FYI

Semester Ends
The first semester of school will end on December 23, 2011. All grades must be finalized in LiveGrades by noon on January 5, 2012. Report cards will be sent home with students on January 6, 2012.

Elementary Math Field Day
Math Field Day for elementary students will be held on Thursday, January 12, 2012. This is the rescheduled date. Should school be delayed or cancelled due to inclement weather, field day will be rescheduled.

AIMS Web
The window for AIMS Web is January 2-31, 2012. Benchmark assessments must be completed for all students in grades K-5 in both reading and math by that date. See your principal if you have new students that need to be added. The form must be e-mailed or faxed to Debbie Russell for changes.

Acuity
The testing window for acuity begins on January 17, 2012 for a two week period. All students in grades 3-5 must complete the assessments in both reading/language arts and math.

Holiday
Monday, January 16, 2012 is Martin Luther King Day. There will be no school.

Young Writers Contest
Information regarding this contest will be sent to schools immediately following Christmas break. We would like to see entries from every school. Vickie Smith is the contact for Young Writers.

Essay Contest
Information announcing the fifth annual "When I Grow Up'' essay contest has been faxed to each elementary school. See your school principal for more information.

WV Writes
Each student in grades 3-5 is expected to complete one assignment per month prior to the WESTEST Writing Assessment in April. This is being monitored on a monthly basis.

Tech Steps
Be sure to integrate Tech Steps into your curriculum. Don't forget to assess each activity. Contact Debbie Russell or Lynn Hurt if you need assistance.

February ISE
Training for Pre-KG and KG teachers will be scheduled for February 20, 2012. Information will be sent to each school.

Pre-KG Audit
Thanks to everyone for their help with the audit. A formal report will be received at a later date. Auditors indicated there were no findings.

Pre-KG/KG Roundup
Schools will be taking pre-registration for students that will be in pre-kg or kg in school year 2012-2013. Forms will be sent home with students and available at each school.


Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for a Happy New Year!

September Updates

LSIC Meetings

The following dates have been set for LSIC meetings with the Board of Education:

Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. at Tolsia High School for THS and feeder schools
Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. at Wayne High School for WHS and feeder schools
Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011 at 6:00 p.m at Spring Valley High School for SVHS and feeder schools


Tech Steps

Tech Steps will not be ready until mid-September. Be on the look out for new passwords that are being sent to the schools.

WV Writes

New site codes have been sent out via the courier. You will also receive a Teacher's Reference Sheet. Teachers should not add new students. Please e-mail your director to have new students added to your school and class. Each class in grades 3-5 are expected to complete one WV Writes assignment per month. Do not make assignments in mass. Make one assignment at a time and have your students complete that assignment.

Upcoming Dates
Sept. 13-Midterm ends
Sept. 16-Early Release
Sept. 20-Midterm reports sent home with students

Midterm reports will be sent to the schools.
Sept. 29-WESTEST results sent home with students

AIMSWEB
The first benchmark testing for AIMSWEB should be complete. Progress monitoring should take place every two weeks for students not making the benchmark score.

Acuity
Lynn Hurt will send Acuity testing dates to the schools. Materials for testing are currently in your schools. Questions regarding Acuity should be directed to Lynn Hurt.

Resource for Math
Thanks to Leslie Sparks for sharing this math resource.
http://www.k-5mathteachingresources.com/kindergarten-math-activities.html

Welcome Back

Welcome back to an exciting new school year. Please check out this site frequently for updated information for elementary teachers.

KG Transformation

Kindergarten classrooms will look different this school year as our kindergarten teachers begin working on Next Generation Standards in reading and math with their students. Thirty KG teachers participated in two days of professional development at SVHS on August 8 and 9, 2011.

KG Leadership Team
Regina Craft, Buffalo Elementary
Carla Hager, Ceredo Elementary
Amber Porter, Fort Gay Elementary
Mary Pemberton, Kellogg Elementary
Leslie Sparks, Prichard Elementary
Anne Chadwick, Wayne Elementary
Rebecca Diamond, Wayne Elementary

Remember that in KG We play to learn.

Check out this wonderful resource for reading:

http://www.treasuresreadingteachers.us/

This site contains Smart board lessons, games and activities for our current reading series.

Have a great year working with your students.

Dates To Keep In Mind

Summer Critical Skills

The summer critical skills program will end on July 21, 2011. Access to the webbased online program will end on this date. Final reports will be provided to the school principal for participating students.

School Year 2011-2012

Elementary principals and secretaries will report back to school on July 19, 2011.

Teacher Academy

All Wayne County teachers will attend the Teacher Academy on Monday, August 8 at Spring Valley High School. Teachers should have completed the online registration prior to the end of the school year. See you at SVHS.

First Day of School

The first day of school for Wayne County students is Thursday, August 11, 2011.

Web Resources for Elementary Students

The Summer Critical Skills Program is scheduled for June 21-July 21, 2011. Applications have been accepted. Participants will be notified by mail. Information will be sent for third and eighth grade students attending the onsite program at either Tolsia High School, Vinson Middle School or Wayne Middle School. Usernames and password information will be mailed to students in other grades participating in the online program.

Please contact your local public library for information on enrolling in their summer reading program.

Below are websites with resources for elementary students to assist with learning in the summer while school is not in session.

http://pbskids.org Games
http://readwritethink.org Parent/After School Resource/Games
http://www.learninggamesforkids.com Various subjects
http://www.enchangedlearning.com Various subjects and games
http://www.kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids Reading/Science/Social Studies
http://www.starfall.com Reading
http://www.storylineonline.net Stories Read Aloud
http://www.nasa.gov Science
http://www.storynory.com Stories Read Aloud
http://www.tryscience.org Science/New York Hall of Science
http://rif.org/kids/readingplanet.htm Reading
http://www.thinkfinity.com Various subjects
http://www.nimblefingers.com Keyboarding
http://www.uen.org/k-2interactives/abc.shtml Grades K-2
http://www.americaslibrary.gov Library of Congress for Children
http://bbc.co.uk/schools/typing Keyboarding
http://www.factmonster.com Various subjects
http://www.sesamestreet.org Pre-Kg-2
http://www.kidsblogs.nationalgeographic.com/littlekids/ PreKG-KG
http://www.coolmath4kids.com Math
http://www.smithsonian.kids.us/index.html Science/Social Studies
http://www.sciencebug.org Science
http://www.primarygames.com Various subjects
http://www2.fi.edu Franklin Science Museum
http://www.mtna.org/Resources/WebsitesforKids/tabid/320/Default.aspx Music
http://www.aimsedu.org Math and Science
http://www.firstlegoleague.org Lego Robotics
http://www.funbrain.com Math and Reading
http://www.eduplace.com/math/brain Math brain teasers
http://wvde.state.wv.us/learn21 Various Subjects
https://www-k6.thinkcentral.com Math
http://www.waynegiftedprogram.com/resources1.htm Links to Additional Resources
http://funschool.kaboose.com/ Various Subjects
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/learn.jsp Reading and Games
http://www.pbskids.org/lions Between The Lions Reading
http://www.pbskids.org/games Games
http://vves.rocklin.k12.ca.us/kidlinks.htm Links to Additional Resources
http://wayne.wayn.k12.wv.us/resources.htm Links to Additional Resources

Congratulations

West Virginia Young Writers
Congratulations to Colt Adams a second grade student at Wayne Elementary. Colt's story won first place in the West Virginia Young Writer's competition. He will be honored and read his story in Charleston on May 6.

Williamsburg, VA Music Festival
The Wayne Elementary School Honor Choir won first place in a choir festival in Williamsburg, VA. The choir scored higher than many middle and high schools to win first place honors.

Wayne County Elementary Elementary Choir Festival
Congratulations to the schools that participated in the concert on April 12, 2011. The following schools were represented:
Buffalo Elementary-Joni Suttle, Director
Ceredo and Kenova Elementary Schools-Carol Thorp, Director
Fort Gay Elementary-Ashley Hancock, Director
Prichard Elementary-Abby Frazier, Director
Lavalette and Kellogg Elementary-Ann McDaniel, Director
East Lynn Elementary-Janice Cyfers, Director
Wayne Elementary-Sheri Tadlock, Director

Kudos to these students and the teachers that prepared them so well!

Update

Critical Skills

Applications for the summer critical skill program are now being accepted. Students in grades 3 and 8 may attend one of the three onsite programs. Sites are Tolsia High School, Wayne Middle School and Vinson Middle School. Students in grades K,1,2,4,5,6, and 7 may participate in the online program in reading and math. See your school principal for an application. The program is for at risk students that are in Tier II or Tier III. Applications must be signed by the school principal and the parent. Applications are due May 6.

WESTEST

WESTEST Prep-Two weeks prior to testing in grades 3-5 focus on making sure all tested CSO’s are covered. Review test taking strategies. Encourage students to do their best. Prioritize so that CSO’s tested more frequently are addressed.

Good luck! Testing is May 16-27, 2011. Encourage your students to get a good night's rest, eat breakfast, be on time, and do their best. Remind your parents not to make medical appointments during testing week.

Elementary Focus for 2011-2012

Student Engagement
Technology Integration-Student usage
Data Analysis and Integration
Professional Learning Communities

Professional Development Opportunities

See your principal for information. There is a summer institute for National Board Preparation workshop offered.

School Year 2011-2012

The first day back for teachers is August 8, 2011. The first day of school for students is August 11, 2011. Elementary principals will be back on July 19, 2011.

Math Field Day

Thanks to everyone that helped make the Elementary Math Field Day a success. Gail Maynard did an excellent job coordinating the event. Thanks to all the school coordinators for helping and to the principals for grading all the tests.

Congratulations to the winners:
Fourth Grade
1st place: Brad Cremeans, Lavalette Elementary
2nd place: Alex Conley, Wayne Elementary
3rd place: Braden Ross, Wayne Elementary
Alternate: Nicholas Bowen, Buffalo Elementary

Fifth Grade
1st place: Noah Frazee, Kellogg Elementary
2nd place: Hannah Hysell, Wayne Elementary
3rd place: Payton Morrone, Kenova Elementary
Alternate: Blake Day, Buffalo Elementary

The winners will compete in the Regional Math Field Day in Logan on March 15. Gail Maynard, Elementary Math Coach will provide more information to the winners, schools and parents regarding the regional math field day.



Art Contest
Your schools were sent information earlier regarding an art contest for the Wayne County Fair. As a reminder entries are due to the Wayne County Extension Office by March 1. You may call the extension office if you have questions.

Acuity/AIMSWEBDue to inclement weather, the window for completing these benchmark assessments has been extended. Please try to complete benchmarks by Feb. 11, 2011.

Pre-KG EnrollmentWayne County Schools are now taking pre-registration for both Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten for school year 2011-2012. Enrollment and screening dates will be posted at a later date.

WV Writes
It is very important that teachers in grades 3-5 use WV Writes to prepare their students for the West Virginia Writing Assessment. It is suggested that all classes complete one assignment each two weeks. See your school principal if you do not have your current log on information. Remember that the Writing Assessment is 40% of the WESTEST. Data indicates that the more practice students have using the WV Writes program the higher their WESTEST scores in RLA.

TechSteps
Don't forget to post assessment scores for TechSteps for each of your students. Students in grades 3-5 will have a technology profile. It's vital that you post their scores according to the rubric. TechAttain reports will indicate class and school usage of TechSteps. This program can be integrated into your existing curriculum.

Summer Critical Skills
Wayne County will be offering the summer critical skills program for students that have completed 3rd and 8th grade. The onsite program in reading and math are for those students that have received Tier 3 interventions or are ready to enter Tier 3. Interventionists should be collecting data and documentation for these students in RTI. Each student recommended for the onsite program must have a SAT meeting completed and parent permission must be obtained. The deadline for making recommendations will be May 1. SAT meetings must be completed prior to the deadling.

Students in grades K,1,2,4 and 5 may be recommended for the online reading and math programs. The online program is for students in Tier II or Tier III. Parent permission must be obtained. The student must have access to high speed internet.

More information will be provided as the program is scheduled.

Make Up Days
School will be in session March 28-April 1, 2011 for make up days lost due to inclement weather. This was built into the calendar that was adopted.

Field Trips
The deadline for requesting field trips for the second semester is March 21. Remember to fill out the form completely including the nurse's signature.