The Mammoth Mailing
December 2021 Issue
Important Dates
12/8- Virtual PTA Meeting at 5:30pm- Code to Sign-in: wespta
12/13- Southwest Area and Northwest Area Education Advisory Council Meeting at 7pm
12/13th-17th 2021- Book Fair12/14- 4th & 5th Grade Concert (Students Only)
12/15- Winder Wonderland Event (Limited Space)
12/16- Virtual Town West Zone: Thursday, December 16, 2021, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
The virtual town hall will be streamed live online at www.bcps.org, on BCPS TV (Comcast 73 Verizon 34) and on YouTube. You can submit questions in advance by visiting https://www.bcps.org/submitquestions
12/20-12/23- Winfield Spirit Week
12/23- Schools and offices are closed 3 hours early
12/24-1/2- Schools and offices are closed for Winter Break
1/3- School Reopens
A message from Administration
Devices
Students will begin leaving their devices at school rather than bringing them to and from school each day. If students have an assignment that requires using a device at home, the classroom teachers will inform families. This decision has been made to limit damage to the devices and unsupervised digital communication outside of school hours. We are asking that families send students to school with their device chargers. We appreciate your support of this initiative.
December Events
We will do a couple of things to celebrate the holiday session with our students throughout the upcoming weeks. Students will participate in a class door decorating contest throughout the next two weeks. The theme of our contest is Winter Wonderland. On December 17th, the winning class will be announced. First prize wins a class pizza party! We can't wait to see the creativity of each class! On Tuesday, December 14th, 4th, and 5th-grade students will host our Winter Concert in school. Due to COVID protocols, we will not host an event for families; however, a link will be provided for families that choose to watch their child's performance. Lastly, students and staff will participate in spirit week events during the last week of school before break.
The schedule is as follows:
Monday, December 20th- Crazy Hat Day
Tuesday, December 21st- Crazy Sock Day
Wednesday, December 22nd- Polar Express Day (Wear your favorite winter gear!)
Thursday, December 23rd- PJ Day
The Winfield faculty and staff wish our school family a very happy holiday season. We hope this time of the year brings much joy to you and your family!
Holiday Community Events
On Saturday, December 11, 2021 9:00am-12:00pm at Eastern Regional Park. Winfield families are invited to celebrate the Holidays with a Candy Cane Hunt, Giveaways, Singing Performances, a Mitten Tree, and more!
Please see attached flyers:)
A Message from the PTA
PTA will host their general meeting virtually on Wednesday, December 8th, at 5:30. Please have your child bring their device home and join Google Meet using the code wespta. If you plan to join using another device and would like the meeting link sent to your email, please email Ms. Tindall at ttindall@bcps.org by 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 8th
We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.
Southwest Area and Northwest Area Education Advisory Council Meeting on December 13th
The remaining time will be spent documenting all observations, comments, and opinions from Southwest and Northwest Area community members. Don’t miss the opportunity; let your voice be heard. If you are unable to attend, you may send your questions or comments to emailthebcswaeac@gmail.com.
Please see flyer attached below.
A Message from Pre-K
Hello Families!
We have begun Math Theme 4- Counting and the Number System. The students will develop a deeper understanding of numbers by making and counting sets through ten. They are introduced to zero and numerals 6 through 10 and identify numerals 1 through 5. Students continue to work with ordinal numbers and describe position using the words first, middle, and last.
This week we started our third unit in ELA called, My Community. We will focus on the following Essential Questions:
~What are the parts of a community?
~How does a community help me?
~Who helps the community?
~How can I help my community?
We will work on the letters T, G, E, and R during this unit.
Reminders:
-Send in 2 extra masks daily for your child to have as a backup.
-Label all clothing that is sent to school.
-Check and empty your child’s yellow folder nightly.
A Message from Kindergarten
It’s hard to believe that it’s already December! Our kindergarten students have been working on many skills.
In phonics, we are learning to read sight words, identifying letter sounds we hear at the beginning and end of words, and blending sounds to read words. Be on the lookout for the little decodable book coming home each week. Please have your child practice reading these books regularly.
In ELA, we are finishing Unit 3. Students listened to and read various literary and informational texts to make connections, visualize, and identify the main topic and key details. The students identified the characters and setting to retell the facts or events in a text. In Unit 4, we will continue focusing on these standards as students learn about people and places in their neighborhoods.
In math, we are working on Unit 3. In this unit, your child is learning to count by 2’s to 20, explore even numbers as doubles, add and subtract by 1, compare and order numbers from 1 to 10, and write equations to show sums up to 5.
Please remember to complete your child’s reading log and homework nightly. Return the homework notebook on Fridays. Also, remember to charge your child’s computer every evening! Students should bring their computer and charger to school daily. Thank you for all your support! Happy Holidays
A Message from 1st Grade
Dear First Grade Families,
We have been working hard in First Grade learning. Look below to find what we will be learning in December.
Phonics: Unit 4 High-Frequency Words: girl, her, with, any, from, like, water, but, do, long, my, no, where, an, they, she, yes, were
Letters sounds: er, ir, ur, ear, ng, schwa sounds, nk, qu, y, v, long a
Reading: Unit 3 Tales over Time Objective: Students will explore folktales as stories that have been passed down over time that often contain a lesson or central message.
Writing: Small Moment about a lesson learned Objective: Students will write a "small moment" narrative about a lesson learned from a personal experience.
Math: Unit 3 Adding, Subtracting, Counting, and Comparing Objective: Students will add sums to 20 by counting on or counting back to solve addition and subtraction problems.
Health: Unit 2 A healthier me Objective: Students can describe many ways to promote dental health, match school health workers to situations where they would help, explain how various exercises keep the body healthy, and demonstrate knowledge of healthy food choices. Science: Unit 2 Creeper and creature features Objective: Students will be able to improve a design by mimicking how plants and/or animals use their external parts so they can find a solution to a human problem.
Gentle Reminders:
-Please continue to send extra masks.
- Devices should be charged each evening and brought to school daily.
-First in Math and Raz-kids are excellent online resources for home practice.
Thank you so much for being so supportive at home!
A Message from 2nd Grade
Students completed the unit 2 ELA and math assessments.
Students will continue to use a variety of strategies to add double digits. For example, they will use an open number line, decompose numbers, and use models.
Students will continue to focus on foundational skills, word analysis, and spelling patterns. Also, they’ll demonstrate their understanding of key details and ideas in informational texts. Students are exposed to complex texts and practice reading on their level.
Students are encouraged to read for at least 15 minutes nightly. It’s beneficial for the children to respond orally and/or in a journal after they’ve read. They are also encouraged to practice addition facts and strategies to add 2-digit numbers.
Please consider replenishing pencils and personal tissue. Also, wash and/or replace masks and provide an extra mask for your child if possible. Thank you! Contact your child’s teacher via email if you have questions, concerns, or would like support. Have a wonderful holiday and break!
A Message from 3rd Grade
In math, Unit 3 is underway. We have been reviewing place value and rounding as we prepare to solve problems requiring adding and subtracting 3-digit numbers. Students are encouraged to continue to practice foundational math skills using First In Math (FIM). Individual and class FIM leaders are announced weekly!
In ELA, we have begun Unit 3 - "Inventions and Innovations." Students are encouraged to consider how solving problems lead to inventions as they plan to participate in their own "Invention Convention!" Students should continue to read 15-20 minutes nightly and have their reading logs signed by a parent or guardian. RazKids is also a great tool to help increase reading fluency.
A message from 4th Grade
A Message from 5th Grade
This month in 5th-grade, students will study decimals and how they are relevant in our lives. In reading, we will begin reading literary text to explore the structures of fiction. Please make sure your child is reading for at least 20 minutes every evening. There are online reading options if needed. The book fair will be a great opportunity to add to your home library.
Your child's teacher emailed information about Puberty Education which will begin in January. Please read over what was sent. There will be an optional parent meeting on January 6th after school.
Please send your child a reusable water bottle every day if possible. One final reminder is that cell phones are to be placed in lockers during the school day. If you need to contact your child, please call the office, or email your child's teacher.
A Message from the Music Department
The winter concert is Tuesday, December 14. Fourth and fifth graders will participate in the concert to get you in the holiday spirit.
Families cannot attend in person; however, the concert will be recorded and posted on YouTube and Schoology. You will be able to access it at any time after Friday, December 17, by going to Schoology and opening the Music course. Participating students were provided with permission forms to allow them to be recorded for online purposes. Please fill out the permission form and send it back as soon as possible to Ms. Aiken and Mr. Morris or their homeroom teacher.
Thank you very much!
Mr. Morris, Ms. Aiken, and Ms. Hampt
A Message from the Librarian, Ms. Precht
THE BOOK FAIR IS COMING! Monday, December 13 through Friday, December 17. Your student will have an opportunity during school to preview and purchase books. You can also purchase books online by going to our Winfield Book Fair website at scholastic.com/fair and entering our zip code: 21244. Your student will soon be bringing home a packet with important information and a wish list. Please ask them to show it to you. Thanks so much!
Ms. Precht
A Message from our Art Teacher, Mr. VC
In Art class and Art club, students are making a large variety of winter wonderland art projects. We have snowmen, snowflakes, holiday lights, northern lights, and all the joyful things that come around during the holidays. We hope to see you at the Winter Wonderland Family Night on Wednesday, December 15, so that you can walk around and get a glimpse of some of the beautiful artwork our students have been making.
Thanks!
Mr. VC
A Message from our ESOL Teacher, Ms. Balogun
In ESOL, we have students from Africa, South America, and Asia who are learning about how to write a story. Students are learning about the elements of fiction and reading fables to write their own stories. Parents are encouraged to support their students by reading to them and asking them about their stories.
Thank you!
Ms. Balogun