April 11, 2008
A Message From Mrs. Starr
Every parent’s goal is to have their children become responsible students. In addition to the three “R”s parents and teachers try to teach the fourth one - Responsibility. There are some habits that are characteristics of highly responsible students. We will discuss only one in this message. They engage in goal-setting. This enables them to stay focused on the future. To assist your child in setting goals, you can guide discussions by asking questions like, “How much improvement would you like to see on this week’s test? How would you like to improve your grade this marking period? What are two things that you would like to accomplish before the school year ends? How close are you to meeting those goals? What do you need to do to meet those goals? Goals help students know what is important and what to stay focused on. This helps them know where they are headed and plan how to get there. Setting goals with your child enables him/her to be more likely to avoid behaviors that are counter productive. Responsible students have a vision of the future, set short and long-term plans to reach those goals, periodically evaluate how they are progressing, and revise their goals as needed.
Junior Great Books Comes To An End For The Year!!
Tuesday, April 15th will be the last day of Junior Great Books! Thank you to everyone who allowed their children to participate. This fabulous program would not be possible without the mothers who volunteered their time weekly to meet with the students and conduct the engaging discussions about interesting literature. Thank you to Katherine Wells, Theresa Bohs, Cherie Walker, Holly Mullen, Dina Yagodich, and Lori Slingluff. This is really hard work but you made it look so easy!! Thank you!
Snacks and MSA
Thanks to the PTA for providing snacks and water during MSA testing to Grades 3, 4, and 5. A very special thank you to Mrs. Coffman for purchasing the snacks and water. The students enjoyed this treat.
Will Your Child Be Attending Woodfield During the 2008 – 2009 School Year?
Since the level of staffing allocated at Woodfield is based on projected enrollment, it is important for us to have information regarding your plans for the 2008 – 2009 school year. Please call the office @ 301-253-7085 as soon as possible if there is a possibility that your child will not be returning to our school for the coming school year! Thank you!
International Night
International Night is Friday, April 25th 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. To date, we have 20 families participating in this fun event. We are hoping to get more families/students to come out and celebrate your heritage. You can also work in groups and present a country of choice. If you have any questions, please contact Siobhan Kopp @ (301)414-0457 or gandskopp1@verizon.net.
Volunteers Needed for the New Woodfield Summer Reading Opportunity!
Woodfield is beginning a new tradition! Starting the summer of 2008, children will have the opportunity to check out individual reading books with optional comprehension activities, similar to those used in their guided reading groups during the school year. Many hours have been put into organizing this wonderful opportunity that can help all children maintain reading skills and strategies over the summer. Thank you to Sue Wood who spent countless hours organizing the books and preparing the comprehension activities and Robyn Szot for her contribution, as well. In order to make this successful, we are looking for volunteers to monitor the system for signing books in and out that will take place. We are hoping to designate at least two days a week during two hour time blocks when families can bring their children to Woodfield to browse, select and sign-out books. Volunteers would be responsible for accurately maintaining the sign-in/out book and checking that books are returned in their bags. Service hours may also be given to students in high school that may be interested. If you are interested or know of anyone who is interested in donating some summer time to this important and exciting opportunity, please contact Kelly McGreevy, Reading Specialist, or Patricia Calvin, Staff Development teacher at 301-253-7085! We are very excited about this new opportunity!
SPRING TESTING SCHEDULE
Assessment Testing Window Testing Group
MSA Makeup April 14-16 Grades 3-5
Terra Nova 2 April 28-May 2 Grade 2
MSA Science May 5-May 6 Grade 5
Kindergarten Orientation Dates Are Scheduled
Kindergarten Orientation for children who will be five years old on or before September l, 2008, will be held at Woodfield Elementary on April 17 and April 18. On these dates, there will be no school for our current kindergarten students. Please call the office to provide the school with your child’s name. If you know of families who do not have students currently at Woodfield but have children who will be in kindergarten next year, please share this date with them. More information will follow.
Take Your Daughters and Sons to Work Day!!
The national recognition of Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day on Thursday, April 24, 2008, is being observed in all Montgomery County Public Schools. This event is designed to introduce young people to the workplace and encourage their expectations to participate successfully in the world of work and careers. Students may be permitted an excused absence in keeping with existing procedures that require a written note from a parent or guardian. If your child will miss all or part of Thursday, April 24th to participate in Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, please send your child’s teacher a note on or before Wednesday, April 23th.
Field Days
Grades K, 1, 2 Friday, May 9 Rain Date: Friday, May 16
Grade 3, 4, 5 Wednesday, May 14 Rain Date: Friday, June 6th
SGA Spirit Days
The SGA will be sponsoring the following spirit days:
Friday, April 18 Twin Day
Friday, May 23 Red, White, and Blue Day
Friday, June 6 Crazy Hair Day
Box Top Update
While she is not quitting her day job, Mrs. Starr's alter ego did make a one-time-only appearance on Wednesday to rap for the kids as promised. Thank you to the kids who submitted the raps...you all did a great job.
“Raising Responsible Children”- PTA Free Parenting Talk
Thursday Evening, April 17, 2008
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Woodfield Elementary School
Presented by: Parent Encouragement Program (PEP)
Questions? Contact Pascale Brady at (301) 910-0765
2008 Important Dates
Monday, April 14 – Wednesday, April 16 MSA Make-up Window grades 3, 4, 5 (Math & Reading)
Monday, April 14 – Friday, April 18 Staff Appreciation Week
Tuesday, April 15 Report cards distributed
Wednesday, April 16 Global Screening – Grade 2 (note date change)
Thursday, April 17 Kindergarten Orientation – No School for Kindergarten
Friday, April 18 Kindergarten Orientation – No School for Kindergarten
Monday, April 21 Global Screening – Grade 2
Monday, April 21 Grades 3-5 Global Rescreening
Monday, April 21 – Friday, May 16 LAS Links (ESOL Testing) Grades K- 5
Tuesday, April 22 – Friday, May 16 MAP R Spring Window for grades 3, 4, 5
Tuesday, April 22 Earth Day
Thursday, April 24 Take Your Child to Work Day
Friday, April 25 PTA International Night 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday, April 25 A.M. Cultural Arts – Nada Brahma – World Music
Friday, April 25 Grades 3-5 Global Rescreening
Monday, April 28 – Friday, May 2 Terra Nova testing – Grade 2
Tuesday, April 29 4th Grade In School Field Trip – In Space
Thursday, May 1 – Sunday, May 31 Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Thursday, May 1 5th Grade Picture – 1:45 p.m.
Monday, May 5 lst Grade Field Trip to Rose Hill Manor
Monday, May 5 – Tuesday, May 6 MSA Science Grade 5
Tuesday, May 6 3rd Grade Field Trip - Baltimore Museum
Tuesday, May 6 PTA Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 7 5th Grade to Strathmore Concert
Thursday, May 8 Muffins for Moms
Friday, May 9 Muffins for Moms
Friday, May 9 Field Day Grades K, 1, 2
Wednesday, May 14 Field Day Grades 3, 4, 5
Friday, May 16 Rain date for Field Day K, 1, 2
Friday, May 16 Read Aloud Day with Seniors
Friday, May 16 5th Grade Patrol Picnic
Friday, May 16 PTA Year End Dinner
Saturday, May 17 School Beautification Day 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Monday, May 19 – Friday, May 23 Spring Book Fair
Tuesday, May 20 5th Grade Field Trip to Washington, D.C.
Thursday, May 22 Woodfield Art Show
Thursday, May 22 2nd Grade Field Trip – Imagination Stage
Monday, May 26 Holiday – Memorial Day – No School
Tuesday, May 27 A.M. Cultural Arts – Liberty Hot Air Balloon Experience
Thursday, May 29 4th & 5th Gr. Band, Strings, & Chorus Concert
Friday, May 30 Damascus High School Graduation 10:00 a.m.
Thursday, June 5 Volunteer Luncheon – Media Center
Thursday, June 5 1st Grade Reading Breakfast
Friday, June 6 Rain date for Field Day Grades 3, 4, 5
Tuesday, June 10 4th Grade Field Trip – Living Classrooms
Wednesday, June 11 5th Grade Promotion followed by a Pool Party
Thursday, June 12 Last day of school for students – Dismissal 12:35 p.m.
Friday, June 13 Professional day for teachers
Saturday, June 14 Flag Day
Thursday, June 19 Report cards mailed
Monday, August 25 Open House
Tuesday, August 26 First Day of School
Tuesday, September 2 Back to School Night Grades K – 2
Wednesday, September 3 Back to School Night Grades 3 - 5
Note: Dates that have been added this week are in bold.