The Wellwood Globe
Wellwood International Elementary | February 2019
From the Principal's Desk
Dear Wellwood Families,
Winter has unquestionably arrived and the cold, snow and ice are things to consider each morning! It is very important that you listen to the radio, watch television, or look at the BCPS website to learn whether school is opening on time. I use BCPS Now app. The app will send notifications to alert you to any changes in the school day.
Report cards recently went home. As you review this important progress information, please contact your child’s teacher with any questions. We are half way through the school year and this is a great time to talk with your child about what they are learning, celebrate their successes, and discuss new learning areas. If your child needs to improve in a skill, create a plan to achieve the goal. Post the goal on the refrigerator. Ask the teacher for advice to help reach the goal. Reward your child as he or she meets goals. Start the conversation so your child knows how important education is to you. If your child knows you value education, he or she will work that much harder to make you proud.
Yours truly,
Mrs. O’Neill, Principal
Important Dates to Remember
February 13 Northwest Advisory Council Meeting (see flyer)
February 18 Schools and Offices Closed for Presidents’ Day
March 13 Parent Night for Kindergarten Parents 6:00 p.m.
March 18 PTA Meeting 5:30 p.m.
March 18 PTA Bingo Night in Wellwood’s Cafeteria 6:00 p.m.
March 26 Wellwood’s Maker Fair and Our Schools Assembly 6:30 p.m.
April 3 Kindergarten Round Up at Wellwood 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Child Care Vendor News
Baltimore County Public Schools has adopted a new procedure which requires schools to evaluate the before and after child care programs at least every five (5) years. Wellwood International is due to complete this procedure for the 2019-2020 school year.
As part of this process, pre-qualified child care providers were offered an opportunity to submit proposals for a fair and equitable opportunity to obtain the contract with Wellwood International. This year 7 vendors submitted proposals for review. These proposals are in the process of being evaluated by a panel of parents, as well as school administrators.
Once the panel has identified the highest scoring vendor, parents and community stakeholders will be notified.
Wellwood Wellness News
Yes, it might be February, but it's not too late for you and your child to get a flu shot. Flu is a serious contagious disease that can lead to hospitalization and even death. Common symptoms of the flu include high fever, severe headache, muscle and body aches, chills, sore throat, exhaustion and dry cough. Children may also have nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
You have the power to protect yourself and your family this season with these three actions to fight flu.
1.Get a flu vaccine. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine by the end of October, if possible. A yearly flu vaccine is the first and most important step in protecting against the flu.
2.Take everyday actions to stop the spread of germs. Wash your hands often with soap and water, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and wash your hands often with soap and water. If your child becomes sick, have him/her stay home to keep from infecting other children. Children should remain home until they have been fever free for at least 24 hours.
3.Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them. If you get the flu, medicine, called antiviral drugs, can be used to treat flu illness. Antiviral drugs can make illness milder and shorten the time you are sick. They may also prevent serious flu complications.
Mrs. Seidler, BSN, MA, School Nurse
Homework Helpers
Does your child love math? Do they need a little extra math help? Would they like to be on TV? Do they like to win prizes? If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, we are here for you! Math Homework Helpers is a LIVE call in show for Baltimore County Public School students. On this show, two experienced math teachers help students with their math homework or any math problems.
Give it a try, and have your child “Tune In” and “Call In” to Math Homework Helpers every Wednesday, from 4:30-5:30 on BCPS-TV, Comcast Channel 73 or Verizon FiOS Channel 34.
After each call, your student will win a really cool prize which will be mailed to his/her school. The phone number to call on Wednesday is: 410-494-1459. We hope your child will join the fun!
Fifth Grade Pen Pal Program
Mark your calendars for April 11!
Fifth graders have written to their Pen Pal at a partner school. We encourage you to ask your child about their pen pal, and if they've received a return letter yet!
The Pen Pal program will culminate in April, and pen pals from all feeder elementary schools who attend our Ice Cream Social on April 11 will be able to meet other pen pals at Pikesville Middle School. Stay tuned for more information!
Wellwood PTA
Next PTA Meeting: March 18, 2019 at 5:30 p.m.
Gift Card Raffle at Meeting!
WE ARE LOOKING FOR NEW LEADERS!
We are an active PTA with monthly meetings designed to keep you informed. Our meetings occur on the third Monday of every month at 5:30 P.M. in the library.
Members of our current board will be stepping down at the end of the school year. We are looking for new leaders and new members who would be interested in stepping up to help lead our PTA. Please contact us if you are interested, or to learn more.
Come meet and mingle with other parents! Membership forms will be available. It's never too late to join the PTA!
Current Board:
President: Shannon Johnson
Treasurer: Amie Liely
Secretary: Kia Stanfield
Social Media: Tracy Daniel
Inclement Weather Policy
The weather has turned colder, so it is important to remind all families to listen to the news each morning to learn whether school is opening on time. Most television news programs run information along the bottom of the television screen throughout the broadcast. You may call 410-887-5555 for information or check the BCPS website (www.bcps.org). You can also follow BCPS on Twitter @BaltCoPS or go to the BCPS page on Facebook. Or down load the free app “BCPS Now” to be informed of the latest operating status of schools in Baltimore County. It is important that we keep the school phone lines open for communication, so please do not call school. This is also a good time to review procedures with your child in case schools close early.
All Schools-Closed for the Entire Day
In the event of bad weather and very hazardous road conditions throughout the county, all schools may be closed for the entire day. Every effort will be made to have such an announcement given over the radio and television, Twitter, Facebook and the BCPS phone app by 5:30 am. (If on an inclement morning no announcement is made over local stations or social media, it is to be assumed that schools will be open as usual.)
All Schools-Late Opening
When weather conditions are such that it appears extremely hazardous to operate schools at the regular early morning hours but that traveling conditions will improve later in the morning, the opening of schools may be delayed one or two hours. In addition to delaying bus schedules, it may be necessary to temporarily alter certain bus routes. If school opens later than usual, please make sure that your child does not arrive before the announced opening time.
Two-Hour Delayed Opening
STUDENT ARRIVAL: Students in Grades KG thru 5 should arrive at school two hours later than normal. Buses will run their regular routes two hours later than normal.
WELLWOOD INTERNATIONAL ARRIVAL TIME WHEN ONE HOUR LATE – 10:05 AM
WELLWOOD INTERNATIONAL ARRIVAL TIME WHEN TWO HOURS LATE – 11:05 AM
Schools-Early Closings
When inclement weather develops throughout the county while pupils are in school, it may be advisable to close all schools early. In this event parents will be notified by radio and television announcements, Twitter, Facebook or the BCPS phone app. Wellwood will send an email and phone call using School Messenger. In the event that only Wellwood International is closed due to some unforeseen condition that warrants an early closing, we will refer to the Student Emergency Information form to contact parents via School Messenger phone call and/or e-mail. Please make sure you have provided us with the most updated information using BCPS One. Be sure your child knows what to do and where to go if schools close early or opens late.
One-Hour Early Closing
Students in Grades KG thru 5 will be dismissed one hour earlier than normal. Lunches will be served to students as usual.
Two-Hour Early Closing
Students in Grades KG thru 5 will be dismissed two hours earlier than normal. WELLWOOD INTERNATIONAL DISMISSAL TIME WHEN LEAVING TWO HOURS EARLY – 1:55 PM. Lunches will be served to students as usual.
Three- Hour Early Closing
Students in Grades KG thru 5 and all-day kindergarten programs will be dismissed three hours earlier than normal.Lunches will be served to students one hour earlier than normal.
Summer Camp Information
Boxtops!
Makerspace and Green School Upcycling
Makerspace
Wellwood is collecting plates, cups, fabric and aluminum foil for our Makerspace. These items are used to create and complete different projects for all students at Wellwood.
Green School
Wellwood’s Green School committee is collecting empty/used ink cartridges and coke product codes.
We are also collecting used or damaged sneakers or tennis shoes. These will be recycled through a shoe recycling program.
Volunteering at Wellwood
Are you interested in volunteering or chaperoning field trips?
All volunteers/ field trip chaperones must complete the volunteer application and participate in an orientation/training session annually. Please click on the link below to access information about volunteering at Wellwood International.
Each year, all volunteers must complete the volunteer application and participate in an orientation/training session. In order to complete the training please complete the following steps:
1. Visit the BCPS website: https://www.bcps.org/
2. Click on the tab labeled “Community”
3. Select “Volunteer with BCPS”
4. Please follow the volunteer instructions.
Once you have completed the training, please print out the “Certificate of Completion” and “Volunteer Application” and bring it to Wellwood. If you are not able to complete the volunteer training at home, please contact Mrs. Delis at 410-887-1212 to set up an alternative time.
Important Links
Wellwood International Elementary School Mission
Wellwood International Elementary School Vision
About Us
Assistant Principal Mr. Paradis
Other Important Numbers:
Office:410-887-1212
School FAX: 410-887-1213
Guidance: 410-887-1212
Nurse:410-602-0642
Email: joneill@bcps.org
Website: http://wellwoodes.bcps.org/
Location: Wellwood International School, Smith Avenue, Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410-887-1212
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WellwoodIntenationalPTA/
Twitter: @WellwoodIntlES