Wilder E-News November #48
March 1, 2024
Wilder E-News #48 March 1, 2024
From the Principal's Pen
I want to begin by thanking each of you for your support throughout this school year. Wilder has a rich tradition of excellence spanning 60 years. We are determined to continue to inspire and motivate our students so they leave us as well-prepared middle school students.
As we near the end of the third grading period, it is important to remain focused so we can continue to experience the successes we have achieved this school year. There are many things to complete in order to ensure our students are ready for the next grade level. Students in grades K-5 will be taking the MAP assessment for reading and math beginning March 18th. This assessment will look for student growth and mastery since the start of the school year. It will be important that students do their very best.
Students in 3rd-5th will be taking Kentucky Summative Assessment (KSA) starting in early May. This assessment will test their grade level knowledge as it relates to math, reading, grammar, writing, science, and social studies. Students in 3rd grade will be taking reading and math. Students in 4th grade will be taking reading, math, and science. Students in 5th grade will be taking reading, math, social studies, grammar, and on-demand writing. Your assistance will be needed to ensure that students are rested and ready to shine. Please continue to be supportive by reviewing homework with your student and asking questions about their learning.
Finally, our fifth graders will be presenting their Backpack Defenses in March through April. These Defenses will allow our students to discuss their academic experiences as it relates to the five Success Skills (prepared and resilient learner; a globally culturally competent citizen; effective communicator; emerging innovator; and a productive collaborator). As you know, students in all grades have been loading their digital backpacks with evidence of learning throughout the school year. As of today, our students have loaded over 7,000 backpack artifacts connecting to the success skills. I am proud of our work in this area, which makes learning more meaningful to students.
In closing, let’s finish strong! Should you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at bill.perkins@jefferson.kyschools.us.
Sincerely,
Bill Perkins
Principal, Wilder Elementary
Wilder's Vision and Mission
Cell Phones and Cyberbullying
As you know, your child’s safety is our number one priority. Therefore, it is my job to make you aware of a situation that has been brought to my attention. At school, we take the issue of bullying very seriously and work to build communities where students feel valued, respected, and safe. I am sad to report that student cell phone use is having an impact on our ability to maintain that safe school culture.
Our established procedure at school is that cell phones remain in backpacks/lockers for the entirety of the school day. Cell phones that are not secured properly are placed in the school safe until an adult can pick them up.
Parents have reported that in the evening, students are sending each other inappropriate text messages. In addition, some students have social media accounts and are using them inappropriately. We need your help! The effects of this outside of school behavior is slowly seeping into our classrooms, more so in the older grades. First, please carefully monitor your child’s technology use. Who are they texting? Who is texting them? What is the content of that text? If it is inappropriate, block the number and report it. Consider having students charge phones in a common area at night instead of in their rooms. Remember social media is reserved for people who are 13 or older, however, if you choose to allow your elementary aged child access, be sure you know what content they are seeing and with whom they are communicating. We spoke with all fifth grade students this week about cyberbullying and have included a link to the video here.
Please contact me if you have any questions and thank you for helping us maintain a safe environment where everyone feels valued and respected.
Thank you,
Bill Perkins
Principal
JUMP ROPE FOR HEART 2024 - Mrs. Meyer
Thank you to all the kids who participated in our Kids' Heart Challenge.
Our top 10 fundraisers were.....
- Shep K.
- Eli A.
- Paige W.
- May A.
- James M.
- Kaiser G.
- Levon M.
- Breeann C.
- Avery R.
- Crosby L.
Our top classes were:
- Mussler $1320
- Schwager $1292
- Kaelin $977
- Hatfield $785
- Masterson $549
TALENT SHOW TRYOUTS
Wilder's Talent Show is right around the corner! We look forward to seeing the amazing talents of our Wildcats. Please pay attention to the important dates listed below if your child is interested in trying out. Also, make sure your student returns the required participation form that will be coming home next week!
All tryouts and dress rehearsal will be during the school day:
Monday, March 11 (Kindergarten – First Grade)
Tuesday, March 12 (Second – Third Grade)
Wednesday, March 13 (Fourth – Fifth Grade)
Monday, March 18 – Dress Rehearsal (Kindergarten – Fifth Grade)
Thursday, March 21 – Evening Performance for Families 6:30 pm
Friday, March 22 – Performance for Wilder students ONLY
Student Spotlight
Congratulations to one of our third grade students, Juliana E, in Mrs. Fiaschetti's class! Juliana is one of five winners in a nationwide response to the story, "Creature of the Mountains." Storyworks 3 stated, "Juliana's submission demonstrated a solid understanding of the story along with the skills needed to be an appropriate and engaging response." Her writing piece was selected out of hundreds received by Storyworks 3. Thanks to Juliana and Mrs. Fiaschetti for sharing your talents with others.
Women's Basketball Camp at Crosby Information
Basketball Clinic at Kammerer
Attention Procedures for Student Dismissal and Drop Off
Walker Dismissal
Students should live within a mile of Wilder to be eligible to use the walker exit. Pick up is by 2:55 – If late, students must be signed out at the front door. A letter of permission must be on file for walkers without adult supervision. Students may not go to the playground without adult supervision.
Do not park in the staff parking lot.
Late Car Rider Drop-offs
Park in the front lot and walk your child to the front door only after 8:00. The bus circle is off limits for drop-offs. Cones placed at the bus circle entry are reminders not to use the bus circle for student drop-offs. Removal of the cones is to allow for school deliveries only. Do not enter through the bus circle exit when cones are placed at bus circle entry.
Late Pick-ups
Please be on time to pick up your child. Parents should be in the carpool line by 3:05.
Occasional delays are understandable, but being late daily is unfair to your child and inconsiderate to staff members who must stay to supervise your child.
Do not park in the bus circle.
Car Riders - Important Information
Please follow the reminders below for safety and efficiency:
Morning Drop Off:
Drop off starts at 7:20am. School starts at 8:00 and students are expected to be in their classroom for the start of school.
RIGHT TURN only onto Herr Lane when leaving the arrival/dismissal area alleviate backups.
Dropping off students at the start of the car rider times also helps alleviate backups.
Afternoon Pick Up:
Your student will not be loaded without a car rider tag. If you need a new tag, contact the front office or stop in to get a new tag prior to dismissal.
You must have your car tag number displayed until your student is loaded into the car.
If your student does not line up when called to load, you will be asked to park. Your student will exit at the end of dismissal to go to your car.
Do not bring animals.
Pull forward and park to assist with buckling your student if needed.
If you would like to volunteer with the morning or afternoon car riders, please contact the front office.
Wilder's Family Resource Center
I just wanted to check in and remind you of our Family Resource Center which is available to all our Wilder Families. If your student or family needs assistance, resources, or support, please email me at: katie.wilkinson@jefferson.kyschools.us. I will be happy to help!
Thank you,
Mrs. Wilkinson, FRC
Mark Your Calendar
Make sure you check out the Wilder webpage for upcoming events for our Wildcats.
Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
PTA News for March
Join Wilder’s SBDM! We are accepting nominations for one of the two parent positions on Wilder’s SBDM. If you are interested in nominating yourself or someone you know for this two-year position, please email their name to WilderElementaryPTA@gmail.com. Nominations will be accepted through April 15th. This position is elected by Wilder families, so following the open nomination period, an online vote will be held to choose the new representative. School-Based Decision Making (SBDM) Councils include staff and parent representatives who help create school policies and make a wide range of decisions.
The PTA Board needs YOU! We are anticipating several openings on the PTA Board for the 2024-2025 school year. These positions require varying time commitments and skill sets, but all of them give YOU the opportunity to get more involved and make a difference at Wilder. For more information about joining the PTA Board, please talk to any current Board member or email WilderElementaryPTA@gmail.com.
The March PTA Meeting will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 14th, in the Wilder Library. *PLEASE NOTE this new date!* We will be discussing Staff Appreciation Week and planning for end-of-the-year celebrations. We would love for you to be a part of these discussions. ALL Wilder families are always welcome!
The March Staff Snack Cart will be in the halls at Wilder during the morning on Friday, March 15th, celebrating how 🍀lucky🍀 we are to have terrific teachers and staff! If you would like to help pass out snacks and treats, please email WilderElementaryPTA@gmail.com for more information!
CAP Volunteers Needed! The Clothing Assistance Program (CAP) is a partnership between the 15th District PTA and the Diversity, Equity, and Poverty (DEP) Unit at JCPS. Since 1971, CAP has provided clothing, accessories, and other basic items to JCPS students and their families. Wilder will be sending a group of volunteers to CAP on March 20th from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. to help sort donations and prepare items for distribution. Please email WilderElementaryPTA@gmail.com if you’d like to help!
Earth Day Campus Clean-Up Mark your calendar and plan to celebrate Earth Day at Wilder from 9:00 until Noon on Saturday, April 20th. We will be cleaning up our beautiful campus in preparation for all of our May celebrations.
Send us your snaps! It’s almost Yearbook time! If you have candid photos from any of our amazing Wilder events this year, please send them toWilderElementaryYearbook@gmail.com for possible inclusion in the Wilder Yearbook and/or Wilder PTA social media. We want to see your snaps!
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 $104.90, but Wilder can receive up to $1000 this school year. Thanks for YOUR help earning those dollars!
Mrs. Kaelin Receives the JCPS Academic Innovator Award
We are very proud of Mrs. Kaelin, 1st grade teacher, who received the Academic Innovator Award for JCPS. She received this for her fun and innovative approaches to teaching literacy in the classroom. Congratulations Mrs. Kaelin!
SBDM Meeting Update
Our SBDM Council met on Wednesday, February 21st to address the following agenda items:
- Review Budget Reports and determine current needs assessment
- Discuss upcoming elections for staff and parent vacancies on SBDM
- Approve the district 2024-25 budget and staffing
- Review policies: Protection of Instructional Time and Enhancing Student Achievement
A link to all of our meeting minutes can be found here: