February 8, 2008
A Message From Mrs. Starr
Again this year, some grades have or will be participating in “in-school” field trips. Some parents are wondering what is an “in-school field trip” and why are these offered sometimes instead of an “out of school” trip. An “in –school” field trip brings the resources to the school for the students to share in a special learning experience. All field trips, both in and out of school, are chosen by the grade level teams to support and enrich the curriculum being taught. The teachers choose programs that will extend concepts beyond what they could teach due to limited resources including preparation time, materials, and expertise in the field. Due to rising transportation costs, limited time, and increased availability for in-school experiences, teachers are finding that they are using more in-school field trips than in previous years. It is also important to note that an “in-school” field trip is not affected by weather and provides a smaller group setting for the students. Teachers are available during the entire presentation by the guests and the teachers then follow-up with additional instruction to ensure mastery of the desired concepts. These “in-school” experiences provide the students with hands-on opportunities for a longer period of time that are sometimes not available on “out of school” field trips. In or out of school, the goal is to provide your children with experiences to enrich their learning in a setting that is rich in resources and delivered by highly qualified presenters. Please remember that we want all children to participate so if covering the cost of any trip is a problem for you, please do not hesitate to let me know. The PTA has provided some money so that children will be able to participate in school trips if there are money concerns.
Holiday – Presidential Primary Election – No School Tuesday, February 12
Holiday - Presidents Day - No School Monday, February 18
Early Release Day – Grading/planning 12:35 p.m. Wednesday, February 27
Yearbook Orders
Yearbooks are now on sale! Please complete a separate order form for each child.
Cost - $21.20
Please make checks payable to Blanton Studios!
Order deadline: February 22, 2008
Yearbook Cover Contest
This year we are having a contest to design the cover for the yearbook. There is a separate flyer with all the details. All entries must be received by February 22. There will be no extensions. If you have any questions, please contact Kim McCullagh at 301-528-0922.
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.
TOPIC: Resolving Everyday Conflicts with Teenagers
WHEN: Tuesday, February 19th
WHERE: Baker Middle School Media Center
TIME: 9:30 AM – 10:00 coffee, chat and introductions
10:00 - 11:00 AM - presentation
PRESENTER: David B. Sacks, Psy.D.
Reflections Creative Arts Program
“I Can Make a Difference by…”.
The county judging for the Reflections arts program has been completed. The county received 350 entries, from 41 PTAs. Unfortunately, none of our Woodfield students were chosen for further judging at the state level. All of our participants did a great job and I enjoyed seeing all the talented works. Thanks to those who put in an entry and I hope it was enjoyable time spent. Next year's theme is: "WOW!" It's never too early to start thinking about it. Again, congratulations to all participants on a great job!
Junior Great Books Birthdays
Tuesday birthday treats can be challenging! After discussing with all parties concerned, teachers, para- educators, and parents who work with Junior Great Books on Tuesdays, we have developed a plan.
Please note that on Tuesdays, if someone is celebrating birthday in any particular class and is going to distribute a treat at lunch to their classmates, the teacher will be informed prior to that class being sent to lunch and Junior Great books. The teacher is then to inform all the students that before they go to Jr. Great Books, they are to go get their treat in the lunchroom. If they fail to get their treat before going to their destination to Junior Great Books, then they will not be allowed to go back to the all-purpose room to get one! (It is too disruptive to the Jr. Great Books Program) and no one (lunch room aides and recess assistants) will be going to the site of Junior Great Books to give them their treats.
This is the best way that we can determine to meet the needs of instruction occurring in Junior Great Books, the students being provided with an opportunity to get their treats, and the birthday child being allowed on Tuesdays to celebrate their birthdays until Junior Great Books has ended.
I greatly appreciate the help that I received from parents and staff while problem solving this issue! Thank you!
Box Tops For Education Challenge Update
As of today, the school's new grand total is 7,104...only 896 to go to reach our new goal of 8,000. If every child brought in only three more box tops, we'd reach the goal and earn $800 for the school. The springtime outdoor pizza party standings have not changed this week. Mrs. Paciotti's class has a 49 box top lead over Mrs. Blakesley's class and Mrs. Buteau's kids are close behind. Check out the class/school progress posters in the front hall and, again, thank you everyone for making this such a great challenge.
Recess and Jackets!!
It has been brought to my attention that there is some concern about students being asked to either keep their jackets or coats on when they wear them out for recess or to tie them around their waist while they are playing. On Wednesday, I met with all the students at lunch at the various grade levels to discuss and problem-solve this issue. From now on, students are allowed to take off their jackets or coats when playing and put them in a designated area. These articles of clothing should never be left in a place that endangers the safety of others. Students will also be responsible for remembering to bring their jackets or coats in at the end of recess. I hope that meets the needs of all students. Please contact me if you have any questions.
6th Grade Orientation Page for Parents of 5th Graders
Baker Middle School has created a 6th grade orientation page that you may refer to now and up until your child arrives in August at Baker as a sixth grade student. Additional information will be uploaded as it becomes available.
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/bakerms/newtobaker/
On Wednesday, Baker’s principal and counselor, came over to present their academic course offerings for sixth grade. Our fifth graders found this meeting very informative.
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!
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.
5th and 6th Grade Cluster Band Concert
The 5th and 6th grade Cluster Band Concert with Baker MS, Woodfield ES, Damascus ES, and Clearspring ES will take place at Damascus High School on Monday, February 11th at 7:30 p.m. This is an opportunity for our 5th grade band members to perform with a larger ensemble as well as with the middle school students and band instructor. Every performance demonstrates our skills and knowledge of appropriate level music as well as meets the national standards.
Lunch Menu Change for February 14th
Please note that on Thursday, February 14th there has been a menu change. Teriyaki Beef Bites will be replaced with Grilled Chicken Breast on Hamburger Buns.
5th Grade Chorus Sings in Cluster Concert
The Damascus Cluster Choral Concert with Woodfield ES, Damascus ES, Clearspring ES, Baker MS, and Damascus HS will take place at Damascus High School on Tuesday, February 19th at 7:00 p.m. This is an opportunity for our 5th grade chorus members to perform with a larger ensemble as well as with the middle school and high school chorus directors. The performance will demonstrate skills and knowledge of appropriate level music and
Chinese Immersion Program – Open House
The Chinese Immersion Program at College Gardens Elementary School will hold an open house on Friday, February 15th, 2008 from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. for Kindergarten through Grade 4 for school year 2008-2009. The event will feature an information session followed by a school tour.
In the event of inclement weather, the open house will be held on Tuesday, February 19th at 10:00 a.m. For more information, call Mrs. Kuang-Tzu Gretz, Chinese Immersion Program Coordinator, at 301-279-8470.
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
Wed., January 23 – Friday, Feb. 15 MAP R Winter Window for grades 3, 4, 5
Friday, February 1 African American Heritage Month
Monday, February 11 5th & 6th Grade Cluster Band Concert at DHS 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, February 12 Holiday – Presidential primary election – No School
Wednesday, February 13 Hilary Hyland – Author Visit
Thursday, February 14 Valentine’s Day – Parties at 2:00 p.m.
Monday, February 18 Holiday – Presidents Day – No School
Tuesday, February 19 DHS and ES choral concert @ DHS 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 20 Damascus Cluster NAACP Parent Mtg. 7:00 p.m.@ DHS
Thursday, February 21 A.M. Cultural Arts – Billy B. - Song and Dance Man
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.
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 – Friday, April 11 MSA Testing Window grades 3, 4, 5 (Math & Reading)
Tuesday, April 1 – Wednesday, April 2 MSA Reading Grades 3 and 4
Thursday, April 3 – Friday, April 4 MSA Reading Grade 5
Saturday, April 5 Frederick Keys for Reading Baseball Game – 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 8 – Wednesday, April 9 MSA Mathematics Grades 3 and 4
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
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
Tuesday, April 29 – Tuesday, May 13 MSA Testing grades 3, 4, 5 (Science)
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
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
Saturday, May 17 School Beautification Day 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Monday, May 19 – Friday, May 23 Spring Book Fair
Thursday, May 22 Woodfield Art Show
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.
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.