Reminder: Kindergarten Roundup is right around the corner for SAES!
The first Kindergarten Roundup session will be this Monday, May 5th, at Sheffield Area Elementary School from 2:00-6:00 PM.
Each elementary school will host a Kindergarten Roundup session so interested parents can meet with various people to learn more about kindergarten and complete helpful screenings. Please see the flyer below or the Registration tab on the district webpage: https://www.wcsdpa.org/o/wcsd/page/registration for more information and the schedule of sessions at EES, YES, and WAEC
If you know someone else with a child ready for kindergarten, please share the information with them.
Navigating Social Media and Gaming Apps Safely
Age recommendations alone are insufficient to ensure your child has a positive experience with social media apps and online games.
Following our ABC model (safe Access, clear Boundaries, and open Communication) will help keep your child safe online.
https://wcsdpa.onlinesafetyhub.io/parent/articles/navigating-social-media-and-gaming-apps-safely
Due to pending Severe Weather all after school activities have been cancelled for today, 4/29/2025.
Weekly Math Fun: Weather Graphing Fun! ☀️📊
This week, turn weather observations into a hands-on graphing activity! Tracking the weather helps kids build skills in data collection, pattern recognition, and statistics while making learning fun and relevant.
Math Connections:
🌦 Data Organization – Creating a chart reinforces how to categorize and track information over time.
📉 Graphing Skills – Recording daily weather builds an understanding of bar graphs, line plots, or pictographs.
🔎 Pattern Recognition – Discussing trends in the data helps develop critical thinking.
💡 Prediction & Probability – Kids can use their observations to make predictions about upcoming weather patterns.
Try extending the activity by comparing temperatures, tracking wind speeds, or exploring seasonal weather trends. Stay tuned for next week's activity, where we'll bring more math into real-world experiences! 🌎📏✨
Kindergarten Roundup
Each elementary school will host a Kindergarten Roundup session so interested parents can meet with various people to learn more about kindergarten and complete helpful screenings. Please see the flyer below for more information or the Registration tab on the district webpage: https://www.wcsdpa.org/o/wcsd/page/registration.
🎉 Testing Tip #7: Celebrate Effort
Celebrate your child’s effort with positive reinforcement.
After each testing day, celebrate your child’s hard work! You don’t need big rewards—a favorite snack, a game night, or a hand-written note can go a long way. Reinforcing effort helps kids stay motivated and feel proud of their progress, no matter the outcome. 🎉🍪👏
👏🎉 Your encouragement makes a big difference!
Sign-ups for the 21st Century summer SPARK program are now open. Transportation will be provided!!! Please use the QR Code located on the attached flyer or access the sign-up link via the Warren County School District 21st Century page. Any student entering grades 6- 8 in the fall of 2025 is eligible. A separate post shows the details for grades K-5.
https://www.wcsdpa.org/o/wcsd/page/nita-m-lowey-21st-century-community-learning-centers
The 21st Century Elementary program is BACK and so is transportation!!! Sign-ups for summer are now open using the QR Code on the attached flyer or access the sign-up link via the Warren County School District 21st Century page. Any student entering grades K - 5 in the fall of 2025 is eligible. A separate post will be made for students in grades 6-8.
https://www.wcsdpa.org/o/wcsd/page/nita-m-lowey-21st-century-community-learning-centers
📵 Testing Tip #6: Limit Nighttime Screens
Try to limit screen time the night before a test to help your child wind down and fall asleep more easily.
Blue light affects sleep quality and screen time can overstimulate the brain.
Turn off TVs, tablets, and phones at least 30–60 minutes before bed.
Encourage quiet activities like drawing, puzzles, journaling, or reading to help your child wind down.📱🚫💤
Weekly Math Fun: DIY Flashcards for Practice & Play! 🧠✨
This week, make math more interactive with DIY math flashcards! These simple, customizable cards are a powerful tool for building fluency, confidence, and speed with key math facts.
Ideas to Boost the Fun:
🃏 Switch It Up – Use flashcards for more than just math facts! Try them for fractions, decimals, or even word problems.
⏱ Game Mode – Set a timer and see how many cards your child can solve in a minute. Try to beat their high score each day!
🎲 Math War – Flip two cards and see who gets the higher value—or who solves it faster!
💬 Explain It – After answering, ask your child to explain how they solved the problem to deepen understanding.
Flashcards are a quick and easy way to fit meaningful math practice into busy days—and they can be tailored to any skill level.
Stay tuned for next week's post, where we’ll explore another creative way to support math learning at home! 🔢🏠
💬 Testing Tip #5: Encourage, Don’t Pressure
A simple “You’ve got this!” can go a long way. Reassure your child that effort matters more than perfection. 💪💬
Say things like “I’m proud of your hard work” or “Just do your best.” Avoid placing too much importance on the score. Emphasize effort, persistence, and progress over perfection.
🕰️ Testing Tip #4: Arrive on Time
Punctuality helps students start the day grounded and prepared.
Being late can create stress or cause your child to miss important directions. Try leaving 10 minutes earlier than usual during testing weeks to give yourself a buffer for unexpected delays.⏰🚸
📅 Testing Tip #3: Keep Routines Calm
A smooth morning can set the tone for the whole day.
Lay out clothes, pack bags, and prep lunch or snacks the night before. Keep the atmosphere calm—turn on music, give extra time for getting ready, and keep things positive. Avoid conflict or rushing, which can raise anxiety levels.
🌞🧘 Less chaos = more confidence.
🥣 State Testing Tip #2: Fuel Up!
A healthy breakfast = a strong start.
All WCSD students can receive a free breakfast. Encourage your child to eat breakfast each morning to help them stay full and focused during testing. 🥚🍎🥣
Why: Whole grains, fruit, and protein help kids stay focused during long testing sessions.
🥚🍌🥣 A well-fed brain is a powerful one!
📚 State Testing Tip #1: Rest is Best!
Encourage a full night of sleep—ideally 8–10 hours—for at least a week before testing.
A well-rested brain is more focused, less anxious, and better able to retain information. Start winding down earlier in the evenings by limiting screens, using calming routines like reading or quiet music, and keeping bedtimes consistent—even on weekends.
Why: A steady sleep schedule helps your child feel alert and ready to learn—not just on test day, but every day!
Just a reminder: There is No School for students on Thursday, April 17th - Monday, April 21st.
🎯 Getting Ready for State Testing: How You Can Help!
Over the next week, we’ll be sharing quick tips to help your child feel confident, focused, and ready for state assessments. These small, simple habits—like a good night’s sleep or a healthy breakfast—can make a big difference!
Each post will include a practical tip you can use at home to support your child before, during, and after testing days.
Let’s work together to make this a positive experience for all students! 💪📚
Weekly Math Fun: Backyard Geometry Adventure! 🌿📏
When the weather warms up, take learning outdoors with a Backyard Geometry Adventure! Exploring math in nature helps children see how shapes, measurements, and patterns exist all around them.
Math in Nature:
🔹 Shapes & Patterns – Recognizing geometric shapes in leaves, flowers, and tree rings helps kids develop spatial awareness.
📏 Measurement & Comparison – Using rulers or measuring tapes strengthens real-world math skills like estimating length and height.
📐 Perimeter & Area – Measuring outdoor spaces makes abstract concepts more concrete and hands-on.
🔺 Angles & Symmetry – Observing angles in tree branches, spider webs, or fences builds geometry understanding in a fun way.
This activity connects math and science, sparking curiosity while reinforcing key math skills.
Stay tuned for more creative ways to bring math into everyday experiences! 🌞📊
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Please click the link to see the upcoming dates for PSSAs and Keystones. Please note which test(s) your child will be taking based on their grade level and current course load. https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/2985/WCSD/3540991/Overview_of_Assessment_Calendar_2024.2025.pdf
Weekly Math Fun: Math + Art = Creativity at Home! 🎨➕📐
This week, combine math and creativity with fun, low-prep art activities!
Exploring math through art helps kids develop spatial awareness, pattern recognition, and measurement skills while expressing themselves creatively.
Math Concepts in Art:
🖼 Symmetry & Reflections – Folding, painting, and cutting help children recognize mirror images and balance.
🔺 Geometric Shapes & Patterns – Drawing, cutting, and arranging shapes reinforce patterning, tessellations, and sequencing.
📏 Measurement & Fractions – Comparing lengths and dividing paper into equal parts strengthens real-world math understanding.
📦 3D Geometry – Creating cubes, cones, and pyramids introduces concepts of volume and spatial reasoning.
Encourage kids to explore math through hands-on creativity and discover how numbers and patterns appear in art.
Stay tuned for next week’s activity, where we’ll bring more math into everyday fun! 🎭📊✨
