Message from the Principal Woodrow Wilson School It is my honor and pleasure to welcome you to Woodrow Wilson Elementary School. Kindergarten is such an important grade as your child begins their education journey. You have a very important role in the education of your child. It is an important partnership that we want to create with you.  Wake Up Wilson broadcasts on in-school television  Stunning library facility and reading lounge  Planet Book – inexpensive non-profit bookstore for students We have opportunties here at Woodrow Wilson to promote parent involvment. We have begun a Parent University in partnership with Jewish Family Services and Mass Bay Community College. They are holding workshops throughout the year to help parents help their children in the learning process. In addition, they are providing resources to assist parents in attaining their own educational goals.  Reading is Fundamental (RIF) — distributes free books to our students  School-wide Title 1 support for struggling students  Character Education – Open Circle and STAR (Safety, Tolerance, Positive Attitude, Respect and Responsibility)  English as a Second Language classes for students who are working towards English proficiency We have a very active PTO and we meet the first Wednesday of each month. The PTO holds many events throughout the year that benefit all our students. We also have a School Council that addresses the educational needs of the school by writing the school improvement plan, and gathering data from surveys to help improve our school. Parent representation in this group is critical.  Portuguese bilingual program for students new to the country  Support from community organizations such as Jewish Family Services, Burton Boys, Helping Hearts Foundation, and Read to a Child Finally, we have a dedicated kindergarten staff that welcomes all parents and is always willing to discuss your child’s progress. Additionally, Mrs. Da Costa, our Vice Principal and I, are always available and pride on having an open door policy to discuss issues and concerns.  Again, we want to welcome all of you to this very special learning community. We look foward to meeting all of you. Woodrow Wilson School An International Baccalaureate Candidate Woodrow Wilson Elementary School 169 Leland St. Framingham, MA 01702 SAGE – a program that supports gifted and talented students with critical and creative thinking Phone: 508-626-9164  Exceptional volunteers who support our school on a daily basis E-mail: [email protected]  Active Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)  21st Century Afterschool Programs Web Site: http://www.framingham.k12.ma.us/wilson.cfm Sincerely, Mr. John Haidemenos, Jr. Principal Where every child is a star! The United Way of Tri-County is pleased to be the major funder of the International Baccalaureate teacher training at Wilson Elementary School. UWTC is eager to support young learners as they begin their education to become inquisitive, knowledgeable, and caring people who understand academic subjects and how they connect to the world in which they live. In the 2013-2014 school year we will sponsor15 teachers to complete trainings necessary for the school to be authorized as an International Baccalaureate World School. Our Curriculum Our Mission Statement Each day provides an At Woodrow Wilson Elementary School, we opportunity for students celebrate the diverse population we serve. Our to actively learn about the quest to become an IB program enriches the world around them. standard curriculum with learning that expands International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program children’s personal knowledge of the world. At Reading is an integral component of all that we do. Through a balance approach — reading aloud, shared reading, guided practice, and independent reading — teachers support students as they expand their skills and strengthen their reading repertoire. While learning content, students are also learning to form opinions and share their learning orally through cooperative experiences. Writer’s Workshop provides students with an opportunity to learn how to become authors. Since many of Woodrow Wilson’s students are Woodrow Wilson, children learn about different groups of people and their cultures and worldwide The Woodrow Wilson School is an International global issues. Students are also exposed to the Baccalaureate (IB) Candidate School. The IB origin and development of history and cultures, as PYP program focuses on the development of well as geography. The goal is to create and the whole child as an inquirer, both in the understanding of commonalities across cultures and classroom and in the world outside. universal human traits. Students also gain an The program: understanding as to how history and geography human rights and global issues around the world. opportunties for learning English in a purposeful The International Baccalaureate aims to develop way. inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people students  encourages a positive attitude to learning  reflects real life through meaningful, indepth inquiries into real issues who help to create a better and more peaceful world Our teachers are committed to meeting the through intercultrual understanding and respect. needs of all students through engaging and teachers to become life-long mathematicians who engage in problem solving and in depth thinking. encourages international-mindedness in IB students learn that they need to be advocates for also language learners, teachers provide Our math program encourages students and  shape people and their values. Additionally, rigorous curricula. To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes on international education and rigorous assessment.