May 16, 2008
A Message From Mrs. Starr
As each school year comes to a close, we, unfortunately have to say good-bye to some of our valued staff members. First, Mrs. Lina Liebhold will be retiring from MCPS. She has been at Woodfield for over twenty years. She now has taught a few students whose parents attended here and were enrolled in instrumental music with her. Mrs. Janet Haines is also retiring. She works as a paraeducator in Ms Bullington’s class and has been with the county for twenty-six years in various capacities. Ms. Jill Neustadt has been with us for two years, first, as an academic intervention teacher in math and this year as a reading initiative teacher for grade 1. Due to the loss of this position for next year, Ms. Neustadt will be seeking another position in the county. Ms. Ginna Bullington will be moving back to Clearspring next year. Since this year’s class only had fifth graders, we will no longer have that class at Woodfield. Ms. Bullington will return to Clearspring in another special education role. We will also say good-bye to Ms. Kasia Bacas who will also be leaving us because the allocation for this position was also eliminated. We will miss all of these wonderful educators. In turn, we will be welcoming Mr. John Gillenwater as the new instrumental teacher and Rachel Nieberding as a half-time academic intervention teacher in math. Some of you may have seen Mr. Gillenwater at the Damascus Cluster Concert because he also teaches instrumental music at Clearspring. Ms. Nieberding comes to us from Monocacy Elementary. We wish Mrs. Liebhold, Mrs. Haines, Ms. Neustadt, Ms. Bullington, and Mrs. Bacas an exciting future. We will miss them.
Warm Weather School Dress Code
As the weather gets warmer, it becomes necessary to review the dress code expectations for Woodfield. I have already talked to third, fourth, and fifth grade students at lunch time regarding this matter. We believe that clothing should reflect the fact that school is a place where students do important work. Moderation and good taste are always advised when evaluating what is appropriate for your child to wear to school. Therefore, students are asked not to wear short shorts. (I have reviewed with them how they can determine if the shorts are an appropriate length for school.) Halter tops, cropped tops, and spaghetti straps are not to be worn at school. We do allow flip flops (some schools don’t) but students are not to use the playground equipment if they have them on. Students are always expected to wear sneakers during physical education. T shirts, with inappropriate messages, are not to be worn to school. If I am running this article in the newsletter, can summer be far behind?
Menu Change for Wednesday, May 21
Manager’s Choice only for Wednesday, May 21st
Field Day for Grades K, 1, 2 – Rescheduled for Wednesday, May 21
Due to the rain today, we will try field day on Wednesday, May 2lst for Grades K, 1, and 2.
Beautification Saturday Morning Cancelled
Please note that the Beautification Day at Woodfield has been cancelled. Mr. Fraser says that it will be rescheduled for one day after school.
Read Aloud Day a Success
Woodfield was happy to once again welcome guest readers from the Damascus Senior Center, to visit classrooms to share stories and to promote reading with students. The celebration was enjoyed by all. The guest readers were treated to refreshments in the media center.
Woodfield Spring Concert
Thursday, May 29th
7:00 p.m. in the Gymnasium
Beginning Band, Advanced Band, Beginning Strings, Advanced Strings, Fifth Grade Chorus
Woodfield Student Art Show – May 30
Please note this important change in the date of the Student Art Show at Woodfield. This date needed to be changed because some of the student pottery was not drying sufficiently. The art show will be on May 30th at 6:00 p.m. Please come out and see your talented children’s art work. Thanks to Mrs. Sousa for all of her hard work. I am sure that the show will be absolutely fabulous!
Scholastic Book Fair
The Buy-One Get-One Scholastic Book Fair is right around the corner! This Woodfield PTA sponsored event will be held before and after school Monday, May 19 through Friday, May 23. The hours are 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily, with special evening hours Wednesday, when we will be open from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in conjunction with our piano recital. This is a buy-one get-one-free fair, which means you buy one item and get the second item of equal or lesser value for free.
In conjunction with the Book Fair, the PTA is sponsoring a special philanthropic project to benefit the Woodfield Media Center. If you wish to participate, there will be a cart at the cashier table where you can select your “free” book to donate to our Media Center. This is just another great way to teach our kids about reaching out to others and showing that “Woodfield Cares!”
Stop by the Book Fair and stock up on your summer reading. You’re sure to find lots of great deals. Hope to see you there!
Collection Drive to Benefit Second Chance Wildlife Center
To help the wildlife rehabilitators who care for the injured, sick and orphaned animals that live among us, we will be collecting items needed for the care of these wildlife patients from Monday, May 12th until Friday, May 23rd. Most of the animals under the care of rehabilitators at centers such as Second Chance have been adversely affected by human activities. A flyer that provides details about Second Chance Wildlife Center and a list of needed supplies went home last week. Questions can be directed to either
Michele Lowe at 301-482-2533 or Deb Krizman at 301-482-0823.
Woodfield’s Summer Writing Program
The PTA is proud to bring back Woodfield’s Summer Writing Program! The objective of this program is to encourage our children to keep writing in order to implement the skills they have learned throughout the past school year. The students will keep a journal/scrapbook of their exciting summertime adventures. What a great reminder of what your child did over the summer! A flier with more details has been sent home with students. If your child is interested in participating, please compl ete and return the flier to his/her teacher no later than Friday, May 30th. A writing journal will be provided to all participants; journals will be due back at the beginning of the next school year. If you have any questions, please contact Terri Knox (301) 972-1558 terriknox@gmail.com or Anne Reinhold at (301) 916-2542 sarei n hold@comcast.net .
Holiday – Memorial Day – No School
Monday, May 26, 2008
The SGA will be sponsoring the following spirit days:
Friday, May 23 Red, White, and Blue Day
Friday, June 6 Crazy Hair Day
Career Day – HELP WANTED!
Woodfield will have its 1st annual Career Day on June 9, 2008 and we need your help. We will begin Career Day activities at 9:30 a.m. and end at 11:30 a.m. We are looking for speakers to talk about their careers. Each speaker will be asked to do quick presentations to students as they visit the various career booths. If you or someone you know has an interesting profession and would like to share information with children from ages 5 to 11 years old, please contact Mrs. Walker, counselor at 301-253-7085.
No matter what you do – plumber, nurse, architect, bus driver, police officer, lawyer, computer engineer or beautician – the children can learn about the world of work from you!
Please call Mrs. Walker, as soon as possible for more information or to volunteer. We hope to hear from many of you. Thank you for your support.
Montgomery College
Workforce Development & Continuing Education
YOUTH PROGRAMS
Offers Summer Programs for Kids of All Ages
HURRY CLASSES ARE FILLING QUICKLY!
Montgomery College Youth Programs is offering over 200 exciting courses/camps in its Summer Youth Programs for students in grades K– 12 who want to do something really different during the summer. The nine-week program runs from June 16 – August 15, 2008. Course schedules and descriptions are posted on our website (www.montgomerycollege.edu/youth).
Summer courses fill quickly, so register right away!
For further information contact Youth Programs at 240-567-7264 or 240-567-7917 or access the Montgomery College Youth Programs' website.
2008 Important Dates
Monday, May 19 – Friday, May 23 Spring Book Fair
Tuesday, May 20 5th Grade Field Trip to Washington, D.C.
Wednesday, May 21 Field Day – Grades K, 1, 2
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 7 p.m.
Friday, May 30 Damascus High School Graduation 10:00 a.m.
Friday, May 30 Woodfield Art Show (moved from 5/22) 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Thursday, June 5 Volunteer Luncheon – Media Center
Thursday, June 5 1st Grade Reading Breakfast
Friday, June 6 Rain date for Field Day Grades 3, 4, 5
Monday, June 9 Career Day 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, June 10 4th Grade Field Trip – Living Classrooms
Tuesday, June 10 Kindergarten Field Trip – Maryland Zoo
Wednesday, June 11 5th Grade Promotion 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, June 11 Whole School Clap Out 10:20 a.m.
Wednesday, June 11 5th Grade Pool Party 10:30 a.m.
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
Monday, August 25 Open House
Tuesday, August 26 First Day of School
Monday, September 1 Holiday – Labor Day
Tuesday, September 2 Back to School Night Grades K – 2
Wednesday, September 3 Back to School Night Grades 3 - 5
Note: Dates that have been added this week are in bold.