May 30, 2008
A Message From Mrs. Starr
Each week my newsletter is full of “thank you” to the many parents who volunteered their valuable time in so many ways to our students and the staff at Woodfield. Please make sure, if you were one of the many who helped us in anyway this year, that you join us on Thursday, June 5th at our Volunteer Luncheon beginning at 11:30 a.m. This is the staff’s way of trying, in some small way, to show our appreciation for all that you have done for our school this year. So many of you donated so many hours that we have been named as the school with the highest number of volunteers who worked in any school in Montgomery County public school this year. Thanks to Kim Garrison, who chaired the Volunteer Program and who kept track of all the hours that you volunteered.
Reminder : Woodfield Art Show - Friday, May 30th from 6:00 P.M.- 8:00 P.M.
Please come see the artistic work of your talented children. Thanks to Mrs. Sousa, art teacher, for providing us this opportunity to view our excellent art program and to the many volunteers who helped display the art work.
Flag Flown Over Guantanamo Bay
Lieutenant Commander Joe Cubba came to our school on Thursday to present to us a flag that had flown over Guantanamo Bay on April 4th at 2:24 a.m. for 9 minutes and 11 seconds. This flag was presented to Woodfield on behalf of LCDR Joseph L. Cubba because students in Mrs. Blakesley’s room had been writing to him during his last visit. He, of course, wrote back to the students. At the concert Thursday, he thanked the students for writing to him and told them that he was there, like so many others around the world, for them. Thanks to the Conway Family for arranging this visit today. Lieutenant Commander Cubba will be returning to Guantanamo Bay shortly. We wish him the best of luck and thank him for coming to our school and honoring us with this flag and certificate. These articles will be on display in the school.
Spring Concert
Students in grades 4 and 5 were excited to demonstrate their musical skills at a concert, both choral and instrumental, on Thursday night. The 4th and 5th grade band and strings, directed by Mrs. Lina Liebhold, performed for their parents and friends. This was Mrs. Liebhold’s last Woodfield concert. She will be retiring at the end of the year. The staff and students will miss her. The 5th grade chorus began the evening by singing for the audience under Mr. Jack Greenhouse’s leadership. Earlier that day, these students had performed this same concert for the students in Kindergarten through Grade 4.
The SGA will be sponsoring the following spirit day:
Friday, June 6 Crazy Hair Day
Liberty Hot Air Balloon
On Tuesday, thanks to the PTA, all students had an opportunity to learn all about hot air balloons and actually go into the inflated balloon. Captain Bob informed the students, staff, and parents present about the history of hot air balloons, how they work, and methods of making them ascend and descend. A portion of this program took place in the gym with the envelope (balloon) half way inflated due to space limitations and another part was outside with the basket and a demonstration of the lighting of the fuel to make the air warm in the balloons. Students were truly shocked as to the incredible size of this balloon and that Captain Bob described this as a very small envelope (balloon.).Thank you to Dee Dauber for arranging this fabulous program. Mrs. Dauber would like to thank the many parents who chaperoned - Marla Johnson, Jackie Dana, Jeanne Dorr, Katy Engels, Deb Krizman, Kim McCullagh, Martha Jackson, Tina Atkinson, Leenie Brown, Sandy McDarby, Jennifer Jenkins, Nives Bidwick, Lisa Keaner, Amy Dunham, Laurie Dawson, Robyn Szot, Elaine Fraser, and Laurie Flemming. Also thank you to Mrs. Ann Dimmick, Mrs. Dougherty, the front office, and building services staff for their assistance with this program.
Congratulations to Mrs. Moran’s class whose name was drawn to fold up the balloon.
If your student has discovered the first 3 animals to fly in a hot air balloon, email BlueSkyBob@Balloonist.com the answer for a cool response.
Damascus Library Summer Reading
Mrs. Amy Alapati, Damascus Librarian and Woodfield parent, spoke to all the students on Tuesday as she explained to students the importance of continuing to read during the summer and how the Damascus Library can support them in their efforts. Please make sure that you utilize these valuable services and programs during the summer, whenever possible, to ensure that your child is provided with numerous opportunities to read and interact with literature.
Summer Reading at Woodfield
I hope that all of you had an opportunity to read the flyer on the back of the parent newsletter dated May 9th. This is a reminder that during the summer from July 15th – August 14th, you and your children may come to school and sign out new leveled reading materials on the level at which your child was reading when school closed. This level will clearly be communicated to you in a letter sent home at the end of the year. Students will have the opportunity to take home leveled texts with optional comprehension activities. The comprehension activities do not need to be returned but the book(s) will after a week. Initially, books will be limited to two per week. The replacement fee for books not returned is $6.00 per book. The book sign in and sign out schedule will be Tuesdays 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. (except 7/15) and 10:00 - 12:00 noon. On Thursdays the book exchange will be open from 2:00 - 4:00 pm. This project took a great deal of hours to organize and would not have become a reality without the enormous help of Sue Wood. Thank you to Robyn Szot for her help with preparing some of the materials for this program and to Sue Patton, Julie Torrence, Melanie Smith, Ann Reinhold, Cora Horst, Karen Love, Kim McCullagh, Kim Garrison, Tina Atkinson, Terri Knox, Jennifer Wrona, Siobhan Kopp, and Cassie Hoffman for volunteering to supervise this process at one or more of the scheduled times during the summer.
Dogs on Campus
Many people have been bringing their dogs to drop off their children and/or to pick them up at the end of the day. While I appreciate that all dogs that are brought here are very friendly and that many children adore coming to pet them, we do have a number of children who have expressed fear in exiting the building as they are afraid of dogs. To ensure a comfortable environment for the children, I am asking that parents please leave their dogs at home. If you feel that you must bring your dog, please wait for your child with your dog on the grounds away from where children will have to pass you. Also, we have had people walking their dogs here and not cleaning up after them. Thanks for keeping our campus clean and safe!
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 complete 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 .
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.
School Supplies
There will be a school supplies collection for needy students in the Damascus area. Please buy extra supplies when you are shopping during the summer. This “back-to-school” program is sponsored by DELAI and Damascus Help and donations can be placed in the labeled yellow boxes located at local businesses and churches. Look for the donation boxes during the summer. Thank you in advance for your generosity! Donations will be collected until August 10th .
Lost and Found
The Lost and Found blue basket, located in the cafeteria, is overflowing! Please remind your child to check for lost items. There are jackets, sweat shirts and shirts, gloves, mittens and even winter coats! On the last day of school, the basket will be emptied and items will be donated.
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).
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
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 4th Grade Wax Museum 1:45 p.m. in classrooms
Friday, June 6 Crazy Hair Day
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.