Washington Weekly
Updates from Washington Elementary - Friday, May 5
CONTACT US
Mr. Russell, Principal - 414.773.1805
Mrs. Schram, Administrative Assistant - 414.773.1805
Mrs. Hill-Gordon - Educational Assistant - 414.773.1806
Attendance Line - 414.773.1802
Email: schramga@wauwatosa.k12.wi.us
Website: http://www.edlinesites.net/pages/1002339300888431714
Location: 2166 North 68th Street, Wauwatosa, WI, United States
Phone: 414-773-1800
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WashingtonElemTosa/
Twitter: @WashTimbyTosa
School Safety
Timberwolf Trot Update from PTA!
Washington, your Timberwolf Trot fundraiser ends tonight, May 5th, at 11:59 p.m. Right now we have heated battles going on for first place and third place. Who will win the pizza party and the gold shoes? Mrs. Kannass class has a slight lead over Mrs. Gonzales-Dobbe...And can Mr. Pinn's class catch Ms. Coleman's class for the bronze shoes? We will let you know on Monday morning. Stay tuned to see which student will win the drone and which student will win the limo ride from Go Riteway. Great job TEAM Washington! You've already raised OVER $26,000!
A Note from Mr. Russell...
Congratulations to our entire school community for surpassing our fundraising goal this year and raising over $26,000. As a man of his word, I promised to sleep on the roof should we meet our goal. With our community almost surpassing our goal by $10,000 there are several other staff members willing to join me on the roof as well!! The following staff members have committed to spending the evening on the roof:
- Abbey Finn, Art Teacher
- Suzanne Graber, Music Teacher
- Lindsey Robinson, 2nd Grade
- Andrew Pinn, 2nd Grade
- Mary Kay Dellemann, 3rd Grade
- Patty Coleman, 3rd Grade
- Donna Koeble, 4th Grade
- Karen Zimmerman, Social Worker
- Jenni Kannass, Senior Kindergarten
Thanks,
Mr. Russell
Teacher Appreciation Week - Thank YOU!
I’d like to thank our parents and PTA as a whole and specifically Bethany Teipel for organizing a variety of treats this week to help celebrate Washington's incredibly hard working staff. There was something special to look forward to everyday this week and we are very thankful for feeling appreciated. I know I continue to be humbled and honored to work with such a dedicated and caring staff.
There is still time to share a thank you and/or an appreciation. Your child(ren) brought home the following: letter and template of apples The apples are for your family to write a simple thank you, compliment and/or heartfelt message for any of our staff members. You may fill out as many as you’d like. Then, just cut them out and return them to school with your child(ren). We’ll be hanging these outside the office for our staff and community to see. Children and parents are encouraged to write messages!
Please return the apples to the office by Monday, May 8th so they can be shared with staff and put up on display for all to read.
Smoothie Making Crew--Wednesday
Teacher Appreciation Lunch--Friday
Teacher Lunch--Friday
Fun Fair!
Summer's just around the corner! Kick it off with "Washington's Fun Fair" first!
Bring the whole family for an evening of inflatables, classic games, activities and food!
Friday June 2nd 5-8 pm, South Playground
Order your wristbands and tickets in advance here or use the attached order form - https://squareup.com/store/washington-pta
To make this amazing event happen, over 100 volunteers are needed! Share the love here - www.tinyurl.com/kl5f7o3
Looking forward to seeing you!!!
Class Placement & Parent Input
As we plan for next school year, we ask that families indicate if they will not be returning to Washington. Click here to fill out a brief questionnaire if your family WON'T be returning.
At the end of this month we will begin creating class lists for the upcoming school year. Students will be bringing home a form today for parents to provide input on classroom placement for the 2017-18 school year. If you have input to share, please have the form back to school by May 15th.
Creating class lists is a complex process involving a team approach: classroom teachers, specialists, school social workers, specials teachers, Principal and parent input forms contribute to the process. Please be aware that sometimes parents make specific requests that we are not able to honor. Trust that we have the best interest of all children in mind as we move into this process.
Curricular Enhancements
We are excited about Washington's Makerspace and the increasing opportunities it will provide for students to design, experiment, build and invent as they deeply engage in science, engineering and tinkering. With that said, we know that the Makerspace is just a start. We need to find ways to weave this way of thinking into our students' entire elementary experience.
I am happy to share that we will be offering some curriculum enhancements next year at Washington focused on teaching some critical elements found at our STEM schools in the district. According to the U.S. Dept. of Education, all young people should be prepared to think deeply and to think well, so that they have the chance to become the innovators, educators, researchers, and leaders who can solve the most pressing challenges facing our nation and our world, both today and tomorrow. But, right now, not enough of our youth have access to quality STEM-inspired learning opportunities and too few students see these disciplines as springboards for their careers.
What does this mean?
It means that Dr. Ertl has allocated an additional teacher at Washington to integrate some STEM-inspired learning opportunities into our students’ school experiences.
It means that we will be exploring ways to incorporate some STEM-inspired learning opportunities for ALL students through our current curriculum.
What does this NOT mean?
It does not mean that Washington will become a STEM school nor have a STEM program.
It does not mean we will have a new science curriculum.
I am excited about this opportunity and look forward to sharing more details as they unfold, while our staff has more time to explore this opportunity.
Staffing Updates for 2017-18
Congratulations to Mary Butkus, current 5th grade teacher, on her decision to retire at the end of the year. Mary has taught for over 30 years, 20 of which were in Wauwatosa. Mary's leadership in math and love of learning will be surely missed, but we wish her the best in her future endeavors.
Beth Kimmel, current 5th grade teacher, will be transitioning to the teacher integration role as mentioned above. Beth has her Master's Degree in instructional technology and has served as Washington's building level technology coach for 4 years. She has been at Washington for 10 years.
Andrew Pinn will move from 2nd grade to 5th grade. Mr. Pinn is an experienced teacher with a Master's Degree in Education and has been at Washington for over 12 years. He also taught overseas for 4 years.
This leaves Washington with two new openings for the upcoming school year. I will be requesting that HR posts a 2nd grade and a 5th grade teacher position asap. Once I determine a hiring timeline and process, I will certainly reach out and ask parents to be a part of our interview team.
Washington Makerspace
- What is a Makerspace?
- What do students do in a Makerspace?
- Why should we have a Makerspace at Washington?
Did you know that part of the money that has been collected for the Timberwolf Trot will help create a Washington Makerspace? Click on this LINK to learn a little bit more about why a Makerspace would be an excellent addition at Washington.
Lunch/Breakfast Program--Menus
GE Day - Parent Volunteers Needed
For 23 years GE employees and volunteers have been dedicating their time to help schools prepare for the new school year by painting, landscaping, setting up classrooms, cleaning computers, organizing, etc., in our annual Community Service Day (CSD). Washington is one of the schools elected to be a recipient this year! August 2, 2017 will be GE Day at Washington. Parents who are interested in volunteering on August 2nd, please complete the Link to volunteer survey.
Thank you in advance for helping to make GE Day a huge success!
MAP Testing continues next week
Please look out for any additional information and details from your child(ren)'s classroom teacher(s).
Week of May 8th - Primary Reading Kindergarten and 1st grade
May 8th - 1st grade (Part A)
May 10th - Senior Kindergarten (Part A)
May 11th - 1st grade (Part B)
May 12th - Senior Kindergarten (Part B)
Week of May 15th - Reading for 2nd-5th grade
May 16th - 5th grade
May 17th - 4th grade
May 18th - 3rd grade
May 19th - 2nd grade
Week of May 22nd - Primary Math Kindergarten and 1st grade
May 22nd - 1st grade (Part A)
May 23rd - Senior Kindergarten (Part A)
May 24th - 1st grade (Part B)
May 25th - Senior Kindergarten (Part B)
Right At School Before/After School Program, JK Wrap Around Care
Registration is now open for the new JK Wrap-around program and before and after-school care offered at each Wauwatosa School District elementary school through our provider, Right AtSchool.
How to register for the Right At School programs:
- Head to www.rightatschool.org
- Click on “Find a Program” at the top of the page
- Enter your zip code
- Register at the school your child attends
- Select the program(s) of your choice (JK Wrap, Early Adventures – before-school care, or The Right Club – after-school care)
Attached are two separate flyers that provide additional information – one for the JK-Wrap program and one for before and after-school care. Both flyers include pricing information and have been updated to reflect the cost per week. Billing information is listed below the program pricing.
Additionally, here is a list of helpful parent FAQs regarding the Right At School programs.
If you have any additional questions or if you need help while registering for the Right At School programs, please contact the number for Right At School that is listed on each of the flyers.
Please note, this registration is strictly for the daycare programming now available. All families still need to formally enroll your child through the Wauwatosa School District, if you have not already done so.
Forms for resident enrollment in the District can be found HERE.
Questions about District registration may be directed to Student Services at 414-773-1080.
Thank you!
Safe Routes to School
This coming Wednesday is Bike to School Day! For all the details, click here.
New Summer School Programs!
There are two new summer school programs that are being offered this year. Please click on Camp Invention and Invention Project for more details. The summer recreation book is out and lists these programs along with all of the summer school offerings.
Also, click here for a complete listing of summer school offerings.
School & PTA Dates
May 6=EFW Run/Walk
May 10=Bike to School Day
May 15=Washington Band, Choir and Orchestra Concert
May 18=PTA Meeting, 6pm in library
May 22-25=Spring Book Fair
May 25=Washington Picnic
May 26 & May 29=No school
June 9=Last Day of 2016-2017 School Year
Stay in the loop! Join the Washington Facebook Group
- Post school-related questions and pictures
- Receive helpful links to school info
- Connect names with faces