Pod News

Primary

Last week we started learning about keeping ourselves healthy. Students made monster bags that kept getting hungry so we fed them healthy foods. We learned about how our heart beats and that if we moved around a lot our heartbeat would go faster. This week we learned more about eating healthy.  Students are starting on independent projects focused on learning a new skill or hobby.  We celebrated “Read Across America” and Dr. Seuss’ birthday on March 2. Students were encouraged to dress up as their favorite Dr. Seuss character.

Intermediate

In Investigations second grade students are working on number strings, story problems and subtracting two digit numbers. Third grade students are working on measurement and  perimeter. Students have reviewed the following vocabulary: Place value, Standard Form, Word Form, and Expanded Form.  We said good-bye to our butterflies and their eggs. Our milkweed bugs are reaching their adult stage, and we are looking for eggs in their habitat. The darkling beetles are doing well, and our silkworms are making their cocoons. 

Upper Intermediate

Last week students used Inspiration 8 to create a web and outline to follow while writing their in-dependent research papers. Rough draft writing took place during throughout the week.

We are reviewing parts of speech in preparation for PAWS. Students will work on identifying nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs and adverbs. Señora Womack has been working with students on food vocabulary.

Middle School 6

In math last week, students developed a formula for the area of a triangle and combined that in-formation with previous learning to solve prob-lems of area and perimeter.

Students are beginning to write short stories.  They have looked at short story structure, read a couple of student short stories called “Breaking the Surface” and “Don’t Give Up the Fight,” and will examine ways to increase the impact of their stories and the effectiveness of their writing. 

Middle School 7/8

The annual Proficiency Assessment for Wyoming Students (PAWS) will be given in March and April this year.  All tests must be finished by April 8. This test will take approximately 25 hours total for testing sessions, orientation, instructions, and setup. Ending times are approximate because students are allowed as much time as they need to finish each test.

Our band and orchestra presented an awesome jazz concert last week.  Thanks to our directors, Audrey Wise and Toby Clouser, for doing such a great job with our groups.

Students had a map assignment related to the Olympics. They participated in our own version of the Olympic Games Monday.

Students have been asked to read an average of 15 minutes per day over spring break, and to log a total of 150 minutes. We got started in class on Friday.

Recycle Your Read

Do you have books your child has read and loved that now are collecting dust on your shelves? Recycle them by sending them in to the WLC library for the first annual WLC “Recycle Your Read Book Swap” that will be held on or near Earth Day – April 22, 2010.

Please send your donations of gently used children’s books, appropriate for K – 8th grade students, to the WLC library.

Students will be invited to select a book or books, from those donated, during the swap.

Annual Elementary Art Show

The Annual Elementary Art Show is open at the Natrona County Public Library March 5 – April 8. Every Natrona County School District elementary student has a work of art displayed.

A public reception will be held Thursday, March 18 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. that will include opportunities for art making. The community is invited to attend.

Artist in Residence

Casper artist and WLC parent Jim Kopp spent March 4th with WLC students as an Artist in Residence. Mr. Kopp is self-taught and works in a folk art style with mixed media, including found objects. A piece of Mr. Kopp’s work will be displayed along with the work students created during his day at Woods.

Drama Club

Are you a Drama Queen? Drama King? Here is your opportunity to find out.

Mrs. Bayert and Mrs. Jackson will host an after-school Drama Club. Mrs. Nix will help too, once a play has been cast and rehearsals begin. Our hope is to have an all-school musical this spring.

The club will meet in the upper intermediate classroom Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-4:30, starting on March 16. Come one, come all to the UI classroom and let the good times roll!

League of Democratic Schools Conference

Woods Learning Center will host the Rocky Mountain Regional League of Democratic Schools Conference on Thursday and Friday, March 25 and 26. Parents and members of the community are invited to attend this conference.

Register at http://uwacadweb.uwyo.edu/WSUP/

Conference information including meals and housing information is available at this site. Registration ends Friday, March 19.

Conference speakers include: NCSD Superintendent Joel Dvorak, the leadership team of Summit Elementary School, and former WLC teacher Cammy Rowley who will share her research Circle Groups: A Place to Practice Democracy.

No Pizza March 26

Regular pizza lunch will not be served on Friday, March 26. Students purchasing a “hot lunch” from the cafeteria will be served a sack lunch that will include a peanut butter and jelly sandwich (ham sandwich for those students with peanut allergies), chips, apple, cookie, and milk. 

Staff Luncheon Thanks

Thank you to all who provided a dish for the February Staff Appreciation Luncheon. The pasta-themed luncheon was enjoyed.

Census Information

Information is included in today’s Friday folders about the 2010 Census. The information is designed to help families get ready for the arrival of the 2010 Census questionnaires.

Keep Your Child’s Smile Bright

A nutritious diet and good oral health can help your child have healthy teeth and a bright smile.  Breakfast and exercise prepare children to meet the challenges of learning.

Try to limit the number of snacks they eat. Sugar and starches can contribute to tooth decay. Children should remember to brush after break-fast each morning to start the day off right. It's important to brush before bedtime, floss every day and visit the dentist regularly.

I will be making classroom visits and teaching the facts about teeth and the importance of brushing and flossing your teeth. A healthy smile helps you look your best!--Marla Rate, WLC School Nurse

WCL Fundraising Jar

A collection jar is located on the WLC office counter to collect money for a Heifer International project. The goal is to collect $500 to enable us to purchase a cow.

Please consider making a donation to this cause chosen by WLC circle groups last year.

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 accom-pany them to the playground for recess.

Casper Planetarium Laser Light Shows

The Casper Planetarium will host a series of laser light shows March 4 - March 13. These shows are a combination of music and laser lights and will encompass a variety of musical genres and artists, such as Pink Floyd, Shania Twain, Third Eye Blind as well as classic rock.  Price of admission is $5 per show. Tickets are  available at the Casper Planetarium.

Laser Magic (a variety of genres and artists) March 11 12:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.

Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon March 5 and March 12 12:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.

Laser Vinyl (a classic rock experience) March 6 and March 13 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m.

READ 100!

The Natrona County Public Library will celebrate its 100th birthday on May 20, 2010. To celebrate, members of the community are invited to participate in the READ 100! 100th Anniversary Reading Challenge.

The challenge is to read 100 books or 100 chapters between March 1 and May 15.

Reading logs can be found at the NCPL, online at http://www.natronacountylibrary.org/, or at the WLC library.

Fort Caspar Museum

Fort Caspar Museum is offering programs during Spring Break week. The programs are for K – 5th grade children and are free with admission.

The programs run March 9 – 12 from 2 – 3 p.m. each day and include Wyoming Bingo, Museum Shapes, Wooly Wyoming and Museum Magic. Visit fortcasparwyoming.com or call the museum at 235-8462 for additional information.

Pepsi Hotshot Competition

The Casper Recreation Center will host the Pepsi Hotshot Competition Saturday, March 6. The competition is for boys and girls ages 6–14.

Registration is from 9–10 a.m. The competition begins at 10 a.m. Contact the Rec Center for in-formation. Parent permission required.

Oatmeal Boxes/Egg Cartons Needed

We are still collecting oatmeal boxes and egg cartons for circle group activities. Please send them in to the WLC office.

Healthy Life Series—Canceled

The Eat This, Not That class scheduled for Saturday, March 6 at the NCPL has been canceled.

Coming Events

Spring Break March 8 – 12. School will not be in session.

PAWS Window March 15 – April 8. Students in grades 3 – 8 will be taking the Proficiency Assessment for Wyoming Students (PAWS).

Drama Club Tuesdays & Thursdays beginning March 16. All WLC students are invited to participate from 3:30 – 4:30 in the UI classroom.

League of Democratic Schools Regional Conference Thursday and Friday, March 25 & 26. WLC is hosting this regional conference.

Primary Project Presentation Night Tuesday, March 30. Students will present their “Learning Something New” projects.

Good Friday Friday, April 2. School will not be in session.

Book Fair April 5 – 9. Watch for additional information.

Snack Sales Monday – Thursday afternoons from 3:15 – 3:30 p.m. at the south end of the building.

The UI pod is selling the snacks to raise money for the class trip to D.C. /NYC. Cost is .50 - $1 each.

WLC Facebook Fan Page WLC has a fan page on Facebook that can be found at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Woods-Learning-Center-PTC/108205899907 

Box Tops for Education WLC is collecting Box Tops 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.

Safeway & Albertsons Gift Cards Safeway and Albertsons gift cards are available at the WLC office in a variety of denominations. They can be used like cash to make purchases at those stores. This pro-gram is a fundraiser for the Woods PTC. Please contact Mary O’Connor or Brenda Johnson for more information.

Aluminum Cans Recycling WLC is collecting aluminum cans as a fundraiser. If you would like to donate your cans, 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.