Wilder E-News #43
October 1, 2023
From the Principal's Pen
Supporting The Work Of School At Home
I hope your family is enjoying the 2023-24 school year at Wilder! It has been my pleasure to meet our new families and get to know more deeply our families that have been part of our community for multiple years. Our staff is committed to providing all students and families a memorable elementary experience.
School is a place for learning and a place to have fun! We want our students to learn and be engaged at high levels, but also enjoy the fun of being in elementary school. Last Friday, we were able to continue a Wilder tradition, the annual Walk-A-Thon (ROAR Run). I promised our students that if our families met the PTA goal, I would agree to get slimed. Early Thursday morning, I received word from the PTA that the goal was met! I wouldn't agree to participate in the crazy sliming event if I didn't believe in the importance of the role our PTA plays at our school. I believe it is essential to the success of a school to have a strong PTA. Wilder's PTA hosts fun, educational programs, and events for all students and their families. Your donations and participation helps to make these opportunities possible.
At the cross country meet on Tuesday, I had a parent ask me what is an important way they could support their child in school? I believe the love you show through your time and attention is vital in your child's development. I would recommend setting aside time each evening to talk to your child about their day. Ask them to share three good things that happened that day. Take time to review their daily homework. Spend time reading aloud each evening. When my own children were small, we would spend time reading together every evening. Author Scott Peck, who wrote The Road Less Traveled, believes that the time and the quality of the time parents devote to their child indicates to the child the degree to which they are valued by their parents. He goes on to say that “when children know that they are valued, then they feel valuable. This knowledge is worth more than gold.” Peck believes that valued children will be more confident and will be able to better handle challenge. This will lead to greater growth as they move through school.
Mark your calendar for Parent Teacher Conference Day on Monday, October 2 from 9:00 -4:00 pm. We look forward to seeing you at school. As always, please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns at bill.perkins@jefferson.kyschools.us.
Respectfully,
Bill Perkins
Principal, Wilder Elementary
JCPS Updated Calendar for the 2023-24 School Year
Mark Your Calendar
- September 28-Soccer Club from 3-4 pm
- September 29-Student of the Month Program @ 2 pm
- October 2 - Parent Teacher Conference Day 9-4 pm
- October 3-6 - Fall Break
- October 12 - Kindergarten field trip
- October 13 - Mr. Perkins gets slimed (because we meet our fundraising goal)
- October 13/14 - Showcase of Schools
- October 14- Cross Country meet
- October 16 - 5th grade field trip
- October 17 - Dance Club 2:45 - 3:30
- October 18 - Dance Club 2:45 - 3:30
- October 19 - Picture Day
- October 19- English Conversation Night 6:00 -7:00 pm
- October 19 - PTA Meeting in the library 7:00 pm
- October 23 - 1st/3rd grade field trip
- October 24 - Prospective Parent Tours 8:30-10:00 am
- October 24 - Drama Club 2:45 -4:00
- October 25 - End of the Grading Period
- October 25 - Dance Club 2:45 - 3:30
- October 25 - Girl Scout Troop 1650 6:15 - 7:30
- October 26 - PTA Spirit Night at Mark's Feed Store
- October 27- Fall Parties
- October 31 - Drama Club 2:45 - 4:00
Wilder on Social Media
Follow us on X -Formerly Twitter: https://twitter.com/WilderWildcats
Join us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/WilderElementary/
Wilder's Webpage at https://schools.jefferson.kyschools.us/Elementary/Wilder/
PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION (WILDER PTA)
From our PTA
THANK YOU for your support of Wilder’s ROAR Run! Friday was a fantastic day, full of hands-on learning and colorful fun for all of our Wildcats! We are delighted to announce that, thanks to your generosity, we have met our fundraising goal! Because we have raised over $20, 000, Wilder students will get to SLIME Mr. Perkins after Fall Break! It's not too late to contribute; send in your cash/check contributions and/or visit our ROAR Run website by clicking here to donate by 8:00 a.m. on Friday to count toward our final ROAR Run total and help make all of your favorite Wilder traditions possible.
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If you have photos from the ROAR Run — or any other fun Wilder event — please send them to WilderElementaryYearbook@gmail.com for possible inclusion in the Wilder Yearbook and/or Wilder PTA social media. We want to see your snaps!
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Speaking of photos, Wilder Picture Day will be Thursday, October 19th. Watch for more information to come home soon.
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Mark your calendar: Sweets with Your Student will take place on Friday, October 20th. Every Wilder student is encouraged to invite one special adult to enjoy sweet treats and socializing at this after-school celebration on the Wilder playground. If you would like to help plan this sweet new Wilder tradition, please reach out to WilderElementaryPTA@gmail.com.
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Support Wilder Every Time You Shop! Did you know that the Wilder PTA receives over $2,000 every year thanks to partnerships with local and national businesses? Your purchases can support our school— at NO additional cost to you!
KROGER: Login to your Kroger account > Select “My Account” > Select “Community Rewards” > Select “Wilder PTA” (Organization code NW806)
BOX TOPS: Download the Box Tops for Education app and designate Wilder Elementary School as your School in Need (be sure it’s the Wilder here in Louisville!). After you shop, just open the app and take a picture of your receipt (or submit it digitally). The app will scan your receipt for participating products and Box Tops for Education will send us a donation! Our current balance is $21.20, but Wilder can receive up to $1000 this school year. Thanks for YOUR help earning those dollars!
Gifted and Talented Information
From Dr. Owens, Assistant Principal
For most people, this time of year brings thoughts of fall foliage, pumpkin spice, and sweater weather but for me it’s Gifted and Talented testing season. This year, we will screen students throughout the year for the five areas of giftedness: General Intellectual Ability, Specific Academic Aptitude, Creative or Divergent Thinking, Leadership, and Visual and Performing Arts. There are different screeners and requirements to qualify for each area. On October 17th all 3rd and 5th grade students will take the Naglieri General Abilities Test (NNAT3). 4th grade students who have not taken the assessment will also be offered the opportunity to do so. This screener is used to identify Gifted Intellectual Ability. You can learn more about the assessment here and sample questions can be found here. Students already identified as gifted in this area will not take the test.
It is important for students to be at school on time. Please try to make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep and nutritious breakfast. If you have any questions please email me at Wallis.malone-owens@jefferson.kyschools.us.
English Conversation Night on October 19, 2023-24
Wilder will be hosting an English Conversation Night on Thursday, October 19th 6:00 pm- 7:00 pm where native speakers and non-native speakers of English can chat. Those who wish to participate, or who have questions regarding the event, please contact cabrina.bosco@jefferson.kyschools.us.
Athletics
JCPS Cross Country Championship
Congratulations to our Cross Country team and their coach, Mrs. Meyer! During the district championships held on Tuesday, our boys' team finished 1st place and the girls' team did a great job and finished 8th. So proud of all the hard work by our Wildcats and their coach!
Congratulations to the Wilder 2023-24 Basketball Team:
- Rahj Booth
- Maurkice Gibson
- Jacob Humble
- Blake Mathes
- Ryder Slocum
- Monteis Taylor
- Liam Custis
- Jaurice Gibson
- Zay Booth
- Evan Jarboe
- Sam Nicheols
- Haris Vricic
- Zane Baker
- Cam Gainey
Team Managers
- Noah Hill
- Austin Patton
- Mason Weishaar
Coaches
- Matt Mathes
- Brad Humble
- Eli Baker
Congratulations to the 2023-24 Wilder Cheerleading Team
- Abigail Bentley
- Albri Crawford
- Alena Martinez Garcia
- Alesiah Soto
- Ava Watters
- Avery Phillips
- Bella Slocum
- Brionna Page
- Christina Henderson
- Ellie Jameson
- Elsie Stopfel
- Gabby Hagan
- Gentry Mathes
- Heaven Taylor
- Henry Hinson
- Ivy Wallace
- Janiyah Robinson
- Kaileigh Spond
- Kennedi Brown
- Kileigh Hampton
- Lenore Thompson
- Marley Owens
- Nejla Kicic
- Ruby Clark
- Sanela Kicic
- Shaniyah Gibbs
- Shelly Fernandez Bernal
- Symone Riggs
- Zeynep Gundogdu
- Zoe Gorter
Coach
- Anya Baker
The Cafeteria Corner Lunchtime Edition Vol. 1
The Cafeteria Corner Lunchtime edition Vol. 1
Hello parents and family members! Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Mrs. Finnell, and I’m part of the team who assists students while they are having lunch. I would like to share some need-to-know information with you regarding expectations we have for students while they eat breakfast/lunch, as well as ways you can support these guidelines at home. Overall, the lunchtime experience is meant to be an enjoyable 20 minute time period where students have the opportunity to eat and share conversations (voice level 1) with friends at their table. However, there are times when the excitement bubbles up and the noise levels can climb to sensory overload levels. Please have conversations with your child about the following:
● Walking into the cafeteria & waiting their turn in line
● Sitting down at their table & raising their hand if they have a need
● Speaking on a voice level 1 to the friends at their table
● Throwing away all of their trash when it is time to go
● Waiting quietly in line for their teacher to arrive
We find if students can do these things on a regular basis, they have enough time to eat and energize themselves for the remainder of the school day. Thank you for helping out with this, and if you’d ever like to come in and volunteer in our cafeteria we will have an apron ready for
you! 🙂
Mrs. Finnell, FRC Coordinator
Message from Mrs. Mateja in the Library
Thank you to everyone for supporting the Wilder book fair. We had a great week and sold almost $8,000 worth of merchandise. The profits from this book fair will be going towards the purchase of books and eBooks for Wilder's collection and possible future author visits. Check out our Wilder LibGuide for eBooks and other resources available24/7.
Mrs. Mateja and Mrs. Goff
Important Paperwork Needed from Families
Educational Benefits Forms(EBF): Important ALL FAMILIES NEED to Complete
Good news! Our school participates in a program called Community Eligibility. This means all Wilder students may eat breakfast and lunch at no cost. In order to keep the program, ALL families must complete an Educational Benefits Form (EBF). This form will support our Free/Reduced and Non-Free/Reduced families. Please complete the form as soon as possible by clicking the link: https://jcps.me/EBF
Only one form is needed per household, with all JCPS students listed on the form. Information will be kept confidential; no matter what is on the form, students can still eat a meal at no cost.
Please update and complete all student forms on the JCPS website by clicking the following link:
Car Rider Information
Thank you for your patience as we work out the kinks with morning carpool. One of the biggest issues we are having is people trying to turn left when leaving the parking lot. It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that you turn RIGHT out of the lot. We have signs posted by the road as a reminder. Because traffic is backed up on Herr Lane in the morning, we recommend that you get in the car rider line by 7:40 am each morning. Thank you in advance for working with us so that we can have all car riders inside the building by 8:00 am to avoid being marked tardy.
SBDM Meeting Update
Site Based Decision Making (SBDM) Council Information
Our Council met on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 to discuss the following agenda items:
- Approved Phase I of the Comprehensive School Improvement Plan
- Reviewed student achievement data on the most recent MAP assessment
- Reviewed budget needs
- Used the REAP (Racial Equity Analysis Protocol) to review the Discipline and Behavior Policy
- Had a first reading of the Family Engagement Policy, School Space Policy, and Curriculum Policy
Our next meeting will be October 25, 2023 @ 3:00 pm in the Wilder Conference Room.
A link to all of our meeting minutes can be found here: