Summer Plans and Getting Ready for the Fall

Summer is often a little quiet, but this year we are busier than ever, as faculty, staff, and the administrative team undergo professional development and make preparations for the return to school. While the trajectory of the virus is unknown, we are optimistic that on-site learning will resume in some capacity in September. Our Reopening Task Forces, comprised of members of the administrative team and faculty and staff, are working diligently to plan for a number of different scenarios. 

When we do return to campus, things will look a little different. Our bathrooms are getting a few upgrades, such as touchless toilets and sinks, and there will be more hand-sanitizing stations spread throughout the building. Our traffic patterns entering, exiting, and around the school will likely alter. We are reconfiguring and repurposing some spaces to ensure the appropriate level of physical distancing. We are also investigating a variety of health-screening processes to determine an efficient and effective method that also supports the social and emotional health of our children. 

We are committed to making our campus as safe as possible while maintaining the joyful learning environment that is the hallmark of a WES education. For instance, face masks have been ordered for faculty and students alike, with playful and age-appropriate designs for the children. Signage designed to encourage physical distancing will feature dragons guiding our students’ steps. 

We are also planning and preparing in case the need for blended learning arises. One of our task forces is dedicated to revising the WES Distance Learning Plan based on feedback from our most recent surveys, and all of our faculty are undergoing professional development with the Association of Independent Schools of Greater Washington on best practices of remote learning and leveraging technology tools to support instruction. 

Additionally, our faculty are building their skills through  other forms of professional development. Our math teachers participated in a weeklong training focused on curriculum development and best instructional practices. Also, many of our faculty are engaging in various workshops and conferences in the area of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The summer reading for our faculty and staff includes Me and White Supremacy by Layla Saad, How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi, and Stamped the Remix by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi. Our summer reading groups will allow our faculty and staff to discuss these books and probe more deeply into the content. 

So yes, we are busier than ever. But the work is also joyful, as we are eager to be together again, in a way that also protects the safety and well-being of the WES Family. We will continue to be in touch frequently, and we will provide more details about what the fall will look like in mid-to-late July.

WES Family Bingo Night on July 2

Come join the fun with a night a BINGO on Thursday, July 2, at 5:30 p.m.! Hosted by #WESConnected, this will be part of our weekly community events during June and July. Printable and virtual BINGO cards will be available starting June 26.  Many types of BINGO will be played and many prizes given away. Hope to see you then!

The link to join the event will be available on the WES Summer Learning and Fun webpage one week prior to the event.

 

WES Continues Free Virtual Evening Classes Into the Summer

During distance learning this spring, WES offered a series of free live after-school classes designed to require minimal parental involvement and keep children engaged while parents either finished work projects or made dinner. The initiative was incredibly popular, and we’ve decided to continue the series over the summer, from June 22-July 31.

Registration will be on a weekly basis. To keep things fun and fresh, once again we will offer new classes each week. Space is limited, so make sure you sign up to secure your spot.  The classes will be offered via Zoom, and the link will be sent upon registration

**Some of our WES teachers are now offering FREE virtual camp demo classes.  This is a great way to check out some of the awesome programs that Summer@WES is providing.  Don’t miss out on this great opportunity! **

If you have any questions, then please contact Caitlin Lennon (clennon@w-e-s.org).

Register Now

Final Week: July 27-31

Monday

Yoga/Stretching/Meditation with Ms. Lennon

In this class your child will enhance their flexibility, strength, coordination, and body awareness. In addition, they will improve their concentration, sense of calmness, and relaxation.

Grades N-8: 4-4:45 p.m.

Tuesday

Movement and Fun with Ms. Lennon                                                                

**Virtual Summer Camp Demo Lesson**                                                                      

If you want to get your kids physically active this summer, then look no further! Kids will be participating in games and competing in daily challenges that will revolve around fitness, movement, and sport skills. This class provides the perfect combination of movement, music, learning new skills, and FUN!

K-Grade 4: 4- 4:45 p.m.

Hip Hop with Ms. Evans

Come join Ms. Evans for a high energy warmup/exercise class then get ready to learn and memorize a Hip Hop dance combo that you will want to be sharing with your whole family.

Pre-K-Grade 4: 6-6:45 p.m.

Wednesday

Musical Theatre

Ms. Evans has the energy to sing, act, and dance all at the same time… do you have that same energy? Come join her in this action-packed class and becoming the outstanding performer we all know you are!

N-Grade 2: 6-6:45 p.m.

Friday

Ballet 

Calling all ballerinas to the dance floor! Grab your tutu and ballet slippers (not actually needed) and get ready to twirl and leap like Ms. Evans.

N-Grade 1: 4-4:45 p.m.

 

Safe and Stylish Face Mask Sources From Nurse Bailey

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has required individuals to wear face masks if they are in indoor public spaces and/or using public transportation. The CDC recommends face masks be: at least 2 layers – for extra filtering of particles, consider one with a pocket for a filter (PM 2.5 filter than can filter up to 95% of particles); ​a properly fitted mask that does not allow gaps (gaps decrease protection); allows for breathing without restriction; and washable/reusable. Here are a few resources of some fun and stylish masks that are also CDC-compliant:

Banana Republic 3-layer mask ($29 for 3 colors)

Hedley & Bennett with optional filter pocket ($22 each)

Madewell 3-layer mask (3 for $20)

Puraka adult & kids with filter pocket (variable)

Gap 3-layer mask adult and kid sizes (3 pack – $15)

Disney Kids (4 designs for $19.99)

Havanue (offers window mask) $15 pre-order

WES Hosts Summer Community Events Series

It’s never been more important to stay connected as a community. From June 22 to July 31, we will be having storytime, chapel, and one community virtual event, such as a trivia night, Pictionary, or a dance party, that will rotate weekly.  All events will be held via Zoom.

The schedule will be as follows:

Storytime: Wednesdays at 3 p.m.

Chapel: Thursdays at 4 p.m.

Community Event: Thursdays at 5:30 p.m.

Librarian Patrick Pane will read a different book from the WES collection each week for storytime. The selection for Wednesday, June 24, will be The Adventures of Beekle: the Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat. This magical story begins on an island far away where an imaginary friend is born. He patiently waits his turn to be chosen by a real child, but when he is overlooked time and again, he sets off on an incredible journey to the bustling city, where he finally meets his perfect match and–at long last–is given his special name: Beekle. You can join here.

Chapels will begin with a short, 5-minute prayer service all together on Zoom, followed by breakout rooms where students can connect with other students their age for an activity or a supervised free chat time. You can join here.

Our first Community Event will be “Name That Tune,” hosted by WES Science Teacher and Coach Mehdi Elkassem on Thursday, June 25, at 5:30 p.m. How quickly can you name a song?  The fewer the notes, the better your chance ​of winning this game that was created in the in the 1950s. This event is for all WES families and all ages are welcome. Answers are to be typed into the chat box, and prizes will be awarded. Winners will indicate their choice of $10 gift cards from: Google Play, iTunes, Sarah’s Handmade Ice Cream, Ledo Pizza, Starbucks, or Amazon. Prizes for the winner will be mailed after the game. You can join here.

WES Community Names New STEM Lab

WES embarked on an ambitious project to renovate its East Campus this fall.  Over the course of the next several years, we seek to transform approximately 7,000 square feet into innovative learning and community spaces for our students as well as to beautify the facade of the building.

Phase one was to build a STEM space and to renovate the north half of the east façade of the building. Funding for Phase One was jump started with the Raise Your Paddle appeal at the 2019 Auction Gala, and additional resources were added through the careful fiscal management and foresight of the Board of Trustees, who had set aside reserves over the course of several years.

While the construction crew is finishing up some minor details, the STEM space is now complete. Earlier this year, we invited our community to help us name this new lab. We are pleased to announce that the community selected the name Dragon Innovation Lab, and signage will be installed shortly!

You can view a photo gallery showing the course of construction over the last several months here.