Wolf Creek Weekly
Building Pathways To Success
From The Principal's Desk October 14, 2018
Greetings!
Welcome back to another successful week ahead!
Thanks for your continued support of WCES! You rock!
Thanks for supporting our Think Pink activities last week! We had fun!
Reminder: October 15th is Global Hand washing Day! Although it feels like summer, cold and flu season is here. Talk to your child about the importance of washing their hands throughout the day. Keeping hands clean by washing hands with soap and water is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Many diseases and conditions are spread by not washing hands with soap and clean, running water. A good hand washing activity is to sing on verse of the Happy Birthday song while washing your hands with soap and water! That's about the time it takes for an efficient hand washing experience! http://www.globalhandwashingday.org/
Be reminded:
October 29th
- SLC Release Day
- Students are out of school
Trunk or Treat coming soon! October 26th is the big day. After school, we will host a Costume Dance and release students to Trunk or Treat to parents afterwards. We have had an awesome 2 year experience! Let's make this year just as successful. Parents that would like to set up a decorated car and provide goodies to students should contact Ms. Searcy, School Counselor. searcys1@fultonschools.org .
Thanks so much for visiting with us daily. Be reminded that sign in is required for all visitors. Let's keep our school safe! All parents are asked to sign in daily before moving pass the front lobby ans atrium. You should receive a visitor's badge at the front desk. All visitor's licenses must be scanned before you can sign in at the kiosk. We also ask that morning drop-offs at the classrooms end at 7:40 AM so that we can begin our instructional day. Parents that need to conference with teachers are asked to schedule a conference with their child's teacher. Morning drop offs are reserved for drop offs only. Teachers are expected to begin their instructional day at 7:41 AM daily with our morning announcements. Please support us in beginning our instructional day on time.
Early arrival is strongly encouraged. We are striving to decrease our daily tardies and absences. We need your support. Please send in a written excuse for all absences.
We are a uniform school. Students looked great in their uniforms last week. Let's keep it up! Our students wear kelly green, navy blue or white polo style tops and khaki bottoms. Many of them rock "funky" socks and shoes of their choice with their uniforms and it looks very cool! Try it to help engage your child in the uniform initiative. We appreciate your support in participating in our uniform initiative.
Parents we need your support. Our uniform participation at our upper grades can lead the way. Please join us in our uniform initiative at Wolf Creek ES. Let's push for school wide participation. Encourage our upperclassmen to lead the way.
As you know, we also support our PBIS initiative with our PACK principles! They tie in seamlessly with the 7 Habits. Every day students will recite the Wolf PACK Creed. See the parent and student handbook online and in the front of your child's agenda. Help us by supporting them in learning the Wolf Pack Creed by hard! We have a school wide behavior system that includes a color chart. We are excited to see our wolves on RED or ORANGE daily! More information about our behavior system is included in the student agenda.
Please check the school website often. We update the site regularly. The school calendar, handbooks, PTA and SGC information can be found there.
We are looking forward to a great year!
Thanks for all you do! Let's Go Wolves!
In Partnership,
Principal Glass
Upcoming District Assessments
In Fulton County, 3rd -5th graders will take the IOWA Standardized Test October 22nd - November 2nd .
Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS)
The Iowa Tests of Basic Skills are norm-referenced tests. Georgia law mandates that a nationally norm-referenced test, such as the ITBS, be administered annually to students in grades three, five, and eight. The purpose of a norm-referenced test is to obtain information about the performance of Georgia's students and compare it with that of students in a national sample. The results are used for evaluation, decision-making, and instructional improvement.
Increasing Literacy at WCES
Let's READ!
Easy Reading Strategies for Parents to Use at Home
- Ask your Child to Make Up Stories: When your child creates a story out loud or in written form, you can prompt more specific vocabulary and encourage your child to dive into descriptive details. This activity provides practice for thinking through logical sequences and may trigger curiosity as a child looks for books in similar settings
- Compare Books to Film: Have your child read a book and then check out the video version of a book. Talk about the similarities and differences between the two mediums. What did you each like or dislike about each form? Did your child prefer the book or the movie, and why?
- Participate in Library Reading Programs: Most libraries offer reading programs during school vacations for students. These programs are typically tailored to reading level, themed, or showcase some of the best works for children and young adults. The library staff might host activities based on selected books, or hold special events and field trips designed to help students explore the literature on a deeper level. Librarians are usually happy to help your child and can help find ways to involve all levels of readers within an age group.
- Explore Different Forms of Reading Material: Check out works in both their book forms and books on tape, CD, or digital recording forms. Many of the highest rated literature for children and young adults is available on tape and in book form. Your child can benefit by reading along in a book while listening to the same book on tape. The cognitive action of seeing and hearing words and phrases together reinforces sight word recognition, improves the practical use of punctuation, and builds familiarity with hard to pronounce words.
- Encourage Curiosity About Vocabulary: As your child reads books, suggest that you look up difficult or unfamiliar words in the dictionary together. Consider making flashcards of these words and guessing the meanings before finding the definition. This builds the skill of inference, which is thinking through the possible answers based on the context.
- Strengthen Spelling Skills: If you are making flashcards with difficult words, have your child practice spelling the words out loud or on paper. Give your child the opportunity to double check spelling and find mistakes independently. This is a great strategy to use throughout the year. It teaches students to self-correct and also reduces their fear of trying to tackle difficult words. Young students may enjoy using multisensory techniques, such as tracing the words with a finger.
- Read the old-fashioned way. Take turns reading passages, or allow your child to follow along as you read. Consider using interesting voices that correspond to characters personalities or to the tone of the story.
- Compare Authors' Books: Have your child read two books by the same author. It is a good idea for you to read them too so you can discuss them. Compare how they are similar and how they are different. Which did you and your child like best? Why?
- Ask Your Child to Help You: Practical things, such as looking up store hours, simple instructions, or ingredients on a package of food, can give your child a sense of the practicality of reading in small, manageable doses.
How to Incorporate Reading Into Your Child's Time at Home
When you practice reading skills with your child, it is important that you remember to keep your reading activities stress-free. Use mistakes as teachable moments. If your child gets tired of reading, take turns, or take a break.
For most elementary aged students, about fifteen to twenty minutes of reading at least three days a week is a good place to begin. If your child wants more time, then allow that to happen. If your child becomes frustrated or has difficulty focusing, shorten the duration, and consider a shorter text or a lower reading level. Don't worry about selecting a reading level that is too easy- your child will ask for more challenging material when he or she is ready.
Establish a cozy and nurturing environment when reading. A bedtime snuggle or a mid-afternoon read on the porch swing are some ideas. Involve your child in planning your reading sessions, and enjoy your time together as you get ready for school and get ready to read.
Reading is FUN!
Leader In Me Habit #2 ... Begin With The End In Mind!
Using Best-Practices and Universal Principles
The Leader in Me is aligned with best-in-class content and concepts practiced by global education thought leaders. It provides a logical, sequential and balanced process to help schools proactively design the culture that reflects their vision of the ideal school.
Content from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is a key component of the overall The Leader in Me process. The 7 Habits is a synthesis of universal, timeless principles of personal and interpersonal effectiveness, such as responsibility, vision, integrity, teamwork, collaboration and renewal, which are secular in nature and common to all people and cultures.
Click here for a synopsis of the habits in kids’ language.
The Leader in Me is also aligned to many national and state academic standards. The process teaches students the skills needed for academic success in any setting. These skills include critical thinking, goal setting, listening and speaking, self-directed learning, presentation-making and the ability to work in groups.
Habit 2 — Begin with the End in Mind
Have a Plan!
- I plan ahead and set goals.
- I do things that have meaning and make a difference.
- I am an important part of my classroom and contribute to my school’s mission and vision.
- I look for ways to be a good citizen.
Check out the goal setting sheet in this SMORE. Work with your child on goal setting. Think of school and/or home goals. Turn in the sheet by October 19th to Dr. Braggs for a special treat!
Let's go!
Reminders...
Please note your calendars.
Please be sure to review the parent/student handbook in your child's agenda as well as all back to school correspondences.
Please note a few important date :
Coming Soon! School Beautification Day! November 10th 10-2 PM. Contact Dr. Braggs or Ms. Sims for volunteer sign up.
A revision to this year’s school calendar was made. Here is a link to the Board item.
- Change Tuesday, November 6, 2018 to a Teacher Work Day. No school for students. This is currently a regular school day.
- Change Friday, March 8, 2019 to a regular school day. This is currently a Teacher Work Day. This will be a regular school day for students. This revision will not change the total number of instruction days for students.
Staff members will be involved in Professional Development throughout the South Learning Community throughout the school year. Be sure to mark your calendars for future days when students are out of school. We have a few this year.
Wolf Creek ES will be closed on the following days.
September 13, 2018
October 29, 2018
February 19, 2018
March 13, 2018
School Calendar 2018-2019
School Calendar 2018-2019
Don't Forget
South Learning Community Meeting Schedule for Board Member/President Linda Bryant
Parents, please join us for our Community Meetings with our Board Member, President Linda Bryant.
September - Monday, September 17 6:30 pm Camp Creek MS
October - Monday, October 15 6:00 pm Oakley ES
November - Monday, November 12 6:00 pm A Philip Randolph ES
December No Meeting
January - Tuesday, January 15 Joint w/ Kim Dove 6:00 pm CH Gullatt
February - Tuesday, February 19 6:00 pm Sandtown MS
March - Monday, March 18 6:00 pm Bear Creek MS
April - Monday, April 15 Joint w/Kim Dove 6:00pm Creekside HS
May - Monday, May 13 6:00 pm Westlake HS June No Meeting
June No Meeting
Wolf Creek Elementary PTA News
PTA updates for the week of October 8, 2018:
Otis Spunkmeyer
The delivery date for items sold during the Otis Spunkmeyer fall fundraiser is Thursday, October 25th. Please check Class DoJo and the PTA Facebook page for specific pick up times. Please note the frozen items cannot be stored at the school, and therefore will be donated if not claimed by the designated pick up time.
Fundraiser Winners:
3rd Place T. Clark 5th Grade Ms. Stewart
2nd Place N. Tarver 5th Grade Mr. Reynolds
1st Place M.Thompson 5th Grade Ms. Stewart
Spirit Wear
Fall/Winter Spirit Items will go on sale soon. To make room for new inventory, all short sleeve Spirit Items will be on sale for $5 for PTA members ONLY. The sale will last from now until October 26th. Limited colors and sizes are available.
Volunteers Needed for Extra Curriculum Activities
Volunteers are needed to offer piano and chess lessons for 1 day a week from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Instructional materials are available on campus. Interested? Contact Dr. Huff in the Media Center.
Join us for Screen-on-the-Green!
Thanks PTA!
School Communication Tools
Agendas - Each child has a school issued agenda book. We use this as a home-school communication tool. Teachers should be communicating regarding school updates, behavior and homework. Please sign the agenda each night. Agendas are treated as textbooks. Replacement cost is $5.00 if lost.
School Communication Folder - Each student has been provided a folder that contains options for items to keep at home and items to send back to school. Teachers may use this folder in various ways. This year, our folders are green.
Class Dojo - Each teacher will be communicating through Class Dojo this year. If you haven't signed up for your child's teacher account, please inquire with your child's teacher. Class Dojo is a communication app for the classroom. It connects teachers, parents, and students who use it to share photos, videos, and messages through the school day. They use ClassDojo to work together as a team, share in the classroom experience, and bring big ideas to life in their classrooms and homes.
Newsletters, websites, and other technology tools - Each grade level will send home, at minimum, monthly newsletters to inform parents of classroom assignments, projects, and class/school events. Some teachers will also use other creative technology tools to stay in touch with parents. Each teacher will communicate with parents regarding their communication system.
Home Access Center (HAC) - Parents have access to the Fulton County School system Home Access Center. Please visit the Fulton Schools website for more information at http://www.fultonschools.org/en/sp. Parents are able to access information regarding grades, attendance , discipline, etc. Teachers are required to enter final grades in the system as they are assigned. Our school Data Clerk and classroom teachers can assist parents with the access codes for their children. Access codes have to be signed out, they are considered highly sensitive since they allow access to your child's records.
Please Note: Home Access Center (HAC) is the authorized web portal and
only authorized provider of online access to student information in Fulton County Schools
Safety First!
Thanks for working with us to ensure safety for the students.
We still need your patience and support as we execute the morning drop off process. The cafeteria doors close at 7:35 AM each morning. Breakfast ends at that time. Students are tardy at 7:41 AM. Parents are asked to sign their children in and get a tardy pass prior to reporting to class. Parents who wish to walk their child to class must also sign in at the front desk.
Please help us by using the car rider loop in the front of the building for all student drop-offs in the mornings. The car rider loop moves fast but it does require some wait time and patience. This is the safest area for student drop offs. We have assigned staff to support students as they get out of cars. The bus ramp in the back is reserved for buses only. If parents are using the parking lot near the bus ramp area for parking, they are asked to park their vehicles and escort their child into the building. Students should not be dropped off and allowed to run across the bus ramp to enter the building. We want students to be safe. We had a few cars moving fairly fast in this area. This is a safety concern. Remember, the doors open at 7:10 AM for student arrival. Thanks in advance for your support. If we have parents that can volunteer in the bus ramp area, please let us know. We could use the extra hands and eyes to ensure safety for the students.
Identification Required: Please remember to bring your identification in with you when you visit the school. Parents that wish to move pass the front lobby/atrium area will need to sign in and receive a visitor's badge. Any persons checking out a student must also have an ID and be listed on the child's records for check out. Beginning August 13th, parents will be asked to return to the front office to sign in if they do not have a visible visitor's badge. All parents must have their liscenses scanned for the 2018-19 School year by the front office staff before being able to use the kiosk for signing in.
Volunteer Registration: To begin the volunteer process, please visit www.fultonschools.org and complete the child abuse reporting training and the online registration process. When registering, one must use their legal name as it appears on your government identification. The process is self-paced. On your first visit to the school, your government identification will be required.
http://www.fultonschools.org/en/community/Pages/volunteerfaq.aspx
Be reminded to complete the volunteer registration in advance if you are planning to attend field trips with your child's class as a chaperone.
Thanks for your support!
Tilte 1 News
Please don't forget to visit our Parent Resource Room. Open Daily!
Our Parent Involvement Plan and School Home Compact will be sent home soon. Please read, sign and send the compacts back to school Our goal is 100% compacts signed.
Let's do it again! Last year we had 100% of parent compacts turned in! You rock!
***Sign up for Three For Me Volunteer program with our Parent Liaison, Ms. Sims!
Thanks for your support.
Our School Day Start/End Times
Thanks in advance for your support in ensuring that our students get to school each day on time and ready for instruction. Breakfast begins at 7:10 a.m. and ends at 7:35 a.m. daily so that we can ensure that students are in class on time to begin their instructional day. School instructional hours are from 7:40 a.m. —2:20 p.m. each day. Parents are asked to escort their children inside and sign them in if they are tardy. Help us protect the instructional day. Please limit early dismissal/check-outs. If needed, please do so before 2:00 PM. Remember keep your child’s pick up and emergency contacts updated and to sign in during each visit. ID is required for anyone visiting or checking your child our of school.
Wolf Creek Elementary School
Check out our school website for our school calendar and school updates.
A. Nicole Canty, Assistant Principal
Website: http://school.fultonschools.org/es/wolfcreek/Pages/default.aspx
Location: 4440 Derrick Road, Atlanta, GA 30349, United States
Phone: 470.254.2760
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wolfcreekwolves/
Twitter: @wolfcreekwolves