Monday, July 31, 2017

Gearing Up for Back to School!

Dear Walton Community,

Summer School Fun!
I am so excited for the 2017-2018 school year to begin. We have had a busy summer here at WMS. We hosted an awesome summer school with over 40 students (over 10% of our student body), which included rising 6th graders for the first time in many years and an Algebra Bridge Camp that helped gear students up for Algebra in the fall.


We also had a lot of learning for teachers as we had teachers working on P-Based (Project, Passion, Problem) Learning in ACPS’s annual Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction Institute. Teachers also attended summer in-house professional development where they worked on strategies and methods to leverage digital technologies for learning. Finally, we had teachers attend some national professional development institutes including the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) Summer Institute in Philadelphia and the TPRS (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling) in San Antonio.


Learning Labs in Progress. High celings and natural light.
In addition, to learning we have had lots of construction. Our transformation of the science classrooms into learning labs with collaborative and innovative spaces is underway. We are very excited to have these spaces to engage student in deep learning experiences. And we are thrilled that they have skylights and Solatubes incorporated to bring more natural light into the building.


I am honored to continue to serve the Walton community and its enthusiastic students and wonderful families. Our talented and dedicated staff look forward to continuing to put our students at the center of the learning process to prepare students for high school, college, and career success. I look forward to working with our whole community to protect and grow our most precious investment—the children we serve.
Have a safe and joyful rest of summer,
Josh Walton
Follow me on twitter for more updates @mrjwalt and @WMSWildcatNews
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WMS Family Message 5-26-17

It is hard to believe that our school year is almost over. We only have 8 ½ days left, but I do like to remind students that this is nearly 5% of the year, so it is still a significant amount of learning time. We encourage students to stay engaged in their learning during this exciting and anxious time through learning activities where we get students outside whether that be through riding bikes in PE, playing simulation games in Language Arts, or observing in Science class. Of course, we are still in SOL season (last retake is June 8), so we also have plenty going on inside the building too.

As we close out the year we have two significant events for 8th graders coming up-the 8th Grade Dance and the 8th Grade Celebration, both outlined below.

8th Grade Dance

8th grade Dance Tickets are on sale through Tuesday, May 29.  The cost of the ticket is $10. That cost includes everything - food, drink, and more! Tickets will be on sale during lunch. See Ms. Hoffman if you have any questions!

8th Grade Parents, the 8th Grade Dance goes from 6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. on June 2, 2017. Parents who are interested in helping to setup can reach out to Ms. Hoffman at phoffman@k12albemarle.org One thing the committee needs is donations of Holiday lights for decoration, you may send those in with your child.

8th Grade Celebration Help
The 8th Grade Moving Up Celebration will be held on May 8 starting at 7 p.m. We are asking 8th grade families to contribute food and for 6th and 7th grade parents who can assist with setup and serving after the celebration (usually from 7:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m.). Please visit the links below if you can assist.

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c4baaaa2ba46-helping1    6th and 7th grade parents to help
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c4baaaa2ba46-walton5   8th grade parents to donate food

Yearbooks
Yearbooks are here! Students who did not pre-order may purchase a yearbook NOW. Yearbooks are $25.00 and checks should be made payable to Walton Middle School. Students may bring their money to the front office to purchase a yearbook.

Summer Learning Opportunity
Albemarle County Public Schools is inviting roughly 40 students to participate in a unique learning experience centered around developing students’ creative ideas and building solutions to meaningful issues. This summer program will provide students with a two week opportunity to work towards producing an original product or social innovation that solves a current problem defined by the student. Students will work through a design process, utilizing tools necessary to build a prototype, plans, documentation, and a pitch or presentation of the purpose and solution of their idea and product in front of an authentic audience. This program will reach students in grades K-12 and provide a social and naturally collaborative environment for students to discover and learn through making, building, and inquiry. Students will be guided by teacher experts, mentors, and volunteers to help make their ideas come to life!
Dates:
Week 1: July 17-21
Week 2: July 24-28
Exhibition Day: July 29
Times:
K-5: 9 AM - 12 AM
6-12: 11 AM - 3 PM
(purposeful social overlap)
Location:
Scottsville Volunteer Rescue Squad
805 Irish Road
Scottsville, VA 24590
Food and Transportation:
Lunch is provided. We are working on transportation based on students and needs.
HS students have ability to earn CTE-Entreprenuership Credit
Sign Up Students Here:
Flyer:
Upcoming Dates:
May 31: SOL Testing: 6th Grade Math and 7th Grade Math
June 1: SOL Testing 8th Grade Science and Civics
June 2: 8th Grade Dance- 6:30 p.m-9:00 p.m.
June 6-8: SOL Expedited Retakes
June 8: 8th Grade Celebration @ 7 p.m.
June 9: Last day of school-Field day (Half-Day for Students-Dismissal at 1:05 p.m.)
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