WhatNot!
November 13, 2024
Message From the Principal
Dear Wildwood Families,
I hope everyone is doing well and enjoyed the long weekend. I’m so glad it rained on Monday. I’m hoping the rain holds off for a little longer while I figure out how the rainy day lunch schedule works. It’s tough for our students to be inside all day. I know we need rain and I love it at night and on the weekends!
Things continue to go well at Wildwood so far. I had my first staff meeting yesterday and it was great to have the time to be together. I had sent the staff a survey last week, asking them questions about several things, including funding priorities, recess and lunch procedures, what needs attention from me, and also what they think is wonderful about Wildwood. Some of the responses about what is wonderful about Wildwood were…
“The community amongst the staff! Working with people whom you consider friends is much more joyful than without.”
“We are child-centered and collegial with a whole team approach in which every staff member brings their own expertise to support the students and families. We bring creativity and joy to our teaching.”
“The staff! The children! The strong sense of community!”
“I love working with Wildwood families. I don't live in Piedmont, but I feel very connected to those I have taught over the years. I feel there is a lot of respect for teachers.”
“The amazing, dedicated, thoughtful, smart, experienced, creative, caring people who work here! The strong Arts program! The gorgeous library! The magical building and the trees that surround it! The loving, engaged families! The Wildwood Way, which we dedicated a year to creating a few years back (Adrian and Martin wrote the song) and which I witness that we truly try to live by and teach every day.”
There were more comments, similar to these. So even when we hit bumps, and we will hit bumps, I hope everyone remembers all the good things as we work together to get over those bumps. I appreciate that some of you have reached out to me to help solve problems, to allow me to hear you out, and handle your concerns. It’s also great to hear the positive feedback about the school, what’s working well, and the great experiences your child is having at Wildwood.
Finally, I want to let you all know that I will be out next week. Months ago, I planned a trip with my husband for the week of 11/18 - 11/23, before the Wildwood position opened up. I’m sorry I’ll be out, but the school will be in good hands, again, with Superintendent Hawn and Ariel Dolovich. The week after that is Thanksgiving Break, so I won’t see everyone again until December. I can’t believe December is almost here. Time flies when you’re busy!
If I don’t see you, have a nice November break and see you on December 2nd.
Beth Rhine
Interim Principal
Calendar
NOVEMBER
14 Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day
15 Mileage Club 7:50a
19 WPC Meeting in person 7pm
25-29 Thanksgiving Holiday - NO SCHOOL
Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day, Thursday, November 14, 7:45am at Piedmont Park
Last year approximately 750 PUSD students and community members joined over 650,000 across America in our PUSD Ruby Bridges Walks to School Day. We are excited to bring back this city-wide event that celebrates an extraordinary woman and her message to end discrimination. So visit your school library and check out a book, perform an act of kindness and wear your purple. We hope that you will walk with us for Ruby Bridges and her message of kindness and inclusion for all! Enjoy and be inspired by our Kids Trailblazers Trek at Piedmont Park (new this year). For more information about our celebration and a schedule of events, please click here. Many thanks to Jean Takazawa (Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, Affinity Mentorship Program and Teacher), DEIB Committees across all PUSD schools and all of our supporters for joining SERVES to create our city-wide event celebrating Ruby Bridges and all people everywhere.
Emergency Procedures
As many of you know, there was a lockdown at Piedmont HS and Piedmont Middle School yesterday. Although we were not part of the lockdown, we took precautions by moving PE into the auditorium. Once there was an all clear message, we allowed students back onto the yard for PE and recess.
Wildwood has a Safety Committee and a lead parent (Thank you, Randy!) with whom I’m working to tighten up our safety protocols and procedures. As the year goes on, we will let you know how you can best support our efforts.
Library News
Webinar with Jeff Kinney
4th grade participated in a live webinar in the Wildwood Library with Jeff Kinney on 11/7/24 along with 750 other school sites.
ASE: Winter Session Sign-Ups
Wildwood Parent Club is pleased to share the After School Enrichment (ASE) classes for our WINTER SESSION. Enrollment is open!
ASE offers a variety of art, music, performance, STEM, and athletic programs at Wildwood directly after the end of the school day. New classes include Magical Wonders of Wizardry from Maker Studio Kidz (Grades K-2), Martial Arts/Budo Basics (Grades 3-5), and Culinary Artistas (Grades 2-5).
ASE Winter Session begins after Thanksgiving on Monday, December 2nd until Friday, February 14th. ASE is run by the Wildwood Parent Club (WPC) and all funds raised go directly to Wildwood Elementary School. ASE is the WPC's biggest fundraiser! Contact us at wwafterschoolenrichment@gmail.com with any questions.
Wildwood Parents Club
Community Coffee will be this Friday, Nov. 15 outside the Upper Playground. The PEF Giving Campaign team will be serving up coffee and the latest numbers on this important districtwide effort.
The next WPC Board meeting will be in person in Wildwood Library next Tuesday, Nov. 19, from 7-8p, preceded by a social at 6:40p. Pizza and childcare will be provided, led by Wildwood’s own Ms. Selfors and Ms. Seuss! (We repeatedly hear how much fun the kids have playing in the Auditorium.) Access childcare sign-ups here.
A reminder that Wildwood Winterfest 2024 will be held Dec. 13! More info forthcoming, but for now plan on good food, good vibes, community giving, and all-around festive cheer. Next-level planning is just getting started, and it’ll take a village to ensure this is a success! Please email WPC to let us know how you’d like to participate.
Dad's Club
Our next event is the Crab Feed on February 8th, 2025! Tickets on sale soon.
Upcoming Events
Nov 21: Crab Feed Info Session and Kickoff, 7:30 - 9:30pm - location TBD
Dec 5: Tri-School Dads’ Club Holiday Gathering, 8pm at 1635 Grand Ave, Piedmont
Full year calendar of events: https://www.wildwooddadsclub.org/
Community Hike 11/17
Greetings Wildwood,
Join Fern, Hawk and I this weekend for our COMMUNITY HIKE at a 10 million year old volcano, Sibley Regional Park. Rolling hills, Round Top(the highest peak in the park), Geological wonderland, grazing cattle and a few labyrinths.
When: Sunday, November 17 @ 9:30
Where: Sibley Staging Area
https://goo.gl/maps/U2tBctPtwRYhcJA28
Hope to see you and whomever you’d like to bring/invite. Bring water and a snack. Chilly mornings may require a bit of a bundle up.
Melanie Shartsis
Mother of Fern (Kessler, 4th) & Hawk (Ung, 2nd)
Call if you need anything
6505158325
Parent Education Program
Your Tri-School Elementary Parent Education Program presents:
Cultivating Healthy Relationships - A workshop with Natasha Singh M.Ed.
Join us for a live workshop with Natasha Singh M.Ed. to talk about how to use a value-based approach to teaching our kids about empathy, decision making, consent and more to cultivate healthy relationships. The presentation will offer a professional perspective and essential tools, frameworks, and strategies to enable parents to create and maintain open lines of communication with their kids about these foundational topics - and keep them open.
Dates: at Beach on 12/3 at 7:00 PM. The content will be geared to parents of kids grade K-5. Parents of Havens, Beach and Wildwood families are welcome, and can attend either workshop. RSVP on the PiedmontStore.org is required. Parents are asked to make a suggested donation of $25 per attendee to offset the cost of the workshop. The Tri-School Parent Education Program is presented by your tri-school Principals and Parent Clubs. Please email Katie Castles Shaffer with any questions: kwc.shaffer@gmail.com
(Event Page link for reference: https://piedmontstore.org/products/cultivating-healthy-relationships-a-workshop-with-natasha-singh-m-ed)
Tri-School Dad's Circle 12/11
Holiday FUN(D)RAISING with ShopRaise, Minted & GoodEgg
As we approach the holiday season, don't forget these easy ways to support WILDWOOD while doing your everyday shopping!
ShopRaise:
Have you started your holiday shopping yet? Remember to use the ShopRaise app or website when making online purchases - including gift cards!!! ShopRaise will donate a percentage of your purchases at thousands of major retailers to our school at no extra cost to you! It's an easy way to fundraise while you shop for the holidays and beyond!
Minted Holiday Cards:
Use CODE: FUNDRAISEWILDWOOD when ordering holiday cards this year! You'll save 20% off your purchase AND Minted will donate 15% of your card purchase to our school! Last year we raised over $600!!
GoodEgg:
Use CODE: GoodEggsForWildwood at checkout for all your grocery shopping, including stocking up on Thanksgiving essentials! GoodEgg will donate 5% of your order's total directly to our school.
Join the Giving Campaign & Help Us Reach Our Goal!
Giving Campaign Reaches $2 Million—More Support Needed to Set Students Up for Success
PEF is thrilled to share that the annual Giving Campaign has raised an impressive $2 million in contributions. Yet, as we aim to provide outstanding educational resources and opportunities, additional support is needed.
Rick, a parent of a recent Harvard graduate, shared his gratitude for his daughter Genevieve’s education in Piedmont City Unified School District (PUSD). "Our daughter received a top-notch education through her years at Havens, PMS, and PHS, with access to a strong mix of regular, Honors, and AP courses, plus great extracurriculars and friendships," he said.
Success stories from alumni like Genevieve, Chloe Fineman (cast member on "Saturday Night Live"), and Dr. Gary Ruvkun (Nobel Prize winner) highlight the impact of PUSD’s educational support.
Visit www.piedmontedfoundation.org/donate to support our students.
Save the Date: DEIB Book Club
Please save the date for the first DEIB book club meeting. We will be reading and discussing Do the Work!: An Antiracist Activity Book by W. Kamau Bell and Kate Schatz on January 22nd at a place TBD. More details to come, but if interested please get the book and start reading. For questions feel free to reach out to Sean Bartmasser at bartmasser@gmail.com.
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