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

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!!

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.

 

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!

http://www.pixelpapercraft.com/tags/orespawn-mod

     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

Student Superhero Challenge