Dolphin Digest
Weekly Update #11
Week of October 4th, 2021
WMES Parents/Guardians,
Happy Friday! Today, October 1st is an early dismissal day for students. WMES dismissal will begin at 12:20 p.m. After dismissal, we will have Parent-Teacher Conferences. The month of September has been fantastic. Interims were distributed on September 29th for students in grades 1 -5. Please take time to review your child's interim with him/her. It is important to set goals and spend time discussing each content area. Should you have questions, please contact your child's teacher. Thank you to all of our families who plan to attend their Parent-Teacher Conferences.
Volunteer Needed
We are looking for a parent to volunteer to help with our CarePacks program. Please reach out if you are interested.
Over time we have highlighted "Growth Mindsets." Below I have linked both videos to this message. I hope you enjoy reviewing them and you find them useful.
Fixed vs. Growth Mindset-3 Ways Parents Can Instill a Growth Mindset
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrdKuDGQEoQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLeUvZvuvAs
Attendance
The school strongly discourages families from scheduling vacations during the school year! If a student will be absent due to a vacation, the principal must be notified of the dates in advance. While those absences will still be coded unlawful, prior notification will eliminate them from being counted towards potential court action. This applies to five days per school year as long as the student has not exceeded the attendance standards prior to the request.
Now that all schools have returned to full-time in-person learning, all aspects of the TCPS attendance policy and administrative regulations (10.2 & 10.2 AR) are in effect for all students for the 2021-2022 school year. Accordingly, please review and contact your child’s school counselor should you have any questions.
Illness
Please be sure to keep your child home if they are not feeling well and let the school nurse and your child's teacher know (Nurse- christa.johns@talbotschools.org). If your child is awaiting COVID test results they should remain at home until they receive a negative test result even if they are not showing symptoms. You will need to forward a copy of the results in order to return to school. TCPS follows strict guidance from the Talbot County Health Department on quarantine procedures when a student is sick or exhibits Covid-19 symptoms. In addition, please make sure you send a parent or doctor's note if your child is absent for any reason.
Please see the TCPS chart and link that shows Covid cases and quarantined students by TCPS school below.
https://tcps.k12.md.us/students-and-families/covid-19-information/
Students Who are Quarantined
Teachers will be reaching out to set up a Zoom meeting if students are quarantined. We will also be providing work for students to complete and the teachers will reach out to assist during their absences. Please contact the school to make arrangements for picking up work.
Parent Advisory Agreement
We will be having our Parent Advisory Committee meetings once a quarter on Zoom at 5:00 p.m. Our first meeting is scheduled for October 12th. We invite previous Parent Advisory Committee members, as well as new ones to join! During our PAC meetings, we ask for input and feedback from White Marsh families on various topics to improve the school experience for you and your child. Please email Ms. Seidel ( kseidel@talbotschools.org) if you would like to join.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Ms. Seidel, Proud Principal
Video Tutorial for TCPS Elementary Parents
Elementary parent video Logging in as your child and viewing an assignment. (on computer)
Elementary parent video Logging in as your child and viewing an assignment. (on iPad)
Accessing the Frog Parent Portal
Signing into Chrome on an iPad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha5-OYmi8go
Logging into PowerSchool Parent
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Es3AE3V1z6g
Iniciar sesión en PowerSchool Parent - Español
For help with device issues, please refer families to the campus-based Help Desks.
White Marsh Elementary School: WMEShelpdesk@talbotschools.org
Technicians will be available during normal school hours of operation.
PLEASE BE SURE TO COMPLETE THE FREE AND REDUCED MEALS APPLICATION- IT BENEFITS WMES AND TCPS!
Please note that your FARMS application expires on 10/13/21. Although all students will receive free meals this school year, thanks to a grant TCPS received for this purpose, we would like to request that all families still complete the annual FARMS application. This application will help secure further benefits for our students and our school, throughout this school year and into the start of the next school year. These applications help us receive funding for students' meals, fund positions, and materials of instruction. A link is provided for your convenience but, if you'd prefer a hard copy, please let us know and we will be happy to send one home with your student. Thanks so much for your assistance!
https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application
Tenga en cuenta que su solicitud de FARMS vence el 13/10/21. Aunque todos los estudiantes recibirán comidas gratis este año escolar, gracias a una subvención que TCPS recibió para este propósito, solicitamos que todas las familias completen la solicitud anual de FARMS. Esta solicitud ayudará a asegurar más beneficios para nuestros estudiantes y nuestra escuela, durante este año escolar y hasta el comienzo del próximo año escolar. ¡Estas aplicaciones nos ayudan a recibir fondos para comidas, tecnología, libros de texto e incluso personal! Se proporciona un enlace para su conveniencia pero, si prefiere una copia impresa, háganoslo saber y estaremos encantados de enviar uno a casa con su estudiante. ¡Muchas gracias por tu ayuda!
Reading Corner
Math Updates
WMES Spirit Wear!!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dGkn_Nu00ROBmbXhwJTliLTBc_ztfrWG/view?usp=sharing
Here Comes the Bus App
The Here Comes the Bus® App will be available to parents of White Marsh Elementary School students mid September! Here Comes the Bus® will allow you to:
View the real-time location of your child’s bus
Access the app from your smartphone, tablet or computer
Receive push notifications or email alerts
Send your child to the bus stop at just the right time, every time
How to get started:
Download the Here Comes the Bus app* or visit herecomesthebus.com.
Click the button.
Enter school code 87314 and click “Next” followed by “Confirm”
Complete the “User Profile” box.
Under “My Students,” click “Add.” Enter your child’s last name and student ID number. The student ID number can be found in the PowerSchool Parent Portal under the Bus Information tab. If you have not yet set up your PowerSchool Parent Portal, please do so using the instructions below. This will be necessary in order for you to access your child’s transportation information in the future.
Once you confirm your information, you’re ready to begin using Here Comes the Bus!
*Available at the App Store and Google Play
Here Comes the Bus® is a registered trademark of Synovia Solutions™ LLC
HARRIS TEETER'S TOGETHER IN EDUCATION PROGRAM!
We need our families to please sign up!!! HARRIS TEETER'S TOGETHER IN EDUCATION PROGRAM!
Earn funds for WMES by linking us to your Harris Teeter VIC card, then shop Harris Teeter brands!
Linking must occur each school year.
Here's the link to register your VIC card: https://www.harristeeter.com/together-in-education
Thank you in advance for your support!
Technology Updates
TECHNOLOGY TROUBLE-SHOOTING TIPS:
If you are having trouble with your device (slow running, not holding a charge, etc), please email wmeshelpdesk@talbotschools.org with the following information: Your name, your school's name, the issue you are having, and your contact information.
VISIT for TCPS Technology Tutorials:
https://www.tcps.k12.md.us/2020-21-news/online-learning-family-tutorials
WMES PTO Updates
*PTO officers:
President/Vice President: Valerie Russ
Treasurer: Lisa Short
Secretary: Carla Beavers
Dedicated Dolphin
This year we are looking for parents, teachers, and community members to nominate a WMES teacher for the Dedicated Dolphin Award. Click on the link to submit a nomination during any time of the year. Dedicated Dolphin Nomination Form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScmGYlL6Iw3-iiBgXCU7K2C7Rltl2Y7rBSvA5YN0hgODybeig/viewform
Important Dates
OCTOBER
*10/1- Early Dismissal/Parent Teacher Conferences PM- 12:20 p.m. dismissal
*10/2 = School Custodians Appreciation Day
*10/4-PTO Meeting 5:30 p.m.
*10/12-PAC Meeting 5:00 p.m.-All Welcome to Attend! A Zoom Link will be shared. Please RSVP!
*October 13: FARMS Applications Due for Gift Card Drawing
*October 15: FARMS Gift Card Winners Announced
*October 20: Board of Education Meeting
*10/25-10/29- Red Ribbon Week
*10/29- WMES Character Book Parade, Early Dismissal 12:20 p.m.
November
*11/5- Quarter 1 Report Cards Issued
*11/10- Early Dismissal (12:20 p.m.)
*11/11- Veterans Day, No School for Students/Teacher Inservice Day
*11/12- NO SCHOOL- TCPS Closed (Waterfowl Festival Weekend)
*11/19- TCPS Education Foundation Mission Possible Event 5-8 p.m. (Tickets must be purchased)
*11/24-11/28- Thanksgiving Break, NO School
DECEMBER
*12/1- Grandparents Club Meeting 6:00 p.m. (You may attend in Media Center or on
*12/16- Quarter 2 Interim Ends
*12/22- Quarter 2 Interims Issued, Early Dismissal 12:20 p.m. dismissal
*12/23-1/2- TCPS Winter Break
White Marsh Elementary School
4322 Lovers Ln,
Trappe, MD 21673
(410) 476-3144
Come One Come All...to the Greatest School of All!
Grandparent's Club!!!
Connect with Kim Seidel and White Marsh Elementary School
Email: kseidel@talbotschools.org
Website: http://www.tcps.k12.md.us/schools/WMES
Location: 4322 Lovers Lane, Trappe, MD, USA
Phone: 410-476-3144
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/wmes21673/about/?ref=page_internal