February 29, 2008
A Message From Mrs. Starr
Our school has been identified as a school that will receive some internal improvements (involving flooring in specified areas) for a portion of the summer. For this reason, we are unable to have any summer programs in our school during the beginning of the summer and into the second week of July. This includes Bar-T. Therefore, we will not be able to offer a summer school program this year at Woodfield. Last year, we were unable to obtain enough students whose parents wished for them to attend the summer program to make it economically feasible. Part of the problem was that there was no Bar-T here last summer, as well. Therefore, since we have repairs where no children can be in the building during these repairs, we will not send out any forms this year even surveying interest in a summer program. The projected timeline for completion of the school project does not even make summer school feasible for the 2008 summer. If you feel your child will benefit from a summer program at another school, please call the main office and we will share the school where we are aware of a summer program. I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you. However, this project can only be done when children are not in the building.
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!
Americanism Essay Winners
American Legion Auxiliary, Damascus Unit 171, is pleased to announce the essay winners.
Fourth Grade First Place Winner is Brady Osterman and Second Place Winner is Ceara McAtee. Fifth Grade First Place Winner is Adam Ervin and Second Place Winner is Michael Merollini. Students wrote on the topic, America---Home of the Brave, Land that I Love. Congratulations!
Spring Portraits Are Coming
Tuesday, March 4th is Spring Portrait Day
All students will have their picture taken by Blanton Studios. Your child should have received a flyer. Now you can pick your background in advance. Circle the corresponding number to the background of your choice and hand to the photographer on 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. For best results, children should avoid wearing green.
Montgomery College Interns at Woodfield
Woodfield is excited to announce the arrival of the interns from Montgomery College! We are so glad to have the seven student volunteers to support our students in kindergarten through fourth grade. Yvonne Lopez, Valerie Niforo, Christina Creegan, Nicole Link, Casey Jenkins, Sarah Beyrent, and Lauren Clodfelter are students pursuing their degrees in education. Thank you to Mrs. Strahorn for developing this partnership between Woodfield and Montgomery College. The Woodfield staff and students are so glad to have their support!
Soup and Muffins
Thank you once again to our wonderful PTA for the delicious soups, breads, cookies, and ice tea. It just hit the spot on such a cold and windy, winter day! We appreciate all the time that goes into serving us such a wonderful lunch. Thank you to Karen Myers, Nives Bidwick, Audrey Hill, Katherine Wells, Kathleen Reilly, Leenie Brown, Debbie Thompson, Sally Merollini, Christina Krasche, Marla Johnson, Heather Smith, Kim Garrison, Pam Pratt, Lisa Fruth, Tammy Monarch, Heather Gottfredson, Kim McCullagh, Helen Checkan, Pamela Clay, Lisa Merdoc, and Mary Busche.
Box Tops For Education Challenge Results
The coupons have been clipped and counted...the results are in. The kids brought in 10,451 coupons, so that means they earned $1,045 for the school. The winner of the outdoor pizza party (when the weather warms up) is Mrs. Paciotti's first grade class who collected 1,177 coupons. The winner of the "last week only" surprise is Mrs. Bruno's kindergarten class who collected an amazing 395 coupons in one week. Thanks again to everyone for a job well done. Since this was the last submission for the school year, I am returning the large Box Top collection bin to its spot next to the bench by the front doors. Please feel free to drop off coupons there until the next challenge is announced (please put your child's name on the bag).
Billy B - Natural Science Song & Dance Man
Many people requested information about finding Billy B's music. Some Montgomery County Public Library branches will have copies of his cds. To purchase, go to www.billybproductions.com and "Listen to Music," where you can check out his 9 cds and 2 videos. Also, we thank Mrs. Mindy Conway and the other parent chaperones for helping the exceptionally well-behaved Woodfield students during Billy B's show last week!
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.
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
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.
Damascus Cluster NAACP Parent Council
The next NAACP Cluster Meeting will be Thursday, April 3rd at 7:00 p.m. @ DHS. We will meet in Room 120 and Child Care will be held in the Cafeteria.
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 childs 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.
Author Hilary Hyland Rescheduled for March 12th
Author Hilary Hyland is coming to Woodfield ES on Wednesday, March 12th .
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, Lets 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
Monday, March 3 DHS/Baker MS & ES String Cluster Concert @ DHS 7:00
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. Patricks 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 NAACP Cluster Meeting @ DHS 7:00 p.m.
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 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
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
Friday, May 23 Rain date for Field Day Grades 3, 4, 5
Monday, May 26 Holiday Memorial Day No School
Tuesday, May 27 Slim Goodbody PTA/PE Assembly
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.