Read this week’s PTA newsletter here:  https://www.wileypta.org/pta-newsletter

 

Walkers and Parking

 

We understand that after school is a great time to connect with other families and allow children the opportunity to play with their school friends after a long day, but this should not interfere with the safety and security of our neighbors who live in the Wiley community.  Unfortunately, I have received serious complaints about Wiley families blocking driveways, hindering the flow of traffic, and parking illegally. This is dangerous and unacceptable behavior.   If you plan to continue to participate as a walker you have to follow the city rules for parking. If parking is difficult to secure, please join our carpool line. Carpool is another quick and easy way to pick up your child. I promise you we will be done in 30 minutes or less daily. It's quite impressive! Failure to follow the parking rules can impact other families. Please be safe!

 

Volunteers- You must register EVERY YEAR! Volunteer renewal closes Oct. 1

 

Families and individuals who were approved to volunteer in the 2023-24 school year will receive a reminder email about the simple volunteer renewal process for the 2024-25 school year. Renew your volunteer status by Oct. 1. Review volunteer renewal details and new volunteer registration here: https://www.wcpss.net/Page/55232

 

School Communication - Seek First to Understand

 

Please communicate all classroom concerns to the homeroom teacher first. This is most appropriate using Talking Points or email. The teacher should be your first point of contact as classroom teachers typically have the most accurate information about a classroom event, incident, or behavior. Questions about school procedures or more serious events that happen outside of the classroom can be communicated to the teacher but should be communicated to School Administration for a response. We are here to work together to meet the needs of your child as well as the larger Wiley community. This is easiest when we all start with the best intentions and ask the questions that lead to a better understanding. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

 

Open House/Curriculum Night Thursday, September 26

 

Join us for our Open House on September 26 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 will be at least two sessions offered for families with multiple children as well as an opportunity for new families to engage with our Language and Elective teachers. This event is intended to be specifically for parents and guardians and at this time we have not secured 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.

 

 

Office Closed Daily 3:30 - 4:15

 

The office is closed for dismissal between 3:30 and 4:15. During this time, we will not be dismissing students from the office except in the event of extreme 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 3:30 and communicate the transportation change as soon as possible. If you need to pick up after the 3:30 time 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. 

 

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15 - Oct. 15

 

National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed in the United States from September 15 to October 15 to recognize and celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.  Join us in celebrating the rich cultural contributions and diversity of the Hispanic and Latinx communities.

 

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.

 

New Quick Pass system for visitor management kiosks

 

Verkada has released an upgrade to our “Guest” platform that will allow approved, vetted visitors/parents to create a “quick pass” QR code on their smartphones that can be used during the signing process in order to expedite the process on future visits. A Guest Pass can expedite a visitor’s sign-in for multiple Guest Types, but new sign-in steps that the visitor has not completed previously must be completed. Expiration: Guest Passes will last 1 year since they were last used. Guest Passes that have not been used for more than 1 year will expire

 

School meal price increase

 

The Board approved a 25-cent price increase for school meals for the 2024-25 school year. At elementary schools, full-paid breakfast will be $1.75 and lunch will be $3.50. At middle and high schools, full-paid breakfast will be $2.00 and lunch will be $3.75. The price increase is necessary to cover rising costs of food, supplies, and wages and benefits for staff.

 

New bus delay notification system

 

Starting this school year, parents of students who ride the bus now can receive up-to-the-minute notifications via text and/or email when their child’s bus is delayed. The system has been in use for year-round schools and has worked well, saving staff time and providing parents with information quickly. To receive the notification messages, parents will need to make sure they have given permission to receive text and/or email notifications via SchoolMessenger. Bus delays also can be viewed by clicking on the Live Bus Updates link on an individual school’s transportation page, or by visiting wcpss.net/busupdates. Parents also can still track your child’s bus using the Here Comes the Bus app.

 

Teacher Shout Out 

 

This year we want to share and shout out all the amazing things that Wiley teachers are doing for your students. If you have an amazing story to share or just want to tell a teacher how much you appreciate all they do, use this link:  Comments will be shared with the teacher and the Wiley staff. 

 

Wiley Foundation & Cecilia Rawlins Fund

 

Wiley Way Soirée 2024: Around the World
Friday, October 18 | 7-10 PM at Maywood Hall & Garden

 

Get Your Early Bird Tickets Now!
Dive into an "Around the World" party with us! Enjoy Thai cuisine, Trophy Brewing beverages, delightful desserts, and lively tunes by DJ Supreme. Don't miss our thrilling contests and the chance to bid on unique items in our silent auction. Buy early bird tickets now!

 

Become a Sponsor
Support Wiley's biggest fundraiser of the year! Sponsorship at the Community Leader level now includes two tickets and exclusive benefits for just $250. Explore all sponsor packages here.

 

Auction Donations Needed by October 5
The online auction kicks off on October 11. We're looking for donations of jewelry, gift certificates, art, and personal talents. Do you bake, paint, or teach? Offer a cooking class, custom artwork, a photography session, or a private workshop. Showcase your business or hobby and support our school community in a meaningful way—services, experiences, and merchandise are all greatly appreciated. Sign up to donate by contacting Eleanor Talley or Allison Gray (contact info below).

Why Your Support Matters
Proceeds from the Soirée benefit the Cecilia Rawlins Fund and the Wiley Elementary Foundation—directly supporting our school in areas beyond the PTA’s scope. Help us make a difference!

 

Questions? Ready to contribute but need more info?
Eleanor Talley: ceciliarawlinsfund@gmail.com | (703) 772-9740
Allison Gray: WileyElementaryFoundation@gmail.com | (919) 452-4137

 

Wiley PTA

 

Last Day to Shop Fall Wiley Wear!

Shop our new Wiley t-shirts, hats, and visors here. The sale closes today! Purchases will be delivered to your child’s homeroom around the beginning of October.

 

Spirit Day at My Way Tavern

 

Join us for Spirit Day at My Way Tavern (522 St. Mary’s Street) on Monday, 9/23, from 11 am-12 am. Dine in person, or order online (My Way Tavern website only) or over the phone (919-900-8273) and Wiley PTA will receive 15% of sales.

 

In-Person PTA Meeting

 

Join us at Open House on Thursday, 10/26 at 5:30 pm for our first general meeting. Meetings are generally held on the third Wednesday of the month at 6 pm. More information coming soon.

 

Wiley PTA Annual Fund

 

Wiley PTA has many exciting projects and initiatives that benefit students and their families, teachers, and staff. To bring these to fruition, we rely on the generosity of our community. Every donation brings us closer to our $18,000 goal! Please donate here. To see what your contribution to the PTA Annual Fund will allow us to provide click here. Double the impact of your donation through corporate matching. Check with your company's HR to determine if your gift can be matched!

 

Wiley PTA Membership & Family Directory

 

Connect with other Wiley families or find a Carpool Partner by opting into our Family Directory. Families need to renew PTA membership and Family Directory every year. Please renew your PTA membership here, and opt in to Family Directory here.

 

Lost and Found

 

Please check out the current Lost and Found inventory. You may claim your item in the cafeteria. Items in Lost and Found for 1 month will be donated. Please remember to label your child's belongings to help us return them to their rightful owners. Let’s keep our Lost and Found clear! Thank you for your cooperation.

 

AIG Information Sessions

 

Questions about the Academically or Intellectually Gifted (AIG) Program at Wiley? Please join our AIG teacher, Jill Molloy, at one of our upcoming AIG Information Sessions:

 

3rd Grade Explorers/General AIG Information

Date: Wiley Open House, Thursday, Sept. 26

Location: AIG classroom on 4/5 hallway

Time: 6-6:30 pm

 

4th and 5th Grade AIG Information

Date: Wiley Open House, Thursday, Sept. 26

Location: AIG classroom on 4/5 hallway

Time: 6:30-7 pm

 

Upcoming Dates