February 22, 2008
A Message From Mrs. Starr
Due to the prediction of inclement weather on Friday and the possibility, if the weather man is correct, that there may be no school, we are sending the school newsletter out today on Thursday rather than waiting for Friday.
Your PTA dollars are at work each day to support and enrich your child’s education. These range from providing our laminated homework folders at the beginning of the year for all children to providing funds for the students who need monetary support in attending school field trips. Today, thanks again to the PTA, we were given a fabulous treat of a special cultural arts performance, “Billy B. – Natural Song and Dance Man”. He provided two separate performances. The first was for Kindergarten – Grade 2 entitled Geology Rocks. The second one was for Grades 3 - 5 and also addressed geology, our earth and universe but was far more advanced. Our students learned a great deal. Teachers provided follow-up in their individual classes. To further enrich your students, please talk to them tonight about the show that involved song and dance and loads of information. I am sure that they would love to tell you all about it.
Thanks to Dee Dauber, Rebecca Crisafulli, Lucy Lock, Dee Santorelli, Nives Bidwick, and Jennifer Wrona for chaperoning our Billy B. performances today. This allows the teachers additional time to plan for your students. Performances are followed up in the classrooms by notes taken and also additional resource materials are frequently provided by the performers for the teachers to also use. A special thank you to Mrs. Dauber for making the arrangements for all of our cultural arts performances and to the PTA for paying for these rewarding events. Thanks also to Mrs. Michelle Wilson for encouraging the PTA to bring Billy B. to our school.
Dangerous Situation! Safety First!
This is an important reminder that parents are not to park in any part of the school driveway when buses are being unloaded or loaded during the school day. It is especially a problem at the end of the school day. Bus drivers are concerned and complaining that the entrance into the school driveways are blocked by parents’ vehicles while they are waiting for their children. In some cases, school bus drivers say that they have to pull around some vehicles to get into the driveway. Please let’s remember that it is all of our jobs to keep our children safe. Engaging in the behaviors described above, puts some of our students and the bus driver in danger. This is an accident waiting to happen!!!! Also, when traffic is heavy it is not recommended that you make a left hand turn out of the parking lot. Please remember that when the weather is bad, traffic increases.
Please note that there is also parking available behind the school with easy access to the bike path.
Early Release Day – Grading/planning 12:35 p.m. Wednesday, February 27
Yearbook Pictures Wanted!
If you have any pictures for the yearbook, please send them to the office. They must be on a disc since the yearbook is now done digitally.
SPRING TESTING SCHEDULE
Assessment Testing Window Testing Group
MSA Reading April 1-2 Grade 3 and 4
April 3-4 Grades 5
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
Spring Portraits Are Coming
Tuesday, March 4th is “Spring Portrait Day”
All students will have their picture taken by Blanton Studios. A flyer will come home a few days before picture day. No money is collected on portrait day. A proof of the portrait will be sent home for parent approval, with ordering instructions. You can choose to purchase your pictures, or keep the proof at no charge and do nothing.
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.
Heart Healthy Month and Jump Rope For Heart/Hoops for Heart
This year at Woodfield Elementary we are celebrating heart healthy month and Jump Rope for Heart/Hoops for Heart together. The students will be learning about the heart muscle and participating in heart healthy activities during their physical education classes in February. We have already begun to talk about the physiology of the heart muscle and ways that we can exercise our heart muscle to make sure we all stay strong and healthy! All students will color memory hearts either in memory of a friend or family member that has had or has heart disease/ailments or for heart healthy awareness month. Toward the end of February the students may turn in their donation envelopes to benefit The American Heart Association.
Keys for Reading Reminders
Early in January, special bookmarks were sent home for children to record the titles of four books read at home. The bookmarks can be returned to school anytime between now and February 29. Each child that turns in a bookmark will receive a free general admission ticket to the Frederick Keys baseball game on Saturday, April 5 @ 2:00 pm. (Tickets will be distributed closer to the game date.) Extra bookmarks are available if your child misplaced his/hers. A note can be sent to Mrs. McGreevy, Reading Specialist, to receive a new one. Let’s go Woodfield readers!
Cluster Choral Concert
Fifth grade Woodfield students on Tuesday night joined forces with Damascus Elementary, Clearspring Elementary, Baker Middle and Damascus High School to present a fabulous choral performance. Each school performed songs individually and then all schools closed the show by forming together! Our students performed beautifully. Thanks to Mr. Greenhouse, Ms. Bullington, Mrs. Moran, Mrs. Schwartz and Mrs. Walsleben. I have received several positive comments about how well our students performed.
Box Tops For Education Challenge Update
As you probably already know, there was a twist added to this last week of the Box Top Challenge. In addition to Mrs. Starr's rap performance and the outdoor pizza party, there is now a third incentive to clip those coupons. For the one class that collects the most Box Tops this last week only, there will be a secret surprise (excluding the winner of the outdoor pizza party). You'll have to win to find out what it is. The collection bags will be gathered on Monday after school so be sure to get those last few coupons you may have laying around in by then. Thank you for the great job you've done.
Author Hilary Hyland – Rescheduled for March 12th
Author Hilary Hyland is coming to Woodfield ES on Wednesday, March 12th .
Damascus Cluster NAACP Parent Council
The Damascus Cluster NAACP Parent Council is offering free help for students who will be taking state tests. Volunteers will be on hand 3-5 p.m. every Sunday through March 16 at the Damascus Community Recreation Center, 25520 Oak Drive, to help students sharpen their skills in preparation for the Maryland State Assessments tests and High School Assessment tests.
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.
Kids College is an enrichment program for students in grades 4-12. Classes are held at Montgomery College after school or on Saturday mornings starting in February. The program brochure includes course description, applicable grades, and registration information. Some class offerings are: Keyboarding for Computers, Let’s Play Chess, and Cartooning.
This program is co-sponsored by Montgomery College and the Division of Community Outreach, MCPS. Program brochures and registration forms are available on the MC website: www.montgomerycollege.edu/youth. The deadline for receiving registrations is one week before the specific class is scheduled to begin. If you have any questions, please contact Sharon Wolfgang at 240-567-7264.
2008 Important Dates
Tuesday, February 26 4th Gr. Beginning Band & Strings - 2:15 p.m.
Wednesday, February 27 Early Release Day – 12:35 p.m.
Monday, March 3 DHS/Baker MS & ES String Cluster Concert @ DHS 7:30
Tuesday, March 4 Spring Portraits
Tuesday, March 4 PTA Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 12 Hilary Hyland – Author Visit (Rescheduled)
Thursday, March 13 Donuts for Dads
Friday, March 14 Donuts for Dads
Monday, March 17 St. Patrick’s Day
Tuesday, March 18 Science Expo (note date change)
Friday, March 21 – Monday, March 24 Holidays – Easter (Note: Passover begins at sundown 4/19) Tuesday, March 25 – Friday, March 28 Spring break – No school for students and teachers
Tuesday, April 1 – Wednesday, April 30 Autism Awareness Month
Tuesday, April 1 – Wednesday, April 30 Arab American Heritage Month
Tuesday, April 1 – Wednesday, April 30 Month of the Young Child Celebration
Tuesday, April 1 PTA Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 1 – Wednesday, April 2 MSA Reading Grades 3 and 4
Thursday, April 3 – Friday, April 4 MSA Reading Grade 5
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
Thursday, April 17 Kindergarten Orientation – No School for Kindergarten
Friday, April 18 Kindergarten Orientation – No School for Kindergarten
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
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
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.
Friday, May 2 Field Day Grades 3, 4, 5
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
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
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
Friday, May 23 Rain date for Field Day Grades 3, 4, 5
Monday, May 26 Holiday – Memorial Day – No School
Thursday, May 29 4th & 5th Gr. Band, Strings, & Chorus Concert (date change)
Friday, May 30 Damascus High School Graduation 10:00 a.m.
Thursday, June 5 Volunteer Luncheon – Media Center
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.