A Day On, Not Off...Wood Acres Day of TLC- Teaching, Learning, Caring!

Monday, January 16 marked the Wood Acres Day of Service. The whole campus came together to begin this “day on” at a Rally ‘round the Flag. Special visitors at the Rally were Sandy Welfare, Executive Director of Cool Girls of Georgia, Norman Davis, one of Atlanta’s first black police officers and father of one of our Early School teachers, Pearline Davis, Director of Spellman College, retired and mother of our teacher, and Dr. Terrence Roberts, member of the Little Rock Nine and international consultant. Wood Acres’ own music teacher, Brishelle Miller, gave a rousing performance of Lift Every Voice.

 
Members of the Glee Club gave an outstanding rendition of Bruno Mars’ hit song Just the Way You Are.

 
Every student, from the Twos through Eighth Grade, participated in creating links of love and kindness that encircled the entire quad. On the paper links, all 5,000 0f them, were messages of service and dreams and wishes for our world. What an awesome sight! 

 
Several guest speakers and visitors roamed the Woods on this day honoring Dr. King. The Upper School had the pleasure of hearing from Justice Harold Melton from the Georgia Supreme Court. Dr. Terrence Roberts spoke to Upper School students encouraging them to embrace a life of learning and caring. Family members of students also came to share their personal stories and give students a firsthand account of what life was like during the time of Dr. King.    

 
Projects on this Day of Service included raising funds for a Heifer International Animal Ark, Better World Book Drive, canned food drive for MUST Ministries, clipping coupons, Bike-a-Thon for Smile Train, compiling birthday bags, Mittens for Moms for MUST Ministries, compiling “Get Ready for School” bags for a local school, donating breakfast foods and a complete non-perishable meal to MUST Ministries, creating file folder literacy games to donate to a local school, compiling dinner bags to go to the Marietta Soup Kitchen, authoring ABC books for area children, clothing drive for Cool Girls organization and the Atlanta Women’s Shelter, touring Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen and MUST Ministries Distribution Center, and donating books to children of Joplin, Mississippi.    

 
What a fabulous day “ON!”    

Holiday Pops Concert

The Two’s through Fourth Graders enjoyed listening to the 5th grade and Upper School Concert Bands’ morning edition of their Winter Pops Concert, held that evening for family and friends.  The bands performed seasonal selections as well as some special musical treats to the delight of an appreciative audience.  

 
Band Director, Holly Lawing, has worked hard with the band members to prepare them for their Winter Concert, and students were so excited to catch a sneak peek!

Giddy with Glee!

Under the direction of Music teacher, Brishelle Miller, the Glee Club held their first performance Tuesday night, and what a performance it was! The voices and moves that came out of the Club’s third through eighth graders were astonishing! The students’ performance proved that practice and hard work really pays off.

 
Performers took the audience through several genres of music with eight songs. Numbers included MC Hammer’s hit You Can’t Touch This, Stuck Like Glue by Sugarland, Irving Berlin’s Blue Skies, and I Want You Back by The Jackson 5. A great message was sent with Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing, and socks were knocked off with Brian Setzer Orchestra’s Jump, Jive, An’ Wail. They brought the show current with Just the Way You Are by Bruno Mars, and there was even a Thriller mash-up!

A Dual Dynamic Celebration!

Friday, November 11, was a day of celebration at Wood Acres. Not only were United States Veterans and current servicemen honored, but the Fours through Eighth Graders also participated in Wood Acres’ second Science Carnival, It’s Elemental! Students were immersed in activities that demonstrated a variety of scientific principles.

 
While learning about and exploring the scientific principles, students also enjoyed spending time with friends.

 
Lots of laughs as well as encouragement could be seen and heard throughout campus. 

 
None of this outstanding day could have been possible without the help of all of the parent volunteers.    

 
The entire school Rallied ‘Round the Flag in the middle of the science carnival festivities where the Pledge of Allegiance was recited at 11:11 on the 11th day of the 11th month. The third graders dazzled us with their performance of America.    

 
Servicemen and Veterans were recognized and honored with a boisterous, “Thank You!” What a touching moment as Wood Acres students proudly joined their family members.    

Thank You, Troops

From the Woods to our men and women in uniform wherever they serve…

 
Take a peak into the thankful hearts of Wood Acres students in sketches and in words as they write to our military and their families in anticipation of both Veterans Day and Thanksgiving.

 
These letters and artwork will be sent along with hundreds of thousands of other messages from the Atlanta area to our troops both home and afar to be received in time for Thanksgiving. Classes are also learning about Veterans Day in anticipation of our school-wide celebration of this Day of Honor for both veterans and those still on active duty. 

 
Join us to show your thanks at 11:00 AM on 11-11-11 as we Rally ‘Round our Flag to Pledge our continuing Allegiance to our country and the people who serve to keep us safe!  

Constitution Day Celebration

We the People…celebrated the 224th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution of the United States today!

The Wood Acres School was awash in red, white, and blue as hundreds of students and families came together on the campus Quad to Rally ‘round the Flag for this special occasion.

 
We retired our old colors and posted the bright new flag with a moving flag ceremony done by the Wheeler High School Jr. AFROTC under the leadership of Sgt. Love. The flag was flown over the US Capitol just for Wood Acres in honor of the new school year.

 
We cheered, we sang, we laughed, and we learned as a united school family…“We the People.” 

 
We were even visited by the 39 signers of the Constitution and enjoyed a surprise finale of a mini flash mob of enthusiastic students singing “Firework.”  

 
At the Wood Acres School we develop the habits of citizenship and pride in our country in word and in action, in song and in verse, in heart and in mind. And “We the People” had a wonderful time! Hooray for the Red, White, and Blue! Happy 224th birthday, Constitution!

Chess Club Trophy Day

The Wood Acres Chess Club celebrated Trophy Day last week. Everyone received a trophy and had a great time. The kids with the highest scores from the tournament took home the biggest awards.

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The Wood Acres Chess Club is open to all Wood Acres Grammar School and Upper School students. Winter & Spring club meetings start Wednesday, January 26th and conclude May 18th. Click here for more information about the Wood Acres Chess Club.

Wood Acres Loved TWIST!

Eighth Graders Meet FAMEous Debbie Allen at

“Twist - The Musical”

Most middle schoolers enjoy a summer break filled with relaxation, travel and varied personal interests after the regular school year.  Wood Acres’ eighth graders not only accomplished those goals, but also challenged themselves with the arduous reading of the Dickens classic, Oliver Twist.

Their efforts were recently rewarded as the eighth grade students shed their casual classroom togs for formal evening wear and and headed to Atlanta’s Tony Award-winning Alliance Theatre to view “Twist-An American Musical” based on their summer reading.

Fueled with literary perspective and excitement for this school night extravaganza, families and staff members took their seats and eagerly awaited the curtain to rise.  As the orchestra swelled and the audience members prepared for their journey to 1928 New Orleans to meet “Twist”, they immediately knew that this was going to be a theatrical treat. 

The show, written by William Brown of ‘The Wiz”, was an incredible piece of Broadway right in our own backyard.  The sets, actors and performances were modern and awe-inspiring.  Imagine to their surprise that the evening was about to become even more memorable. Legendary award-winning director and choreographer Debbie Allen sat right in their row and graciously chatted with the group. At intermission, she posed for an unforgettable photo opportunity.

Leaving the theatre, the energy carried out onto the warm Atlanta nighttime streets.  Students, parents and staff sang their way home and began to discuss the similarities of the show and the novel and the conversation continues.  For Wood Acres, this is learning and community at its finest.

The arts nourish our hearts and imaginations. Wood Acres is proud to support the arts in our students’ educational experience both in and out of the classroom. 

Welcome Back to the Wood Acres Upper School

The Wood Acres Upper School is officially complete!

We have our first class of 8th graders on campus to round out the scope of 5th through 8th grades in the Upper School program. It will certainly be a special year for these youthful trail blazers as they embrace the rigor, relevance, and inter-Relatedness of the superior Upper School eight grade curriculum. They have already embraced the “ABZ’s” of eighth grade- Algebra, the Basics of economics and etymology, and Zumba fitness classes to get the day started.

Fifth graders are now officially the rookies of the Upper School and are working diligently on honing organizational skills, research techniques, and demonstrated talent in their academic subjects. Fifth grade welcomes the language talent of an Administrative Assistant this year who will help “push in” Spanish into the everyday conversations of our “freshman” Upper School class.

Sixth graders are into the academic groove of multiple content area teachers as well as time management. Common Upper School lunch and break times for 6th, 7th and 8th graders provide students with wonderful choices for lunch time conversations, a pick up game of basketball or soccer, or just plain chatter with teachers and friends.

Seventh graders just “get it”. They have Upper School experience under their belts, time management skills in their organizers, and a sense of trust granted them by teachers who know they can “do it”. With earned trust, seventh graders excel in their learning and activities inside and out of school. Of course, looking forward to their class trip to the Disney Institute in Orlando each spring does wonders to keep one focused on learning, too!

Standardized Testing Starts April 19th

In the world of academia, “ratings sweeps” month is around the corner. Kindergartners through Seventh graders at The Wood Acres School will demonstrate their academic prowess by taking the Stanford 10 Achievement Test and the Otis Lennon Ability test in late April.

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You are invited to the Wood Acres Winter Band Concert

We hope you can join us for a family evening of great music performed by some talented Wood Acres students!

Winter/Spring Chess Club at Wood Acres Starts January 26th

Winter/Spring meetings of The Wood Acres Chess Club will be every Wednesday school is in session beginning Wednesday, January 26th, 2011, and ending Wednesday, May 18th, 2011.

Four Things You Should Know About Kid Chess at Wood Acres 

1. Chess will make your child smarter.
   
   Chess has been proven to raise standardized test scores. Chess improves critical thinking, decision making, concentration, focus, memory and many other mental functions.  A child who plays chess is better prepared for school, life, and his or her career.  Simply put, Kid Chess is a great investment in your child’s future.
     
2. Kids love Kid Chess.
    
   It’s hard to believe, but Chess is a game, kids love games, and we make it fun.  Kid Chess is the most popular elementary after-school program in Metro Atlanta. Kid friendly instructors and our professionally produced cartoon lessons entertain and engage the kids.  Most students choose to stay with us for years. 
    
3. Kid Chess is convenient.
   The club meets on the Wood Acres campus right after school. There’s no hectic driving from one location to another. Kids just stay at their school in a safe and familiar environment.
    
4. Kid Chess is for everyone.
    
   Kid Chess programs are designed for all skill levels.  Students will be taught level-appropriate skills and lessons by our professional Chess Coaches, and they will have plenty of chances to play with kids of similar skills.  From beginning players to advanced, everyone is welcome at Kid Chess. 

How to Register

Winter/Spring Semester Tuition for 1st hour (2:30-3:30) is $209 and 2nd hour (3:35-4:35) is $155. Tuition for both 1st and 2nd hours combined (2:30-4:35) is only $285. (The same material is not covered in both 1st and 2nd hours, as many students are double-enrolled.) Kindergarten students are eligible for 2nd hour only.

You may register online for this class if you like: it’s fast, secure, and convenient. If you do not wish to register online, we have included a traditional registration form in this message.

To register by mail, please print this email and fill out the form, and send with your check or payment information to Kid Chess, 2501 E. Piedmont Road, Suite 160, Marietta, GA 30062.

To get more information or to register, please call us at 770-575-5802 or email info@kidchess.com. Visit us at http://www.kidchess.com.

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Chess Club Celebrates Trophy Day!

The Wood Acres Chess Club celebrated Trophy Day this week. Everyone received a trophy and had a great time. The kids with the highest scores from the tournament took home the biggest awards.

The Wood Acres Chess Club is open to all Wood Acres Grammar School and Upper School students. Winter & Spring club meetings start Wednesday, January 27th and conclude May 12th. Click here for more information about the Wood Acres Chess Club.

2009-2010 Wood Acres Field Trips

What a start to the sixth graders’ Washington, DC trip in March of 2009! The field trip was by air, the hotel right on Capitol Hill, and within three hours of our arrival the students had seen President Obama, the Prime Minister of Ireland, and had a photo op with Senator Johnny Isakson of Georgia. How could it get any better? Little did we know!

As dusk turned to night, the group met an outstanding private guide for a twilight tour of our nation’s capital. From the steps of the Capitol to the Washington and Jefferson Memorials, night fell quickly and the magic began.

The city became awash with lights as we moved from monument to monument, arriving at the Lincoln Memorial after 10 PM. We paid homage to this great president, read the inscriptions inside the Memorial, and stepped out onto the promenade to look out over the reflecting pond and this famous view.

Our guide stopped all of us and asked us to look down. It was then he began a story of his youth. He defied his mother that day, and rode his bike anyway into the heart of the city to the Memorial to hear a man talk to Americans about a dream. He listened intently and knew those words would somehow change his life.

Our guide then had each Wood Acres sixth grader stand on the spot where Dr. King stood and had them look out into the night sky. It was time for them to think about their own dreams. And that was only the first day of this spectacular trip! Talk about a Wood Acres education!

For 2010 our off-campus educational journeys will take Kindergartners to the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, first graders to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, second graders to the William Harris Georgia Homestead, third graders to the Tennessee Aquarium, fourth graders overnight to Jekyll Island environmental studies, fifth graders overnight to Wesley Woods Outdoor Center, sixth graders to Washington, DC and the inaugural trip of seventh graders to the Disney Institute Youth Educational Studies Program in Orlando.

As we always say, it’s not just about school… it’s about an education. Join us in this journey!

Save the Date! Open House on January 23

The Wood Acres School will open our doors to both legacy and prospective families on Saturday, January 23rd. Our annual Open House is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the next program or grade for your child. In addition to visiting the classrooms, parents can ask questions about curriculum, what a typical day is like, field trips (for elementary students) and so much more!

Open House hours will be from 10:00am-12:00pm for families visiting the Two,Three and Four Year Old Programs and 1:00pm-3:00pm for families visiting Kindergarten through 8th grades.

Parents and students are invited to attend. Feel free to invite friends & neighbors as well! Your official invitation will be coming in January and we look forward to seeing you and your terrific students at this wonderful campus event.

You can optionally sign up for a reminder notice on our Open House page.

Admissions Season @ the Woods

It’s beginning to look a lot like… admissions season @ the Woods! Nestled amongst the festive celebrations of “Boo”, “Gobble, Gobble” and “Ho, Ho, Ho” is the annual admissions cycle for prospective new Wood Acres families as well as the welcomed re-enrollment of our legacy families. As with everything we do at The Wood Acres School, our admissions process is personal, student specific, and geared to making certain that the school and student are well matched for success. We honor your choosing private education for your child and will seek to earn your respect as we work together to provide your child an amazing educational experience.

Our first Open House for prospective new families was very well-attended and those families are already in the process of making application, taking individual campus tours, and awaiting the next steps in the admissions process. Our next Open House is scheduled for Saturday, January 23 for both Early School families as well as Grammar and Upper School students. The whole campus will be ready for your visit!

We are so pleased to announce the addition of 8th grade for the 2010-2011 academic year, completing our goal of becoming the most affordable, high achieving independent K-8 school in metropolitan Atlanta. And let’s not forget our outstanding Early School programs for the youngest, yet ever so capable, 2’s, 3’s and 4 year old students. Having just celebrated our 40th anniversary of teaching and learning at Wood Acres, our reputation speaks for itself.

Our website is the best and most comprehensive place for the discerning parent to learn more about our school, programs, curriculum, Open House details, and the complete admissions process. The information is just a click away as is our Admissions team at 770-971-1880. We look forward to your visit to our campus where not only your child, but you, will fall in love with The Wood Acres School. May you see the wonder of this special holiday season through the eyes of your children! “God bless us everyone!”

Warmest regards,

Head of School

The Wood Acres Chorale to Perform on November 8th

The Wood Acres Chorale will have it’s first performance at the November 8th Open House! The Chorale is composed of 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students. Mark your calendars, and come out and see them share their beautiful voices. Please watch the website for updates on more performance specifics.

Celebrating Turner Hall's Second Anniversary

Turner Hall, dedicated on September 30th, 2007, is the home of Wood Acres’ Upper School, plus the Goro Art Gallery, Computer Lab, state-of-the-art “Beaker” science lab, and “The Stacks” library. September 30^th marks the second anniversary of the dedication of Turner Hall.  What a glorious Sunday afternoon we enjoyed in 2007!  With over 600 guests, students, staff, and families in attendance we celebrated the $2.5+ million transformation of The Wood Acres School with cheers, tears, sentiment, song, patriotism, music, speeches, and ice cream!  That afternoon also marked the introduction of Navi, our school mascot, to Wood Acres students as hundreds of students cheered in surprise when tote bags filled with Navi’s appeared for each student and class to adopt.

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National Honorary Programs at Wood Acres

While learning and growing in one’s academic studies are often reward enough, Wood Acres is proud to participate in several national honorary programs that recognize students for their academic excellence.

Fourth graders at Wood Acres participate in Duke University’s MAP program to recognize qualifying students for inclusion into their outstanding network of young gifted and talented students. If a student does not qualify in fourth grade, he/she is automatically reconsidered in fifth grade. Wood Acres students have a 98% qualifying record in this outstanding program.

Fifth graders are tapped for membership in the President’s Education Award Program, jointly sponsored by the National Department of Education and the National Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals. Students qualify based on nationally set academic and conduct requirements. Students receive certificates, presidential letter, and awards pins to commemorate this outstanding accomplishment. It is with pride and honor that Wood Acres students have qualified for either the silver or gold award each year for the past six years of our participation.

Seventh graders are invited to participate in the next level of the Duke University’s Talent Identification Program, commonly called TIP. With support and documentation from Wood Acres, qualifying seventh graders apply to take the SAT or ACT two years out of sequence and can qualify for some outstanding summer learning opportunities throughout the United States with other students as bright and charming as they are! This will be our first year of participation and we are so proud of the number of qualifying seventh grade students.

A Wood Acres education is certainly for all the right reasons!

Brian, Jr. and Isabelle Young Memorial Scholarship Program

The Brian, Jr. and Isabelle Young Memorial Scholarship program was borne out of tragedy but has brought such honor to both the memory of these two wonderful Wood Acres children and the families who annually become recipients of the scholarship awards through the program. 

The beautiful bronze sculptures that welcome visitors and families to the school office on the Wood Acres campus were donated to the school in 2002 through the generosity of Wood Acres families in celebration of the lives of Brian and Isabelle.Families with students in grades Kindergarten through Upper School may apply if they have matriculated at Wood Acres for at least one academic year prior to application.  Awards are based on a combination of financial need of the family and academic excellence of the student/s as reflected in submitted applications.  Families may reapply each year. 

Scholarship program evaluators from the community review anonymous applications and supporting documentation to suggest award rankings and amounts of scholarship money.  Awards are announced at the beginning of August each year.  While the Scholarship program has been generously funded through the loving donations of Wood Acres benefactors, Jim and Joann Ryan, families and relatives are encouraged to contribute to the program so that it might grow and continue to support deserving Wood Acres families for many decades to come. 

For further information, an application, or to make a donation, please contact Jenny Tischer, Accounts Manager, at jtischer@woodacresschool.org.