September 30, 2011

 

Dear Parents,

       September has rushed by and here it is October already!  We all hope the school year does not pass as quickly as this month did.

       Thanks for all your support of our recent fundraiser.  The boys and girls certainly seemed to love all the frogs hanging around school.  We had fun, too.

       Next week we will begin our new car pick-up procedures.  That means that if you are picking your child up through our front drive, you MUST have your car rider pick-up hanger visible in your front window.  If you do not yet have one, you must stop by the office to pick one up.  If your car rider pick-up hanger is not in your front window, you will need to sign your child out in our front office after parking in the parking lot.  Now we know you do NOT want to do that so please be sure to have your car rider pick-up hanger in your front window beginning Monday, October 3.  Thanks!

       Now speaking of the front drive, please remember to be thoughtful and kind and do the following for us:  stay off your cell phone during pick-up times, pull forward when asked, and never leave your car unattended in the drive.  We want to get you on your way just as much as you do.  Your cooperation is always appreciated.

       Tonight is the PTA Family Movie Night.  It starts at 6:00.  Dinner will be available.  The movie is “Hotel for Dogs.”  Sounds like a great family evening!  All the fun will be in the cafeteria.

       Second graders head off to Camp Crystal on Tuesday, October 4.  Every child must have a signed permission form to attend.  Parents, in order to be eligible to chaperone, you must have an approved Volunteer form on file in the office.  Fifth graders head to Camp Crystal on Wednesday, October 5 and will return on Friday, October 7.  Now you know they will have fun.  Once again, if you are interested in accompanying any field trip, you must complete the Volunteer Application form.  These are available outside the front office.

Academic Focus for next week is Prediction in Reading and Patterns in Math.

       The registration for Morning Mile is below. It’s off to a wonderful start.  Sorry I forgot last week!  Have a great week-end.

Sincerely,

Barbara Buys
Principal

September 23, 2011

Dear Parents,

       This week you may have heard about frogs all around school.  Not to worry.  These are not real frogs but plastic ones that the faculty and staff have been wearing on our lanyards.  And did you hear that Coach Peterson’s King Frog was frognapped?  It has been an exciting week!  All these frogs and their antics have helped kick-off our school fundraiser that begins today.  On Thursday we sent home a postcard packet with each child.  These packets were due back today.  We also sent home a catalog for you to take a look at and perhaps place an order.  Orders are due next Friday, September 30.  Thanks for all your support,

       The Morning Mile program begins on Monday, September 26 at 7:20 AM out on the hardcourt.  Coach Peterson and others will be on hand as our boys and girls walk or run our track.  This is a great time for boys and girls to get some exercise first thing in the morning.  You are welcome to join your child for a brisk walk or a run, too.  Morning Mile ends at 7:40 so that boys and girls can get to class on time.  It’s a great way to start the day! 

       Next Friday, September 30 is the PTA Family Movie Night beginning at 6:00 in the cafeteria.  This evening is always fun for everyone.  The movie will be “Hotel for Dogs.”  PTA will have pizza and drinks available for pre-purchase.  Hope you and your family can make it!  And by the way, have you joined the PTA this year?

       For our third through fifth graders, we are happy to announce the first Social of the year on Wednesday, September 28 from 12:30 – 2:30.  The Socials are one of the children’s favorite after school activities that we offer.  Coach P. is the DJ so you know it will be fun!  Cost to enter is $5.00.  Snacks are available for purchase.  Remember – you must pick up your child by 2:30 unless he/she is going to the EDEP program.

       Next Tuesday, September 27, Progress Reports will be sent home for the first time this school year.  If you do not understand the grades, please call the teacher right away.

       Academic Focus for the week is Cause and Effect in Reading and Operations in Mathematics.
       Have a great week-end!

Sincerely,

Barbara Buys

Principal

September 16, 2011

Dear Parents,

       We have added four new teachers to the wonderful faculty at Kimball Wiles Elementary and are so fortunate to welcome them aboard.  They are Ms. Stillwell who will take over a grade three classroom, Ms. Thompsen at second grade, Ms. Goldsmith at Kindergarten, and Ms. Cook at second grade.  Soon we will welcome back Ms. Schroeder at first grade, too. I know you and your children will enjoy these new faculty members and will welcome them as we have.

  Morning Mile is coming back soon!  Morning Mile will kick-off on Monday, September 26 with Coach Peterson heading the effort to get and keep all our boys and girls in shape.  Morning Mile is open to all our boys and girls.  It meets at 7:20 on our hardcourt behind the cafeteria.  We will send home a registration form next week.

Thanks, Coach!  We feel healthier already.

  Speaking of registrations, we have sent home invitations to our After School Tutoring program for grades three – five.  Check that backpack to see if your child is eligible for After School Tutoring.  It is a free service we provide to selected families at Kimball Wiles Elementary.

  We are a bit concerned over a few parents driving and walking through traffic in our front driveway.  Please be sure you cross only at our crosswalk.  Please do not cut through traffic in the driveway and certainly never do this with your child!  Remember to drive the correct direction through the parking lot and never park behind any car.  You know how that makes you feel when someone parks behind your car!  Don’t do it here, please.  And finally remember there are two exits at school but only one entry.  The Sheriff’s department will be on hand frequently to remind drivers of good, safe driving.  Be careful.  They also write tickets.

  The Academic Focus for next week is Sequencing in Reading and Data Analysis in Mathematics.

  Remember PTA Family Movie Night is coming up soon, so save the evening of Friday, September 30 and come join the fun!

  Have a great week-end!

Sincerely,

 
Barbara Buys
Principal

September 9, 2011

Dear Parents,

       Thanks to all of you wonderful Volunteers who joined us for breakfast this morning.  It’s great to have you at school.  Our teachers and children really enjoy having you around and your help is invaluable.  Remember if you would like to be a school Volunteer, just complete the Volunteer Application on the table in the front hall and turn it in to the office for processing.  You must complete a new application each year.

  Our Art Department is currently involved with all our students in the Square One Art project.  More information is coming home for you soon.  Meanwhile, if you would like a younger or older sibling who is not a Wiles Wildcat to take part, too, please let Ms. Pettigrew know.  She will send home the Square One paper.  Ask your child about Square One Art, too.

  PTA membership is growing each day and we encourage you to join this great organization.  Our goal is to have 400 members this year and we are already at 185.  Our faculty and staff become members just as parents and grandparents do.  It only cost $5.00 to join and it really shows your support for your school.  Watch for the PTA envelope to come home soon.

  We are adding three additional teachers to our excellent faculty and hope to have them on board next week.  They will be Primary grade teachers in grades K – 3.  We will let you know as soon as possible if your child will be affected with a classroom change.  We always appreciate your cooperation and support when changes take place.  You are the best.

  Girl Scout registration is next Tuesday, September 13 in the cafeteria.  Girl Scouts is a wonderful organization for girls to participate in. 

  The Academic Focus for next week is Fact and Opinion in Reading and Algebraic Thinking in Mathematics.  Thanks for helping with these state of Florida Benchmark skills.

  Have a lovely week-end with your child!

 

Sincerely,

Barbara Buys
Principal

September 2, 2011
 

Dear Parents,

       What a wonderful turn-out we had for our PTA meeting and school Open House!  You have no idea how much it means to teachers and to your own child to have you here at school.  Stay involved all year long!  We find that our best students are the ones whose parents are actively involved in their education.  We hope to see you at school often.

  Remember in order to serve as a volunteer in any capacity you must complete a new Volunteer Application form each school year.  This form is available on the Volunteer table outside the front office.  Once it is completed please submit to us for the verification process.  Field trips, classroom parties, any activity that brings you on campus means you must have an approved Volunteer Application on file with the school.

  Please remember next Monday, September 5 is Labor Day and a school holiday for all of us.  School resumes at 7:45 sharp on Tuesday, September 6.
  Speaking of volunteers, please join us for our annual Volunteer Breakfast on Friday, September 9 at 7:45.  This is a great opportunity to hear about our very active Volunteer program at Kimball Wiles Elementary and a good chance to get involved.  We hope to see you on Friday, September 9.

  We heard from our district that we will be adding three new teachers to our staff.  We will keep you posted.  We just keep growing and growing!

  The Academic focus for next week is Compare and Contrast in Reading and Geometry in Mathematics.  These are essential state of Florida skills for all grade levels.  Your help and support with your own child are always appreciated.

  Have a wonderful long week-end.  See you next Tuesday!

 

Sincerely,

 

Barbara Buys

Principal