement: Stress and Stress Management in the Time of COVID-19 and Beyond. Register at: https://tinyurl.com/y2tydmbm
Text Message Principal Holmes at 540-846-6075 or E-mail: dholmes@spotsylvania.k12.va.us
WES School Yearbook 2021- On Sale NOW!
- Please send in pictures of your child/children doing virtual work, playing in the snow, anything appropriate. Email them to lmoreyra@spotsylvania.k12.va.us.
Also, we are trying to do some aspirations photos: So, take a picture of their child holding up a sign, paper, etc "When I grow up, I want to be a ...."
Send pictures to the same address. Thank you so much for your help.
- Cost is $18
- You can order it online at https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/ (School code is 12502021)
- You can submit pictures to be considered for publishing in this year's yearbook. You may email them to Mrs. Moreyra at lmoreyra@spotsylvania.k12.va.us. Please make sure to include the student's name along with the teacher's name.
- We do not have a delivery date or pick up details yet. Further communication about both will be sent out once we have the information.
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: @WESwildcats98