VOLUME 21 | ISSUE 3 | EARLY SPRING 2015
The Wilson Word A publication of The Wilson School, Founded 1913
THE 32ND ANNUAL THISTLE AUCTION “PROM NIGHT” IN THIS ISSUE: Head of School 3 Cover Story 4 Upper Grades 6 Library 9 Technology 10
Box Turtle Project 13 Alumni Reflections 14 Alumni Happenings 15 Parents’ Association 16 A Look Ahead 15
School Picnic 17 Summer Camp 17 Community News 18 Wall of Fame 19 Calendar 20
HOORAY FOR SPRING AT THE WILSON SCHOOL!
WILSON STUDENTS HAVE EAGERLY ENJOYED THE OUTDOORS IN THESE FIRST FEW WARM DAYS OF THE SEASON.
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Message from the Head of School | A Time to Reflect
By Head of School, Thad Falkner s we approach spring, many of us turn our minds to the activities we enjoy in the warmer weather, time with family and friends and the much-needed rest from routine during the weeks of spring break. As our faculty experienced recently in our February professional development day, a change of pace, even for just one day, can be transformational in our work toward achieving personal and professional goals.
there is time to reflect, plan, and design how to implement the ideas that are generated. So, we took this conventional learning opportunity to a deeper level with an afternoon where at first we shared visit takeaways. Second, we planned with colleagues about application of what stood out and for implementation and to design cross-curricular integration.
As you can see in the investments Wilson has made in creating a more flexible schedule for technology and library resource, to adding a social studies specialist in the upper grades, we are committed as a faculty to integrating our curriculum across subject areas. This is an important goal for us as a school community because it is the way of the future. If we are going to fulfill our mission to prepare students for success in an ever-changing world, how we teach has to be equally as dynamic as what we teach.
In addition to our conversations, we had the wonderful opportunity for junior kindergarten teachers, Amy Wilson and Fritz Fahrenkamp, to follow up from an in-service earlier in the year when an expert from Ohio spoke about movement practices that encourage focus of attention. Our teachers shared specific practices they use with movements that cause students to ‘cross the midline’ to activate both hemispheres of the brain. You would not be surprised to learn this was quite helpful to the adults in the room as well!
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Achieving on this promise means that we have to reach outside of what we already know to layer in new ideas in meaningful ways. On February 13, nine teachers from Wilson attended a workshop on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) where they explored integrating these disciplines. Twelve teachers attended six local elementary schools to understand what peer schools are doing, and five teachers attended two secondary schools to observe and discuss student preparedness and transition. In a traditional model, this day of external observation would have been sufficient. But that’s not enough for Wilson. We know observation, reflection and conversation are important, but they become even more powerful when
We are so fortunate at Wilson that our culture of growth creates an environment where continuous learning is valued and supported as an utmost priority for our community. I hope that you too will make the space in your time away from school this break to reflect with your children and families on what has been learned so far this year, and feel good about how you can incorporate that growth into achieving those next goals and milestones in your lives.
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Cover Story | Thistle Auction
By Development Coordinator, Elizabeth Macanufo
AUCTION CO-CHAIRS, DEVON FISCHER AND HELENE URVOAZ
he Wilson School prom kings and queens had a great evening during the 32nd Thistle Auction on February 21. Gathering at The Four Seasons, Wilson parents, faculty and friends had the opportunity to bid on amazing silent auction items, while mingling during the cocktail hour.
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After enjoying a wonderful dinner, they bid on 11 exciting live auction items. Members of the Wilson community won trips to Alaska and Innsbrook. They outbid each other on unique experiences such as ringmaster for a day at Circus Flora and an elegant evening on the town with a customprepared dinner at Tony’s. Two families secured future family heirlooms in the form of a two-year-in-the-making dollhouse and an expertly crafted “Very Hungry Caterpillar” quilt. Board of Trustees President Kelly Fleming recognized six distinguished members of our community for their work in helping The Wilson School persevere through the 2012 fire. Alex Berger, George Fujii, Ashley George Gill, Mike Greene, Elaine Moss, Andrew Ruben and Tim Swanson received an official proclamation of gratitude, as well as a gift of appreciation. In true auction tradition, the sixth graders delighted the audience with a country-themed dance performance to “Footloose.” Many then joined the graduating class on the dance floor, spending the remainder of the evening cutting loose and dancing to popular Top 40 songs.
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RECIPIENTS OF WILSON’S PROCLAMATION OF GRATITUDE Thank you to all who supported our auction efforts. Chair Devon Fischer and co-chair Hélène Urvoaz provided the leadership to bring Prom Night to life. We are grateful to our many volunteers, including the Parents’ Representative Committee members who managed their class ads and photobooks. The auction’s success raised $60,000 toward our operating budget and over $18,000 toward removing the wood chips from the lower playground and installing XGrass, a safe and hygienic synthetic turf. There are still opportunities to join in on the auction fun! Email emacanufo@wilsonschool.com to reserve a spot in a sign-up party, purchase a photobook or donate to our lower playground renovations.
SIXTH GRADE STUDENTS DANCED TO “FOOTLOOSE”
EXCITING PLANS FOR THE LOWER PLAYGROUND REVEALED
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Growing Independence in the Upper Grades he upper grades are a special time in the Wilson experience. These are the years when everything comes together as students get ready to make the transition to secondary school. Says a parent of a Wilson sixth grader and alumna, “Each year builds upon the next in a very intentional way, so that when they graduate, they are truly prepared for that next step socially and academically.”
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The upper grade experience at Wilson starts in fourth grade. The fourth grade teaching team, Darla Hart and Lisa Leuther, emphasize personal responsibility, study skills and organization. This is particularly important as students are leaving the classroom for the first time for specialists in science with Angie Zinkl and social studies with Kevin McGinnis. And in foreign language, students begin their studies of Latin with Joana Ocros-Ritter, in addition to French.
theme of courage because our students are open and willing to try new things. For example, they really embraced learning how to “sing” in sign language for our assembly performance,” said Mrs. Hart. “When we give them a project, we will give a beginning idea, and they just take off from there,” said Mrs. Leuther. “It’s so exciting to see their enthusiasm, creativity and collaboration.” Special project assignments also provide opportunities for students to learn important time management and study skills. This is the year when they start determining for themselves what they will need to do to prepare for a test or complete their work, instead of relying on an adult for direction. In addition to increasing academic responsibility, fourth grade is a pivotal year for personal growth through Wilson’s beloved Buddy Program. A highly anticipated role of the upper grades is to serve as a buddy to a Wilson early childhood student. Through structured and unstructured weekly activities, students gain new perspective as mentors and practice thinking about others’ needs in addition to their own.
Mrs. Hart and Mrs. Leuther incorporate a variety of projectbased learning opportunities into the curriculum that encourage students to branch out from their comfort zones. “I love this year’s Make Your Mark a Good One (MYMAGO)
LEARNING FROM OUR BUDDIES
Fourth grade teaching team Darla Hart and Lisa Leuther have been teaching fourth grade together at Wilson for one year, with a combined total of 48 years of teaching experience. 6
SCIENCE IN THE LAB
FIFTH GRADE TEAMWORK Fifth grade teaching team Rachel Dixon and Laurie Finkenkeller have been teaching fifth grade together at Wilson for one year, with a combined total of 37 years of teaching experience. Wilson’s fifth grade teaching team, Rachel Dixon and Laurie Finkenkeller, also comprise the language arts department, teaching both fifth and sixth grade language arts. A dynamic duo, each of these exceptional educators brings her own strengths to the table. Mrs. Finkenkeller is the grammar guru and Mrs. Dixon has a passion for vocabulary and spelling. Together, they guide their students through a genre-based writing program that covers persuasive writing, memoir, short fiction, non-fiction, biographies and poetry.
POETRY COFFEE HOUSE The theme for language arts this year is, “Courage Through the Pages.” Throughout their reading and writing, students look for characters who exemplify courage and explore what it means to be courageous in poetry and personal narratives. Students in fifth and sixth grades spend time reflecting on what they read and write and how they have grown and changed throughout the year. “The goal is to guide them into a higher level of thinking about the literary elements, what the author wants to convey and how you, as an individual, are changed by that,” explains Mrs. Finkenkeller. “We call that ‘digging for the buried treasure.’ And that’s where it gets really exciting for the students.”
Even though the students are taught by different specialists for all other subject areas, both Mrs. Finkenkeller and Mrs. Dixon remark on how wonderful it is to watch the connections they make between what they are learning across all of their courses. As Mrs. Dixon recalls, “The other day we were discussing root words and through the conversation a student was able to decode a vocabulary word they were covering in science. This brought an entirely new dimension into the conversation.”
Sixth grade teaching team Charla Gray and Joe Thomas have been teaching sixth grade together at Wilson for five years, with a combined total of 40 years of teaching experience. The sixth grade year is in many ways the icing on the cake of the upper grade experience. The teaching team of Charla Gray and Joe Thomas expertly navigate students (and their parents) through a year filled with unique learning opportunities and significant change. As the math department specialists for both fifth and sixth grades, Mrs. Gray and Mr. Thomas provide focused smallgroup instruction during the regular school day, as 7 well as go above and beyond to support students
Upper Grades (Continued)
with extra-curricular math enrichment opportunities, such as an early morning math program in the fall and the Missouri Council of Teachers of Mathematics (MCTM) and Excellence in Math competitions in the spring. A true highlight of the year, Mr. Thomas leads the whole class in the metro St. Louis Division of the Stock Market Game. “It’s great to work with the students day-to-day in small groups and see just how far they can go,” said Mr. Thomas. “However, my favorite part about sixth grade is watching them gain their independence, and that really comes out in our field trips when they are away from home and their families. We cover quite a bit of territory and expose them to a variety of complex issues and historical contexts. We raise the bar high because we know they can reach it, and most often, exceed it.”
KAMPSVILLE MEMORIES
Wilson is known for the school’s signature field trip experiences, especially in sixth grade. These rights of
passage in a Wilson education include the annual trip to Kampsville in the fall, and the Civil Rights and Chicago trips in the spring.
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ASPIRING ARCHEOLOGIESTS AT WORK
By the time students reach graduation, it is not surprising that Wilson alumni are recognized in the community for being very comfortable with themselves and with each other. They don’t just know how to learn, they want to learn. And, they don’t just know how to collaborate, they want to collaborate. This is because, as Mrs. Gray explains, “Wilson is a very caring environment in which students and teachers value learning and treating others with kindness and respect. These are the foundations for success.”
Today’s Readers are Tomorrow’s Leaders | Early Childhood Library News
heck this out! Students in pre-kindergarten (PK), junior kindergarten (JK) and senior kindergarten (SK) are moving up in the world with new library privileges. Each child may check out a book to take home each week. For PK and JK, Pam Comello, the school librarian, pre-selects books on different topics from which they can choose. The selections are carefully picked based upon what the students are learning in class to help reinforce classroom lessons and relevant seasonal themes.
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Students in SK may choose from age and reading level appropriate books in the school’s vast collection. In years past, students in SK checked out books to keep in the classroom. “This new level of responsibility for all early childhood students provides a wonderful way for the children to learn about how to respect and care for books,” explains Ms. Comello. “They love reading books. Now they love caring for them as well!” So far, the program has been a hit with both students and parents. As a special treat, friend of Wilson, Catherine Faught, has generously donated special tote bags which students can use to carry and protect their books. The children can look forward to using them when they return from spring break.
EXCITING NEW RESPONSIBILITIES FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD READERS
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Technology Infuses Fresh Creativity into Favorite Classics Technology Coordinator, Melika Panneri has been teaching at Wilson for 13 years, with 15 total years of teaching experience. If you have been to a Wilson School assembly or performance recently, you may have noticed the exciting new ways students are infusing their presentations with technology. For example, were you there when this year’s first grade famous Americans “introduced” themselves to the crowd? Or, how about the magic of the fifth and sixth grade musical, “The Stonecutter” set to a virtual backdrop of stunning images and student haikus? These and many other projects are the result of Wilson’s more integrated approach to technology, implemented last fall.
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In first grade, students researched their famous Americans using the World Book Encyclopedia online. They learned how to find the facts and take notes using their own words. Using an app called ChatterKid, they enhanced their presentations by animating a photo of their famous American at the assembly. Coding is introduced to second graders in a fun and interesting way. The ideas they focus on during this introductory unit are: • •
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People are in control of computers. The code tells computers what to do and people write the code. The sequence of the code matters. Telling Daisy the Dinosaur to jump and then run is different than running and then jumping. There are many ways to code the same task. Code can be based on conditions (similar to if/then statements). Coding can be creative.
FAMOUS AMERICANS COME TO LIFE “Integrating technology in meaningful ways through all our classes is our goal. Being able to use the best tool for the job is important,” explains Melika Panneri, Technology Coordinator. “We want student technology use to be second nature for them so they are able to effectively communicate and collaborate across a wide variety of media. To do that, we are integrating technology into what they are learning 10 in their core classes, instead of stand-alone ‘technology’ classwork that doesn’t always connect easily.”
CODING AS A SECOND LANGUAGE
The students did a wonderful job with the first coding challenges presented to them. They were creative in solving them and were able to explain their choices well. The second part of this lesson was for each student to create their own challenge. Their challenges were presented to other students in the class to solve. Each student will have an opportunity to set up a coding station where the “customers” will visit and try to write code for the story presented to them. Using the computer to write poetry is another new experience for our second graders in a unit on acrostic poems. An acrostic poem is a type of poetry where the first letters in a line spell out a particular word or phrase. The students studied several ways an acrostic poem can be written and discussed some strategies for generating ideas. To complete the unit, they used the Internet to search for images to accompany their written work. In addition to learning the best ways to find good imagery, they discussed issues of copyright and what’s okay and not okay to use. Not surprisingly, the students had wonderful ideas that came to life in their writing. It’s a wide, wide world in third grade as the students use technology in their geography lessons. In addition to learning the concepts of latitude and longitude, third grade students have been using Google maps to explore their world near and far. They began with a view of Earth, moved
into North America, then the United States of America, then Missouri, then St. Louis, then their own homes. Once they all found their homes, they went exploring. Many students visited famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, the pyramids, and even Disney World. Others visited homes of their grandparents and friends around the world. This lesson demonstrated that we are just one tiny part of our big world. They especially enjoyed the street view option and could not believe how real it all seemed. Students were interested to learn how Google obtains these views in a deeper discussion that sparked their critical thinking skills.
MY HOME ON GOOGLE EARTH
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2ND GRADE ACROSTIC POEM 11
POETRY ILLUMINATION CAREER VISUALIZATIONS
ELEMENTS SUPER HERO ACTION MOVIES
Technology in fourth grade builds with the introduction of more sophisticated software to manipulate images and create animated presentations. In the career unit, students are enhancing their career presentations with a photo of themselves appearing as though they are already in their chosen professions. By fifth grade, students are well versed and adept at creating compelling and engaging presentations using technology. Their animated poetry was a hit at this year’s Poetry Coffeehouse. In sixth grade, students are working in teams to compose, lay out and produce digital magazines. In science, the sixth grade students just completed a unit where they personified the elements as super heroes complete with their own original action movies. A big focus for both the fifth and sixth grade students revolves around digital citizenship. Through The Carnegie Cyber Academy, an online Internet safety program developed by Carnegie Mellon University, our fifth grade 12
“Carnegie Cadets” are learning how to responsibly email, text and chat, as well as understand issues of malware and other computer crimes. Students in sixth grade continue a unit on Internet Smarts. One topic that spurred quite a bit of conversation was “Safe Online Talk: How should you handle inappropriate online talk?” While acknowledging the benefits of online talk and messaging, students considered scenarios in which they may feel uncomfortable, or may encounter inappropriate behavior on the Internet. With these skills, these pre-teens are well prepared for life in secondary school because they not only understand rules for safe online messaging, they feel empowered to deal with uncomfortable situations when communicating online.
Future Conservationists at Work for the St. Louis Box Turtle Project MEASURING GROWTH ecently the St. Louis Zoo was awarded a Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund grant to aid them in continued research on the St. Louis Box Turtle Project. This project focuses on studying the box turtle, its movement and its health. One of the goals of the project is to use box turtle conservation as a means to connect children and their families to nature. The Wilson School has been invited to be one of three schools participating in the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund project with the St. Louis Zoo Education Department.
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This semester the St. Louis Zoo will be working with our 4th, 5th and 6th grade students to learn about box turtles and conservation concerns. In their first visit to our upper grade students, they introduced them to the project, the characteristics of the box turtle and its ecology. Through an interactive game, our students were able to discover the issues facing turtles due to turtle collectors, loss of habitat and traffic from cars and lawn mowers. During their most recent visit, our students were able to practice using the equipment for tracking and monitoring turtles in the wild. The stations involved measuring, weighing, notching, mapping movements and using telemetry equipment. In April the upper grades will travel to the St. Louis Zoo and Forest Park to experience this process first-hand. The St. Louis Box Turtle Project was initiated in 2012 in response to the growing threats facing box turtles in the Midwest, the lack of awareness of these problems, and the increasing disconnect between young people and nature. We look forward to our students continuing to engage in hands-on field activities with the St. Louis Zoo and aid them in continuing their mission to bring nature conservation and education to the next generation of scientists.
LEARNING ABOUT THE PROJECT
PRACTICING FIELD WORK
Reflections | Wilson Alumna, Kelly Coulson Esposito elly Coulson Esposito started Wilson in junior kindergarten, then taught by Mrs. Jaeger. Now, Mrs. Jaeger teaches Kelly’s son Joey in senior kindergarten. We caught up with this busy mother of two to share her memories of Wilson and her efforts to encourage other alumni to reconnect with their elementary school.
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Q: Tell us about your time at Wilson. A: I went all the way through sixth grade. I still keep in touch with at least five of my classmates. You form a tight bond. Even though we all went in different directions, we’re all still close. Q: What are your favorite memories from Wilson? A: I loved P.E., as my son also does. I had Mrs. Lambrecht, who would take us to the Concordia Seminary grounds every day. Mrs. Fisher was one of my favorite all-time teachers. I remember presenting in front of the class. We would have to recite poetry, or something similar every week. She had a poster in the room that said “fairness is everyone getting what they need, not everyone getting the same.” That is how Wilson was for me. Everyone in my class got what we needed, although that looked different for everyone. You never knew people’s strengths and weaknesses in class because everyone was receiving a tailored education. I
“This was such a happy place to be. I hope people will come back and see the fabulous teachers that are still here and how much we’ve grown.”
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KELLY AND HER SON SHARE A LOVE FOR WILSON think the individualized education is why I brought my son to Wilson. Q: What was your educational path after Wilson? A: I went to Visitation Academy. It was a very good experience. Wilson prepared me very well academically and socially for secondary school. I then went to Regis University in Denver, where I majored in psychology. I moved back to St. Louis to get my nursing degree at St. Louis University and I’m now studying to receive my nurse practitioners degree. Q: What is your current career? A: I am a research nurse conducting pharmaceutical clinical trials on respiratory issues. Q: What is it like having your child attend Wilson? A: I love it! I got to come full circle and see how my parents must have felt. It was a sacrifice for my parents to send me here. They made a choice that education meant something. They were very happy here and proud to be able to send me here. I feel exactly the same way. Joey loves it here. He looks forward to going to school every day. Q: Tell us about your work on the Alumni Committee. A: It’s great to see the different faces on the Alumni Facebook page. Although Wilson is still very much the same as when I attended, it’s great to show off how much it’s changed for the better. This was such a happy place to be. I hope people will come back and see our fabulous teachers that are still here and how much we’ve grown. It is still a great place to be.
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ilson’s alumni are “Making Their Mark a Good One” out in the community. Here is the latest news they have shared with us.
WILSON ALUMNI SPEAK AT LOCAL CONFERENCE
Community Leadership
This winter, three Wilson alumni, Josh Leuther (13), Eva Jungermann (13) and Justin Scales (13), were selected by their teachers to represent Whitfield School at the Middle School Diversity Conference held at MICDS. Thirteen schools participated, exploring all aspects of diversity and inclusion in large and small group discussion and activity. The conference allowed students from various schools and backgrounds to come together to talk about what makes us alike, different and special.
“Scene” Around Town
Alumnus Rexford Calkins (14) performed the Gateway Center for Performing Arts adaptation of “Hairspray: The Broadway Musical” last December. Rexford played the role of “Council Member” and served as the understudy for “Corny Collins.”
Do you have alumni news to share? Email emacanufo@wilsnoschool.com
SAVE THE DATE! The Wilson School Alumni Reunion Saturday, May 16 at The Wilson School Classes of 2009 - 2012 | 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Visit with faculty, tour classrooms and enjoy a snack in the lunch room while parents can reconnect over refreshments in the Innovation Room. Alumni Ages 21 and Over | 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Enjoy mingling with friends and Wilson faculty in the Innovation Room. Following the reunion, join us for an after-party at Sasha’s Wine Bar on DeMun. “Like” our Wilson Alumni Facebook page for updates and alumni news! 15
Parents’ Association News
WILSON DADS LOVE TO GRILL!
By PA President, Molly Gray
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pring is on its way! Not only do I long for brighter skies, warmer temps and chirping birds, I look forward to springtime fun at Wilson as well!
Spring offers many opportunities for parent involvement. On March 13, we will once again show our appreciation for our wonderful faculty and staff by hosting a luncheon on conference day. April will prove to be another busy month, as we hold our annual Used Book Sale and launch an additional fun collection of Wilson Wear. You won’t want to miss our
A Look Ahead
ant to get an early start on planning next year’s vacations? Here are the dates you need to know. Parents, don’t forget that you can view and subscribe to the schoolwide calendar on MyWilson.
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speaker on April 9th, Dr. Orscheln, who will address the widely debated topic of vaccinating our children. We will also have an April PA meeting which you will not want to miss, as our Head of School Thad Falkner will be sharing the long range plans of the school with the Wilson community. Put on your Cardinal red, bring the kids and join in the fun at Wilson School Night at Busch Stadium on April 17. This is a coveted event for children and parents alike. Tickets for this event are on sale now. Finally, the last event for Wilson families is our school picnic on May 9. Rain or shine, our community comes together for an afternoon of barbeque, games, and fun. Volunteers are needed to help in various roles for events, so if you have some time to give to help organize used books or coordinate beverages for the speaker, please contact me directly by email pa@wilsonschool.com.
Important Dates for the 2015-16 Academic Year August 24: First Day of School September 3: Curriculum Night September 7: No School – Labor Day October 16: Parent Teacher Conferences November 6: No School – Professional Day November 25: Grandparents’ & Special Friends’ Day November 26-27: Thanksgiving Break December 11: No School – Progress Report Writing Day December 19 - January 3: Winter Break January 18: No School - MLK Day February 12: No School – Professional Day February 15: No School – Presidents’ Day March 18: Parent Teacher Conferences March 19- April 3: Spring Break May 30: No School - Memorial Day June 2: Last Day of School
Fun for All at The Wilson School Picnic
Summer Camp
By PA Representatives, Scott Rose and Shelley Porter-Connon
By Summer Camp Coordinator, Michael Hinkebein
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ark your calendar to join us for an afternoon of fun at this year’s Wilson School Picnic!
When & Where
Saturday, May 9th, 11:30 am – 2:30 pm Tilles Park (corner of McKnight and Litzinger) Gloria Stein Pavilion (same location as last year)
Planned Activities
There will be plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy, including inflatables, carnival games, pony rides, a petting zoo, professional face painting and balloon animals, as well as a DJ playing your favorite tunes.
Families to Bring Food
Please bring a dish according to the first letter of your family’s last name: A-F Appetizers, G-M Salad (fruit or vegetable), N-Z Desserts.
Volunteers Needed
We need volunteers to make this a safe and enjoyable event! Please sign up to help with set-up, clean-up, grilling, food service, or ride and game supervision. We are especially looking for fifth and sixth graders to help out with the carnival games. Beginning Friday, April 10 there will be sign-up sheets posted in the library as well as a link to an online signup website.
oes your budding engineer spend hours contemplating how machines really work? Feed that enthusiasm with a couple of weeks this summer with the Green Alligators (campers entering Grade 2 - 3) in the “Science That Moves” session of The Wilson School Summer Camp. Beginning June 8 and continuing the week of June 15, campers in this session will learn the science behind what makes things move by building their own hovercraft, rocket, catapult and much more.
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See what else your Green Alligator can look forward to: June 22, June 29 - Game Design, Digital and Board: If your child loves to play board games, then they’ll especially love designing and building their own games! Using paper and pencil or a computer mouse and keyboard, campers will create their own adventure game. July 6, July 13 - Totem Pole Storytelling: Children will learn about the meaning and importance of totem poles, animal symbols, and the storytelling of the Native Americans. They will ‘tell’ their family story in totem pole form using a variety of recycled materials. July 20, July 27 - Solve that Challenge: Unleash the power of your child’s imagination and problem-solving skills to solve mind-bending challenges. Campers will work in teams to build structures, create innovative skits and come up with solutions to timed challenges.
For More Information
Please contact Scott Rose at 314-604-7069 or scottrose2767@gmail.com or Shelley Porter-Connon at 618-401-2586 or porterlaw1@gmail.com to volunteer, or with any questions.
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Community News and Notes T
ake note and tell your friends about these upcoming Wilson community special events.
Birthday Box for Operation Food Search Week of April 27 What’s a birthday celebration without presents?? On Thursday, April 30th, we will celebrate Miss Mabel Wilson’s 156th birthday. Mabel Wilson was the founder of The Wilson School and the first head of school. In honor of her birthday, The Wilson School community will participate in a service project to benefit Operation Food Search. We are asking families to bring a Birthday Box to school during the week of April 27th. A gift table will be located in the library. Our goal is to collect 100 Birthday Boxes to donate to Operation Food Search in recognition of Miss Mabel Wilson. Please help the Wilson School continue to Make Its Mark a Good One!
The Wilson School Speaker Series Presents:
Dr. Rachel Orscheln Childhood Vaccination: Separating Fact from Fiction Thursday, April 9 7:00 p.m. at The Wilson School Navigating the abundance of conflicting information regarding childhood vaccinations can be daunting. In this session, Dr. Rachel Orscheln, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease at Washington University and Children’s Hospital, will break down the facts from fiction to help parents better understand what vaccinations exist and the diseases they prevent, and learn more about the controversies related to childhood vaccinations. Dr. Orscheln is the director of ambulatory Pediatric Infectious Diseases and the International Adoption Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Her special clinical interests include adoption medicine, international health, childhood vaccination, and orthopedic infections. The program is free and open to the public. Limited parking is available. Please arrive early, observe parking signs and keep residents’ driveways clear. Carpooling is encouraged. To reserve your spot today, e-mail speakerseries@wilsonschool.com.
What goes in a Birthday Box? • Cake Mix & Frosting • Cupcake Papers • Candles • Birthday Plates & Cups • Small Decorations • Small Gift such as markers, game or book How should I package the Birthday Box? • Personalize the birthday box either for a girl or a boy at a specific age range (Baby, Toddler, Child, Pre-Teen or Teen) • To package, find an empty shoe box or boot box. Decorate the box using wrapping paper. Please make sure to wrap the lid separately from the box. • Put a rubber band around the box to secure lid. • You can also use a gift bag to package your items. Everyone in the Wilson community is welcome to participate in this community service event. Stay tuned for more information about Wilson’s growing community service outreach coming soon! 18
Dr. Orscheln received her B.S. in Biology and M.D. from the University of Missouri- Columbia. She completed her residency in Pediatrics at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and her fellowship in Pediatric Infectious Disease at Washington University where she has been on the faculty since 2005. She resides in St. Louis with her husband and 3 children.
Wilson’s Wall of Fame s seen here in some of our most popular Facebook posts, Wilson students have had a busy year. If you haven’t already, visit our Facebook page to get a daily glimpse of life at Wilson and share with your friends and family.
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Calendar of Events
Visit Us Online:
Families can check the MyWilson portal for more dates and details and public events are posted on the school website.
my.wilsonschool.com www.wilsonschool.com
Mar. 14 - 29
Spring Break
Mar. 30
School Resumes
Apr. 8
Used Book Drop
Apr. 8
Assembly - BBC
Apr. 9
Speaker Series Event
Apr. 10
Read In & Pajama Day
Apr. 13
Cardinal Spirit Day
Apr. 13 - 17
ERB Week (Grades 3-6)
Apr. 13 - 17
Used Book Sale
Apr. 15
PA Meeting
Apr. 17
Wilson-Forsyth Concert Band Assembly Performance
Apr. 17
Wilson Night at Busch Stadium
Apr. 21
Board of Trustees Meeting
Apr. 22
4th, 5th, 6th Book Club
Apr. 30
Miss Wilson’s Birthday
May 1
May Day Celebration
May 5
May Day Celebration (Rain Date)
May 6
Assembly - BBC 20