Waterville Primary Friday Flyer!
Sharing Great News with our AWesome Families!
Events for the Weeks of: March 8th- March 22nd
Dates to Remember
Saturday, March 9th: WPA Bowling Bonanza
Monday, March 25th- Monday, April 1st: Spring Break, No School
Tuesday, April 2nd: Return to School
Monday, April 8th: NO SCHOOL (Solar Eclipse)
Wednesday, April 10th: Grade 3 ELA OST Part 1 (approximately 9am-11am)
Thursday, April 11th: Grade 4 ELA OST Part 1 (approximately 9am-11am)
Friday, April 12th: Grade 3 ELA OST Part 2 (approximately 9am-11am)
Monday, April 15th: Grade 4 ELA OST Part 2 (approximately 9am-11am)
Tuesday, April 23rd: Grade 3 Math OST Part 1 (approximately 9am-11am)
Wednesday, April 24th: Grade 4 Math OST Part 1 (approximately 9am-11am)
Thursday, April 25th: Grade 3 Math OST Part 2 (approximately 9am-11am)
Friday, April 26th: Grade 4 Math OST Part 2 (approximately 9am-11am)
Statewide Tornado Drill & School Communications Test: March 20
Each spring, the Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness holds a statewide tornado drill. This year, the weather alert sirens will be activated at 9:50 a.m. on Wednesday, March 20. The District will also use this time to test its school communications system by sending a phone call, text message and email to system users. Please report system errors online.
Ohio’s State Tests (OST) Begin the Week of April 8th
During the month of April, our Waterville students in grades 3 and 4 will be participating in statewide testing that helps Anthony Wayne Local Schools measure the effectiveness of our educational programming. Statewide Language Arts and Math tests are administered in grades 3 through 8, and Science in grades 5 and 8. All of our spring tests will be administered online.
Our teachers are working diligently to prepare students for these statewide assessments in a variety of ways. Daily classroom instruction and assessments are aligned to Ohio’s Learning Standards and teachers are covering the material at each grade level as outlined in Ohio’s Standards. Students are, more than ever, utilizing technology in both daily assignments and assessments to prepare them for the online testing platform they will experience in the Spring.
The Ohio Department of Education has a phenomenal resources page for parents that contains information about the tests, practice questions you can complete with your child, and information on how the district uses formal assessment data to better drive best instructional practices.
Take Practice OST Assessments at Home:
ODE OST Student Practice Test:
https://oh-ost.portal.cambiumast.com/families.html
The link will take you directly to the Ohio Department of Education Practice Test Sign In
The sign in will be labeled “Guest Session”
Leave the Session ID as the pre-populated “Guest”
Click “Sign In”
Select the Grade level that you would like to see sample tests from
Click on the test you want to take
Begin and have fun exploring!
Below is the testing schedule our Waterville students will follow beginning April 10th. Please avoid making appointments that will require your child to miss school during the scheduled test days if possible. If you have questions regarding statewide testing for your child, please contact School Improvement Consultant, Jim Conner, at 419-877-5377, or Waterville Principal, Jamie Hollinger, at 419-878-2436.
Waterville Primary School will follow the following testing schedule:
- Part 1 - 3rd Grade ELA: Wednesday, April 10
Part 1 - 4th Grade ELA: Thursday, April 11
- Part 2 - 3rd Grade ELA: Friday, April 12
- Part 2 - 4th Grade ELA: Monday, April 15
- Part 1 - 3rd Grade Math: Tuesday, April 23
- Part 1 - 4th Grade Math: Wednesday, April 24
- Part 2 - 3rd Grade Math: Thursday, April 25
- Part 2 - 4th Grade Math: Friday, April 26
As a parent, you can positively impact your child’s performance on the state assessments. There are several things you can do to help your child feel confident and demonstrate the knowledge learned this school year. Some considerations include:
Be help your child to get a good night’s sleep the evenings before the tests.
Encourage your child to do his/her best.
Encourage your child to eat breakfast at home or here at school.
Do your best to avoid stressful home situations that may be distracting or upsetting.
Encourage your child to take his/her time when taking the test.
Consider waking your child up a few minutes early in the morning to have a calm start to his/her day.
Thank you so very much for your partnership!
Kindergarten Enrollment!
Kindergarten Enrollment for the Class of 2037 is now open! Children five years old by September 30 are eligible to begin kindergarten this fall. Parents can start the online enrollment process at www.AnthonyWayneSchools.org/Kindergarten.
Technology Safety Tips For Families:
While technology offers numerous benefits and conveniences, it also comes with potential risks, especially when it comes to communication. As such, we'd like to offer some guidance on how we can collectively promote safe texting habits for your child:
Open Communication: Encourage your child to feel comfortable discussing their online experiences with you. Let them know they can come to you with any concerns or questions they may have about their interactions online.
Establish Boundaries: Set clear guidelines regarding when and how your child can use their devices for texting. This may include designated times for texting, restrictions on who they can communicate with, and guidelines for appropriate content.
Monitor Usage: Keep an eye on your child's texting habits and the people they communicate with. While it's important to respect their privacy, monitoring their activity can help identify any potential risks or issues early on.
Educate about Cyber Safety: Take the time to educate your child about the importance of cyber safety, including the risks of sharing personal information online, interacting with strangers, and engaging in inappropriate behavior.
Set a Good Example: Remember that children often learn by example. Be mindful of your own texting habits and the messages you send, as your behavior can influence your child's understanding of appropriate communication.
Use Parental Controls: Consider utilizing parental control features on your child's devices or through their messaging apps to restrict access to certain features or monitor their activity more closely.
Statewide Tornado Drill - March 22 @ 9:50 AM
On March 22, 2024, Waterville Primary students will participate in the state-wide tornado drill. Each year, Ohio recognizes one week in March of April as "Severe Weather Awareness Week". This is a great time for families to create or review their severe weather safety plans, before inclement weather strikes. The National Weather Service hosts a wide variety of educational resources for students and families. To learn more, please visit https://www.weather.gov/owlie/safety_kt.
News from Food Service
Ways to pay for meals in the cafeteria
1) Check made out to AWFS: you can write one check for all your students, regardless of what building they are in. Simply designate how to split the money in the NOTE section.
2) Cash
3) Online via www.payschoolscentral.com
How to Keep Track of Your Student's Meal Account - PaySchools Central
Check account balances, add money, see detailed reports of what your student is buying, set up recurring payments so you don't forget to add money, set up reminder emails when your student's account goes low, and pay your school fees. It's all in one place.
All of this is done through: www.payschoolscentral.com
* You will need your most commonly used email address and your students 6-digit ID number to create an account.
If you need help setting up the account please call PSC - 1-877-393-6628.
Thank you!
Lunch Menu
District Employment Opportunities
We have several full and part-time positions available to qualified candidates interested in serving in our schools. Need even more flexibility? Substitute employment is a great way to work on your own terms. Learn more at www.AnthonyWayneSchools.org/HumanResources.
Contact Information Updates
It is important that we have accurate contact information for parents/guardians and emergency contacts. If email addresses or phone numbers change during the school year, please update your child’s FinalForms account. This will help ensure we can reach you.
Waterville Parents' Association Updates
The WPA Needs You!
It takes dedicated teachers, staff, and parents to help make Waterville Primary AWesome! Help us help the school by running for a WPA officer position or taking on the role of committee chair. Join us- it's rewarding, important, and fun!
The WPA is looking for individuals who are interested in volunteering for an Executive Board and/or Committee Chair position,
Nominate yourself or someone else through the use of the following Google Form. Please note that the consent of each candidate will be obtained before their name is placed in nomination.
https://forms.gle/U2DtLVTfnAod18157
If you have any questions please reach out to current Vice President Marisa McLeod at 419-350-3455 or marisaSmcleod@gmail.com.
Please complete this form by March 10, 2024
Movie Night Reminders:
We have two Movie Nights remaining for the year and have a few reminders to share that will help our events run smoothly:
- Doors open at 6:15 pm. Students cannot be dropped off prior to that time.
- A drink and snack will be provided at intermission. No food and drink from home is permitted unless allergies or other medical conditions warrant a different snack. Please communicate this to us on the Movie Night form.
- Please list any adult that you are giving permission to pick up your student(s) from the event on the form prior to turning it in. We cannot accommodate last minute changes and we cannot release students to individuals not listed on your form.
Flyers will be coming home shortly for our March Movie Night. Be on the lookout for your form and sign up to join us to watch “Migration” on Friday, March 22nd!
WPA Executive Board Nominations and Committee Chairs
Our WPA is seeking nominations for individuals to serve on the Executive Board for the 2024-2025 School Year. Per WPA Bylaws, interested candidates are presented at the March meeting and then voting takes place at the April WPA meeting. Please indicate nominations here: https://forms.gle/U2DtLVTfnAod18157
In addition, WPA is in need of Chair People for the following committees:
○ Restaurant Night Out Chair
○ Fundraising Chair(s)
○ Governance Chair
○ Book Fair Co-Chair
If you are interested in filling one of the positions, you may also reach out to Marisa McLeod at marisasmcleod@gmail.com
WPA Meeting
WPA MEETING
We would love for you to join us for our next WPA meeting, which will be held on Monday, March 11, starting at 7 p.m. The meeting will take place in the Waterville Primary Media Center (Library) and childcare is provided. If you are unable to attend in person, you can also join the meeting virtually:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85018780559?pwd=SVJEaDBjNDIwbWFhSU83WEh3ejV6UT09
Meeting ID: 850 1878 0559
Passcode: 058718
The remaining WPA meetings have been scheduled for the year as follows:
- 4/15/24
- 5/13/24
News from our School Counselor, Mrs. Cowell!
Teila's 7th Birthday Celebration!
We are so excited to celebrate Teila’s 7th birthday this month! Teila is our building’s 2nd school therapy dog. After Sara (our original therapy dog) retired, we welcomed her to our school in August of 2019. Teila is such a great support for our students, families, and staff! She brightens our days and encourages our students to work hard and try their best! Please see below for some specific information about Teila and the many roles she plays here at school:
She is a cross between a labrador retriever and a golden retriever.
During her days at school, she spends her time visiting classrooms, working with individual students, and participating in student led agility courses!
Outside of school, Teila works closely with the Assistance Dogs for Achieving Independence, (part of the Ability Center), where she was trained for 2 years before she was placed at our school. She returns to the Ability Center every Tuesday to participate in the Agility Angels program.
Teila’s birthday week will be celebrated from Monday, March 18th - Friday, March 22nd! We will have collection boxes available outside of classrooms for anyone interested in donating towards Teila’s care throughout the year. You can also use the QR code on the flyer below to send in birthday donations!
All of our students and staff are invited to celebrate this birthday week by participating in the spirit days listed below! We will end the week with a PJ’s for Pups celebration on Friday, March 22nd ! We encourage everyone to wear their coziest pajamas to school that day!
We are so appreciative of all of the love and support our families show to Teila each year! All of you help to ensure she gets the best possible care - she is definitely the most loved dog ever!
Great Wall of Grit!
The importance of helping a child learn to commit to something long term, persevering when faced with obstacles, and the willingness to keep trying- even when a task or goal is challenging, is our continued focus at Waterville Primary. Grit and growth mindset is not an “edu-fad” but dispositions we will encourage and intentionally teach all of our students, through different classroom activities, assignments, literature, role models, real world examples, and conversations about the topic.
We really need your help again this year with continuing to provide examples of our very own students and ways that they have shown commitment to an activity or goal. You all did a great job recognizing our gritty students and staff last school year and we need to continue to recognize some new students as the school year begins.
Our “Waterville’s Great Wall of Grit” bulletin board remains hanging in the hallway across from the kitchen. This display showcases our gritty students and staff that have been nominated by other individuals as examples of strivers-students who have an enduring passion and take action to achieve a goal. We will continue to spotlight our students and staff who have both determination and direction.
At the end of this Friday Flyer you will find a nomination form to complete if you would like to nominate a student or staff member here at Waterville Primary that you feel exemplifies Grit. Please turn them into the school office once completed and make sure to check out the “Great Wall of Grit” next time you are here in the school.
Reporting Absences, Notification of Appointments, Vacation Notification
Waterville Primary Attendance and Transportation Information
Waterville Families,
We are enjoying an AWesome start to the 2023-24 school year, and hope you are as well! Please read these brief updates regarding attendance and transportation, and reach out to Amy Shiffert for clarification or concerns.
REPORTING ABSENCES
All absences can be reported by emailing WAattendance@anthonywayneschools.org and copying your student's teacher.
You do not need to call AND email. In the event that you're unable to email, a phone call to 419-878-2436 can be made at any time and left with one of the secretaries, or as a voicemail for Amy Shiffert.
REPORTING TRANSPORTATION/DISMISSAL CHANGES
All end-of-day transportation changes should be reported at the start of the day by sending a note with your student or by emailing ashiffert@anthonywayneschools.org and copying your student's teacher.
We understand that last-minute changes may happen later in the day due to unforeseen circumstances, but ask that you communicate in advance whenever possible! If you have an unforeseen transportation change later in the day, please call the office at 419-878-2436 to ensure the message is received and delivered.
Waterville Primary - Where Generals STEAM ahead!
Did you know that Waterville Primary is one of very few STEAM-designated elementary schools in Ohio?! We are always looking to increase opportunities for lessons centered around STEAM. We are always interested in developing professional growth opportunities with community leaders, employers, and resources to enhance student learning.
Isaac and Harper learning computer-aided design.
William, Milo, and Amelia win the indoor recess design challenge.
New 5M printer building a 3D printing shark.
Ohio's Total Solar Eclipse - What to Know!!
People within a 124-mile-wide band in the state of Ohio will experience a total solar eclipse. This will be an exciting celestial event and we want Ohioans and our visitors to enjoy the day safely.
Areas in Ohio that are outside the path of totality will experience a partial eclipse. A total solar eclipse is a rare and spectacular event. On average, one happens somewhere on the Earth only once every 1.5 years. Only 21 total solar eclipses have crossed the lower 48 states in the entire existence of the United States. The last total solar eclipse visible in Ohio was in 1806. The next total solar eclipse in Ohio will be in the year 2099.
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon casts its shadow on the Earth as it passes between the Earth and the Sun. A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon appears to totally obscure the Sun.
Safety is the number one priority when viewing a total solar eclipse. Be sure you're familiar with when you need to wear specialized eye protection designed for solar viewing by reviewing these safety guidelines.
To learn more about this experience, please visit the Ohio EMA for additional tips and resources.
https://ema.ohio.gov/media-publications/ohio-total-solar-eclipse
Second Graders Complete Six-Week Lego Session:
This past week, our second-grade students finished their six-week Lego session by completing an amazing build, utilizing our Lego Spike kits. If you never witnessed these kits, the Lego Spike kits offer a tremendous learning platform. Students can design and build in the traditional platform but utilize coding and motion to make their designs come to life.
Over the past three years, Waterville Primary has been able to secure more than 25 Lego Spike kits through grant funding, adding to our rich STEAM experiences for kids.
Sharing their designs with peers.
Coding their Spike kit designs.
Celebrating a successful build and code!
STEAM & Math Instruction - A Vital Relationship
One of the best ways you can help support your child in their exploration of STEAM-related projects and career fields is to help them understand basic math fluency. The Waterville staff works incredibly hard to implement a multi-sensory approach to teaching math that is coupled with real-world applications or problem-based activities. Practicing basic math fluency at home is every bit as important as a child's nightly reading practice. We strongly encourage parents to build this routine into their child's weekly regimen.
Math manipulatives are a great way to engage learners in a variety of forms. Base ten blocks, arrays, abacus', and even fluency cards, all help present information to students using a variety of approaches. Our goal is to make math fun, engaging, and most importantly, real-world-centered. If you have any questions about ways to make math more engaging on the home front, please reach out to Mr. Beakas for additional tips and strategies.
Callie calculating acute angles.
Common math manipulatives.
Olivia and Natalie solving launch angles.
Career and Professional STEAM Partnerships
Our team is always looking to extend learning standards into the professional workforce. Ensuring our students are college and career-ready is fueled by our connections and collaborations with local businesses and professionals in STEAM-related fields. If you work in a field where STEAM principles are a critical part of your team's success, we would love to hear from you and how our students can learn more!
Our Commitment...
As a STEAM-designated school, our staff is committed to putting the newest technology trends in the hands of our students. Coding and programming are also a part of modern literacy and it's important to help students understand how it can be positively used to shape their world. All STEAM lessons foster critical thinking skills and characteristics featured by our Portrait of General competencies. In addition, all students use a universal design process to help align our project-based learning with our district's core values and the steps necessary for successful problem-based navigation. Our mission is to allow students to explore STEAM-related areas while building healthy peer relationships through collaboration and teamwork.
Follow Waterville Primary on Twitter!
Waterville Primary will be continuing our presence on Twitter with the handle @AWLSWA. This medium is used for both sharing daily activities and any potential alerts for our building. If you do not have a Twitter account you can still get updates via a Fast Follow feature that sends tweets to phones via SMS text messages. Here is all it takes to sign up to receive SMS text messages from the Waterville Twitter account when a tweet is posted:
On the phone to receive the messages, simply create a new text message to phone number 40404. Next, the message to be sent should read: follow @awlswa
That’s all there is to it! Any student or parent that follows this procedure will receive any Waterville school Twitter messages to their phone as an SMS text message.
To turn off text messages, you would send a message to 40404 that reads: off @awlswa
Flyer Central:
Flyer Central
Flyer Central is the space on our website where you will find events, activities and camps held by various organizations in our area.
https://www.anthonywayneschools.org/flyercentral
AWLS Programs & Activities
· AWHS Majorette Tryouts (Rising 8th-12th)
Community Programs
· Sun Federal Credit Union’s Teacher of the Year Awards Program
· Whitehouse Community Easter Egg Hunt
· Easter Egg Hunt
· Purple Day Egg Hunt (Ages 12 and Under)
· 5K Total Eclipse of the Run/Moon Walk
Auditions
· Sleeping Beauty and Beauty & The Beast
Community Events
· Waterville Library February Events Calendar
· Whitehouse Library February Calendar
· Inclusion Resource Fair
· Waterville Safety City (PreK – Kindergarten)
· Lucas County Board of DD Calendar of Events
· YMCA Wellness Programs for Youth & Adults
Lessons
· ProMedica Safe Sitter Program (Grades 6-8)
· BGSU Saturday Art Program
· Youth Ballroom and Latin Dance Classes (Ages 5+)
· Riding Lessons, Summer Camps and Service Opportunities
· RiverFront Studios: Art & Music Lessons
Athletic Clubs and Activities
· Boys Spring Lacrosse Season – Anthony Wayne Youth Lacrosse
· Girls Spring Lacrosse Season – Anthony Wayne Youth Lacrosse
· Spring Developmental Soccer (Ages 3-14)
· Youth Flag Football (Grades K-8)
· Aventus Climbing Clubs (14+)
· Karate Lessons
Summer Camps
· UT Soccer Camps (Grades K-8)
· Path Finders Camp (Ages 6-15)
· RiverFront Studios Art & Music Camps
Community Support
· AWLS Community Resource Guide
· AWLS Surrogate Parents Needed