What happens behind the 'Green Curtain?'

We can all remember that pivotal moment in the Wizard of Oz when Toto pulls on the green curtain, revealing that Oz is a little old man, and not the imposing, fear-inducing image on the screen.

In some ways, what happens at the RSU#1 School Board meetings is very similar.  Not in the 'scary' way perhaps, but from the standpoint of the "unknown",  and perceived lack of information, which in and of itself can breed mistrust and fear of change.

Tomorrow night is an opportunity to pull back that curtain.  There is a School Board meeting at 6:00pm, at Bath Middle School.  The agenda will include a presentation on Proficiency Based Education (translate: a shift in instruction, testing and HS graduation requirements) and the West Bath Withdrawal (the agreement between West Bath and the RSU was released this past week - but will require School Board approval-public sessions will precede a Vote in West Bath)

What is the timeline? What would withdrawal mean for Woolwich? Would our student enrollment potentially increase? Who would be required to pay tuition?  Here is the link to the Agreement on the RSU site: http://www.regionalschunit.beta.schools.bz/userfiles/3/my%20files/working%20group/working%20group/withdrawal%20agreement%2009-12-14%20(final).pdf?id=539512

The agenda includes public session for questions or further comments. Agenda is here:

http://www.rsu1.org/calendarWeekView.aspx?schools=0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9&schoolid=0&types=&eventID=32&viewDate=9/22/2014

Also, there are various openings for community members on the Policy, Finance and Facilities Committees.  Applications are due Oct 1 and can be retrieved from the RSU#1 website.  Or, write the Woolwich PTC for more information on how to apply.  These are great opportunities for parents to be directly involved at the RSU level.

Why not carpool with a friend, grab a coffee and stop by the meeting, even if for a small while and see what it is about.  If you can not make a meeting, the RSU #1 site has recordings of all the meetings.  And as always, email the Woolwich PTA with questions you may have at woolwichptc@yahoo.com.  Thank you for all you do!

Now It's Getting Real...

It's the beginning of week 3 and now it's getting real.  It's truly good-bye to summer, and hello to homework, practices, games, picture day, book fairs, and more.  But you've been down this path before. You've got this!

It feels that way from the PTA world as well.  Our agenda for last Thursday's meeting was full, and our turn-out was fabulous.  So wonderful to see new faces!  It was exhilarating to discuss our goals, and gain insight and new ideas on how to get them accomplished.  We received the first round of requests for funds for a variety of field trips and programming and we are looking forward to meeting those goals through some innovative fundraising.

Lucas sports a bow-tie for picture day

We know it seems like a lot so quickly out of the gates.  What may be helpful to know is that these events are so time-driven on product return, for example, that it offers little by way of flexibility in planning.  (some fund-raising partners only have campaigns once or twice a year).  But we do hope that the roll-out of the year, while ambitious, will also speak to our commitment to get the funding we need, and offer things to students and teachers right from the get-go.

We opened the Scholastic Book fair last Friday - and to say it was met with excitement and enthusiasm would be an understatement!  Kids were giddy!  Having the fair come to our school is, in many cases, the only opportunity a student has to own a new book.  The fair is not a fund-raiser for the PTA.  It is a tradition we have carried on for years and despite the work involved and the volunteers needed to make it happen, the acceptance of it from students and administrators alike make it worthwhile.  Features of this fair include 25% off each book, and $30 worth of scholastic dollars for each teacher.  It's tons of fun seeing teachers and kids in a 'happy place' when the book fair lines the hallway.

The Box-Top 'race' is on.  Classrooms are already turning in handfuls of them; worth .10 each. (the class submitting the most will get a dance party in PE)  Our coordinator, Stacey Crinion, is already trimming and counting each one.  Incredible as it seems, she tallied and mailed 30,000 of them last year; translate $3000 to our funding - We receive a check twice a year; in October and April.

Stacey counting boxtops for the fall race

Information concerning our first fundraiser with Close Buy will be in backpacks on Monday the 15th.  PTA will receive .30 for each dollar sold.

But it's not all about the money. Future outreach ideas were flowing from membership; topics such as parental assistance with newer math concepts taught in Everyday Math, collaborative literacy outreach for our PreK and Kindergarten parents and students, cyber safety, happenings in the RSU, the importance of attending RSU#1 School Board meetings, and others.   All great things!

So, as we roll up our sleeves for a busy first month or two, we ask for your understanding and your feedback.  You can likely see by now the WCS PTA thrives on a shared vision for our kids, and for our school.  It may be busy - but we're up for the task!  Please contact us any time to join in at woolwichptc@yahoo.com.

And They're Off!

Yesterday, Facebook was abuzz with photos of the "1st Day of School".  What fun to see all the posts of eager Wildcats, from our little PreK cubs to our 8th grader 'big' cats - smiling (in most cases:) and decked out in new outfits and backpacks.  Despite the hectic pace involved in the transition from summer to school, seeing the students, and reading the pride of the parents in those posts reaffirms what the mission of the PTA is all about.  Although our group is comprised of varying personalities, and each person brings different skills to their volunteerism, at the end of the day, it's all about the kids.

Here is Tyler, Gaige, Sydney and Paiden displaying their Grades

I'll be the first to admit that when my daughter entered WCS, I held that stereotypical view that joining PTA meant helping with lots of bake sales.  (and I can't bake).  Cut out box tops? No time.  My eyes were opened after the first meeting when I learned of the incredible work done, much of it behind the scenes, in the form of giving time to run the Bookfairs, voting on and funding most of the transportation costs for field trips, hosting Holiday dances, preparing trays of colorful foods in conjunction with Wellness Committee events, and supporting Woolwich staff in countless ways; from helping teachers get kids organized for Picture Day to purchasing school supplies.  I also saw first hand (from the District Level) the cuts to transportation, facilities and supplies that no bake-sale will come close to covering.  (Although we do have very talented bakers in our mix...thank goodness!)

The most telling example of the good work PTA does came shorty after the Sandy Hook tragedy.  Despite us occupying a new building with a very secure entrance, the windows on the classroom doors had no means to block looking in . The WCS PTA approved 100% of the cost of having blinds made to cover the windows of every classroom door to better secure the safety of kids and teachers.

Mom photo-bombs the shot! Erica with Hollis and Peyton

The fringe benefits of being a member of the PTA are overwhelming.  New friendships and a sense of kinship are fostered, letting us all know we're not alone in this thing called "child rearing..."  Being a member does not mean attending every meeting or volunteering at every event.  It could mean lending some muscle and 30 minutes of time to move tables at our Shop-Till-U-Drop Craft fair.  Or staying after a dance to help clean-up the gym.  Perhaps you are a webmaster.  One member is a yogi, and gifted our staff with a yoga class during Teacher Appreciation week.  No matter what level of volunteering you can bring, know that it makes a huge difference.  We wish you a great school year! - please do email or reach us on Facebook with any further questions.

Lorna Ryan, Woolwich Central PTA

Countdown to Sept 2

And so the count-down begins.  At writing of this post, it's two weeks until that exciting first day of school. Are you in "Operation School" mode?

Summer camps have dried up, fall sports have begun, and it's time to tackle that list of school supplies.

What's your strategy? Pick away at the list while you're out and about? Recycle crayon nubs and plastic binders from last year?  Or just a "crash and burn" approach...Grab a latte (high test; admit it)  the checkbook, and head straight for the dizzying displays of notebooks, dry erase markers, pencils, binders and earbuds (wait, was that the "orderless erasers? no, no, orderless MARKERs) Invariably, one store has 1/2 of what you need, which means another stop, and, likely, some grumbling youth in tow longing for the swimming pool.

The shopping frenzy will be behind us soon, and we'll be ushering the cherubs and tweens onto the bus waving with mixed emotions of elation and sadness, (kids frowning, parents smiling?)

The PTA has some exciting plans this year; new and old.  Staff school supply bags have been organized and arrangements for our annual Shop-Till-U-You Drop Craft fair is in full swing.  Our first Scholastic Bookfair is scheduled for Sept. 11 - 19 - dovetailing with Open House (date to be announced).  Our first meeting will be Thursday evening, Sept. 11, at 6:00pm at the school.  We are thrilled to offer a new fundraiser which will offer locally made products.  Our new Principal, Jason Libby, has already reached out to show his support and share his vision for continuing communications between school and parents/caregivers on a number of needs and topics.

Can't make a meeting? Like us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/woolwichpta.  We also encourage you to follow this blog for news and updates, including a wide variety of volunteering opportunities. Another great source of information is the RSU#1 website for information on School Board and Committee meetings, storm cancellations, and over-all happenings in the RSU.  www.rsu1.org.

Above all, we plan a FUN year - we are a welcoming group, wholeheartedly devoted to our Woolwich Wildcats.  There are countless ways to be involved - we would love to see and hear from you! Here's to 2014-2015!

Last night, a small group of Woolwich parents attended an RSU#1 School Board Meeting to learn more about all this "Proficiency Based Diploma" , LD 1422 (the law)  "Common Core" standards and what it means to their children.  Great Schools Partnership was hired for around $19,000 to help guide Morse HS through the process. 

 

This blog post could be pages long summarizing the information shared - in short, it is imperative that we, as parents, grandparents, friends or guardians of Wildcats students do a little homework and understand what the change means.

The RSU#1 Board does seem committed to ensuring public input and community involvement.  Let's show them our interest by responding to these efforts when they become available.

Even though this is at the HS level (the diploma) the Common Core standards (Math and ELA) are already part of the K-5 Curriculum.  You may already have noticed shifts in homework or assessing that you want to know more about.

This is a recent letter from our RSU#1 Assistant Superintendent, Judy Harvey.  http://p2cdn1static.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_1093620/File/PBECommunityLetter.pdf

Please see references listed at the bottom of the letter; This is a great place to start for information on PBE, Common Core etc., but explore on your own as well!  Future blogs will provide updates to the process.