Mr. Wallowitz's blog

My trip to first grade recess today turned into a visit to “Pretty Parlor”.  A large group of first grade girls have started their own beauty salon where I was offered a manicure, pedicure, and hair style.  I was given some coffee and cheesecake while I made my decision.  I asked for a perm but the lead hairdresser felt a braid might be more appropriate.  Eventually, I settled on having my nails done and asked them to choose a color that matched my tie.  We agreed on purple and I was sent away for five minutes while they mixed the color.  Using a twig and some dirt, I had my nails done (just in time for tonight’s kindergarten orientation meeting)!  Aside from all the fun, this level of imaginative play is a critical aspect of child development.  The language, vocabulary, communication, creativity, and problem solving all enhance a child’s executive functioning skills.  Please make sure to encourage imaginative play at home.  These girls had sticks, dirt and each other and they turned recess into a magnificent beauty parlor.

On Saturday, three Odyssey of the Mind teams from Webster Hill competed against teams from all over the state.  They showed outstanding teamwork, collaboration, communication, and problem solving skills.  Our teams finished 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th, almost qualifying for the International competition at Iowa State University in May.  Our students demonstrated the power of teamwork and displayed skills they will draw upon now and in the future.  Thanks to Becky Pauluk and all the parents for supporting their children through this process.  Odyssey of the Mind began with one group two years ago and we’ve already grown to three incredible teams.  Congratulations to our students and coaches!  They represented themselves, their families, their school, and their town extremely well.

As the children left the bus this morning, three girls came over and asked if they could show me something.  They stood shoulder to shoulder and began yodeling.  They told me they had practiced all the way to school.  Later that day, I went into the cafeteria during first grade lunch.  Two girls asked me to come over and hear a song they had written. They sang, “Mr. Wallowitz” four times with great enthusiasm and inflection.  They told me there was more to write but that’s what they had so far.  I stepped into our pre-k classroom and was instantly pulled into the dentist chair.  I was immediately examined by two four-year-olds and fortunately passed with flying colors.  Down in the fourth and fifth grade wing, a student was walking and dipping down low with each step.  When he saw me he said, “You have to feel the burn!” All jobs are stressful, but the children you send us each day counteract that stress and make Webster Hill a very happy place!

On Wednesday, May 5, nearly 40 volunteers from BlumShapiro came into Webster Hill School as part of our ongoing partnership with Junior Achievement. They focused on financial literacy in honor of National Financial Literacy Month.   Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to educating students about workforce readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy through experiential, hands-on programs.  The children seemed to enjoy the activities and the volunteers seemed to gain a new appreciation for the teaching profession.

When raising my own children, I am sometimes guilty of focusing on the negative.  It’s easy to hear the argument or see the toys left on the floor.  I have to remind myself to focus on what my kids are doing well.  This morning at Webster Hill, it was easy to focus on the positive.  Here is what I observed before 8:50 am:

• One of our parents stayed by the front of the building and held the door while greeting kids.
• $5 found was found on the bus.  A student turned it in and thought it belonged to a first grader.  The first grader was honest and said it wasn’t his.
• A teacher noticed a student was having a sad morning and took her into the building to cheer her up before moving on with her day.
• A student gave up a coveted class job so that the birthday boy could have it instead.
• Out in the hallway, a kindergarten student successfully spelled a word with magnetic letters thanks to the help of her second grade buddy.

All this before 8:50 and that was only what I was able to witness!

Today’s Chinese/Vietnamese New Year parade was a wonderful display of music and culture.  It started with many visitors enjoying traditional Asian foods in the cafeteria.  The display of food was unique to many of us and the pride on the students’ faces was beautifully obvious.  Next, the whole school received an education during morning announcements.  In interview format from our fifth graders, we learned about the New Year and the Year of the Tiger.  We also heard from a second and third grader who wished the whole school a happy New Year in Chinese and in Vietnamese.  Then, it was onto the parade.  Over 60 students marched through the hallways to the sounds of drums and cymbals.  Colorful costumes and masks greeted central office representatives, parents, staff and students as they paraded down each and every hallway.  We are very fortunate to have so many things to help make Webster Hill a special place.  Our Chinese/Vietnamese New Year parade is definitely one of them!

Bristow’s band, orchestra and choir performed for Webster Hill’s third, fourth and fifth grade students (with a surprise last minute entry from pre-k).  I was impressed with the music and equally impressed with our students.  They were so respectful of the performers and the conductors.  I believe you would have been proud of your child as well.  At the end of the concert, we had three minutes remaining before the band had to leave.  When asked if the audience wanted an encore, they enthusiastically accepted.  It was a proud moment for me as a principal to watch our children display such maturity and respect!

Open up to a world of books at, “Precious Picks”!

(Produced by Exploding Book Productions)

The lead in, the title and the production company were all created by Webster Hill students to name an upcoming segment on Channel 5.  Students who get excited about books will have the opportunity to share their enthusiasm with West Hartford.  A logo and theme song are in the works.  Look for our first edition of this ongoing segment this January!

Our annual first grade Thanksgiving Feast was a success.  The first grade children, more than 20 family volunteers and our Webster Hill staff came together to share a meal and give thanks.  We ended the festivities with a Native American chant giving thanks to the Earth.  As one of our teachers put it, “It is nice to share wonderful food together but what’s even more special are the friendships we share.”

Have you noticed that once a month, the teachers are not dressed in typical “school clothes”?  Well, the last Friday of the month is dress down day for the staff at Webster Hill.  For a donation, the staff can dress in comfortable clothes and the funds are used to support Webster Hill families in need.  Last year, we were able to support two families who were affected by fire.   So when you see our teachers in comfy clothes, please know that it’s for a worthy cause.