April 18, 2008
A Message From Mrs. Starr
Last week, I wrote an article about developing responsibility in your children. I feel that as your childs principal, I, too, have a responsibility to teach your child responsibility. Students, sometimes, act impulsively and dont always make the best decisions. (This is true of all of us.) One of my roles, I believe, is assisting your child in examining the situation and having him/her become able to discern what other options she\he would have available next time. This will enable your child to make a better choice. Once a student has met with me and we have problem-solved, I usually will have your child call you (with me right beside him/her) and your child will be the one to inform you as to the situation and the consequence, if there is one. I am then available to talk to you, if needed. I know that some of you may be thinking why doesnt she just tell me what is happening without having my child do so. I believe that having your child tell you what has happened provides your child with an opportunity to take responsibility for his/her actions. This is all in the learning process. If you ever have any concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to let me know.
PTA Meeting to Discuss Field Trips for Next Year
There have been some concerns expressed from parents about field trips, their costs, their benefit, and making sure that the time is being wisely used. I have asked a teacher from each grade level, Kindergarten to Grade 5, to come to PTA meeting on Tuesday night, May 6th, at 6:30 p.m. to answer any questions that you may have about the field trips that may be scheduled for the 2008-2009 school year on each grade level. Due to the gas prices, the costs of these field trips will need to increase. Please join us at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6th if you would like to learn more about the field trip(s) scheduled for next year. A teacher representative will be there from each grade level (if possible) until 7:00 p.m.
Thanks for the PTA Sponsored Staff Salad Lunch
Thank you to the PTA for all the treats and delicious salad bar luncheon sponsored by the PTA during this past week. Thank you to Karen Myers, Nives Bidwick, and Kelly Lozano for organizing activities this week for the staff. Thank you also to Theresa Bohs, Dina Yadgodich, Anne Reinhold, Christine DiMambro, Joanne Wardlaw, Amy Simonic, Kathleen Reilly, Dawn Dixon, Mindy Conway, Melanie Smith, Sue Patton, Misty Ruffner, Paula Roberts, Heather Manoogian, Susan Billig, Karen Myers, Siobhan Kopp, and Lisa Fruth for their food contributions for the staff luncheon.
2008 - 2009 Back to School Night Dates
Tuesday, September 3 Grades K 2
Wednesday, September 4 Grades 3 5
Gifted and Talented Screening Grade 2
All students in Grade 2 will be screened for acceleration and enriched instruction on Monday, April 21st.
Gifted and Talented Rescreening Grades 3, 4, and 5
Students in grades 3, 4, and 5 who were not previously identified for acceleration and enriched instruction will be considered for rescreening, either at parent/guardian request or by staff recommendation. The screening will take place on April 25th and 28th. (This is a change from the master calendar date of April 21 due to GT policy requirements.) All students are originally screened for gifted and talented during second grade. Students can be re-screened in grades 3, 4, and 5 by parents/guardian or staff requests. If you would like your child re-screened this spring, please send a note to me, Mrs. Starr, by April 23rd.
Earth Week April 21 25
The SGA is promoting Earth Week at Woodfield by wearing a different color each day.
Monday wear green for healthy trees and plants
Tuesday wear blue for clean water
Wednesday wear white for clean air
Thursday wear brown for rich soil
Friday wear all colors for diversity
Lets recognize our valuable resources and wear colors that promote a healthy environment!
Sneakers, Please, On Playground Equipment!
As the weather warms up, if students come to school with flip-flops or sandals, we will ask that students not play on the playground equipment at recess. This is for safety reasons! Please recommend that your children wear sneakers to school or inform them that they will not be allowed to play on the playground equipment at recess. There are still other activities that they can engage in at recess while wearing sandals or flips flops. Please call me, Mrs. Starr, if you have any questions.
International Night
Join us for an INTERNATIONAL NIGHT of FUN, FOOD and ENTERTAINMENT on Friday, April 25th from 6pm - 8pm. Discover Cultural Heritage within our school. Travel and explore around the world to 30 different countries. Collect stickers for your passport and exchange them for prize tickets. Complete the scavenger hunt and earn more tickets for these great prizes. Prizes you can win are Webkinz, Squishies, turbo water soakers, and more!!! Taste international cuisine. Pizza for sale to benefit the rising 5th grade. This event is open to Woodfield students, families and friends. We look forward to this journey together.
Help Woodfield Build A "Pathway To A Cure"!
Woodfield's SGA & PTA are teaming up to support the American Cancer Society. Look for the flyer with all of the information that went home with your child this week. You can purchase a footprint with a customized (5 words or less please!) message to celebrate a cancer survivor, to memorialize someone who lost the battle or to show your family's support for cancer research and the programs of the American Cancer Society. The "Pathway To A Cure" will begin at the office and hopefully continue all the way around the school! In addition, the SGA will be educating the students about the importance of sun safety and regular exercise as we lead up to the Field Days in May.
The deadline to order your footprints is Friday, April 25th. The suggested donation per footprint is $1 and is 100% tax deductible.
All donations will go directly to the American Cancer Society in support of the Relay For Life of Damascus which is taking place on May 3-4th at Damascus High School. For more information about the event, visit www.DamascusRelay.org. Questions? Contact Mindy Conway at 301-916-6561 / minconway@verizon.net.
Thank you in advance for your support of the American Cancer Society!
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
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 childs teacher a note on or before Monday, April 21st. A form for your convenience went home on Monday.
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
Changes in the Montgomery County Kids Ride Free Program
Please note the following changes in the Kids Ride Free Program:
2008 Important Dates
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 Daughters and Sons 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 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
Tuesday, June 10 Kindergarten Field Trip Maryland Zoo
Wednesday, June 11 5th Grade Promotion 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, June 11 Whole School Clap Out 10:20 a.m.
Wednesday, June 11 5th Grade Pool Party 10:30 a.m.
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.