PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
The 2016-2017 school year went by so quickly. I still can’t believe that summer is already here for our students. I’m proud of all students and staff members that have completed an outstanding school year of teaching and learning. I’m always in awe of how far a child can grow and mature academically, socially, emotionally, and physically in one school year. We all wish our fifth graders the best as they are promoted on to Larson Middle School.
This was the fifth year in a row that Wass has been recognized by the Michigan Department of Education as a Rewards School for being a High Achieving School (performing in the Top 5% in the State of Michigan). A great staff, wonderful children, supportive parents, and good leadership continue to make a winning combination. Thank you for all of your support. Together, we make a great team!!!
Report cards are currently available electronically in HAC for all parents.
Summer Communication – If you have questions about buildings and grounds or school programs over the summer for the 2017-2018 school year, please contact the TSD Central Office at 248-823-4000. The Wass office staff will be on vacation until August.
We have a couple of summer construction projects going on this year. Our parking lots are being re-striped and we are receiving infrastructure upgrades to our electrical, heating, and cooling systems. We currently have a power outage that is impacting our phones, computers, and power in the school. The electrical issue is being fixed and we should have power up and running later in July.
Please encourage your child to read or read with him/her daily. Hold your child and tuck them in at night with a great book. Read! Read! Read! The Wass staff will not be taking a break from learning either. We will have our summer book club discussion on technology integration to positively leverage learning. Many Wass teachers are taking summer courses through local universities and others are going to locations around the country to further their own professional development. Mrs. Maher and I will be going to Columbia University in New York to spend a week learning from Lucy Calkins, a nationally known literacy specialist who is also the author of our literacy curriculum. We look forward to sharing our learning with the Wass staff and students.
On behalf of all our Wass staff, enjoy your summer and most of all enjoy making wonderful memories with your family. Thank you for your trust and support in our learning community this past year. It has been my privilege to serve the community as principal.
Every Student! Every Day! Go Wolves! Have a great summer!
Mr. Matt Jansen
CURRICULUM NIGHT 2017-18
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2017 - 6:30-8:30 PM
You can put Thursday, September 14 on your calendar now for the Wass Curriculum Night. In the past we have had two nights. Next year, we will be having one night and each teacher will be making multiple presentations so you can have the flexibility to get to multiple time slots if you have more than one child at Wass. This event will be for parents only. Thanks in advance for making preparations to attend this great night for parents as we embark on a new school year together. The tentative schedule is listed below.
- 6:15-6:45 PM - K-2 Curriculum Night Presentations
- 6:55-7:25 PM - K-5 Curriculum Night Presentations
- 7:35-8:05 PM - 3-5 Curriculum Night Presentations
Treat reading as an enjoyable summer activity!
To keep your child reading over the summer, treat it like any other summer activity. Let it be something he can do whenever he feels like it. Show him that reading can be fun. And never make summer reading feel like homework.
If you help your child make the connection between books and the simpler pleasures of childhood, his desire to read may last a lifetime.
To take a summer approach to reading:
- Suggest that your child reread a favorite book. Then find another book by the same author. Or find one on the same topic.
- Connect books with summer activities—sports books for a summer league player, for instance, or camping books for a camper.
- Let your child stay up past bedtime when a book is just too good to put down.
- Start your child on a series of fiction or thriller books. These page-turners hook kids into a reading habit.
- Encourage a change of venue. Read books at the beach or pool, in a tent or at the park.
- Watch movies, videos and plays based on children’s books. Then read the book together and compare it with what you saw.
- Share your favorite books and magazines with your child.
- Encourage your child to retell stories or parts of stories from the books he reads.
Reprinted with permission from the May 2017 issue of Parents make the difference!® (Elementary School Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2017 The Parent Institute®, a division of PaperClip Media, Inc.
FREE MOVIES AT EMAGINE THEATERS THIS SUMMER
Inspire journal writing this summer with creative ideas
The summer is a great time for your child to begin writing in a journal. All he needs is an empty notebook and a few ideas to get started.
Suggest that he keep:
- A research log. Have your child pick a subject he loves, such as skateboarding. Over the summer, he can research and write about it. What are some cool skateboard tricks? How long are skateboards? Who holds records for skateboarding?
- A travel log. Each time he goes somewhere special—whether it’s far away or close to home—he can keep a record by taking pictures, drawing or writing notes. What did he see? Who did he meet? What did he think about what he saw?
- An observation log. Suggest that your child observe something over a period of time, such as a summer vegetable as it grows. Or he can pick something to describe in great detail, such as a bug or an animal.
Reprinted with permission from the May 2017 issue of Parents make the difference!® (Elementary School Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2017 The Parent Institute®, a division of PaperClip Media, Inc.
Don’t let your child waste the summer in front of a screen
The lazy days of summer can lead to lazy hours in front of the TV, computer or game system. But experts say it’s important to limit recreational screen time.
Encourage your child to:
- Be the entertainment. Instead of watching a show, your child can create one! Have her choose an exciting story line and act it out with friends or stuffed animals.
- Play classic games. Fill a bucket with traditional summer toys, including sidewalk chalk, balls, bubble stuff and water sprayers. When the weather is right, have your child take it outside for hours of fun.
- Plan a treasure hunt. Hide lots of clues, with each one leading to the next. This can be done outside or inside. The last clue should lead to a treasure, such as a yummy snack or a fun activity.
- Get some exercise. Go for a walk or ride bikes together. Toss or kick a ball around. Play a game of hopscotch on the sidewalk.
Reprinted with permission from the May 2017 issue of Parents make the difference!® (Elementary School Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2017 The Parent Institute®, a division of PaperClip Media, Inc.
30 THINGS KIDS CAN LEARN FOR FREE
Common Sense Media Article Link
kroger rewards - Please enroll / re-enroll
Help us earn money for the Wass PTO with the shopping you regularly do for your family. The Wass PTO continues to participate and benefit from the FREE Kroger Community Rewards Program. It is time to go on-line and re-enroll. Please go to www.kroger.com/CommunityRewards to continue earning donations for Wass Elementary School PTO. Our group is listed as “WASS ELEMENTARY, org #82678. If you haven't enrolled yet, please do so to help the Wass PTO – it’s the easiest fundraiser you will ever be asked to join! We earned over $3000 from Kroger Rewards this year, but we can't continue or increase our donations without you enrolling. PLEASE share this with grandparents, family members, and friends to benefit the Wass Wolf Pack.
