Parents of fourth and fifth grade students gathered at Wilder on March 13 to listen as Principal Victoria Hazlett and Instructional Coach Kim Wickham shared tips on preparing youngsters for Ohio Achievement Assessments.
On Saturday, March 1, the Wilder Elementary Third Grade Team held its third annual Pancakes and Pajamas event. Enthusiastic third graders arrived to school in their pajamas at 9:00 a.m. with their families. Teachers Beth O'Reilly, Emillee Berwanger, Dana Harmon, LaTresa Rieves, Beth Compton, Elaine Morganski, Heidi Taris, and Kimi Dodds (district math curriculum) cooked and served everyone pancakes and drinks (coffee for the parents). After breakfast, students and parents went upstairs to third grade classrooms for Ohio Achievement Assessment (OAA) breakout sessions. Parents were taught test taking strategies to use with their children from school Principal Victoria Hazlett and Dodds. Teachers worked with the third graders on OAA prep through a series of stations which included a Money station, an Algebra station, and an Acquisition of Vocabulary station. During the last few minutes, third grade teachers, parents, and students worked together to share what they learned during their individual sessions.
Then, on Thursday evening, March 13, fourth and fifth grade students enjoyed a casual pizza supper served by Wilder teachers, parents and students, who divided into OAA prep breakout sessions. Fourth and fifth grade parents met with Dr. Hazlett and instructional coach, Kim Wickham. The adult group focused on test taking strategies, extended response questions, and Ohio Department of Education test taking web sites. The pupils participated in three mini sessions. Teachers Bill Goldner and Reuben Chapman worked with them in the computer lab utilizing the Ohio Department of Education Success website. Readers Theatre plays were put on in the library with teachers Debbie Miller and Lindsey Bird. Finally, math teachers Ethan Mckinley and Karen Schmidt did a measurement Jeopardy game which included many released OAA questions. Teachers Michele Bertus, Lynn Holland, and Heidi Taris helped with kitchen duties and student stations.
Both events were once again so successful that the Wilder Staff plans to continue the tradition of food, fellowship, education, and fun.