Welcome Back WE families!
The 2026-2027 school year is well under way. The building is full! We are filled with three grade levels and filled with love of learning. We feel so lucky to be working with amazing teachers, staff, students and families during this exciting time.
We will welcome parents to join their student for lunch starting October 5th. Please remember to have your id handy when you sign in at the main office.
Our new Community Schools Coordinator has done an amazing job kicking off our new WE 4th Grade Student Council. This is a great opportunity for students to learn about student government and gain leadership skills. Firefighter Bob will be joining us for an assembly this month to talk with students about fire prevention and fire safety. We are grateful for community partnerships that provide our students with important learning.
Open House on October 7th from 6 pm - 7 pm. It is always and exciting night for all of us and we hope to see you there!
Thank you for partnering with us to provide WE students with the best possible learning experiences at school and at home. Wayne Eagles fly together!
Trista and Ashlea
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Our second graders are off to a fabulous start. We are excited for a wonderful year of learning, growing, and making new memories together. The beginning of school is an important time for our second graders to build classroom routines, strengthen friendships, and become confident, independent learners while we continue to adjust to the changes of our new school and expectations. Here is a little more about what we are focusing our learning on at the beginning of 2nd grade.
Reading & Writing through Superkids
- Building strong reading habits and reading stamina
- Practicing fluency, accuracy, and expression
- Reading both fiction and informational texts
- Identifying the central message or main idea
- Retelling and discussing important details from a text
- Learning new vocabulary through reading and conversation
- Writing complete sentences and organized responses
- Using details from books to support our thinking
Amplify Math
- Building picture graphs, tables and charts
- Interpret data representations
- Building fluency with addition and subtraction
- Solving addition and subtraction word problems
- Using drawings, models, and equations to explain our thinking
- Working with place value and numbers within 1,000
- Comparing and ordering numbers
- Practicing mental math strategies
- Explaining different ways to solve a problem
Science & Social Studies
- Exploring how scientists make observations, ask questions, and gather information
- Learning about our classroom, school, community, and the people who make a community work
- Practicing map skills and learning how communities are organized
💛 Building Our Classroom Community
During September and October, we are focusing on:
- Being kind, respectful, and responsible
- Following classroom routines
- Working cooperatively with classmates
- Solving problems peacefully
- Taking responsibility for our learning and belongings
- Showing perseverance when something feels challenging
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September has certainly flown by in third grade! We have loved welcoming all of our new friends to W.E. and getting to know each of our students. We are so pleased with how well everyone is transitioning to our new building, learning our routines, and embracing our classroom expectations. It has been a wonderful start to the school year, and we are excited for all that is ahead! |
ELA, SOCIAL STUDIES & SCIENCE
In ELA, third graders have begun reading the chapter book Poppy by Avi, a fantasy adventure featuring a great horned owl and a deer mouse. As we follow Poppy’s journey, students are learning to identify and analyze important story elements, including characters, setting, and plot.
We are also making meaningful connections across ELA, Science, and Social Studies through our overarching question: How do living things depend on one another?
In Science and Social Studies, students have been learning about wolves and exploring the advantages and disadvantages of reintroducing wolves to the Adirondack Mountain region. We have also been strengthening our geography skills by investigating where wolves live and why certain habitats are suited for them. Along the way, students will be reviewing the continents and oceans and developing their map-reading skills.
These lessons connect beautifully to Poppy, as students explore forest animals, habitats, ecosystems, and the ways living things depend on one another to survive. It has been exciting to watch our third graders make connections across subjects and discover how literature, science, and social studies can work together to help us better understand the world around us!
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Math
We are learning about multiplication and division! Students will use equal groups, pictures, and equations to solve problems and explain their thinking.
Try It at Home: Make math fun with snack groups! Give your child 12 crackers and ask, “Can you make equal groups? How many ways?” Have them tell you the multiplication and division facts they find!
REMINDER: HOME-SCHOOL COMMUNICATION
As part of our home-school communication, we kindly ask that you take a moment to sign your child’s agenda each evening. This helps ensure that you are aware of homework assignments, nightly expectations, and any important reminders your child may have written down.
Your signature also lets us know that you have had a chance to review the information in the agenda. Thank you for your continued support and partnership in helping your child stay organized and successful!
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Math
In October Grade 4 will be starting our next math unit. We are excited to dive into Unit 2: Fraction Equivalence and Comparison in our Amplify Math curriculum! Over the next several weeks, students will build on what they know about fractions to explore how different fractions can represent the exact same value and how to compare fractions with different-sized parts.
What We’re Learning
Our unit is broken down into three main sections:
- Sub-Unit 1: Sizes and Locations of Fractions (Lessons 1–4)
- Students practice viewing fractions as actual numbers on a number line, using hands-on physical materials and visual diagrams to understand their exact size and place.
- Sub-Unit 2: Equivalent Fractions (Lessons 5–10)
- Students discover how to find and create equal fractions like 1/2 = 4/8. They will learn to explain why two fractions are equivalent using both visual models and mathematical strategies.
- Sub-Unit 3: Comparing Fractions (Lessons 11–15)
- Students tackle comparing and ordering fractions that have different top numbers (numerators) and bottom numbers (denominators). They will use visual models, landmark "benchmark" fractions and numerical calculations.
Bring the Math Home: Kitchen Connections!
Baking and cooking are wonderful, real-world ways to practice fraction concepts together. The next time you are preparing a recipe with your child, try asking a few fun, hands-on questions:
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"How could we measure all the ingredients for this recipe using the fewest number of different measuring scoops possible?" (For example: using only a 1/4 cup scoop to measure everything!)
- "How could we measure our ingredients so that we make the smallest total number of measurements?"
Social Studies Spotlight
The New York State Ski Resort Challenge. This month in social studies, our students are taking on an exciting Problem-Based Learning (PBL) project as location consultants for a major state initiative: The NYS Ski Resort Challenge!
Students are using critical thinking and map-reading skills to analyze geography, climate patterns, and highway networks across New York. Their goal is to determine the ideal spot to build a brand-new ski resort in our state.
Driving Questions We Are Exploring
- If you were hired to build a new ski resort in New York State, where would you build it and why?
- How does where you live—or where you build—impact the opportunities and challenges you face?
What Students Are Doing
To complete the project, students will analyze several specialized maps to weigh factors like snowfall, terrain, and travel accessibility. They will mark their chosen spot on a map of New York State's major roads and highways, and then write a formal recommendation letter to New York State justifying why their location is the best choice.
Ask Your Student About It!
You can support your child's learning at home by asking them what geographic features they are looking for on their maps, or by discussing how proximity to major highways and mountains shapes.
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Dear WE Families,
My name is Miss Heinig and I am your child's librarian this year. The school year has been off to a great start! Here is some information about our library.
Book checkout and schedule:
Students have library book exchange once every 6 school days. Your students have started checking out books from the library over the past few weeks. They can keep library books for 2 weeks before returning or renewing them.
Library club:
Applications for library club will be going home this week. Session 1 will be open to 4th grade students, and will be from 10/13 to 11/19.
This first session will be a book club where we will read together, discuss the book, and do fun book-related activities! 2nd and 3rd grade students will be able to join future sessions.
I am looking forward to a great year.
Best,
Miss Heinig
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Hello WE Families!
Here are a few important PE reminders and highlights to help keep our students safe, prepared, and ready to participate!
👟 Sneakers Are a Must!
Sneakers are required for both PE and recess so students can safely participate. If your child does not have sneakers, they will need to sit out.
We are working on the important habit of being prepared by wearing sneakers to school every day or keeping an extra pair at school.
🎀 Learning to Tie Sneakers
Learning to tie sneakers is an important life skill and a great opportunity for students to practice independence!
If your child is still learning, please take some time at home to practice tying their sneakers together. And did you know there is more than one way to tie your sneakers? 😊
💍 Jewelry & PE
On PE days, please remind your child to remove ALL jewelry before coming to class. This includes necklaces, bracelets, dangly earrings, and hoop earrings.
You may need to help your child learn how to safely remove these items independently.
Safety is always our number one priority!
This is also an important habit to develop as students get older and participate in school sports, where jewelry must be removed for safety.
🍂 Let's Get Outside!
We will be taking advantage of the beautiful fall weather and getting our PE classes outside as much as possible until the snow flies! ❄️
Please help your child come prepared with:
- 👟 Sneakers
- 🧥 A sweatshirt or jacket
- 🧦 An extra pair of socks, especially for morning PE classes
📬 PE Newsletter
Our PE Newsletter was sent home the second week of school and should have been included in your child's take-home folder. Please take a moment to check it out for more information about what we are learning and doing in PE!
Thank you for helping us keep our students safe, prepared, and ready to move! We appreciate your support at home! ❤️
We are PROUD to recognize our Hard Hat Recipients for September—thank you for your exceptional effort and leading by example!
— Your WE PE Teachers
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It’s been a fantastic start to the school year! We’ve already been busy making music, and I’m excited about everything we’ll accomplish together this year!
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🎵 General Music
Students have been moving, singing, playing instruments, and building their musical skills!
Our 2nd and 3rd graders have been focusing on feeling and maintaining a steady beat while singing Funga Alafia and playing djembes and cajóns.
Our 4th graders have been getting started on the ukulele, using it as a fun tool for making music and developing musical literacy.
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🎤 3rd & 4th Grade Chorus
I am eager to begin 3rd & 4th Grade Chorus this October! Transportation is currently finalizing the morning bus routes, and I’ll share our official start information as soon as everything is ready.
Chorus is open to all 3rd and 4th grade students. If you haven’t signed up your child yet, there’s still time!
Be on the lookout for a ParentSquare message in the coming weeks with our chorus start date.
I can’t wait to hear what we accomplish together this year—in chorus and in the music room!
Mr. Laird
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Dear Wayne Elementary Artists and Families,
My name is Jennifer Conrow, and I am so excited to be your child’s WE art teacher! Since some of you are new to the school, I would like to take this opportunity to give you some information on what to expect for art class this year.
Schedule and Smocks: For the most part, I will be seeing your student once every 6 day cycle. Throughout the year, however, we rotate which classes have a second Project Based Learning class with all Specials areas. If your child mentions this “bonus” art class, this is a time when I tie in lessons to things they may be learning in their classrooms.
Art class can be a bit messy so please keep this in mind when dressing your child for school on art day. I do not have art smocks available in the classroom, but if you would like to send in an old button-up dress shirt or apron your child may keep this in his/her backpack for class. If you choose to do this, please put your child’s name on the smock and remind them to put it on before coming to class.
Artsonia: Throughout the school year, I like to display student work throughout the halls and at different venues. This means that instead of sending home artwork as it is completed, I will be hanging on to a lot of it for these opportunities. So, please don’t panic if your child doesn’t bring his/her work home! In the meantime, you can view much of your student’s work through Artsonia. This program is an online art gallery that allows parents to view students' work electronically, and also offers the opportunity to purchase products featuring their student’s artwork. If you already joined last year, you are all set. Second and Third grade students, as well as new students should be receiving invitations to sign up in early to mid-October.
Art Club: Soon I will be sending home applications for after school Art Club. This club will be open to 3rd and 4th grade students. Art club is always extremely popular, so I will not be able to include every child, but I will certainly include as many as possible.
What we are working on: Our student artists have already been busy at work these first couple weeks. In second grade, we started the year with a drawing and painting project featuring insects on autumn leaves. We focused on changing seasons, drawing natural objects, and the warm colors. Third grade artists began the year with projects based on the art of NYC born artist James Rizzi. We are making paintings of “Happy Communities” with a focus on shape and color. In fourth grade we are starting Farm Landscape paintings inspired by our own farming community. We are focusing on space and perspective in our work.
I am looking forward to an awesome year together! Please feel free to contact me at jconrow@waynecsd.org with any concerns you may have. See you at Open House!
Artfully yours,
Mrs. Conrow
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October 7th - Open House - 6:00 - 7:00 pm
October 9th & 12th - No School for students
October 21st - Picture make up day
October - Book Fair info to follow
October 30th - Halloween Parade
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