Whittier Weekly Newsletter
April 25, 2021
Dear Whittier Families,
As many of you are aware, Board of Education voted on Wednesday to rescind its April 14th decision to return elementary school students for four day a week of in person instruction on May 1st. Despite this change, the Board and FCPS Leadership, along with our Whittier staff, remain committed to returning as many students to buildings as possible while adhering to health and safety protocols.
We thank those of you who completed the latest intention survey. We have been working through the logistics every day and have many of the important details worked out. Remaining details are related to transportation and food services, as well as utilizing building spaces to accommodate quality instruction and safety.
We understand that many of you, like all of us, are looking forward to coming back into the building for additional days and we want to accommodate ALL requests. Stay tuned to our communications as we work through it, please. I expect to send out an update to you by mid-week.
With my kindest regards and appreciation,
Lorcan OhEithir, Principal
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 Sun. April 25th. Book Pick Up is between 3:00-4:00pm on Wed., April 28th in the front of the school. Please pull up to return their library books and pick up your bag of new library books. 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 29th or Fri. the 30th. 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 Wed., April 28th. 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.
News from Whittier Elementary PTA
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)
Our PTA school play has been a Whittier tradition for many years that sadly we are not able to offer this year. Instead, Julie Herber, who usually directs our spring production is offering the opportunity for afterschool theatre classes.
MET’s after school virtual Drama Club (Grades 2 & 3) THEATRE FUN!
MONDAY 4:00-5:00PM 4/26-6/7
COST: $65.00
In this class, students will jump into the world of theatre by learning about the elements that make up a play. Each week we will focus on a different area of theatre such as acting, costumes, props and puppetry. Students will engage in hands on activities and explore how they fit into the world of storytelling on the stage. THEATRE FUN supports and encourages creativity, imagination and individuality while bolstering confidence and time management to complete tasks. Students will be given a Club Kit and a list of ‘supplemental’ supplies.
MET’s after school virtual Drama Club (Grades 4 & 5) GET IN THE ACT!
TUESDAY 4:00-5:00PM 4/27-6/1
COST: $60.00
In this class, students will learn performance techniques by exploring voice, movement, improvisation and acting exercises. Through theatrical expression, we will let our imaginations run wild and create amazing characters. GET IN THE ACT supports, encourages and builds self-confidence, cooperation and creativity. Students from shy to outgoing can develop at their own pace with plenty of encouragement. Students explore creating short scenes and monologues.
To sign up, please contact Julie Herber (jherber@marylandensemble.org)
Counselor's Corner with Mrs. Reese and Mrs. Leatherman
Month of the Military Child - There is a Month of the Military Child Festival
On Friday, April 30th. All Children and Families associated with the Military are welcome to attend. Details are in the linked flyer. Thank you to everyone who wore Purple! We unite to support our Military families:
Peer Mentor, Jason Owusu, brother Jerry and family show their appreciation: MOMC Appreciation Owusu
More Information about Month of the Military Child:Month of the Military Child
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 is offering virtual lunch bunches Monday April 26th, Tuesday April 27th, and Thursday April 29th during K-2 lunch times on WhesLeatherman
K- 10:25-10:55
1st- 11:00-11:30
2nd- 12:05-12:35
Anyone is welcome to join!
ATTENTION PEER MENTORS! We will have another meeting during lunch (1:00-1:30) on Monday April 26th. The meeting is for ALL Peer Mentors- virtual and hybrid and will in Google Meet named: WHESPEERMENTORS. We will be preparing for Mental Health Matters Campaign- May 3-8th.
FCPS Support: TJ High needs Whittier’s help!!! They are trying to raise money to replace their current letterboard sign with a new and improved LED sign. They are hoping that with Whittier Elementary’ s support, they can raise the rest of the money to build this sign! They are hosting a Color Run/Walk called the “The Patriot 3k Color Rush” on May 16th at 8:00am-2:00pm. It is $25 per person, and all proceeds will go to the sign fund, and the very last day to purchase a ticket online is May 12th!
Payment, registration, and more information can be found here: https://linktr.ee/tjfbla
Please do not hesitate to contact us on our Schoology Counselor’s Corner or by phone or email .
We continue to support the Social Emotional Well being of all Whittier Students.
Mrs Leatherman 240-236-3135 Kirsten.Leatherman@fcps.org
Mrs Reese: 240-236-3170 Lisa.Reese@fcps.org
Upcoming Dates
Now and ongoing: Enroll for Pre-K and Kindergarten for the coming year: Enroll Here
Wednesday, April 28: Pick up reserved library books
May 2nd-May 8th: Mental Health Matters Campaign - details in next week's Whittier Weekly
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