Staying fit is important for EVERYONE! This summer we challenge all Wolfpack staff and families to -

Take the Summer PE Challenge

Print this form and complete one activity each day of summer and have your parent initial that you have it completed.  If you miss a day, do two activities the next day.  Return this form with all the signatures on your first day of PE for the 2015-2016 school year to receive special recognition.

June 5 – Hula Hoop for 15 minutes

June 6 – Swim 5 laps in the pool

June 7 – Go on a hike around one of our local lakes

June 8 – Have a water shooter fight

June 9 – Create your own outdoor obstacle course and go through it 5 times

June 10 – Play a game of tag with friends

June 11 – Make 10 free throw shots into a basketball goal

June 12 – Run a 50 yard dash and time yourself

June 13 – Run a 50 yard dash and try to beat your time from yesterday

June 14 – Tread water for 30 seconds

June 15 – Jump Rope – 25 rotations

June 16 – Do 50 jumping jacks

June 17 – Dribble basketball with Right hand 30x in a row

June 18 – Dribble basketball with Left hand 30x in a row

June 19 – Play a game of Knock out (basketball)

June 20 – Do 40 sit ups

June 21 – Dance in the living room to your favorite song

June 22 – Play a game of hide and seek

June 23 – Jump as high as you can 10x

June 24 – Jump as far as you can 10x

June 25 – Go for a walk outside

June 26 – Create an indoor obstacle course and complete it 3x

June 27 – Do 30 push ups

June 28 – Run in place for 2 minutes

June 29 – Bump a volleyball, try to get 10 bumps in a row

June 30 – Take a dog for a walk

July 1 – Go Roller Skating

July 2 – Run in place with high knees for 2 minutes

July 3 – Pull weeds out of your flower beds

July 4 – Do a yoga class – www.cosmickids.com

July 5 – Have a snowball fight with cotton balls

July 6 – Jump on a trampoline for 20 minutes

July 7 – Play a game of charades

July 8 – Go on a scavenger hunt

July 9 – Spin around 5 times and then walk a straight line

July 10 – Throw a Frisbee with a friend

July 11 – Play Hopscotch

July 12 – Hop on Left foot 20x

July 13 – Hop on Right foot 20x

July 14 – Play at the park

July 15 – Go sock skating inside on a wooden or tile floor

July 16 – Toss a football with a friend/family

July 17 – Dribble soccer ball down sidewalk and back 5x

July 18 – Practice passing and trapping soccer ball with friend/family

July 19 – Go to TWE, SLJH, or SLHS and practice kicking soccer ball in goal 20x

July 20 – Have a relay race with family

July 21 – Go bowling

July 22 – Play Simon Says

July 23 – Give your dog or neighbor’s dog a bath

July 24 – Find a scarf, throw it up, turn a circle, and catch it before it hits the ground.  10x              

July 25 – Find a hill to roll down and run back up 5x

July 26 – Play red light, Green Light

July 27 – Do 30 squats

July 28 – Do 20 frog hoppers

July 29 – Attempt 10 cartwheels (Get your parents to help you if needed)

July 30 – Go on a canoe ride or kayak with a family member

July 31 – Do 20 Star Jumps

August 1 – Play Leapfrog with a friend

August 2 – Play a game of laser tag

August 3 – Dive under water several times to retrieve 10 dive rings

August 4 – Crabwalk for 50 yards

August 5 – Play a game of follow the leader

August 6 – Have a bear walk race

August 7 – Play Freeze Dance with friends

August 8 – Jump on bubble wrap until all the bubbles are popped

August 9 – Have a pillow fight

August 10 – Jump off the diving board 10x

August 11 – Make up 10 different ways to jump in the pool to make a big splash

August 12 – Have a water balloon fight

August 13 – Practice backstroke for 5 laps in the pool

August 14 – Find a tennis racquet and practice hitting the tennis ball over the net

August 15 – Do 20 popcorn push ups (place a piece of popcorn on floor, lower down to get it)

August 16 – Draw a long line on sidewalk with chalk to balance walk forward/backward 10x

August 17 – Have a wheelbarrow race- someone hold your feet while you move with hands

August 18 – Ride your bike to a friend’s house

Save Water Texas by Susan Boiarsky and Laura Patrick (TWE Instructional Coaches)

4^th grade enjoyed visiting the past, present and future of Texas when the Save Water Texas Mobile Lab visited our school for a week.

 

 

 

Student ventured back in time to discuss water sources by comparing and contrasting different eras. Nomadic tribes moved from place to place to insure they had food and water.

Next, students stepped into the present. They discussed the pollution issues and realized that pollution was not as big of a problem in the past. Students discussed how they could prevent pollution from harming our water sources.

 

Lastly, students entered the future and played games regarding conservation.

 Students rotated through the three sections of the Save Water Texas Mobile lab.

Check out our students in action!

 

Read, Deed, Run - Final Run on 5/2/2015 By: Clare U.

Our Final Run took place at Rhodes Stadium in Katy. When I walked into the stadium, it was huge. All the schools were lined up on the football field by tables and a banner. Tom Wilson Elementary was on the far left of the field. Soon after the stands filled up, the big screen began a slideshow showing all the Katy ISD schools that participated in the program. A few minutes later, the screen showed a warm-up video for the final run participates. Soon enough, wave one, two, three, and four began running. Which meant wave 5 needed to line up on the starting line. Once the gun was shot, we began to run and exited from ramp and headed towards the back parking lot. After I went around that lot they started another circle towards the front parking lot, so we could enter at the front of the stadium. Once I entered the stadium, I crossed the finish line and headed back to our table to receive my medal. I felt extreme pride having completed 2600 pages of reading, 26 community service deeds, and 26.2 miles.

Reed, Deed and Run by Libby Smith and Laure Haseltine

TWE had another successful RDR program this year.  This year we were able to help out several local organizations.  We collected items to donate to the Citizen’s for Animal Protection, The Ballard House, and The Beacon.  We made items and cards for the children’s hospitals and nursing homes.  The students helped with our school-wide recycling program of all paper, plastic, cardboard, glue sticks, juice pouches, and snack pouches.  They also helped support PTA sponsored events by helping out with set-up, clean-up, and advertisements.



We had about 50 students complete all components of  the program. Each of the students who finished the program read 26 books/2600 pages, did 26 deeds,  and ran a total of 26.2 miles---a marathon!  The students received a finisher’s shirt and medal.  They celebrated their accomplishments with food and fun at Main Event.  A big thank you to the coaches who volunteered this year:  Mrs. Frias, Ms. Charanza, Mrs. McKinnies, Mrs. Fair, Ms. Smith, Mrs. Artley, and Mrs. Hernandez.    

The program next year will be open to all 4^th and 5^th graders.  Be looking for information about the program at the beginning of next year.

 

 

Field Day 2015 By: Coach Mcdonald, Coach Park, and Mrs. Hoette

 

 

What more can you really say about field day other than it is the BEST day of the school year!!  We appreciate the huge amount of support from our PTA, parent volunteers, and staff!  Field day is a team effort and what a great team we have.  I loved getting to see all the smiling faces and hear the laughter from every station.  In the afternoon, it was a joy to have our 5^th grade helpers.  They are an inspiration to the younger students and were very responsible with their duties. 

 

 

 

A huge THANK YOU to Michele Burnaman from Igloo for donating four brand new water coolers to our Physical Education Department!  We usually have to borrow these for all our events, but now we have these of our own to keep our students well hydrated.

 

 

Famous Texas Symbols and Landmarks by Cassidy M., Sahena H., Amy A. and Sydney H.

Social studies in 4^th grade is ALL about Texas history! A mural representing some of our state’s famous Texans and landmarks was recently painted outside on our hallway.(Courtesy of our PTA Box Top funds) Check out the continuation of our three day series to read what some of our fourth graders had to say about some of famous people and landmarks of our great state!

The Alamo: The Alamo is an 18^th century mission church in San Antonio, Texas. This is where a famous battle curing the Texas Revolution occurred. During the Battle of the Alamo, Santa Anna sent thousands of soldiers to take the Alamo. The Texans were greatly outnumbered. The brave Texan soldiers defended the Alamo and held them off for 13 days. The Mexican army defeated the Texans. The battle of the Alamo got the Texans so fired up that they went and won the battle of San Jacinto and Texas Independence. So, “Remember the Alamo!”

By: Cassidy M.

 

Come & Take It flag: “Come and Take It” is an American patriotic slogan used in 1835 at the Battle of Gonzales during the Texas Revolution. Texas refused to give back a cannon Mexico gave them years earlier. Instead they hung a flag on the cannon with the words “Come and Take It.” When Mexican soldiers came to claim the cannon, about 160 Texans stopped them!

By: Sahena H.

 

Regions of Texas: Texas is big! It is split up into four parts called regions. Texas is split up because the land and climate of each region is very different from the others. The Coastal Plains follows the Gulf Coast and has hot weather with lots of rain and lots of plants. Houston is a major city of this region. The next region is the Central Plains. Many Texans call this the “Hill Country”. Another region is the High Plains. There are large areas of grassy land that are good for farming, but weather can be bad here sometimes. And finally, the Mountains and Basins region. This area is very hot, dry and not good for farming. Even though there are four separate regions, Texas is still one big state.

By: Amy A. and Sydney H.

Famous Texans (Part 2) by Emma P. and Aleena S.

Social studies in 4^th grade is ALL about Texas history! A mural representing some of our state’s famous Texans and landmarks was recently painted outside on our hallway.(Courtesy of our PTA Box Top funds) Check out this continuation of our three day blog series to  what some of our fourth graders had to say about some of famous people and landmarks of our great state!

 

 

Davy Crockett: David (Davy) Crockett was a well-known soldier in the Texas War of Independence, also known as the Battle of the Alamo, where he died. He died on March 6, 1836 at age 49 during the Battle of the Alamo. He lost an election for Congress and decided to fight in the Texas War of Independence, against Mexico. The Mexicans won, yet the Texans fought hard and well. David Crockett will forever be known as one of the best-known Texas heroes.

By: Emma P.

Susanna Dickinson: Susanna Dickinson was a survivor of the Battle of the Alamo. She was born in 1814 in Tennessee. She was one of the few survivors of the Battle of the Alamo. She married a man named Almaron Dickinson and her daughter’s name was Angelina Elizabeth. One fact that was unbelievable to me was that she got married at the age of fifteen years old, Wow! I can’t believe that. I think the painting on the wall of Susanna Dickinson looks exactly like her and it looks super great! Also, I think the other paintings of the other important Texans are wonderful. They are definitely people that add to the history of Texas. In my opinion, without them there would not be a state of Texas. These people stood up for our state and helped it get noticed.

By: Aleena S.

Famous Texans (Part 1) by Mary H., Kyle J.

Social studies in 4^th grade is ALL about Texas history! A mural representing some of our state’s famous Texans and landmarks was recently painted outside our hallway (courtesy of our PTA Boxtop funds). Check out this blog May 18, 19 and 20 to see what some of our fourth graders had to say about some of famous people and landmarks of our great state!

 

 

Stephen F. Austin: Stephen F. Austin, also known as “The Father of Texas,” was born in 1793 in Virginia, but was raised in South Eastern Missouri.  He is considered the Founder of Anglo American Texas.  When he was 21, his father, Moses Austin, received a grant of land in Texas.  Moses dies on his way to Missouri.  Moses gave his grant to his son Stephen.  Stephen brought many people to Texas after many delays from the Mexican government.  by Mary H.

 

Sam Houston: Sam Houston, born in 1793, is best known for his role of commander during the Texas Revolution. His victory at the Battle of San Jacinto secured the independence of Texas from Mexico. Houston soon become Texas’ “George Washington” and was elected as the first president of the Republic of Texas in 1836.  In the same year, the great city of Houston was named after Sam in his honor. After many more years in various politics positions, Houston retired with his wife and kids. He passed away in 1863 at his home in Huntsville, Texas. by Kyle J.

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Kiss and Release by Coach McDonald

Our annual Kiss and Release 5^th grade Fishing Field Trip was a huge success!  This is a special honor that is only for our 5^th grade students.  They spent 2 weeks learning about water bugs and how to identify them, water safety, how to tie a knot, how to cast, and general rules and expectations for going to the Outdoor Learning Center.   Another part of the field trip that occurs at the OLC is iron cast cooking where the students learn to make a cobbler, they learn to make ice cream, boater safety, and get to make a fish print painting.   The most exciting part to me happened at the pond where we got to experience the quietness of nature as we looked out across the serene pond and all of a sudden heard the shriek of excitement break the silence with two words being yelled out, “FISH ON!”  That means someone  caught a fish and someone else needed to come quickly with a net to help out.  Friends gathered together with chests full of pride as they brought their catch to the weigh in table where we recorded the weight and length of each fish caught to ultimately see who caught the biggest fish!   BUT, before we let that fish back in the water, tradition beckoned for the KISS.  Kiss the fish you catch and then release it back to the pond, otherwise known as Kiss and Release, an OLC tradition.  It is an honor to be able to kiss a fish.  I must brag a little on this group of 5^th graders because the staff from other schools and from the OLC consistently told us how well behaved these students from Wilson were.  We told them thank you and informed them it was all due to their awesome PE Teachers (wink, wink).

 

Appreciating our STAFF by Charlotte Gilder and Jamie Brown (TWE Asst. Principals)

Teaching is not a profession, it is a calling. Our teachers spend countless hours preparing lessons, motivating students and building relationships. We have spent the week celebrating the wonderful teachers here at TWE. We started the week off by giving our teachers t-shirts to show off how Paw-some we think they are and then grilled some hamburgers with the help of some Watchdog DOGS. The PTA planned special treats for our teachers each day that ended with an Uberito lunch. Teachers may not get a bonus every year, but the treats and special treatment this week make them feel special. Thank you to all the many people that helped us so show our appreciation to the wonderful teachers at TWE.

Siena G. and Drew S.(Students in 3rd Grade Ms. Morgan’s class)

In math class, we are creating our own restaurants. We are learning about Media Literacy in reading class and we get to create our own advertisement for our restaurant. We have gotten to create our own logo, slogan and grab words! We are so excited about this project because we get to do it in both classes. Drew is creating a restaurant called Edible Drinks where he will be selling soda flavored foods like “Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork”. My (Siena) restaurant is called Grubtime, and I am selling healthy meals for dogs and their owners to enjoy together. We are having a blast making our ads, because we both enjoy making posters for things we are learning in class. Thanks for reading!

Field Day by Sarah Frias (3rd grade teacher)

 

On Friday May 1^st, students had a blast at Field Day. It was a great day for team building and fun. They got to race, play as a team, and be kids. These are all things that make Field Day one of the best days for students. The kids had been counting down the days and our wonderful coaches did not disappoint. Some of the student’s favorite stations were Duck, Duck, Sponge, inflatable obstacle courses, and the classic parachute station. 3rd grade made many memories playing outside and celebrating the beautiful weather!

 

 

Celebrating Diversity and Cultures of the World by Heather Reid (3rd grade teacher)

In our current third grade social studies unit, we are celebrating different cultures from across the world! The students have been working hard to research via classroom devices and create a foldable describing a country that they wanted to learn more about.

It has been so much fun to learn, compare, and share differences and similarities of sports, national leaders, and popular music around the world.

Mix It Up Lunch by Dana Ratliff (TWE Counselor)

Students at Tom Wilson Elementary have committed to being a No Place for Hate campus. One of the ways students are learning to treat others with respect was practiced last week in our Mix It Up Lunch. Students sat at tables based on their birthday month. Each table had conversation starters to help children engage with one another. The intent of this activity was to promote kindness, make new friends, and appreciate others; even those that are not necessarily like us. Teachers were instrumental in making this activity enjoyable and successful. Ask your child if they had the chance to make a new friend at Mix It Up Lunch!

 

Give Me a V..O..L..U..N..T..E..E..R by Jamie Brown

At TWE we have great volunteers that step up on a daily basis to support our students, teachers and school. Volunteers help in many ways on and off our campus doing things that include work baskets, mystery reader, Junior Achievement, Wolfpack Learning Day, school store, spirit grear, school supplies, lunch coverage, homeroom parent, helping out in the library, WatchDOGS and countless hours cutting, laminating and copying in the workroom. They organize and plan events that include Packathon, Father/Daughter Dance, Mother/Son Event, Kinder Connect, and Howlapolooza.

 

 

Each and every volunteer plays a vital role in our school community and their impact expands far beyond what they can see. This year six extraordinary volunteers were nominated for Volunteer of the Year: Susana Buono, Shandra Leckie, Gillian O’Brien, Carmen Ruiz Hernandez, Gina Coffman, and Angela Reyniers. All of these ladies have a passion for our school and serve with a smile. They share their gifts, talents and can-do attitudes to help TWE move Full STEAM Ahead!

Congratulations to Angela Reyniers for being selected as our TWE Volunteer of the Year. She has played an active role in PTA since we opened our doors three years ago. She is currently the Treasurer for PTA and serves on many different committees. She strives to make students and faculty feel special and wants to ensure that their time at TWE is a memorable one. Thank you Angela for all of the time and support you have offered to TWE the past three years.

 To all of our Volunteers, thank you for everything you do! There is not a job that is small or insignificant when it comes to volunteering. Every minute that you spend helping and supporting our school is a minute that is appreciated by our students, staff and community.

 

If you are looking for ways to volunteer please visit the PTA website at www.twepta.org.

 

Oil Ranch Field Trip by Jenny Heinold (First grade team leader)

It was a beautiful day at the Oil Ranch! 1^st graders enjoyed exploring many parts of the Oil Ranch. There were plenty of smiles, giggles and tired faces by the end of the day. First grade teachers would like to say a special “thank you” to all our chaperones. They were amazing! Here are just a few favorite activities from the day.

 

Abigail – “Petting the pig because it is my favorite animal.”

Faaris - “Everything was fun!”

Corina – “I enjoyed the field trip because when I was milking the cow, it peed, and I have never seen a cow pee before!”

Callie- “My favorite part was milking the cow because it was fun!”

Addison- “The petting farm because I got to feed the animals.”

Lyla-“The pony rides because I got to ride the biggest one!”

Grace- “I loved the rollers because I got to go upside down and the coes because they put their head in the cart.”

Elizabeth- “Horseback riding was fun because the horse pooped on the trainer’s foot.”

Travis – “ALL OF IT!!!!”  I asked him multiple times and he couldn’t pick just one thing.” 

Autumn- "I liked the wheels that you go inside... and run in them; and they move."

Reese- "My favorite part was I saw a rooster, chicken, and a chick escape from its cage."

Rowan- "My favorite part was when I got to pet the baby goats named Oreo and Cinnamon."

Griffen- "I liked horseback riding and the petting zoo."

Emily- “My favorite part was the petting zoo.”

Kate – “My favorite part was riding the ponies.”

Jaidyn- "Did you see the baby goat Oreo? It was so cute!"

Brayden-"We were the first to see the giant toad, catch a rooster and heard the goats"

Anushka- "The peacock was so cool!"

Karleigh- “I liked riding the horse, milking the cow and climbing up the hay.”

Amy- “I went to the barn and pet all the animals.”

Tatum- “I liked spending time with Chloe and having fun with my mom.”

Tripp- “I liked playing kickball against the girls.”

 

 

What's Happening in Music by Candice Beyer and Sarah Currier

The TWE second graders are proud to present their barn dance performance this Thursday night at 6:30 pm, following the PTA meeting.  They have been working hard to learn five different dances. The audience will get to see three circle dances and two dances performed in longways sets.  They have learned what it means to be at the "head" of a set, how to promenade, and how to make a right and left hand star.  The students will sing as well as dance for three of their selections: Alabama Gal; Ridin' in a Buggy; and Skating Away.  Watch as they continually change partners in Ridin' in a Buggy and see them show a more proper side as they dance to Kings and Queens.  Put on your cowboy hat and boots and enjoy the show!

 

2015 Katy ISD Elementary Choral Workshop Four students will proudly represent TWE at the 2015 Katy ISD Elementary Choral Workshop on May 16th. Jarno Capuchino, Davis Johnson, Anisha Narella, and Faith Tsang auditioned and have been working since February to memorize several advanced choral pieces which will be performed that day.  They have already attended numerous campus rehearsals as well as two district small group rehearsals in preparation for the event.  On Saturday, May 16th, they will join over one hundred singers from other Katy ISD elementary schools at Taylor High School for a day of final rehearsals to be led by invited clinician/conductor Sandy Knudson. The day will culminate in a public concert at 3:30 pm. TWE is proud to be represented by these four awesome students!

Field Day. By Rhonda Henderson

The sounds of giggles and faces full of smiles are two of the reasons I look forward to work each day.  Last Friday, our campus was filled with both giggles and smiles. The sunshine was beaming as brightly as the faces of the kids, staff and volunteers. Special thanks to Coaches Park, McDonald and Hoette. They planned an action packed day of fun and fitness for our kids. Also, thanks to our many volunteers and fifth graders who helped manning stations all day. Great day, great memories!