This list of terms and definitions is designed to keep you informed about common acronyms, abbreviations and terminology at West Lake Elementary.  Programs that are sponsored or at least partially funded by the PTA are specially noted.

AG:  A pull out program for fourth and fifth grade students who qualify for the academically gifted program.

Agendas:  Notebooks used in grade 3-5 to help children organize their assignments and projects. It is also used as a communication tool between parents and teachers.  PTA$

All-Profit:  The annual All-Profit Donation Drive is a request for direct cash donations to fund PTA programs because our tax dollars are not enough to provide the best for our children.  PTA

ALP:  Accelerated Learning Program is a math and reading intervention that is provided for 3^rd-5^th grade students who did not pass the end of grade tests. ALP is provided during track out.  PTA$

ALP II:  A literacy-based program for Kindergarten and first grade students that provides instruction in a small group pull-out setting.  PTA$

Art by Me:  A fundraising activity sponsored by the Art Department promoting the purchase of products from student-created artwork.  All proceeds benefit the West Lake Elementary Art Department.  Parent volunteers assist with processing and delivering orders.  PTA

Basket Raffle:  A fundraising activity in the spring in which each class is asked to sponsor a basket of donated items.  One winning ticket is selected for each basket after tickets are sold for individual baskets.  PTA

Bedtime Stories:  An evening event of story telling by Kindergarten through second grade teachers and staff that gives parents time to shop at the Book Fair. Sponsored and funded by the PTA. PTA$

Before/After School Program:  A fee-for-service structured program of activities designed for students enrolled at West Lake Elementary who need supervised care before and/or after school while they are tracked in.  Does not apply to Early Release days or Track Out.  Contact the school office for more details.

Book Fair:  A yearly fall fund-raising event sponsored by Scholastic Books and the WLES Media Center to encourage parents and students to view and buy books.  Parent volunteers work with the media center staff to make the event possible.  All proceeds support the West Lake Elementary Media Center. PTA

Box Tops: General Mills Box Tops for Education coupons that are found on hundreds of poducts. Each Box Top is worth 10 cents to WLE. Clip and turn in Box Tops to your child's class. PTA

Camp Don Lee:  A fourth grade overnight field trip that aligns the fourth grade curriculum with experience-based learning opportunities

CCR:  Cross-Category Resource is a special education program designed to teach multi-level, multi-needs students according to their own Individualized Education Plan (IEP).  It provides students the extra educational needs beyond the classroom setting.

Coats for Kids:  An annual collection of gently used, clean coats in November and December sponsored by the PTA.  PTA

CogAT: Cognitive Abilities Test Standardized test used in North Carolina to determine which third graders will qualify for the Academically Gifted (AG) program in fourth and fifth grades.

Cultural Arts:  Programs encouraging individuals of all ages to enjoy and participate in the arts.  Sponsored and funded by the PTA.  PTA$

Dance Ensemble: The Dance Emsemble is a group of 4th and 5th grade students who work after school once a week to extend their use of the dance skills they develop in class. These students choreograph their own dances and perform at
various school functions. Sponsored by Rachel Bennett

Dictionary Project:  Project sponsored by the PTA annually in the fall to provide dictionaries to all students in Grade 3.  Sponsored and funded by the PTA  PTA$

EOG:  End-of-grade tests administered to students at the end of grades 3-5 to measure math and reading achievement of students and help determine if students will be promoted to the next grade

ESL:  English as a Second Language is a program model that delivers specialized instruction to students who are learning English as a new language.  PTA$

Fast Forward:  Fast Forward is a thinking skills computer program that targets auditory, memory, sequencing, phonological awareness, and comprehension skills. It is primarily used in 3^rd-5^th grades.  PTA$

Field Day:  Each year as part of your child’s Physical Education program, a day is set aside to provide a number of fun and fitness activities on Field Day.  Emphasis is placed on participation rather than competition.  Students rotate to the different games that are manned by parent volunteers.  Each student and staff member receives a free t-shirt because of the generosity of community sponsors.  PTA$

Fourth Grade Writing Assessment: A state-rquired test that is used to gauge writing skills of steudents in Grae 4. This test is administered in the spring.

IM:  Intersession Magnet is a federally funded program teaching students cultural awareness and experience based programs. It takes place during track out periods.

IRT:  An Instructional Resource Teacher that assists teachers with the resources related to all areas of curriculum.

ITBS: Iowa Test of Basic Skills Standarized Standarized tests used in North Carolina to determine which thid graders wil qualify for the Academically Gifted (AG) progrma in fourth and fifth grades.

Jump Rope Club: A program developed to encourage cardio-vascular health. It takes place before school and is sponsored by the Physical Education Department.

Lunch Bunch:  A special time in the day when parents spend reading to a group of up to four children while they eat their lunches.

Monday Folders:  Envelopes used to send all school-wide communication to parents. Teachers, administrators, and the PTA have decided to cluster the sending of all written information through Monday folders. Please read all included material and return any paperwork that requires signatures or comments as soon as possible.

One-Mile Fun Run:  A one-mile run sponsored by the Physical Education Department usually on the last Friday of each month at 8:15 a.m. at the track for students in grades 1 - 5.  Top finishers receive special recognition for their accomplishments, and all other participants receive certificates for participating.

Open House:  An evening event held three weeks after the beginning of the school year when parents are encouraged to visit their students’ classes to learn more about curriculum, performance expectations, classroom rules, etc.  PTA

Pre-EOG:  The North Carolina standardized math and reading test administered at the beginning of the school year to students in third grade to provide them with a base line for their end-of-grade (EOG) tests.

Poppin’ with Pride:  A school-wide Character Education Program that students showing excellent classroom behavior and performance earn the reward of “Poppin’ with Pride” and a treat of popcorn, drink and a movie.  Sponsored by the PTA and administered by school counselors with help from parent volunteers.  PTA$

Product Sales:  A fundraising project sponsored by the PTA, especially appealing to people who want tangible goods for their contributions.  Students usually receive prizes for selling different amounts of products.  PTA

PTA:  Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is a member-driven organization intended to support students, staff and parents.  Parents and staff are invited to attend monthly meetings usually held on the second Tuesday.

Reading Renaissance:  A designated time of day that every student and teacher spends reading

Reflections:  Reflections is an annual contest held in the fall sponsored by the National PTA, NC PTA, Wake County PTA Council and WLES PTA for all students K-12 who desire an outlet and recognition for their expressions in literature, photography, music and visual arts.  PTA$

School Store:  A place for students to purchase reasonably priced supploes and a few novelty items on scheduled days. Parent volunteers make it possible for the store to open two days each week.  PTA

Science Fair:  A project sponsored by the PTA to showcase academic excellence of third and fourth grade students who choose to participate.  All entries are judged based on individual merit, but this is not a competition.  PTA$

Student Directory:  A publication in the first quarter of each school year (for a nominal fee) made possible by the PTA that includes a listing of all students by class.  O ptional phone, address and email contact information are provided voluntarily by parents.  PTA

The Wallaby Insight: The school newspaper written by selected West Lake fourth and fifth grade students.Sponsored by Louise Benson

The West Lake Website: Information on-line for students, teachers, and parents located at http://westlakees.wcpss.net Webmistress: Louise Benson

Tummy Tuesday:  A monthly collection of non-perishable items for the community-wide food bank sponsored by the PTA.  PTA

Wallaby:  The West Lake Elementary School Mascot from the kangaroo family.

Wallaby Hop:  A festival of fun held in the spring and sponsored by the PTA to provide families with an evening of fun, food and fellowship.  Lots of volunteers are needed so everyone can share in the fun.  PTA$

Wallaby Word:  A newsletter published by the WLES PTA providing a central place to distribute news which parents, staff and students need—upcoming events, announcements, kudos, requests, updates, etc.  Electronic and printed subscriptions are available.   PTA$

Yearbook Club:  a club that consists of fourth and fifth grade students that teaches the basic lessons and skills of how to create and design the WLES yearbook

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