The Owl Observer

Dear Students and Families,

As we close out 2024 at Wake Young Women’s Leadership Academy, we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to each of you. Your steadfast support through times of uncertainty around our partnerships has been a cornerstone of our success during 2024. Your unwavering belief in our one-of-a-kind program continues to inspire and strengthen us as we provide unique opportunities for our students.

We are thrilled to look ahead to the exciting months to come, as we embark on a bright new experience at Shaw University. This transition marks a significant chapter for our school, and it is one we are eager to celebrate together.

To our entire community who pour into our future each day—thank you. The work we do together ensures that our students are empowered to lead, learn, and thrive. The future truly is brighter each day because of the vibrant and supportive community we create for our OWLs.

We wish you all a restful and joyful holiday season. We look forward to the new year and the extraordinary moments we will continue to share as a school family.

Winter Break is December 23 through January 3! We look forward to seeing you back on January 6, 2025!

With Appreciation & Gratitude,

Mariah Walker,

Principal

Winter can be a wonderful time, but the holidays and change in schedules can bring a lot of angst for adults and students. Here are some reminders to keep you calm and ready to rejuvenate!

Dear Families,

We want to remind our rising juniors and rising seniors about the upcoming informational sessions and tours at Shaw University in January. This is an exciting opportunity to learn more about the transition to the early college program and the experiences awaiting our students. Parents and students should have received detailed information about these events in an email from Dr. Walker; however, the letters are also linked below. If you have any questions or need further details, please feel free to reach out to us. We look forward to seeing our students engage in this enriching experience!

*If you have recently moved or changed your contact information, please be sure to reach out to Jessica Balraj at jbalraj@wcpss.net to update your details. Keeping your information current ensures that we can effectively communicate important updates and notices. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain accurate records for your student.

The application for the 2025 IMC Career Exploration Week is officially open!

Encourage your students to apply before the deadline of 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, February 2, 2025. There's no bonus for early submission, so take your time and thoughtfully complete the application. The program offers a great opportunity for students to explore potential career paths, and we want to give everyone plenty of time to prepare.

To apply, use the link below:

Apply Now

We’ve also attached the program details for reference if needed. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity!

8th grade families who are interested in applying to Magnet Schools should visit the WCPSS Magnet Page for more information! Click here ! The deadline to apply is January 23, 2025!

If you wish to go back to your base school, you can request that transfer in March 2025. If you need help, email your child's counselor or any member of our administrative team to help!

Please note that students wishing to continue their journey at WYWLA do not need to complete an application to do so. Please reach out to Ms. Street with any questions at mjstreet@wcpss.net for middle school support and reach out to Mrs. di Carlo with any questions for high school at kdicarlo@wcpss.net!

North Carolina requires all schools to provide a secure tip line for students to report safety concerns when they’re unable to reach a trusted adult. This tool is designed to support, not replace, open communication with safe adults and is part of a broader effort to ensure student well-being. Throughout November, students will receive training on how to use this tool, which includes a brief overview, a video, and a guide on its use. Parents are encouraged to visit the program’s website to learn more about this national platform and to have conversations with their students about the importance of sharing concerns with trusted adults.

Parents should review link below for general information and program notes. Please send any questions to Mrs. Walker, Mrs. Greene Flowers, Mrs. Little, or Mrs. Whitehead.

This month’s Golden Owl Award goes to Ms. Williams, a teacher who truly embodies patience, kindness, and dedication to her students. Her students describe her as always helpful, both during and after class. She is caring, kind, and takes the time to teach with patience, answering every question and clarification until her students fully understand. Her commitment to ensuring her students' success makes her a shining example of what it means to inspire and uplift others. Congratulations, Ms. Williams, on this well-deserved recognition!

https://secure.smore.com/n/s32h85

January

January 1: Holiday

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