Annual 6th Grade Dinner Theater

You are invited to the Annual 6th Grade Dinner Theater! All proceeds will be put toward the sixth grade end of year trip. Our class is performing The First City of Ancient Greece.

Mrs. Adams’ and Mr. Richardson’s class is performing The Gods Must Be Crazy: The Story of Cupid and Psyche. Mrs. Lilley’s and Mrs. Andrews’ class is performing Vanity Fair: The Story of Echo and Narcissus. 

Join us for the fun!

What: 6th Grade History Dinner Theater
Where: 1st Baptist Church, Corner of Harvey and Main Street, Washington, NC
When: Tuesday, November 5, 2013 Dinner Begins at 6:00 pm
Cost: $7.00 per person with a $25 max for immediate family, Prepayment at the front office is appreciated.
Menu: A Greek menu will be served consisting of soups and stews, pita, salad, and dessert.

Please click on to the following website link to sign up to contribute for this event: 6th Grade Dinner Theater Sign Up for Mrs. Prescott's & Mrs. Smigel's Class

A New School Year Begins Soon...

Dear Students and Parents:

Wow! Where did the time go? Seems like just yesterday the teachers waved goodbye as you all left school for summer adventures! Now, here it is, the start of school and a new set of adventures await you; how wonderful! We hope you had a fun summer and are all ready for a new school year. Your teachers are looking forward to meeting their new students and welcoming those of you returning. It will be nice to share with each other the activities you participated in these past several months.

Speaking of activities, there has been a lot of activity going on here since the end of the last term. Did you notice the changes to the school entrance? Isn't it exciting? We know you will enjoy the improvements to the campus. As always, we are proud of our facilities and grounds. We know you will continue to appreciate the treasures available to you on our campus and will remember to show respect to the property and the environment around you. We are pleased you have chosen to make this your academic home this year! It will be a great year!

By now, you have all of your supplies and uniforms ready. If you should need more information to prepare you for the start of school, visit the school website: www.wmpcs.org

For a list of school supplies, follow this link: http://www.wmpcs.org/9-12%20updated%20supply%20list.pdf

Remember, orientation is this Friday, August 23, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. This is a perfect opportunity for returning students to visit with teachers and for new students to meet the teachers and explore the classroom. Come and bring in your school supplies and pick up your "spirit" shirts for this year. Shirts will be distributed to parents once the required and important school paperwork is completed. Parents, this is a wonderful opportunity to sign up for volunteer time. Parental involvement helps make this school special and helps to ensure the positive community we strive to maintain for our students. You are needed and appreciated! There are many opportunities available to fulfill your hours, but may I add:

Please consider being the room parent this year. Although I do not mind filling this role again, I do not want to "hog" all the fun. I feel it would be beneficial and refreshing for the class and the teachers to have a new "leader" with new energy and ideas. So, please, do not be shy; let Mrs. Prescott or Mrs. Smigel know if you are interested. I thank you in advance for your consideration and involvement.

Well, look at the countdown on our blog...the time approaches. Get excited and we will see you soon!

Best wishes,
Margaret

Appreciation...Learning, Volunteers, Blankets & Conferences

Dear Families,

This week we are learning about North Carolina’s government, Constitution, and the election, writing critiques on narrative stories, and researching animals and animal behaviors.

Please allow us to extend a huge thank you to everyone who volunteered time, food, supplies, and/or attended last Thursday night’s dinner theatre. The children were well-prepared and charmingly entertained us, the food was delicious, and the performance was well-attended. We raised $1381.72 for the end-of-year 6^th grade trip. Special thanks to Margaret Heifferon who coordinated our volunteers, Lisa and Greg Barmer who organized the kitchen, stage and tables set-up, and sound system at First Baptist Church, and to Michele Rhem and her son, Christian, who provided violin and guitar interludes during the plays.

Over the next few weeks, the children will be sewing baby blankets for Beaufort County Hospital as our Thanksgiving project. If you have fleecy fabric or appropriate “baby” print (36”x36”), please send it in by your student. Also, if you are a seamstress (very basic sewing needed) and are available to volunteer, please let us know. Thanks!

Thank you all for participating in the coat/blanket drive for the victims of Superstorm Sandy. As reported in our note home earlier this week, a former student from our class and current middle schooler, McKenna Castellow, invited us to participate in this effort. Her father will be leaving tomorrow, Friday, for New Jersey as part of Coast Guard Relief and will actually transport the items with his team. We wish the Relief Team well and again, to you all, thank you!

We appreciate the opportunity to meet with you this week during parent conferences. As always, thank you for everything you do for the children,

Amy and Darla

Heads Up:

Mon-Fri (11-5 to 11-9): parent-teacher conferences

Mon, 11-5: $3.75 due for Friday’s hot lunch

Wed, 11-7  MPTO meeting at 3:45 in the middle school

Thurs, 11-8: Community meeting at 6:45 p.m.

Fri, 11-9: Baked potato hot lunch (9-12 sponsored)

Mon, 11-12: Veterans’ Day—no school

Tues, 11-13: Barnes and Nobles book fair 

Week of October 29

Dear Families,

This week we are summarizing narrative stories using the critique model, learning about early natives to North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, and independently researching the animal kingdom. Of course, the children are continuing their small group lessons in language, math, fractions, and geometry as well.

Our dinner theatre is almost here! Our “stars” will begin serving at 6:00 p.m. this Thursday evening with the plays following. The three plays (one from each 9-12 class) will be presented in historical sequence; therefore, the Wright Brothers will be featured lastly as we usher in the 20^th century.

A permission slip went home yesterday for our 6^th years, giving permission for them to stay after school on Thursday and be transported to First Baptist Church. There, they will help prepare the tables, stage, and dinner; we will have pizza and beverage available to them for a $5 fee before they serve dinner.

Thank you to everyone who has already volunteered food and time for the dinner theatre!!!!

As of this writing (October 31, 10:55 a.m.) we have only one more contribution item needed…a crock pot of Brunswick Stew. If you can help us, please contact us or Margaret Heifferon, the room parent, by telephone, e-mail or class blog: http://wmpcs-ms-prescott.blogspot.com/

The following is the list of items to be contributed; please let us know if there is an error:

3 crock pots of Chili (with ladles) -- Kristen Phipps (2), Anne Gurkin (1) & Suzanne Rivera (1) = 4

3 crock pots of Brunswick Stew (with ladles) -- Chip Main (1), Carl/ Treva Anderson (1), & ________ (1 needed) 

3 crock pots of Vegetarian Potato-Corn Chowder (with ladles) -- Josanne Heath (1) & Tara Knott/ Fred Teixeira (2)

5 dozen dinner rolls -- Shannon Ward (2), Kim Woolard (2), Terri Campbell (1), Cindy Waters (1) & Jen Hales (1) = 7

5 dozen servings of corn bread or corn sticks -- Patrice Alexander (2), Terri Campbell (1), Anne Gurkin (2), Lisa Lawless (3) & Cindy Waters (3) = 11

1 large box of Saltines -- Shannon Ward

3 pound cakes -- Cortni Lilley (1), Cindy Waters (1), Jen Hales (2) & April Haltigan (1) = 5

1 package of white lunch bags -- Jen Hales

3 banana puddings -- Judy Tant (1), Mary Peed (1), & Leigh White (1)

4 apple pies -- Kristen Phipps (2) & Shannon Ward (2)

400 dessert plates -- Anne Gurkin (100), April Haltigan (350), Cindy Waters (100), Jen Hales (400) = 950 contributed

600 napkins -- Shannon Ward (600) & Kim Woolard (300) = 900 napkins contributed

1 bag of sugar (5 lbs) -- Bonnie Miller

1 family size box (24 or 48) of tea bags -- Jessica Adams

Please drop off your food contribution at the First Baptist Church kitchen by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday. Although we we will be there at 3:45 p.m., the church is open all day. If this is not feasible for you, please send in your food product with the children on Thursday.

We also need several men to volunteer to help us set up the stage at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday. The staging snaps into place and is easy to set up; it is just heavy. After the plays, we will recruit help from other parents to take the down the stage. We also will need two to three (2-3) volunteers to help serve in the kitchen; those volunteers will be able to watch the plays.

Lastly, we need some natural "North Carolina" decorations such as cotton (on the branch), berries on sprigs, ivy, pine cones, etc. Just sent it in a bag and we will arrange it.

Thank you so much for helping us with this undertaking for the children. The children have worked very hard on their lines, their props, and working together. Thank you for making our dinner and performance possible. We truly could not do it without everyone’s help!

The 5^th years participated in Environmental Days at Goose Creek State Park yesterday and had a lovely time. Thank you to Cammy’s grandfather, Tim Staiger, and Ragan’s mother, Margaret Heifferon, for driving. Mrs. Smigel accompanied the children while Mrs. Prescott remained at school with the 4^th and 6^th years.

A letter also was sent home regarding a hot lunch opportunity for Friday, November 9. The food will be prepared by the 9-12 level with all profits benefiting the 9-12 field trip fund.

Finally, some of the children are struggling with work choices during the excitement of the play -- rehearsal, costumes, gathering props, and serving as a “critiquing” audience. Although it has probably been more difficult to focus this week, some of the work on the progress report has been “excused” accordingly. The highlights on their progress reports reflect, by our estimation, an accurate representation of what the children could have accomplished last week.

Although it is often said that our school follows Beaufort County schools for inclement weather, the Parent Handbook actually states,

“Please tune in to WITN or WNCT television stations for school closing or delay information. You may also view our website of up to date school closings: www.wmpcs.org.”

Also, the school’s phone system would send a message via the Alert Now system in the case of a delay or closing. We hope this is helpful!

What a lengthy letter! Thanks for your patience and for all that you do!

Amy and Darla

P.S. Thank you so much parents! You make being a room parent a lot easier with your help! Your assistance is very much appreciated!

Best wishes,

Margaret

Heads Up:

Wed, 10-31     King Chicken hot lunch

Thurs, 11-1      6^th grade Dinner Theatre---6:00 p.m.

Fri, 11-2           Teachers’ work day---no school for students

Mon, 11-5        Parent-teacher conferences; ½ day school-noon dismissal-BASC available

Mon, 11-5        $ 3.75 baked potato and salad hot lunch money due

Tues, 11-6       Election Day!

Wed, 11-7       MPTO at 3:45

Thurs, 11-8      Community meeting at 6:30 p.m.

Fri, 11-9           Baked potato hot lunch

Mon, 11-12      Veteran’s Day holiday—no school

Tues, 11-13     Begin baby blankets—Thanksgiving project for Beaufort County Hospital

Barnes and Noble Book Fair (all day)—MPTO fundraiser

Brrberry fundraiser for middle school--- 4:00-8:00 p.m.

Wed, 11-21     ½ day school; no BASC—begins Thanksgiving holiday

Thurs, 11-22 & Fri, 11-23        Thanksgiving holidays

Week of October 22 -- (Important Plans for Dinner Theatre)

Dear Families,

This week we are learning about early natives to the Piedmont region of North Carolina, studying the animal kingdom, writing about Carl Linnaeus, and looking for examples of kindness. Some of us are learning about prepositional phrases while others are learning about direct objects or participles. Also, some are working with fractions, protractors, and ratios and proportions.

We have finalized most of our plans for next Thursday night, November 1-- the night of our 6^th grade dinner theatre. The event will be held at the First Baptist Church, 113 North Harvey Street, in Washington. Please see the class blog to RSVP and a map of the location.

Our class is responsible for the following:

3 crock pots of Chili (with ladles)--- see recipe on the class blog

3 crock pots of Brunswick Stew (with ladles)----see recipe on the class blog

3 crock pots of Vegetarian Potato-Corn Chowder (with ladles)---see recipe on the class blog

5 dozen dinner rolls

5 dozen servings of corn bread or corn sticks

1 large box of Saltines

3 pound cakes                        1 package of white lunch bags

3 banana puddings                 400 dessert plates

4 apple pies                             600 napkins 

1 bag of sugar (5 lbs)              1 family size box (24 or 48) of tea bags

The above needs are posted on our class blog where you may sign up to help (or just send a note in to us via your child)! THANK YOU!!!

The children invest an unbelievable amount of dedication, time, and energy in this project! A special thanks to our 4^th and 5^th years’ parent who volunteer although their children are not directly involved this year. We could not do it without all of you!

Again this year, dinner theatre tickets may be prepaid. A family ticket for the immediate family may be purchased for $25, or $7 per person. You also have the option of paying at the door at the same price. There will be a cast member fee (cast members will be our servers at dinner) to cover the costs of pizza/beverage the afternoon of the play. Shortly, we will send home more information regarding their dress, time requirements, and permission slip to travel to the church the day of the play. Thank you!

The children continue to adjust to the demands of the curriculum and expectations; they seem to be happy! Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you for all that you do,

Amy and Darla

ALSO: Thank you for the supplies (bedding) and treats for Bella, our chinchilla!

Week of October 15

Dear Families,

This week we are writing about our state’s first prehistoric inhabitants, learning about North Carolina’s first people in the Lowlands or Coastal areas, about classifications and taxonomy, about the presidential campaigns in our Weekly Reader, and of course, practicing the 6^th grade play.

We are in the process of finalizing our plans for the Thursday night, November 1^st (dinner begins at 6:00 p.m.) dinner theatre. Our 6^th years will be presenting “Orville and Wilbur Wright: First in the Air” after a North Carolina dinner of soups, breads, and desserts. Again, this year’s production will be held at First Baptist Church at the corners of Harvey and Main Streets in Washington.

Each class is responsible for crock pots of soup, baskets/loaves of bread, desserts, paper goods, and tea. By the end of this week, we will finalize the list of responsibilities for our class, provide ticket prices, and have various other information about the dinner theatre available to you. Hopefully, also by next week, we will post our needs on our class blog (thanks, Margaret!) where you may sign up to help! Thank you! A special thanks to our 4^th and 5^th years’ parents who volunteer although their children aren’t directly involved this year.

A couple of upcoming opportunities for our students include 4^th grade Bath Heritage Days (we are currently waiting for more information) and 5^th grade Environmental Field Day. We have attached the permission form for 5^th graders at Goose Creek State Park for the October 30^th Environmental Days. If you are able to drive, thank you!

Thank you for all that you do,

Amy and Darla

Heads Up:

Friday, 10-19:   BoT rally

Tuesday, 10-30: Goose Creek 5^th grade Environmental Days

Thursday, 11-1:   6^th grade dinner theatre

Friday, 11-2:  Teacher work day---no school

Monday, 11-5: Half day school for students—parent conferences begin

Tues-Fri, 11-6 to 11-9: Parent conferences

Monday: 11-12: Veterans’ Day holiday—no school

Era of "Ancient Life" and Today's Good Choices

Dear Families,

This week, we are continuing our studies of the Timeline of Life, writing about animals from the Paleozoic Era, learning about plural nouns, and introducing our Kidsfest Country (actually countries!) of Swaziland and South Africa. If you have any information or items to share relating to either of our African countries, we would love for you to share them with us.

The children continue to learn about making good choices, the consequences of "not-so-good" choices, and time management. Again, we chose not to highlight missed or incomplete work this week as they continue to adjust to all the opportunities for learning, follow-up, and mastery. Attached to this week's parent letter, you will find last week's progress report; as is customary, will you please review it with your child, sign, and return to us on Tuesday? Your signature signals to us that you have had the opportunity to see what your student is doing.

On Thursday evening, November 1, our 6th years will be presenting our annual dinner theatre. Please mark your calendars now! This production includes all the 6th years throughout the 9-12 level which includes dinner as well as an historical fiction play by each class; this year's plays focus on North Carolina history. Although it primarily involves our 6th years, families from all grades in the level usually volunteer food for the event; the whole school body is invited as well as extended families and friends. All proceeds go toward the 6th grade end-of-the-year field trip. We will keep you updated as plans become more definite!

Thank you for sharing your children with us,

Amy and Darla

2012-2013 School Open House & Beautification

Dear Students and Parents:

Yeah! It is almost time for school and there are a couple of important dates to share with you.

First, we have an Open House on Thursday, August 23, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Students, this is a great time to bring in your school supplies, visit your class and say hello to your teachers. During this visit, parents, please take the opportunity to complete the necessary paperwork provided by the school office. Remember, once the paperwork is finished, students will receive a free spirit t-shirt! Yippee!

Then, Saturday, August 25, from 9:00 a.m. to noon, bring your tools and get a start on those volunteer hours...we will work together to ready the campus for the new school year. There will be plenty to do -- from raking and pulling weeds, to sweeping and picking up litter. All volunteers are welcome and appreciated! Also, do not forget to bring your gently used uniforms...bring outgrown clothes in and swap them for new ones.

We will see you soon!

Get excited for the new year and new adventures!
Margaret

Kids Fest -- April 20

How exciting…it is Kids Fest time again! Mark your calendars for this exciting event, April 20, and please sign up to volunteer. Remember: Kids Fest is successful because of volunteers like you! Your participation is needed and appreciated!

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

The following is the Schedule of Events for Kids Fest. All attending are asked to enter and park at the Hwy 264 entrance.

5:00-6:00 -- Food at main tent (chicken lo mein and beef soft tacos)

Note: If you have any dietary restrictions (vegetarian, gluten free, allergies, etc., please email Dori at dlstamant@gmail.com as soon as possible so accommodations may be made for you)

5:00-6:30 -- Food, games, and class work on display in classrooms; drinks at drink tent

6:30-6:45 -- Costume changes (Room parents please help teachers or make sure they have help if needed)

6:45-7:30 -- Parade of Flags

7:30 (or after dances)-8:00 -- Clean up

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:

There are two areas in which you may volunteer:

1.   Help with the Class contribution to Kids Fest, as directed by Mrs. Prescott.

2.   Help in other areas of Kids Fest, as directed by the WMPTO.

AREA 1:

Please email me at kiduba@aol.com or contact Mrs. Prescott/ Mrs. Toler if you are able to help our class with the class country project -- ISRAEL. A signup sheet will also be available in the classroom for your convenience.

At Kids Fest, we will need your help assisting with the class game, serving the food item, helping students with their costumes and cleaning up after the event. More information is to follow about our class food and costume, but please be prepared to assist in any preparation or donation which may be needed.

Mrs. Prescott’s Class Sign-Up Sheet:

(Instructions: Last shift helpers are asked to please help children with costumes and/or cleaning up the classroom from 6:30-6:45.)

4:45-5:30

Game helper                                      , Food helper:                                   

5:30-6:15

Game helper                                      , Food helper:                                   

6:15-6:45

Game helper                                      , Food helper:                                   

AREA 2:

Please email Dori St. Amant at dlstamant@gmail.com if you are able to volunteer for other activities for Kids Fest. There will also be a master list on the 6-9 door very soon if you prefer to sign up on paper rather than email. Dori will keep this list updated on the WMPTO blog http://wmpcs-pto.blogspot.com/ so you know what slots are still available and in case you need a reminder of what area you have volunteered.

Kitchen Prep Help

(Instructions: Please see Chrislyn in Kitchen)

4:00-5:00: (4 Needed)

   Judith                       ,                                   ,                                ,                                  

5:00-6:00: (4 Needed)

   Gisella                    ,                                   ,                                ,                                  

Servers/ Runners for Main Tent Area

(Instructions: There are 2 tables to be staffed with 3 Servers & 1 Runner per table)

4:45-5:30 Servers: (6 Needed)

                                 ,                                   ,                                ,

                                 ,                                   ,                                ,

4:45-5:30 Runners: (2 Needed)

                                 ,                                  

5:30-6:15 Servers: (6 Needed)

                                 ,                                   ,                                ,

                                 ,                                   ,                                ,

5:30-6:15 Runners: (2 Needed)

                                 ,                                  

Drink Table

(Instructions: Lemonade, water, sweet and unsweetened tea to be served. Write names on cups with sharpies. There will be some leftover soda from auction. See Chrislyn in Kitchen. After 6:15, help clean any empty containers; keep serving what is left and refill water if necessary.)

4:45-5:30: (3 Needed)

                                 ,                                   ,                                ,

5:30-6:15: (3 Needed)

                                 ,                                   ,                                ,

6:15 – 6:45: (3 Needed)

                                 ,                                   ,                                ,

Set up:

(Instructions: See Mr. Jones and students, R. Watson)

Clean up

(Instructions: Empty trash cans in dumpster, help take down tables. See Mr. Jones.)

7:30 (or when dances finish)-8:00: (4 Needed)

                                 ,                                   ,                                ,                                  

Parking

(Instructions: See Mr. Jones. Everyone should enter from HWY 264.)

Main entrance 4:00-5:00: (2 Needed to redirect people to HWY 264 entrance.)

                                 ,                                  

264 Entrance 4:00-5:00: (4 Needed)

                                 ,                                   ,                                ,                                  

264 Entrance 5:00-5:30: (4 Needed)

                                 ,                                   ,                                ,                                  

Thank you in advance for your participation and enthusiasm. This is a wonderful event and we look forward to seeing you there!

Margaret