Walnut Springs Middle School
888 E. Walnut St.
614-797-6700
Our mission is to prepare students to contribute to the competitive and changing world in which we live.
Walnut Springs Middle School
Newsletter No. 22
Upcoming Dates
Feb. 16
Westerville Parent Council Meeting (9:30 a.m., Westerville Public Library)
Feb. 18
School Dance
Feb. 21
Presidents' Day (No School)
Feb. 22
8th Grade Scheduling for High School
Feb. 23
8th Grade Class Picture (1st period)
Feb. 23
"Understanding and Preparing for the OAA" (7:00 p.m., WSMS)
Feb. 24
Talent Show
Feb. 26
Walnut Springs Fishing Club Seminar
Feb. 26
PTSA Skating Party (4:00-7:00, Sunbury Skate Club)
Mar. 8
8th Grade Night at all Westerville high schools (7:00 p.m., at each high school)
Mar. 15
PTSA Meeting (6:30, media center)
Mar. 15
Unity Concert
Mar. 15
Summer Camp / Activities Expo (5:30 - 8:00 p.m., WNHS)
Mar. 24
Early Release Day
Mar. 25
Last Day of 3rd Grading Period
Mar. 26 - Apr. 2 Spring Break
Apr. 8
Orchestra Concert
Apr. 19
PTSA Meeting
Apr. 22
Holiday (No School)
May 3
Waiver Day / Staff Development (No School)
May 13
School Dance
8th Graders, It's Time to Start Thinking About High School!
High school guidance counselors will be visiting Walnut Springs on Tuesday, February 22 (time TBD) to
work with students on their high school schedule requests.
This year, Westerville high schools will be utilizing Power School to schedule online, but we will also use
a paper request sheet as a back-up. More information will be coming home on Tuesday, February 22, so
be sure to check with your student for details. Additional information will also be posted in this newsletter
as it becomes available. The high school course description book can be found online:
http://www.wcsoh.org/docs/11-12%20SY%20Course%20Desc%20Guide-FINAL.PDF
All high schools will be holding an 8th grade parent night on March 8th, at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium of
each school. Mark your calendars now, so that you can attend this important, informative meeting!
Interesting Article: "Eight Subtle Ways to Prepare Middle Schoolers for College", from The
Washington Post
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/classstruggle/2011/02/8_sneaky_ways_to_ready_middle.html?referrer=emaillink
The PTSA Needs You!
The PTSA still needs people to be on the nominating committee. The committee will look for individuals
who they think would make good PTSA officers for the next year. If you are interested in serving on this
committee, please contact Tammy Roberts at mrstammy@sbcglobal.net.
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Walnut Springs Middle School
888 E. Walnut St.
614-797-6700
Our mission is to prepare students to contribute to the competitive and changing world in which we live.
Westerville Parent Council Meeting: February 16
On Wednesday, February 16, at 9:30 a.m., the Westerville Parent Council will meet at the Westerville
Public Library. Some members of the school board will be in attendance, as well. All are welcome to
attend.
Nominations for the GEM Award: due February 17
Do you know of a community member, a volunteer, a parent, or a district or building faculty or staff
member who has made a difference in the lives of the students in our school or in our district as a
whole? Consider nominating this person for the GEM Award, which recognizes and honors those who
make an impact on our students. The nomination form and instructions can be found on the Westerville
Parent Council website, at http://www.westerville.k12.oh.us/olc/teacher.aspx?s=3373. The deadline for
nomination is approaching soon: February 17, 2011. If you have any questions, you may contact Tammy
Roberts at mrstammy@sbcglobal.net.
Author to Visit Westerville Central High School: February 18 (7:00 p.m.)
Jeffrey Freed is an educational therapist based out of Evergreen, CO. He is the author of two books on
visual learners and ADD, one of which - Right Brained Children in a Left Brained World - was a
bestseller. Freed has traveled throughout the world lecturing on these topics, and has put in over 10,000
hours in the field. Freed has a unique workable perspective on how to both identify and work with this
onslaught of right-brain learners who are a rapidly increasing segment of our population. Freed has a
B.S. in education from Temple University and a M.A. from Northern Arizona University. He specializes in
working with children's visual strengths to overcome their academic weaknesses. Freed's specialties
include teaching reading, writing, spelling and math in a way that is harmonious with his students'
styles. This event is open to the public and is free of charge.
Preparing for the Ohio Achievement Assessment: February 23
Westerville City Schools invites parents to attend "Understanding and Preparing for the OAA: The
Ohio Achievement Assessment." This will take place from 7:00-8:00 p.m. on February 23, 2011, in the
Media Center of Walnut Springs Middle School. The event is being sponsored by Westerville City
Schools with the support of Westerville Parent Council PTA. This 60-minute program is designed for
parents of WCS students in grades 3-8. The workshop will provide valuable information about the format
of the OAA tests and strategies families can use to help our children succeed. Don't miss out on this
great opportunity.
WSMS Students Are Invited to a Skating Party! February 26
The Walnut Springs PTSA is having a skating party on February 26, 2011, from 4:00-7:00 p.m., at the
Sunbury Skate Club (located at 345 McGill St., Sunbury, OH, 43074; phone no. 740-965-3022). The
PTSA will sell tickets during lunch periods the week of February 22-25, 2011.
2nd Annual Central Ohio Writing Contest: Enter by March 1
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Walnut Springs Middle School
888 E. Walnut St.
614-797-6700
Our mission is to prepare students to contribute to the competitive and changing world in which we live.
Do you like to write? Do you have creative story ideas or a knack for poetry? Do you
enjoy writing non-fiction pieces? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then
this opportunity is just for you! Westerville City Schools will once again participate in the
Central Ohio Writing Contest, hosted by Dublin City Schools. Students, grades 4-8, are
eligible to submit entries in one of three categories: fiction, non-fiction, or poetry. The
Central Ohio Writing Contest judges will be professional writers/editors including
Margaret Peterson Haddix, author of over 25 books for youth, including titles such as
Running Out of Time, the Shadow Children Series, and the Found series.
Entries must be no more than 700 words each, typed, double-spaced, and sent
electronically to Suzanne Palmer, District Gifted Coordinator, at
palmers@wcsoh.org. Deadline for submitting entries is Tuesday, March 1,
2011. Entries at both the district and Central Ohio level will be judged on the creativity
of idea, development of the piece, and mechanics, including spelling and punctuation.
Entries must be submitted electronically and include the following information:
 Student
Name
 Grade
 Building
 Home
Address and Phone #
 Writing
Category
Note: No PDF files will be accepted. Word format is preferable; and if it is not available,
then the entry may be copied into the body of the email for submission. Pictures should
not be included with entries. If you have questions, please contact Suzanne Palmer,
District Gifted Coordinator, at 797-6276 or palmers@wcsoh.org.
Summer Camp / Activities Expo: March 15
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Walnut Springs Middle School
888 E. Walnut St.
614-797-6700
Our mission is to prepare students to contribute to the competitive and changing world in which we live.
Westerville Parent Council's Summer Camp/Activities Expo will be on March 15, 2011, from
5:30-8:00 p.m. at WNHS. Come to learn more about summer activities and camps that might
interest your child!
Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World: March 10 – April 22
A national exhibit and special collections from OSU Libraries celebrating Franklin's contributions to the
nation and humanity. In the OSU Thompson Library Exhibit Gallery. http://library.osu.edu/projectsinitiatives/exhibits/benjamin-franklin
Associated Programs:
Professor Carla Mulford, Pennsylvania State University
"Benjamin Franklin and Educational Liberalism"
Thursday, March 10, 4:00 p.m.
165 Thompson Library, 1858 Neil Ave., Columbus, OH 43210
Co-sponsored by the OSU Department of English
Philip Dray, Fellow, Institute for the Humanities, New York University
"Stealing God’s Thunder: Benjamin Franklin’s Lightning Rod and the Invention of America"
Saturday, April 9, 2 p.m.
COSI, 333 W. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215
Co-sponsored by COSI, Center of Science and Industry
Reservation suggested but not required. Call 614-228-2674
James N. Green, Librarian, Library Company of Philadelphia
"Benjamin Franklin’s Bookshop"
Thursday, April 21, 4 p.m.
1150 Thompson Library
Co-sponsored by the OSU Department of History
All About Sore Throats*
Sore throats are common at any age and can be one of the first signs of another illness, like a cold, the
flu, or mononucleosis. They can also be caused by a strep throat infection, although this is rare in
children younger than 2 years.
Sign and Symptoms
 Painful throat
 Fever
 Swollen glands in the neck
 Bad breath
 Scratchiness in the throat
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Walnut Springs Middle School
888 E. Walnut St.
614-797-6700
Our mission is to prepare students to contribute to the competitive and changing world in which we live.
 Redness in the back of the mouth

What to Do:
Ways to relieve sore throat pain:
 Sip warm liquids
 Eat cold or frozen liquids such as popsicles
 Gargle with salt water
 Suck on hard candy or throat lozenges if older than 4 years
 Take Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen as needed
Seek medical care if your child:
 Has difficulty swallowing or breathing
 Is drooling (in a young child)
 Tires easily
 Has pus in the back of the throat
 Has a sore throat that lasts longer than a week
Think Prevention!
Preventing a sore throat is similar to preventing most common illnesses – it starts with regular hand
washing. Children can also avoid sore throats by:
 Not sharing food utensils and glasses with others
 Avoiding contact with people who have sore throats
*Info from Nationwide Children’s Hospital
No.
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