“Woods Learning Center News”

The Woods Learning Center News is a weekly school-wide newsletter. The newsletter, along with classroom, school, district, and community information, is sent home with students in their Friday folders. The goal of the newsletter is to provide parents with information about the school, upcoming events, happenings in the pods, opportunities for volunteers, and other notes of interest. If you have information to include, please leave it in Judy Neal’s box in the staff mailroom, email her at Judy_Neal@ncsd.k12.wy.us, or call her at 577-0315 by the weekly deadline--3:15 Thursdays.

WLC Staff

The WLC community welcomes new and re-turning staff members. Deyonne Jackson and Nicole Roden teach in the primary pod (grades K and 1). Kate Cherry and Guy Sallade teach 2nd and 3rd grade students in the intermediate pod. Marci Miles and Karen Bayert teach in the upper intermediate pod (grades 4 and 5). Middle school teachers (grades 6 - 8) are John Bolender, Jennifer Grooms and Jim Gaither. The support teacher is Denise Snider. Marilyn Lojo joins Susie Shell, Shelly Corkill, and Diane Seville as instructional assistants. Nancy Amend is a tutor. Trish Nix teaches general music, Chris Dvarishkis teaches art, Jim Gar-butt and Matthew Chenevert teach PE. Toby Clouser will teach band to 5 - 8 grade students. Sue Salz will teach grades 5 - 8 strings. Pam Hopkins is the administrative assistant. DeeAnne Simonson returns to WLC as Peer Coaching Coordinator. Kellie Olson joins WLC in the office and the lunch-room. The Woods librarian is Judy Neal. Christina Hall is the playground aide/instructional assistant. Don Gottschim is the school custodian. Marla Ehlebract is new to WLC as the school nurse. Jerry Howard, Jan Rayburn, and Sue Schilling work in the building on Tuesdays and handle counseling and testing needs. Don Allen is a therapist with the Central Wyoming Counseling Center. Jane Harden is our speech therapist. Randi Price is our occupational therapist. Myong Ratliff and Susan Heid serve lunch. Merebeth Yankey monitors students waiting in the morning for buses that take them from WLC to their schools. Joanne Holland works in the district laundry facility that is housed in the WLC building.

New Student Welcome

The WLC community welcomes many new stu-dents and their families to Woods this fall.  Primary: Jevon Davis, Anika DeVoogd, Talon Hultman, Manning Johnson, Hawkins Kopp, Sadie Miner, Erin Ramsey, Seth Reynolds, Haley Ruckle, Raquel Speth, Joshua Tuttle, Logan Vermeulen, Mazzi Vlastos, Jade Wesnitzer, Grace Yocum and Danae Young; Upper Intermediate: Allie Fowler, Amy Ladd, Ashley MacDonald, and Isaac Morgan; and Middle School: Justin Hamlin.

Back-To-School Night

Back-to-School Night will be held Tuesday, Sept. 9 starting at 6:30 p.m. All parents/ guardians are strongly encouraged to attend. The format is designed for adults. Please make other arrangements for your children for the evening. Watch for additional information.

Registration/Information Forms

Included in today’s Friday folders are several forms that need to be filled out and returned to WLC. These include blue “registration” cards, an “emergency school closure” form, a sheet to list information parents want included in the school directory, a list of volunteer opportunities, information about the WLC attendance policy, etc. (Kindergarten parents have already completed these forms so they will not be in kindergarten folders.) Please complete these forms and return them in your child’s Friday folder on Monday, August 25.

Field Trip Drivers

All individuals interested in driving for school field trips are required to fill out a form at the WLC office. If you filled out a form last year and all information is current, you don’t need to fill this out again. All drivers must bring their driver’s license and a current proof of insurance card to the school prior to driving on a field trip this year. A copy of these must be kept on file at the school. All district rules and regulations apply to drivers while transporting students for school trips.

Friday Folders

Students will bring home a “Friday Folder” each Friday that contains work samples, notes from teachers, and other items of communication. A parent signature sheet is included with an area for comments. Parents/guardians are asked to examine the contents and respond as necessary. Students should return the folders each Monday. Today’s Friday Folders include many items of beginning-of-the-year information. The folders will not be as full in future weeks.

Administrative Responsibilities

Woods Learning Center does not have a principal. Administrative responsibilities are divided among the staff. The following is a list of responsibilities and names of the staff member(s) to contact if you have a concern in a particular area.

Administrative Assistant: Pam Hopkins. Assist the staff in executing its administrative responsibilities.

Accreditation/School Improvement: Karen Bayert, Deyonne Jackson, DeeAnne Simonson & Kate Cherry. Oversee school improvement and coordinate with goal committees, monitor school interventions, coordinate staff develop-ment, submit reports.

Assessment: Denise Snider. Coordinate standardized testing.

Building and Grounds: Guy Sallade & Don Gottschim. Monitor building and equipment usage, notified when school alarm is activated, conduct and document safety drills (fire, tornado, bus, etc.), oversee capital outlay

proposals, monitor vandalism/ theft issues, update inventory.

Center For Teaching and Learning: Marci Miles. Coordinate University of Wyoming/ Casper College education students at WLC.

Communication: Jennifer Grooms, Judy Neal, Jim Gaither, Kate Cherry, Guy Sallade & Marci Miles. Publish newsletter, handbook, news re-leases; serve as Parent Teacher Cooperative liaisons (Kate, Guy, & Marci).

Crisis Management: Guy Sallade, Deyonne Jackson, Marci Miles, John Bolender & Don Gottschim. Deal with issues regarding the safety of the school community.

Essential Curriculum: Literacy—Deyonne Jackson and Karen Bayert; Math—Karen Bayert and Deyonne Jackson; Social Studies—Guy Sallade and Jim Gaither; Science—John Bolender and Jennifer Grooms. Attend district meetings in subject areas.

Finance: John Bolender & Susie Shell. Main-tain various budgets, provide staff with monthly budget updates, manage requisitions and local purchase orders, update/enter budget informa-tion.

League of Democratic Schools Liaison: Jennifer Grooms. Act as a liaison with the LoDS.

Literacy: Nicole Roden. Act as liaison for dis-trict K - 2 Opportunity to Learn assessment.

Peer Coaching Coordinator: DeeAnne Simonson. Attend district Instructional Facilitator meetings.

Pinnacle: Kate Cherry. Oversee and act as liaison with district regarding the district report card.

Personnel: Jim Gaither, Jennifer Grooms & Denise Snider. Oversee completion of profess-sional goal forms, supervise and evaluate sup-port staff, set teacher evaluation process in motion and see to its completion, arrange and conduct interviews for vacant positions, ad-dress parent concerns, oversee peer coaching.

Student Activities: Kate Cherry & Marci Miles. Coordinate after-school sports.

Student Services: Nicole Roden, Jennifer Grooms, Nancy Amend & Denise Snider. Address attendance, At-Risk, 504, and DFS issues.

Pod News

Intermediate

Spelling begins next week.  Spelling words will come home Thursday night in the homework folder.  The first test will be on Wednesday, September 3rd. We need a few parents who are able to help out with spelling this year on Wednesdays from 8:15 to 9:00 and Thursdays from 8:15 to 9:00.  Please let us know if you are interested. Students may bring a water bottle to keep at their seat and a small pillow to use at read aloud and during independent reading. The Game and Fish Expo will be held Sept. 12th.  We are looking for drivers.  We will depart WLC at 8:30 and return by 11:30.  You will need to update your insurance and driver’s license at the front office. --Guy Sallade & Kate Cherry

Hot Lunch Information—New Prices

The price for elementary students (K - 6) is now $2, and middle school lunch (7 - 8) is $2.25. The price for an adult lunch is  $2.85. Milk is included in the hot lunch price and also sells separately for 35 cents. The weekly rate for elementary students is $10.00 and the monthly rate is $40. The weekly rate for middle school students is $11.25 and the monthly rate is $45. Payment for lunches can be made on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. Pizza Lunch Pizza Hut pizza will be served for hot lunch on Fridays. Extra slices of pizza will sell for $1.50, and must be paid for in advance. Chocolate Milk Students have their choice of white or chocolate milk each day. Charging Lunches The Food Service School Handbook prepared and distributed by the District states that students are not allowed to charge lunches. The WLC staff has established the following guidelines that allow a small amount of leeway. Students are expected to pay in advance for lunches. If they do not have money in their lunch account, they will be able to charge a lunch. After a student charges a total of four lunches, a notice will be sent home warning that only one additional lunch may be charged before the student is refused lunch. If a fifth lunch is charged, students will not be allowed to charge additional lunches until payment in full is made on the account. Free & Reduced Lunches Families who feel they may qualify for free or reduced lunches are asked to fill out and return the application included in today’s Friday folders. Only one application per family is needed and it should be returned to the school where the oldest child in the family attends classes.

Parent Teacher Cooperative

The Parent Teacher Cooperative is a group of parents and teachers who serve as a governing body to raise and address issues concerning Woods Learning Center, and to raise and expend funds for the benefit of our students. All parents/guardians are encouraged to attend the monthly meetings and share concerns, suggestions and discussion. (Time spent at the meetings counts toward parent contract volunteer time.) Officers for the 2008 - 09 school year: president—Doug Tunison, vice president— Jamie George, secretary—Sally Mosier, and treasurer—Brenda Johnson. Other members of the board include Lisa Tunison and Nova Crawford. Kate Cherry, Guy Sallade and Marci Miles are the staff liaisons to the PTC board. The PTC board holds a meeting prior to each general meeting. Anyone with an item to bring to the board may contact a board member. Please feel free to contact any of the board members with your questions or comments throughout the year.

Vision Therapy Project

Information is attached to this newsletter about a new program that WLC will participate in. The program addresses the impact of visual efficiency and perceptual skills on learning and behavior. Please read the information. If you do not want your child to participate, complete the attached form and return it in your child’s Friday folder. Contact Susie Shell or Nancy Amend at WLC if you need additional information.

Staff Retreat Food

The Parent Teacher Cooperative organizes meals annually for the WLC staff during its fall retreat. The retreat is scheduled for Sept. 5 – 7 at Fort Robinson in western Nebraska this year. This is a golden opportunity to get credit for hours of parent volunteer time just by donating a prepared dish. Sign up sheets are located at the front desk.  Food items can be dropped off at the school any time during the morning of Sept. 5 but must be at the school by noon. Contact Lisa Tunison at 473-8088 for additional information.

Parent Volunteers Needed

Woods relies on parent volunteers to enhance the school's success. Volunteering involves you directly in your child's day-to-day learning. There are a variety of opportunities available to fit many schedules. A form is included in today’s Friday folders for you to review and indicate your interests. Please take a moment to complete and return to the school. You may also check directly with your child's teachers for their needs or check the WLC website volunteer page from time to time for needs:
http://woodslearningcenter.org/index_files/volunteer.htm     --Doug Tunison, PTC President

Record Volunteer Hours

Please record your parent volunteer hours at the Parent Volunteer Center (the desk near the WLC office). Each family has a folder in which hours can be recorded.

Student Absences

If a student is too ill to attend school, it is the parent’s responsibility to call WLC (577-0315) before the start of school at 8:15 a.m. Parents will need to call each day the child is ill. A note is not necessary if a call is made. For the safety of our students, office personnel will contact parents or emergency contacts beginning at 8:30 a.m. if a student is not at school and a parent has not phoned the office.

Lunch Schedule

Lunch is a 45-minute period divided between eating and recess. Middle school and intermediate students eat during the first shift in the lunchroom, and then head to recess. Primary and upper intermediate students have recess first and then eat lunch. There is a 5-minute passing period. Lunch period runs from 11:30 - 12:15 each day Monday - Thursday. On Fridays, students in grades K - 6 eat lunch in their classrooms at 11:30 and students in grades 7 & 8 eat in the lunchroom at 12:15. Parents are invited to join their children for lunch and for lunch recess.

Medication Policy

According to the District medication policy, all medication (including over the counter medica-tions such as pain relievers, cough drops, etc.) must be delivered to the office for storage. Students who are to receive medication must have a signed consent form giving the school permission to administer the medication. A signed note from the child’s physician for both prescription and non-prescription medication is required.

Thank You Gardeners

Thank you to everyone who tended to the WLC gardens over the summer. Your help is apprec-iated. A special thanks goes to Sally Mosier and Pam Brondos who are cleaning out and redesigning the gardens. Please be sure to record your volunteer hours and return water keys. 

Thank You

Thanks to Johanna Moter for the donation of a game to the music room. --Trish Nix, General Music

Robotics Club

The Robotics Club will hold its first meeting on Tuesday, August 26 from 3:30 – 5 p.m. in the middle school classroom. The club is open to students in grades 6 – 8.

Volunteer Opportunities

In an effort to provide parents opportunities to fulfill their parent volunteer hours and become involved in the school and community service projects organized by WLC, the newsletter will publish opportunities for them to volunteer their time. Opportunities both inside and outside school will enable inclusion of parents with a variety of schedules.

*Lunchroom/Playground Volunteers Parents are invited to eat lunch with their children and accompany them to the playground for recess.

*Food Providers Volunteers are needed to make/provide various food items for the WLC Staff Retreat. Sign up on the sheet at the front counter at WLC or contact Lisa Tunison at 473-8088.

Coming Events

Robotics Club Tuesday, Aug. 26 from 3:30–5 p.m. in the middle school classroom. The club is open to students in grades 6–8.

Labor Day Monday, Sept. 1. School will not be in session.

Back-To-School Night Tuesday, Sept. 9 beginning at 6:30 p.m.  Watch for additional information.

BoxTops for Education WLC is collecting BoxTops for Education labels that are redeemable for cash. The labels are on selected General Mills products. Please save these labels and send them in to the WLC office.

Cash For Trash Fundraiser Participating schools collect empty laser and inkjet printer cartridges from students, parents, or any business and trade them for cash. Please send in any cartridges from your home or place of employment, or any other source you may know. Please save your cartridges and send them in to the WLC office.

Aluminum Cans Recycling WLC is collecting aluminum cans as a fundraiser. If you would like to donate your cans to the school, please bag them and deposit them next to the receptacle north of the building in the parking lot. Students will place the cans in the receptacle.

Safeway Gift Cards Safeway gift cards are avail-able at the WLC office in a variety of denominations. They can be used like cash to make purchases at Safeway stores. This program is a fund-raiser for the Woods PTC. Please contact Kellie Olson or Brenda Johnson for more information.

8/22/08 WLC Newsletter