September 3, 2009
A Message From Mrs. Starr
The first week of school has gone very smoothly. Students are making the adjustments to their new grades, classes and teachers. We begin the year with 365 students and 43 staff members. We are fortunate to have Mrs. Lisa Shockey (First Grade Math Teacher and Math Intervention Teacher) and Mrs. Jennifer Gentzel (Health Room Technician) join our staff. Mrs. Shockey joins us as a .5 teacher in the afternoons. She works in the morning as a first grade teacher of math and science at Rockwell Elementary. Mrs. Jennifer Gentzel also joins us from Rockwell Elementary where she worked as the health technician. We are happy that Mr. Joseph Hamp is returning. He is no longer a long term substitute but Woodfield’s general music teacher! Mrs. Lindsey is now one of our three kindergarten teachers at Woodfield. Mrs. Kathleen Culbertson will the 4th grade long term substitute for Mrs. Lisa Narges while she is out on childcare leave.
All staff members have devoted many hours to ensure that all students began the school year with many positive experiences. It was so good to see many happy students during Open House last Friday as they met their new teachers and visited their classrooms. Very few kindergarten students showed any anxiety about their first day in school. (I can’t say the same was true for their parents! However, that is typically the norm.) An assembly was held to greet and cheer in the new school year. We are already in full swing with students beginning working in all subject areas this week. Students have now mastered indoor line-up every day in the gymnasium and procedures for dismissal. We are off to a wonderful start!!
Please make sure that you see the very important communication given to your child today regarding free seasonal flu vaccinations in all elementary schools in MCPS. Students are scheduled to get the FluMist at Woodfield on September 23rd. Please note this is not the H1N1 (Swine flu vaccine.) If for some reason, your child did not bring home this important document today, please call the school.
Health Room Has A Direct Line
The Health Room has a direct line. The number is 301-253-7086.
Please note that parents who bring their children to school in the morning are asked to have their children go directly into the gym upon arrival and the patrols and staff will take care of your children from then on. Please do not walk your child to the classrooms! If they are tardy, they need to check into the office and we will assist them. The staff and I would really appreciate it if parents not go to the students’ classrooms in the morning or afternoon during dismissal. If you have a need to talk to the teacher or another staff member, please, e-mail them or leave a message in the office for them to contact you. We will be happy to respond as soon as possible. We are working diligently to eliminate as many classroom disruptions as possible during the school day from the minute the bell rings at the start of the day until all students have safely exited the building in the afternoon. The main office is available to assist you as needed.
Publication Changes in Woodfield Eagle Parent Newsletter
Due to the school’s goal of conserving available resources, The Woodfield Eagle Newsletter will be published bi-weekly instead of weekly this year. These newsletters will be sent home on Thursdays this year instead of Fridays to the youngest only.
Make sure that you join us for the Woodfield PTA Picnic (Rain or Shine) on Friday, September 11th from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. There will be lots of fun and food to purchase. Another great option is to pack a delicious picnic basket and blanket. Please come out and join other Woodfield families as we celebrate the start of another school year.
Back to School Nights
Back-To- School Night was intentionally scheduled later this year, in the event there were staffing allocation changes once school began. This night will provide you with an excellent opportunity to get to meet your child’s new teacher(s), tour the classroom and discover all the exciting learning experiences that await your child this year at Woodfield. Please make sure that you sign up for your November parent conference at Back-To-School Night. Tables will be set up in the main hallway for you to schedule your parent conference.
Kindergarten, Grades 1 and 2 Back To School Night
Kindergarten, Grades 1 and 2 will hold their Back -To - School Night on Tuesday, September 22nd. Beginning at 7:00 p.m., you will be introduced to your PTA president, Mrs. Suzanne Elbaum, and meet the Woodfield staff. Then at 7:30 p.m., you will go to your child’s classroom to meet the teachers. During the first session in 1st and 2nd grade, you will meet the Reading Teachers. In the second session, you will meet with the homeroom /math teacher. There will be two sessions for Kindergarten parent, the first beginning at 7:30 p.m. and the second session beginning at 8:00 p.m. This will give parents with more than one child in the primary grades the opportunity to meet your children’s teachers.
3rd, 4th and 5th Grade Back To School Night
Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grade Back-To-School Night will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 23rd. You will also meet Mrs. Suzanne Elbaum, PTA president, and be introduced to the Woodfield staff. There will be two sessions available beginning at 7:30 p.m. As the evening approaches, more information regarding the schedule and format for the presentations will be sent home.
Back to School Night Childcare
The PTA has arranged with Bar-T to provide Back-To-School Night Childcare Services for ages 4 and older on both nights in the All-Purpose Room. The cost per child is $2.00. A flyer will be sent home for you to sign up for this service as the event’s date draws closer.
We ask that children do not attend the Back-To-School Night presentations. Others find it highly distracting when children are present in the classroom. This childcare service in the all-purpose room is an excellent way to make sure that your children are safe and entertained while you learn more about their school day.
Free and Reduced –Priced Meals Application Process
Each household should have received and application for free or reduced lunches with the name and information of all Montgomery County Public Schools students in the household in a packet of materials sent home with your child on the first day. This was sent with the youngest in the family, but no younger than first grade. If you feel that your family qualifies for this service then the completed application should be returned to the Division of Food and Nutrition Services office. The school office will send these to this office if you wish. It is recommended that all FARMS applications be sent to that office by Septembe30th, to ensure that they are processed by the October 13th deadline. Students who were eligible for free or reduced lunches last year are eligible to receive them again until October 13, 2009. After October 13 th, schools will be unable to provide free or reduced lunches for students who have not been approved for the 2009-2010 school year.
Elementary School Breakfast -$1.30 Reduced Breakfast - $.30
Elementary School Lunch - $2.50 Reduced priced - $.40
Volunteers, Making A Difference!
We greatly appreciate the help from all of our parents during the summer, in so many different capacities. The list compiled below represents the wonderful support that was available to the students and staff at Woodfield Elementary, even during the summer.
Joanne Aellen, Irene Beltz Nives Bidwick ,Leenie Brown, Mary Busche, Kim Coffman, Teah Devan, Kim Garrison, Marla Johnson, Kelly Lozano, Anne Reinhold, Lori Slingluff, Melanie Smith, Daniel Thorpe, and Deb White for helping with the breakfast
Karen Allman and Katherine Wells provided the popsicles, beautiful flowers, and cookies and drinks at Friday’s Open House. Marianna Osterman and Maureen Filberg welcomed and directed families as they arrived. Kim Garrison was available selling Spirtwear. Suzanne Elbaum, PTA president greeted parents and students new to Woodfield and spoke to them about our school.
Similar efforts, throughout the school year on the part of so many wonderful parents, are one of the reasons why Woodfield Elementary is such a special place.
Safety First:
Crocs, Sandals, Flip Flops
Some parents have called and asked if their children can wear crocs, sandals, or flip flops to school. The answer is yes. However, students who wear such shoes are asked not to climb on the playground equipment during recess. These shoes make the likelihood of an accident while climbing this equipment more likely. Students, while wearing these shoes at recess, are encouraged to engage in other fun activities at recess. As always, all students are expected to wear sneakers during physical education.
Questions Regarding Emergency Procedures
Please do not forget to fill out all emergency and reunification information. We cannot release your child to anyone not listed on your emergency card or reunification form. With three possible sites listed for possible relocation in the event of a school emergency and the possibility of having to evacuate the building, depending upon the situation, a site will be chosen from those listed. Parents could be notified through Connect Ed, the school’s voice mail system, or there will be school or county personnel available at the school site to advise parents where to go to meet your children. It all depends upon the emergency as to what site is needed. School buses would be used to transport students to DHS, in case it is ever needed. Later, again this year, during the school year, the school will hold a drill of either code red or blue with parent reunification. We will solicit the help of a few parents to help us in this mock drill. This will assist us in perfectly our plan. Please make sure that you have listed all names of individuals that you give us permission to release your child to in the event of an emergency. It is much better to be prepared for emergencies, and hopefully, we will never have to use it.
In addition, the school has a code red drill, a code blue drill, a tornado practice drill, and ten fire drills during the school year. Any visitors present when these drills are taking place are expected to follow the appropriate emergency procedures as the students and staff.
An HINI Flu Crisis Plan is being developed in the event we need to use it. This is to ensure that instruction continues even if it becomes necessary to close school for a few days due to the flu. I will update you on these procedures, as appropriate and needed.
Birthday Celebrations
If you are planning to celebrate your child’s birthday at school with his/her classmates, please remember that you may bring in a treat for the entire class. This treat will be served the last fifteen minutes of lunch. Only store bought items may be given to the students. A cookie or cupcake is sufficient. You do not need to provide a drink because students will have their beverage from lunch. Parents of children with allergies should note that they can send in treats that can be stored in the health room and distributed to the allergic student whenever birthday treats are shared with the rest of their classmates. Peanut products are to be avoided for birthday celebrations at all times.
Reporting and Investigating Incidents of Bullying
The Safe Schools Act was passed in 2005. This act required all local school systems in Maryland to develop a system for reporting and investigating instances of bullying, harassment, or intimidation. In response to that act, a blank form for reporting these concerns was sent home in the packet of materials that you should have received at the end of the first day of school. If a parent wishes to file a report of bullying, harassment, or intimidation, the parent will be asked to complete the MCPS Form 230-35, Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation Form. (It can also be obtained through the MCPS web page.) The report must be submitted to me, the principal. I will continue to promptly investigate and address the report and complete MCPS Form 230-36 explaining findings and next steps that will be taken, as appropriate, to address the situation.
Board of Education Community Forums
The Montgomery County Board of Education will hold two public forums to provide parents, staff, students, and community members the opportunity to give your input on important issues affecting the Montgomery County Public Schools. The forums will be held on Thursday, September 17th at Quince Orchard High School and Thursday, October 15th at John F. Kennedy High Schools. Both forums will take place from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. parents, students, staff, and community members wishing to speak at the forums will be asked to address the following question: “During difficult economic times, what priorities in the MCPS strategic plan should we focus on to improve achievement for all students. The information shared at the forums will be shared at the forums will assist the county in setting priorities for the Fiscal Year 2011 Operating Budget. TIP (Tell It Please) cards will also be available in the main office if you wish to provide any feedback on this issue. You may also respond online at: www.montgemeryschoolsmd.org/community/forums/feedback/.
Dogs on Campus
Many people have been bringing their dogs to drop off their children and/or to pick them up at the end of the day. While I appreciate that all dogs that are brought here are very friendly and that many children adore coming to pet them, we do have a number of children who have expressed fear in exiting the building as they are afraid of dogs. To ensure a comfortable environment for the children, I am asking that parents please leave their dogs at home. If you feel that you must bring your dog, please wait for your child with your dog on the grounds away from where children will have to pass you. Also, we have had people walking their dogs here and not cleaning up after them. Thanks for keeping our campus clean and safe!
Remember every Friday is School Spirit Day – Wear your Woodfield clothing or blue and white. Go Woodfield!!
No School Monday, September 7 Holiday – Labor Day
Have a wonderful long Labor Day weekend!!
2009 – 2010 Important Dates
Friday, Sept. 4 – Friday, Sept. 18 Sally Foster Fundraiser
Friday, September 4 Flyer distribution day
Monday, September 7 Holiday – Labor Day
Tuesday, Sept. 8 – Friday, Oct. 2 MAP- R testing for grades 3, 4, 5
Friday, September 11 Woodfield PTA Picnic 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, September 15 Instrumental Music Program Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 15 – Thurs., Oct. 15 National Hispanic Heritage Month
Tuesday, September 22 Woodfield Back to School Night Grades K – 2 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, September 23 Woodfield Back to School Night Grades 3 – 5 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, September 23 FluMist @ Woodfield
Monday, September 28 Yom Kippur – No school for students and teachers
Friday, October 2 Early release – Grading/planning 12:35 p.m.
Monday, October 5 –Friday, Oct. 9 PTA Fall Scholastic Book Fair
Tuesday, October 6 Fall portraits
Tuesday, October 6 PTA Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 6 SGA Officer Elections 9:10 a.m.
Wednesday, October 7 Walk Your Child to School Day - 8:30 a.m. meet @ pool
Monday, October 12 Columbus Day – Open House 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Wednesday, October 14 Sally Foster Distribution
Friday, October 16 PTA School Beautification Day 9:00 a.m. – 12 noon
Friday, October 16 MSTA Convention – No School for students and teachers
Tuesday, October 20 PTA Diabetes Walk during recess
Thursday, October 22 Curriculum Night – Grades K-2 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Monday, October 26 Hearing and Vision Screening
Thursday, October 29 Curriculum Night – Grades 3-5 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Friday, October 30 lst marking period ends
Friday, October 30 Halloween – Parade 1:45 Parties to follow
Sunday, Nov. 1 – Monday, Nov. 30 American Indian Heritage Month
Monday, November 2 Professional day for teachers – No school for students
Tuesday, November 3 PTA Meeting 9:00 a.m.
Monday, Nov. 9 – Wed. Nov. 18 SGA Canned Food Drive
Wednesday, November 11 Early release – Parent Conferences 12:35 p.m.
Wednesday, November 11 Veterans Day
Wednesday, November 11 Report cards distributed
Wednesday, November 11 Flyer distribution day
Thursday, November 12 Early release – Parent Conferences 12:35 p.m.
Tuesday, November 17 Fall portrait make-ups
Tuesday, November 24 Grandparent’s Day 9:30 – 11:15
Wednesday, November 25 Early release for students prior to Thanksgiving 12:35 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 26 – Thurs. Nov. 27 Holidays – Thanksgiving – No school
Monday, Nov. 30 Hearing and Vision Re-Screening
Tuesday, December 1 PTA Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Mon. Dec. 7 – Friday, Dec. 16 SGA Make A Happy Holiday
Wednesday, December 9 PTA Talent Show Auditions
Thursday, December 10 PTA Talent Show Auditions
Friday, December 11 PTA Family Fun Night 7 p.m.
Wednesday, December 16 Woodfield ES Choral and Instrumental Concert 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 23 Damascus High School Band visits Woodfield ES
Thurs. Dec. 24 – Friday, Dec. 25 Holidays – Christmas – No school
Monday, Dec. 28 – Thursday, Dec. 31 Winter Break – No school for students and teachers
Friday, January 1 Holiday – New Year’s Day
Tuesday, January 5 PTA Meeting 9 a.m.
Monday, Jan. 11– Fri., Jan. 22 Collection for PTA Student Book Exchange
Tuesday, January 12 Class and group picture day
Wednesday, January 13 5th and 6th Grade Cluster Band Concert @ DHS 7:00 p.m.
Monday, January 18 Holiday – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day
Wednesday, January 20 PTA Talent Show Rehearsal at Woodfield
Thursday, January 21 PTA Talent Show Rehearsal at Woodfield
Friday, January 22 2nd marking period ends
Monday, January 25 Professional day for teachers – No school for students
Tuesday, January 26 –Friday, Feb. 19 MAP-R testing for grades 3, 4, 5
Wednesday, January 27 ES/MS/HS Choral Cluster Concert at DHS 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 27 – Fri., Jan. 29 PTA Student Book Exchange – Students choose books
Thursday, January 28 PTA Talent Show Dress Rehearsal – Clarksburg HS 6 p.m.
Saturday, January 30 PTA Talent Show – Clarksburg HS – 7 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 1 – Friday, Feb. 5 Jump Rope for Heart during P.E. Classes
Monday, Feb. 1 – Sunday, Feb. 28 African American Heritage Month
Tuesday, February 2 PTA Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 3 Report cards distributed
Wednesday, February 3 Flyer distribution day
Wednesday, Feb. 10 PTA Talent Show snow date dress rehearsal
Thursday, February 11 ES/MS/HS Strings Concert @ DHS 7:00 p.m.
Friday, February 12 Valentine Parties @ 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 13 PTA Talent Show snow date
Sunday, February 14 Valentine’s Day
Monday, February 15 Holiday – Presidents Day
Friday, February 26 Early release – Interims/planning 12:35 p.m.
Monday, March 1 – Wed., March 31 Women’s History Month
Tuesday, March 2 PTA Meeting 9:00 a.m.
Monday, March 8 – Tuesday, March 9 MSA – Reading Grades 3and 4
Wed., March 10 – Thursday, March 11 MSA – Reading Grade 5
Friday, March 12 – Monday, March 15 MSA - Math Grades 3 and 4
Wednesday, March 17 St. Patrick’s Day
Tues., March 16 – Wed., March 17 MSA – Math Grade 5
Thurs., March 18 – Tues., March 23 MSA – Reading/Math makeup Grades 3 – 5
Tuesday, March 23 Science Expo 7:00 p.m.
Friday, March 26 3rd marking period ends
Monday, March 29 –Thursday, April 1 Spring break – No school for students and teachers
Thursday, April 1 - Friday, April 30 Autism Awareness Month
Thursday, April 1 - Friday, April 30 Arab American Heritage Month
Thursday, April 1 – Friday, April 30 Month of the Young Child
Fri., April 2 - Mon. April 5 Holidays – Easter
Tuesday, April 6 Professional day for teachers – No school for students
Thursday, April 8 PTA Meeting 9:00 a.m.
Tuesday, April 13 Spring portraits
Wednesday, April 14 Report cards distributed
Wednesday, April 14 Flyer distribution day
Friday, April 16 Kindergarten Orientation – No School for Kindergarten
Friday, April 16 PTA Fitness Night
Monday, April 19 – Friday, April 23 Staff Appreciation Week
Thursday, April 22 Earth Day
Thursday, April 22 Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day
Monday, April 26 – Friday, April 30 Terra Nova testing – Grade 2
Wednesday, April 28 Ice Cream with Dad 7 p.m.
Saturday, May 1 – Monday, May 31 Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Tuesday, May 4 5th grade picture – 1:45 p.m.
Tuesday, May 4 PTA Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 5 – Tuesday, May 11 MSA – Science Grade 5
Thursday, May 6 Field Day Grades K, 1, 2
Monday, May 10 – Friday, May 14 PTA Buy One Get One Free Book Fair
Monday, May 10 – Friday, June 4 MAP-R testing for grades 3, 4, 5
Thursday, May 13 Field Day Grades 3, 4, 5
Thursday, May 13 Muffins for Mom A-M 8 a.m.
Friday, May 14 Muffins for Mom N-Z 8 a.m.
Friday, May 14 PTA Year End Party
Wednesday, May 26 Woodfield ES Choral and Instrumental Concert 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 27 Woodfield Art Show 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 27 Rain date for Field Days
Monday, May 31 Holiday – Memorial Day
Wednesday, June 2 Volunteer Luncheon – Media Center 11:30 – 1:30
Monday, June 7 Presidential Awards
Sunday, June 14 Flag Day
Tuesday, June 15 5th Grade Promotion 9:00 a.m.
Tuesday, June 15 Whole School Clap Out 10:15 a.m.
Tuesday, June 15 5th Grade Pool Party 10:30 a.m.
Wednesday, June 16 Last day of school for students – Early release 12:35 p.m.
Thursday, June17 Professional day for teachers
Wednesday, June 23 Report cards mailed
Note: Dates that have been added this week are in bold