May 2, 2008
A Message From Mrs. Starr
I hope that many of you had an opportunity to attend our first Woodfield Elementary International Night last Friday night. It was fabulous!! Many families from various countries prepared visual presentations loaded with information. Each child was given a passport and went on a tour of that area complete even with tasty goodies representative of that region. This was followed by a fashion show with colorful native dress from various regions, dance, music and a raffle to end the night. There were flags from various countries hanging all the way down the halls and in the gym. It truly transformed the school building into an international setting. Most of all, it was wonderful seeing so many families celebrating diversity in such a festive manner. A special thank you to Siobhan Kopp, Sue Stott, Lucy Lock, Helen Checkan, Lisa Keaner, Beth Andrews, Kelly Lozano, and Dee Dauber for making this idea become a reality. Thanks also to Greg Kopp, Bruce Keaner, Rich Checkan, Bridget Avon, Grant Lock, our middle school volunteers, and the Woodfield building services staff for all of their help and support. Once again, it really took a village!
We Learn All About Each Other Because Of You!
A BIG thank you to al1 the families who participated in sharing their culture and heritage with us at our first International Night. We were thrilled that you came out to share in this wonderful evening with us. It is amazing how much we all learned from this shared experience. Thank you for all your hard work in showcasing and sharing your culture and food with us. It was great to see all those smiling faces as we traveled around the world. We appreciate everything that you do to make our school a great place.
A Musical Journey Through Six Continents
The Nada Brahma Cultural Arts Assembly last Friday, I heard, was fabulous. Musician Tim Gregory and group, Nada Brahama, lead us across six continents on a musical journey entitled The World of Music. We learned the important role that music plays in many ethnic traditions while experiencing some unique ethnic instruments. Thank you once again to Dee Dauber for arranging this assembly and to Jackie Danna, Sandy McDarby, Rebecca Crisafulli, Amy Dunham, Beth Andrews, and Tina Atkinson for chaperoning. Thanks to the PTA for providing the funds for this event. This was perfect timing for this cultural arts performance!
Footprints for a Cure!!
Please note our footprints on the school wall. These are all a result of contributions donated by students and parents to assist in finding a cure for cancer! A special thanks to the Student Government Association and Mrs. Mindy Conway for organizing this event.
PTA Meeting to Discuss Field Trips for Next Year
There have been some concerns expressed from parents about field trips, their costs, their benefit, and making sure that the time is being wisely used. I have asked a teacher from each grade level, Kindergarten to Grade 5, to come to PTA meeting on Tuesday night, May 6th, at 6:30 p.m. to answer any questions that you may have about the field trips that may be scheduled for the 2008-2009 school year on each grade level. Due to the gas prices, the costs of these field trips will need to increase. Please join us at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6th if you would like to learn more about the field trip(s) scheduled for next year. A teacher representative will be there from each grade level (if possible) until 7:00 p.m.
2008 - 2009 Back to School Night Dates
Tuesday, September 2 Grades K 2
Wednesday, September 3 Grades 3 5
SPRING TESTING SCHEDULE
Assessment Testing Window Testing Group
MSA Science May 5-May 6 Grade 5
Squishes
Children should not bring toys to school. Squishes (pencil tops) are considered a toy. Please do not bring squishes to school. They have been causing a big distraction in the classrooms.
Field Days
Grades K, 1, 2 Friday, May 9 Rain Date: Friday, May 16
Grade 3, 4, 5 Wednesday, May 14 Rain Date: Friday, June 6th
Holiday Memorial Day No School
Monday, May 26, 2008
SGA Spirit Days
The SGA will be sponsoring the following spirit days:
Friday, May 23 Red, White, and Blue Day
Friday, June 6 Crazy Hair Day
Changes in the Montgomery County Kids Ride Free Program
Please note the following changes in the Kids Ride Free Program:
Community Table Outside of the Office
Flyers from profit groups can not go home in backpacks so please check the community table outside the office often for information from many groups on opportunities for the whole family.
Woodfield Spring Concert
Thursday, May 29th
7:00 p.m. in the Gymnasium
Beginning Band, Advanced Band, Beginning Strings, Advanced Strings, Fifth Grade Chorus
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 and end at 11:30. 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.
2008 Important Dates
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 A - M
Friday, May 9 Muffins for Moms N - Z
Friday, May 9 Field Day Grades K, 1, 2
Wednesday, May 14 Field Day Grades 3, 4, 5
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 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
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.