Week Ending January 29th

     

Dear Wawaloam Community,

I wanted to take the opportunity to update all families on our READ program this year. Students in Grades 1 and 2 are thoroughly enjoying the challenge of being added to the Hall of Fame for reading the most books in their class or in their grade. For every 10 books students read they will earn a colorful link, we are hanging all of these above student lockers and these links are starting to be a popular topic of conversation in the hallway among students!

Here are the hallway links! 

The student in each class who reads the highest number of books has the honor of having their picture hanging in the front foyer of the school! Please help us by encouraging your child to set a goal of reading more books each month than they did the month before. Classes as a whole are also recognized when we announce the winners over the intercom, you can hear the cheering from the classrooms all the way in the office!

Reading Hall of Fame

Our ultimate challenge goes back to answering the question we posed at the beginning of this school year:

How many books do we need to read at Wawaloam School to connect all of our links to make a "chain" around 

our entire school?

100th Day of School Wednesday February 3

We are loving the 100th day of school projects! Keep them coming until next Wednesday. The creativity and pride in these projects is what makes this SO MUCH FUN for our whole school. Classes have the chance to visit the "Hundredth Day of School Museum"  (cafeteria) at some point before the end of the week. We kindly ask that students bring their projects home before the February vacation if they plan to keep their project. Thank you for your participation! 

Our district just received notification we were chosen to represent excellence in Visual Arts learning through the "Gift of Art to the State of Rhode Island." Each year, the RI Alliance for Arts Education selects one District that best exemplifies the required criteria. More information is available on the Superintendent's Blog this week: http://erinakes.blogspot.com/

PTA UPDATES

Family Bingo is this Sunday from 1-3 in the Metcalf cafeteria. Room is still available, so please feel free to sign up or just walk-in and pay at the door (only $5 for the whole family) and remember that your donations to the RI Guard Food Pantry and Exeter Animal Shelter will earn you free tickets for our raffle! Here is the list of needed items:

RI National Guard Food Pantry (please, no expired items):

Pasta and pasta sauce

Peanut butter

Tuna and canned meat (ham, chicken, salmon, etc.)

Canned beans

Meals in a can (stew, chili, soup)

Canned fruits and dried fruits like raisins

Canned vegetables

Low-sugar breakfast cereals and instant oatmeal

Graham crackers

Powdered or evaporated milk

Snack items for kids: juice boxes, single-serve applesauce, granola bars

Toilet paper, Kleenex, paper towels

Stop & Shop gift cards (can be used for food, gas and RIPTA passes)

Exeter Animal Shelter:

Dry cat food (Purina Cat Show)

Wet cat food (any brand of cans)

Dry dog food (Purina One, Rachel Ray or Pure Balance)

Canned dog food (Purina One)

Cat litter (Non-scoopable Special Kitty)

Dog treats

Laundry soap for HE washers

Bleach

Paper towels

The EWG-PTA annual fundraiser with BJ’s Wholesale Club ends Feb. 5th. More information about the special membership offer and application can be found on the EWG-PTA website. https://sites.google.com/site/exeterwestgreenwichpta/bj-s-fundraiser 

Consider attending the next PTA meeting, next Thursday, February 3, in the Metcalf library.  This amazing team will be talking about Family Bowling, Sweetheart Dance, and more!

Another note from PTA is that as a policy, they don't send home tickets for events as a way to cut expenses. Anyone who sends in their sign-up and money is all set to attend unless they get a phone call from PTA saying otherwise. We recognize that  there can be  confusion if new parents don't receive tickets, so we wanted to make sure you're all aware. 

See you all when we say goodbye to January and hello to February 1st! 

Melissa Marino

Happy Birthday John Hancock!

Dear Wawaloam Community, 

Although the week was short, we were still very, very busy! Teachers are spending lots of extra time preparing 2nd Quarter report cards which will be coming home on February 12th. 

As a school improvement initiative, we are placing extended emphasis on the importance of handwriting and a consistent approach from Kindergarten through Grade 2. Even though we are more emerged with technology everyday, it is the automatic formation of our letters that lays the groundwork for academic achievement. We know that if handwriting is taught consistently that students' writing quality, quantity and speed have been shown to improve. This is not about rushing students, but about helping them to develop these skills so that the act of handwriting becomes an innate ability that will positively impact performance across all subjects. 

Timing wise, an interesting fact is that tomorrow is the birthday of John Hancock, who is remembered for his signature on the Declaration of Independence. The date is now recognized as National Handwriting Day and in celebration, students will be receiving pencils that say, "I Love Writing". 

We are trying to get outside as much as we can but on some days it is just too cold! Here is a picture of some Kindergarten friends getting the wiggles out using a 2 minute GoNoodle video. Check out that website, it is free and you can use it at home too! gonoodle.com

Mrs. Caron's class getting the wiggles out! 

I hope you all have a great weekend and that we are not hit with too much snow! Enjoy the playoff game this weekend! 

Melissa Marino

Community Announcement Links

http://s3.amazonaws.com/EWGRSDweb/contentweb/CommunityAnnouncements/EWGLL%20Spring%202016%20Registration%20%281%29.pdf

http://s3.amazonaws.com/EWGRSDweb/contentweb/CommunityAnnouncements/EWGLL%20Spring%202016%20Registration%20%281%29.pdf


There is going to be a parents night out event on February 13th. The student police academy along with SGT Petrarca (safety officer) and Sean Fay (firefighter) are hosting this event to allow parents of elementary school children to enjoy a night out for Valentine's Day. SGT Petrarca has reserved the Gym at Exeter West Greenwich High School for the event. The times will be from 6-10 pm and the cost will be $15.00 per child. 

EWG PTA FUNDRAISER WITH BJ'S WHOLESALE CLUB

Open a new or renew your existing BJ's membership and save at least $15!   EWG PTA will receive $5 from BJ's for every participant.  Please send your completed form and payment to Metcalf Elementary School, c/o EWG PTA.   Open to all!  Offer expires February 5, 2016.   

Get Out and Play!

Bundle up for cold day outdoor recess. 

Dear Wawaloam Community,


We would like to let you know that one of our goals is to get our students outside during our scheduled recess time every day. That being said, please be sure they come to school with the layers that will help keep children as warm as possible when it is cold outside. We will gladly accept any warm gear that your children have outgrown as we always have someone who can benefit.

We recognize that playing outside for recess as often as possible is an important goal that we must strive for. Plenty of sources state that getting outside even when it is very cold will help to build up the immune system, provide exercise, encourage the imagination, improve problem solving skills and afford children healthy amounts of Vitamin D. Obviously, we will not go outside during inclement weather or when temperatures are dangerously cold. Thank you for your help with making sure we are bundled up.

During the month of January we are required to practice a second Lock Down Drill.  You may hear about this at some point in the next week or so. Our students always do such a great job following the expected protocol during these drills. Overall, the entire drill takes about 5-7 minutes.

In grades 1 and 2 it has been very popular to write letters about how students have been kind to each other. During whole grade meetings, I have been reading these out loud and it is heartwarming to see the faces of the students light up when they learn that a friend has written about them. This was an idea that stemmed from our PBIS team and so far it has been a tremendous success!

Finally, this week I had the chance to check in with some Kindergarten students who came to show me their outstanding work in their science notebooks. I would encourage you to ask your Kindergartener about the different shapes of leaves. They can also tell you about what trees need to survive! I was very impressed with these little scientists!

Thank you for all that you do to support your children, we truly value this partnership. Your children are AMAZING!

Have a great weekend!
Go Pats!! 

Melissa Marino

January 8, 2016 Wawaloam Information

Happy Friday and Happy New Year! 

We are overwhelmed at Wawaloam by the never-ending Box Tops that come in to our school. We just received a check for over $2000.00 which continues to serve as a support to our student activities and special presentations that we have. Keep these  coming! 

Be on the lookout for information coming home soon about our 100th day of school museum!  The date as of now is February 4th, hopefully the weather will not have an impact on that date. 

EWG Girl Scout Troop 963 is holding a blanket drive through the month of January. New Blankets will be made available to the families in need in the EWG Community. Gently used blankets will be donated to the RI homeless shelters. Any and all donations are greatly appreciated! We have a bin right in the main hallway of our school. 

A special thank you to PTA for the recent approval of an upcoming whole school field trip! More details soon but we are thrilled! 

Community Announcements

There is a notice on the district website under the Community Tab regarding North Kingstown Youth Lacrosse registration. NK is the official league which covers our two towns. Boys and girls in Grades K to 8 can register and play.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/EWGRSDweb/contentweb/CommunityAnnouncements/Lacrpsse-NKYL%20registration%202016.pdf

EWG Girls Softball 2016 Registration: http://s3.amazonaws.com/EWGRSDweb/contentweb/CommunityAnnouncements/EWG%20Softball%202016%20Registration%20form%20%282%29.pdf

​EWG Girls Softball 2016 Winter Clinic Registration:

http://s3.amazonaws.com/EWGRSDweb/contentweb/CommunityAnnouncements/EWG%20Softball%202016%20Winter%20Clinic%282%29.pdf

Have a great weekend! 
Melissa Marino

Holiday Wishes

To the Wawaloam School Community,

Wishing all of you the joy and beauty that make the holiday season so incredible. I always enjoy seeing how excited all of the students are in these days leading up to the break.

We have lots of important curriculum to cover in such a short amount of time but this is the time of year when we really get to enjoy our students and make these exclusive school memories with them.

The weather does not suggest winter, snow or even cold at this point but the date on the calendar and the gingerbread houses and awesome holiday projects say otherwise. We thank you for sharing your children with us each day!

Kindergarten Friends rehearsing for the big holiday concert next week!

Grade 2 Students enjoying the Polar Express in their pajamas! 

We are so lucky to have Mrs. Hurst who leaves absolutely beautiful eye catching floral arrangements in our hallway. This is the treasure she created for us this week, thank you Mrs. Hurst! 

A reminder from a student in Grade 2 who understands what this season is really about.

Over the break, if you do any organizing we love to receive gently used book donations. We just received a donation and it has reached many recipients! Some of the "younger" books will go to Lineham School. We all know about the specific themes that some of our students are so excited to read about and we get those books right into their hands. Some of the books will be added to the prize box giveaway that we have for each grade each week and then we also replenish the books in our giveaway basket which is used for newly enrolled students or any children who have to wait patiently for a parent in a meeting or otherwise. In other words, we LOVE book donations and appreciate you thinking of us!!

Our last day of school before the break is Tuesday, December 22.  As is tradition at Wawaloam School we will have an assembly for our students with the young at heart Dixie Land Band who never fail to get us into the holiday spirit.  We will see everyone back on Monday, January 4 as we reflect and regroup for the second half of this fantastic school year.

Enjoy this enchanting time of the year with your family and friends. Wishing you all the
Hope, Wonder, and Joy that the Season can bring! 
Peace~
Melissa Marino

December News and Updates

As we approach the holiday season, I would like to thank everyone including the participants at Metcalf and Lineham who joined in last Tuesday when we made donations to wear hats or bring stuffed animals to school. Our goal was to help a family struggling with medical bills and together we raised $1600.00 in one single day. I know that this will make a big difference for Diane Silva, Ella and their beautiful family. As a community, we should feel very proud that we could pull together and make this happen! You are all so amazing! 

Holiday Photo Cards

We have a tradition of hanging up all of your beautiful holiday cards in our office, we would love if you start sending these in soon as the season always seems so short! We can't wait to see these! 

BAZAAR

This Saturday, Dec. 5, don't miss the annual EWG Holiday Bazaar, happening at Metcalf Elementary from 9 am to 3 pm. Nearly 70 vendors are on hand to sell their unique gift items, including some of our own EWG teachers, staff and students! Professional Santa photos are available, as well as a full kitchen café, baked goods, kids shopping area (all items $5 or less!), penny social, and a 50/50 raffle. This is a great community event that supports a lot of small businesses as well as our three elementary schools...please join us!

2015 Breakfast with Santa December 19th 9:00-11:00 
Click the link below for information about another holiday event in our district. 

http://s3.amazonaws.com/EWGRSDweb/contentweb/CommunityAnnouncements/Breakfast%20with%20Santa%20Class%20of%202019%20Fundraiser.pdf

SELAC 

The Special Education Local Advisory Committee (SELAC) meets once a month in the High School Library from 7:00-8:30 PM. This is a time to hear from parents, special educators, the director of special services and other invited guests about special education in our district. The next meeting will be held on December 14. For more information email:  ewglac@gmail.com

Enjoy the weekend everyone! Hope to see you at the bazaar!

Melissa Marino

Wawaloam Gives Thanks

As we approach the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, take the time to reflect on our good fortune. I want you all to know that I am thankful everyday that I have the privilege to lead a school in a district full of families that teach children the importance of giving and being kind to each other. We love seeing how happy the children are to add to our food collection.

Thank you to everyone for bringing in so many items for our food drive! We collected over 800 items! Be very proud! This will make a big difference for many local families.

Check out the writing that our Kindergarten friends are producing, every day these early learners are improving on these skills! Mrs. Petrarca's class created success criteria and are all trying their best! 

TEAM ELLA

Be on the lookout for a flyer about bringing a stuffed animal to school. We are happy to help our community friend, Miss Diane from the Exeter Library. Next week will be busy, as short as it it! For a $1.00 donation (optional) we are inviting everyone to help us help others. Her daughter Ella is putting in all of her effort to recover from an injury over the summer and the financial impact has been difficult. Of course, every little bit helps. 

We are also selling raffle tickets to support the basket fundraiser that the library has organized. They have over 35 gift baskets that have been donated to support our community friends. If you are interested, Karen or Claudette in the office can help you out. Please consider purchasing tickets. 

EWG PTA

Holiday Bazaar

& Craft Show

More than 50 Vendors!

Jewelry, crafts, floral, candles, ornaments, wreaths, handmade soaps & more…many new crafters!

Olaf’s Kids Korner Shop

Do you wanna find a bargain? We shopped all year so kids can buy affordable gifts for mom, dad, siblings, pets, grandma and grandpa...all $5 and below!

Pictures with Santa!

A holiday tradition! Digital pictures printed onsite…wallet sizes available too.

Or take your own for just $5!

Holiday Café and Baked Goods Table

Stop by for breakfast, lunch or a homemade baked good…delicious!

Penny Social & 50/50!

Lots of great prizes at the Penny Social table, and enter our 50/50 raffle

Saturday, December 5th

9 am to 3 pm

Metcalf Elementary School

Wishing you all an amazing Thanksgiving holiday with your friends and family, 

Melissa Marino