We recently sent home a printed newsletter and transportation survey with each student currently in Preschool through 4th grade.  We thought we would include some highlights in this newsletter. If you are an elementary parent and have questions on the transportation plan and survey, you'll find some helpful information below. We've also included some important reminders of some upcoming transition events that were in the newsletter sent home with the kids.

REMINDER:  OPEN HOUSES FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS

Parents and students are invited to attend our Open House nights in May!  You and your child(ren) will get a chance to see their elementary buildings for 2018-2019 and meet the teachers.

Open Houses from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on the following dates:

May 2 - East End  

May 3 - Holmes and Denver 

1350 W Truesdell St (937)382-2750	291 Lorish Ave (937)382-2380	769 Rombach Ave (937)382-2443

STUDENT STEP-UP DAY

On May 21st our students will have a chance to visit other elementary buildings and see their new digs!  Students that will be attending a new building in 2018-19 will be bussed to that building to spend the morning and eat lunch.  They'll be able to meet the teachers and staff, tour the building, and participate in activities to help them feel comfortable in a new building.

TRANSPORTATION

We know that transportation is a tremendous concern for parents and students. Your input told us that it was important to you that elementary siblings ride the same bus together, and that you did not want them to have to change buses to shuttle to a different building.  

We heard you and have come up with a Carousel Plan that will allow us to meet those requests!  We encourage parents and kids to check out the plan together on our Elementary Transportation 2018-2019 Infographic.

Printed newsletters with the above information and transportation survey were sent home with elementary students (Preschool through 4th grade) recently. To help us get a jump start on route planning, please complete the  Elementary Transportation Survey for each child and return it by May 16th. It's important to complete this form, even if you aren't sure of your plans yet, because it will help us to assess the potential transportation needs for next school year.  

Please visit our Survey page for:

• More information on the transportation plan
• Link to the online survey
• Transportation Infographic to share with your children
• List of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

The survey will be available on our District homepage until May 16, 2018 at WilmingtonCitySchools.com.

Wilmington City School District has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) designation from the NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education.  They are one of only 583 districts across the nation to be a BCME recipient.

The Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. To qualify for the Best Communities designation, WCS answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, and community music-making programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.

"We are honored to be recognized with this designation.  This is a tribute to the many people who make Music an integral part of education in the Wilmington Schools." (Matt Spradlin, WHS Director of Bands, on behalf of WCS Music Educators)

Research into music education continues to demonstrate educational/cognitive and social skill benefits for children who make music. In a series of landmark studies by scientists and researchers at Northwestern University a link was found between students in community music programs and life-long academic success, including higher high school graduation rates and college attendance. In another study from the University, it was discovered that the benefits of early exposure to music education improves how the brain processes and assimilates sounds, a trait that lasts well into adulthood.

WCS music teachers recently asked their elementary students what music meant to them.  "Music is what keeps me calm. Something I like most" - Zeth.

"It means a lot to me because my mom sang songs to get me to sleep when I was a baby" - Layni.

"To me music is playing from the heart" - Mia.

"Music is experiencing feelings through song and dance." - Bryn.

"I like music because it helps us learn" - Kiera.  

Wilmington City Schools has a rich history of providing a quality music program for students in Kindergarten through 12th grade.

About The NAMM Foundation

The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its approximately 10,300 members around the world. The foundation advances active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving, and public service programs. For more information about the NAMM Foundation, please visit www.nammfoundation.org .

A recent financial audit of Wilmington City Schools by the Auditor of State's office has returned a clean audit report and WCS has earned the Auditor of State Award.

District Treasurer, Kim DeWeese, said it is the combined efforts of central office staff, administration, and building secretaries working together to keep the district compliant in the management of public dollars.  

The Auditor of State Award is presented to local governments and school districts upon the completion of a financial audit.  Entities that receive the award meet the following criteria of a "clean" audit report:

Thanks to our team for doing a tremendous job of managing public dollars!

Each spring bus drivers from around Ohio compete in regional competitions to test and increase their operational and safety skills.  This year Melissa Colley, one of WCS's bus drivers, placed 6th in the regional Road-eo competition and qualified for State!  Melissa will compete in the state-level competition on May 5th. Check out the video of her maneuverability!

"The ROAD-E-O enhances the driver's skills and keeps them up to date on the latest rules and regulations", according to Jason Leeth, WCS Transportation Supervisor. "We have a great team of driver's here at Wilmington City Schools. It's exciting to have one of our own represent the district at the State level."

WCS Transportation consists of 30 school buses and 2 vans, driven by a team of 27 drivers. They drive a combined average of 2209 miles every school day, covering an area over 161 square miles!  For more information on our transportation department please visit our District Transportation page at wilmingtoncityschools.com/departments/transportation .

Congratulations, Melissa, and best of luck at the State Competition on May 5th!

5/2   Parent/Student Open House at East End 5-8pm

5/3   Parent/Student Open House at Denver/Holmes 5-8pm

5/4   Late Arrival

5/7-11 Teacher Appreciation Week

5/7   Kindergarten Orientation all A-L, 6:30 at Holmes

5/15 Kindergarten Orientation all M-Z, 6:30 at Holmes

5/21 Elementary Student Step-Up-Day Field Trips,
        BOE meeting - Holmes 5:30pm