Dolphin Digest
Weekly Update #9
Week of September 20, 2021
WMES Parents/Guardians,
Happy Friday! We finished week three strong. Thank you to all who attended our Family Fun Fair. It was a great evening filled with friendship, fun, and festivities. Over the next two weeks, we will be participating in the "Starts With Hello" campaign which helps students learn to be more socially inclusive and connected to each other. Each morning on WMES Live, your child will learn how to say hello in another language. Mrs. Nies, our School Counselor, will also give lessons to each class to help them learn how to include others.
I wanted to share an update in response to the new COMAR passed on Tuesday, Sept. 14th. When students are actively engaged in an exercise in PE class students will not be required to wear a mask.
It is very important that families do not send students to school who are sick or have 2 or more symptoms. If you are unsure, please feel free to call the school to speak to the nurse.
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.
Car Riders
Thank you for a speedy car rider arrival and dismissal during these first weeks of school. A gentle reminder to pull all the way up in the car-rider loop, to the crosswalk, when dropping off so that our staff can expedite the process for all car riders. Please make sure your child is on the right side of the car for safety purposes, both when exiting and entering the vehicle. Please also make sure your child is ready to get out of the car with his or her book bag when pulling into the car-rider loop. Your child should practice how to buckle and unbuckle his or her safety belt to ensure a speedy arrival and dismissal. Any changes for afternoon dismissal must be in writing. You cannot call to make changes after 2 p.m.! Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Sign-Up Genius-Please consider signing up:-).
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4CAEAC2AA2FDC34-apple
Technology Agreement
Students will be assigned an iPad this year. All parents will need to sign and return the Technology Form Agreement. Just a friendly reminder that students/families are responsible for the care and return of the assigned iPad. Any questions, please contact your child's teacher.
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.
Water Bottles & Face Masks
We are encouraging families to send a bottle of water to school each day, as our water fountains only have the bottle filling feature turned on and some students have been forgetting to bring their water bottles. Also, please be sure that your child comes to school each day with a mask that fits properly. Some students are wearing adult-size masks that do not properly fit children. Please also be sure to put extra masks in their backpack that they can change should they need a new one throughout the day. We are in need of disposable mask donations for our students. Your donation will be greatly appreciated and will help ensure the safety of all at WMES.
Let's just hope for a healthy, safe, and normal school year!
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!
Math Updates
Attendance
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:
Important Dates
SEPTEMBER
*September 15- October 15: National Hispanic Heritage Month
*9/17- Picture Day!
*9/28-9/30- Fall MCAP Testing (Grades 4-5)
*9/23- Interim 1 Ends
*9/28-9/30-Fall MCAP Grades 4/5
*9/29- Interims Issued
OCTOBER
*10/1- Early Dismissal/Parent Teacher Conferences PM- 12:20 p.m. dismissal
*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.
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