Counselor Corner

We were so excited to have so many parents join us for our quarterly Town Hall where we discussed the upcoming exam schedule for the Middle School. We want to strongly emphasize to our students and families that in the Middle School exams are designed to help students develop an effective study process, rather than focus on the end result or product of a specific grade. While we do want our students to take exams seriously, we want to balance that with the understanding that they can learn just as much from a lower grade by examining how they studied and making adjustments on spring exams next semester.  We also want to reiterate how important rest and recreation are in their study preparations. Students should schedule ample breaks and down time as they manage their time and studying.  If it comes down to an extra hour of study time versus and extra hour of sleep, the extra sleep will likely yield better and healthier results mentally, academically and physically. If you are concerned that you student is becoming overwhelmed (or even perhaps underwhelmed) in their exam review process, please do not hesitate to reach out to us as soon as possible so we can meet with your students to help them find a healthier and more productive balance.

Advisory Group Meetings Continue.  Check out the Woodward Way overview with the following link: Parent Advisory Information

Meredith Draper 
7th Grade Counselor 404-765-4436
Meredith.draper@woodward.edu

Dr. Naima Williams
8th Grade Counselor 404-765-4437
Naima.williams@woodward.edu

WAMS December Faculty Appreciation Luncheon

'Tis the season! Please help us celebrate our amazing Woodward Academy Middle School faculty by sending in donations for this holiday celebration luncheon on December 17th.  The meal will be catered but we need parent volunteers to help in various ways! It's easy - donate one of the items on our sign up sheet.  

Holidays Around the World

The Social Studies Club held its annual “Holidays Around the World Party” on Thursday, Dec. 5.  Members brought in food that reflects their heritage.  Students feasted on Indian Jamun, Puri and cashew sweets, Scottish shortbread, Russian pirogues, Caribbean oatmeal & coconut cookies, Norwegian Potato Lefse, Taiwanese Almond Tofu, sweet potato pie, pumpkin bread, pigs in a blanket, and so much more.  Thank you to all who worked so hard to prepare the wonderful food!  Everything was delicious, and the members enjoyed trying new dishes and socializing with their friends.

Service Scholars 

Service Scholars, formerly named the Eagle Club, is our Middle School Service Club.  We participate in a variety of service activities each year.  Some of our great causes include the Jesse Draper Boys and Girls Club Raffle,  our school wide Can-A-Thon at Thanksgiving, Secret Santa for 35 area foster children, as well as several other activities to honor our Woodward neighbors, teachers, faculty, and support staff.  We also collect money for our sister school in Terranova.  The money collected helps to support and provide educational opportunities as well medical facilities and supplies for the people of Terranova.  Our pennies and change ultimately provide hope for these people that can only be achieved through education.

Sponsors: Beth Wade, Janie Finch, Sandy Hildebrand, and George Dietz
Dietz- $115.00
Hildebrand- $40.00
Lee- $15.00
Marmo- $5.79
Marshall- $146.06
Trotter- $5.00
Wade- $15.00
White- $6.94

Interfaith Initiatives

Greetings Woodward Academy Community,

October was a busy month for our Chaplain’s Council interfaith student leaders. We spent the month sharing about Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Diwali throughout our campus, as we hosted assemblies and made announcements.

In November, we will continue to share about the beautiful traditions on our campus. In addition to honoring our veterans and giving thanks with our families this month, students will also share about special celebrations in their religions throughout campus. This month, our Muslim student leaders will lead us in a deeper appreciation of the Prophet Muhammad on Mawlid. We will also continue preparations for our upcoming interfaith immersion trip and join together in an interfaith prayer service focused on giving thanks. 

This month, our students will participate in the following religious observances:

• November 1 (Christianity) - All Saints Day is the day to honor saints throughout the ages.
• November 9 (Islam) - Mawlid al-Nabi is the anniversary of the birth of Prophet Muhammad. Muslims mark this occasion with fasting, parades, special worship, or dedicating more time to read the Qur’an.
• November 12 (Sikhism) - The birth date of Guru Nanak Dev Ji celebrates the founder of the Sikh faith and the first Ten Gurus, born in 1469.
• November 24 (Sikhism) - This date commemorates the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the ninth of the Ten Sikh Gurus. He is remembered not only for his defence of the Sikh Faith, but also for willingly giving up his life for religious liberty for all faiths.

Please feel free to visit our Interfaith Initiatives page to see the times of all interfaith prayer opportunities or to share a prayer request.

Blessings,

Chaplain K (Rev. Katie O. Kilpatrick)
Woodward Academy Chaplain
404-391-7589

Executive Function After School Workshop - WAMS

Is your student struggling with Organization, Time Management or Study Skills?  W3 Connections is hosting an extended version of our workshop series on Tuesdays after school exclusively for Woodward students.  Students will learn and practice specific organization techniques, how to effectively manage their time and tasks as well as prepare and follow through with specific study techniques.  Students will be introduced to note-taking techniques and learn how to categorize information for easier recall using hands on practice with their own academic assignments.  Class is capped at 10 students.  

Dates & Times
January 14, 21, 28 and February 4, 11, 18 from 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm (Tuesdays)

Location  
Woodward Middle School

Parents receive a summary email with follow up steps or a video link of what was covered in class and how to follow through at home.   For more information or to register, please see this link:  Workshop Registration Link
Please direct questions to rachael@effectivestudents.com 

• Work Smarter - Be a More Effective Student!

Winter Weather and Uniform Outerwear

Next week is a great opportunity to purge closets of outgrown uniform items.  Temperatures are continuing to drop. As we head into the winter months, please be sure your students have what they need to be safe and warm, but also adhere to Woodward Academy cold weather uniform guidelines. See below:

Woodward-approved outerwear on days of cold weather include:

• Navy Blue Fleece Jacket with Woodward Academy logo.
• Navy Blue North Face Style Jacket with Woodward Academy logo.
• Navy Blue Parka Jacket with Woodward Academy logo.
• Red Nylon Windbreaker with Woodward Academy logo.
• Navy Blue Rain Jacket with Woodward Academy logo.
• Black Pea-Coat (available at Sue Mills in adult sizes only, or available through US Wings in both adult and child sizes.
• Down Jacket with Woodward Academy logo.
• Flannel-lined vest with Woodward Academy logo.

Students are permitted to wear hats, gloves, and/or scarves as part of their uniform. These items should be either black, gray, white, or navy blue and conservative in nature.

Girls in all grades may wear solid-colored tights and leggings in white, navy blue, or black. All leggings must be worn to the ankles, with standard uniform socks.

Spirit Gear should only be worn on MS Spirit Fridays.

Sibling Applications

We are now accepting applications for the 2020-2021 school year! We want to make sure siblings of current Woodward students have primary consideration for openings, so we encourage parents to visit the Admissions Getting Started  page to apply today. If you have family, friends, or neighbors interested in applying their children, you can send a letter of recommendation to admissions@woodward.edu to improve their chances for acceptance. Thank you for entrusting Woodward with the education of your child, and we look forward to helping your family and friends share the Woodward experience!

2020-2021 TUITION

The following tuition rates will be in effect for the 2020-2021 academic year. Click here for President Gulley's tuition letter from November 23, 2019. The re-enrollment deposit of $3,500 will be applied toward the tuition fee:

Grade	2020-2021 tuition paid in full by June 15, 2020	2020-2021 tuition paid with eight-month payment plan in monthly installments from June 2020-January 2021*
Pre-Kindergarten	$19,050	$2,004
Kindergarten	$23,000	$2,498
Grades 1-6	$25,650	$2,829
Grades 7-12	$29,950	$3,366
Transition Program Fee	$11,100	$1,388

*Families may choose to pay the full tuition by June 15 or select the eight-month payment plan, which begins in June 2020 and ends in January 2021, and requires that payments are made by automatic draft. Full tuition, less the $3,500 re-enrollment deposit, is divided over eight months. The monthly installment amount includes $60 per month for the Tuition Refund Plan, which is required when participating in the payment plan. 

Excused Absence 

An absence is excused when the school receives a note or phone call from the parent or legal guardian explaining the absence, or a note from the doctor showing attendance for an appointment.

• In the case of an illness, the need to leave early or late arrival due to an appointment, the parent or guardian should call the front office (404-765-4430) or e-mail absms@woodward.edu.