On behalf of ALL of our staff here at Wales and KM Explore, we want to send our most heartfelt "thanks" for all of the families that contributed to our GiftCrowd gift cards for the Holidays.

Your support of our work with your children is so very generous and appreciated. We hope you all had a restful, and bucket-filling break. 

Just a reminder of our outdoor dress policies during the winter time. Our Elementary Handbook states-

"The following recommendations have been set for students in all grades 4K-5. Please remember, students can store appropriate recess attire including long pants, sweatshirt, jackets, snow pants, boots and shoes in their cubbies to have available when needed. Students will be expected to participate in outdoor recess.

Jacket/Sweatshirt (minimum of two long sleeve layers) less than 50⁰F windchill

Long pants less than 50⁰F windchill

If there is a question about the temperature, an announcement of the current temperature will be made immediately prior to the first lunch and will carry out the entire lunch/recess period for everyone.

WINTER/SNOW SAFETY RULES

Students go out for recess if the temperature/wind chill is 0 or above.  Dress warm as students are generally not allowed to enter the building during recess.

Snow pants AND boots are required to play off black top area.

Dress in outer garments BEFORE going outside.

Outdoor recess is reduced or eliminated when wind chill is zero or less. *For the safety of our students, outdoor recess rules may be modified based on current weather conditions.

Children may only add onto snow forts built by other children.

The following are not allowed:
*Snow throwing or kicking.
*Snow tunnels or forts with roofs.
*Destroying the creations of others."

Did you know that we have a bucket of snacks in the office that students can take from once in a while - no questions asked?

We love being able to offer this little slice of grace to our kids who have forgotten their snack for the day, are going through a growth spurt and need some extra calories to concentrate, and to the kids who don't have snacks at home to bring. 

Our snack bucket has been generously filled by all of YOU all year and we are currently looking for another refill for the 2nd half of the year. If you would like to help fill our kids' bellies so they can concentrate on learning, we would greatly appreciate it! 

Click on this link to fill our snack bucket!

We have a TON of items in our lost and found that are begging to be back with their rightful owner. 

If you have lost something, or you think you may have lost something, please stop in the office and get a pass to go check out the lost and found. 

At the end of the year, everything is donated. 

5th Grade Graduation

Calling all 5th grade families! We are gearing up for the end of the year to make your child's last year at Wales and Explore the best one yet! To help us do so, please send a baby picture of your 5th grader directly to Mrs. Schultz at schultzr@kmsd.edu. 

A few requests - 
**This picture will be shared in our yearbook displayed at graduation. Please make sure it is appropriate for public view.
**Ideally, the picture should be from when your child was between 3 months and 2 years old
**No other people in the picture, please. We would like a photo of just your child.

Save the Date!

A small 5th grade event recognizing our kids moving on to middle school will be held in the evening Tuesday, May 26th for BOTH Wales and Explore. More info to come as the time gets closer. 

Science Day!

Science Day this year is on Thursday, March 26th. For those of you new to Science Day - it is a really fun day where students in both Wales an Explore participate in 30-40 minute long presentations by different community members that all involve SCIENCE! 

Some examples from the past have been presentations that included - 
Live animals 
Color Mixing
Mummification 
Environmental Sciences
Engineering
Chemistry
Medical Professionals
Cooking

If you, or someone you know, is involved with a science-related field and would like to share your passion with our students on this day, please email Mrs. Schultz at schultzr@kmsd.edu. We welcome you come with a prepared presentation, or are happy to work with you to come up with a fun and creative way to present to our students. 

Family Fun Night

The WE Campus PTO is getting ready to start planning Family Fun Night (held in May), and we’re looking for volunteers to join the planning committee beginning in January. We are also hoping to find a committee chair or co-chairs to help lead the efforts.

If you’re interested in helping, whether with games, food, logistics, sponsorships, or general planning, please email wecampuspto@gmail.com. Any amount of help is appreciated!

Thank you for your support,
WE Campus PTO

Please be sure to double check the school that you are purchasing your child's yearbook from. Wales and Explore have separate yearbooks and we are unable exchange them for the opposite school once they are purchased. 

We also rent space and are happy to facilitate your events, courses, or activities.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO LEARN MORE!

KM Community Education provides recreational and educational opportunities for families. Please be sure to visit the website often for updates and new programs. For program information and registration forms, visit www.kmsd.edu/communityed.

Weight Training Grades 5-8

Weight training for grades 5-8 will take place Tuesdays and Thursdays at the high school weight room with high school coaching staff members.  The session will run 12/2-3/6 on school days from 4-5pm  Join us when you can!  Sign up today at https://kmsd.revtrak.net/rwcommunityeducation/

Wales/KM Explore Only

After School Spanish - Interested in your student learning SPANISH in 2026?

Get ready for an exciting semester beginning in February! Our theme, ¡Vamos a Explorar!, brings culture and hands-on learning to life as students “explore” Panamá City, sing lively songs, play interactive games, and act out everyday scenarios like visiting the mall and their neighborhood. Students will practice real-life conversational Spanish, build confidence using numbers and phrases like “¿Cuánto cuesta?”, and strengthen their language skills while having fun and sparking curiosity.   Register today at https://kmsd.revtrak.net/rwcommunityeducation/

Wide Variety of Spanish programs offered at KM

With Futura Language Professionals, we offer a wide variety of in person or live virtual Spanish lessons for youth and adults in our community.  From beginner to advanced levels we have  multiple options.  You will receive dynamic interactive lessons.  All classes are listed online at https://kmsd.revtrak.net/rwcommunityeducation/

American Sign Language 1A

Introduces American Sign Language (ASL) to students with no previous experience with ASL. Emphasizes

the expressive and receptive conversational skills of ASL used by the Deaf community. Students will learn strategies on how to introduce themselves, colors, and numbers 0 - 15. Includes introduction to American Deaf culture.  Classes are held on Mondays in February.  Sign up today at https://kmsd.revtrak.net/rwcommunityeducation/