Friends of Josephine Wascher Elementary

December Events

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 19:41:00 +0000

It's a short month, but, there is always plenty going on in our school and community. So, take your pick or participate in all!

School:

Dec. 14th- School Site Council meeting. 2:45, check in at the front office.
Dec. 14th- Literacy night. Look for more info in Tuesday's folder.
Dec. 14th- PTA general meeting. 7pm in the staff room. We look forward to seeing everyone there!
Jan. 11th- Vision screening test for K, 2nd, and 4th grades. Needing at least six volunteers. This will be all day (8:00-2:30). Please, send an RSVP to t.t.oakes@comcast.net or call 503-583-2217. RSVP, please, we need a solid count on volunteers.
Dec. 19th through Jan. 2nd- School is out for the holidays. Enjoy your family time!

Community:

Dec. 9th-11th- Narnia. Presented by Gallery Theater. 503-472-2227for ticket info.
Dec. 10th- Donkey Basketball. MAC Jaycees vs. MAC Fire Department. Visit www.mcminnvillejaycees.com for tickets.
Dec. 16th & 17th- Narnia. Presented by Gallery Theater. 503-472-2227 for ticket info.
And, don't forget about driving around and seeing all the beautiful lights!

Lego Robotics

Just a quick WOOT WOOT to the 3rd graders that participated in the compitition this past weekend!
They really showed what Wascher is all about!
Congrats, Wildbots, for making it to state!

Wascher Weekly

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 13:58:00 +0000

What's Happening This Week
Monday 11/21 - Wednesday 11/23
   Dental Screenings Grades 1st & 2nd
Monday 11/21 - Wednesday 11/23
   No KOB
Thursday 11/24 - Friday 11/25
   No School - Thanksgiving

Looking Forward To Next Week
Wednesday 11/30
   All School Assembly

Just In Case You Missed It Last Week
Monday 11/14 - Friday 11/18
   3rd Grade Survival Swim
Monday 11/14 @ 07:30 PM
   McMinnville School Board Business Meeting
Thursday 11/17 @ 10:00 AM
   Picture Retakes
Friday 11/18 @ 02:45 PM
   Site Council Meeting
Friday 11/18 @ 06:30 PM
   Family Movie Night

View Full Calendar

Volunteer Opportunities

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 06:30:00 +0000

Here We Are Again, Ladies & Gentlemen! A list of Volunteer Opportunities at Wascher:

YCAP- Every Friday. 2:15 in Community Room

* Needs volunteers to handout weekend food bags.

** You may just show up to the event and ask for Laura**

Movie Night- Friday, November 18."Soul Surfer"

* Pop popcorn-2:45-4:45-Need 2 volunteers (prefer volunteers not bring children for this)

* Concessions-6:00-?-Need 4 volunteers

* Front door-5:50-6:50-Need 2 volunteers (make sure child has permission slip)

**Email t.t.oakes@comcast.net to volunteer for movie night**

Wascher Weekly

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 23:56:00 +0000

What's Happening This Week
Monday 11/14 - Friday 11/18
   3rd Grade Survival Swim
Monday 11/14 @ 07:30 PM
   McMinnville School Board Business Meeting
Thursday 11/17 @ 10:00 AM
   Picture Retakes
Friday 11/18 @ 02:45 PM
   Site Council Meeting
Friday 11/18 @ 06:30 PM
   Family Movie Night

Looking Forward To Next Week
Monday 11/21 - Wednesday 11/23
   Dental Screenings Grades 1st & 2nd
Monday 11/21 - Wednesday 11/23
   No KOB
Thursday 11/24 - Friday 11/25
   No School - Thanksgiving

Just In Case You Missed It Last Week
Wednesday 11/9 @ 07:00 PM
   PTA Metting
Thursday 11/10 - Friday 11/11
   No School - Conferences

View Full Calendar

Wascher Weekly

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:29:00 +0000

What's Happening This Week
Wed 11/9 @ 07:00 PM
   PTA Metting
Thu 11/10 - All Day
   No School - Conferences
Fri 11/11 - All Day
   No School - Conferences

Looking Forward To Next Week
Mon 11/14 @ 07:30 PM
   McMinnville School Board Business Meeting
Fri 11/18 @ 02:45 PM
   Site Council Meeting
Fri 11/18 @ 06:30 PM
   Family Movie Night

Just In Case You Missed It Last Week
Mon 10/31 - All Day
   All School Assembly
Fri 11/4 - All Day
   No School - Grading

View Full Calendar

Ways to GTO this month!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 01:00:00 +0000

There are so many opportunities to volunteer at Wascher this month! What a wonderful way to set the example of this month’s theme, GTO, Give To Others. Donating your time to Wascher Elementary is one of the ways to give to others!

Here is what Wascher is needing volunteers for this month:

November 3-10 Wascher Book Fair (in the library).

November 13-19 American Education Week (need committee for planning)!

November 14-18 3^rd Grade Survival Swim (swim with students)

November 18 Movie Night (set up, during, & take down).

If you are interested in or need more information on how you can Give To Others this month, please, contact Tina Oakes- (503) 585-2217 , t.t.oakes@comcast.net.

Thank you for wanting to set the example for the students at Wascher Elementary!

Open House Success!

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 19:39:00 +0000

Thanks to all the parents, teachers, students, and staff that helped to make the 2011 open house a success!

We hope that everyone enjoyed their time at Wascher!

You're Invited!

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 01:34:00 +0000

Tuesday, September 20, is this years open house. Bring your family and get to know your child's teacher and classmates! The cafeteria doors open at 6:30. There will be tables set up with information about the PTA, volunteering, boy scouts, and other extra curricular activities available for the students at Wascher. Don't forget to drop in and introduce yourself to the music and PE teachers as well.

We look forward to seeing you!

Make Good Choices

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 19:30:00 +0000

Make Good Choices is this years theme, as you can see by the MGCs decorating the school's hallways. Students are being recognized for making good choices, please support your child in this by helping them come up with some good choices to make in various situations.

Tuesday folders were sent home yesterday full of information. Take a minute to look through them and sign the contract insert from the student handbook and talk it over with your student.

Our first PTA meeting is tonight! Please come to learn more about what the PTA does for the school and what you can do to help. The meeting starts at 7, just follow the signs once you enter the school building.

Another thing to note for your calendar is this years open house, taking place on Tuesday, Sept. 20th from 6:30 - 8. Here is your chance to meet your child's new teacher, see their new classroom and visit with some of your student's friends. There will be information regarding other extra curricular activities available to your student as well. We look forward to see you there!

Is your child interested in Legos? How about robotics? If so, look to the insert in your Tuesday folder for the first ever Lego League opportunity at Wascher!

Again, Welcome back. Let's make this year a great one!

Happy New School Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 19:23:00 +0000

Welcome everyone to the 2011 - 2012 school year! School started at full speed on Tuesday with excited students and prepared teachers and staff.

You should have received the parent and student handbook in your Tuesday folders already. Please be sure to sign (and have your student sign) and return page 12 of the parent handbook. Also note that we have our first PTA meeting coming up on Wednesday, the 14th at 7pm. Everyone is invited to come and help parents and teachers work together to make our school stronger and our kids learning experience the best that it can be.

Again, welcome back to Wascher! Let's have a great year!

Note from the Principal

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 15:38:00 +0000

I would like to thank everyone for helping us to meet our Jog-A-Thon goal this year! I enjoyed coloring my hair pink, and so did the students.

I would also like to thank all of the parent volunteers for the month of September. Compared to the volunteer hours from September of 2009, we have DOUBLED our volunteer hours! If you are unable to volunteer during the day, don't forget to stop by our P.T.A. meetings on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. Your input and ideas are always welcome.

Just a reminder with Halloween coming soon, both staff and students do not wear costumes at our school. Some classrooms will have Harvest/Fall parties to celebrate the fall season. Teachers will let parents know party details in their classroom newsletters.

Thank you!
Brian Crain

It’s getting that time of year again for colds and the flu. Please follow the guidelines outlined in this weeks Newsletter for when to keep your child at home.

You can find the Newsletter in the Tuesday folder or at the following links:

English /Spanish
Newsletter Archive

PTA Meeting - Principals Report

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 16:16:00 +0000

At every PTA meeting the Principal gives an overview of what has been happening at the school and the overall success of the students. If you have questions about the principals report please contact Principal Crain or attend the next PTA meeting on November 10th at 7PM.

P.T.A. Principals Report - 10/13/10

Safety

•2 Fire drills in September

•Fire alarm covers
•Fire Prevention 10/11
•Safe Kids Starts on 10/26

Student Achievement

•In-class Assessments

    –Class Reviews
    –Common Formative Assessments
•Math and Writing
•OAKS-Oregon Assessment of Knowledge and Skills
    –Round 1 Reading (Nov.15-Dec.17)
    –Round 1 Math and Science (Feb. 1-18)
    –Round 2 Reading/Math/Science (April 4-15)
    –Round 3 Reading/Math/Science (May2-19)
•School Report Card (Handout)

School Climate

•Purple Hand Pledge Week

–10/18-10/22

•Leadership Groups 4th/5th

–Green Team

–Announcements

–Photographer

–Campus Crew

–Doodle Dudes

–Rocking Readers

–Power Team

•4th/5th Choir

•Behavior & Attendance

Other

•November 5th

–½ Day for students early release

•November 8th

–4th Grade Writing Presentation to the Board

•Giant Pumpkin Estimation Contest

•School Site Council

–School Improvement Plan

•Yamhill County Museum

State Report Cards

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 04:43:00 +0000

Every year the State of Oregon publishes State Report Cards and an Adequate Yearly Progress Report. They released the latest reports earlier this month. Check them out for yourself and see the amazing job that our students and staff have been doing.

The 2009-2010 report cards published in October 2010 can be seen at the following links:

2009-2010 Wascher State Report Card
2009-2010 Wascher State Report Card - Details
2009-2010 Wascher AYP Report

The official state run web site for archives and viewing of all report cards for all schools can be found at http://www.ode.state.or.us/data/reportcard/Reports.aspx.

2010 Joh-A-Thon

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 20:39:00 +0000

Thank you to everyone who helped raise funds for this years Jog-a-thon. The kids were excited and the music was loud. Mr Q set up the sound system outside and the Wascher students ran their little hearts out while oldies music filled the air:)

After running laps, the kids sat down for a treat of go-gurt as names were drawn for each class prize. We are still waiting on the final tally of money raised. Does Principal Crain get Pink Hair????

2010 Open House

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 16:11:00 +0000

We had a great turn out for the 2010-2011 Open House! Students and parents were directed to the cafeteria where several informational booths were set up. Parents could chat with a representative or grab some info on the local Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts, KOB, SMART Program, Walk to School Wednesdays, the PTA, and more.

The library was open for perusal and was offering free books for the kids to take home. Wascher students love to read!

The students' classroom were open as were the gym and music room. Teachers and Staff were there to introduce themselves and answer any questions.

The evening ended with a presentation in the gym given by Principal Crain. He highlighted his goals for Wascher Elementary, did a quick update on the scheduled events coming up and led the students in the new school cheer.

Thank you to all who attended. Let's make this a stellar year at Wascher Elementary!

Annual Jog-a-thon

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 03:08:00 +0000

Did you check your child's back pack today? The jog-a-thon paperwork came home with the students for the up and coming annual fundraiser. Start calling, emailing, and texting all those relatives, friends, co-workers, and neighbors to support your child as they run and run and run! The Jog-a-thon is scheduled for Friday, October 1st and pledges and paperwork must be turned in by the event.

The fundraiser will help purchase additional equipment for the playground and the goal amount this year is $5,500.00. If we hit that goal, Principal Crain will die his hair pink and spike it! What a great motivational image for the kids:) So go and get started collecting pledges!

PTA Meeting Notes

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 19:07:00 +0000

As promised we will be posting the meeting minutes from the PTA Meetings. We now have the minutes from the first meeting online and available. You can read them by following this link.

McMinnville School District News

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 15:43:00 +0000

Many of us who use the internet to get the majority of our information rely on sites that use RSS or Atom feeds to pump that information directly to us. I personally use Google Reader to put all the latest bits of news and information in one place. I get technology reviews, updates on blogs that I follow (including this one), latest promotions from my favorite stores and now I can get the latest from our school district.

The McMinnville School District has added an RSS feed for all their latest news. This is something that I had been asking about last year and over the summer they got it in place. It is great to see that the school district is implementing new ways to keep everyone informed. If you are a user of any feed readers then point it over to http://www.msd.k12.or.us/rss.xml and subscribe for the latest and some of the most important news that we as parents need to hear.

First PTA Meeting

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 15:47:00 +0000

This past Wednesday night was the first PTA meeting of the year. There was a great turnout with 18 parents and staff members in attendance. Discussions quickly got underway about all the plans and goals that the PTA has for the upcoming year. Topics discussed included the upcoming Jog-a-Thon, fund raising ideas, what color to dye the Principles hair, potentials for increasing school programs and many other fun and important areas. We will have complete meeting minutes posted shortly.

The PTA is excited about the new school year and as always encourages every parents support and participation. If you are interested in learning more about this great organization you can attend the next meeting on October 13th at 7:00 PM in the community room at Wascher or you can contact PTA President Erica Bailey at wascherpta@yahoo.com.

New School Web Site!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 16:20:00 +0000

The staff at our great school have been working hard this summer to get everything ready for the new year. As all the parents and students know Wascher has a new principle, Brian Crain. One of the many projects that Mr. Crain has been working on is improving the school web site. I am happy to announce that the new version is now live and is looking great!! Like all great works this is still a work in progress but knowing the staff at Wascher I know that it will only get better.

At the moment the old links and web address are still pointing at the old web site. Hopefully this will be resolved in the next few days. In the meantime you can visit the new web site at the following address:

http://www.schools.msd.k12.or.us/wascher/Default.html

Welcome Back!

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:29:00 +0000

Welcome back to school Wascher Wildcats! I watched parents and kids alike pile into the school this morning with excited chatter and happy smiles. The teachers and staff are ready and the school itself is decorated and festive. The start of school is here!

Remember, the first PTA meeting is tomorrow, September 8 @ 7 pm. Please join us and take an active part in your child's education.

Another reminder, the first of the year open house will be held on September 21 @ 6:30 pm. This is a great time for the whole family to come and take a look at the school, the staff, and the environment in which are children learn. Mark your calendars.

Which class is your child in?

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 16:16:00 +0000

The classroom assignments have been posted on the front window of the school. Make sure to run by and check which class your student is in before Tuesday so they are ready to go!

The 2010 - 2011 school year starts this Tuesday, September 7th and 8 am. Pack the lunches, gather the school supplies and send them on in!

The first PTA meeting of the year will be taking place this Wednesday, the 8th at 7 pm. Join in to help make the school year great for your children!

The 2010 - 2011 school year is here!

School Supply Lists

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 01:32:00 +0000

The district has posted this year's school supply list. It can be found here:

http://www.msd.k12.or.us/district/school-supplies

It's time to get our children ready for the 2011 school year!

Growth of Wascher

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 17 May 2010 17:01:00 +0000

Call me a little odd but I am a person who likes to look at numbers. I typically find that numbers give me the best representation of a given situation. Over the past couple of months I have been looking at some of the numbers for Wascher Elementary and two simple numbers came to the top: How many Students attend Wascher and How many Teachers provide instruction for those students.

I decided to look back through the state report cards and ODE reports to gather the following information for the past 10 years. (Unfortunately I have not gathered the information for the current school year yet).

What I see in these numbers is that number of students has increased by 37.5%, growing from 277 in 99/00 to 381 in 08/09. However, the number of full time teachers has nearly doubled! In 99/00 there were 13.1 Teachers (FTE) by 08/09 this number increased to 27.5, that is an increase of 96.2%.

What does that mean for our students? As you can see the Student per Teacher ratio has dropped from 21.2 down to 14.8. Lower Student/Teacher ratio translates to more individual instruction and an overall better learning environment for our children.

I have not given you a graph for it but if you go back and read the report cards you will see that student performance has increased at Wascher. I would make a bet that the lower class size plays a big part in that.

Weekly Events - May 16 - 22

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 14 May 2010 22:53:00 +0000

As the school year starts wrapping up and the sunshine starts getting brighter life always seems to get a little bit busier. To help keep ourselves on track it is always a good idea to take a quick look into the future. Below you will find a list of events that are scheduled for next week along with a little bit of information about each one.

May 17 - Author Visit
Wascher PTA has arranged for authors to come to our school! This year it will be sister/brother team of Laura and Rob Sams better known as Sisbro. They will be doing 3 presentations in the gym....one for grades K-1, one for grades 2-3, and one for grades 4-5.

May 18, 6:30 PM - Family Literacy Night

May 20 - 5th Grade Field Trip to Portland

May 21 - 4th Grade Field Trip to the Yamhill Historical Museum

May 21 - Last Day of KOB/PH
The Kids on the Block and Power Hour programs for the year are coming to an end on Friday. Please be sure to make arrangements for your student’s after school care during this time. For additional information on the KOB/PH program check out this link from the Oregon Department of Education.