Dear WMAES Families,
We hope you're having a wonderful summer, enjoying precious time with family, and creating memorable moments doing the things you love most. Whether you're exploring the great outdoors, diving into new hobbies, or simply relaxing, we hope this season brings you joy and relaxation.
Our dedicated team is hard at work on various summer projects and improvements, ensuring our campus is ready for another fantastic school year. We are excited about the updates and can't wait to share them with you in the fall.
Below, you'll find key dates for the upcoming school year. To make staying informed about all our events as convenient as possible, we encourage you to subscribe to our AddEvent calendar below. This will automatically update your device with any new events as they're added, keeping you in the loop with ease.
Additionally, we have included more information below to help you engage in continuous learning throughout the summer months. We encourage you to explore these resources and keep the spirit of learning alive.
Wishing you a safe and enjoyable summer!
Click Subscribe below at add our WMAES Family Calendar to any calendar app on the device of your choice. You can also click here to visit the calendar page and view information about subscribing.
Summer is a great time for students to explore new topics, strengthen their skills, and continue learning in fun and engaging ways. We encourage all students to take advantage of the learning resources available through the WMAES Clever page. Additionally, we have included information on two fantastic summer learning programs from IXL and Khan Academy, as well as details on using the Libby app with your Kent District Library (KDL) card for free access to a vast collection of e-books and audiobooks.
Your students can log in to Clever anytime using their @wma-es.com Google account. Here are some of the valuable resources available:
Rocket Math
Offers math fact fluency practice through engaging and interactive games.
MobyMax
Provides personalized learning in a variety of subjects, helping students fill in learning gaps and accelerate their progress.
Amplify Boost Reading
Enhances reading skills with tailored reading exercises and activities designed to improve literacy.
Visit WMAES Clever to get started.
Website: IXL Summer Adventures
Description: Offers a comprehensive summer learning plan with activities in math, language arts, science, social studies, and Spanish. Students can stay sharp and continue to grow academically through engaging and interactive exercises.
How to Get Started: Visit the IXL Summer Adventures website, select the grade level, and start exploring the available resources.
Camp Khan Kids
Website: Camp Khan Kids
Description: Provides a free, fun summer learning program for children ages 2-8. Activities are designed to support early learners in developing essential skills through play-based learning.
How to Get Started: Visit the Camp Khan Kids website, download the Khan Academy Kids app, and follow the weekly schedule of activities.
Khan Academy Summer Learning
Website: Khan Academy
Description: Offers free courses in math, science, computing, history, art, economics, and more for students of all ages. The summer learning program includes personalized learning paths to help students stay on track.
How to Get Started: Create a free account on the Khan Academy website and choose the subjects of interest to begin learning.
The Libby app allows you to borrow e-books, audiobooks, and magazines from your local library for free! Follow these steps to get started:
Download the Libby App
Available on iOS, Android, and via web browsers. Visit the Libby website to find the app.
Get a KDL Library Card
If you don't have a KDL library card, you can apply for one online. Visit the Kent District Library website to sign up.
Set Up Your Account
Open the Libby app and follow the prompts to find your library (Kent District Library).
Enter your library card number and PIN.
Browse and Borrow
Explore the extensive collection of e-books, audiobooks, and magazines available. Simply borrow and download to start reading or listening.
We hope these resources help keep your children engaged and learning throughout the summer. Enjoy exploring new topics and adventures!
Fourth quarter report cards for elementary students remain available in PowerSchool Parent Portal and were also sent as email attachments to the email address you have on file with us. To access all previous report cards for your students at any time, log in to Parent Portal and click on Student Reports (shown below). All current and past report cards will remain available on Parent Portal for your reference. If you need help getting started with Parent Portal, please contact the office.
The information below serves as a reminder of our Standards Based Grading system at WMAES, ensuring families have the necessary information to effectively interpret report cards.
We use Standards Based Grading to effectively and thoroughly communicate the specific expectations set by the Michigan K-12 State Standards and to measure student growth and achievement relative to these standards. This approach to grading and communicating progress aims to bring substantial benefits to all stakeholders, including students, teachers, and parents/guardians.
Standards Based Grading Overview:
Standards Based Grading empowers students with a clearer understanding of what they are expected to learn according to the Michigan K-12 State Standards. It provides parents with an in-depth view of their child's growth and academic achievements.
Key Details for Parents/Guardians:
Instead of (and in some cases in addition to) traditional letter grades and percentage scores, proficiency scores ranging from 1 to 4 are now employed. These proficiency scores are directly linked to detailed descriptions of what the students are expected to know and be able to do. Teachers provide invaluable feedback to students using these proficiency scores, and your student has multiple opportunities to achieve proficiency (a score of 3) on the standards. Final grades are determined based on the most recent evidence of student learning. In addition to academic proficiency, students receive separate scores for behaviors that promote a positive learning environment.
Proficiency Scale Explanation:
A score of 1 or 2 when learning a new skill or concept is entirely appropriate and not intended to be punitive. Learning is a process, and some concepts and skills may be more challenging to grasp.
A score of 3 signifies proficiency and is a reason for celebration! It demonstrates that the student has met the grade-level standard.
A score of 4 indicates that a student has reached proficiency and has applied knowledge beyond the grade-level standard.
Comparison with Traditional Letter Grade System:
Standards Based Grading evaluates how well an individual student is performing in relation to grade-level standards, rather than comparing their work to that of other students. This approach provides parents with a better understanding of their child's specific strengths and areas that may need improvement. Traditional letter or numerical grades, on the other hand, are often influenced by class expectations, performance on assignments and tests, effort, student behavior, and how the student compares to their peers. They do not provide insights into which grade-level skills a student is currently working on and which skills they have already mastered.
We want to remind our community that enrollment for the 2024-25 academic year remains open. This is a continuous opportunity to join a community committed to educational excellence and environmental stewardship.
🌱 How to Enroll:
Enrolling your child is simple and straightforward. Visit our enrollment page at West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science - Enrollment. Should you have any questions or need assistance, our dedicated admissions team is always available to help at wmaesoffice@choiceschools.com.
👨👩👧👦 Refer a Family:
Know a family interested in a unique educational experience that emphasizes environmental awareness? Encourage them to consider our academy. Your referrals are crucial as they help cultivate a diverse and vibrant student body that enhances our community. Share our open enrollment information and help us expand our circle of environmentally-conscious learners!
💚 A Collaborative Community Effort:
At West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science, we are more than just a school; we are a family. We cherish each family’s unique contributions to our community and eagerly anticipate welcoming new members who are as committed to sustainability and education as we are.
To Apply: https://preschool.kentisd.org/Apply
To book a tour follow this link: https://calendly.com/wmaesgsrp/
Take a close look at a Day in the Life of a WMAES Preschooler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOZsaENoj78&list=WL&index=1&
More information and registration at https://wma-es.com/summer-adventure-camp/