Principal Message 9-8-23
Open House/Curriculum Night Thursday, September 28
Join us for our Open House on September 28 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. This event will be an opportunity for you to learn more about your child’s grade level including the curriculum, upcoming events, and classroom expectations. There we be at least two sessions offered for families with multiple students and an opportunity for kindergarten families to engage with our Language teachers. This event is intended to be for parents and guardians and at this time we have not planned for childcare so we ask that you plan accordingly. Children who attend this event with their parents or guardians will be expected to be with an adult at all times. This includes during presentations.
Please complete the mascot survey if you would like to share your input on a Wiley Mascot. During the month of September, we will garner ideas from the community, using this form, before deciding and then voting on the top two or three choices. Once the top two or three choices have been decided we will vote and announce the winner at our Homecoming/Fall Festival event in October.
Arrival
Make sure that you have your child at school by 9:15 am every morning. We will continue to demonstrate grace as you make your best effort to arrive before the tardy bell rings; however, we will soon begin marking students tardy. The first bell to allow students into the building rings at 8:45 am with instruction beginning at the sound of the 9:15 bell. Consistently late students consistently miss instruction.
Dismissal
Dismissal begins at 3:45 p.m. If there are changes to be made to the way in which your child normally goes home, please communicate this with your child and their homeroom teacher. If you need to communicate a change that was not communicated we ask that you call and communicate this with the front office prior to 2:30 pm. We understand that emergencies occur and communicating with us as soon as possible will ensure that the message is delivered in a timely manner.
Excused Absences for Religious/Educational Reasons
As you make plans for the school year, we ask that you submit requests for excused educational or religious absences well in advance. All requests should be submitted at least two to three weeks prior to the requested dates. According to policy, excused absences for educational reasons are authorized for educational experiences that are comparable to school academic experiences. The intent of the experience should be educational from the outset and an academic assignment (i.e. journal entry, reflection, presentation, images, project, etc.) will be required as verification of the educational experience. Family trips and vacations that were not designed, initially, to be educational will not be excused. The form linked here should be used to request the excused dates prior to the absence.
Office Closed Daily 3:30 - 4:15
This year we will close our office for dismissal between 3:30 and 4:15. At this time, we will not be dismissing students from the office except in the event of emergencies. This is our busiest time of the day and we are completely committed to the safe and timely dismissal of all our students. We ask that if you know that you have to pick up a child for an appointment or special occasion you do so before this time or communicate the transportation change before 3:30. If your reason for early dismissal can wait we ask that you wait patiently in our carpool line as every minute of instruction matters. Fifteen minutes of missed instruction a day is more than an hour of missed instruction a week. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.
New Security Check-in - Photo ID required
We will use our new security check-in for all visitors, late arrivals, and early departures. Your photo ID is required to visit any location on campus and to check out your child early any time during the school day. Please communicate this to all family members and other individuals who may participate in this process.
Volunteers- You must register EVERY YEAR!
Parents, staff, and community members may now register to volunteer in our schools through MyVolunteer. All volunteers must re-register with the new system to volunteer in the 2023-24 school year. If you wish to attend field trips, lead small groups, or volunteer in the classroom you must register to volunteer.
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Make sure you include your name and contact information when you begin the registration process. If you leave the CRC background site before completing your contact information, you will have to begin the process again.
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You must include your social security number to register to volunteer. If you do not have a social security number, please contact volunteers@wcpss.net or call 919-694-8233.
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You will be notified by the MyVolunteer system if you are approved to volunteer.
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Volunteer Registration LinkClick the link below to start your volunteer registration: https://myvolunteer.com/wcpss/volunteer/login
Transportation
BUS RIDERS: Please be patient with transportation as we work together to make sure that your child is safe and delivered to school in a timely manner. Remember that if your child is a bus rider they are required to have a bus tag to get on the bus in the afternoon and students in kindergarten and first grade are not allowed to get off the bus unless an adult is visible and recognizable.
CARPOOL: If you are in need of a carpool tag please visit our receptionist in the front office. Our carpool is extremely quick and efficient. Please make sure that your carpool number is hanging in your window and facing the outside during dismissal. The first few weeks will be the slowest, but if you pay attention, follow the traffic pattern, and stop at the correct cone (and not your child) we will be done in 30 minutes or less. Thanks in advance.
WALKERS: Visit the office if you need a walker tag. Remember that if your child is actually walking home they must leave the premises at dismissal. Families who choose to hang around and play at the playground must adhere to our playground rules.
Renew your Wiley PTA membership
Joining the PTA helps support our mission of enriching the lives of all children in our schools. PTA membership is yearly and must be renewed at the start of each school year. If you previously joined during the last school year, please purchase a membership for the current school year here. A donation of $15 or more includes a PTA membership.
Wiley PTA needs your help!
Wiley PTA programs and events would not be possible without the generous support of our volunteers. Your involvement greatly benefits our students and our school as a whole. It's also an excellent way to connect with other caregivers and strengthen our sense of community.
Our PTA Committees offer various opportunities for you to get involved, share your skills and expertise. Whether you're a seasoned PTA member or a newcomer, there's a place for you in our committees. If you're interested in joining a committee or would like more information, please fill out our PTA Roles and Committee Interest form.
Limited Edition Wiley Wear “100 Years” T-shirts
The limited edition “100 Years” t-shirt is now available for purchase in our Wiley Wear store. Available in grey for Youth and heather navy for Adults.
Order yours now before they’re gone! https://www.wileypta.org/shop.
PTA Sustainability Committee Interest Meeting
Help make Wiley a greener school by joining the PTA Sustainability Committee! We will have a meeting to discuss upcoming projects on September 12th. For more information, check out the Sustainability Committee on the PTA website. Have questions? Please contact Lauren Miller at secretary@wileypta.org.
Spirit Night at Two Roosters Ice Cream
Join us at the Two Roosters at 215 E Franklin St. on Thursday, September 14th, for our first Spirit Night of the year! Two Roosters will donate 20% of all in-person and online purchases made between 2:00pm – 9:00pm to the Wiley PTA. Please share this opportunity with family and friends!
Don’t forget to mention “Wiley Elementary School” at checkout (in person and online) to count as a Spirit Night purchase. Read more information here.
Room Parent Program
The Room Parent Program was created to help caregivers better support teachers and to foster community among families in each classroom. If you’d like to volunteer to be a Room Parent for your child’s homeroom teacher, please contact the Room Parent Coordinator, Carly Eklund, at carlyeklund@gmail.com.
The Wiley Family Directory
Want to connect with other Wiley families or find a Carpool Partner? To learn more or opt-in, check out the Family Directory page on the PTA website.
Chess Club
Registration is now open to novice and experienced 2nd-5th graders as well as experienced K-1 students. Fall Chess will run on Wednesdays, September 20th - November 15th after school until 4:45pm. To learn more and register, please visit the PTA website.
Afterschool Clubs
Fall Afterschool Clubs will run on Tuesdays, September 26th - November 14th (skipping 10/31 & 11/7) from 4:15-5:30pm. Registration is now open. Learn more about club topics and registration here.
Next Wiley PTA Meeting
Save the date for our first in-person meeting of the year, which will be held on Thursday, September 28th during the Wiley Open House. See this year’s PTA meeting schedule here.
Wiley Way Soiree - Roaring Twenties
Saturday, October 21, 2023 at 7-10 pm at Maywood Hall & Garden
Mark your calendar and get your sitter! It's the return of the adults-only Wiley Way Soiree! Join us for dancing, light dinner, drinks from Trophy Brewing, a silent auction and lots of fun to benefit the Cecilia Rawlins Fund and Wiley Elementary Foundation. Flapper and Great Gatsby costumes optional but encouraged for this 1920's themed party! Ticket sales, sponsorships and auction info in mid-September.
Spirit Rock
Reserve the Wiley Spirit Rock to celebrate a special event, birthday or thank you! The rental rate is $20 per 24 hours. All funds raised support the Wiley Elementary Foundation. To find out more and sign up, go to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409094bafa822a0fb6-wiley#/
Cecilia Rawlins Fund
Welcome back, Wiley Families! The Cecilia Rawlins Fund (CRF) supports Wiley students and families in need by providing food through the BackPack Buddies program, funds for one-time rent assistance, utility bill payment, gas cards, and assistance moving from temporary to permanent housing.
CRF funds the BackPack Buddies program in partnership with Inter-faith Food Shuttle. For the last several years, CRF has supported a record-high number of Wiley students in this program, as well as providing food assistance over holidays and breaks. CRF could not offer this support without the generous donations of our Wiley and extended community.
Please support members of our own Wiley community in 2023-24 by donating to help support our mission. To donate, visit our website: www.rawlinsfund.org and click on donate.
September 12 |
Sustainability Committee Interest Meeting |
September 15 |
Instructional Assistant Day! |
September 11 |
3rd Grade BOG Test |
September 14 |
Spirit Night at Two Roosters Ice Cream |
September 25 |
Teacher Workday (No School) |
September 28 |
Open House & in-person PTA Meeting (5:30 - 7 pm) |