October 5, 2007
A Message From Mrs. Starr
On Tuesday, our students were provided the opportunity to exercise their right to vote for their school leaders for this year, the executive offices of the Student Government Association. Students in grades 2-5 attended an assembly where the candidates presented their platforms through their campaign speeches. Students in grade 1 watched the speeches on video tape. The importance of voting and the responsibilities involved were emphasized to the students prior to their casting their votes. All of the candidates did a wonderful job. Students who stepped forward to run for these elected offices were Sam Krizman, Natalie Parker, Taylor Laios, Douglas Yeager, Matthew Giroux, Eilis Hagan, Emma Jordan, Michael Wilkerson, Brooke Lawrence, Steven Shollenberger, Julie Yagodich, Hunter Gottfredson, Colson Mullen, and Laura Wenzel.
A special congratulations to our new 2007-2008 SGA Executive Board:
President - Sam Krizman
V. President - Matthew Giroux
Secretary - Hunter Gottfredson
Treasurer – Steven Shollenberger
Walk Your Child to School Day!
On Wednesday morning, many families met at the Plantations Pool to walk to school with their children. Many students, even those who were normally ride buses, enjoyed this special walk on such beautiful fall morning. Thanks to all who participated in this healthy activity.
New Staff Members
Welcome to Mr. James Tyler to our staff as our newest member of the building services’ team. He comes to us from Gaithersburg High School. He is also a member of this community and a parent of a 2 year old boy. We are now so happy to be fully staffed with the building services’ staff.
We are also so pleased to be able to have Mrs. Kasia Bacas as paraeducator in our school beginning on Monday for three hours from 12:00 until 3:00 p.m. daily. She and Mrs. Haines will share a seven hour position. Mrs. Haines has decided that she would like to go to four hours this year to practice for retirement.
Individual Fall Pictures
Individual fall pictures will be taken by Blanton Studios of your students on October 9th. Fliers went home this week. Starting this year, you may order online at www.BlantonStudio.com/OrderOnline
October 19th - No School - Staff Professional Day
Open House
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – October 8th
We look forward to seeing you at Open House on Monday, Columbus Day! This will provide you with an excellent opportunity to observe your child within his or her classroom. Please note so as not to destroy the learning environment during these times, I am requesting that you do not bring younger children with you to the Open House. Although the time for this Open House is during the lunch and recess periods for Kindergarteners, grades 1 and 2, the all-purpose room is at capacity for grades 1-2 lunch period so we will not be able to accommodate parents for lunch with their children for that grade level. Since Kindergarteners are the only grade level that eats at 12:00 noon, parents may stay with their children for lunch if they so desire. However, unfortunately, you will not be able to purchase one of our school lunches!!
Lunch Menu
The daily lunch / breakfast menus are now available in a “newsletter” format, providing 2 monthly menus at a time. Menus & Nutritional & Allergen information will continue to be available on the web at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/foodserv/.
Community Concerns Addressed
Please note that we now have all of the bushes removed or trimmed from the fence that surrounds our playground area. It took a while to get it completed but it looks great!
Book Fair
Please note on your home calendar’s that the Woodfield’s book fair will take place from Monday, October 8th until Friday, October 12th in the school’s media center from 8:15 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.! The book fair will be open late on Wednesday, October 10th from 8:15 a.m - 8:00 p.m.
Bus Evacuation Practice
Bus evacuation practice for students, using the school bus exit doors, will be held on October 18th!
Halloween Celebration
Woodfield’s Halloween parade will begin at 1:45 p.m. on Wednesday, October 31st. Classroom celebrations will follow the parade. Please remember that students are asked not to wear any costumes that the younger students in the building may find scary or bring any sort of weapon. No students are allowed to wear costumes before 1:30 p.m. Students are not allowed to wear face make-up in the mornings. Students will dress in regular school clothes in the morning as we follow a regular morning schedule. Please also note that costumes should not block student’s vision and should be easy to get into. We look forward to seeing you at our Halloween parade!
SALLY FOSTER FUNDRAISER
There is still time to place an order for our PTA Sally Foster fundraiser through the internet, until January 10th, 2008. Just go to www.sallyfoster.com. and register your child in the seller’s section. You can credit Woodfield Elementary School during the checkout process, by entering our school’s account number, 501376. Orders over $60 are shipped free directly to your house. A big “Thank You” to everyone who has supported this fundraiser!
It May Be A Warm One in the Classes for Awhile
Please note that the school has already converted from air-conditioning to heat so although the weather may be warm and humid, there is no air-conditioning in the schools. Please dress your child accordingly in the future weeks, keeping mind the possibility of warm classroom temperatures. Also, please, remember to send in a light jacket, when needed for all outdoor recess.
Halloween Young Run
The annual Halloween Young Run, sponsored by the Montgomery County Roadrunners Club, will be held on Sunday, October 21, 2007 at West Gude Drive and Route 355, Rockville, Maryland . Proceeds from the run will benefit Sports Plus which is a local children’s charity. The deadline for early registration is October 15, 2007.
Sports Plus is a year-round, co-ed sports program for verbal children between the ages of 5 and 14 with mild to moderate autistic spectrum disorders, ADD/ADHD and other developmental disabilities. Sports Plus was designed to create opportunities for children and their families to meaningfully participate in team sports. The goal is to create a comfortable, positive experience for children and parents to learn sports, fitness, and social skills that extend far beyond the playing field.
There a limited number of paper forms in the bookcase outside the office.
For additional information & to register online see the web address below.
You may register online @ www.mcrrc.org/dyr.
Online registration is $ 3.00.
Mail in registration is $5.00.
Children may also purchase a fun t-shirt for additional $ 8.00
Please direct any questions to Ms. Spillman, physical education teacher.
Thought for this week:
“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”
William Butler Yeats
School Walk for Diabetes
Woodfield Elementary School will hold its third annual School Walk for Diabetes on Tuesday, October 16, 2007. There will be great information, snacks, exercises and surprises for all students. Permission slips are located on the back of the fund raising envelope, which went home last Friday. If you need another permission slip please contact Suzan Hoefler or Pam Clay. Next week begins the Dimes for Diabetes fund raising in the cafeteria. Spare change will be collected in the Wishes for a Cure bucket at lunch, all week long. For more information or to help on the day of the walk email suzanhoefler@hotmail.com or pjclay44@msn.com .
Keep Clipping BOXTOPS
Friday, October 26th marks the end of this contest. The top clippers in each grade wins a pizza party so please keep clipping those valuable BoxTops for Education. Remember that the expiration date must be visible.
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!
NAACP Parent Cluster Meeting
There will be a NAACP Cluster Meeting on October 25, 2007 @ 7:00 p.m - at Baker Middle School – More information to follow. Woodfield will not be having a meeting on October 17th.
Spirit Wear Reminder
Spirit Wear Orders Are Due By
Friday, October 12th
The PTA fall spirit wear sale is going on now. All items are available in both child and adult sizes--Samples are on display near the cafeteria. Order forms were sent home on Monday and are due no later than October 12th. All items will be here in time for the holidays…great for Friday spirit days and as gifts. Please contact Kathleen Marella if you have any questions. Phone: 301-972-2561, e:mail: kathleenmarella@aol.com.
Friday is always School Spirit Day. Wear your Woodfield clothes or blue and white.
Attention Parents with Middle Schools Students
“How can I help my child succeed in middle school? What are the most effective ways to discipline my children? What do I need to know about internet safety? The answers to these questions will be among the topics addressed in an array of workshops for parents offered through the new MCPS Parent Academy. The workshops, which begin in October, are free of charge and will be held at schools and locations throughout the county. Interpreters and childcare will be provided. For additional information about the schedule of workshops and to register, visit www.mcpsparentacademy.org or call the Division of Family and Community Partnerships at 301-517-5940.
Montgomery College
Workforce Development & Continuing Education
YOUTH PROGRAMS
KIDS COLLEGE
Courses for students in grades 4 - 12 held on the Rockville campus. These courses provide enrichment and advancement and cover a wide range of topics including science, math, writing, poetry, art, etiquette, study skills, and keyboarding,
Courses fill quickly, so register right away!
For brochures or registration forms, access our website at www.montgomerycollege.edu/youth.
For additional information, contact
YOUTH PROGRAMS office
at 240-567-7264 or 240-567-7917.
Johns Hopkins Talent Search
CTY Talent Search 2008 for Grades 3-5 is sponsored by the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth. The purpose of the Talent Search is to identify, assess, and recognize the academic abilities of highly able students.
To qualify for the Talent Search, a student must have scored in the 95th percentile or higher on any standardized test.
Brochures and applications are now available in the school office. The application deadline is November 20th. More information on CTY can be found by visiting the website: www.cty.jhu.edu.
Please feel free to contact Pat Calvin (301-253-7085) if you have any questions about the application process.
Art Explosion
Montgomery College Workforce Development and Continuing Education YOUTH PROGRAMS is offering a special one-day enrichment program for students in grades 2, 3, and 4 called Art Explosion. This program offers a special collection of exciting workshops designed to allow students to explore topics outside the school curriculum. It will be held at the Takoma Park Campus on Saturday, October 27, 2007. The student tuition for this one-day program is $80. Brochures are available in the office. An optional workshop titled “Using Positive Reinforcement to Bring Up Responsible Children” by Dr. Edward Harris, PhD. is being offer to parents. Tuition for the workshop is $25.00. Please call Sharon Wolfgang (240) 567-7264 if you have any questions.
2007-2008 Important Dates
Thursday, September 13 – Sat., Oct. 13 Ramadan
Friday, Sept. 15 – Oct. 15 National Hispanic Heritage Month
Wednesday, October 3 Walk to School Day - 8:30 a.m. Plantations Pool
Monday, October 8 Columbus Day – Open House 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Monday, October 8 – Friday, Oct. 12 Fall Book Fair 8:15 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 9 Fall Portraits
Tuesday, October 9 1st Grade Field Trip – Rock Hill Orchard
Wednesday, October 10 Fall Book Fair Open in the evening until 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 16 Kindergarten Field Trip – Butler’s Orchard
Tuesday, October 16 Diabetes Walk during recess
Friday, October 19 MSTA Convention – No school
Friday, October 19 School Beautification Day 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 23 Sally Foster Distribution
Thursday, October 25 NAACP Parent Cluster Meeting – Baker 7:00 p.m.
Friday, October 26 Fall Family Fun Night
Sunday, October 28 American Education Week
Monday, October 29 Damascus Cluster PTA Meeting 7 p.m. @ Woodfield ES
Wednesday, October 31 First marking period ends
Wednesday, October 31 Halloween – Parade followed by Parties – 1:45 p.m.
Wednesday, October 31 – Friday, Nov. 9 Square 1 Art
Wednesday, November 1 American Indian Heritage Month
Thursday, November 1 Professional day for teachers – No school for students
Tuesday, November 6 PTA Meeting 7 :00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 7 Flyer Distribution Day
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 Fall portrait make-ups
Tuesday, November 13 5th Grade In-School Field Trip – Building Bridges
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. 23 – Friday, Nov. 24 Holidays – Thanksgiving – No School
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
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
Friday, February 1 African American Heritage Month
Tuesday, February 5 PTA Meeting
Monday, February 11 Hearing and Vision Rescreening (K, 4, and new students)
Tuesday, February 12 Holiday – Presidential primary election
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
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.