Eagles,

I recently heard this quote recited when I needed to hear it.

"This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.

I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community, and as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can.

I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no "brief candle" for me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations."

George Bernard Shaw

26 July 1856 – 2 November 1950

George Bernard Shaw is best known for his 1913 play Pygmalion; Shaw was the first to receive a Nobel Prize in Literature (in 1925) and an Academy Award (in 1938, for Best Adapted Screenplay … of Pygmalion).

Shaw speaks to us of a life well lived. I visited the Sam Houston State University, and posted beneath the statue of its namesake was its motto, "The measure of a Life is its Service."

As educators and caretakers of children, we should aspire to give our students a life well-lived and, if the child wishes, one in service to their community.

Standards for students' ability to read and write have increased as they should have. As we approach the new year, students will be participating in a ramp-up of reading and writing instruction. Our students will need help with the new push, but it will make them better readers and writers.

On their state exams, they will be expected to read for 35 minutes in the 3rd Grade, 40 in the 4th, and 50 in the 5th. These minutes account for 100 words per minute on eight separate reading passages. They will need to practice to build stamina. They will be experiencing short constructed responses to questions frequently and extended constructed responses less regularly. We will also ask our students to annotate while they read actively.

Please encourage your students to read for information and their passions and, as often as possible, have them reflect on what they've read. Many have found their purpose in stories or passages we have read or heard. Let us hope that our students can find the same.

We congratulate our students that competed in the District Spanish Spelling Bee! Congratulations to Zaylah, Andres, Evelyn & Maria! They all made Woodlawn proud!

A special congratulations to Maria who took home 3rd place overall out of 33 participants!

Throughout the journey in the PYP, students are exposed to a central idea for each IB Unit they encounter every year. These big ideas are the central focus of our inquiries. As they continue into the Middle Years Programme, students continue to work with these greater conceptual ideas with statements of inquiry.

Just recently, each class worked on a central idea that synthesizes the direction of the topics students in that particular class will inquire into. Below are the central ideas students collectively crafted during shared writing.

• (Mr. Gonzalez's Class) We have a responsibility to promote well-being and healthy lifestyles/Tenemos la responsabilidad de promover el bienestar y estilos de vida saludables

• (Ms. Escapita's Class) Learning and entertainment can heal our world and connect us to others

• (Mrs. Proscelle's Class) Exploring our passion and learning about influences through time empowers us to be risk takers to impact others to be better people

Today our 5th graders used their agency to choose a mentor that they would like to have guide them along their PYP Exhibition Journey! They considered the mentors' availability, interests, and already established rapport. Students will find out who is their mentor by the end of this week.

In the meantime, a meaningful question you can use to engage your child on their process is:

• What are your learning goals for your exhibition project?

Students from the Woodlawn SEL Club worked alongside each other creating care packages for homeless people in our community!! They are taking action and developing in their caring attribute.

Parents please support your child by ensuring that they get a good night's rest, hear words of encouragement, and arrive to school on time for our upcoming middle of the year MAP Reading and Math tests.

Dec 5

k-3rd Spanish Reading

Dec 6

k-3rd Math

Dec 7

k-3rd Reading

Dec 11-15

4-8th MAP Reading, Math & Science

As expected, students shared their interest in the different UIL competitions and we have noted the teacher and parent nominations as well! Be on the look out for a permissions slip for UIL for students that expressed interest for the events that will compete beginning in January. These will be sent out by end of this week.

The Pre-UIL January contests include:

• Creative Writing 2nd (Spanish & English)
• Ready Writing 3rd-8th (Spanish & English)
• Editorial Writing 6-8th (English)
• Oral Reading 2nd-8th (Spanish & English)
• Storytelling 2nd-8th (Spanish & English)
• Modern Oratory 6-8th (English)
• Impromptu Speaking

Reminder that Annabel Martinez will represent Woodlawn Academy at the SAISD Band Concert on Saturday, December 9th. We hope you can join us and cheer on our amazing, musical eagle!

Our MYP Spanish teacher, Mrs. Geer, has sought an exciting opportunity for our students here at Woodlawn. If you are interested in reserving your family's spot and join Woodlawn for an unforgettable evening, please click here below:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1g941NCgmQpf3LlpNHGWT5Cl_jVHBxRTM/view?usp=sharing

It will be on a first-come-first serve basis until all tickets are taken up. To reserve your spot please return the permission form back to Mrs. Geer in Room 2215 by Wednesday, December 6, 2023. From there, if you selected transportation, a permission slip will be sent with your child to be returned no later than Friday, December 8, 2023.

Any further questions please email Mrs. Geer directly at sgeer@saisd.net

Woodlawn Academy is an authorized IB World School offering the Primary Years Programme and Middle Years Programme. In 2019, we became an SAISD In-District Charter School with Texas Council forInternational Studies, (TCIS) as our managing partner.Through this partnership, we receive additional funding.

Are you interested in participating in a school event as a volunteer. Perhaps support PTO with teacher appreciation events, join your child on a field trip, or help out in a Field Day? You will need a background check through SAISD process. The process can take a few weeks to complete, don't miss out on an opportunity of volunteering because the background check wasn't in on time.

SAISD Volunteer App-Garden

Website: https://schools.saisd.net/page/175.homepage/
Location: 1717 West Magnolia Avenue, San Antonio, TX, USA
Phone: (210) 438-6560
Facebook: facebook.com/SAISDWoodlawnAcademy
Twitter: @IB_Woodlawn