The Wheatland News

• Staffing
• Mission & Vision

WES has a paraprofessional opening. Are you looking to make a difference in children’s lives? If so, this might be just for you! If you are interested or know someone who may be interested in joining our team, they can contact Mrs. Clausing at clausinj@usd385.org to get more details.

Abbigail Rakes has accepted the opening for band director for the north side schools. She will work at AHS, AMS, and the three elementary schools. She is graduating from Kansas State University in May.

MISSION & VISION

Please find below the Mission Statement and Core Values and Beliefs that guide WES.

WHEATLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

U.S.D. #385 Andover Public Schools

Mission Statement

We believe in developing the whole child in order to ensure that all students at

WES will learn and achieve to the best of their ability.

Core Values & Beliefs

CURRICULUM

At Wheatland Elementary School, we will provide appropriate curriculum to meet the needs of each child.

Therefore we will:

• Align our curriculum with state standards.

• Utilize quality resources.

• Offer professional development in alignment with/and to support our School Improvement Plan.

• Empower teachers to act in the best interest of all students.

INSTRUCTION

At Wheatland Elementary School, we will provide the appropriate instruction to meet the needs of each child.

Therefore we will:

• Remain current on best practices and effective instructional strategies which promote academic excellence.

• Incorporate real-world experiences throughout our instruction.

• Use hands-on, inquiry & investigative based instruction as well as utilize technology.

• Work collaboratively with all teachers in the building to provide student-centered education.

• Employ highly qualified staff.

ASSESSMENT

At Wheatland Elementary School, we will provide the appropriate assessments to meet the needs of each child.

Therefore we will:

• Allow multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate mastery.

• Use a variety of assessments (both common and performance based) to track the progress of a child from grades K-5.

• Meet collaboratively to discuss and utilize assessments/data to ensure student progress.

• Use ongoing assessment to drive instruction.

• Involve students in monitoring their own assessments towards goals.

ENVIRONMENT

At Wheatland Elementary School, we will provide the appropriate environment to meet the needs of each child.

Therefore we will:

• Provide a safe, orderly and nurturing environment.

• Provide a distraction-free environment.

• Recognize the unique contributions of each student.

• Model mutual respect for members of our school community.

• Encourage open lines of communication between all stakeholders.

Materials used came from: The School Portfolio Toolkit – A Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation Guide for Continuous School Improvement by Victoria L. Bernhardt

May 1 - Kindergarten Zoo Field Trip, 9am-1:30pm

May 1 - 3rd Gr. COWs Field Trip, 9:15-11:15am

May 4-8 - Staff Appreciation Week

May 4 - 5th Gr. Band Concert, 6:00pm at AMS (students should arrive at 5:30pm)

May 6 - WES Chess (Spring Play Session), 3:45-4:30pm in the library

May 8 - Fun in the Sun

May 8 - 5th Gr. Picnic, 10:30-1:45pm

May 11 - Orchestra Area Concert (Grades 5-12), 6:30pm at AMS

May 13 - STEAM Day

May 14 - AHS Parade of Graduates at WES, 10:30am

May 15 - 1st Gr. Picnic, 12:00-1:00pm

May 18 - 3rd Gr. Food Truck, 10:45am-1:30pm

May 19 - Kona Ice on the Playground, 1:15-3:15pm

May 20 - 2nd Gr. Picnic, 11:35am-1:05pm

May 22 - Last Day of School, Dismiss at 1:45pm

Our last few weeks together for this school year will be spent discussing integrity – why it’s important and examples. This will wrap up our year together and we’re all looking forward to some opportunities to celebrate all of the hard work. I know many teachers plan special days to celebrate, and of course, we have our annual Fun in the Sun activities. End of the year activities can be exciting, but we have to keep in mind that it is still the beginning of a transition for our students. Our fifth graders will bravely transition to Middle School. Others may be overwhelmed by the change in daily routines, or where they will spend their summer days – camps, daycare, etc. I know there are some nervous kids. It’s important to spend time listening to the worries and fears your child may have about life changes. I’ve found that simply listening and communicating an understanding for how they feel is often times the reassurance they’re looking for and need.

One final note of sincere thanks and gratitude. This has been an amazing 2nd year as the school counselor. The students, staff and parents have been beyond supportive. I’m so happy to be a part of the Wheatland family and I look forward to the years to come. Have a safe, fun and restful summer break and I’m already looking forward to seeing everyone in August!

All library books are due back May 11 - thank you for your help in getting all of our library materials returned.

Be sure to check out our Storywalk during the month of May. Move along and read along with the story. It will start by the car rider doors and go around to the front of the school.

Be sure to keep reading over the summer break! The Andover Public Library and Wichita Public Library are both offering FREE summer reading programs with prizes and fun activities! Be sure to check them out!

Please remember to pick up any medications from the health office before the end of the school year. Non-emergency meds will be disposed of at the end of the school year if they are not picked up. Thank you!

Moving?

If you will be moving this summer or your child will attend a different school next year, please let Claire know as soon as possible so the proper withdrawal process can be completed in May.

New Students

If you have a student who will be new to Wheatland next year, please fill out the Intent to Register Form! If you have friends or neighbors who will be enrolling a child at WES next year, please share this information with them.

Current WES Students

Parents do not need to do anything for their current Wheatland students until Online Registration opens on Tuesday, July 14. You will receive an email when is it ready to be filled out.

StuCo would like to thank everyone that sent in donations for our community service project. Wheatland donated over 800 items to the Andover Food Bank this year! StuCo members collected, counted, and organized the food and boxed it up for delivery. Mr. Flory's class brought the most items and won an extra recess with Mr. Armbrister.

First Student, which provides the district’s transportation service, has rolled out a new, improved FirstView App. This new app will allow enhanced, real-time tracking capabilities for all transportation services. If you have the FirstView Classic app on your phone, please delete it and download the FirstView 1.0 app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. You will need to use code D5F5F to access Andover’s information. If you have Transportation issues you can call First Student at (316) 247-1926.

If your student will be absent for any reason, you must notify the WES Office. Please email Claire at pruettc@usd385.org or call the office at (316) 218-4820 to report any absence. Simply notifying your student's teacher does not mean the message is received in the office and your student may be marked incorrectly. If your student will be absent for 4 or more days in a row, you must fill out a Pre-Planned Extended Absence Form and return it to your child's teacher.

If you need to make a change to your child's method of transportation after school, you must notify the office no later than 3:00PM. If possible, please try to keep changes to a minimum. Frequent changes cause confusion for students. If the office has not received notification of a change, your child will be sent home via the method they usually take. Additionally, if you are signing out your child at the end of the day, please do not pick up your student after 3:15PM if at all possible.

Upcoming PTO Events:

• Monday, May 4 - Panda Express Give Back, 10:30am-9:00pm
• Friday, May 8 - Fun in the Sun
• Thursday, May 21 - HTeaO Give Back