Important Dates
- Wednesday, December 18 – Elementary (2nd – 5th) Holiday Show, 6:00 pm
- Thursday, December 19, 11:30 am Dismissal for Holiday Winter Break, NO AFTERCARE
- December 20 – January 1 – Holiday Winter Break, No School
- Thursday, January 2, 2025 – 10:00 am, Classes Resume, 7:30 – 9:00 am Before Care, Regular drop off from 9:00 – 10:00 am.
CLICK HERE FOR UPCOMING WCDS EVENTS
Thank you to everyone who volunteered to help with our Thanksgiving lunch last week. It is one of the many days where you can feel the magic of WCDS mixed with the warmness of tradition. During November the students learned and practiced gratitude through their journals as well as writing an email to a teacher who they were grateful for. While we walked with your students through a month of gratitude, we often thought of you, our families, who make the magic here at WCDS possible. Without your unwavering support, partnerships, and commitment to our values, we would not be able to do the day-to-day things (or the unusual) that make this place so special. So thank you for sharing your children with us daily and entrusting us with their care. We feel so honored to be a part of their journey!
Grace and Stella
In ELA:
- Students have started their unit on homophones starting with your vs. you’re, to, too, and two. Their homework will be practicing these skills to check for their independence.
- Our new novel study, “The Family Under the Bridge” has captured the attention of this 4th grade class! This book takes place in Paris, France, around Christmas time and touches on many of our ELA skills, such as figurative language, comprehension, and inferencing, but is also as impactful in SEL as the students learn about homelessness and how to help others.
- Students have been working hard to learn how to research using both their computers and printed articles. This is preparing them for their next writing assignment, an informative essay.
In Math:
- The students started working on learning the process of 2-digit times 2-digit multiplication.
- Special multiplication mats are being used, which have color coding and “maps” to guide the students through each step.
- The students who know their multiplication facts with quick recall and fluency catch on to this new process faster. Please encourage your child to practice multiplication facts for at least ten minutes daily.
- We are proud of the perseverance and hard work the students are putting into learning this new and important skill.
In U.S. History:
- Students have begun researching their important historical figures for our “ dinner party! During this dinner party, students will embody their historical figures while sharing what they have learned about them.
- More information about this dinner party will be sent out as the date gets closer.
In Embryology:
- Students explored the five steps of the scientific method and practiced by forming hypotheses, setting the stage for hands-on experimentation.
- Our first experiment concluded eggs are porous!
- To apply their skills, students investigated whether an egg could bounce after soaking in vinegar. Observations showed the eggshell dissolved, leaving a flexible membrane. While the eggs bounced, they weren’t indestructible—one group’s record-breaking 7-inch bounce ended in a messy but memorable break!
Important Reminders
- Please have your child show you how they access their email and Google Classroom. We are moving towards independence with this skill. Also, part of their responsibility is arriving each morning with a charged computer. Thank you for your help with this.
- Please continue to remind your child to clean out their yellow folders 2-3 times a week.
- Late homework and assignments will now impact your student’s grades. A note on their agenda and/or a pink slip attached to the specific assignment will be used to communicate this with you.
- With cold weather upon us, we are seeing hats, mittens, gloves, and layers of clothing. Thanks for keeping your child bundled up and warm! To help your child (and us) keep track of their belongings, please clearly label everything with their name.
- A note about the Holiday Show:
- We are excited about our holiday show, and the students have been working hard at work to learn their songs! Please have your child wear these outfits the night of the performance on 12/18 at 6:00 pm. Children should show up at 5:30 and proceed to classrooms.
- -2nd grade- Jingle Bell Rock- holiday pajamas, and a hat is optional.
-3rd grade- Holly Jolly Christmas- red or green sweater or sweatshirt and dark pants. Holiday hat is optional.
-4th grade- All the Ghosts Are Coming- white sweater or sweatshirt, dark pants and a Santa hat.
- More information to follow as the performance gets close
Research, research, research!
New Novel Study!
Double the Fun in Math!
