Wheeler Flash
March 2018
Message From the Principal
Dear Wheeler Families,
Thank you to those parents who attended the renovation update informational evening on Thursday, April 5th. As we move into a large moving process to clear Wheeler School prior to removing all hazardous material this summer, I sincerely thank all parents for your support and offering to help teachers and staff box up materials.
I believe we have a very solid plan for phasing students and teachers into swing spaces next year while our building is being renovated. Throughout the process we will keep safety and teaching and learning at the forefront of our thinking. I also understand that even the best laid plans may require adjustments. I appreciate all faculty, staff, and parents' patience and flexibility. Please be sure to look at the important dates noted at the bottom of the Wheeler Flash. Please note some of the 5th grade dates (Norton Park and Promotional Ceremony) have changed.
Here are some answers to questions parents had at the recent meeting on April 5th:
Q: Will the new classroom doors be lockable from the inside?
A: Yes, all classrooms will be lockable from the inside with a key.
Q: What will the new corridor/connector be made of? Glass, brick??
A: Fiberglass, windows, and concrete block walls low and gypsum board walls above the windows.
Q: How will band and chorus be affected by having music on a cart?
A: I do not have a definitive answer for this other than to say we will continue to have chorus and band. What we are thinking about is as follows: We will likely use the cafeteria in the morning for chorus practice. Mr. Boncimino will continue to use the conference room on Mondays to do band practice. Miss Brendel will use the library on Wednesdays to do band practice while makerspace is occurring in the gym.
Q: What are the dividers for swing classrooms such as the music room that will be shared by two teachers for part of the first year of renovation?
A: The dividers will likely be metal stud walls with gypsum board on both sides. Typically, they would go all the way to the ceiling. I am told the cost of an "accordion like divider" is exorbitant.
Q: What will the construction traffic look like at Wheeler throughout the renovation?
A: There will be no construction traffic between the hours of 8:20 and 9:00 am and 3:20 and 4:00 pm. We will be monitoring this very carefully and make adjustments as necessary for safety.
Q: How will it work for parents who have pre-k students attending Linden?
A: There will be bussing offered to all Wheeler Pre-k students attending Linden.
Q: If the back gate entrance from Wheeler Lane/Birch Tree Rd is closed, will Dattco have to pick up MORE students?
A: I am in the process of finding the answer to this question.
Q: Does the YMCA before and after school program get affected? Will students enrolled in the Y program need to be bussed to another school?
A: I am in the process of finding the answer to this question.
Sincerely,
Mr. B.
Principal, Frank T. Wheeler Elementary School
PTO CORNER!!
Thank you very much Wheeler PTO for:
1. An outstanding BOOK FAIR!!! Led by Mrs. Porteus, the PTO raised nearly $3,000 dollars in Scholastic book bucks for Wheeler School. This will help fund more materials for our Makerspace Program, Student Council, as well as additional books for Wheeler School. See more pics and descriptions about this spring's exciting, successful BOOK FAIR!
2. Being a part of the Read Across America Committee and many volunteers who supported Read Across America Day on March 2nd!
WHEELER'S SPRING BOOK FAIR!!
BOOK FAIR PET PHOTO CONTEST!
Wheeler School really loves their pets! We had 80 entries of dogs, cats, bunnies, hamsters, tortoises, and more. Students voted for their Top Dog, Top Cat, and Top Other Cool Pet. This was so much fun for students to share their pet photos with friends and teachers alike.
BOOK FAIR SUPPORTS LOCAL ANIMAL SHELTER
BOOK FAIR: 10 LUCKY RAFFLE WINNERS WHO GENEROUSLY DONATED TO THE BOOK FAIR
READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY AT WHEELER!!
Leaders of the PACK March 2018
Leaders of the PACK
Leaders of the PACK
Leaders of the PACK
More Leaders of the PACK!!
March's Art Student of the Month!
March PACK Raffle Winners
Participating in PACK activities!
Cat in the Hat Rice Krispie Treats!
Cat in the Hat Rice Krispie Treats!
Cat in the Hat Rice Krispie Treats!
MAKING SLIME!!!
MISS B's 5th GRADE SNOW DAY STEAM CHALLENGE!!
Jack Ericksen
Deena Voitkevics
Brucenell Bonsu
K SNOWDAY FUN!!!
WHEELER SNOWMAN IN MARCH!!
Student's share their goals on the morning announcements!!!
BACKTRACK VOCALS VISIT WHEELER SCHOOL
FOURTH GRADE'S ANNUAL INVENTION CONVENTION AT WHEELER- AMAZING!
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER!!
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER!!
- 4/9-4/13/18 Spring Break NO SCHOOL
- 4/18/18 Superintendents Showcase 6:30-8:30pm
- 4/19/18 Parent Info Night for Kindergarten 6:30-7:30pm
- 4/20/18 Superhero Day @ Wheeler
- 4/25/18 PLC Day 1:30 Early Dismissal
- 4/25/18 Wheeler PTO Meeting 6:00-7:00pm
- 4/26/18 Wheeler Walk To School
- 4/27/18 Fancy Day @ Wheeler
- 4/28/18 Color Run @ MSP starting at 9:00am
- 5/3/18 1:30 Early Dismissal Packing and Renovation
- 5/4/18 Star Wars Day @ Wheeler
- 5/9/18 PLC Day 1:30 Early Dismissal
- 5/11/18 Harry Potter Day @ Wheeler
- 5/12/18 Unified Sports Day 10:00am-12:30pm @ CCSU
- 5/14-5/18/18 Penny War @ Wheeler
- 5/16/18 Wheeler PTO Meeting 6:00-7:00pm
- 5/17/18 Parent Orientation for 5th grade @ MSP 6:30-8:00pm
- 5/18/18 End of the Year Celebration 6:00-8:00pm
- 5/19/18 Wheeler School Night @ NB Bees 6:35-8:05pm
- 5/22/18 Spring Concert 6:30-7:30pm
- 5/23/18 PLC Day 1:30 Early Dismissal
- 5/25/18 Disney Day @ Wheeler
- 5/28/18 Memorial Day NO SCHOOL
- 5/30/18 1:30 Early Dismissal Packing and Renovation
- 5/30/18 Spring Concert 6:30-7:30pm
- 5/31/18 Wheeler Pre-K Orientation @ Linden Street School 6:00-7:00pm
- 6/1/18 Rain Date End of the Year Celebration
- 6/11/18 5th Grade Norton Park
- 6/12/18 Rain Date 5th Grade Norton Park
- 6/13/18 5th Grade Promotion 2:20-3:00pm
- 6/14/18 1:30 Early Dismissal Packing and Renovation
- 6/15/18 1:30 Early Dismissal Packing and Renovation
- 6/18/18 1:30 Early Dismissal
- 6/19/18 Wheeler Field Day 1:30 Early Dismissal
- 6/20/18 Rain Date Wheeler Field Day 1:30 Early Dismissal
- 6/20/18 Last Day of School 1:30 Early Dismissal
Below's link will take you directly to Wheeler's Public Events Calendar. The calendar keeps up to date information about early dismissals, PTO events, and Wheeler's Spirit Days!