WFES Newsletter
December 18th, 2020
District Update - Learning in the 3rd Quarter
Online Learning Information and Expectations
Below is an outline of what an example grade level schedule looks like as well as the expectations for students while we use the online learning platform. Even though class periods and subject areas have been condensed to limit the amount of screen time for students each day, I do want to emphasize the instructional school day continues to be from 8:45 AM to 3:15 PM (unless otherwise noted on the district calendar) and students should expect to have academic work to complete throughout the entire school day.
Attendance
All students are expected to be online and ready to learn at 8:45 AM as well as throughout the day as specified by the classroom teacher. If for any reason, your student(s) will be absent from class, please call and register the absence on our 24 hours a day automated attendance line at 602-449-4301. We still need you to register the absence even if you notify the classroom teacher.
Student Expectations
All students will be expected to attend each day, participate/interact with their teacher(s) and peers, and complete/submit assignments as they would with in-person instruction. The online learning platform that will be utilized is Google Classroom and students will participate in their daily classes via Google Meets and/or WebX. We ask that all students follow teacher directions when it comes to muting microphones as well as having webcams on or off. If there are privacy concerns or considerations for your student(s) please contact your student(s) teacher directly to discuss those concerns. We also ask students and parents to be aware of what is in the background of students while on camera as the Chromebook cameras and microphones pick up much more than you realize.
Teachers may also have prepared physical learning packets and materials for students to help facilitate the virtual platform. Teachers will communicate with families on when and where to pick-up these materials from the school.
Student Schedules
A student's daily schedule will mimic a day similar to a traditional in-person classroom learning experience. Students will have a daily schedule with set math, reading, writing, social studies, science, and special areas times. Much like in a traditional in-person classroom, the learning activities will be different day-to-day. Students will participate in whole group, small group, and individual learning activities. All Wildfire students/grade levels will have Lunch/recess from 12:30 - 1:30 pm. Other break times vary depending upon the grade level and will be communicated by the classroom teacher.
Students that receive Special Education, gifted, and other provided services will have these services built into their daily schedule. For example, if a student receives special education reading services, their reading block will be taught by a Wildfire Special Education teacher. Speech and other services will be scheduled for specific times in the day by the service provider.
Example WFES K-6 Schedule
8:45 - 9:00: Morning Meeting
9:00 - 9:30: Phonics/Intervention
9:30 - 10:00: Reading
10:00 - 10:30: Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
10:30 - 11:00: Special Areas (Rotation Schedule to include Art, Music, PE, STEM))
11:00 - 11:30: Social Studies/Science
11:30 - 12:00: Math
12:00 - 12:30: Writing
12:30 - 1:30: Lunch/Recess
1:30 - 3:15: Small group / Independent Work / Intervention / Computer Assistant Learning Programs / ETC.
Teachers in all grade levels will use the time after lunch to continue academic student learning. What the learning looks like may vary daily but students will be asked to and expected to participate in teacher-led small groups, student breakout groups, independent learning time, intervention time, computer-assisted, learning platforms, and other ways teachers deem to best engage students and facilitate learning.
Each grade level in K-6 will have a similar schedule as outlined above. Teachers will incorporate various break times throughout the day in their individual schedules. While the day-to-day lesson in each subject area will determine how long students will need to be online for each subject, the amount of time students will be online with their teacher and/or class will vary day-to-day.
Grade level teachers will provide a more detailed class schedule and expectations to students and families.
Safety Measures
When picking up/dropping off materials from the school or visiting for any reason, please remember a cloth face mask is required at all times while on school property. I appreciate everyone's understanding and continued support to ensure those around us remain healthy and safe.
ATTENTION SKY CROSSING RESIDENTS - ACTION REQUIRED
THE ATTACHED INTENT FORM NEEDS TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL SKY CROSSING NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS AND RETURNED TO THE WILDFIRE OFFICE BY JANUARY 8TH, 2021.
A scanned copy may be emailed to Jennifer Olsen at jeolsen@pvschools.net
Copies of the intent form can be picked up at the WFES office.
Please contact our front office with any questions at 602-449-4300.
Become a Junior Hero!
WFES is starting its second year with the Junior Hero program. Students will have a yellow volunteer hours log with their take-home materials from their teacher.
Junior Hero Pledge
As a Junior Hero, I pledge to uplift others and myself through thoughtful acts of
kindness and service.
How to Become a Junior Hero
1) Take the Junior Hero Pledge.
2) Provide required service and log your hours on the provided form.
3) Get a signature from an adult upon completion.
4) Turn this completed sheet into your teacher or in the envelope on the Junior Hero board.
5) You will be recognized and receive a Junior Hero t-shirt and prize.
6) You are now a Junior Hero for life. Live up to the expectation!
Junior Hero is a non-profit 501(c)3 that makes it fun for students, parents, and teachers to serve their community and those around them.
Spelling Bee Winners!
STEP IT UP! Prize Distribution
We are so blown away by the generosity of the Wildfire community. This year, our annual school fundraiser set a new school record with $47,404.20 in donations! These funds will help our school purchase a wide variety of supports, resources, and experiences so we can continue to give our students an amazing educational experience! THANK YOU WILDFIRE FAMILIES!
If you have not already picked up the prizes that students won/earned they are in the lobby in the front of the school and can be picked up after the front office re-opens on January 4th, 2021.
Snowman Giving Tree - The WFES Community Gives To Those In Need
AR First Semester Leaders!
Incoming 7th graders information from Explorer
As we start to gear up for the 2021-2022 school year, I wanted to send a few updates/reminders to keep us all on the same page with 7th Grade Registration:
- As a reminder, we will not have the annual sixth-grade visit at Explorer due to Covid-19. We are hoping to provide our seventh-grade camp in the summer depending on what things look like in August.
- At this time, we are planning to complete our registration process through email when we get back. We will be providing videos for students to view in order to help them navigate through the registration process. Once we return from break, sixth-grade teachers will receive information to distribute to their families, as well as information regarding honors placement.
Staff Shout-Outs
If you would like to thank a staff member for all their hard work or for any of the other amazing things they do, you can give them a shout-out! Simply complete the form below and the shout-outs will be shared with the staff member and without a doubt will make their day!
Health Office Information
Emergency Card Update
If you haven't already, we are asking all parents/guardians please update your student(s) emergency card.
This information is vital to Nurse Royce, so she knows any medical allergies and/or conditions that students may have. This information also is important to teachers and front office staff so that we have current parent and emergency contact information.
If you haven't already completed your emergency card update, please do so as soon as possible. You can go online to the Infinite Campus Parent Portal and follow these directions, to update.
Technology is ever-changing and we are becoming more digital in our records. Our school site has been the leader in elementary schools for getting the annual update completed online. While it has been challenging and frustrating at times, we are thankful to the many families that have chosen to update online and help us as we continue into a more digital future.
Smile.Amazon.Com
AmazonSmile is a simple way for you to support Wildfire Elementary every time you shop, at no cost to you. AmazonSmile is available at Smile.Amazon.Com on your web browser and can be activated in the Amazon Shopping app for iOS and Android phones.
How to turn on AmazonSmile in the mobile app:
- Join AmazonSmile. If you are not already an AmazonSmile member, sign up on your web browser. Simply select Wildfire Elementary PTO to start generating donations, at no cost to you.
- Get the app. Download or update to the latest version of the Amazon Shopping app on your phone. You can find it in the App Store for iOS or Google Play for Android.
- Turn on AmazonSmile. Open the app and find ’Settings’ in the main menu (☰). Tap on ‘AmazonSmile’ and follow the on-screen instructions to turn on AmazonSmile on your phone.
On your first visit to smile.amazon.com, you will be prompted to select a charitable organization. Select Wildfire Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization. Every time you shop on Amazon simply start at smile.amazon.com and the school earns 0.5% of every purchase. It's that easy to make a difference! Ask your friends, family and co-workers to participate too! As always, Thank you for your support!
Coke Rewards
BOX TOP$ for Education
Box Top$ for Education is now digital! No more cutting and collecting box tops.
Click here to see how it works and how to contribute.
Fry's Community Rewards
If you are a Fry's VIP member you can link your card to Wildfire PTO and effortlessly earn money for our school simply by doing your normal shopping. You just have to signup once and the school will reap the benefits all year!
Important Upcoming Dates:
- December 21st - January 1st: Winter Break - School office Closed
- January 4th: Second Semester/3rd Quarter Begins
- January 5th: STUGO Meeting
- January 6th: Virtual School Council Meeting - 8:00 AM
- January 7th: Governing Board Meeting - 7:00 PM
- January 8th: School Spirit Day - New Years Dress Up Day
- January 11th: Virtual PTO Meeting - 6:30 PM
- January 12th: Early Release Day
- January 13th: Yearbook Club Meeting
- January 14th: Picture Re-take Day (tentively)
- January 15th: Firebird Friday
- January 15th: District Spelling Bee
- January 18th: No School - MLK Day
- January 19th: STUGO Meeting
- January 21st: Governing Board Meeting - 7:00 PM
- January 25th - 29th: Parent/Teacher Conferences
- January 28th: Early Release Day
- January 29th: Early Release Day
Wildfire Elementary School Firebirds
Email: wfes@pvschools.net
Website: https://www.pvschools.net/wfes
Location: 3997 East Lockwood Drive, Phoenix, AZ, USA
Phone: (602) 449-4300
Facebook: facebook.com/WFESFirebirds
Twitter: @WFESFirebirds