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!”    

What does a smaller class size mean for my student?

The US Department of Education has found considerable findings in the relationship between a lower student/teacher ratio and student success. Read on to see why Wood Acres’ smaller-than-average class size plays an important role in your student’s future.

In 1997, Wenglinsky published research findings concerning the relationship between class size and student achievement based on his analysis of data drawn from three national level databases. The study was designed to investigate the relationship between spending in education and student performance, and combined data from three different databases generated by the National Center for Education Statistics. Based on an analysis of data on fourth-graders in 203 districts and eighth-graders in 182 school districts from across the United States, Wenglinsky found that class size served as an important link between school education spending and student mathematics achievement at both the fourth- and the eighth-grade levels, although in different ways:

• At the fourth-grade level, lower student/teacher ratios are positively related to higher mathematics achievement.
• At the eighth-grade level, lower student/teacher ratios improve the school social environment, which in turn leads to higher achievement.

Using data from more than 800 Texas districts containing more than 2.4 million students, Ferguson found significant relationships among teacher quality, class size, and student achievement. For first through seventh grades, using student/teacher ratio as a measure of class size, Ferguson found that district student achievement fell as the student/teacher ratio increased for every student above an 18 to 1 ratio.

In 1978, Smith and Glass published the results of 77 empirical studies pertaining to the relationship between class size and achievement, and soon followed it with a second meta-analysis analyzing the relationship between class size and other outcomes. Overall, they found that small classes were associated with higher achievement at all grade levels, especially if students were in the small classes for more than 100 hours, and if student assignment was carefully controlled. They found that the major benefits of reducing class size occurred where the number of students in the class was fewer than 20. In their second study, they concluded that small classes were superior in terms of students’ reactions, teacher morale, and the quality of the instructional environment.

This is a mere sample of the research that has been conducted. Please visit the US Department of Education’s website to read the article in its entirety.

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!

Did you know??

• Wood Acres is accredited by the Georgia Accrediting Commission.
• Wood Acres teachers practice a variety of research-based teaching methods that have proven successful.
• An average Grammar School class at Wood Acres is less than 16 students.
• An average Upper School class at Wood Acres is 13 students.
• Wood Acres consistently ranks on the top of lists comparing quality vs. tuition.
• The original campus oak tree, still visible from Johnson Ferry Road, inspired the Wood Acres logo of the acorn and the oak leaf.

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!  

Open House for Prospective Parents

A school for all seasons, for all the right reasons.

The Wood Acres School Prospective Parent Open House for Early Childhood through 8th Grade will be held:

Sunday, November 13 2:30pm - 4:00pm

The Wood Acres School approach to education uses classical yet innovative curriculum, establishes challenging, achievable goals and offers a traditional educational setting which also cultivates creativity.

Join us at open house for a glimpse of how engaging school can be!

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.

Book Fair Carnival February 22nd to 25th

Step right up!  Your ticket to read is at the Book Fair Carnival, coming very soon to The Wood Acres School.

Fabulous books, a carnival atmosphere and a drawing for Scholastic book dollars will be waiting for you!

The fair will be held in the Multipurpose Building’s Music Room during the times listed below:

• Tuesday, Feb 22 - 9:30 to 4:30
• Wednesday, Feb 23 - 9:30 to 4:30
• Thursday, Feb 24 - 9:30 to 4:30
• Friday, Feb 25 - 9:30 to 11:30

So, put on your clown shoes and head to the fair!

A portion of all sales benefits “The Stacks”, The Wood Acres library. Please note that only checks and credit cards will be accepted.

Five for Five! Closed on Friday, January 14th

What a record and one which I hope we do not break again for decades to come!

The Wood Acres School will remain closed on Friday, January 14, due to continuing safety issues both on campus and in our communities with residual ice aggravated by the below freezing temperatures. While we have made great strides on campus, the re-freezing of areas cleared but still wet have already begun. That, coupled with a 1/3 of our staff still unable to make it to “civilization”, and there is ample support for this announcement.

With the federal/national Dr. Martin Luther King holiday on Monday, January 17, The Wood Acres School WILL RESUME on Tuesday, January 18 with all classes and services in place.

What a glorious celebration we will have!

This alert was also sent via email to all parents who subscribe to our email alert system. If you haven’t joined, please login to the Wood Acres Parent Site and click the Subscribe button to join the list immediately.

Weather Alert: The Wood Acres School will be closed on Thursday, January 13th

For an incredible fourth day in a row, The Wood Acres School will be closed for both school and campus services on Thursday, January 13. While we now have the help of equipment, an operator, and additional manpower, Mother Nature just will not cooperate long enough to make our campus ice free for cars, pedestrians, families, students, and staff. Adequately staffing our classrooms and providing services such as lunches for school tomorrow would also pose insurmountable challenges as many employees still cannot navigate their own neighborhoods safely.

While many on the news are now into the blame game, the true issue is that we have had an ice and snow storm for the ages and one which mere mortals cannot control. Thank you for your continued understanding and patience while everyone is experiencing a wicked case of cabin fever. Every Wood Acres student should be well caught up on leisure reading, story time, assigned novels, and skills practice that can easily be found online.

For students in Kindergarten through 8th grade, report cards will come home with students late in the week of January 24. Open House for all Wood Acres programs and grades will enjoy much better weather on Sunday afternoon, January 23, as scheduled. Also any “make up” school days will be determined by the state Department of Education in the next several weeks.

Stayed tuned to the website for daily updates and hopefully a joyous announcement about school resuming soon! We are SO ready, too!

This alert was also sent via email to all parents who subscribe to our email alert system. If you haven’t joined, please login to the Wood Acres Parent Site and click the Subscribe button to join the list immediately.

Weather Alert: The Wood Acres School will be closed on Wednesday, January 12th

For the first time ever, The Wood Acres School will be closed for the third consecutive day, which means there will be no school or school services on Wednesday, January 12. Bobcat and front loader equipment cannot even make the trek to campus to move thick ice and snow. Also the school entrance and the lane cut through on Johnson Ferry Road are packed with icy snow from the plows working on Johnson Ferry.

Although no classes on campus means that our students won’t be learning collaboratively with their classmates, it doesn’t mean that learning should stop!

Use your next snow day to…

• Introduce a new board game to your children.
• Visit Woody, the school’s traveling mascot, as he embarks on his next adventure aboard the QM2.
• Bake a special treat together, for example snowball cookies or snowflake pancakes.
• Watch a great movie that you loved as a child with your child.
• Make a special dinner together and eat it in the family room in front of the fireplace or the faux fireplace that your child has created.

We hope that our Wood Acres families are faring well during this very inclement weather and that we will all be back to the hustle and bustle of the new year ever so soon! Thank you for your patience, understanding, and support of making decisions based on the safety of our school community.

Keep warm!

This alert was also sent via email to all parents who subscribe to our email alert system. If you haven’t joined, please login to the Wood Acres Parent Site and click the Subscribe button to join the list immediately.

Weather Alert: The Wood Acres School will be closed on Tuesday, January 11th

The Wood Acres School will be closed on Tuesday, January 11th, due to continuing inclement weather conditions.

Please check the website on Tuesday evening for Wednesday’s plan.

This alert was also sent via email to all parents who subscribe to our email alert system. If you haven’t joined, please login to the Wood Acres Parent Site and click the Subscribe button to join the list immediately.

Weather Alert: The Wood Acres School will be closed on Monday, January 10th

The Wood Acres School will be closed on Monday, January 10th, due to the ice and snow storm expected this evening and throughout Monday.

With ice in the forecast, please be sure to check the website on Monday evening for updates regarding school on Tuesday, January 11.

This alert was also sent via email to all parents who subscribe to our email alert system. If you haven’t joined, please login to the Wood Acres Parent Site and click the Subscribe button to join the list immediately.

Delayed start for school on Thursday, 12/16!

With icy conditions on campus this evening, all programs and grades will have a delayed start on Thursday, 12/16.

Students should report to classes at 10:00am.  Please note that no early Tree House Club will be available.

Please drive safely tomorrow morning and be extra careful as you enter the campus!

This alert was also sent via email to all parents who subscribe to our email alert system. If you haven’t joined, please login to the Wood Acres Parent Site and click the Subscribe button to join the list immediately.

Early School Parent Orientation Meetings

For our youngest students in the Early School’s Two Year Old and Three Year Old programs, Parent Orientation will be “one-on-one” during Parent Teacher conferences September 20 and 21. That will allow ample time for students to adjust to new routines and friends to create meaningful meetings between teacher and parents. Parents will receive their appointment time in their child’s Wood Acres tote bag after Labor Day. We hope to see all our Moms and Dads at these important meetings as we plan a year of growing and glowing for each Two and Three Year Old at the Woods!

Parent orientation meetings for The Early School’s Four Year Olds will be held on Monday, September 13, at 6:30 PM. We’ll begin in the Multi Purpose room with program overviews and a long range look at the Woods with Mrs. Thigpen. Ample time to visit classrooms and meet with teachers will follow with a fond farewell at 8:00 PM. This “parents only” meeting will help parents with the curriculum and specials programs that make up the Fab Fours.

Look here for Grammar and Upper School parent orientation dates.

New to The Woods? Not for long!

We cordially invite all new Early School parents (2’s, 3’s, and 4’s) to an informal reception with Mrs. Judy Thigpen and Mrs. Maria Thigpen to learn more about The Wood Acres School. Light refreshments and punch will be served beginning at 5:30 PM on Monday, September 13th in the Turner Hall Art Gallery & Stacks on campus.

Update on Sunday, August 22, 2010 by The Wood Acres School

Note: The Early School Four’s Program Parent Orientation Meeting and New Parent Reception is Monday, September 13th. We originally posted Wednesday, September 13th in error.

Parent Orientation Meeting dates for Grammar and Upper School

The Upper School’s Parent Orientation Meeting (grades 5th-8th) is Thursday, August 26 from 6:00-8:15 PM.

The Grammar School’s Parent Orientation Meeting (grades K-4th) is Tuesday, August 31 from 6:30-8:30 PM. 

We will have a New Parent informal reception one hour prior to each meeting in the Turner Hall Art Gallery and the Turner Hall Stacks (5-6 for the Upper School reception, 5:30-6-30 for the Grammar school reception).

Look here for Early School orientation dates.

Wood Acres now an official school zone on Johnson Ferry Road

What a great gift our Cobb Board of Commissioners and Cobb Department of Transportation gave to our deserving school to kick off this year! Our School Zone flashers are working perfectly and, along with our school signage on Johnson Ferry Road, remind the commuters that a school zone is a time to slow down, be cautious, and celebrate learning in our community.

This is the perfect time to renew the new school year resolutions to safe driving and respectful driver etiquette on our campus. Slow down. Hang up that cell phone. Respect campus signs for a right turn for ALL once on campus, no parking, etc. Park in designated spaces. Never leave children unattended in a car. Students must be accompanied by an adult from the parking lot onto campus. Keep fire lanes clear. Respect staff directives as to your vehicle. Leave enough time for carpool each day. Safety first followed closely by respectful drivers. Remind spouses, nannies, relatives about this simple “rules of the road”, too.

Cheers! Here’s to a wonderful 2010-2011 academic year @ the Woods!