Wheeling Elementary

Happy New Year!

As we begin a new year, it is time to reflect and ask yourself if you are ready for the new year. Are your children ready for each and every day they have at Wheeling? We want to make it the best possible learning experience for each student.

Being ready for school involves many things. Yes, we want them to
have a healthy breakfast every day. In addition, we want to be sure they come prepared to face the day. Do they have the materials they need? Have they completed their homework - and yes, they all have homework! It is critical for each child to establish good study habits early. Are they getting to school on time? We continue to enforce out tardy policy, and ask all parents’ coopera­tion in getting your students to school every day on time. Are students participating in class activities? This can mean not only are they answering questions, but what good questions are they asking? With implementing the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program, we have a great emphasis on inquiry, and encourage all our students to ask questions, and try to find the answers. Do you and your students know what they are doing right? Even more importantly, when they make mistakes, do they know what they are doing wrong and how to make the corrections? It’s important to know each student’s strengths, and build on those strengths. Then we can identify the next steps for each student. Be sure to visit with your child’s teacher during the next conferences for their guidance on strengths and next steps.

All of these factors can help insure a successful 2009 at Wheeling.

Sincerely,
Jan Lotter
Principal