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School Newsletters
Vesper Elementary
May 2007 Newsletter
6443 Virginia Street
Vesper, WI 54489
(715)569-4115
Spring Greetings Vesper Families:
Vesper School stakeholders are hard at work looking for avenues to build an even better school and increase Vesper School’s enrollment. Our hope is that as we become a stronger, more unique school, it will create a stronger need in our community to continue services at our elementary school. So, what are we up to, you ask? We are focusing on the possible creation of a charter school at Vesper. What is a charter school?
A charter school is a public school created to add choice for area students. In fact, a charter school often begins as the brainchild of a group of parents, teachers, or school administrators. This group, often takes the shape of a school design team, and sets out to create a school that it feels will work for its members and their children. The team formulates a plan that clearly spells out the members’ framework and ideas and then determines whether these fit into the state’s regulations for charter schools. Our hope is to create a school that is so unique and successful that others in our surrounding communities have a desire to attend.
There is no blueprint for charter schools, but they tend to be small (60 percent have fewer than 200 students). Their classes are typically smaller than those of traditional public schools, making more individualized learning possible. Their teachers must be licensed and the schools participate in the states’ assessment system. The parents of students often contribute to the creation of school policies. Most charters are granted for three to five years, but they can be revoked if the state determines that student achievement has not been demonstrated or that the terms of the contract have not been met.
Find out more by attending one of these three sessions (with your kids):
Doughnuts for Dads – 8:30 AM on Monday, May 7th in the Vesper Cafeteria
Muffins with Moms – 8:30 AM on Friday, May 11th in the Vesper Cafeteria
8:30 – 8:45 Have doughnuts/muffins with your kids
8:45 – 9:15 Information/Discussion on charter schools
Community Forum – 7:00 PM on Thursday, May 17th in the Vesper School Library.
If you have questions, or would like to get more involved by taking a leadership role in the creation of the Vesper Charter School, please call me at 569-4115.
Your Children’s Principal
Mr. Terry Whitmore
A very gracious thank you to the Mead Witter Foundation of Wisconsin Rapids for funding Opera for the Young. The students at Vesper School were able to participate and enjoy a production of Orpheus Returns: The Case of the Underworld Zoo. This is a professional company of musicians committed to bringing specially adapted, fully staged operas in English to school age children.
After School Enrichments
Approximately 50 students have participated in one or more of the after school enrichment activities. Thank you to the caring and generous people of this community who have volunteered their time and talent to make these opportunities available to our youngest community members
May After School Enrichments
Enrichments planned for May are:
Fishing Lures – Mr. Bob Cline
Writing for Fun – Mrs. Ruth Cline
Outdoor Games – Mrs. Tina Eastling
Reptiles & Amphibians – Mr. Jason Meekma
MealTime Online
Included in this newsletter is a copy of Making Meal Deposits and Viewing Students Meal Histories Just Got Easier! and Frequently Asked Questions about MealTime Online. Please take the time to read this very IMPORTANT information on how to make credit card deposits into your child’s lunch account, if you wish to use this service. Also, you have the opportunity to view your child’s lunch account online.
Summer School
Swim & Tennis Program
Registration for the summer school swim and tennis lessons will be held May 5 (for all sessions) from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Lincoln High School in the commons area. Please use the front door. Cost is $7.00 per session.
Public Hearing on SAGE Program
Since the 2000-2001 school year, all WRPS elementary schools have participated in the SAGE (Student Achievement Guarantee in Education) program. The intent of the program is to maintain a class size of 15:1 in K-3 classrooms. The Department of Public Instruction is requesting the District to write a waiver plan, describing how SAGE will be implemented maintaining a 15:1 class size at K-3 in all classroom subject areas. Currently, in some elementary schools, the 15:1 class size may be exceeded or only met in the areas of language arts and math.
The waiver plan for all elementary schools within the District will be discussed at a special Board of Education meeting on Wednesday, May 9, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Board of Education office at 510 Peach Street. You are invited to this meeting to learn more about the implementation of SAGE at WRPS elementary schools. Public comment on SAGE will be encouraged and taken at this meeting.
“NEEDED”
Ms. Paulin, our 1st and 2nd grade teacher, is in need of a small convection oven. The one she had “gave-up” while the class was baking turnovers. If you have one that you would like to donate to the class, please let Ms. Paulin or the office know.
New for this Summer
Two Tracks for the 2007 Summer Reading Program –
Get a Clue @ Your Library
The summer reading program at the Lester Public Library of Vesper has a new twist this year. We will be running two programs; one for children ages 9 and under, and one for kids ages 10 through 16. Both programs will be held on Tuesdays from 1:30-2:30 at the library and both will begin June 19th. The difference will be in the projects and activities offered. Our themes this year for the weekly programs include: Puzzles, Mazes, Codes, Hunts, Disguises, and Who Dunnits. As a special treat the library will be hosting an outdoor movie theater several weeks during the summer.
Make plans to join us for a mysterious and fun summer! Win great prizes, read great books, and Get a Clue @ Your Library. Registration will begin mid-May. For more information or to volunteer to help during the Summer Reading Program, contact the Library at 569-4669.
Mark Your Calendar
May 2 – Shape Up Wisconsin Kids
May 3 – After school – Spanish class
May 4 – NO SCHOOL-Elementary only
May 5 – Registration for Summer Swim & Tennis
May 6-12 – Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week
May 7 – Grades 6-12 Combined Band Concert,
7:30 PM, East Junior High Fieldhouse
May 9 – District Track Meet, Gr. 6-AM, Gr. 5-PM
May 9 – Public Hearing on SAGE Program, 7 PM,
School Board Office, 510 Peach Street
May 10 – 6th Grade visits West Junior High
May 10 – District String Festival, 7:30 PM,
Lincoln High School Fieldhouse
May 10 – After school – Spanish class
May 17 – Cadet Field Trip to Wis. Dells
May 17 – After school – Spanish class
May 23 – 3\4Field Trip to Planetarium
May 28 – NO SCHOOL-Memorial Day
June 1 – Kindergarten Ice Cream Social
June 6 – 6th Grade Recognition, 6:30 PM
The April C.A.R.E.S. assembly and lunch with Mr. Whitmore took place on April 24. A special treat, from the PSO, was given to the students before leaving the assembly. Each student chose a bright rubber colored bracelet, of their choice, with the word HOPE, LOVE, COURAGE, FAITH, STRENGTH, or DREAM imprinted on it. After lunch, Mr. Whitmore served root beer floats and played Skip-Bo with the April C.A.R.E.S. students.
Family Literacy Night
with Mrs. Paul
I would like to thank the families who attended Family Literacy Night, March 26. The night focused on how we use informational books in Language Arts to improve comprehension as well as to expose students to the World that they live. in. The PSO was kind enough to provide refreshments. Also, every family was able to get a magazine subscription thanks to the support of the PSO. A listing of the website for the magazine shared that night is listed for interested families.
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