Principal's Message

Happy 2012 Everyone!

I want to thank everyone for their generosity in giving canned goods and helping to support needy families.  In addition to the canned goods, each grade level, members of the community, and office staff adopted a ’special’ family to make Christmas more joyful.  We were able to help 44 families, 112 children have a very blessed Christmas!  Thank you for your generous giving and caring hearts-that is quite amazing! 

In collaboration with the Waynesville American Legion, students from Waynesville Elementary brought in canned goods to support the needy families in the area.  We challenged our students to bring in over 6,800 canned goods. Not only did they meet the challenge, but they EXCEEDED the challenge with a new record of 7,144 canned goods! Teaching students community service directly relates to and reinforces our 3^rd Pillar of Excellence: “We will provide the example, leadership, information, and training to help each student function in an honest, moral, and ethical manner in their family, community, and society.”   

Here is a list of the top three winning classrooms:

Gr. 4 & 5 - Mrs. Denier’s Fifth Grade – 1,151 canned goods-enjoyed ‘free gym’ time with Miss Hartman

Gr. 2 & 3 - Mrs. Richards’ Second Grade – 732 canned goods

Gr. K & 1 - Mrs. Muterspaw’s First Grade—367 canned goods

Honorable Mention:

Mr. Adams’ 5th grade—831 canned goods

Mrs. Winter’s 2^nd Grade – 546 canned goods

Mrs. Pendergraff’s 3^rd Grade- 527 canned goods

The elementary school held its annual Final Spelling Bee on December 13.  Participants included both 4^th and 5^th graders who had advanced from their grade level spelldowns.  Fourth grade spellers included:  Julianah Harter, Grant Henry, Zeke Wessendarp, Blake Bailey, Willa Pardon, Mac Greely, Adam Wilkerson, Riley Rice, Jaymes Avella, and Kailee Webb.  Alternates:  Caden Rasey, Jade Buckland.   5^th Grade Spellers:  Alex Hurley, Aaron Howard, Chaz Stump, Anna Miller, Grant Johnson, Macy Burchfield, Cian McGuire, Katie Ooten-Meier, Kaela Hurley. Sarah Hartman was absent, and Taylor Eitel took her place.  Alternate: Kathleen Raby.

 The first place winner was Alex Hurley!  Alex will be representing our school at the WCPO regional spelling bee in February after he completes an online spelling test. Congratulations to all our finalists and good luck to Alex!  Second Place-Chaz Stump; Third Place-Anna Miller; Fourth Place– Riley Rice; Fifth Place–Taylor Eitel; Sixth Place-Kaela Hurley.  All 6 finalists received Wal-Mart gift cards courtesy of the Principal’s Fund.  We want to thank several people who made this event so successful: Michelle Denier who organized the preliminary rounds on November 29 as well as the Final Spelling Bee on December 13 and Mrs. Charnelle Bees, Guidance Counselor, for being our Pronouncer. Judges were:  Tami Eckhart (4^th Grade Language Arts teacher), Marsha Kaforey (Intervention Specialist), and Cady Bunn (4^th Grade Science/Social Studies).

MAC GRANTS-Congratulations to Mrs. Bowersox, Mrs. Durham. Mrs. Schafer, and Mrs. Shaffer.  These $500 grants will be used in the classroom to support district initiatives for the Daily 5/CAFÉ, number sense, and word games to support fluency and comprehension.  This grant will allow Mrs. Bowersox to purchase additional books, math manipulatives, books on CD, etc. that will continue to support the Kindergarten curriculum.  Mrs. Durham plans on purchasing math manipulatives. The problem solving experiences will build students’ confidence and make them more competent in the changing world, while developing number sense. Mrs. Schafer and Mrs. Shaffer plan on purchasing word games for all the grades they serve, Kindergarten through 4th. They are excited that some of the games are for computers; they know how kids love to use computers.  Thank you, teachers!!

During the month of January we conclude the 2^nd 9 weeks on January 13^th .  Report Cards for all grade levels will come home on January 20.  During the week of January 16^th students will complete DIBELS assessments, and the following 2 weeks students will complete online math assessments in the Computer Lab.

Please keep in touch with your child’s teacher through assignment books/folders, notes, phone calls, and volunteering. I want to continue to foster this partnership to ensure the continued success of every student. Get involved with our PTO and help out with at least one project. Communication is a vital key and always brings understanding. Please refer to our website and monthly newsletters for updated information (www.wayne-local.com). Your child’s learning experiences at Waynesville Elementary School are greatly impacted by your support, enthusiasm, and involvement. We will continue to focus upon our 4 overarching building principles: Be a Spartan Problem Solver. Be Ready. Be Responsible. Be Respectful. Be Safe. We have been rolling out the OLWEUS Bullying Prevention Program, and we are seeing fewer incidences of bullying, name-calling, and/or exclusion.

Please feel free to contact me at any time. We are having another AMAZING school year replete with student successes, high achievement, and parent involvement.

Jean L. Hartman

Principal

1/3/12