Monday, May 18, 2020

Monday, May 18, 2020

The Final Week
of the 
2019-2020 School Year
     
     This post is both informational and a shout out to students who have taken this remote learning in stride and tapped into even more to their creative mind waves.  Let's start out with what you need to know for this week.
  • Last day for student supplies pick-up: Thursday, May 21 5-7pm (Drive up to the bus loop with your child's first and last name printed on a piece of paper and hold it up to the passenger window) (Every 5th grader has something to pick up, such as a D.A.R.E. shirt/certificate).
  • Drive-through parade: Friday, May 22 4:00-4:30pm (Drive through the bus loop and wave good-bye to your teachers to officially end the school year).  There will also be a line of teachers driving out to the some of the farthest locations from WT, which will go down Key St. Heatherdowns and Cass St. between 5:00-5:30pm.
  • Last day to turn in and submit work to teachers for grading: Friday, May 22
  • Final grade cards (and progress reports for special education students) will be emailed to the main parent email contact in Power School: Wednesday, May 27.

I also want to highlight a few stop motion projects that students in Mrs. Salmon's class completed recently.  I am amazed by the creativity, technology skills, thought, and time that went into making each of these short videos.  Each was one is different with settings and plots.  There is even a future race car announcer and some pets mixed in the fun!  Great work students!

Stop Motion (Wait for the pets...)



Stop Motion (Watch for Spiderman...)


Stop Motion (Race Time!)

https://youtu.be/P7QavvHpS8M  
 
 
Stop Motion (Camping)

https://youtu.be/YC7hIfEOQ7E 


Enjoy the last week!

Dr. Neiderhouse
WT Principal





 

     

 

Sunday, April 26, 2020

Monday, April 27


Be Creative!

Wayne Trail Parents,

     With the weather finally warming up a little this week, I am encouraging your students to be outside and explore!  I emailed them an optional S.T.E.A.M. challenge this morning to test out and be creative.  It has been great to see the projects, exercises, and activities that students are completing during their online "special" area classes.  Please note below that our teachers are communicating the following message in regards to their specials.  
  • Our special area teachers have offered a variety of creative and engaging activities for students during this online learning format. Please note that these activities are optional and for the enjoyment of your child. These can be seen as enrichment activities for the week and can be thought of as a buffet of options of which to choose.  We enjoy seeing the work that students have completed, but do not want families to stress if the assignments cannot be completed in full.  
We are also aware that students have a wide variety of interests. Our S.T.E.A.M. teachers (Mrs. Motycka and Mrs. Marshall) created a Google Classroom with engaging activities with more of a technology and science theme. Their classroom code was sent in an email today. These are similar to our Makerspace class that students participate in school.

Lastly, our Harbor representative offered some fun exercises for students that she does with her students to help them get their energy out when they can’t focus or self-regulate. This is another option for students.

We hope that your child can engage in one of the many activities offered here and through our special area teachers.

Enjoy the week!

Dr. Nick Neiderhouse
Wayne Trail Elementary 
Principal



Tuesday, April 21, 2020

We do and we will



April 21, 2020

We Do and We Will!

 

Wayne Trail Families,
     While we are all saddened by the news from the Governor yesterday, we can finally start planning for what the end of the school year will look like in the remaining 4 weeks of the 2019-2020 school year.  This Friday, April 24 is our 4th quarter midterm notification.  In similar fashion as if we were still in school, students will only be sent a midterm if they are struggling in one or more classes.  These will be either emailed or sent home next week.  All core teachers are expected to have their grades updated in Power School by this Friday.  The only exception is math as standards-based grades are not typically entered until the end of the quarter.  Math teachers are keeping their own records for assignments, so reach out to them if you concerns.  We are still determining what final grades will look like, but Power School is still the best place to see progress or if students are missing assignments.
     I do continue to appreciate the help you are providing your child at this time.  I hope after 4-5 weeks, your child has settled into a routine of how and when to complete their online assignments and joining Zooms.  Teachers are becoming more familiar with the online platforms and I am also grateful for your patience in this process.  Please take the time to read Dr. Cramer's emails and messages as they have the most up-to-date information for you to stay involved.  Also, have your child view the video below as nearly all of our staff took a picture or video to convey how much we miss the students and are still thinking about them at this time.  

                                      We do miss them and we will overcome this together!

WT Staff Video to Students



Other News from the Environmental Club 

HAPPY EARTH DAY!!!  

The plants the Environmental Club planted the last time we were together are still growing strong. Can't wait to see the Wayne Trail family again!!

Organic Vegetable Seedlings.png


Show how much you care for our Earth! Wear your Earth Day shirts or green today and snap a selfie. Send it to the Wayne Trail Environmental Club at csmith@maumeek12.org.




 

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

April (Snow) Showers!?

April 16, 2020

April (Snow) Showers!?

(picture of a WT student painting at home...we miss school too!)

Wayne Trail Families,

     I hope that you and your child were able to get outside and enjoy some warmth and sun during Spring Break!  Especially, since it is supposed to snow on Friday!  As we await a decision on whether or not we are returning this school year, I wanted to provide you with a couple of learning resources that are a little different than the typical Google Classroom activity or Zoom session.  
     The first is a website that a student found where students can create all sorts of cool things out of basic paper (with a Mindcraft theme).  Check out the link below and see what this student created!


     The second is from our media specialist, Mrs. Brebberman, who completed the WT Library/Media webpage to help staff, students, and parents through our new learning/teaching.  Simply go to the WT webpage, scroll down to the library/media, and all the links are right there.  It has eBooks and Audiobooks for students to access.  You can also access it by clicking this link: https://sites.google.com/maumeek12.org/waynetraillibrary/home.
If you have questions regarding this site and its resources, please email Mrs. Brebberman at Kbrebberman@maumeek12.org.

     Thank you for your continued work with your child and a reminder that tomorrow (Friday, April 17) is a virtual Superhero day for students.  They are encouraged to wear a Superhero shirt or costume online and feel free to share a picture with me via email or Twitter (@nickneiderhouse).  They were emailed this challenge on Thursday, April 16 to think about someone that is a Superhero in their life and why they look up to this fictional or non-fictional character.

Enjoy the weekend and hopefully warmer and drier weather ahead!

Dr. Nick Neiderhouse
Wayne Trail Elementary
Principal








Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Wayne Trail Elementary Blog (March 25, 2020)


Wayne Trail Elementary Blog
(March 25, 2020)


Wayne Trail Families,

    This Fist Bump goes out to you!  I have heard many stories of how you are helping your students learn at home in various capacities, whether it be on art project or joining a Zoom meeting.  I know that some teams are conducting Zoom meetings with parents to ask teachers' questions.  This is a great idea and I am encouraging other teachers to do this as well going forward if this closure continues in the long-term.

     I do want to offer a few reminders:
  1. Students need to be logging into and checking their mcspanthers.org email address each day. 
  2. If you or your student is struggling with technology after 4pm, we have Mrs. Marshall (S.T.E.A.M. teacher) available to assist you.  She can help with websites, Google classroom, etc.  Here is a video from her.  Her email address is lmarshall@maumeek12.org
  3. Students are not expected to complete work the same day it is assigned.  However, it is important that students are working on their assignments each day to break the work load up.  Some deadlines are necessary for students so that teachers can provide the proper feedback for learning.  This is especially important in math.
       
Today, March 25 is a "no new" instruction day for students so they can catch up on any work and teachers can continue planning and coordinating lessons.

I will be emailing student's another challenge on Friday to keep up with our monthly Fist Bump Friday.  Feel free to participate with this and email or Tweet out your participation.

I know you receive Dr. Cramer's emails so I do not want to repeat all of that information, but just a reminder that the district number to call for assistance is (419) 720-3285.

Please reach out if you need anything via email: nneiderhouse@maumeek12.org

Dr. Nick Neiderhouse
Wayne Trail Elementary
Digital Principal




Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Wayne Trail Elementary Blog (March 18, 2020)



March 18, 2020


Wayne Trail Families,

     Starting today, teachers will start to post and roll out assignments with all students.  I emailed and shared a spreadsheet that Google Classroom codes and other communications that have been established for your students to connect with their teachers.  As a school, we are still here as a resources as much as possible.  Dr. Osier is available by email and can reach out to anyone by phone if there are counseling services needed.  I am also available via email, Twitter, this blog (you can add comments to this blog), and I can call you if you need assistance. 
     I believe strongly that routines will help this at home school process be both meaningful and manageable.  Below is a sample schedule that you can start to establish with your child so that there is a mixture of learning, fun, and exercise.

     As you will hear today a message from Dr. Cramer, students and parents can enter the school building from 12-6pm on Thursday, March 19 to pick up an necessary school supplies that were forgotten last Friday or if a student was not present at school last Friday.  All teacher's classrooms will be open and unlocked during this time.  Teachers will not be present and no additional paper assignments will be provided.  I would like an adult/parent to accompany your child to get anything they need.  Please be mindful of other students and teachers belongings and materials.  This should be a quick visit and we are urging everyone to practice social distancing if you are in the building.
     Lastly, keep in mind that we have our Food Pantry outside should you or someone you know need any canned goods during this trying time.  We will try to keep it well stocked over the next few weeks, but daily food requests can be submitted through our district's Google Form below: https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSfGiZpdjIH2N5npW0…/viewform
 
Please reach out if you have any needs!

Dr. Neiderhouse
Wayne Trail Elementary 
Principal




 

Monday, March 16, 2020

Wayne Trail Elementary (4th quarter 2020) Blog


March 16, 2020

Wayne Trail Families,

     I am sure you are getting flooded with information and instructions from both a governmental, business, and educational level.  I will try to post a few tips and updates regarding our current situation a few times a week on this blog.  This will save you a daily email from me.  Most of the updates will come from Dr. Cramer at the district level.
     My first piece of advice is to take advantage of the time you have with your child or children.  Before we embark on a new mode of education, I encourage you to take some time to teach your student/s a variety of functional skills should you have the materials to complete some of these tasks.  Teach your student/s the importance of chores and cleaning (bedrooms, laundry, bathrooms, etc.).  Teach your student/s how to measure and cook from a recipe book.  If it does not turn out tasty, that does not matter, at least you tried!  Have them hang a picture, measure something or design something from scratch.  I know that the Dollar Tree has some inexpensive building projects (planes, cards, sailboat, etc.).  I also included other ideas below from a picture I found online.  These are some great ideas of indoor activities.  However, if the weather warms up, have the students get out and clean up your yard or a neighbor's yard.  Now is a perfect time to show an act of service for someone (with also keeping your distance).  Even shooting hoops with a family member could get students some exercise.  Please reach out to me if you need anything during this unique period in education.



Dr. Nick Neiderhouse
Wayne Trail Elementary
Principal