WREN MIDDLENEWSLETTER

APRIL 8, 2016

WMS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Following the commitment made to our voters in Anderson School District 1, Wren Middle School has made some very exciting additions to our school this year!

Wren Middle School is committed to providing a learning environment of excellence where each student is taught to acquire world class skills and knowledge necessary for future success.

Be sure to visit our Spring Book Fair taking place in our Media Center starting today, April 8, and concluding Wednesday, April 13. Students will be visiting the book fair with their classes, but parents are welcome to come shop during the school day as well. Please check in at the office.

Payment can be made with cash, major credit card, or check (made out to Wren Middle School).

HEADLINES

LOCAL SALES TAX

BETA CLUB

ISSUE: 1

VOLUME: 1

YEAR: 2015-16

LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX DOLLARS PUT TO GOOD USE

SPRING TESTING

GET TO KNOW: MRS. PATAKY

DATES TO REMEMBER

interactive learning in the classroom, and a digital display announcement system for the cafeteria.

The fine arts and music departments added to their resources as well. The band and strings program was able

devices. New technology items that were purchased

include 11 new laptop computers to be used in flexible learning situations, 60 iPad wired keyboards for class checkout, a roving Clear Touch board for more

to purchase new instruments (including a bass clarinet, baritone sax, and more) and

With this money, we purchased more than 1000 new print books and nearly 250 new digital audio and eBooks that students can checkout on their iPads or other

A large portion of the local option sales tax money was designated for use in the Media Center to update our print and digital book collection and purchase new technology items.

several instrument lockers. The choral program purchased new student musician chairs (some with tablet arms), and a new set of chimes. They were also able to repair and re-tune their piano. The art department has purchased new equipment for displaying student work, a printing press, a drying rack, Styrofoam cutters, and iPad stands.

Next, the science and math teams are looking forward to acquiring some new STEM equipment for their programs. With all these additions, Wren Middle School students are continuing to further prepare themselves for future success.

Wren Middle School's chapter of Junior Beta Club is thriving this school year! In December, new members were inducted into the club and new officers were selected for the new year. The officers are Mason Payne, President; Morgan Stalling, Vice President; Max Sanders, Secretary; Maddy Lewis, Reporter; Karl Undheim, Historian; and Janey Dixon, Historian. In order to be

Currently, WMS has 412 members.

In January, 50 Beta Club Members attended the state convention in Myrtle Beach. There, students competed against other schools in various academic, performance, and artistic categories. Our students did great and placed in the following categories: 1st place in Poetry (Kelsie Barrineau), 2nd in Recyclable Art (Emily Dornellas), 3rd place in Digitally Enhanced Photography (Allen Stewart), 2nd place in Campaign Skit (group), and 3rd place in Group Talent. All the students were great representatives of our school.

APR 8-13 : Spring Book Fair in Media Center

APR 19-29: 8th Grade Online SC Ready Testing

APR 26-29: 6th and 7th SC Ready Testing

MAY 10-11: SC PASS Testing - All Grades

MAY 24: 6th Grade Awards Assembly

MAY 25: 7th Grade Awards Assembly

MAY 26: 8th Grade Awards Assembly MAY 31-JUN 2: Half Days

MAY 26: 8th Grade Dance 6:00-8:30 JUN 2: Last Day of School!

DATES TO REMEMBER:

SPRING DANCE!

HANGING WITH FRIENDS

SPRING BREAK BOUND!

BETA CLUB ROCKS AT CONVENTION IN MYRTLE BEACH

GETTING PREPARED FOR SPRING TESTING

GET TO KNOW: MRS. PATAKYThis newsletter was put together by Mrs. Pataky, who joined the Wren Middle School family in October as the new media specialist. Originally from Ill inois, Mrs. Pataky moved to South Carolina with her husband (a professor at Clemson) and their fur-baby,

Blue the Dog. Mrs. Pataky LOVES reading and giving book recommendations, so feel free to ask at anytime! To contact her with any questions or concerns, please call the school or email: patakye@apps.anderson1.org.

As the end of the school year approaches, we are preparing for our round of spring testing, starting off with this month's SC READY assessment for math and ELA. This year, all 8th grade students will be assessed online over a span of two weeks (see dates below). 6th and 7th graders will take the tests on paper, before transitioning to online testing next year. These assessments are not timed, so students will have as long as they

need to complete the tasks. For more information about this test, check out the following brochure put out by the SC Department of Education: http://ed.sc.gov/tests/tests-files/sc- ready-files/2016-sc-ready-essentials -brochure/

In May, all students will complete the SC PASS assessment for science and social studies. These tests will be taken with paper and pencil.

Image source: "Happy Sun" by qubodup licensed by CC by 2.0

invited to join Beta Club, students must maintain A's and B's for their grades.

WATCH ME WHIP!