The Owl Observer
September 12 - September 16
September 19 - September 23
Greetings OWLs
Dear Students and Families,
Week 7 is here!
This week our students are inching closer to the end of 1st quarter. If you have not been able to review PowerSchool for your student, please do so soon. September 15 kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month! We look forward to sharing various student products and celebrations with you!
Please remember the WYWLA students are required to wear a uniform. This is an agreement all families make when applying to our school. Students in grades 6 –10 are required to wear school uniforms to school each day. Your student is required to meet the uniform requirement each day. Students must wear WYWLA jackets, sweatshirts, shirts, and approved bottoms, shoes, at all times.
As always, we appreciate all that you do in our WYWLA OWL's Nest. It takes a nest to raise an OWL!
This newsletter has great information, please take time to skim through it for news and updates!
Si su necesita ayuda en espanol, por favor llama la officia y pedo por Senora Walker! Yo puedo ayudar en espanol, pero tenga paciencia ya que mis hablilidades no son tan nitidas como antes.
Sincerely,
Mariah Walker
TikTok
Dear Families,
WYWLA is quite possibly one of the last WCPSS Middle Schools that allows cell phone use and access during the day. Unfortunately, some of students are showing that they are unable to handle such a privilege. WYWLA will begin looking at adopting traditional WCPSS Middle School policy which prohibits phone use during school hours. This means your daughter would keep her cell phone in her book bag or purse during the entire school day, until dismissal. Cyber bullying has fortunately not been an issue at our High School and Early College level.
We continue to receive reports about inappropriate pictures, posts, and recordings on TikTok and Instagram. Unfortunately, TikTok and Instagram are 3rd party companies. Though we flag every account shared with us from families, ultimately we are unable to search every student's cell phone. TikTok and Instagram are both blocked on WCPSS Wifi, which is the only Wifi available on WCPSS campuses. Students who use these applications to post the inappropriate, hurtful, and degrading content are using their own personal cell phone data.
This is a phenomenon common in many schools across our city, state, and nation. When I look at the original date of these accounts, many of them were originated in 2021. Based on the images, recordings, and posts, these are created and posted by WYWLA students currently on campus. WCPSS school staff does not have the ability to use web scramblers or jammers as that could interfere with emergency communication. While we report every complaint and concern brought forth by our parents and students, we still are not the owners of TikTok and Instagram. Still based on what we have seen and read, the frequency and use history of these accounts shows these are current students.
As mentioned before, I've already reported these accounts to security and will continue to do so. As a parent, you can see what your child posts because you likely pay the cell phone bill. If you pay the bill, you can create a direct connection to your children's devices to see searches, accounts, etc. We have explicitly shared our expectations with each grade level related to social media. Please take time to look at your child's cell phone activity on these social media accounts. Students often have multiple accounts, you can easily see this by pressing the profile button and holding down. All other associate accounts will then be revealed.
You can also flag and mark accounts as bullying through your child's account. Make sure your student is not following, liking, promoting, or sharing these images and accounts. An image of the accounts is included below for your convenience. Again please ensure your student is not sharing, liking, or following these accounts as this adds fuel to a negative situation.
Our team will explore moving to the more universal middle school policy of cell phone use at the end of the school day. As a parent, I understand your desire to have immediate contact with your child. Yet, our daily activity is being impacted by constant posting, cyber bullying, and video/clip making.
We appreciate your continued support!
Sincerely,
WYWLA Adminstration
Hispanic Heritage Month September 15- October 15
Feliz Mes De Herencia Hispana!
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month, WYWLA!
WYWLA is home to many families and staff of Latin origin! Though this month focuses on the celebration of Hispanic Culture, we are fortunate to see the impact of a diverse community each day at WYWLA. We look forward to celebrating Hispanic Culture this month, but each day at WYWLA is a celebration of all cultures represented in our community.
Many of our students have been preparing digital projects to share with you related to Hispanic Heritage! We will be sharing those out throughout the month! Please enjoy this first segment, from our Early College students!
Fiesta Del Pueblo
To kickoff Hispanic Heritage Month, some of or WYWLA staff is headed downtown to La Fiesta Del Pueblo this Sunday, September 17, 2022. Fiesta Del Pueblo is an annual celebration in downtown Raleigh to celebrate Hispanic Heritage. You are invited to join us! We will meet in front of Marbles around 12:30pm. THIS IS NOT A SUPERVISED EVENT. Your daughter should attend with a family adult or be trusted to supervise themselves because they drive or carpool with a student who drives.
Hispanic Heritage Month Student Call for Engagement
Field Trips
We are excited to welcome back traditional school field trips this year. As your daughter prepares for various trips with her grade/class/club, please remind her that field trips are a privilege, not a requirement. We expect the utmost character, respect, and reflection of our WYWLA community on field trips. Significant behavioral concerns, disciplinary offenses, and suspensions will result in revoked field trip privileges.
Day of the Girl T-Shirt Design
Order information will be coming soon! See the t-shirt design below! Thank you for voting!
The WYWLA PTSA is proud to launch our 2022 school fundraising campaign. This is our no-bake, no-sell, no-fuss fundraiser, and the proceeds will help us provide even more enrichment and support to our school community.
Our plan this year is to continue to use the funds to support clubs, grants, scholarships, school programs and WYWLA leadership day speaker(s). Any additional funds will also allow for teacher support and school improvements.
Our goal is to raise $7,000 from 9/15 – 9/30!!! Last year, you helped raise $8,100 and we are hoping to top that with your generosity.
In order to hit our goal we are asking every student and parent to please forward the ways to donate to all family members, close friends and co-workers. Some employers may even match your donation so don't forget to ask. Anyone who is able to donate the students, staff and PTSA would love to thank you in advance. Always remember any contribution goes a long way in making a difference!!
Visit the link below for ways to contribute!
Or, text WYWLA to(919) 626-3277!
WYMLA 10 Year Celebration
Let's celebrate our partner Leadership Academy, Wake Young Men's Leadership Academy at their 10 Year Celebration!
Owl Athletes
WYWLA students who are eligible may try out and participate in interscholastic athletic programs at Broughton High School and Oberlin Middle School. Interested students should visit each school’s website for more information. Students must complete a physical form prior to the start of tryouts and must meet all WCPSS athletic eligibility standards.
To learn more visit https://www.wcpss.net/oberlinms or http://broughton.wcpss.net
A message from Oberlin's Athletic Director
Visit the Oberlin Athletic Page for schedules, practices, and coaching information!
A message from Broughton's Athletic Director
We are currently having pre-season workouts. Interested girls can find information regarding athletic registration, a girls basketball calendar, etc. by visiting the Broughton High Athletics website. They can also contact me at pmoore@wcpss.net. Visit the BHS Athletic page for fall information on Women's Lacrosse and Swimming!
Uniform Dress Code & Reminders
⭐Students in grades 6 –10 are required to wear school uniforms to school each day. Please visit our website to review the complete uniform policy which contains guidelines for each uniform item and vendor information.Your student will be required to meet the uniform requirement each day. Students must wear WYWLA jackets, sweatshirts, shirts, and approved bottoms, shoes, at all times.
Early college students on the SAU campus will follow the WCPSS Dress Code Policy and the SAU Dress Code Policy.
All students will be expected to arrive in proper school attire daily beginning August 8th. Your student will be asked to adjust their uniform to meet the WYWLA uniform requirements when needed.
If you have concerns related to agreed upon school uniforms, please email Mrs. Walker at mwalker4@wcpss.net.
School Picture Orders
Don't forget to order your school pictures! Visit the link directly sent to your email! You can also visit the link below!
August & September Events
September 15: Hispanic Heritage Month (runs through October 15)
September 18: Fiesta Del Pueblo in downtown Raleigh
September 20: PTSA Meeting, 5:00 PM
September 22: Financial Aid Night, 6:00 PM (Virtual)
September 26 - 29: SAU Midterm Exams
September 30 - October 3: Fall Break
September 30: Teacher Workday
October 1: SAT
October 3: Teacher Workday
October 11: Day of the Girl Empowerment SessionsOctober 11: Day of the Girl Celebration, 12:30 PM
October 12: End of Quarter
October 12: PSAT (Grades 9 -11)
October 14: Deadline to Post Q1 Grades in PSOctober 15 – December 14: Early College Application Window
October 19: Campus Tours, 8:30 & 12:00PM
October 21: Report Cards DistributedWake Young Women's Leadership Academy
Website: www.wcpss.net/wywla
Location: 303 Ashe Avenue, Raleigh, NC, USA
Phone: (919) 508-9088
Twitter: @WakeGirlsLead