The Cub Corner
Expect Excellence In Everything
January 29, 2021
A Note from Mr. Bender
Dear Families,
We hope you experienced a successful Digital Learning Day this past Tuesday. If you borrowed a GCPS device for this purpose, please return it to school as soon as possible. Your child can bring it in their backpack and return it to their teacher.
Next week is the Super Book Return Challenge. All families are encouraged to look for library books that may have gone missing during the pandemic. You can return missing library books to any GCPS school or any Gwinnett Public Library branch.
Thank you to the many families that have participated in the Kids Heart Challenge fundraiser. All money raised goes to the American Heart Association. The fundraiser continues through February 12th. See below for an update on our progress after one week.
We have many important dates coming up in February. Please be sure to look at the important dates section below. Early Release days will take place on 2/17 and 2/18. Students will be dismissed at 12:15 on these days. Parent-teacher conferences will also take place during this week. You will be receiving more information from your child’s teacher regarding conference sign-ups.
Have a great weekend!
Mike Bender
Principal
Important Dates
1/25-2/12: Kids Heart Challenge Fundraiser
2/1: Reading Rewards Logs Due
2/3: World Read Aloud Day (Grab a book and read with your child!)
2/5: Conference Sign ups available on school website
2/12: Inclement Weather Make-Up Day (No School!)
2/15: Teacher Workday (No School for students!)
2/16-2/19: Kindness Week (More information coming soon!)
2/17-2/18: Early Release/Conferences (Students dismissed at 12:15 pm)
More information about Parent-Teacher conferences, including the sign-up schedule, will be coming soon!
Kids Heart Challenge with Mrs. Watson
On January 25th we kicked off our 2021 Kids Heart Challenge event. After one week we have raised $2011.88 - that's awesome! Our goal this year is to reach $7000. Our Kids Heart Challenge fundraising event will continue until February 12th. It's not too late to get registered and help raise life-saving funds for the American Heart Association!
Here's how you can help:
- Register and choose a challenge online at http://www2.heart.org/goto/woodwardmill
- If you raise $10, you'll earn 2 heart hero characters!
- Watch this video for more information: https://video.link/w/jY7qb
- Send 10 emails to start collecting donations online.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Watson at blake.dispigna@gcpsk12.org.
Lunch Menu: February 1-5, 2021
Monday: Beef & bean burrito
Tuesday: Dill chicken
Wednesday: Asian chicken bites & chicken sandwich
Thursday: Bosco (hot cheese stick)
Friday: Fish sandwich
You are an important partner with your child’s teacher, whether your child is learning at home or at school. To help you support your child’s learning, GCPS is launching a new initiative called AKS at Home. With this project, families will learn ways to help their child practice skills they are learning in class as part of the district’s Academic Knowledge and Skills (AKS) curriculum. Parents have access to a library of recorded sessions and tipsheets. Find more information on the AKS at Home web page. **NEW DATES FOR SECOND SEMESTER HAVE BEEN ADDED!**
Personal Safety Lessons
Personal Safety Lessons
We all share a common goal for our children to be safe and protected from all things harmful. Related to that goal, our school counselors are required to present annual personal safety lessons designed to prevent sexual abuse. The Think First & Stay Safe program is a research-based program that teaches specific personal safety education by way of interactive classroom lessons. This program enables students to take an active and necessary role in protecting themselves from abuse and exploitation. You can learn more about the detailed lesson plans and research behind this program at www.childluresprevention.com. (Please be aware that more information is provided on the website than is actually used in Gwinnett County.) These lessons will take place for grades K-5 in January and February (in-person and digital students). Please contact your child’s counselor for more information or if you do NOT want your child to participate in the lesson. Unless written documentation is received, your child will participate in the sexual abuse prevention and safety lessons.Character Word of the Month: Kindness
The character word for the month is Kindness. We will also be highlighting this trait during Kindness Week February 16-19th. Stay tuned for more details! Teachers will be on the lookout for students exhibiting kindness to be chosen for the Cub of the Month!
Coats & Supplies
Super Book Return Challenge!
The Super Book Return Challenge 2021 will be held the week of February 1 - February 5. GCPS and the Gwinnett Public Library are collaboratively promoting this week-long event in an effort to get books lost during the pandemic returned to school media centers and library branches across the county.
Books can be placed in the book crate outside of front doors of the school or the books can be brought in and placed in the book drops inside the school. If you find books that do not belong to Woodward Mill, please bring these books to us. We will make sure the books are delivered to the appropriate school or library branch.
Thank you for your help with the Super Book Return Challenge! Look everywhere and return anywhere! We are excited about getting these books back into the hands of the students!
Curbside Book Checkout
Digital families, be sure to use the Destiny Discover catalog to place your media center holds. Once your book request is ready for pickup, you will receive an email notification. Please wait for the email notification before coming to the school. Email notifications are sent on Mondays and Wednesdays of each week.
Curbside service is offered on Tuesdays of each week. Our Tuesday hours are from 11:00-1:00. Please place your sign, with your child’s name and teacher name, in a visible place when you drive up to the front of the school.
If you can not make the curbside hours on Tuesday, you are welcome to come to the school and pick up the books anytime during school hours. We will bring the books to you in the front lobby. Use the following link to get you started with reserving media center books.
Book returns can be made at any time during the school day. Please return your media books to the basket by the front door of the school.
How to Place Media Center Holds for Digital Students
Contact Jennifer.Alden@gcpsk12.org if you have any questions.
Reading Rewards
January Reading Rewards logs are due on or before February 1! Reading logs for February will be in today’s Friday Folders!
The goal of our Reading Rewards program is to help students develop a consistent habit of reading. The monthly requirement is to read, outside of school hours, at least 20 minutes a day for at least 20 days of the month. Students are expected to list book titles and minutes read on each of the 20 dates that are logged on the form. Parents must initial each of the entry dates.
For students to be recognized, the reading log must be turned in on time and considered complete. Students can complete and submit a paper or digital log. The digital log, which can be found on the school home page of eCLASS. The digital log is an editable pdf file that can be downloaded and saved to your computer at home. Once complete the digital log is submitted as an eCLASS assignment.
If you have any questions about the Reading Rewards program, please email Jennifer.Alden@gcpsk12.org.
World Read Aloud Day
February 3 is World Read Aloud Day! This annual advocacy day, presented by global literacy nonprofit LitWorld and sponsored by Scholastic, unites people around the world by highlighting the importance of reading aloud and sharing stories. Bringing people together through stories will be more important than ever this year when the shared experience and connection of reading aloud is so needed in all of our communities. To take part in World Read Aloud Day, simply grab a book with your child and read aloud!
Georgia Picture Book Nominee Spotlight: "The Little Red Fort"
The Little Red Fort
Written by Brenda Maier and illustrated by Sonia Sanchez
In this adaptation of the Little Red Hen fable, Ruby wants to build a fort, but her three brothers refuse to help, so when the fort is finished Ruby will not let them join her-until the boys come up with a few embellishments for the fort, like a mailbox, a garden, and a fresh coat of paint.
The purpose of this annual program is to foster a love of reading in the children of Georgia and to introduce students to books of literary excellence. After reading at least ten of the twenty nominees, students will vote for their favorite book. All votes will be submitted to the University of Georgia in late February. The Georgia Picture Book Award Winner will be announced in March.
Reflections
WMES Facemasks
"The Promise of Gwinnett” campaign is a means of focusing attention on the importance of public education, the role it plays in our nation, and the outstanding schools found right here in Gwinnett County. In addition, the campaign focuses on the accomplishments of our students and the promise they hold for a bright future. Click here to visit the Promise of Gwinnett.
In5ive is a fast-paced, fact-filled informative program that gives you a quick five-minute update on the latest good news in education from Gwinnett County Public Schools.
Help our school everytime you shop! Enroll in the Publix Partners program to earn money for Woodward Mill every time you go grocery shopping.
Woodward Mill just received our quarterly check from the Publix Partners program for $122 dollars. Please help us raise more money for our school by registering for a Publix Partners account and entering your phone number every time you grocery shop at Publix. Every dollar counts!
Business Partners
Woodward Mill would like to take this opportunity to thank the numerous business partners that support the students and teachers at our school. Our business partners support our school in various ways such as sponsoring after-school clubs, providing teacher appreciation gifts, donating supplies, and mentoring students. Please check out our wonderful business partners below:
Woodward Mill proudly thanks our business partners! Please support these businesses that support our school!
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About Us
Website: http://www.woodwardmilles.com
Location: 2020 Buford Drive Northeast, Lawrenceville, GA, United States
Phone: 678-407-7590