On Monday, March 25, 2013,
we caught first glimpses of
our future school and world
leaders during the New En-
rollment Lottery for West
Oak Lane Charter School’s
class of 2022. Over 90 par-
ents and family member
joined WOLCS staff in the
school cafeteria to watch the
live lottery and witness first
hand whether their child was
offered a Kindergarten seat
for the fall.
In addition to discovering
whether a seat was available
for their child, families
gained valuable information
about joining the WOLCS
family and meeting our high
expectations. The steps for
filling a fall Kindergarten
seat are far from over. Fami-
lies must now ensure that
contact information remains
up-to-date, and are required
The lottery for grades 1
through 4 will be held later
in the school year as we ob-
tain more information on
available space in those
grades.
to submit all
requested pa-
perwork in a
timely man-
ner.
While the 120
opening in
Kindergarten
were not
enough to
satisfy the
community’s
demand– over
300 applica-
tions were submitted, we
encourage the families of
students placed on the wait-
ing list to remain optimistic.
As families move and make
different choices, wait-listed
families may receive a call
offering an available space.
In the meantime, we encour-
age all wait-listed families to
submit applications for Kin-
dergarten slots with other
schools.
Week of April 8, 2013 Volume I, Issue 17
Inside this issue:
WOLCS Kindergarten
Lottery 2013
1
From the Nurse’s Desk:
April is National Autistic
Awareness Month
2
National Poetry Month 2
WOLCS Chess Champions 2
WOLCS 2nd Annual
Alumni Day
3
Spotlight on Poetry 4
Reach for the STARS 6
Matching Gift Programs 6
Summer Engineering
Experience (SEEK)
6
WOLCS School Fees 7
Upcoming Events 7
"Every spring is the only spring - a perpetual astonishment."
- Ellis Peters
West Oak Lane Charter School
PARENT ALER T
Reading & Math PSSA
APRIL 8 - April 15, 2013! Encourage your child to do his/her best, get plenty of rest, and Be On Time!
New Lottery Welcomes Class of 2022
April is National Autis-
tic Awareness Month.
Since the 1970s, the
United States recogniz-
es April as a special op-
portunity to educate
the public about autism
and issues within the
autism community.
Join the Autism Society
in getting involved with
the autism community
by putting on the Puz-
zle! The Autism Aware-
ness Puzzle Ribbon is
the most recognized
symbol of the autism
community in the
world. Autism preva-
lence is now one in eve-
ry 88 children in Ameri-
ca.
Show your support for
people with autism by
wearing the Autism
Awareness Puzzle Rib-
bon – as a pin on your
shirt, a magnet on your
car, a badge on your
blog, or even your Face-
book profile picture -
and educate folks on
the potential of people
with autism!
To learn more about the
Autism Awareness Puz-
zle Ribbon visit http://
www.autism-
society.org/about-us/
puzzle-ribbon.html.
If your child is experi-
encing signs of autism
or has recently been di-
agnosed, please contact
our Special Education
Coordinator Mrs. Tiffa-
ny Thompson to learn
how West Oak Lane
Charter School can as-
sist with school ser-
vices.
Nurses Corner
Page 2 PARENT ALERT
National Poetry Month
There are endless benefits in exposing children to a diverse
selection of poetry at an early age. What better time to ex-
plore them than National Poetry Month? Reading poetry
aloud with your children helps them fall in love with words
and gives them the tools they need to become enthusiastic
readers. By emphasizing the sound and rhythm of lan-
guage, poetry builds children’s phonemic awareness, or sen-
sitivity to the smallest sounds of speech, laying a founda-
tion for beginning reading. Also, poets’ inventive, skillful
use of language introduces children to new vocabulary
words and concepts. Visit www.pbs.org for more.
This week, we feature Ms. Barr’s 4th grade homeroom,
who wrote "Pattern Poems" filled with outrageous stunts
and specific phrases such as “I am,” "I can," based on
Shel Silverstein original poem "Who?"
“Who can kick a football here to Iran?
I can!
Who stood longer than the Great Pyramid?
I did!
Who’s gonna find a million dollars on the grill?
I will!
Who can sit and tell lies all night? I might!”
- Written by Elijah Smith
WOLCS Girls Chess Team Wins Big
at the Dr. Sally Solomon Memorial Girls Chess Tournament held at Drexel University on
Wednesday, April 3rd. Students won 3 gold, 3 bronze, and a 1st place trophy now proudly dis-
played in our trophy case. Congrats to the Team & to our Chess
Coach Mr. Williams!
On Monday, March 27, 2013,
WOLCS held its 2nd Annual Alum-
ni Day in collaboration with Fox
Chase Cancer Center. Students from
as far back as the class of 2007
joined WOLCS staff and career
mentors for a focus on Science
and Engineering. The full day
of activities included reflec-
tion and long-term future
planning. Graduates also met
with current WOLCS Middle
Seated below: Robert Stewart, Jason “Jazz” Skipworth, Denise Kirkland, Sherise Crosby & Marijo Bilusic;
Standing: Dr. Lee, Barbara McNeil,
Troy Krall & Theresa Berger
School students to discuss high
school highlights and challenges.
This inspiring event would not
have been possible without the
support of our panelists (pictured
below), primarily from Fox Chase.
Page 3 PARENT ALERT
WOLCS 2nd ANNUAL ALUMNI DAY 2013
SPRING
by Amya Moore
All different colors all over.
The warm air is racing past
your face. People sneezing and
tearing up because of allergies.
The bees sucking up nectar.
Flowers
singing softly.
Animals coming out.
Ice cream trucks coming down
the street children chasing it
like paparazzi.
DANCER
by Stephanie Rouse
She glides across the stage
gracefully. She leaps like a
galloping horse. Her feet
gain a friendship with the
floor.
She twirls like a group of
bees. Her heart speaks
to the music.
the music speaks to her ears
when she finishes,
the flowers that were thrown
applaud her.
DREARY NIGHTS by Shynera Dorin
The trees danced in the wind and rain.
The grass crying up a river of tears. The roofs of houses soaked. The stained glass is sodden
crying its heart out. The moon shines bright.
Even though it’s a dreary night.
CLOUDS OF DEATH
by Brandon Barnes
The day September 9, 2001
I had no feeling inside
no not one.
After that day
how could I,
with clouds of Death all
through the sky.
The stench of fear clashed
with tears.
The screams caved in my
ears. The Twin Towers have
fallen.
THE THEATRE & THE DREAM by Vashiyah Hawes
As we sit in the theatre The music yells in my ear so
softly I cry. The words whisper so softly I
melt, but then I realize it’s all just a fainted
dream
THE TREES
by Khylah Harris
The tress were warmed
happily in the sun
in the Summer.
The trees shivered in the wind as the
leaves painted themselves a different
color in the Fall.
The trees stood there cold and bare
in the Winter.
The trees were beautifully blooming
with fresh leaves and flowers
in the Spring.
National Poetry Month
BEACH DAYS
by Marcus Robinson
The sea is walking and
retreating from the beach
People are happy
singing, dancing, swimming, and
making sand castles
The smell of the salt water
brushes against the noses of the people
But when its time to go
the sandy beach and salty water cry
and wave goodbye
to all to all of the people
and the people wave at them back
saying goodbye
A POEM
by Jason Francois
The stars in the night
are gleaming in the winter.
Shivers.
As the white blankets covers
outside most people stay
indoors
The howling wind makes the
snow covered evergreens
dance
Soon, when the sun comes in
Spring
People will realize the
Joy
Winter brings
THUNDER by Kevin Williams
I sleep in bed
I hear a thunder it bursts my eardrums
I open the window and the breath of the man outside
smacks me in the face
I panic, panic, and panic
But then I remember the trick my grandpa told me
And I went to sleep as my bed hugged me
Ms. Baumgardner’s
6th grade homeroom
continues our
spotlight on poetry
with well-written
prose targeting
personification.
Page 4 Newsletter Title
New Partnership Helps WOLCS Raise Student Interest in Careers in the Sciences
Page 5 PARENT ALERT
West Oak Lane Charter
School is pleased to announce
a new partnership with Fox
Chase Cancer Center (FCC).
This partnership will help
raise student interest in the
sciences.
This innovative alliance has
supported a number of excit-
ing projects and events for
WOLCS students.
During the fall, FCC coordi-
nated a visit to Lincoln Univer-
sity for our 8th grade students.
Then, in Winter 2012, FCC rep-
resentatives participated in sup-
porting our students in the
George Washington Carver Sci-
ence Fair. FCC staff helped plan
and prep for the fair, and also
assisted with scoring final stu-
dent projects.
In addition, FCC served as pan-
elist at the 2nd Annual WOLCS
Alumni Day on March 27, 2013.
Panelist shared their career
paths with WOLCS 7th and 8th
grade students, as well as our
alumni.
Future plans between WOLCS
and FCC include developing a
speaker series, helping with
developing science curriculum,
establishing an essay writing
contest, and providing enrich-
ment opportunities for WOLCS
faculty.
&
Above, West Oak Lane Charter School students make the most of the college experience
during a trip to Lincoln University sponsored by Fox Chase Cancer Center.
Left, FCC join panelists during the 2nd Annual WOLCS Alumni Day. Seated below are Robert Stewart, Jason
“Jazz” Skipworth (FCC), Denise Kirkland, Sherise Crosby & Marijo Bilusic (FCC);
While standing panelists include: Dr. Lee, Barbara
McNeil, Troy Krall & Theresa Berger (FCC).
Left and right,
over 115 WOLCS students and staff
recently enjoy the play
“Mr. Malcolm’s Crazy Science
Show” held at the
Baldwin Theatre in
Pittman, NJ.
On weekday mornings, WOLCS students can now be
found in the school’s cafeteria reviewing behavioral
expectations and acknowledging
each other for being STARs. Please be sure your child is on time daily and ask him or her
about the new WOLCS STAR cheer.
DONATIONS WELCOME!
Family contributions increase the
opportunity for WOLCS students to
have access to summer and after
school programming, including
academics to support retained stu-
dents, tutoring and homework
clubs, test preparation and exciting
extracurricular programs and ac-
tivities. Your donation could go
further with
company match programs!
Find out whether your employer
has a matching gift program
today. You could increase the
value of any contribution that you
make to WOLCS -
at no cost to you!
The Summer Engineering Experience for Kids’ program, (SEEK), is a National Society of Black Engineers’ (NSBE)
solution to the underrepresen-tation of African American students in the Science,
Technology, Engineering, and
Math (STEM) fields.
SEEK offers a FREE, three week program designed to expose African American
children in grades 3-5 to STEM fields. You can access an
application and more SEEK information by visiting: <https://www.nsbe.org/
seek.aspx>.
Page 6 PARENT ALERT
AFTER SCHOOL OPPORTUNITY FOR
GIRLS AGES 8 to 14
Philly Girls in Motion and Simons Recreation Center have partnered with the
Department of Parks and Recreation to deliver 8 week fitness programs to girls ages
8-14. Groups will include exercise like Zumba, yoga, cardio kickboxing,
martial arts, and boot camp and we also offer Crossfit Kids which is a fun strength
program developed for kids, Tweens, and teens. Classes will also teach
girls about nutrition and making healthy choices.
FUN. FITNESS. FREE!
JUST FOR 7TH GRADERS!
The Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA
is offering a Free One Year Membership
To Every 7th Grader!
SIGN UP TODAY!
Here’s how:
Stop by any of the Philadelphia Freedom Valley
YMCA branch locations and bring:
1. Proof of 7th grade status - a student ID card, class
roster, class schedule, or report card.
2. A parent or guardian
All 7th Graders are encouraged to sign up today!
PSSA
MATH & READING
April 8-19, 2013
WOLCS Spring Book Fair April 15-19, 2013
This is our BUY ONE, GET ONE event!!!
Come and visit the Fair during Parent Teacher Conferences
on Wednesday, April 17th from 12:30pm - 7:00pm.
Parent-Teacher Conferences - 3rd Quarter Wednesday, April 17, 2013
1-4PM & 5-7PM
Kindergarten Earth Day Parent Session
“Respect The Earth” Friday, April 19, 2013
2:00-3:15PM
PSSA SCIENCE
Grades 5 & 8
April 22 - 26, 2013
FBI Parent Organization Meeting
Wednesday, May 1, 2013 6:00 - 7:30PM
WOLCS Parent Center
3rd Quarter Honors Pinning Ceremony
Thursday, May 2, 2013 Grades K-2
Friday, May 3, 2013 Grades 3-8
More info. TBA
We’re on the web: www.wolcs.org
Upcoming Events
EARLY DISMISSAL Students will not be
released for early dismissal after 2:30PM on Mondays,
Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays. On Wednesdays,
students will not be released for early dismissal
after 11:00AM!
PRETZEL DAY Tuesdays & Fridays
are WOLCS Pretzel Day. During the lunch period,
pretzels are available
for purchase for $1.00.
VOLUNTEER APPLICATIONS
Before you can
chaperone a trip or
help in a classroom,
you MUST complete
and submit a
2012-2013 Volunteer
& Visitor Application,
along with picture
ID. Applications are
available in the main
office or on the
school’s website.
Have you updated your
Student Emergency Contact Form for the 2012-2013 school year?
If not, please pick up a Contact Form
in the main office. The information in the
Contact Form allows us to contact you in
cases of emergency, and updates those to
whom we can release your child.
Be sure to fill one out today!
In order to ensure a sound
educational program and
full access to a variety of
resources, WOLCS has
implemented a system of
costs and associated fees.
Your adherence to these
requirements is appreciat-
ed.
Late Fees: WOLCS will
assess parents/guardians a
fee of five dollars for each
15 minutes they are late
picking up their child(ren)
(beginning at 12:15 PM on
Wednesdays and 3:45 PM
on regular dismissal days.)
The fee is payable at the
time of pick -up and must
be received no later than 5
days of the late pick-up.
School records will not be
released until all other fi-
nancial obligations de-
scribed in the Student
Handbook are met.
Book Fees: These fees vary
based on cost of book.
Restitution: Costs vary de-
pending on cost of damage
repair to school property.
Breakfast & Lunch Fees:
Full Breakfast: $5.00 per
week/$1.00 per day; Re-
duced: $1.50 per week/$.30
per day
Full Lunch: $8.50 per week/
$1.70 per day; Reduced:
$2.00 per week/$.40 per day
School reports cards, in-
cluding transcripts for high
school will not be released
and students will not be
permitted to participate in
school activities such as
field trips until all financial
obligations are satisfied.
School Fees
Effective immediately, all visitors (including volunteers) must be prepared to present photo ID at the security desk. School visitors must also sign-in at the security desk once they arrive in the
building, and affix the provided badge/pass to your clothing so that it is visible for the entire time that you are present
in the school building.
Page 7 PARENT ALERT
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