Happy New Year!  We hope you'll take a minute and catch up on our news.
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In this Newsletter:
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New Year's Resolutions

It's a new year and many of us are well-practiced at the process of making the standard resolutions - eat healthier,  exercise more, get organized, etc.  This year maybe we can throw a few new ones into the mix - resolutions for the whole family!

  • Read, Read, Read! Reading isn't just for kids, so set up a Reading Resolution with your kids that encourages all of you to read more. Set goals for how many books you'll each read every month and post a chart on the fridge to track everyone's progress. Even better, have your kids tell you about the books they read, let them dress up as their favorite character, or encourage them to write a sequel in their own words to keep the story going. Don't forget that you need to read, too!

    If you need a little help in selecting age-appropriate books for the kids, you can get some great suggestions from Scholastic in the article How to Choose Just-Right Books for Your Child. Then plan a trip to the Wilmington Public Library or check in their school library for an endless supply of reading material! And did you know that the public library also has story time and book club opportunities?  Check them out today at wilmington.lib.oh.us/calendar. Happy reading!
     
  • Unplug and plan for Gadget-Free Time! We like to think it's a teenage thing, but adults and small kids also struggle with putting down the devices and turning off the tv. Why not make a resolution to schedule gadget-free family time weekly? Rediscover board and/or card games, build a blanket fort, check out the walking paths in Wilmington, or plan visits to the library to pick out new books for the Reading Resolution.

    Commonsensemedia.org/screen-time has some great tips for taming device use, for kids and for adults. Kids love when they get your undivided attention, so enjoy the gadget-free family time!   
     
  • Be Kind! Our kids are constantly watching what we do, so it's important to set an example of compassion and kindness. Why not make it a family resolution to find new ways to show kindness in your community? It doesn't even have to cost money:
    • Plan visits to an elderly neighbor who might be lonely or need assistance
    • Help cook a meal at Your Father's Kitchen
    • Donate clothes and supplies to the homeless shelter
    • Make cards and drawings for nursing home residents
    • Volunteer to take a group of neighborhood children to the library for more books.

      You'll find that kids will benefit in unexpected ways, academically, socially, and emotionally. Just check out the article To Give and Receive the Gift of Kindness (Know! series article from StartTalking.gov).
Have fun setting goals as a family. Don't forget to plan for success, chart your progress, and set some fun rewards for the whole family. 

Happy New Year!

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Substitute Teaching

Have you ever thought about being a substitute teacher? If you have a bachelor's degree and enjoy working with kids, but prefer a flexible schedule, optimal hours, and weekends/summers off, then consider substitute teaching. 

Just apply through the Southern Ohio Educational Service Center and they'll walk you through the process, help you get licensed, and train you for the classroom. Visit southernohioesc.org/Employment/10 for all the details and contact information.

Why not give it a try? We might be a little biased, but we think that our students are pretty great and that you'll enjoy being a part of their educational journey.

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One School One Book Heartwood Hotel Day at Holmes
One School One Book

Heartwood Hotel, by Kallie George , was the chosen book for our elementary One School One Book program this December. It was a hit with students and staff alike!  It's a wonderful story about friendship, courage, and community.  For more information on the book series visit heartwoodhotel.com/books.

On December 12th, i t was Heartwood Hotel Day at Holmes. Some wore pajamas, because that's what you wear at a hotel! Some even wore fancy clothes, because that's what you wear when you go to a ball. Some dressed as their favorite book character - Mr. Inwood came as Lord Sudsbury and Mrs. Long came as Mona the mouse maid. 

The students and staff celebrated with a fancy ball, met woodland critters, learned about different tree seeds, visited the Fernwood Forest, and learned about what it means to live a life of kindness. 

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'Cane Community

At WCS, we always know that we can count on our community to pull together to help the kids in our District. By the same token, we do our best to instill a strong sense of community and compassion in our students.

As we enter 2019, we thought we would share just a handful of moments of compassion and generosity from our 1st semester.

Our Community:
We have many local organizations and businesses that volunteer their time and talent to our programs.  Already this year:
  • Our local Fire Department helped with fire safety education for our students, held a coat drive, and started a reading challenge with our 5th grade students.
  • Local businesses and our OSU Extension office helped with the Real Money Real World simulation at WMS.
  • Wilmington Schools Foundation for grants totalling $26,595.22 for teacher grants to enhance instruction.
  • The local American Legion Post 49  presented a $3000 check for our Technology Initiative.
  • Community leaders volunteered to read to our elementary students.
And in countless other ways, our community stepped in to help.

Our PTO, Boosters, and Volunteers have also been busy! They held school dances, staffed a Santa Shoppe, raised funds, planned Skate Nights, helped in the classrooms, and so much more.   

Our Staff:
At WCS we try to set a good example for our students, and this year our staff continued to demonstrate compassion, generosity, and leadership to our students:
  • Volunteered to help with Girls on the Run
  • Donated more than $14,000 to our WCS Foundation
  • Lead numerous student organizations and fund-drives
  • Served their community through their churches and civic organizations 
Our Students:  We are continually amazed at the generosity of our students and couldn't be more proud of their sense of community spirit. Already this year they have been active in community service:
  • Held a blood drive at the High School
  • Organized White Gift
  • Participated in Cardboard City for the Homeless Shelter
  • Supported holiday food drives
  • Organized wonderful Grandparent's Day celebrations at school
Wilmington understands the importance of supporting each other and finding ways to serve their community. In the new year, may we all continue to look after each other.

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A Change in the Schedule Ahead

Help us spread the word! March 1st we were scheduled for a late arrival, but that is being changed to an early dismissal. That is the same day we are hosting the SW Ohio District Wrestling Tournament in our Gym. Between 1 PM and 3 PM 2000-3000 fans, as well as 225 Wrestlers and Coaches, will be arriving for the 2-day event.
To avoid the traffic jam and problems getting buses and kids out after school, we will be changing the 2-hour late arrival to an early dismissal. Schools will start at their regular times. Please help us get the word out to all of our families as the date gets nearer.
3/1/19 WMS/WHS release time is 1:00 p.m.
3/1/19 Elementary release time is 2:10 p.m.
 
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link to students in the news articles online
Celebrating our Students

We've collected some recent articles highlighting recent student and staff accomplishments. We hope you'll take a minute and read up on our awesome WCS students.  We think you'll be just as proud of them as we are.  

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link to our district communications web page
School News:  
Stay Connected

Each building has their own web page , calendar, and social media channel for your convenience.


*Please double check each building's calendar for changes as an event approaches.


D istrict Highlights:
WCS District:  Website  Like us on Facebook    Follow us on Twitter
1/2  Teacher Work Day - no students
1/3  Classes resume - 3rd Quarter begins
1/3  BOE Organizational Mtg 7:00am at CO
1/15 6th Grade Band Concert
6:30 PM Woodwinds
7:30 PM Brass & Percussions
1/21 School Closed - Martin Luther King Jr day
1/28 BOE Regular Mtg - 7pm WHS

Additional Building Highlights:
Holmes:   Website      Like us on Facebook
Every Monday on Facebook: Story Time 7pm
1/3 Classes resume - 3rd Quarter begins
1/11 Report Cards sent home
1/21 School Closed - Martin Luther King Jr day
1/24 Parent/Teacher conferences 4-7:30pm
1/28 BOE Regular Mtg - 7pm WHS

Denver:   Website      Like us on Facebook    
1/3 Classes resume - 3rd Quarter begins
1/11 Report Cards sent home
1/21 School Closed - Martin Luther King Jr day
1/24 Parent/Teacher conferences 4-7:30pm
1/28 BOE Regular Mtg - 7pm WHS

East End :   Website      Like us on Facebook   
1/3 Classes resume - 3rd Quarter begins
1/9 Art Club
1/11 Report Cards sent home
1/21 School Closed - Martin Luther King Jr day
1/24 Parent/Teacher conferences 4-7:30pm
1/28 BOE Regular Mtg - 7pm WHS

WMS:   Website      Follow us on Twitter    Like us on Facebook  
1/3 Classes resume - 3rd Quarter begins
1/11 Report Cards sent home
1/15 6th Grade Band Concert
6:30 PM Woodwinds
7:30 PM Brass & Percussions
1/21 School Closed - Martin Luther King Jr day
1/28 BOE Regular Mtg - 7pm WHS

WHS:      Website    Like us on Facebook    Follow us on Twitter    View on Instagram  
1/3 Classes resume - 3rd Quarter begins
1/10 Report Card Fair 4-7:00pm
1/11 Report Cards sent home
1/21 School Closed - Martin Luther King Jr day
1/23 Student of the Month Pizza w/ Principal
1/28 BOE Regular Mtg - 7pm WHS


Athletic Events

Please visit our website at wilmingtoncityschools.com/wilmington-athletics and follow our athletics program on Twitter @WHSCaneAD


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