Whiskers' Wonderings
Second Quarter Newsletter
Weddington Hills Elementary
Mission Statement Revision
Did You Hear Our Great News?
IB Update
WHES started the IB journey in 2014 and became an official IB World School in 2016. Next year is our IB evaluation year. This is both a service and requirement by the IB Organization to make sure WHES is continuing to strengthen the IB Primary Years Program. We are reflecting on our practices since authorization and would appreciate parent feedback. Please take a minute to complete this survey.
Since starting the IB PYP:
- We have added 200+ students, 9 classrooms, 12 teachers, 1 principal, and 1 assistant principal
- Over 100 staff members have received IB authorized training
- We developed our IB curriculum to include 36 units of inquiry, resources and student reflections
- We developed language, assessment, inclusion, and academic honesty policies
- Student-driven action has increased 120%
- Students continuing in the IB Middle Years Program increased from 40% to 88% of our 5th graders
- We have won 3 Magnet School of America national awards for our IB program
Actualizaciones IB
WHES comenzó el viaje del IB en 2014 y se convirtió en una escuela oficial del mundo del IB en 2016. El próximo año será nuestro año de evaluación del IB. Este es un servicio y un requisito por parte de la Organización del IB para garantizar que WHES continúe fortaleciendo el Programa de la Escuela Primaria del IB. Estamos reflexionando sobre nuestras prácticas desde la autorización y agradecerÃamos los comentarios de los padres. Completar una encuesta rápida.
Desde el inicio del IB:
- Hemos agregado más de 200 estudiantes, 9 salones, 12 maestros, 1 director y 1 asistente director
- Más de 100 miembros del personal han recibido capacitación autorizada por IB
- Desarrollamos nuestro plan de estudios del IB para incluir 36 unidades de investigación, recursos y reflexiones de los estudiantes.
- Desarrollamos polÃticas de lenguaje, evaluación, inclusión y honestidad académica.
- La acción impulsada por los estudiantes ha aumentado 120%
- Los estudiantes de quinto grado que continúan en el Programa de los Años Intermedios del IB aumentaron del 40% al 88%.
- Hemos ganado 3 premios nacionales de Magnet School de Americas para nuestro programa IB
Golden Globes
Congratulations!
Martella Hawkins- School CounselorTammy Kinzer- Teacher Assistant
JT Eberhardt- 5th grade Teacher
Jessica Shortell, Personalized Learning Lab Teacher
Alicia Moore, 3rd grade Teacher
Tara Willis, AU Teacher
Laura King, 4th grade Teacher
Afton Teachers of the Month
Cheryl McDaniel
Esnedy Fermin
October
Nancy Page
Mary Hooks
November
Dara Hayes
Jessica Shortell
December
Becky McClamrock
Cristina Pagoota
January
Tina Pepper
Debi Cutler
STAFF IB Learner Profile Awards - 2nd Quarter
Communicator - Kim Ferguson
Risk Taker - Lyndsay Jameson
Knowledgeable - Esnedy Fermin
Open Minded - Leslie Roberts
Reflective - Lorena Diaz
Principled - Mavis Adam
Balanced - Liz Witte
Inquirer - Courtney Barnes
Thinker - Kerry Brashear
Caring - Megan Webber
Teacher Perfect Attendance - First Semester
Whoop Whoop, check out what teachers rocked perfect attendance in the first semester!
- Bryant
- Eberhardt
- Hooks
- Jameson
- Koral
- Ratliff
- Simpson
- Strom
- Wargo
- Willis
- Highsmith
WHES Exceeds Expected Academic Growth 2017-18 Award
Teacher Leaders Cohorts
Kim Ferguson
#oneword2019
Student Recognitions- 2nd Quarter
Wildcat Accolades
WHES 2018-19 Spelling Bee Champ - Avi D.
CCS 2018 eCard Holiday Design Winner - Thomas I.
WHES 2018-19 Young Author Winners
Congrats!
Club Day January 2019
Let's Grow Succulents!
Winter Art Fun
SLIME Making!
Nature Club
Larvae Love to Munch on Milkweed!
Butterfly Caterpillar - AKA (Larvae)
A Monarch has Emerged from it's Chrysalis - AKA (Pupa)
Chess Club
Night of the Arts (3rd-5th)
Vex IQ Teams
Pictured on the right:
Coach Morrill and Coach Milby
Coltrane Webb Competition Highlights
We Built this City!
Car Rider Procedure Update
- AM - estimated 275 cars
- PM - approximately 200 cars
With this continued large volume...
Here are some viable options to consider:
- Car pooling to and from school (This would help alleviate traffic back up and allow for a quicker drop off and pick up process)
- Sign your child up to be a bus rider in the mornings and evenings (This would offer a consistent arrival time for school, and tardies would be minimized)
- Arrive earlier to school (We have noticed a break in our line between 7:48 - 7:55)
Morning Drop Off Reminders:
- Enter the drive slowly, use caution when pulling forward and/or changing lanes
- Practice car exiting procedures with your child
- Always exit on the passenger side and be "exit ready"
- When the car is stopped, students will open their own door, and exit onto the sidewalk and push their door closed (students exit at the spot the car is stopped!)
*Teachers will supervise a two-car area - Upon exiting the car, students will move to the far area of the sidewalk behind the yellow line and walk into the building
- Arrive by 8:13, parent drives closes at 8:13 and parents will be asked to park and sign-in
Afternoon Pick-Up Reminders:
- Enter the drive slowly, use caution when pulling forward and/or changing lanes
- Remain in your vehicle at all times. Pull forward to an assigned spot and your child will come to you
- Students must enter their car from the passenger side
Thank you for your continued patience as we continue to work to improve the car procedures at WHES!
Breaking Breakfast News!
A mobile cart serving "to-go" breakfast began January 23rd @ 7:45-8:15 am in the 4th/5th grade hallway corner!
Now all our 4th and 5th grade students can enjoy breakfast in the classroom to start their day off right!
These 4th and 5th graders simply check-in with their homeroom teacher first, then proceed to the cart. Using their student id or number to check out, students receive a $1.25 (or free if their student qualifies for meal benefits) breakfast!
Change for Change!
(Check out our Wildcat link below)
During the first week of January 14-18, $2,869.59 was collected!
**Mrs. Highsmith will travel to Honduras February 17th-24th to deliver items from our first service project! (canvases, toothbrushes and friendship bracelets)***
WHES Code Jam
Our Wildcats explored the language of coding by interacting with a plethora of coding activities via Code.org. From coding a dance party to building a new galaxy for Star Wars with code, there were many smiles, oooohs and ahhhhs and of course jamming in their jammies going on!
***3-5 Student Showcase***
Friday, February 8th
3rd @ 8:30
4th @ 9:15
5th @ 10:00
***2nd Annual Global Inquiry Night***
Thursday, March 21st
PYP Exhibition Coming in March
One of the main purposes of the IB PYP Exhibition is to unite the students, teachers, parents and other members of the school community in a collaborative experience that incorporates the essential elements of the Primary Years Programme. It also provides an opportunity for students to apply their learning of previous years, to celebrate the transition of learners from primary to middle education, and to exhibit the attributes of the Learner Profile.
Students will be working in collaborative groups to research an issue of interest, design their own non-government organization and create a visual product using a variety of digital tools of their choice. Students will collect research from online sources, articles, books, and interviews. The Exhibition is an opportunity for students to take ACTION. Student actions may include creating awareness, advocating for a cause, or providing aid. More information and parent invites will be shared soon.
Important Dates
7 - Report Cards
8 - Student Showcase (3rd-5th)
12 - Class Pictures
13 - Restaurant Night @ Freddy's (1295 Concord Pkwy. N.) (5-8pm)
14 - Valentine's Day
15 - Spirit Day
18 - Make-Up Day for Students
March
1 - Progress Reports
5 - Spring Pictures
7 - Restaurant Night @ Chuck E. Cheese (5-8pm)
12 - No School (Teacher Workday)
15 - Spirit Day
21 - Talent Show @ 1:30
21 - Global Inquiry Night
22 - WORLD WATER DAY
28 - End of Nine Weeks
28 - School Club Day
29 - No School (Teacher Workday)
Weddington Hills Elementary School
Email: chasity.dolan@cabarrus.k12.nc.us
Website: https://www.cabarrus.k12.nc.us/Domain/22
Location: 4401 Weddington Road, Concord, NC, USA
Phone: (704)260-6350
Twitter: @whe_whiskers
Created by Jacquie Fletcher
Instructional Technology Facilitator