October 29, 2009

 

A Message From Mrs. Starr

 

Thank you to the parents who took time out of their busy evening to participate in the K - 2 Curriculum Night. I am so appreciative of the teachers for all the valuable information that they shared with you regarding the reading and writing curriculum and strategies that you can use at home to help your children. The math curriculum as it relates to problem –solving, number concepts, and math discourse were also explained, as well as the types of assessments used to measure your child’s progress and how you can assist your child in learning these concepts. In Kindergarten, we had 25% of the parents attending, Grade 1-35% ,  and Grade 2- 22%.  I was hoping that the turn out would be higher because these were great opportunities to learn what your students will be taught, how they will be taught it, and how you can help them learn it. Those parents who were able to attend will also be able to connect the strategies presented on these nights with the areas of academic strengths and needs that you will discover during your parent conference with your child’s homeroom or reading teacher during the early release parent conference days.

 

Curriculum Night for Grades 3-5 - Tonight 7:00 p.m. Please come tonight!!

 

 

Important- School Painting In Halls!!

 

Last year, I sent out a survey about painting the school halls during the school day. Some parents preferred not to have their children exposed to latex paint during the school day. Therefore, our halls were not painted! Now it is no longer a choice – we either get the halls painted during the school day or we don’t get them painted at all. We are not scheduled to be painted as an entire school during the summer for quite a few years. The halls are badly in need of painting and are beginning to show the wear and tear of many years and children. This is the typical latex paint that is used in your homes when you paint. Other elementary schools, in order to get their halls painted, are painting during the school day. However, if your child is allergic to latex paint, being around it when it is applied to walls, you need to notify the office now. If I do not hear from any parents very soon, I will be telling them that we will get the halls painted during the school day. Please let me know if your child can’t be in the classroom when latex paint is being applied to the hall walls. Thank you.

 

Halloween Celebration

 

Woodfield’s Halloween parade will begin at 1:45 p.m. on Friday, October 30th. Classroom celebrations will follow the parade. Please remember that students are asked not to wear any costumes that the younger students in the building may find scary or bring any sort of weapon. No students are allowed to wear costumes before 1:30 p.m.  Students are not allowed to wear face make-up in the mornings. Students will dress in regular school clothes in the morning as we follow a regular morning schedule.  Please also note that costumes should not block student’s vision and should be easy to get into.  We look forward to seeing you at our Halloween parade!

 

                       

No school on Monday, November 2nd Professional Day for teachers

 

 

 

Study Island Is Now Available for Grades 1 -5

 

You can now have your child access the Study Island web site by going to the Woodfield School web site first. We encourage that you use this link or supervise your child when typing in the Study Island site, otherwise your child may go to an inappropriate site for children inadvertently.

 

Woodfield's School Walk for Diabetes

 

Woodfield Elementary held its fifth annual ‘School Walk for Diabetes’ on Tuesday, October 20, 2009 during recess.  The weather was wonderful for the children as they walked around the track.  We had Kristi Williams from the American Diabetes Association talk to the children about diabetes, healthy eating, and exercise.   All of the 132 walkers raised $1,678.71 for the American Diabetes Association.  The students also donated $65.46 in spare change during lunch for ‘Dimes for Diabetes.’  Mrs. Wilson’s class collected the most donations for the walk.  Mrs. Schwartz’s class and Mrs. Taylor’s class had the highest class participation.  We want to thank all the students who participated!

 

All funds raised will help the American Diabetes Association fund research to prevent, cure, and manage diabetes.  The walk would not have been successful without all of our volunteers:  Kathy Croom, Anita Curry, Cindy Huffman, Betsy Paul, Dee Santorelli, Misty Ruffner, Sandy McDarby, Jeanne Ruddock, Wayne Ruddock, and Leta Falle.  The co-chairs of the walk, Suzan Hoefler and Pam Clay, would like to thank everyone for making this year’s walk a success!

 

 

                                                                        Scholastic Book Fair

 

The Fall Scholastic Book Fair was a huge success!  The selection of books was fantastic.  The One For Dollars program raised $86.  We were able to fill teacher wish lists with that money.  More importantly, Scholastic will match this amount and donate books to needy children all over the world!  Fantastic job in getting more books into the hands of children everywhere!

 

Thanks to the following volunteers that made the fair so easy to run;  Julie Ates, Nives Bidwick, Leenie Brown, Anita Curry, Joanne Denaro-Wardlaw, Amy Dunham, Cindy Huffman, Jamie Jablonski, Annika Mog, Dee Santorelli, Tammie Snyder, Missy Thomas, Katherine Wells, and Dina Yagodich.  Thank you also to student volunteers that were invaluable in set up and break down of the Fair:  William Dorotinsky, Lexi Dorotinsky, Leslie Dawson, Ryan Love, Natalie Parker, and Zack Walker.

A special thank you to my co-chair Heidi Walker.  I am looking forward to the Spring Fair.   Cathy Dorotinsky

 

 

First marking period ends on Friday, October 30th. Report Cards distributed on November 11th. Early release of students on November 11th and November 12th  so teachers can hold parent conferences

 

Early Release Lunch Schedule (No recess for students)- Wednesday, November 11th and

Thursday, November 12th; Dismissal for all students at 12:35 p.m.

 

 

Lunch

Grades 3 and 5

10:45-11:15

Grade 4 and Kindergarten

11:15-11:45

Grade 1 and 2

11:45-12:15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 3rd – PTA Meeting  9:00 a.m.

 

The next PTA meeting will be November 3rd  @ 9:00 a.m. in the Media Center.  Please join us.

 

 

Lost and Found

 

The lost and found bin located in the AP room is filling up with sweatshirts, hats, coats, etc. Please have your child check it regularly at lunch time and label your child’s items so that if they end up in lost and found we can return them to your child.

                                   

 

“NEW” Saturday Discoveries Program

 

 

 The “NEW” Saturday Discoveries, designed for gifted and talented students in grades 4 and 5, is scheduled for Saturday, November 14th at the Takoma Park Campus of Montgomery College from 8:30-2:50 p.m.  This enrichment opportunity, co-sponsored by Montgomery County Public Schools and Montgomery College, allows students to explore a wide variety of topics to complement their school curriculum.  Cost for this one day program is $85.  Parents are invited to spend the day with their youngster at no additional cost. There is an optional workshop for parents, “Your Child’s Self-Esteem” costing $30. Program brochures and registration forms are available in the school office, their website, www.montgomerycollege.edu\youth or phone Sharon Wolfgang at (240) 567-7264.

 

 

BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION

 

Thanks everyone for another fantastic Box Tops challenge.  The kids collected 2,717 coupons last week for a new total of 9,374.  It was announced to the kids that the deadline for the contest would be extended from Monday to Wednesday, October 28th, so I'm sure that will put us over the 10,000 mark when all coupons are counted this weekend.  The current leaders in each grade are:  Mrs. Lindsey, Mrs. Paciotti, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Meiklejohn, Mrs. Narges, and Mrs. Walsleben.  The winning classes will be announced next week and pizza parties will take place shortly thereafter.  Thanks again for such great support!

 

           

2009 – 2010  Important Dates

 

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  (Grades 1 – 5)

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 17                                 2nd Grade Field Trip - Strathmore

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.

Friday, December 11                                        5th Grade attends Baker MS Winter Concert

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  (Grades K – 5)

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  (Grades 1 – 5)

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

Friday, April 23                                              Kindergarten Field Trip – Puppet Company

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                                                4th Grade Field Trip – Living Classrooms

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.

Wednesday, June 16                                        K report cards go home - Gr. 1 – 5 report card comments Thursday, June17                                     Professional day for teachers

Wednesday, June 23                                        Report cards mailed  (Grades 1 – 5)

                                   

 

Note:  Dates that have been added this week are in bold