The Owl Observer

Dear Students and Families,

Happy Week #3 WYWLA Families! Our theme this year is #ChangingHerstory! We have already put our resilience to the test with unexpected weather on the first day of school and a weather day on the second day of school! Our Yellow Rose Ceremony speaker, Judge Ashleigh Parker reminded us how change can be a pathway to resilience and optimism, and we are leaning into her words already. Please review the information in our newsletter for the upcoming week!

Quick Notes

• Do you need to request WCPSS Bus Transportation? Do you have WCPSS Transportation questions? You can request transportation yourself by visiting this site. For support, email blittle1 (@wcpss.net) or agreeneflowers (@wcpss.net)!
• Does your child take medication at school? Don't wait reach out to our nurse to ensure your paperwork is updated for the year. Any student who needs medication on campus must bring in an completed 1702 Medical Form from a doctor. Visit the WCPSS Health Page for more! WYWLA School Nurse: Mrs. Maureceia Brewington (mbrewington@ wcpss.net)
  

• Do you need to update your contact information? You can note your requests here: Contact Update Page!
• Does your child need a medical or religious uniform consideration? If so, please complete this form before the first day of school. Uniform Exemption Requests 24-25 ! If you have uniform concerns or need support, please contact Mrs. Walker at mwalker4 (@wcpss.net).

Sincerely,

Mariah Walker,

Principal

Agreeing to attend WYWLA includes agreeing to our school uniform. All students in Grades 6-10 are expected to arrive in uniform beginning on the first day of school. Details for our uniform can be found on our uniform page linked here, and below. Uniform exemptions should be connected to documented medical need. For example, requesting to wear sneakers for plantar fasciitis. Approved sneakers for uniform exemptions must be walking support, heel support, or arch sneakers such as New Balance, Hoka, or some other true support sneaker. Exemption sneakers should meet the guidelines provided on the uniform page. Fashion sneakers such as Jordans, Hey Dudes, etc are not support sneakers and therefore are not be allowed as an exemption.

Please note that bonnets, bandanas, wrap caps, and durags are also prohibited as a part of our uniform.

Please join us in welcoming our new staff!

• Ms. Molly Street, Middle School Counselor
• Ms. Michele Gregg, ALC and AIG Coordinator
• Ms. Nicole Connelly, HS Special Education
• Ms. Allison, Jaillet, Middle School Science
• Ms. Kristin Zelenakas, High School Science
• Ms. Joellen Benson, High School Math
• Ms. Jayme Whitehead, Administration
• Ms. Letisha Pierce, Receptionist

• Visitor check-in system | To continue to provide safe learning environments, all schools have upgraded their visitor check-in system to a district-wide Visitor Management System. The new system will verify all school visitors and check the Sex Offender Registry for potential matches. Any visitors to campus will be asked to present a valid photo ID when entering the building. View details of what to expect when visiting your child’s school.
  

• Say Something Anonymous Reporting System | To enhance student safety, our schools will begin using the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System (SS-ARS) starting in the 2024-25 school year. Students, teachers, and administrators will be trained to recognize the signs of at-risk behaviors, especially within social media. The system offers a 24/7 tip line for students, parents, and staff to report anyone who shows signs of harming themselves or others. The program will be rolled out in three phases, starting with middle and high schools with a July start date. Our school will provide additional information and updates once our phase begins. Don't Ever Wait To Report A Safety Concern: We value our partnership with families and the community in keeping schools safe. You can share safety concerns using the WCPSS Tip Line at (919) 856-1911.
  

• New bus delay notification system | Starting this school year, parents of students who ride the bus now can receive up-to-the-minute notifications via text and/or email when their child’s bus is delayed. To receive these messages, you will need to make sure you have given permission to receive text and/or email notifications via SchoolMessenger. You can also check for bus delays by clicking on the Live Bus Updates link on your school’s transportation page, or by visiting wcpss.net/busupdates. You also can still track your child’s bus using the Here Comes the Bus app. Learn more.
  

• Student/Parent Handbook | This guide helps students and families understand the rules and expectations for behavior in school, on the way to and from school, and during school-sponsored activities. https://www.wcpss.net/handbook
  

• Renew your volunteer application for 2024-25 | Families and individuals who were approved to volunteer during the 2023-24 school year received an email on July 1 outlining the quick and easy volunteer renewal process for the 2024-25 school year. The renewal window will be July 1-Oct. 1. Visit Volunteering in WCPSS to learn more about volunteer renewal or apply to be a first-time volunteer.
  

• Find student behavioral health support | Students’ social-emotional well-being is supported by all staff. If you have concerns about your child, or want to learn more about how your school supports student well-being, contact your child’s school counselor. School counselors, psychologists and social workers are available in every school, and we have hired many more of these personnel to serve students since 2020. In addition, Counseling and Student Services offers resources that may help students and families improve their health and wellness.

• Review technology resources for families | Find technology policies, forms and resources on how we keep our students safe online at wcpss.net/technology. Student Device Program updates: Students in grades 6 and 9 will receive a new assigned Chromebook at the beginning of the 2024-25 school year. Students in grades 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, and 12 continue to use their assigned Chromebooks for the 2024-25 school year, even if they are transferring to another WCPSS school. Students in grades K, 1, and 2 will have access to a classroom Chromebook that will stay at school. Students with assigned devices must follow the care and use guidelines for student devices. Any issue with a student's device should be reported to your student's school.

Head over to our PTSA Spirit Wear Store to get your beginning of the year orders in! Day of the Girl Shirts are ALREADY available. You will need these by October 11, so be sure to include those in your order. There are so many awesome shirts and designs to pick from. Get those orders in!

We love cheering our OWLs on! Last year we were home to over 40 student athletes!

WYWLA students who are eligible may try out and participate in interscholastic athletic programs at Broughton High School and Oberlin Middle School. Interested students should visit each school’s website for more information.

Students interested in Oberlin Athletics should visit this link: https://www.wcpss.net/domain/15566

Students must complete a physical prior to the start of tryouts and must meet all WCPSS athletic eligibility standards. Physicals must be uploaded by designated team deadlines to the WCPSS DragonFly Online Portal.

To learn more visit https://www.wcpss.net/oberlinms or http://broughton.wcpss.net

CARPOOL PROCEDURES

If your child is not riding the bus, please review the following carpool procedures. Carpool will move slower during the first few weeks of school, but it will quickly get back to a swift pace. DO NOT SPEED THROUGH. SPEEDING PUTS LIVES IN DANGER!

WHERE DO WE ENTER/EXIT?

WYWLA families must use the Western Boulevard entrance and follow the designated carpool route. The Western Boulevard entrance is located next to the NC. Dept. of Agriculture Building. Enter through the gate that is labeled Western Blvd Gate and turn right at the first intersection onto Perimeter Rd. Follow the road until you reach the stop sign. Wait at the stop sign until a staff member motions for you to turn left onto Campus Rd to enter the carpool circle. After you unload/load, you will continue around the circle, turn right onto Perimeter Rd and exit following the same route that you used to enter. Drivers will enter and exit from Western Boulevard.

WHERE DO WE UNLOAD/LOAD?

Carpool drivers should release ALL students in front of Lineberry Hall during morning arrival.

Drivers should pull all the way around the circle to allow as many cars as possible to unload. Drivers should follow the same procedures in the afternoon. Campus Security and WYWLA staff will direct traffic during drop-off and pick-up. High School students use the same route. Parents may not drive directly to Currin.

WHY CAN'T WE USE THE MAIN ENTRANCES?

The main entrances are reserved for school buses and the employees who park on campus. Although we are a small school, the main entrance does not allow enough cars to enter and load or unload without blocking Ashe Avenue. We understand that this route may not be the most convenient for some families, but it is the safest for all students and employees who use the GMS Campus. This is the identified route from WCPSS safety management.

WHAT ELSE DO WE NEED TO KNOW?

To ensure the safety of WYWLA and GMS students, carpool drivers should follow the guidelines below:

• Drive slowly on campus and follow the directions of staff members who are assisting with carpool.
• Yield right-of-way to school buses and pedestrians moving about the campus.
• Follow the designated carpool routes; do not create different transportation routes to expedite your drop-off/pick-up. This is extremely important for the visually impaired GMS students who must adjust to our traffic routes as they are moving about campus.
• Do not drop off in areas not identified such as the dining hall, gym, or high school building.
• Pull around the entire circle as far as possible to allow as many cars to load/unload as possible.
• Encourage your student to load or unload as quickly as possible.
• Families should not park near the dining hall, gym, Currin or the parking lot next to the Lineberry to pick up students. Parking spaces are for parents and guests who are visiting.
• It is important to follow these procedures in the morning during drop-off and in the afternoon for pick-up. These procedures should be followed even if staff members are not present to direct traffic.

WHAT TIME CAN WE DROP OFF AND PICK UP?

Staff members report to work at 7:05am each morning and will report to carpool duty at 7:10am. If you arrive prior to 7:10am, please wait at the stop sign until a staff member directs you to pull into the circle.

School dismisses at 2:10pm. Cars can line up and stop at the stop sign prior to 2:10pm. Please wait at the stop sign until a staff member directs you to pull into the circle. Your student must be picked up on time. Carpool ends at 2:30 pm. Any student riding carpool MUST be picked up by 2:45 pm. Failure to pick up on time and continually late pickups will result in a referral to Student Assignment.

ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION?

If you are coming from the Cary or 440 side of Western Blvd, you will need to make a u-turn to access the Western Blvd. entrance. If you are coming from the downtown area, stay in the right turning lane as you pass Central Prison.

ABOUT EARLY COLLEGE STUDENT AT SAU?

Early college carpool students may arrive no earlier than 7:05am. Parents should enter through the main entrance and drop off in front of Boyer Hall. SAU security officers will be on site to provide directions.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation!

Transportation Reminders

The Wake County Public School System provides bus transportation to all eligible students based on their school assignment. The system's transportation department is a separate entity. WYWLA does not create bus routes and cannot approve bus route additions or changes.

WYWLA students will use the Southeast Raleigh High School Express Bus transportation system. Each student will be assigned a bus and route number. Students will only be allowed to ride the assigned bus.

Please visit the WCPSS website and click on Transportation for more information.

Families can find up-to-date transportation information (including route number and stop location) in your student’s Home Base/PowerSchool account. https://www.wcpss.net/Page/41

We are thrilled to announce a new partnership between Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy and Shaw University, beginning in the fall of 2025 for the 2025-2026 school year. This collaboration will provide our students with exceptional opportunities for dual enrollment, collegiate coursework, and exposure to college-level academics. Partnering with Shaw University, a prestigious institution with a rich history, will enhance our curriculum and empower our students to pursue their academic and leadership goals with greater confidence and preparation. We look forward to the many benefits this partnership will bring to our school community.

Shaw University is the first historically Black university in the Southern United States. As a private liberal arts institution, Shaw is one of the oldest HBCUs in the nation. Founded in 1865, Shaw University boasts a rich history of tradition, activism, and service. It was the first college in North Carolina to offer a four-year medical school, the first institution of higher learning established for freed men after the Civil War, and the first historically Black college in the nation to admit women.

Shaw University has produced outstanding professionals who have significantly contributed to American society. Their distinguished graduates include college presidents, academic vice presidents, judges, lawyers, recording artists, school principals, pastors, and other notable individuals, such as:

• Ella Baker (1927), civil rights activist & co-founder of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC)
• Willie E. Gary (1971), multi-millionaire attorney, motivational speaker, businessman
• James “Bonecrusher” Smith (1975), first heavyweight boxing champion to earn a college degree
• Shirley Caesar (1984), Grammy Award-winning Gospel singer
• Shawn “CoCo” McMillan (1995), 2010 Stellar Award winner

Shaw University is home to about 1,100 students. It is located in the heart of downtown Raleigh and has become a staple figure in the Raleigh community. Shaw University is affiliated with the Baptist Church, but is home to students, staff, and faculty of all backgrounds!

Shaw University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award the associate, baccalaureate, and masters degrees.

It's time to start thinking about PTSA Reflections. We are home to regional and state recognition in Reflections, so let's keep the celebration going this year!

Please take a moment to share this with a WYWLA Alum! The information for our OWL ALUMNI PAGE will be launching later this summer. Please use the link below to above to information!

August

August 5: 7-10th Grade Open House

August 6: Teacher Workday

August 7: First Day of School

August 7: Yellow Rose Ceremony, 7:45 AM

August 7: Senior Breakfast

August 13: WYWLA Picture Day

August 14: Senior Portrait (WTCC Day)

August 14: Staff PLT Grounding

August 15: First Day of WTCC Classes

Website: www.wcpss.net/wywla
Location: 303 Ashe Avenue, Raleigh, NC, USA
Phone: (919) 508-9088
Twitter: @WakeGirlsLead