W E D N E S D A Y  W E E K L Y
Bi-Weekly Summer Issue - July 27, 2016
In this Issue


Upcoming Events
  
July 28
Camp Field Trip to DuPont Environmental Center for Rooms 24 & 25

August 1-5
Camp Montessori
Week 7
Specialty Camps -
Short Sports, Water Color Painting, Cooking Around the World, Spanish by Nature, Advanced Scratch Programming 

August 4
Camp Field Trip to Franklin Institute
Rooms 22, 24, 25 & 27 

August 8-12
Camp Montessori
Week 8
Specialty Camps - 
Dance Dream Discovery, Adventures in Physical Science, Embroidery, Cross-Stitch & Sewing, Game Masters 
Limited Spaces Available
August 11
Camp Field Trip to Cape Henlopen Beach
Rooms 22 & 24
Message from 
Cass Winner, 
Director of Extended Day & Camp Programs
 
Cass Winner
Magic After Dark

After 9 in the evening, the WMS campus is almost silent, save for the whoosh of the air circulation system and an occasional thump in the Great Room duct-work. Fish swim slowly in the classroom tanks, and dew settles on the playground grass.
 
For one night each summer, though, the campus becomes the Dragons' Lair. The oldest camp group - rising fifth through ninth-graders - stays at camp all night. They pitch their tents behind the building, cook dinner on the grill, play games, make a great deal of noise and enjoy their status as the senior campers, the ones with the most skills, the most freedom and the most responsibility.

There is generally not a whole lot of sleeping, but there is always a lot of fun!
Talking with some of the campers and counselors about that night, I asked what they loved about it. Everyone mentioned the water balloon fight, glow-in-the-dark dodgeball and mystery-solving games. Some of them also said how different the building was at night, how the darkened classrooms and quiet hallways seemed like another world. 

Many of them will start at new schools - or at least new grade levels - in the fall, and their minds and bodies are changing quickly. They need that balance of security and adventure, challenge and support. The counselors in that group know all of this, and the activities that they choose recognize and support the growing independence and changing interests of these young adults. For our Dragons, summer camp - and especially the overnight - is a time to enjoy the last years of childhood while being treated like the intelligent and competent young people that they are.   

They are already planning the carnival that they will put on for the younger children in the final week of camp. It is one more way in which they take on that mantle of responsibility and service while still having a blast.  But the summer is only half over now, and there are still four weeks in which to swim in the sun-dappled waters, play games filled with magic and adventure, and grow stronger in the warmth of this circle of friends.  


  
 
News & NotesNews
WMS Honored at National Green Ribbon School Ceremony

Last week, Assistant Head of School Laurie Orsic and WMS parent Nora Lober attended the U.S. Department of Education's Green Ribbon Schools Award Ceremony in Washington, D.C. Click here to watch a video of Laurie and Nora accepting the prestigious award on behalf of the WMS community. 

The U.S. Department of Education's Green Ribbon Schools program recognizes educational institutions that demonstrate exemplary performance in three pillars: 1) Reduced environmental impact and cost; 2) Improved health and wellness of students and staff; and 3) Integrated environmental education. The last pillar emphasizes effectively incorporating STEM, civic skills and green career pathways into the curriculum.

WMS was one of only six private schools and 47 total K-12 schools to receive the national award in 2016. 
 
Magnus Heath
A Message from Nurse Paige:
Calling All Heath Forms
Greetings, WMS Families! 

I hope you are having a terrific summer. In preparation for the beginning of school, which is not so very far off, please ensure that ALL requirements are complete in the Magnus Health System. Many thanks to those who have already done so! 

All children attending camp had a due date of June 1, all returning students had a due date of July 1, and all new students have a due date of August 1. 

If you are receiving reminder emails on Tuesdays, this means your child's file has NOT been completed. Please take a few moments to provide the required information right away. 

Contact me with any questions or concerns - paige_lucarelli@wmsde.org or 302-475-0555.
Today's LearnersLearner
Earth Art
by Cass Winner, Director of Extended Day & Camp Programs
 
"We shall walk together on this path of life, for all things are part of the universe and are connected with each other to form one whole unity." 
- Maria Montessori
 
Summer is a time for all of us to get outdoors, to feel ourselves as much a part of the natural world as we are a part of our families and communities.  This week's Earth Art camp is giving children between ages 5 and 8 a chance to be a part of nature and then use that inspiration to create new and beautiful works of art.

During the first few days of camp, they have spent time in the woods, made relief images of leaves in aluminum, sculpted mud faces in the trees and created woven pieces with a variety of materials found on their walks. 

Teacher Jeanne Orr has been teaching art to children for decades, and this is her third year of leading this best-selling creative art camp. Her warmth, wisdom and aesthetic imagination support the children's natural wonder and innate drive to manipulate materials to make something new. We can't wait to see what they will do for the rest of the week!
Tomorrow's Leadersleaders
Coming Soon - WMS Alumni Newsletter

In the next few weeks, we will be sending out the first edition of our alumni newsletter.  Make sure it comes to your inbox by sending updated contact info to alumni@wmsde.org! 
The Wednesday Weekly shares WMS news and events that are relevant to the families in our community.  

Please send submissions to wednesday-weekly@wmsde.org by 4:30 p.m. on the Friday prior to the issue in which you wish to include your information. Content may be edited for length  and style and may be held for a future issue due to space constraints.  

For more information, contact Noel Dietrich, Director of Communications.
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