• Tues., January 27th; 100th day celebration for Kindergarten
• Fri., January 30th; 26-27 Pre-K Lottery & Stemfest
• Thurs., February 5th; Early Dismissal at 11:30am
• Fri. February 6th; PTA Meeting/Walk N Roll, Early Dismissal at 11:30am
• Wed., February 11th - 13th; Spring Book Fair
• Thurs., February 12th; International Festival
• Sat., February 14th; Lovebug Arts Market
• Mon., February 16th; School Holiday

The full PTA Calendar for the 2025-2026 school year can be found here.

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PTA Meeting February 6th

 

Join us for our next PTA Meeting Friday, February 6th at 8:00am in the Wilchester Cafeteria. That Friday is a walk and roll, so walk your child to their class and then stay for the meeting!  

 

Following the meeting, we will have a Carnival 101 Meeting. If you are new to Wilchester or have not yet attended a Carnival, then this meeting is for you. You'll be feeling like a Carnival pro in no time. Even if you have attended in the past, this year's team is hard at work bringing another great Carnival to Wilchester for our kids, so don't miss out on learning more about the Carnival and how you can get involved in making sure we have a great event for our kids! 

 

Please make sure to RSVP by 12pm on February 4th to expedite the check-in process. Nametags for those staying for the meeting will be located outside the cafeteria. Even if you walk your child to class first, you will still need a nametag to stay in the building to attend the meeting. 

Feel free to email wilchesterptapresident@gmail.com for questions or concerns.

 

RSVP Here!

 

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IT’S FINALLY TIME: March 27, 2026

 

We have a brand-new theme, exciting new things, and a fresh spirit of community and fun. This year’s carnival is extra special as we honor the legacy of Molly Claire DeWitt. Her bright smile and love of life have left a mark on our school in unforgettable ways.

 

SAVE THE DATE

March 27, 2026

4:00PM-7:00PM

 

We are seeking cotton candy sponsors to help make the cotton candy skies unforgettable! Please reach out to Linley Dieringer if you are interested.

 

Be on the lookout for communication coming soon regarding ticket sales, prize drawing, and PTA MEETING CARNIVAL 101. Food Committee is also still looking for sponsors, please reach out to Heather Perry if your family or business have interest.

 

WE CAN’T WAIT FOR A NIGHT OF FUN!

 

LOVE, YOUR CARNIVAL COMMITTEE:

 

Logistics: Linley Dieringer

Prize Drawing: Misty Taylor

Food: Heather Perry

Decorations: Courtney Novelli & Katie Rue

Rides and Games: Kristina Cupic

 

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Please join us in congratulating Mrs. Kristie Shankles, our 2025-2026 School Bell Award nominee! For 16 years, all at Wilchester Elementary, Mrs. Shankles has dedicated her passion and expertise to shaping the minds and well-being of our precious children. Mrs. Shankles will be recognized at the SBISD Founders Day dinner February 19th. 

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We need your input for the 2026-2027 PTA Board!

 

We need your invaluable input as we choose officers for next year's PTA Executive Board. Please give careful consideration to who you believe would best serve Wilchester on the PTA Executive Board.  

 

Please submit your nominations by Monday, February 9th. You may submit as many nominations as you would like and nominations can be anonymous*. Your name and the information you share is kept private. You're welcome to share as much or as little information about your nominee as you would like - nominating someone only takes a few minutes!  You are also welcome to nominate yourself!  

 

We request nominations for the following positions: 

• PTA President
• VP of Programs
• VP of Ways and Means
• VP of Communications
• Secretary
• Corresponding Secretary 

 

Thank you on behalf of the Nominating Committee: Julia Hampton (chair), Katie Rue, Clare Reilly Shifflett, Laura Fletcher, Valorie Coulter, & Gaby Valencia. 

 

*** PLEASE NOTE - If you would like your submission to be anonymous (your name is not linked to it), log out of Membership Toolkit and you will be able to submit as a guest. If you choose to include your name, only the Nominating chairman and committee will have access to this information and it is strictly confidential.

 

Nominate Here

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Join us on January 30, 2026, from 5:30–7:30 PM for an exciting, nature-themed STEM night-entirely free for students and families. The evening will feature a variety of interactive, hands-on stations, including experiences led by community experts. Participants will be able to engage in fun activities centered around science, technology, engineering, and math designed to grow curiosity, creativity, and discovery. 

 

We need a few parent volunteers to make STEMfest a success! Please consider helping us set-up for our big event!

 

Sign Up Here to Help Set Up 

 

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We’re excited to host our 4th annual WCE International Night on Thursday, February 12th from 5–7 pm! This fun event gives students the chance to learn about countries and cultures from around the world. Families can explore tables hosted by members of the WCE community, each featuring a different country.

Visit all 7 continents in one evening!  We will have the following countries represented so far:

• Africa: Eritrea, Ethiopia, Uganda
•  Antarctica
• Asia: China, Iran, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Syria, Thailand, Vietnam
• Australia
• Europe: Czech Republic, Germany, Scotland, Spain, The Netherlands
• North America: Canada, Mexico
• South America: Brazil, Guatemala, Peru, Venezuela

 

We’re also inviting students to create a one-minute video about their home country, their ancestors’ country, or a country they’ve visited. These videos will be shown during morning announcements. Students have really enjoyed making and watching them in past years.

 

If you’d like your child to create a video or want more information, please contact Melissa Chou.
Videos must be filmed horizontally and be 60 seconds or less.
Video deadline: January 26th.

 

   

 

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Wilchester School Clean Up Service Project

 

Sometimes the most meaningful things we do together are also the simplest. This is one of those mornings. We’re getting together to show up for our school, our kids, and each other, and to leave a place we all care about a little better than we found it.   Where: Wilchester Elementary School When: February 7th from 8:00 am to noon-ish   Join friends and neighbors for a community service project at WCE focused on improving and beautifying shared spaces on campus. Together, we’ll roll up our sleeves to clean, plant, and refresh the area, making a lasting contribution to our school environment. Our efforts will also help prepare a space in memory of Molly DeWitt. We need your hands, but the heart of the day is service, teamwork, and giving back. This is a family event, all ages welcome! The event is come and go, so please feel free stop by and help as your schedule permits. Please bring rakes, shovels, wheelbarrows, loppers, clippers, and other landscaping tools if you have them. Label your tools!   Feel free to contact Wes or Brandon with any questions. Wes Bergeron: 312-480-9210 Brandon Becker: 812-484-2287

Register Here

 

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All Wildcats are invited to put on their Science Researcher thinking caps for the upcoming Wilchester Science Fair. Our Science Fair is a wonderful opportunity for students to strengthen their science thinking skills, develop an engaging experiment, compile their learning into a presentation board, and demonstrate their findings to adult judges. Check out the WCE Science Fair website for full details and a link to the Science Fair packet that provides an easy breakdown of what a science fair is, how to design an experiment, and how to build the presentation. All students should have received the Science Fair packet in their Friday folders last week. 

 

Submission Forms indicating a student's commitment to participating in the Science Fair are due January 23, 2026 to Ms. Marino. If you have any questions, please reach out to the Science Fair Chairs Brandi Stanton, Lindsay Yurchak, and Amanda Ortiz.

 

If you know a grandparent, neighbor, or colleague who might be interested in being a Science Fair judge, please share our contact information. Judging will take place the morning of February 23, 2026.

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Pinewood Derby

  

 

The Pack 599 Pinewood Derby is coming up on January 31st! This year we have Girl Scouts participating as well!

 

We would love to see students cheering on their scout classmates! It's a great introduction to scouting for those that are considering joining next year.

 

Important Dates:

Pack 599 Pinewood Derby Turn-in and Technical Inspection: January 29th 6-8PM (Front of School)

Pack 599 Pinewood Derby Race: January 31st 4-8PM (Wilchester Cafeteria)

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Spring Ding 2026, hosted by Stratford Baseball and Softball. Open to everyone! The featured event is the Wiffle Ball Tournament for all boys and girls in K-6th grade, with teams divided by grade. Build an 8-player team, choose a parent coach, and compete on center stage.

 

February 7th, 1-3pm

Stratford Baseball Field

Register HERE!

 

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Calling all volunteers! The library is ready for you to volunteer and make the Spring 2026 semester amazing. We have three different ways you can help out. Sign up for one, two, or all three. Can't wait to see you in the library. 

 

Volunteers are needed two days each week to keep the books on the shelves. Duties are easy - scan in books returned by students and then shelve the books so they are ready for the next readers. Sign up here.  

 

If you are interested in helping with library projects, we need you! Fill out this Google Form so we can be in touch. 

 

Sign up to be in the library during your child's classroom library time. You can sit with your child while the lesson is taught and then help him/her and the classmates find books. Sign up here. It is organized by grade and then teacher; using a computer rather than a mobile device might be easier. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Get ready for Guys & Dolls: big laughs, bigger songs, and a little Lady Luck! Tickets for the award-winning Stratford Playhouse’s next show go on sale to the general public on Thursday, December 18th at 9 a.m.  Evening performances of this show will run January 30, 31, and February 5, 6, and 7 at 7:30 p.m. Matinees are set for February 1 and 7 at 2:30 p.m. 

 

Give your child an unforgettable Broadway-style memory with a walk-on role in Guys & Dolls!  Give your child the chance to shine under the Stratford Playhouse lights! For just $100, your child can step into the spotlight with a walk-on role in Act I of Guys & Dolls — but hurry… there are only 4 spots per show, and they go FAST. This experience is available to children/teens from 3rd - 8th grade.  This one-of-a-kind experience includes:

•  A featured walk-on moment with the cast

•  Hair, makeup, and costume by the Playhouse Crew

•  Exclusive backstage tour + join the “Break a Leg” circle

•  A special goodie bag with show shirt & poster

•  One show ticket (seat based on availability)

 

Available for the following show dates: Jan. 31 & Feb. 1, 5, 6, 7
Reserve your experience here: https://e.givesmart.com/events/MuR/

 

Questions? Contact Megan Davis at mdavissaggie@gmail.com

 

 

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Have a friend who didn't receive an eBlast this week? It's probably because they missed the deadline to join the PTA. Oops. Good thing we will still accept their membership through the "Small Form" throughout the year.

Please forward the link below to your friend so they can join. 

And, did you know that belonging to Wilchester's PTA gives you access to great discounts on goods and services through Texas PTA? Click here to learn more!   

If you have questions please contact wilchesterptapresident@gmail.com.

 

Join the PTA!

 

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Calling all Watch D.O.G.S.

 

The Watch D.O.G.S program is officially back at WCE for the second year.

 

A huge thanks to Wes Bergeron, John Buri and Jonathan Foy for your leadership to get things going this year. If you aren’t familiar with WatchDOGS you can check out their website at https://dadsofgreatstudents.com/.

 

Volunteering begins this week.  As stated previously, you MUST be an approved SBISD volunteer (renewed each year) in order to be a WatchDOG.  Now is the time to register if you haven’t done so this year.  

 

You can access the SBISD volunteer application here. Once you have registered, you may use this sign up genius to choose your volunteer day. 

 

Questions about Watch DOGS?  Please email watchdogswce@gmail.com and we'll get back to you.

 

 

Click Here to Sign Up for Watch D.O.G.S.

 

 

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 Volunteer Here!

  

  

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