They've done their job They've done their best Now it's time for the TCAP test!!

Sesussical Celebration!

Beginning next week they'll have the chance to show how smart they are...we'll be looking to see the smartest Sneetches on the Beaches...as teachers work on test review and test prep questions, as the kiddos show their "smarts", teachers will award stars...students will sign the stars and then get to take them to the beach and add them to the bellies of the Sneetches (the lobby outside the gym has been transformed into a beach).

The week of testing time we'll use the book One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish...students will earn fish bowl tickets for going to bed early, eating a good breakfast and getting to school on time. Each afternoon we'll reach into the fish bowl and draw out several students to win prizes.

Oh The Places You Will Go...when you read a book--will be our theme for our RIF distribution after testing all next week. Every student will have the opportunity to choose his/her very own book.

Special events using different Dr. Sesus books are also being planned for our teachers!!

Finally, we'll wrap up our week of testing on Friday by taking the entire school to see the movie, Horton Hears A Who at Tinseltown after all tests are turned in!

The pre-enrollment dates for cross-boundary and tuition applications for the 2008–2009 school year are April 7 – 28, 2008. The cross-boundary forms can also be picked up in each school office or downloaded from the web site at for elementary schools or for middle schools. Tuition applications may be downloaded by clicking here: Tuition Application. The Pupil Services Department, located in the School Administration Building on New York Avenue, will have copies of both forms. The cross-boundary applications will need to be submitted to the student’s school office and the tuition applications will need to be submitted to Pupil Services. Once the application has been submitted and reviewed, you will receive a letter regarding the approval or denial of your application. If you have any questions, please call Pupil Services at 425-9009.

Mr. John Wharton, CH2M Hill manager, wows third graders with his science wizardry!

CH2M Hill, Inc Teaches Science at WB!

Employees of CH2M Hill, Inc visited WB on October 18 to help us celebrate World Water Monitoring Day.  They  taught science lessons on water qualities and purification to our third graders.   Students bubbled with excitement as they conducted several 'hands on' experiments with water.  They learned about impurities that can be found in water and why we need to protect our water sources from them.  CH2M Hill is an employee-owned global engineering and construction company.   CH2M Hill, you are terrific teachers!

In addition to supporting our science programs, CH2M Hill, Inc has helped underwrite our unique math program for the past two years.  Mr. John Wharton,  who is East Tennessee area manager at CH2M Hill, gave Mrs. Miller a check for $2,577.50.  This brings to a total of $5,886 that CH2M Hill has donated to Willow Brook School.  These funds enable us to develop mathematical minds using the Math Perspectives program.

The direct involvement of CH2M Hill in our school is a model on how a community business can make a difference in its schools.  Our students receive direct benefits from our partnership with CH2M Hill.  This relationship has effected their math curriculum and now has effected their science instruction. Thank you,  CH2M Hill for choosing us as your partner in education!  We look forward to a long and beautiful relationship!

Mrs. Miller and Dr. Bailey are pictured accepting the ORAU Grant.

Mrs. Miller Wins ORAU Grant!

Mrs. Miller submitted a grant this summer to the Oak Ridge Associated Universities Educational Grant program.  She won $3,745 for our school!  The money will be used to purchase five multimedia projectors.  This will give each grade level equal access to these special high powered projectors.  Now students and teachers can project their multimedia projects and reports on a large screen so everyone can enjoy and learn from them.  This grant money will certainly have a great impact upon how our students will learn.  Thank you ORAU for the funding and thank you Mrs. Miller for submitting the grant for us.

Artist paints mural of oceans!

Gale Lee Hinton has returned to paint another mural on our school walls.  This one will depict the five oceans in the northern and southern hemispheres of our planet.  She will also label the sea creatures that inhabit these oceans so students may learn more about the world around them. 

Also, students will be able to watch her paint and ask questions about her work. Teachers will engage students in a study of the oceans of the world as part of our science curriculum.

The return of Gale Hinton is sponsored in part by a grant of $1,800 from the Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation.  We thank the Foundation for its support of this tremendous learning experience for our students.  Come to our school to view this tremendous learning experience.

Kroger gives WB $449.52!

Kroger Store of Oak Ridge presented a check to Mrs. Miller for $449.52.   This money was earned by Willow Brook parents, teachers and others who registered their Kroger Cards on behalf of Willow Brook School.   The Kroger Earning Plus Learning Educational Incentive Program provides funds to local schools based upon the amount of shopping done in the store by card members.  Pictured here with Mrs. Miller are Kroger representatives Bridgett Goins and Michelle Carroll who were happy to give the Kroger check to our school.  Thank you Kroger Store and a BIG thank you to all parents, teachers, and friends who registered their Kroger Cards for Willow Brook to receive this support.

WB earns $82K Grant!

Mrs. Miller recently received word from the State Department of Education that we have been extended The 21st Century Learning Grant funding for the next two years. This grant in the amount of $82,500 will enable us to continue our after-school programs. The funds will enable us to continue our after-school activities that support our classroom curriculum. Examples of programs previously provided by the grant include Wednesday Academy, Reading Buddies, Clean and Green Team, Math and Reading Success (MARS) and Family Fun Nights. The grant helps with after-school transportation and snacks for children. Willow Brook not only extends the school calendar by adding more days of learning to the school year, but we increase the hours learning to each day. Willow Brook is where "Every Season is a Learning Season".