Wolverine Weekly
Sunday, February 20 -Newsletter for the Wilder Community
Welcome to Week 23!
Greetings Wolverines!
We heard lots of positive comments about the weather this week and it looks like we have a sunny and clear Monday coming our way! I hope that students get an opportunity to enjoy some outdoor time after school on Monday. Just a reminder that we will release students early tomorrow and I have included the schedule below.
This week's newsletter also includes information on masks and COVID test to stay. If you have questions about this or any school safety concerns, I will be available this evening at 7-8PM to chat on google meet. You can click on the link below. If you would prefer a phone call, please send me an email with a good time to call you.
Thank you for your support. Have a good week 23!
~Mrs. Broudy
Previous editions:
Super Scholars!
Hollie “Jinx” Kim won a “Gold Key” in The Scholastic Arts and Writing Competition.
This is a city-wide competition for students in 7th through 12th grades. There are no
distinct categories for younger students, and because of the early deadline (in
October), it is difficult for our 7th graders to compete at all as they have to be 13 to
enter. Jinx, a proud member of the Kits den and a valued member of the Wilder
Media Society, took the initiative to submit her poem, “red rover” to the competition.
She had entered it previously in the WMS "Spooky Poem" competition in October. Of
the FOUR Richmond area seventh graders who submitted and "placed" in this year's
competition (and this is out of 145 total winners who are overwhelmingly juniors and
seniors in high school), Hollie was the only one to receive the coveted Gold Key, the
competition’s highest honor.
Emily Nixon of the Visual Arts Center of Richmond wrote Hollie (and her mother) to
congratulate them on the “Gold Key.” Ms. Nixon wrote, “You have received an
“American Voices” nomination for your work “red rover”. . . Five works of writing from
each region are hand-selected as nominees for this prestigious medal. These
nominees are celebrated in local exhibitions and ceremonies and move on to possibly
receive a national medal. “American Voices" nominations are selected from across all
categories and grades and are selected from those earning Gold Keys as the “Best-
of-Show.” This is really awesome!”
Day 1/Day 2 Schedule for Week 23
Tuesday-Day 2
Wednesday-Day 1
Thursday-Day 2
Friday-Day 1
Monday, February 21 is a Half Day
Coming Soon-Spring Sports!
Weekly COVID Cases 2/14-2/18
Masks and Student Test to Stay
Student mask requirements have recently changed to offer parent choice on mask usage by their children. Since community transmission of COVID remains high, HCPS is still encouraging students to wear face masks indoors.
I want to thank our students, teachers, and staff who are working together as we transition to this new phase in the pandemic. People have strong feelings about mask use which could lead to conflict. Instead, we have embraced this as an opportunity to demonstrate respect and kindness for others. Our school counselors have also used this time to talk with students who may be experiencing anxiety related to the change.
COVID-19, like other easily transmitted illnesses, is a potential health risk, especially for students and staff members who are immune-compromised. According to the CDC, wearing a face mask helps protect others by reducing the spread of viruses and germs.
Masking on school buses is covered by federal regulation and is still required for all students and adults. Additionally, students returning from isolation or quarantine (after Day 5) or participating in our Test to Stay program must wear a mask through Day 10. Parents can also choose to keep their children home until Day 11 following illness or exposure. I am sharing this flowchart from the Virginia Department of Health as an additional resource.
I also want to assure you that our other safety protocols will remain in place at Wilder to help mitigate the potential spread of COVID, the seasonal flu, or other illnesses. These measures include:
Physical distancing when possible
Frequent handwashing
Daily cleaning practices
Use of air purifiers
Availability of COVID-19 test kits
Test to Stay screening tests
Support of vaccination clinics
Test to Stay Update
HCPS launched its Test to Stay program last week. To remain in school, an unvaccinated student who was exposed to COVID must wear a mask and consistently test negative for COVID. The school nurse will explain the process to families when they receive their test kits. Test to Stay helps minimize student absences and potential learning loss due to quarantine.
PTSA News
Register Today! Little Known Secrets of Paying for College - 2/22 6:30pm
Join The College Funding Coach for this excellent webinar about paying for college. Learn tips, tricks, and important information as you prepare for your student's future education. Parents who have attended this workshop in the past have expressed how useful and invaluable the information is. Click here for more information and to register to attend.
Your Regular Grocery Shopping Supports Wilder
Did you know that we recently received over $400 from Publix and Kroger? That's because Wilder families shop at those stores and have enrolled in Publix Partners and Kroger Community Rewards! Your regular grocery shopping can raise funds for Wilder at no cost to you, all you have to do is enroll. Click here to learn how.
Save the Date - Spirit Night 3/16
Mark your calendars! Our next spirit night will be at Mod Pizza on March 16th!
Exceptional Education Resource Fair-March 16
Attendance
It is important that students attend school each day and arrive on time to ensure they are receiving all of their instruction. Please see below for important information regarding attendance.
· School starts at 8:05 each day. Students are considered tardy if they arrive at 8:30 or later.
· Notify the school by calling the front office at (804) 515-1100 if your child will be absent from school. If we are not notified of an absence, your child will be marked absent unexcused automatically.
· Our attendance team regularly monitors student attendance. Families of students with five or more unexcused absences will be required to meet to develop a support plan for attendance.
· If there is anything we can do to support your efforts in making sure your child is at school every day, please reach out to your child’s school counselor or our Family Advocate, Mrs. Clarke!
2022 Calendar Dates
2/22 Paying for College Seminar
3/11 Student and Staff Holiday
3/16 PTSA Spirit Night at MOD Pizza
Exceptional Education Resource Fair (ExEd EXPO)