Whittier Weekly Newsletter
May 2, 2021
Dear Whittier Families,
As of this writing, we are still waiting on directions for bringing additional students into the building. We will continue to communicate details as soon as they are available. Our staff at Whittier have worked to get all of our logistics in place for when we are given the green light to proceed. I appreciate your patience as we move through this phase of the school year.
This week we have several important events happening in our school:
Learning - reading, writing, arithmetic, the Arts, Social Studies, Science, Social Emotional learning, organizational, communication, speaking and listening, and thinking skills...
Teacher Appreciation Week- details below *When I focus on this week I prefer to think about all of the people who support the wellbeing and learning of a child - parents and guardians, bus drivers, instructional assistants, specialists, classroom teachers, counselors.
Mental Health Matter Campaign - details in Counselor's Corner below
With my kindest regards and appreciation for your support,
Lorcan OhEithir, Principal
How Can We Show Appreciation?
Students Can Participate Too:
Help your child to write a note to a favorite staff member. They can do this in Schoology, through an email, or even better, through a hand-written note. I know this is the best kind of message that a staff member can every receive - directly from the heart of a child.
If you'd like to drop something off at school for a valued staff member, please stop by the front office any day between 8:30-4:00.
At school, our PTA and administrators have planned several ways this week to appreciate our staff. They have worked so hard and care deeply about the well-being of our students.
Counselor's Corner with Mrs. Reese and Mrs. Leatherman
Mental Health Matters Campaign is this week, May 3rd-7th!
Frederick County Public Schools is committed to Raise Awareness of the Importance of Mental Health and reduce the stigma of mental health challenges.
The Counseling Team at Whittier along with Dr. Lisa Winders, School Psychologist and Pam Miller from CASS, partners with community Mental Health Providers to connect Whittier families to Mental Health Resources as needed.
Thank you, Peer Mentors, for helping us to promote this important week!
We will be visiting classrooms this week to discuss the importance of Self Care and Mental Health. Here is a link of the activities and resources that teacher and counselors will share with students. All About Feelings!
Take some time this week to talk about the importance of Mental Health and Self Care with your child.
Please contact your School Counseling Team with any questions or to receive additional information.
Student Small Groups Schedule
Our small groups continue to meet virtually. The virtual schedule for groups is posted on the Counselor’s Corner Schoology Page.
HYBRID Mrs. Leatherman's Google Meet Codes
Hybrid Schedule: Mrs Reese's Groups
Mrs Leatherman 240-236-3135 Kirsten.Leatherman@fcps.org
Mrs Reese: 240-236-3170 Lisa.Reese@fcps.org
Library Book Exchange
Virtual students:
If your child would like to check out library books, please complete the permission form and help them place up to 3 holds in LS2PAC on books they’d like in LS2PAC by 4pm Wed. May 5.
Book Pick Up will be between 3:00-4:00pm on Wed., May 12 in the front of the school.
Please bring along their returned library books and I will have your bag of new library books ready. Masks are required. If families are unable to pick up at this date and time, they can pick up books from the front office between 8:30-4:00 on either Thurs. the 13th or Fri. the 14th. Here is the schedule for upcoming dates for holds and pick up.
Cohort A and B students:
If your child would like to check out library books, they will need to place their holds in LS2PAC by 4:00pm Sun., May 2nd.
Ms. Dattoli will check out the books to your child and deliver them to their classroom from May 3-7. Students will return their old books in their classroom bin. Here is the schedule for upcoming dates for holds and deliveries.
Questions? Email Ms. Dattoli at tina.dattoli@fcps.org.
Whittier Elementary PTA Needs YOU!
At this time, we are in great need of candidates for these positions. All that is required is a big heart and some time.
If you appreciate all the activities sponsored by the PTA and feel you might be up for the challenge of volunteering while also being an active member at WHES, please consider taking a role on the PTA Executive Board for the 2021-2022 school year. Whittier has a strong and active PTA and the executive board plans many activities that enrich the lives of our children and teachers during the school year. We are currently looking for volunteers to run for all open board member seats.
President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer.
This has been a tough year for our school and PTA and any support you can give the school is important for our students and school community. The incoming executive board sets the goals for each year with regards to activities, so a new board would decide how many activities to take on. The current board will help you transition into your roles with any assistance and guidance over the summer.
If you are interested in running for a position or have questions, please do not hesitate to contact Sarah Leembruggen. (sleembruggen@me.com 240-481-4349)
Whittier Elementary School - Believe, Achieve, Succeed
We will also communicate through our school website
Follow me on Twitter @fcpsOhEithir where I will communicate school news and happenings
Email: lorcan.oheithir@fcps.org
Website: https://education.fcps.org/whes/home
Location: 2400 Whittier Drive, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
Phone: (240) 236 3100
Twitter: @fcpsOhEithir