November 9, 2007
A Message From Mrs. Starr
Most Parent/ Teacher conferences are scheduled for November 9th and 12h. (Some are scheduled for other times and days.) The following tips may help to make the most of the conference time.
Before the Conference:
· Write down any specific questions you have.
· Arrange for childcare, if necessary; this needs to be your time with the teacher.
At the Conference:
· Please arrive on time for the conference and adhere to the allotted time.
· Let the teacher know about key events at home that may be affecting performance
at school.
· Ask the teacher for his or her views on needed improvements and how you can support at home what they are doing in the classroom.
· Listen to the teacher; summarize your understanding of the teacher’s comments to make sure you and the teacher are in agreement; take notes, if needed, for later reference.
After the Conference:
· Discuss with your child what was said at the conference.
· Follow up on any plan of action agreed on by you and the teacher.
· Use this opportunity to review your child’s report card.
· Praise your child for his/her success and progress.
· Set goals with your child for the coming marking period based upon areas in need of improvement.
· Stay in touch with the teacher to help build a strong parent-teacher partnership.
Some questions that you may want to ask your child’s teacher are:
· How is my child performing in reading, math, etc? What are his/her areas of strengths and areas in need of improvement?
· Does my child use his/her time well? How are her/his work habits affecting class performance?
· How well does my child follow directions?
· How much time should I expect for homework each day?
· What can I do at home to support what is done in the classroom?
I sincerely hope that you will find this time extremely informative. Tentatively on January 30th, Kindergarten through Grade 2 and tentatively on January 31st, (Grades 3 through 5) will hold Curriculum Nights beginning at 7:00 p.m. On each of these evenings, you will have an opportunity to hear more from the specific grade level teachers about the reading and math curriculum, combined with strategies to support your students.
Fall Portrait Make-ups Tuesday, November 13
November 9 and November 12
Early Release Days 12:35 p.m. – Parent Conferences!!
(Please let your child’s teacher know if you have made an appointment and know that you will be unable to attend.)
All Paved and Ready for Exercise
The students, staff, and community are making good use of our newly paved track. While some remaining landscaping remains to be completed, the track, this week, has been the highlight of the students’ recess and conversations. Thanks to all who had anything to do with making this vision turn into a reality!
School Activity Bus Begins For After-school Clubs
The After-school Activity Bus begins on Wednesday, November 14th at 4:15 p.m. for the specific students who will be participating in the Slam Dunk Club (Mr. Deeb, sponsor), the Homework Club (Mrs. Moran and Mrs. Dougherty, sponsors) and the Off A Lots Club (Mrs. Wilson, sponsor). Other students, if pre-arranged appointments have been made with specific staff members, may use the activity bus, with written permission from a parent and that staff member. This activity bus will run on Wednesdays and Thursdays each week until March 20th. I have attached a bus route with approximate arrival times in the various neighborhoods. These will be neighborhood bus stops – not necessarily their regular stop location. However, please note that arrival times to those neighborhoods may vary as much as twenty minutes depending upon the students who are using the activity bus that day. The activity bus is only to be used by students who are eligible to ride the bus to and from school daily. Since it will probably be dark when the students arrive into their neighborhoods, someone may need to be there to meet them at the identified bus stop to walk with them home. Remember no student will be allowed to ride the bus without specific written permission from the parent and staff member. Arrangements should have clearly been established between home and school prior to the day that your student stays at school. This bus is being paid for by MCPS and Woodfield PTA funds.
Preparing for Grandparents’ Day
You are cordially invited to join us at our annual Grandparents’ Day on Tuesday, November 20th from 9:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Please respond to Mrs. Holly Walker if your child’s grandparents or surrogates will be attending this event. For students who do not have grandparents in this area, please feel free to send someone close to your child who can be a surrogate grandparent that day.
Ian Osterman, Principal for the Day on November 16th
Ian Osterman was the K – 2 Winner in the Fun Night Raffle.
Native Hardwood Seed Collection
We would like to thank everyone for helping to make our native seed collection such a huge success! After sorting, identifying and weighing each type of seed, here are the totals:
Black Oak 1 lb Chestnut Oak 20 lb
Pin Oak 5.5 lb Overcap Oak 0.5 lb
Northern Red Oak 112 lb Swamp Chestnut 12 lb
Walnut 140.5 lb Willow Oak 2.5 lb
Chestnut 1 lb Mixed Nuts 7 lb
Hickory 3 lb Helicopter seeds from White Ash and Yellow Poplar
Altogether, Woodfield students and their families collected a grand total of 305 lbs. of seeds!!! The seeds were picked up this week and delivered to the plant nurseries that will grow them into saplings. Thank you again for all your efforts and sending the message that Woodfield Cares. The Woodfield PTA Philanthropic Committee - Deb Krizman and Michele Lowe
Post script:
I wish to personally thank Mrs. Krizman and Mrs. Lowe for organizing this interesting project. I would also like to thank Sophie Krizman, Anna Lowe, George Lowe, Anna Mog, Natalie Dagher and Rashmi Naik for assisting in sorting, weighing, and identifying the various seeds.
Attention Fifth Grade Parents
Please mark November 14th at 7:00 p.m. on your calendar if you would like to find out more about the Roberto Clemente Middle School Center for the Highly Gifted. On this night, you and your 5th grader will learn more about the center at their Information Night Meeting! This second meeting is being held at Roberto Clemente.
Thought for this week:
“The person who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” Chinese Proverb
Friday is always School Spirit Day. Wear your Woodfield clothes or blue and white.
2007-2008 Important Dates
Wednesday, October 31 – Friday, Nov. 9 Square 1 Art
Friday, November 9 Early Release Day 12:35 p.m.
Parent Conferences – Report cards distributed
Monday, November 12 Early Release Day 12:35 p.m.
Parent Conferences
Monday, November 12 Veteran’s Day
Tuesday, November 13 2nd Grade - Strathmore Hall Field Trip
Tuesday, November 13 Fall portrait make-ups
Wednesday, November 14 Roberto Clemente MS Center for the Highly Gifted
Information Night for 5th Gr. Parents 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 20 Grandparent’s Day
Thursday, Nov. 22 – Friday, Nov. 23 Holidays – Thanksgiving – No School
Tuesday, November 27 P.M. Cultural Arts – Chris Fascione - Storyteller
Friday, November 30 Damascus High School Chorus visits
Sunday, December 2 National Inclusion Week
Tuesday, December 4 PTA Meeting 7 p.m.
Wednesday, December 5 Talent Show Auditions
Wednesday, December 5 A.M. Cultural Arts – Kids on the Block - Puppet Show
Thursday, December 6 Talent Show Auditions
Tuesday, December 11 Woodfield Concert
Friday, December 21 Damascus High School band visits
Monday, December 24- Tuesday, Dec. 25 Holidays – Christmas – No School
Wednesday, Dec. 26 – Friday, Dec. 29 Winter Break – No School
Tuesday, January 1 Holiday – New Year’s Day – No School
Thursday, January 3 PTA Meeting 7:00 p.m.
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 Class and Group Picture Day
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
Tuesday, January 29 – Friday, Feb. 1 PTA 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
Friday, February 8 A.M. Cultural Arts – Billy B. - Song and Dance Man
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
Thursday, February 21 Science Expo
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
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 – Thursday, April 11 MSA Testing Window grades 3, 4, 5 (Math & Reading)
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
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 PTA Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 7 – Tuesday, May 13 MSA Testing grades 3, 4, 5 (Science)
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
Note: Dates that have been added this week are in bold.