September 28, 2007
A Message From Mrs. Starr
Throughout the nation, we are all encouraged to think carefully about what we would do in the case of a local or national emergency. This school system ensures that we as a school are also prepared should an emergency situation occurs. Therefore, we have to hold 10 fire drills a year, 2 Code Blue and 2 Code Red drills with also an emphasis on reunification of parents with their children. Thus far we have had 5 fire drills, one accidentally activated by an employee. We also practiced on Thursday, the code blue to code red drill with reunification of children with their parents. Twenty parents were asked to come to assist us in the emergency follow-up of a real-life emergency scenario that could possibly affect the school. These enactments help us to better prepare for any emergency situations that may occur. As a result of Tuesdays drill, we were able to observe areas where we can make improvements in this process. Prior to the drills, students were informed of the reasons why we hold these drills and the necessary steps to take during the Code Blue and Red drills. In the future, students and staff will not always be notified that these drills are occurring prior to the announcement of the drill. Thank you to the following parents who participated in our reunification drill on Tuesday: Sandy McDarby, Tina Atkinson, Cora Horst, Sue Wood, Susan Billig, Kasia Bacas, Jeanne Dorr, Suzanne Elbaum, Laurie Flemming, Betsy Paul, Cherie Walker, Jen Wrona, Lisa Keaner, Holly Mullen, Lucy Lock, Nanette McAtee, Rita Wilkerson, Lori Slinguff, Jim Fraser, Ken Holt and Marianna Osterman. Their participation assisted us greatly in helping us even better prepare for any situation.
What’s Sprockit? Ask your student!!!
“SPROCKIT” visited Woodfield Elementary School on Thursday, September 27, 2007. The robot engaged all students and staff in discussions regarding DeBUG and the Six Pillars of good character.
A big thank you goes to Mrs. Dauber and the PTA for helping us bring “SPROCKIT” to the students at Woodfield. It was a fun filled learning experience for all!
Students were quick to give feedback on the performance. Paige Atkinson (2nd) said, “SPROCKIT” showed us all about DeBUG and he taught us a lot about the six pillars. He was really fun to have at Woodfield.” Lauren and Alice (2nd) stated, “SPROCKIT” was awesome! We loved him. He is really smart. He taught us about the six pillars.” Andrew Knox (3rd) exclaimed, “Good, Excellent! He told us about the importance of caring for others.” Alexia (3rd) stated , “SPROCKIT” taught me to be kind to others. SPROCKIT taught us DeBUG and the six pillars so that I could understand it! Brian LaRosa (5th) felt, “SPROCKIT” was fun! I learned about respect. Michael Merollini (5th) also added, “SPROCKIT was cool!” Leslie Dawson (5th) wanted us to know “SPROCKIT” was funny! It was weird how he knew everyone’s birthday. He also taught us about the six pillars of character.” Ryan O’Leary (4th) added, “SPROCKIT” was funny. I learned the different steps of DeBUG.” Zack Walker exclaimed, (2nd) “He was funny! I learned to be respectful.” Courtney Conway (2nd) said, “SPROCKIT” taught us that we should be caring people.” Jacob Slovan (1st) felt, “SPROCKIT was cool! He taught us how to respect others.” Daniel Bidwick (2nd)informed us, “SPROCKIT” was cool! He taught us about being good, fair, and respectful.” EmmaWiltz, Ryann Manoogian (1st) proclaimed, “He was so cool. He taught us how we should be nice and care about others.” Yohannes (3rd) stated, “It was cool! I learned that if you are in trouble, you can use DeBUG too!” Ms. Bruno (K) stated, “SPROCKIT” was engaging to all students!” Mrs. Blakesley (2nd) stated, “Students are now talking about wanting to make their own robot.”
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! The book fair will be open late on Wednesday, October 10th from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Open House
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – October 8th
Don’t forget to place this date on your calendar. Open House will be held at Woodfield on Columbus Day from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about your student’s day. Don’t forget to add a visit to the school’s book fair while you are here!
Woodfield’s Summer Writing/Reading Program
Congratulations to all of those students who completed Woodfield’s Summer Writing/Reading Program! Over 95 students participated, and everyone did a wonderful job sharing their interesting and exciting summer experiences! Thank you to all who participated and congratulations for a job well done! Terri Knox and Anne Reinhold would like to thank Andi Carbonell, Amy Dunham, and Missy Thomas for their help in reviewing the journals and providing positive feedback to all the writers! Mrs. Starr would like to say a special thank you to Anne Reinhold and Terri Knox for coordinating this extremely beneficial project!
First PTA Meeting of 2007-2008
This year’s first PTA meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 2nd at 7:00 p.m. We look forward to seeing you!
Individual Fall Pictures
Individual fall pictures will be taken by Blanton Studios of your students on October 9th. The first flyer will be sent home on October 2nd with another one to follow on October 4th.
Safety First-Handicapped and No-Parking Space
Please note that there is a handicapped space on the side front of the school that is to be used only by those who have the handicapped license plate or paper permit placed in their car window. I have put in a maintenance request that these three handicapped spaces assigned in our parking lot be repainted because the wear and tear, over the years, has made the paint more difficult to see. Also, please do not park in the space beside the front handicapped space that is clearly labeled no parking with diagonal strips or any spaces that have diagonal lines. When individuals park illegally in this space, it makes it challenging for people to enter and exit the parking lot and the kiss and ride. I also have a request in to maintenance to have these diagonal lines also repainted.
Walk Your Child To School Day
On Wednesday, October 3rd, students and parents are invited to participate in Walk Your Child To School Day. Students who normally walk to school are encouraged to meet at the Plantations Pool at 8:30 a.m. Students who normally ride buses to school or are driven to school may also walk if parents choose to bring them to the Plantations Pool at 8:30 a.m. Please make sure that no child is left at the pool before staff arrives for the walk or after students and staff have left to walk to Woodfield. Buses will drop students off in front of Woodfield on Tuesday morning as usual.
Bus Evacuation Practice
Bus evacuation practice for students, using the school bus exit doors, will be held on October 18th!
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!
Terra Nova Testing - Grade 2
Please note that the Terra Nova 2 testing date has been moved. The correct dates are Monday, April 28 –
Friday, May 2. I just wanted to make sure that you placed these very important dates on your calendar for future doctor or dentist appointments.
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:
“A child’s life is like a piece of paper on which everyone who passes by leaves an impression.”
Chinese Proverb
School Walk for Diabetes
Woodfield Elementary School will hold its third annual School Walk for Diabetes on Tuesday, October 16, 2007. Last year we had a very successful walk and donated more than $6,000 to the American Diabetes Association. We are looking forward to another fun and informative walk for all students. There is no charge to participate in the walk and we encourage all students to participate. There will be great information, snacks, exercises and surprises for all students. For more information or to help on the day of the walk email Suzanne Hoefler at suzanhoefler@hotmail.com or Pam Clay at pjclay44@msn.com .
Dog Safety
Reminder: This week at the end of the school day, a dog was on a leash and the leash was being held by a child. The dog managed to wrap the leash around another student’s leg thereby pulling the student down. The parent of the child and the child who fell were visibly shaken and brought it to my attention. Please make sure that your dogs are kept far away from other students exiting the building at the end of the school day.
Keep Clipping BOXTOPS
Check your cake mixes and cereal boxes for those valuable BoxTops for Education. The class that collects the most will win a surprise.
Friday is always School Spirit Day. Wear your Woodfield clothes or blue and white.
Kidstuff Coupon Books Now On Sale
The Woodfield 5th Grade Class is now selling Kidstuff Coupon Books to raise money for our end of the year activities. Each book is $25 and our 5th graders will earn $12.50 from each book sold. The Kidstuff Coupon Book offers hundreds of coupons to save money at many local places. Please make checks payable to Woodfield PTA. If you have any questions or want to order one, please call JoAnn Hansen at 301-253-7193 or Lauren Giroux at 301-528-6464. Thanks for supporting the 5th grade class.
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!
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.
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
Friday, September 28 Early Release Day 12:35 p.m.
Tuesday, October 2 PTA Meeting
Wednesday, October 3 Walk to School Day
Monday, October 8 Columbus Day – Open House
Monday, October 8 – Friday, Oct. 12 Fall Book Fair
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
Tuesday, October 16 Kindergarten Field Trip – Butler’s Orchard
Tuesday, October 16 Diabetes Walk during recess
Wednesday, October 17 NAACP Meeting 7:00 p.m.
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
Friday, October 26 Fall Family Fun Night
Sunday, October 28 American Education Week
Wednesday, October 31 First marking period ends
Wednesday, October 31 Halloween
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.