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W E D N E S D A Y W E E K L Y
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Bi-weekly Summer Issue - July 11, 2018
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In this Issue
Upcoming Events
July 12
Lower Elementary
(6-9) Meet and Greet
Noon
Learning Commons
Meerkats & Dragons:
Tubing on the Brandywine
Kangaroos & Tigers: Camden Aquarium
July 16-20
Camp Week 5
July 19
Meerkats & Dragons:
Cookout and Movie Night (until 8:30 p.m.)
Dragons only: Overnight campout at WMS
July 23-27
Camp Week 6
July 26
Dragons: Guppy Gulch
Kangaroos & Tigers: Linvilla Orchards
July 30-August 3
Camp Week 7
August 2
Tigers, Meerkats, Dragons:
Renaissance Faire
August 6-10
Camp Week 8
August 7
Kangaroos & Tigers: Hagley Museum
August 9
Meerkats: Killens Pond Water Park
Dragons:
Cape Henlopen Beach
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Summer Reading
Message from
Head of School Lisa Lalama
One of the things we learn when we become parents is the critical importance of reading. We begin by reading aloud to our babies and young children, and if they're lucky we continue this practice well past the time when they have learned to read, sharing books just beyond their reach. As children enter school, reading is emphasized even more. Tests are administered, and parents are "schooled" on the importance of learning to read, with measurements of success taken all along the way. The truth is, reading is essential, and some of us enjoy it and master it more easily than others.
I love to read and am always reading at least one book, often more. However, I wouldn't characterize myself as a strong reader. I rarely analyze text, choosing instead to simply enjoy the characters, their journeys and their stories. It isn't often that I think deeply about what I've read, although I may do so when the subject is important to me or if the book I'm reading is beautifully written. If I want to recall facts and figures from my reading, I highlight them and make sure I have a way to return to them at a later time when they may be needed. I'm not sure how well I would do on a test of my reading comprehension if the passage was of little interest to me.
Fortunately, my lack of introspection about the books I have read throughout my life and my relative lack of skill as a strong reader haven't harmed me or my love of reading. As a child I was left to my own devices, choosing the books I wanted to read and having an ample supply available to me. The same is true today. I appreciate and look for beautifully written literature, but also spend a great deal of my reading time enjoying a fast-paced mystery. The best thing we can do to support young readers is to surround them with opportunities to choose books and get out of their way. I wasn't thrilled when my daughter was reading every book in what I deemed to be a "silly adolescent series" or as my son chose to read about Garfield the cat and his antics, but I supported their choices while also trying to subtly introduce others.
Choice is critical to create a foundation of reading. As a teacher, I made sure to teach the skills needed to create strong reading skills and habits. As a reader, I learned them all along the way. Now I employ them when needed, and sit back, relax and enjoy a good book with no demands placed beyond learning more about the stories as they unfold before my eyes. I hope you have some time this summer to do the same!
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News & Notes
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Attention Campers: Advanced Archery II Specialty Camp Returns August 13-17
Back by popular demand,
Advanced Archery II will return to
Camp Montessori next month for campers looking to hone their archery skills.
Designed for campers who have had at least one archery course (or some archery instruction), this camp will provide new challenges, including shooting targets at greater distances, learning trick shots and experimenting with other types of projectile launchers
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When: Camp Week 9, August 13-17,
1-4 p.m.
Cost: $230
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Reminder: Time to Renew Your Magnus Health Documents
Every July 1, certain Magnus Health forms expire. If your child is enrolled at WMS for the 2018-19 school year, attending camp or may attend School's Out days this fall, you may have recently received emails to remind you these forms are due. Please take time to fill them out as soon as possible so your child's information can be up-to-date for the upcoming school year.
These forms contain vital contact information, general field trip permission, permission for the nurse to treat your child and photo permissions, among others. These do NOT include your child's health appraisal or immunization record, which follow their own annual expiration dates. The July 1 expiration date only applies to the school's annual forms.
Please email lisa_chou@wmsde.org or speak with Nurse Lisa if you have any questions or difficulty logging in to your account.
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Camp Montessori: Restoring Benches, Creating Art with Nails and Carnival Planning with the Dragons
As Camp Montessori's most senior camp group, the Dragons - campers entering fifth through eighth grades - enjoy a chance to explore more in-depth themes throughout the summer and tackle season-long projects. This summer, they are already hard at work on three special ventures:
- Bench Restoration: In Week 2 - DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Week - the Dragons began cleaning and sanding two old, wooden benches. They manually sanded the first bench with sandpaper wrapped around wooden blocks (which made it easier to grip) and will use an electric sander to tackle the second bench (gloves and safety goggles will be provided). Once both benches are sanded, the campers will repair, prime and paint them, sign the finished products with their initials, and donate them. Throughout the process, the kids will receive lessons in proper tool use and safety.
"So far, the kids have loved it!" says Dragon lead counselor Ben Loder, whose great-grandfather owned one of the benches the campers are restoring. "I initially asked for kids to help in 10-minute shifts, but none of them wanted to stop."
- Hammering Nails Into Art: The Dragons have also been working with art teacher Laurie Muhlbauer to design an art piece by hammering nails in different patterns on a wooden board. The nail art project also began during the group's DIY-theme week. Look for the completed artwork on display later in the camp season.
- End-of-Summer Carnival: Every year during the final week of camp, the Dragons host an end-of-summer carnival. They take responsibility for designing, building, planning and operating the carnival games for the younger children. The carnival culminates with a raffle drawing for campers to dump water on their favorite counselors. It's a great way to cap off the Camp Montessori season!
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 The Wednesday Weekly shares WMS news and events that are relevant to the families in our community.
Please send submissions to
wednesday-weekly@wmsde.org
by 4:30 p.m. on the Friday prior
to the issue in which you wish to include your information. Content may be edited for length
and style and may be held for a future issue due to space constraints.
For more information, contact Noel Dietrich, Director of Advancement & Communications.
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