Beaver's Tale 2008-2009
Beaver's Tale March 2010
Will C. Wood Middle School
420 Grand St.
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 748-4015
March 1, 2010
Next Wednesday evening, March 10, at the monthly PTA meeting, I will address the February 17 incident where a WMS student brought weapons on our campus. Included in this short presentation will be discussion related to how to prevent future incidents where students feel the need to defend themselves against other students’ belligerent and demeaning behavior towards them, and peer responsibilities to report these relationships. I hope that this short presentation will spark parent and community interest in combating this potentially harmful behavior for both victims and instigators.
On March 28, AC Transit will implement service changes to nearly all of its bus lines in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Some of the changes will be relatively minor, involving adjustments in trip frequency and hours of operation, while others will be significant, including the elimination of lines or segments of lines, as well as the introduction of new and better service. To view information about the service changes, you can visit www.actransit.org.
Due to State budget constraints, AUSD will be unable to provide K-8 summer school as it has in the past. We will be able to offer the following:
- 9-12 summer school, which will be at Encinal High School
- Grades 3-12 English Language Development for qualifying students, which will be at Paden Elementary School
- K-12 Extended School Year for eligible special education students, which will be at Paden Elementary School
- Grade 5 Math Camp for incoming 5th graders (1 week) at Paden Elementary School
- Algebra Academy for incoming 9th graders (5 weeks) at Encinal High School
Students will be identified for a session based on eligibility. Once identified, students will receive individual summer school invitations. In addition, we are also working with the City of Alameda concerning additional summer programs for children.
Other Important Events in the Month of March
- The Close-Up Club is sponsoring an E-Waste event on Saturday, March 20 from 9 to 4 pm. The following items are free to recycle: televisions, monitors, laptops, flat screens, cell phones, ink jet cartridges. For a $5.00 fee, they will accept computer processors, telephones, printers, copiers, DVD players, fax machines, VCRs. NOTE: microwaves, dry batteries, and fluorescent lights are subject to special fees! A Bake Sale will happen on this date and time.
- The SLRP Club (School Learning Waste Recycling Program) is hosting their garden work day on Saturday, March 20 from 9:30 to 12 noon. Please bring gardening tools and gloves, if possible! Enjoy being outdoors
If your child needs community service hours, these are great opportunities to help our community of learners!
- Free movie night, back by popular demand! Make sure to save the date for this fun event sponsored by WMS/PTA. It’s on Friday, March 26th! Pop corn, hot dogs and other refreshments will be available for sale while the movie is playing in the Multi-purpose room from 6:00-8:00 pm. What a way to spend your Friday. Don’t miss this opportunity, come join us!
And, in the Classrooms…
- Students in Ms. Wallace’s CORE have been engaged in many interesting and creative projects for the past few months to celebrate Black History. To combine their research and writing skills, they created “The ABC’s of Black History.” For this project, students independently researched a famous African-American for every letter of the alphabet and wrote a biography to display under a picture. This project came after an Art History activity where the students created several different styles of African masks out of paper mache. Ms. Wallace and her students were supported by the PTA who donated money for paint and art materials to make these authentic-looking African masks that will be displayed at the Wood Museum at the New Alameda Library 4/19-5/8.
- Ms. Mulholland writes: “Do your students love to doodle? Give them a chance to showcase their art on Google.com's homepage by registering your school for Doodle 4 Google. Doodle 4 Google is a competition open to K-12 students in U.S. schools who are invited to create their own Google doodle inspired by the theme, ‘If I Could Do Anything, I Would . . . ‘ We are delighted to encourage and celebrate the creativity of young people, and we look forward to seeing the range of creative doodles that are submitted.
- Lorna Williams encourages parents to look at the website wwwfigurethis.org. It includes interesting math challenges that middle-school students can do at home with their families. Not to worry, as complete solutions to these problems are provided, and advice and suggestions on how to tackle the world of math is also given. Have fun!
Reminders
· The 2nd Grading Period of the second trimester concludes on Friday, March 12. Please let your child that it’s never too late to improve their grades!
· Spring pictures will be taken on Thursday, March 11. A circular will go out to students to remind parents.
· Paul Moreno, 8th grade Core teacher, will lead a group of students to Ashland, OR on Friday, March 12.
· 8th Grade portfolios, a comprehensive reflective writing exercise for 8th graders and a requirement to enter Alameda high schools, are due no later than Friday, March 26. Please take the time to review their drafts. You’d be surprised at their insights!
· Spring Break begins Monday, April 5. Students return the following Monday, April 12 to continue preparing for the all important annual Californian state subject exams between May 3 - 14.
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| Today: 3/18/10 |
