Volunteer through the Wilson PTO and help check-in, shelve, and check-out books for Library classes during the school day. You can also volunteer to help with Scholastic Book Fairs (Fall and Spring), Author Visits, and other special projects in the Library throughout the year. Look for opportunities to sign up to volunteer. You may also contact Mary Schwarz at mary.maynard.schwarz@gmail.com with any questions.
Birthday Books. The Wilson PTO has been kind enough to add "Birthday Books" as an option in the "Shop" on MTK. You may donate as many books as you would like per student. If your student has a summer birthday, we will celebrate on their ½ birthday, just like their birthdays are celebrated at school. We will celebrate all September 1st-8th birthdays beginning 9/12. June birthdays will be celebrated at the end of May. It is never too late to donate a Birthday Book. Mrs. Ciampa will gladly take care of any birthdays that have already occurred in the school year as soon as she receives the forms from MTK. Each Birthday Book will have a “Birthday Book” nameplate with your student’s name and school year of donation. Feel free to contact Mrs. Ciampa with any questions you may have. jeciampa@westfieldnjk12.org
Book Donations. Book donations are always welcome. Please contact Mrs. Ciampa at jeciampa@westfieldnjk12.org to make arrangements to drop them off. If Mrs. Ciampa cannot use your donations (too many copies, damaged, not age appropriate, etc...) she will offer them to the teachers. If the teachers cannot use them in their classroom libraries, Mrs. Ciampa will donate them to the WML book sales in the fall and spring.
Library Helpers. Library Helpers are not needed during the 25/26 school year. 5th Grade students may sign up to be a Library Helper on Friday Mornings from 8:25-8:45. During this time they will be able to help Mrs. Ciampa organize books, label books, create book lists, and other special projects throughout the school year. This experience counts as a leadership position.
Wilson Book Club. The Wilson Book Club is a student led club that meets Thursdays after school until 3:45. This club can run through the end of May. Students who would like to participate need to see Mrs. Ciampa for more information and a permission slip.
Digital Citizenship. Common Sense Media is a great resource for parents who would like to be more involved in their student's online activities. In the Parent Tips and FAQs tab you will find many resources by Age, Topic, or Platform to keep you up to speed with what your student's are doing online and how they can do it safely. Here is the slide show Mrs. Ciampa presented at the PTO meeting on 9/22.
Hour of Code. Every year Code.org creates a new coding program to give students the experience of learning to code. 1st Graders begin their coding journey with BotLogic.us. 2nd - 5th Grade students are also welcome to try out different Hour of Code activities from the Hour of Code Choice Board located in their Library Google Classroom. Code.org Because each student has their own account, their progress will be saved as they complete their courses and practice the Hour of Code activities. Students may access their accounts from home if they know their Google login information.
Caldecott Medal Books. In January your students participate in our very own Wilson Caldecott Contest. We start this contest by learning about the origins of the Caldecott Medal and take a look at some favorite Caldecott Medal winners. Then, we read new books that are Caldecott Medal hopefuls and vote on a favorite based on the official Caldecott Medal criteria. The students have so much fun voting for their favorites and can't wait to see which Caldecott Medal hopeful is the winner for Wilson School. We end this unit by watching the official announcement of the actual Caldecott Medal Winners at the end of January.
Read Across America. In March your students participate in Read Across America. During this week we will hold our Third Annual Read-A-Thon, host an Author Visit, have themed dress days, and all classes participate in D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything And Read). It is an exciting time for everyone at Wilson.
Overdue Books. If your student has an overdue book(s), Mrs. Ciampa will send out an Overdue Notice to your email address on file with the school so you are aware the book is overdue and can make sure it is sent back to school. Please make sure we have your correct email address on file.
Damaged Books. If a book is damaged and it is not due to normal wear and tear on the book (ripped pages, water damage, writing in book, broken spine, pet chewed book, etc...), Mrs. Ciampa will contact you to replace the damaged book. If you would like Mrs. Ciampa to replace the book for you, the minimum charge is $20 per book (Note: Some Non-Fiction and Graphic Novels may cost more to replace.) and you would send the cash or check made payable to "Wilson School Fund" to the attention of Mrs. Ciampa. There is a separate process if you would like to purchase the book yourself and send it in with your student. Mrs. Ciampa will walk you through that process if that time comes.
Lost Books. Mrs. Ciampa will let you know if she needs to mark a book as LOST by your student. If lost books are not found by the end of the school year, Mrs. Ciampa will contact you in the beginning of June to replace the lost book. If you would like Mrs. Ciampa to replace the book for you, the minimum charge is $20 per book (Note: Some Non-Fiction and Graphic Novels may cost more to replace.) and you would send the cash or check made payable to "Wilson School Fund" to the attention of Mrs. Ciampa. There is a separate process if you would like to purchase the book yourself and send it in with your student. Mrs. Ciampa will walk you through that process if that time comes.
If you ever have any questions, feel free to contact me at jeciampa@westfieldnjk12.org, I will respond to your questions as soon as possible.