Well, it is hard to believe that we are approaching the end of the 2018-2019 school year.  On behalf of the entire WCSS, P.S. 317, staff, let me say that it has been truly an honor serving your children this year.  Our children have made significant progress academically in their reading, writing, math, science and social studies skills.  Almost all of our students have progressed and moved up in their reading levels, which is truly a tremendous accomplishment. Additionally, in math, students have continued to be mathematicians and are able to explain in detail how they answered the problem presented to them through our 5 Practices.   Our students writing this year was beyond exceptional and I could not be more proud of every writer at WCSS!!

Our children have also continued to show all of their talent.  From our arts festivals, residencies, band performances, enrichment, dance showcases, makerspace showcase – Midway Mania Makerfaire, and our 5th grade Xanadu performance; I can say that our children have grown creatively in both the visual and performing arts.  

This year, we continued to build on our STEAM curriculum and bring even more technology to WCSS.  Students explored, designed and created in our Makerspaces that was living in every classroom. This allowed all of our students to have a hands on learning experience being architects, mathematicians, scientists and engineers.  In the upcoming year, we will be purchasing more computers and iPads to continue to enhance our 21st Century Learning curriculum as well as our STEAM program.    

I want to take this time to congratulate our FABULOUS 5th grade graduating class of 2019.  I will miss this group of students tremendously.  I know that they will do Waterside proud as they enter middle school and show their new schools how amazing they truly are.  

I also want to thank our incredible WCSS PTA for helping our school with fundraising events and being such a positive voice for our families.  They were able to bring some amazing after school programs to our school this year (art, dance, and band). You have been an exceptional PTA and I am so grateful for all you have done for our families.  I look forward to working with our new PTA leadership who I am certain will bring the same amount of wonderful energy to our school community. 

SAVE THE DATE:  Our annual School Year Kickoff will be Wednesday, August 28th from 12:00PM – 1:30PM

It has been truly an honor working with all of you this year.   Thank you for all your support, we truly have the best families, teachers and staff here at WCSS P.S. 317.   Have a fantastic summer!!!

With warmest regards,

Dana Gerendasi