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

Happy Black History Month!

While February is a dedicated time to celebrate the contributions of Black individuals to our country and culture, our commitment to recognizing and honoring these contributions extends throughout the year.

 

Our teachers strive to instill in students a year-round appreciation of the rich history, achievements, and impact of Black people. This month serves as a meaningful opportunity to deepen our understanding, spark important conversations, and reflect on the resilience and influence of Black leaders, past and present.

 

Beyond celebration, Black History Month inspires ongoing dialogue, education, and action as we work together to foster a more inclusive and equitable community for all.

French Program Awarded FLANC Grant

We’re excited to share that our French program has received a $500 grant from the Foreign Language Association of North Carolina (FLANC) for the Joy of Reading proposal! This funding will support our efforts to enhance language learning through engaging reading materials. Congratulations Madame Penny for your hard work and dedication to our students! 

Welcome, Mr. Lucas Odum!

Please join us in welcoming Mr. Lucas Odum to the Wiley community! Mr. Odum joined us last week as an Instructional Assistant and will be supporting instruction across all grade levels.

 

He is currently a student at NC State, pursuing a degree in History with the goal of becoming a future history teacher. We are excited to have him on the Wiley team, where he will help us foster a love for learning and support our students' academic growth! 

100th Day of School Celebration

Due to this year's inclement weather and snow days, we will celebrate the 100th day of school on Tuesday, February 18.

 

Students are invited to join in the fun by dressing as a 100-year-old or wearing something that highlights 100 days of learning and hard work. We look forward to celebrating this milestone together!

Wiley has been named a 2025 School of Excellence!

This prestigious honor is part of Magnet Schools of America’s (MSA) National Merit Awards program, which highlights the top magnet schools in the nation. The award celebrates schools that exemplify:

• A commitment to high academic standards,

• Curriculum innovation,

• Successful desegregation and diversity efforts, and

• Consistent delivery of high-quality educational services to all stakeholders.

The Magnet School of Excellence designation is reserved for a select group of schools that achieve the highest level of excellence across all areas of the merit award application.

 

This recognition reflects the hard work, dedication, and collaboration of our entire Wiley community -students, staff, and families. Congratulations to everyone who made this achievement possible!

Promotion Meetings February Promotion Meetings

Throughout February, each grade level will participate in Promotion Meetings with administration to discuss students who are performing below expectations. These discussions will focus on students who: 

• Are receiving 1s and 2s in reading and math,

• Are struggling on grade-level assessments,

• Have excessive tardies or absences, and/or

• Exhibit significant behavior concerns with limited to no academic growth.

During these meetings, the team will carefully review all relevant data to determine whether a letter will be sent home for students performing below grade level. Teachers are encouraged to communicate with parents if they anticipate that a child will be discussed during these meetings. Letters will be sent home no later than the last week of February.

 

Please note that no decisions regarding retention will be made at this time.Our primary goal is to partner with parents to ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed. With two quarters remaining, there is ample time to support student growth and progress. Together, we will do everything we can to promote our students with confidence and a shared commitment to their success.

Quarterly Review: Save the Date!

Join us for our second Quarterly Review on Wednesday, February 26, at 8:00 a.m. This will be a virtual event open to all Wiley parents and staff.

 

During the Quarterly Review, we will share relevant data, action steps, and goals from each of our four committees: Literacy, Math, Global, and Social Emotional Learning (SEL). We will highlight the steps we are taking to achieve our school proficiency goal of 70% in all areas, along with time for participants to reflect and ask questions.

 

The Google Meet link will be shared in the next Principal Message. Stay tuned for more details as we hope to see you there!

Staffing Updates: German and Music Positions

At this time, we are experiencing a vacancy in our German position, which has been open since we returned from Winter Break. We are working closely with the German department at UNC-Chapel Hill and have secured a German student to assist with filling in as a substitute teacher as much as possible. Additionally, we are in communication with Human Resources and a former teacher from Berlin.

 

Ms. Hemedinger, our music teacher,  has also  accepted an exciting position with the North Carolina Symphony. Her last day will be Friday, February 7. We have already begun the search for a candidate who can continue the legacy of excellence, Ms. Hemedinger provided during her time at Wiley.

 

Until permanent hires are made, substitutes will be in place for both positions. If you know of anyone who may be interested in joining the Wiley team, please feel free to share this information with them. However, please be assured that we have a plan in place to guarantee that there are no lapse in instruction while we search for the best candidates to fill these positions.

 

Thank you for your understanding and patience as we work through these transitions. 

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 PTA 

Join us for Spirit Day at Shake Shack Village District

Mark your calendars and bring your appetites! Our next Spirit Day is happening at Shake Shack Village District on Wednesday, 2/12, from 11am to 10pm.

 

How to Participate:

• Visit Shake Shack at Village District anytime between 11am and 10pm

• Order in person, through the Shack App, or online

• Mention “Donation Day” at the register or enter the promo code “DONATE” when ordering through the kiosk, Shack App, or online

When you use the code, 25% of your purchase will go directly to support Wiley PTA. Invite your friends, family, and neighbors—the more, the merrier!

Order Your Wiley Yearbook

Don't miss out - order your Wiley yearbook today and save! Early bird pricing is just $15 through Friday, 3/14. After that, the price increases to $20.

 

You can also make a difference by donating a yearbook through the Donate-A-Book option at checkout, helping ensure every student gets one this year.

 

Keep sharing your photos with us at yearbook@wileypta.org! Be sure to include the students' grade levels and event details if applicable. 5th-grade families - send in a "throwback" photo of your student along with their name for a special feature!

Support Our Raise Craze Fundraiser with Community Partner Sponsorships!

We’re gearing up for another year of kindness with our Raise Craze Fundraiser, and we need your help! If you own or have a relationship with a local business or community organization, please consider reaching out to them to see if they would be interested in a community partner sponsorship that will allow every Wiley student, teacher, and staff member to receive a fun t-shirt for the fundraiser's Celebration Day! Sponsors will also have their logos printed on the back of the Raise Craze t-shirts, which students take home and wear throughout the year. Click here for more information and to sponsor. Thank you for your continued support!

Mathletes Volunteers Needed

Help our 3rd graders become multiplication masters! The Wiley Mathletes program is dedicated to increasing multiplication fluency, and we need your help to make it a success. No special math skills are required - just a willingness to support our students in building confidence and skills. Volunteers are needed for 30 minutes before school on Tuesdays and Thursdays to play games with our Mathletes! Sign up to volunteer here. Thank you!

Letterland Costumes Needed

The  much-anticipated Letterland Parade is just around the corner, and we need your help to make it special for our EBS-Kindergartners! To ensure every student has the opportunity to fully participate, we're asking for donations of costumes or costume pieces for the following Letterland characters:

• Firefighter Fred: Firefighter costume

• Harry Hat Man: Green, furry bucket-style hat

• Mr. A: Red and white striped apron

• Kicking King: King costume

• Yellow YoYo Man: Yellow yoyo, yellow "newsboy" hat

• Mr. U: Police costume/uniform

If you have gently used items at home, we’d greatly appreciate your generosity. Please drop them off at the main office and label them as “Dull K”.

Accepting PTA Board Nominations

We invite you to consider serving on the Wiley PTA Board for the 2025-2026 school year! If you're interested in a position or know someone who would be a fantastic candidate, please email nominations@wileypta.org. The slate of candidates will be presented at the general PTA meeting in April, with the final vote taking place during the general meeting in May. Thank you for helping shape the future of the Wiley PTA!

Lost and Found 

Please check out the current Lost and Found inventory. You may claim your item in the cafeteria. 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.

Cecilia Rawlins Fund

Backpack Buddies Volunteers Needed: Give one hour and make a big impact!

The Cecilia Rawlins Fund partners with the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina and the Junior League of Raleigh to provide the Backpack Buddies program to students and families at Wiley (food resources for time outside of school). We need your help to make this program work! Each Wednesday between 12-1, a volunteer picks up food bags at JLR (on Hillsborough Street and St. Mary's) and delivers the bags to Wiley. This effort only takes one hour out of your week and directly impacts many Wiley students and families! We are looking for volunteers from now until the end of the school year. Read the details and sign up here. 

Wiley Foundation

Family Fundraiser at Triangle Rock Club on 2/23

Registration is now open for our family-friendly rock climbing session at the new Triangle Rock Club facility at Salvage Yard (just 10 minutes from Wiley)! Enjoy an afternoon of climbing fun while supporting the Wiley Elementary Foundation – 50% of proceeds will go to the Foundation to benefit our school community. Youth, adults and non-Wiley friends are eligible to climb.

 

When: Sunday, February 23, 2025, 4-6 pm
Where: Triangle Rock Club - Salvage Yard (1249 Wicker Drive, Raleigh)

How: Visit this link to register and complete your waiver – Sign Up Here!

• Tip: When you sign up, the “participant” is the climber. 

• Tip: After you fill out the waiver, go to your email! You must click on a “Please confirm your e-signature” link that comes via email to complete registration.

Event Details:

• Admission: $15 per participant (all ages) 

• Includes: Harness rental & access to auto-belay & bouldering areas

• Shoe Rental: Available for an additional $5 charge. You can wear closed-toe sneakers if you don’t rent shoes.

• Safety: TRC staff will be on-site to assist climbers

• Chaperones: An adult must remain on-site for all participants

• Participant Cap: 100 spots available – sign up today! 

• Questions? Email Allison Gray at wileyelementaryfoundation@gmail.com.

Support the Wiley Foundation by purchasing a Legacy Brick!

Engraved Legacy Bricks line the walkway to the main entrance of the school, reflecting decades of school history and capturing lasting memories.

 

For $150, you can leave a lasting mark with a personalized brick. Each brick allows for three lines of text, with up to 17 characters per line. To order, simply fill in the form below or email your desired text to wileyelementaryfoundation@gmail.com.

 

Payments can be made by check (payable to Wiley Elementary Foundation, Inc.) and delivered to the school office, or via PayPal at our donation page. If paying through the donation page, please consider adding an additional $3 to cover any processing fees. If paying by check, please include your engraving request in the check memo. Orders must be submitted by March 7th, 2025, with installation along the front walkway expected in May.

 

Let's add the names of all our soon-to-be-graduates to this path to celebrate their achievements as they embark on new adventures while staying connected to their Wiley experience!  If 30 families donate $20 each, we can commemorate the entire 5th grade class on a set of bricks listing students' first names. This is also a great way for grandparents, relatives, and friends to congratulate a student. Your contribution will help support the foundation's mission and make a lasting impact on our community!

 

Click here to see an example and participate

Upcoming Dates