January 4, 2008
A Message From Mrs. Starr
I sincerely hope that all of you had a wonderful winter break. As the new year begins, it is now time to think about continuing to support our students in various capacities. We are excited that Junior Great Books will begin on January 8th during lunch time. Thank you to all the people who volunteered to run groups in grades 1 through 5. They are Holly Mullen, Dina Yagodich, Theresa Bohs, Cherie Walker, Lori Slingluff and Katherine Wells. Thank you to Katherine Wells for organizing this wonderful opportunity. Junior Great Books will run through April 22nd!
Class and Group Pictures will be taken on Thursday, January 10th. Please look for more information to follow!
Samantha Dembo is Principal. For the Day!
On Friday, December 21st, students and staff were greeted by a new principal. Her name is Samantha Dembo and she is in the fifth grade. Samantha had been the lucky winner of the Pave the Way Raffle for Principal for the Day (Grades 3 -5). Samantha took her job very seriously from the time she walked into the office until her tenure was over at the end of the day! Samantha was asked to write about this experience so she could share it with all of you. She wrote “On December 21, 2007, I was Principal for the day. First I did announcements on the loud speaker. Then I went around the school to see what the kids were doing. Next, the Damascus High School Band came and I introduced the kids to the High School Band. I then helped the first graders do their ginger bread houses. When it was dismissal time, I got to do the dismissal announcements. I had a great time being Principal for the day. It was a great experience that I will never forget.” by Samantha Dembo.
Student Book Exchange
Start saving your gently used books for the 3rd Annual Student Book Exchange. We will start collecting books January 14th – 25th. All of the students will have an opportunity to choose a “new” used book January 29th – February 1st. Donations of gently used books appropriate for kindergarteners through fifth graders are greatly appreciated. If you are interested in helping, please contact Andi Carbonell at andreamcarbonell@aol.com.
Mrs. Piacotti’s Class Receives a Letter from the First Lady!!
On December 11, 2007 the Beal family attended a special holiday party hosted by Laura Bush. Mrs. Paciotti’s class sent holiday cards with Gracelyn to give to Mrs. Bush. Before leaving for break, Mrs. Paciotti’s class received a personal letter from Mrs. Bush thanking them for the holiday cards. Included with the letter was a list of the First Lady’s favorite books and pictures of the White House, the Bush’s and their pets.
Staff Loves Chili Luncheon Provided by PTA
Thank you to all who provided food items for the Staff Chili Luncheon. The meal was absolutely delicious! Thanks to Nives Bidwick, Kelly Lozano, Karen Myers, Staff Appreciation Chairpersons, and Sue Patton, Amy Simoncic, Susan Billig, Dawn Mongelli-Dixon, Mandy Sellers, Jeanne Fordham-Solis, Mary Clower, Debbie Benson, Sandy McDarby, Mary Beth Grujich, Kim Coffman, Cara Lynagh, Misty Ruffner, Mina Heverly, and Susan Wood.
Subject: A Thrilling Talent Show Announcement!
Do you, a friend, a neighbor, or family member have a business or venture that could benefit from some community exposure at a reasonable cost? Please spread the word that the PTA is selling advertising space in the Talent Show program book. DHS seats 800 and we fill most of those seats. Mark your calendar for the show on Friday, January 18, 2008 at 7 p.m. at Damascus High School. Since this is the first year the program book will feature business ads, you can be sure that everyone’s eyes will be checking out who is participating!
The sponsorship levels are full page (5 ½” x 8 ½”) for $75; half page (4” x 4 ½”) for $40; and quarter page/business card (2” x 4 ½”) for $25. To participate, enclose in an envelope labeled “Talent Show Program Ad” a check payable to “Woodfield PTA” and ad copy (with plain white or light background). Ad copy should be received by Dec. 21.
If you know a potential business sponsor, you can help by providing them a verification letter (available in the office) and an envelope with the school’s address (24200 Woodfield Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20882). Call Dee Dauber at (301) 540-3552 with questions or leads. Please help us raise money for the talent show.
Attention 5th Grade Parents- Incoming Sixth Grade Parent Meeting at Baker
The articulation process for incoming sixth graders to Baker Middle School for next year has started! Please note that a Parent Meeting will be held for incoming sixth grade parents on February 7th at 7 p.m. The snow date is February 20th.
Winter is Here
Winter is here!! Please remember to have your child dress warmly for outdoor recess. During recess, all students are reminded to tuck their scarves into their jackets to prevent a serious injury during recess!
Curriculum Night at Woodfield – January 30 and January 31
Please place on your home calendar’s now! – Curriculum Night at Woodfield:
Grades K-2- Wednesday, January 30th and Grades 3 - 5 Wednesday, January 31st -7:00 p.m.
This special night was scheduled as a result of the parent survey taken on Back To School Night in September. Parents stated that they wanted more time to learn about the curriculum. On the nights listed above, teachers on each grade level will be sharing important information about the Reading Language Arts curriculum in a forty-five minute session and the math curriculum for that grade level in another 45 minute presentation. They will be giving you important ideas and strategies as to how you can support your children at home and answer all questions. As the event date approaches, RSVPs will be sent home to prepare for the number of parents who plan to attend. Let’s make this night as important as Back To School Night!
Time to Nominate Teachers for Marian Greenblatt Awards
Nominations are being sought for the annual Marian Greenblatt Teacher of the Year Awards. Information is available at www.greenblatteducationfund.org. Nominations are due by January 11, 2008. Winners will be announced in March and honored at MCBRE’s Champions for Children Gala on April 15, 2008. If you have questions about this process or if you are interested in nominating a teacher at Woodfield, please let me know.
Montgomery County Department of Public Works Assigns Recycling Grade!
This year our school received an A grade for our recycling efforts. This is a much better grade than last year’s grade of C-. A big thank you to the students and staff for their efforts. A very special thank you to Michelle Wilson, Michael Carter, Gilbert Stewart, and James Tyler for their special efforts.
Cluster NAACP Meeting
All parents are invited to attend the second meeting of the Damascus Cluster NAACP Joint Parent Council. The following schools will be represented at the meeting: Clearspring, Damascus, Rockwell and Woodfield Elementary Schools, Baker Middle School and Damascus High School. The meeting will be held at Woodfield in the Media Center on Thursday, January 10th, 2008 from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Pizza and refreshments will be provided beginning at 6:30 p.m. Childcare is also available. Please come join us as we work together to promote the highest quality education possible through knowledge and inquiry, information sharing, critical evaluation, and advocacy for our minority children. All are welcome!
A Special Opportunity for You to Nominate a Special Person or Program!
MCCPTA- 2007 -2008 Special Education Committee is looking for nominations of outstanding contributions to the success of students with special needs by parents, educators, students, and programs. Each year the MCCPTA –Special Education Committee holds a ceremony in the spring to honor parents, educators, students, and programs who have contributed to the success of students with special needs in MVPS during the school year. This ceremony will be held on May 5th. Please see Dawn West, school administrative secretary, for nomination forms and criteria. Any parent, administrator, educator, or student can submit nominations. Nominations including a completed nominations form, a nominating statement along with supporting statements should be forwarded to the MCCPTA office, MCCPTA, 20906 Gaither Road (Suite 204), Rockville, MD 20850; (301) 208-0111 (VOICE); (301) 208 -2003 (fax). Nominations must be received to MCCPTA no later than March 7, 2008. For additional information or forms contact Jennifer Zaranis, (301)503-4087 or Jennifer.Zaranis@verizon.net.
G&T Corner:
Summer in January!!
The Gifted and Talented Association of Montgomery County, Inc.would like to invite your PTA to a
summer programs fair on Wednesday, the17th of January, at Key MS @ Tilden Holding Center.
Parkland
Middle School @
Tilden Holding Center
6300 Tilden Lane, Rockville
January 17, 2008
7:00 to 8:30 P.M.
Children Welcome!
Summer Enrichment & Job Opportunities
Snow Date: January 24, 2008
MCPS Gifted and Talented information
website:
http://www.mccpta.com/gt.html
Friday is always School Spirit Day. Wear your Woodfield clothes or blue and white.
2007-2008 Important Dates
Friday, January 4 Frederick Keys Keyote visits during lunches
Monday, January 7 – Tuesday, Jan. 8 Hearing and Vision Screening (K, 4, and new students)
Wednesday, January 9 Talent Show Rehearsal at Woodfield
Thursday, January 10 Talent Show Rehearsal at Woodfield
Thursday, January 10 NAACP Cluster Meeting – Media Center 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, January 10 Keys for Reading Starts
Thursday, January 10 Class and Group Picture Day
Mon., Jan. 14 – Fri., Jan. 25 Collection for PTA Student Book Exchange
Thursday, January 17 Talent Show Dress Rehearsal @ Damascus High School
Friday, January 18 Talent Show @ Damascus High School
Friday, January 18 2nd Marking period ends
Monday, January 21 Holiday – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Tuesday, January 22 Professional Day for teachers – No school for students
Wednesday, January 23 Flyer Distribution Day
Wed., January 23 – Friday, Feb. 15 MAP R Winter Window for grades 3, 4, 5
Tues., Jan. 29 – Friday, Feb. 1 Students Choose Books – PTA Student Book Exchange
Wednesday, January 30 Report cards distributed
Wednesday, January 30 K – 2 Curriculum Night
Thursday, January 31 3 – 5 Curriculum Night
Friday, February 1 African American Heritage Month
Tuesday, February 5 2nd Grade in School Field Trip – Mad Science
Tuesday, February 5 PTA Meeting
Thursday, February 7 Parent Meeting for Incoming 6th Graders – 7 p.m. Baker
Monday, February 11 Hearing and Vision Rescreening (K, 4, and new students)
Tuesday, February 12 Holiday – Presidential primary election
Wednesday, February 13 Hilary Hyland – Author Visit
Thursday, February 14 Valentine’s Day
Monday, February 18 Holiday – Presidents Day
Tuesday, February 19 DHS and ES choral concert @ DHS
Wednesday, February 20 Snow date for Parent Meeting for Incoming 6th Graders
Thursday, February 21 Science Expo
Friday, February 21 A.M. Cultural Arts – Billy B. - Song and Dance Man
Wednesday, February 27 Early Release Day – 12:35 p.m.
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
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 – Friday, April 11 MSA Mathematics Grade 5
Friday, 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 28 – Friday, May 2 Terra Nova testing – Grade 2
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
Tuesday, May 27 4th & 5th Gr. Band, Strings, & Chorus Concert
Wednesday, June 11 5th Grade Promotion
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.