Friday, December 16, 2016

WMS Friday Family Message 12-16-16

Last night our band and choir performed for the community and did an excellent job. Today Orchestra joined them and again an excellent show was performed. Thanks to all of our musical families for their support of these wonderful programs.

Today we enter Winter Break. We encourage all students and staff to take advantage of this time to rest, relax, and enjoy time with family. It is important to recharge, so we value the time students have to do this. There will be no Family Messages until after the break.
Wellness Survey
Students involved in the SchoolsNEXT group are working to design a learning experience of the future. They are designing around the concept of wellness and are seeking community input around opinions and ideas related to wellness. Please consider taking the Wellness Survey that can be found here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/F5PJ38N
Global Virtual Classroom Community Event-December 17
All community members are invited to a Positive News Presentation given by our Global Virtual Classroom partners from GLOBAL English school in Lagoa Santa, Minas Gerais, Brazil.  We’ll meet from 8:30 to 9:30 am on Saturday, December 17th in Walton’s amphitheater.  There will be a Q&A session where people can ask questions and get to know our Brazilian partners and to give feedback on their presentations.  We hope to see you at this unique community event!  
French 6 Exploratory Offered for This Spring
WMS is offering one section of 6th grade French Exploratory this spring. The course will meet for 41 minutes every other day. Coursework will include a strong emphasis on speaking, listening, reading, writing, and cultural awareness. Basic French vocabulary and essential grammar will be taught. Participation in the grade 6 world languages courses is open to all students and a good way to explore various cultures and make decisions about taking future world language courses. If you are interested in having your child participate in this course please email 6th Grade Counselor, Doug Bloor, at dbloor@k12albemarle.org by January 13.
Golden Apple Nominations
Nominations for the16th Annual Golden Apple Awards are open. This program honors outstanding teachers in public and private schools in Albemarle County and Charlottesville City. One winner is selected from each school, and eight winners also will receive a $1,000 Golden Apple Grant, which can be used for classroom materials or to support the recipient's professional development.  Listed below are the previous Walton winners. Nominations from colleagues, parents, and students are due to Mr. Walton by February 2, 2017. Nomination forms can be found at: https://www2.k12albemarle.org/dept/instruction/Pages/golden-apple-award.aspx

Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
The Department of Education is pleased to announce that Virginia will participate in the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).  The PAEMST program was established in 1983 by the White House and is administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology.  The program identifies outstanding science and mathematics teachers, kindergarten through grade 12, in each state and the four United States jurisdictions.  
Recognition is given to teachers of kindergarten through grade 12 in four award groups: elementary mathematics (K-6), elementary science (K-6), secondary mathematics (7-12), and secondary science (7-12).  In 2017, up to ten state finalists at the elementary level will be selected from Virginia (up to five in each group). From these 2017 state finalists, a national committee will choose up to two national-level awardees (one in each award group) from Virginia.  Each national awardee will receive a $10,000 personal award and an all-expense paid trip to recognition events and other activities in Washington, D.C.
The deadline for nominations from individuals, including students, parents, teachers, and administrators, is April 1, 2017. The nomination form should be completed early enough to ensure that the nominated teacher is given enough time to prepare an application that reflects exemplary teaching.

College and Career Readiness Core Skills Classes Starting January 10.
College and Career Readiness Classes are starting at Scottsville Elementary on January 10. Classes meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00-8:30 p.m. Reach your full potential in Reading, Writing, Math,  and Computer skills.  Earn your GED certificate or NEDP diploma. There is a new Distance Learning Program Available!  Learn from home on your computer at your convenience with teacher support. For more information contact Kathy at 434-245-2817 or visit www.adultslearn.org .

Upcoming Dates:

December 17-Global Virtual Classroom Meeting with Brazil school. (See above)

December 17-January 2: Winter Break-No School

January 3: Students Return from Winter Break

January 12: Civics and Science SOL Tests

January 16: Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday-No School for Students