A note from the Woods...

As educators, both parents and teachers have an imposing task before them…preparing our children for a world that will be vastly different from what we as adults know. In Spring 2006, research led by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills quantified essential skills for students embarking on careers. Among the most important skills cited in the study were professionalism or work ethic, oral and written communication, teamwork and collaboration, critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and creativity. These skills will be critical to the success of our nation’s students, and they are the core components of a Wood Acres education.

The emphasis on these core components at Wood Acres didn’t happen in 2006 when the study was published or in the early 1990’s when intermediate grades were added or in the early 1980’s when parents wanted primary grades for their children who had been so well prepared by our Early Childhood Programs. The commitment to educating our students as critical thinkers, collaborative learners, creative problem solvers and producers of “worthy work” began with our founding in 1969. Over the last forty years, this timeless approach to educating children as been expanded, reworked, updated and reconfigured, but the core educational mission has remained the same.

The forty year tradition of well-preparing children to be productive and informed citizens is something of which we are extremely proud. Continuing our national standards based approach to preparing our students for great things to come is something that we will be doing for at least another forty years. Many things have changed since our little school tucked away in the woods was founded in 1969 but the essence of a Wood Acres education is timeless.

Judy Thigpen, Head of School

It’s a birthday party & more!

The Wood Acres School will be celebrating our official designation as an International Spanish Academy (ISA) as well as our 40th year of teaching and learning on Sunday, November 8! All Wood Acres families are invited to join us from 3:00pm-5:00pm for festivities including the official signing for the International Spanish Academy, birthday cake, carnival games, and crafts for the students. 

Help us spread the word - ask all Wood Acres alumni to RSVP today!

It will be a fun filled afternoon for the entire family! Spread the word to Wood Acres alumni families too — everyone is invited to “come home”!

What does the International Spanish Academy mean for my Wood Acres student?

The commitment to foreign language acquisition is nothing new for Wood Acres students with formal Spanish language instruction beginning in our Three Year Old Program. However, with our official designation as an International Spanish Academy (ISA), The Wood Acres School offers a truly bilingual learning environment where students will have both linguistic and multi-cultural competence in Spanish by the end of eighth grade.

This designation is truly an honor for Wood Acres and will bring tremendous advantages to our students including: 

• Bilingual instruction will increase in frequency in core academic areas so that students will be able to apply their Spanish language skills and increase their comprehension skills.
• Students will learn to effectively express themselves in Spanish both conversationally and in an academic setting.
• Graduating Eight Graders will receive recognition of their work and efforts with an ISA diploma.
• Wood Acres graduates of the ISA program who are Cobb County residents may apply for admission into the ninth grade ISA program available at Walton Charter High School. Information about admissions and qualifications can be obtained through the Walton High School ISA page.

Update on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 by The Wood Acres School

Please see our International Spanish Academy program description for more information.

Destination Book Fair October 19th-23rd

Scholastic Books will again be Wood Acres’ partner in hosting the Destination Book Fair.  

The Book Fair will be held in the Music Room/Multi-Purpose Building at the following times: 

• Monday, Oct 19th
  9:30am-2:00pm
• Tuesday Oct 20th to Thursday Oct 22nd
  9:30am-4:30pm
• Friday, Oct. 23rd
  9:30am-11:30am 

Our Fall Book Fair has an amazing and inspiring selection of new and exclusive titles. Don’t miss this opportunity to begin your holiday shopping and give an adventure. Open a book and read around the world! No passport required!

This year, Wood Acres would like to contribute to our community. Please join us by bringing your used books to the Book Fair. All books will be donated to Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of Greater Marietta and Children’s Shelter of Marietta. Book donors will receive a special Wood Acres bookmark designed by our contest winners in the 4th and 5th grades! 

Proceeds from the Book Fair help to grow our own Wood Acres Stacks.

Thank you. We look forward to seeing you!

Wood Acres Needs You!

Wood Acres will be hosting an Open House for prospective families prior to the anniversary celebration on Sunday, November 8 from 12:30 to 2:30pm. And that’s where YOU come in!

Since 1969, parents have learned about Wood Acres from our legacy families and we want that tradition to continue. Please invite your friends and neighbors to attend our Open House and learn what makes a Wood Acres education so special! From ABC’s to laptops, Wood Acres offers an outstanding educational foundation for toddlers to ‘tweens!!

Parent / Teacher Conferences October 20th to 23rd

The first grading period is almost history and teachers are busy prepping for conferences later this month. Conference appointment letters will be sent home on next week and most conferences will be held from October 20-23 (although our teachers always attempt to accommodate parents’ schedules if needed).

Wood Acres parents earn an A+ every year for attendance at this important one-on-one meeting. We know this year will exceed expectations!