WhatNot!
May 14, 2025
Message From the Principal
Dear Wildwood Families,
Things are busy around here but we are trying to keep the routines and schedules as consistent as possible. Kids respond well to structure and routines, knowing what to expect. So that’s our goal - same schedules, same expectations, same everything! Well, maybe not everything but as much as possible.
State testing is just about done for all of our 3rd, 4th and 5th grader students. They worked hard and hopefully did their best! Results usually come out in August and will be available in Infinite Campus.
If you are able to join the Friday morning coffee this week, Amy Fry, the new principal, will be there to say hello and to introduce herself to you all. The Coffee will be at the Circle Park at Wildwood and Prospect. Amy will also be joining the Parent Club meeting on Tuesday, May 20 which is held in the Library. Everyone is welcome. I think we’re going to arrange a visit with the students for Ms. Fry during the last week of school but we haven’t scheduled her visit yet.
I think that’s it for now. Hope you all have a great week and weekend!
Beth Rhine
Calendar
May
16 Mileage Club - 7:50am @ Witter
Parent Coffee with Principal Amy Fry @ 8:30
20 WPC Meeting @ 6:40 in Library
26 Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL
June
5 Last day of school - NOON DISMISSAL
Needed - large garbage can or two
If you happen to have a large garbage can (plastic) at home that you don’t need, we could use a couple of them to store playground balls. Containers don’t last forever, especially when kids slam dunk the balls into them! We could buy new ones, but in case anyone has one in their garage that they don’t need, we could use it. Better to reuse/recycle something like that vs. buying new ones! Thank you.
Class placement for 2025-2026
It’s the time of year when we start thinking about class placements for next year. I sent this link out in an earlier Whatnot but will share it again. If you want to give input into what type of classroom environment is best for your child, please feel free to use this survey to share the information. We ask that you not ask for a specific teacher as grade level assignments may change over the summer. I think the staff here is amazing and I’ve been at a lot of schools over my many years in education. If I had a child at Wildwood, I would be happy with whatever teacher they were assigned. The teachers may have different styles, but they all offer a good learning and school experience. And I don’t say that lightly, trust me.
Library
Library volunteers, both adult and students celebrated together today. Our Volunteers shelved over 18,000 books this year as well as helping with a variety of projects. We appreciated them so much!
Parents Club Update
Please gather at WPC’s final Community Coffee after drop-off this Friday, May 16, at its traditional meeting spot, the circle park at Wildwood and Prospect. We will be thanking interim co-principal Karen Gnusti for her unwavering support to the school this year, as well as introducing incoming Principal Amy Fry. Please join us to help give her a warm welcome!
WPC’s final board meeting will be held next Tuesday, May 20, at the library. There, we will be thanking outgoing board members as well as interim Principal Beth Rhine. We also will welcome incoming Principal Amy Fry and the incoming board members for the 2025-26 school year, as well as highlight some of the exciting new endeavors the club will take on next year!
The meeting will be from 7 to 8p, with an optional social beforehand at 6:40p. As always, childcare will be provided. To sign up, fill out this form or send an email to WPC.
Wildwood Dad's Club
Our last meeting of the year is Thursday, May 22, 7:30pm at Cato’s Ale House, 3891 Piedmont Ave,
Check out the full year calendar of Wildwood Dads’ Club events here
Staff Appreciation - Thank you!
Big shout of thanks to each of you for your incredible generosity of time, care and resources in ensuring that Wildwood's Staff Appreciation Week was filled with smiles, gratitude, and second-helpings of delicious food.
Thanks to your financial donations, each of the 57 staff members were treated to fun surprises daily, capped by a swag gift of gourmet popcorn and novelty popcorn buckets to take home.
The abundance of food really wowed staff each day. A bounty of charcuterie, fruit and pastries filled the lounge every morning. On Thursday, Kindergarten families hosted a show-stopping luncheon catered by Comal Next Door. Other special contributions included a tall stack of beautiful lavender cupcakes by Susan Koo and an over-the-top concession-candy bar curated by Catherine Hagerty!
On Wednesday, staff were treated to a lunchtime Oscar party complete with “bubbly” (apple cider) and photo opps with a real Oscar statue lent by a local Academy Award winner!
A shout-out to Carolyn Pan and Viola Sutanto, who produced beautiful movie posters featuring Wildwood staff as the stars. All the posters have been saved and remain on display in the staff lounge, and we suspect will be keepers!
We are deeply grateful for each of you. Your teamwork and contributions showed all of us in the best ways possible how awesome our community is!
Thank you again. We hope you will join us next year for more fun!
Sincerely,
Vic, Dana, Anabelle and Anne
Creative team (decor, display and presentation):
Viola Sutanto, Carolyn Pan, Melanie Shartsis, Allison Fischer, Clara Chao
Generous financial donors:
Amber Brumfiel, Alison Montes, Nicole Nealon, Melissa Bravo Ryan, Susan Koo, Stacy Vorrink, Marla Rosen, Thuan Tran, Melissa Waters, Meghan Miller, Clara Chao, Anu, Kirupananthan, Lindsey Paley, Jen Anzenberg, Natalie Yuen, Olga Marino, Lauren Freeman, Colleen Yoo, Joel Tornatore, Lindsay Larsen, Laura Sohn, Andi Hansen, Shannon Fierro, Sonia Chen, Lindsay Cookson, Naomi Handly, Marie Concaret, Gael/Joel Tornatore, Hadley Williams, Upexa Captan, Richard Kao
Gracious food donors:
Amy Shrago, Valeria Bowman, Jess Nisenbaum, Morgan Driskill, Kathy Derrigo, Melanie Shartsis, Tory Roman, Marla Rosen, Angela Levy, Melissa Waters, Bruce Howng, Caratina Rodrigues, Shannon Fierro, Ellen Lee, Susan Koo, Catherine Hagerty, Melissa Glass
Mighty set-up and clean-up volunteers:
Carolyn Pan, Xenia Meyer, Eleza Jaeger, Katy Vosburg, Kathy Derrigo, Marla Rosen, Holly Peterson, Yovanka Long, Manu Argilli, Bruce Howng
Tri-School Dad's Circle 5/21
Summer Adventures 2025 – Registration Now Open!
There’s still room to be part of the adventure—make this summer one to remember!
Summer Adventures is Coming!
Looking for a fun, enriching way to keep your child engaged this summer? PUSD’s Summer Adventures Program has something for everyone—and it’s also a great way to support our dedicated teachers who will be leading the fun.
Welcome to Kindergarten – A playful, confidence-building full-day program designed to help incoming kinders ease into school routines.
Summer Adventures (1st–5th grades) – Students rotate through multiple fun, hands-on activities each day led by teachers from all three elementary schools.
Welcome to 6th Grade – A unique program just for incoming 6th graders to build community, independence, and middle school readiness.
Junior CIT Program – A leadership experience for rising 7th–9th graders interested in helping younger campers and developing youth work skills.
Highlander Sports Camps – High-energy athletic programs led by PHS coaches and athletes for sports-loving students.
Session Dates:
Session 1: June 10–28 (1-week option available)
Session 2: July 8–26
Time Options:
Half-day: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Full-day: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Extended day: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Visit the Summer Programs page to register! Summer Adventures 2025
Piedmont Makers
Maker Faire this Sunday! Free tickets and Volunteers needed
Get your free tickets for the Piedmont School Maker Faire at the Piedmont High School campus on Sunday, May 18 11am - 3pm. We will feature STEAM projects from Beach, Havens, Wildwood, Piedmont Middle School, Millennium High School, and Piedmont High School students along with hands-on projects from community makers, live music from student musicians & bands!
We need adult and student volunteers to help make the School Maker Faire a success. You can lead the Nerdy Derby, Launch Rockets, or the Maker River, or other logistics. Sign up here to run a booth at the School Maker Faire!
Attendance
ATTENDANCE REPORTING
- Please report your student's absence or tardiness - and include the reason.
- You are welcome to email your teacher, but you must also report by either calling
(510) 594-2719 or emailing: wwdattendance@piedmont.k12.ca.us
INVITATIONAL: DONATE FOR ABSENCES
- Parents, please remember that if your child needs to be out of school, you can submit
donations for the lost revenue. - Each day that a student is out of school (for any reason, including illness) means a loss of
revenue in the following amounts per day:
K-3rd Grade = $61.32 - 4th-5th Grade = $56.39
Important Links
- Wildwood School Calendar
- Hot Lunch Order (pw: Wildwood)
- Attendance Reporting
WHATNOT submission requests must be received by Tuesday at 12:00 PM,
whatnot@piedmont.k12.ca.us