Monday Apr. 07	Tuesday Apr. 08	Wednesday Apr. 09	Thursday Apr. 10	Friday Apr. 11
FLIK Parent Dining Week	Vote for WPS "Best of Orlando!" until May 3			WPVA Parent Appreciation Breakfast

Skylert Implementation

   Windermere Prep is excited to announce a new service that will allow us to enhance communication with parents.
   Specifically, we will have the capability of sending urgent information to you via SMS text messaging. Click for important
   details.

Let's Vote WPS "Best of Orlando!"

It's time for Orlando Magazine's annual "Best of Orlando" awards, and we are confident that you want to see Windermere Prep among that list! Voting is easy - simply visit orlandomagazine.com (or click on the badge at right) and click on the "Best of Orlando" badge. The survey will open for you to complete. You can find the "Best Private School" categories under Goods and Services (remember, you have to vote in at least seven categories for your submission to count).

International Students Share Insight

For their upcoming Cultural Festival, sixth grade students have chosen a country and are engrossed in studying, researching, and learning what it is like to be a part of that country, and about their culture. Windermere Prep, as a multicultural school, is an enormous tool used by the sixth graders. As there are more than 70 boarding students, and an abundance of nationalities represented by the day students in the High School, the sixth graders are utilizing the international High School students as valuable resources for the Cultural Festival. Click to read the full story.

HIGH SCHOOL

Welcome back from Spring Break! I hope your family had a chance to spend great quality time with one another and enjoy some relaxation. The final quarter is well under way and with only 41 school days left in the year, everything will seem to be operating at a faster pace than usual. There are many pieces of advice I can give that will help your children end the year well, but two of the most important are 1) make sure your children are in attendance everyday and 2) encourage your children to focus even more and get help early if they should need any. Forty-one days goes by really quickly, but with great teachers to help along the way, your children will reach the end successfully!

Teacher Spotlight: Ms. Krista Restivo, Biology and IB Biology Teacher

Written by Paola Clark, Science Department Chair

This week teacher's spotlight highlights Ms. Krista Restivo, who has been teaching ninth grade Honors Biology and IB Biology for two years at WPS. This great teacher creates a learning environment in which students not only really enjoy learning biology, but also exercise initiative in applying critical thinking skills to recognize and to approach complex problems to make reasoned, ethical decisions. Throughout the year, students are trained to use the various biological concepts, technology, and skills to independently solve problems, become great scientific thinkers and design and carry out controlled experiments that investigate real-world problems. Currently, ninth grade students are studying the many applications of the field of biotechnology and carrying out karyotyping and gel electrophoresis computer simulations. Similarly, IB Biology students are currently studying genetics and will be visiting SeaWorld in April to learn about marine ecosystems, biological diversity and conservation.

Students really enjoy Ms. Restivo's teaching approach. For example, eleventh graders Taylor French and Sari Panzer say, "We like how Ms. Restivo makes us learn through discussions, the use of visual aids, and multiple hands-on activities; there is never a dull moment in this class, we study the material in very interesting ways that help us remember what we just learned, and no questions are ever left unanswered." Ms. Restivo is always available for her students during class time and after school, to help them master all learning objectives and make their biology learning experience the best one.

We couldn't be more excited to have this great educator as part of our WPS Science Team and look forward to hearing more about her students' learning successes!

Upcoming Dates:

April

04 - Prom Tickets ($85)

07 - Prom Tickets ($100)

09 - Final Ticket Sales for Prom by 3:00 p.m.

09 - Prom Pledge Assembly (Prom Attendees Only)

09 - Extended Essay Event - IB Diploma Students

12 - Junior/Senior Prom

May

16 - Summer School Registration Deadline

Dr. Leslie Williams

High School Director

Tutoring Information

Please remember that if your child is in need of extra help, teachers listed in this link are available after 4:00 p.m.

College Corner

Congratulations to the following members of the Class of 2014 on their recent college acceptances:

Rapolas Binkys - Brown University, Vanderbilt University, Johns Hopkins University

Catalina Burch - Whitman College, Middlebury University

Brianna Simmons - Duke University, FSU, University of Miami, University of Virginia, Columbia University

Samin Safdari - FSU, University of San Francisco

Sonali Chikersal - Boston University

Sahil Patel - FSU, Ohio State University, University of Georgia, Miami University

Patrick Hanson - Georgia Tech

Syed Anzar - Bentley University

Avina Harry - FSU, Stanford University

Shaki Bhuiyan - Florida Gulf Coast University, UCF

Renan Passador - FIU, Hofstra University, Johnson and Wales University, St. John's University

Lily Tawam - FSU

Masahiro (Anthony) Hayashi - University of Washington

Serena Holton - University of Virginia, Wake Forest University, University of North Carolina

Alicia Stoebenau - Boston University, Brandeis University, Furman University, Boston College

Chen (Cassidy) Zhao - Boston University

Samantha Mayfield - Brown University, FSU, Emory University

Zhongzhou (Ren) Ren - Indiana University

Xiaowu (Blair) Xiang - Indiana University

Davis Cima - Hope College, University of New Orleans, Lynn University

William Goeckel -Rollins College

Syed Anzar - Wake Forest University

Omar Khamis - Boston University, Boston College, Miami University

MacKenzie Meyer - University of Georgia, University of Texas

Daniel Fink - Florida International University

Juan Toledo - University of Mount Vermont Nazareno, Bradley University

Beili (Nyx) Liang - Berklee College of Music

Samantha Rainey - UCLA

Zhong Zhou Ren - Indiana University, University of Massachusetts

Beatrice Barbieri - New York University

JP Stanley - New York University

Summer Planning Advice from Mrs. Santostefano

It amazes me these days when I ask High School students what they are doing for the summer and they say "nothing" or "I don't know." Summer provides an opportunity for students to do all of the things they don't have the time to do during the academic year! This includes improving a skill, exploring an interest, participating in community service, or getting a job (acquiring a new skill and experience). All of these things can and should be student initiated, with parental support.

In the guidance and college planning office we are frequently asked, "what SHOULD I do this summer?" Students, that depends on your goals! If you are still in the exploratory phase regarding your goals and interests, you can also consider attending a summer program. There are more summer programs in the U.S. than there are colleges, but here are a few that have recently been advertised at WPS:

WPS Summer School: windermereprep.com/summerschool

Meritas Summer Programs: meritassummer.com

UF Young Entrepreneurs for Leadership and Sustainability: program participants will take two college-level courses at UF: ENT4934 - Exploring Entrepreneurship & SYG2010 - Social Problems & Solutions. Participants will also complete 75+ hours of community service (towards the requirement for Bright Futures Scholarships + IB CAS hours). Click for link.

Northwestern College Prep: northwestern.edu/collegeprep

NYU PreCollege Summer Program: NYU.EDU/Precollege, scholarships are available

Cornell University Summer College: cornell.edu

LOWER SCHOOL

Lower School on Cloud9

This year has proven to be exciting in many ways, particularly as we unveiled a new, Lower School-wide character education program. While we've always emphasized and fostered social and emotional learning in our school, we realized the significance of utilizing a program that is comprehensive, cross-curricular, and expansive.

The program we chose, Cloud9World, has been enormously successful and well received by our students. The feedback we have received from some of our families also has been extremely favorable to the change. Each month, we introduce a new trait that is highlighted by our classroom teachers, special areas teachers, and staff. Lessons are taught and reinforced throughout the month and on through the year. The traits we chose this year include respect, compassion, honesty, gratitude, responsibility, unity, perseverance, and individuality. All of these traits are inherent in the WPS crest elements of unitas, veritas, and virtus.

By now, you know that one aspect of this program is the opportunity for family involvement. Parents and guardians are, of course, the most influential teachers of character education and we have valued your participation by reading the books and postcards that are sent home each month. This has enabled us to keep the topic relevant, exciting, and consistent for the month and well into the future.

The Cloud9World program helps to develop one of the most important aspects of your child's education. As we strive to build knowledge and skills, it is also the content of your child's character that will have a huge impact, personally and in the broader community. To that end, we have augmented our character program by doing classroom guidance lessons that reinforce our traits, and also teach and emphasize lifelong skills such as empathy, emotion management, and problem solving. Mrs. Jennifer Bloom, our Guidance Counselor, schedules regular lessons with each class and the students enjoy the time with her.

The faculty and staff and WPS understand the competitive nature of our global community and are constantly striving to meet the demands of our ever-changing world. Empirical evidence suggests that a person's character helps form lifelong success, as much as their knowledge base and skill set.

Congratulations to all of the Lower School students who were showcased in the 55th Annual Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival! We are very proud of all our aspiring artists. Click to see a list of participants.

ERB testing will take place next week for all students in grades one through five. It is important that your child is well rested and present for these assessments. A healthy breakfast will help to set your child up for success. Please note in your child's newsletter other testing specifics for individual grade levels. If you know your child will not be in next week, please notify your child's teacher in advance so we can try to arrange for make-ups. ERB results will be available to share with parents during the May conference.

We are thrilled to have everyone back on campus and are looking forward to a fabulous fourth quarter!

Important Dates:

April

03 - 1st Grade Field Trip Shakespeare Theater

08 - ERB Testing (Grades 1 -5) Begins

14 - Spring Book Fair Week Begins

18 - Easter Egg Hunt for Primary Grades

Melissa Fagan

Director of Lower School

Theresa Nabavi

Associate Director of Lower School

WPVA

Upcoming Events

Click here for your invitation to the Parent Appreciation Breakfast on April 11 in the Learning Commons at 8:30 a.m. All parents are welcome!

Save the Date!

WPS Food Truck Frenzy Night Friday, April 25. Details coming soon.

Click for the WPVA Calendar of Events, Volunteer Interest Form, and Volunteer Opportunities and Descriptions.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Before the break, our sixth graders tackled the challenging topic of theoretical and experimental probability in math class. To make this daunting concept move from theory to real life, the students took to a game of Twister! Students had to figure out the theoretical probability of landing on each space; then, they played the game to collect data to determine the experimental probability. Students will compare the results this week. What a way to make learning come to life!

Everyone seems rejuvenated after Spring Break, ready to take on the next two months with enthusiasm - and with good reason as we have much to look forward to with a calendar populated with exciting events! Please refer to this calendar to stay informed, and glance at these immediate dates:

Upcoming Dates:

April

08 - CTP-4 Testing Begins

08 - Field Days (On Testing Afternoons)

14 - Eighth Graders' "Go West"

15 - Seventh Graders' "Discover Florida"

16 - Quarter 4 Progress Reports on Skyward

21 - Eighth Grade Disney Dreamer & Doer Nominations Due

21 - Spring Music Concert

22 - Seventh Grade Earth Day Field Trip

23 - Sixth Grade Cultural Festival

23 - Dance Team Auditions Begin

25 - Life Lessons Career Exploration

To prepare for next week, please refer to this communication from Mrs. Simmons regarding CTP-4 testing. We expect students to be well rested, on time, and armed with a positive attitude, ready to excel. Because this program assesses critical thinking, it is imperative that students be fresh-minded as they take their time and truly reason through the testing process. Thank you for your assistance in ensuring students are ready to do their best!

As always, please stop by our office, send us an email, or call if you need anything.We are here to help!

Have a wonderful week!

Mary Beth Davies and the Middle School Faculty

Middle School Director

LAKER ATHLETICS

Archery

WPS has posted its first official Archery match! The Middle School Team just barely lost to ICS after their team outscored the Lakers, 2-4 - in two cases, by a mere one point.

The High School team went up against both Lake Highland Prep and ICS. The much more experienced Lake Highland outscored WPS, 2-4. In one highlight, the Laker's #1 shooter, Jonathan Lopez, tied the #1 shooter for LHP, and came out on top in the one-arrow shoot off. Kevin Leon scored the Lakers' other point against a medal-winning shooter.

ICS put up a good fight but the Lakers came away with the "W" by a score of 5-1. Go Lakers!

On the Courts

Team Tennis

This week the Varsity Team is competing in Districts at Montverde. All of the WPS players are seeded #1, due to the fantastic Laker season record.

Super Series

Sophomore Hannah Rosenfield brought home a Level 6 USTA Super series winner's trophy from Red Bug Park, and Nico Rivero was once again "The Man," making it to the Final at Winter Park.

Welcome Back to our Summer Program!

For those of you still not signed up for tennis, see our websites www.orlandotennisacademy.com and www.elitetennisusa.com to download forms, or click for Academy and Elite forms.

It is hard to believe, but we are already holding places for our Summer Camps in both the Elite and Fun Camps, which begin June 2 and run through the summer! You are encouraged to get on our hold list, as places will be limited.

Softball

The Windermere Prep Lady Lakers Varsity Softball Team had a successful week on the softball diamond with wins over Bishop Moore at home, 6-5, and Celebration High School, 6-4. Unfortunately, the Lakers came up short against Gateway High School, losing 2-4, but then bounced back in a big way after the spring break with a huge District 3A win on Monday,13-8, over Cornerstone Charter. The Lady Lakers are 3-1 in their last 4 games and 10-5 on the season and are currently in second place in their district.

On Thursday, the Lady Lakers travel to Masters Academy at 6:00 p.m.

Little Lakers Summer Sports Camp!

The 2014 Little Lakers Summer Sports Camp will take place the week of June 9. The camp runs Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to noon. This year's camp will include basketball, flag football, soccer, volleyball, and more! Campers will get to learn and play under the supervision of the WPS varsity coaching staff. Click here to learn more and sign up!

WPS at Winter Park Art Festival

Our young artists participated in one of the highest rated outdoor art festivals in the USA over Spring Break. The Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival is a juried art show that has international and nationally known artists in a juried and invitation only show. We are fortunate to have the opportunity for our High School artists to display their work in such an environment.

For the first time ever, Windermere Prep High School won a "Best Of Show" award for Patrick Hansen and his sculpture titled, "Dragon Fly." Along with Patrick's accomplishment, two artists won the second place Award of Distinction: Junior Camilla Defino for her project, "Color of Hope;" and Senior Catalina Burch for her work, "Bird of Paradise." Additionally, three artists won third place with an Award of Distinction: Junior Brooke Turner's photograph, "Actions;" Sophomore Pete Shu, for his drawing, "Sully;" Senior Gloria Gao for "Bicycles;" and two Honorable Mentions for Junior Brigitta Bengyel for "Society;" and 10th grader Merry Hu for her drawing "Emma." We will be placing these award-winning projects in the High School Office and the Main Administrative Offices.

Congratulations to all our young artists who participated in this event.

LS Drama

Fifth grade students are busy rehearsing for their upcoming show of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

WPS COMMUNITY NEWS
Campus Dining

It's Parent Dining Week at Windermere Prep! Join your students for a fresh meal during lunch periods from April 7 through 11. Simply hand in this flier, with information completed, for a free nutritious lunch!