April 4, 2008
A Message From Mrs. Starr
Yellow articulation forms were sent home Monday for you to complete and return. It is completely optional. These forms ask you to describe your child’s areas of strengths and needs. This information can be beneficial in assisting the staff make class placements for the coming year. We can make no guarantees because there are so many factors that go into this decision. If you have concerns about your child’s social interactions with some of his peers, that should be noted on this form under additional comments. No specific teacher request will be honored. Since many long hours of work are spent in balancing classes according to a number of factors, no changes will be made in the teacher rosters once these lists are developed except under extremely extenuating circumstances. Therefore, if there is anything that you would like for us to know about your child for next year, please fill out the form and return to school. We need to have those completed forms returned by May 1st.
Thank you to Ms. Potter and the PTA for providing our students with a wonderful opportunity to learn more about science through preparing a science investigative project for our science expo. Everyone was so impressed.
Flyer Day: April 9th
Look in your student’s backpack for this quarter’s fliers. Please check outside the office for additional fliers that we can not distribute individually but are allowed to place on a table only for distribution.
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!
Reading MSA Down; Math to Go!!-Tips for Doing A Fantastic Job on the MSA!!
Before the Test(s):
Please make sure that your child:
· gets plenty of sleep the night before in order to have plenty of energy at test time.
· eats a healthy breakfast on test day(s).
· wears clothing that is comfortable.
· arrives to school on time.
· is told by you that you believe in him and have him/her say, “I believe in me!” This will help your child feel more confident, as he/she leaves home for the day, about the assessments.
· is reminded to take some slow deep breaths if he/she feels tense.
· is reminded that all we ask is for your child to do his/her best. That’s all anyone can ever expect of anyone else!
During the test(s):
Your child should:
· read all directions carefully and critically.
· budget time wisely.
· read all items carefully. Think about what the answer should be. Real all answers. Choose the one that makes sense or write a response that fully answers the question.
· erase stray or misleading marks.
· double check for careless mistakes, skipped questions, and/or misinterpretation of directions.
· uses relaxation techniques such as taking five deep breaths or counting down from 10 if becoming tense.
· take a best guess. Credit is never given for a skipped question.
After the test(s):
· Celebrate. Finishing a standardized test is an accomplishment.
· Give your child plenty of time to relax and wind down. Taking the test requires a lot of mental energy!
· Consider treating him/her to a special meal, a video rental, or a walk in the park.
· Tell your child how proud you are of his/her hard work.
SPRING TESTING SCHEDULE
Assessment Testing Window Testing Group
MSA Mathematics April 8-9 Grade 3 and 4
April 10-11 Grades 5
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
Next Professional Day
Monday, April 7 – Professional day for teachers – No school for students
Congratulations to Mrs. Cassie Chance, our kindergarten teacher, for the birth of her second son, Mason Wesley on March 18th. Mother and baby are fine!
Extreme Dream Sweepstakes Sponsored by Box Top for Education
What are you dreaming of for our school? Imagine the possibilities…
Enter every day from March 9 to April 9th for a chance to win
100,000 Bonus Box Tops for our school! – that’s over 30 chances to win!
Give our school a chance to dream! Go to: boxtops4education.com/extremedream
From now through April 9th. It’s that easy!
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.
Helpful Hint from the Office
When sending in notes to school, please do not use dark paper. Many notes need to be copied and dark paper does not photocopy. Thanks for your help.
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. 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.
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
Saturday Discoveries
Saturday Discoveries at Montgomery College is offering a one-day enrichment program for Gifted and Talented students in Grades 4 & 5 on Saturday, April 12, 2008 at the Takoma Park/Silver Spring campus from 8:30 a.m. to 2:50 p.m. This enrichment opportunity, co-sponsored by Montgomery County Public Schools, allows students to explore a wide variety of topics to complement their school curriculum. Some of the small group sessions available are: Creative Writing and Speaking, Creative Nutrition and Lights, Camera, Action! Cost for this one-day program is $80. Partial scholarships, pending funding, are available for children who qualify for free or reduced meals. Parents of eligible students need only to pay the fee of $25.
Parents are invited, but not required, to spend the day with their youngster at no additional cost. “Teaching Children Three Valuable Lessons” presented by Dr. Ed Harris is an optional program for parents. The cost for this program is $30. Program brochures and registration forms are available in the school office. If you have any questions, please call Sharon Wolfgang at 240-567-7264.
Maryland Summer Centers
The Maryland State Department of Education recently announced the schedule of upcoming Maryland Summer Centers for students entering Grades 5 through 12. The Maryland Summer Centers program offers unique instructional experiences for gifted and talented students and gives them the opportunity to work in settings and with resources not available during the regular school year.
Centers are located throughout the state and offer one- to three- week residential and non-residential programs with a focus on the arts, creative writing, sciences, mathematics, technology, Chinese language and culture, engineering, law and government, physics, and history. Activities are designed to encourage critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving while challenging students academically. Tuition ranges from $100 to $700.
The 2008 Maryland Summer Centers brochures are available in the school office, as well as, a copy of the catalog of programs for viewing. Brochures, application forms and a video featuring the Summer Centers may also be found on the website of the Maryland State Department of Education at www.marylandpublicschools.org/summercenters.
Applications must be postmarked by Tuesday, April 15th, except for Fine Arts Centers, which have earlier deadlines. Materials are available in Spanish translation upon request. For more information, call Stephanie Zenker at 410-767-0821.
2008 Important Dates
Friday, April 4 Third marking period ends
Saturday, April 5 Frederick Keys for Reading Baseball Game – 2:00 p.m.
Monday, April 7 Professional day for teachers – No school for students
Tuesday, April 8 – Wednesday, April 9 MSA Mathematics Grades 3 and 4
Wednesday, April 9 Flyer Distribution Day
Thursday, April 10 5th Grade Family Life Parent Meeting – 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 10 – Friday, April 11 MSA Mathematics Grade 5
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
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
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
Tuesday, August 26 First Day of School
Note: Dates that have been added this week are in bold.