Wilder E-News November #55
I want to begin by wishing all of our wonderful families a happy holiday season! As 2024 comes to a close and we reflect on the year, it has been a great one for Wilder. We had another year where we improved outcomes from students in reading and math, as evidenced by the MAP and KSA assessments. In terms of our school culture, our vital signs data for this school year showed an increase in attendance (for both students and staff), decrease in behavior referrals, and positive surveys that indicated increases for our school culture for both students and staff.
This month, our SBDM Council passed our 2025 Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP). The plan focuses on continued improvement in reading, math, and writing. It also seeks to improve our culture initiatives so that students continue to feel part of a safe and supportive school environment. As well, we have goals and objectives to improve outcomes for our multilingual students. Finally, the plan targets initiatives to help our special population students with a focus on math. If you would like to have a copy of our Comprehensive School Improvement Plan, please let me know. As we ring in the new year, we look forward to partnering with our families to ensure our CSIP goals become reality.
I would like to highlight two Wilder staff members who are retiring during winter break: Barb Virnig and Cabrina Bosco. For the last several years, Barb has worked in our cafeteria where she greeted students with a welcoming smile as she served students breakfast and lunch. Cabrina Bosco has worn many hats in her tenure for the school district. Most recently, she worked in the English Language Development program at Wilder. She made a huge impact on the learning of our multi-language learners as evidenced by our ML students' growth in achievement on the ACCESS and MAP tests. On behalf of the entire Wilder community, I would like to thank these ladies for sharing their talents with us.
In closing, I hope 2025 is a year that brings joy, success, and new friendships.
Warm wishes to you and your families,
Bill Perkins, Principal
Parents and families, please remember that the bus circle is a No Parking Zone at any time of the day, even after school when you are picking up a student from an activity. Please park in the front parking lot and walk to the door instead. If someone other than the parent picks up a student, please let them know this as well.
Parents of walkers, please follow the directions for picking up your child that have been previously sent out by newsletter, School Messenger, and the Parent/Student Handbook regarding parking. If you must drive to pick up your child as a walker, please park in the front lot and walk around the right side of the building through the staff parking lot to the exit doors at the end of the building by the kindergarten doors. You should not park in the staff parking lot. We have seen an increase in the number of families who are parking in the staff lot, some even in spaces marked with a staff member’s job title. Please also remind any family or friends who pick up your child.
The state requires schools to close their carpool doors at the start of the student day. To be in compliance with their directive, our carpool doors must close at 7:30 a.m. Families who arrive after 7:30, must park in the front parking lot and walk their children to the main entrance to be signed in. Please understand this is district and state policy.
I am writing to inform you of my impending retirement. After almost 30 years of teaching, I have decided it is time to make a departure from my teaching career and to embrace my “Retired Era”. Next week, the week before winter break, will be my last week of teaching your children at Wilder Elementary.
For the last four years, it has been my pleasure to teach English Language Development at Wilder Elementary. I am filled with gratitude for the wonderful experiences I’ve had here working with such kind, eager students and supportive families, colleagues and administrators. The ELD staff, Ms. Segretto and Ms. Huerta, will continue to support the ML students upon their return from winter break.
Witnessing the learning and development of children during their educational journey has been my privilege. As I bid farewell to the classroom, I look forward to doing some relaxing, reading, traveling and spending time with family and friends. And after some time when my schedule allows, I may return as a retired substitute teacher every so often.
Thank you for having me be a part of your children’s education.
Best regards,
Cabrina Bosco
English Language Development (ELD) Teacher
Winter break is a great time to relax, connect with friends and family, and read together! You can find engaging digital books in many languages at Uniteforliteracy.com. Follow the link, then click on "Narration" to search for books in different languages. Enjoy!
It's that time of year again! As we move into the winter months, we want to make sure we are prepared for a NTI (Nontraditional Instruction) day due to inclement weather. Please see Wilder's NTI Plan for more information about expectations. In the event this occurs, devices and chargers will be sent home with your children. If your child has a device at school you, the parent/guardian, have signed the JCPS Everyone:1 Device Usage Agreement stating that you will store our Wilder Chromebooks and chargers in a safe place and use them properly - please continue to adhere to this commitment. If you have your own device at home and do NOT wish your child's Chromebook/charger to come home in the event of NTI, simply let your child's teacher know, in writing, and we will keep the device at school. We had a great deal of chargers lost last winter - please help us to take care of our chargers and return them intact. Thank you!
As we move into the winter season, I want to remind you that the Family Resource Center at Wilder is here to support your family. Whether it's through small groups, meeting basic needs, or connecting you with resources, I am available to ensure your child’s non-academic barriers are addressed.
Please reach out if you need assistance with anything – I’m here to help!
Warm regards,
Katie Wilkinson, Family Resource Center Coordinator
Third grade families are enjoying the "sounds" of beginning recorders! I promise I do teach them to make a PLEASANT sound on the recorder. When students return to school in January, they will start earning beads for their achievements. There will be individual or small group playing tests that range in difficulty. We set a class goal and work toward meeting that goal.
Kindergarten and first graders are working together to prepare for their musical, PANDAMONIUM! Save the date for February 11th at 6:30 p.m. at Wilder's Gym. When we return to school in January, watch for information about costumes and speaking parts.
Our STEM lab has been very busy! I am so proud of our students for working together to solve problems. Next month, we will take a break from consumables and tape and dive into coding. Each grade level will participate in a different robotics or coding adventure over a two-three day session. We will be using Spheros, Beebots, Minecraft, and Lego WeDo 2.0 to complete various challenges.
Thank you to those families who have donated items to the STEM lab this year - YOU ARE AMAZING! We will be returning to creating with consumables in February. Our Wilder kiddos and I appreciate your support. 🙂 I wish everyone a relaxing and lovely break with your families!
¡Hola! The 3rd-5th grade students have been traveling to Mexico and learning all about the beautiful culture. They also shared with their classmates about their own cultures, so that we can learn to appreciate and understand each other a little better. We are wrapping up the quarter with a research project where students collaborate together to learn about different topics of the Mexican culture. Please check out our website by clicking here to learn more about what we are doing in Spanish class. There is also information about the Gifted and Talented program along with Primary Talent Pool.
As we approach the holiday season, I want to wish your family a restful and joyful time. We know these holidays can bring a mixture of emotions for everyone: joy, stress, or even moments of overwhelm. Please know that you’re not alone, and I’m here to support you and your family. If your child seems stressed, anxious, or just not their self, there are many ways you can support them:
Keep a routine with flexibility: While it’s great to relax, having some structure can help everyone feel balanced and rested.
Practice kindness to yourself and others: If you feel like everything has to go perfect or smoothly- let go of this feeling of perfection and focus on what brings you joy and connection.
Talk about feelings: Encourage your child to share their thoughts and feelings. Encourage them to share whether they are excited, worried, or just need a listening ear.
Some ways you can help and encourage your child to feel calm and relax:
Set the environment and tone for relaxed moments: Create a cozy environment with soft lighting, holiday scents, or soothing music. Could also do a Youtube video on the TV of a fireplace with soft and calming music playing.
Practice mindfulness together: Try deep breathing, stretching, or even a quick family meditation to calm the mind.
Encourage Creative Outlet: Activities like drawing, baking, or crafting can help your child express themselves and relax.
Take Breaks from Screens: Spend time outdoors, play a board game, or read a book together to unwind as a family.
Model Relaxation: When your child sees you taking time to rest and recharge, it encourages them to do the same.
Balance Activities: Don’t pack the schedule too tight. Leave space for quiet, unstructured time.
Relaxation is the key to enjoying the season! As a result, you and your students can recharge for the new year and come back ready to learn more. A little calm goes a long way!
I’m wishing your family peace, joy, and comfort this holiday season. If there’s anything you need before/during the break, please do not hesitate to reach out. My number is 502-576-7492- I can receive text and calls. My email is deeann.cannon@jefferson.kyschools.us.
Warmly,
Mrs. Cannon, Wilder Elementary Mental Health Practitioner
If you need support during the break with your child, here are some resources:
If you are in Crisis (ANY painful emotion, for which you need support), text HOME to 741741. Within minutes, a crisis counselor will text you back to start a conversation.
If needed, you may call the Suicide Prevention Hotline @ 988.
A local resource through JCPS that will help you locate a counselor if you need one is: CareSolace.
If you feel your child needs to be evaluated, please contact one of the following places:
Our Lady of peace
The Brooke Hospital
Norton Children’s
Please remember to check out the Wilder LibGuide 24/7 for online books in Capstone (91 new books added) and MackinVIA and other awesome resources such as Pebble Go/Next, Gale and Hour of Code.
3rd-5th Families:
We are excited to host author, Hope Larson, on Wednesday, January 22. She will be presenting her new graphic novel. Please click here to view the flyer and book ordering information.
*Note: Carmichaels requires a 25-book order minimum per the publisher for us to continue to host these authors.
Thank you for your continued support of our library.
The Kids' Heart Challenge will officially begin on January 17th, but students can start early by registering online. Mrs. Meyer is so excited about the new DUCKS that will be the thank you gifts this year. Sign up early and encourage your students to ask family to sponsor them. Click here for more information about the event.
Make sure you check out the NEW Wilder webpage for upcoming events.
New Event!
The PTA and school administrators partnered to provide a brand new offering, the Wilder Wellness Event. On Thursday, Jan. 30 from 6:30 - 8 p.m., several community partners will join us at the school to offer a variety of sessions aimed at improving our Wildcat community's knowledge base for overall improved health: mental, emotional, and physical. Please save the date on your calendars and watch for more details when we return from winter break!
Save the date!
On Feb. 4, the PTA is hosting Family Science Night at the Kentucky Science Center for Wilder families. Please watch for more information and volunteer opportunities when we return from winter break!
Board Meeting Locations
When we started the school year, we considered and implemented a number of ideas with the goal of driving up meeting attendance. One of those was rotating the location of the meetings between the school library and the public library in Lyndon. Because we have seen evidence of better attendance at the school library, all future PTA board meetings for the remainder of the school year will be held at the school library. Please make that note on your family calendars we sent out in August. We will continue offering the virtual attendance option as we've seen great success and appreciation for that addition.
The next meeting is Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. in the school library and everyone who's part of our Wildcat community is welcome.
Join the Fun!
Please join the PTA by following this link. It's $5 for membership (which must be renewed, annually), which stays with the PTA and contributes to the many free, family-fun events we plan throughout the school year, and supports our students, faculty and staff in the classrooms and all around our gorgeous campus. In addition, you'll get the newsletters with detailed information about upcoming events and the opportunity to volunteer--the gift of more time with your Wildcat.
SBDM Council Members: Jess Metzmeier (parent), Anne Frye (parent), Bill Perkins (principal), Zerina Kicic (teacher), Melissa Thompson (teacher), and Tina McCorkle (teacher)
Our Council met Wednesday, December 11th to discuss the following agenda items:
- Budget needs assessment and review current budget
- Update on projected numbers for the 2025-26 school year
- Student achievement report
- CSIP Phase III approval
- Approved the updated Assessment Policy
- Reviewed the Selection of Extra Curricular Programs and Determination of Policies Related to Student Participation
Our next meeting will be January 15, 2025 at 2:30 pm. in the conference room.
