Welcome back to the Wolfpack!

Whether you are returning to Whitlow or are new, I personally want to welcome each one of you! The Howling Herald is our new parent newsletter that will be sent at the first of every month to keep you informed on important news and upcoming events. We know you are busy and that there is a lot of information to keep up with, but we hope that you feel connected and supported all year long.

We had an amazing 2021-2022 school year and notably our school was recertified in STEM accreditation for the next five years. Whitlow Elementary is STEM certified by both Cognia and the Georgia Department of Education and is the only elementary school in the Forsyth County School District that holds both certifications. With our highly talented teachers and staff, engaging curriculum and community partnerships we are set for a positive learning experience for all students. We will welcome Richard Woods, Georgia's School Superintendent, this Fall, to celebrate and recognize our recertification.

Community partnerships and parent support are invaluable to our learning experience; and through their relationships with our teachers, we will continue curriculum enhancements on campus this year. Last Spring, we finished creating our Pollinator Garden and Frog Pond and our students have already spent much time tending to the garden and observing pollinators. Most recently, our 4th Graders participated in the Great Georgia Pollinator Census to document pollinator populations. The students counted the insects that landed on one pollinator plant for 15 minutes. Some of the populations they were tracking were carpenter bees, bumble bees, honeybees, small bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, moths, and other insects. They even found some tiny frogs and caterpillars. The students are very excited that their pollinator garden is doing its job!

You may have heard us say or have seen a hashtag, "We make learning come alive." We believe that learning not only happens in the classroom but outside of school hours as well. We are looking forward to student involvement in school clubs and organizations and family favorite events hosted by our Whitlow PTO (Parent Teacher Organization). We encourage you to reach out to our PTO on how you can get involved.

Each morning, following the Pledge of Allegiance, our students join together to recite the Whitlow pledge:

I will not waste this day.

I will try my best, in all I do and say.

I am the Best Me I can Be!

I am part of the Whitlow family.

Being a leader, who is respectful and a problem solver is a standard set for our Wolfpack. We are grateful for each one of you, our parents and guardians, who entrust us with your children each day. We are the Whitlow family. Go Wolves!

--

Dr. Lynne Castleberry

Principal

Meet Lola and Maxx, the newest additions to Whitlow’s pack. Lola, a Bernedoodle, loves to swim in the lake. Maxx, a German shepherd, loves to play fetch. Both Lola and Maxx are Off Leash trained and certified Canine Good Citizen therapy dogs. They continue to develop and strengthen their skills by attending advanced classes regularly.

Why Therapy Dogs?

Therapy dogs and their handlers work as a team and are trained to interact with people and their environments. Research has shown that therapy dogs can help develop social skills and confidence, promote engagement in learning activities, improve gross motor skills, enhance executive functioning skills, and improve reading skills. Therapy dogs can also reduce stress by lowering cortisol levels, leading to improved learning outcomes. Therapy dogs can help students regulate their emotions.

We are so excited to welcome Lola and Maxx; Ask your child if they have gotten to meet them… they sure are making students smile!

If you need to make a change to your child's afternoon mode of transportation, please fill out the "Whitlow Transportation Change Form" under Quick Links on our homepage.

In addition, transportation changes must be made through this form prior to 2:00 p.m. each day.

For the safety of our students, and busses loading in the afternoon, we ask that you check your child out before 2:45 p.m. Check outs after 2:45 p.m. will not be permitted.

For questions, please contact WhitlowReceptionist@forsyth.k12.ga.us or call 678-965-5090 ext. 370100.

• Open the bookings page (See link below)

• Find your child’s grade and teacher

• Select and scroll down to the calendar and time. Choose your date. The time should match the start time for your child’s lunch. If a date is already booked or unavailable for booking, you will not be able to click that date. The bookings calendar will accept bookings up to 60 days in advance.

• Fill in the requested information – Your name, email, and student name

Due to space limitations and maximum capacity guidelines in the café, each teacher has 2 lunch spots per bookable day. We ask that you limit yourself to 1 booking per month and 1 parent/visitor per child. Please note that ANY visitor to our school MUST have a valid picture ID such as a driver’s license or passport to be allowed entry. We love your child’s siblings but ask that a lunch booking be a special time for you and your child that is at school. Please refrain from cell phone usage while in the café. Pictures and videos are NOT ALLOWED due to privacy and security. Your cooperation is very much appreciated!!

https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/GWELunchSignUps20222023@forsythk12org.onmicrosoft.com/bookings/

Please click HERE for updated guidance related to symptoms of COVID-19, influenza, strep throat, stomach virus or other contagious viruses and/or infections.

Congratulations to our 2022-23 Teacher of the Year!! Ashley Martin is a 5th grade teacher and is in her 20th year of teaching. Her passion for education and the students in her classroom is evident from the moment you enter through her door. “She is the type of teacher that will do anything to help her students succeed and leads by example in all she does. She is an inspiration to her students and fellow educators without even realizing it!!” We are so excited to celebrate Mrs. Martin!!