The Wolf Howl
March 2023
Letter From The Principal
With the month of March comes the end of winter. March also marks the end of the third marking period. This is a great opportunity to discuss student progress with teachers. I would also encourage regular conversations with your children about how they are performing and what they are learning.
How You Can Help at Home: Even as students are showing growth and mastery, many still must reach end-of-year reading and math goals. Please listen to your children read aloud. Encourage reading and ask questions about what was read. Have students write in journals and respond to questions about their reading and in math, students must master their addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts.
Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP): This year, students in grades 3 through 5 will take the MCAP tests. The MCAP test measures how well students are meeting academic expectations and learning the knowledge and skills they need to stay on track in school and after high school – in college or a career. The test measures complex skills like critical thinking, persuasive writing, and problem-solving. The MCAP test is just one of many ways that teachers and schools measure whether your child is on track for success. Teachers use the scores to improve teaching and learning, and to customize instruction to meet each student’s needs. Parents receive one report for English Language Arts and one for Mathematics.
March Events
WMES Literacy Night
Thursday, March 2
Adventures In Reading Assembly
Thursday, March 2
Early Release Day
Friday, March 3
Dismissal at 12:50pm
Reading Rally
Friday, March 3
Family Market Day
Tuesday, March 7
4:00pm-6:00pm
Virtual Parent Cafe
Thursday, March 9
7:00pm
National Parks Assembly
Friday, March 10
Moe's Southwest Grill Fundraiser
Tuesday, March 14
11:30am-7:30pm
Girls On The Run Spring Season Begins
Tuesday, March 14
Virtual Bedtime Stories
Thursday, March 16
7:00pm
WMES Town Halls
Friday, March 17
Books & Bagels (Pre-K, Head Start, K, 1, 2)
Thursday, March 16
8:30am-9:00am
Books & Bagels (3, 4, 5)
Friday, March 17
8:30am-9:00am
2023-2024 Kindergarten Registration Opens
Monday, March 27
Spring Break
Friday, March 31-Monday, April 10
Save The Date!
School Updates
FREE SHIPPING on all spiritwear starting March 10!
Introducing...the WMES Walking School Bus!
Parent Volunteers Needed!
2023-2024 Pre-K & Head Start Registration Open Now!
2023-2024 Kindergarten Registration Opens March 27!
Books & Bagels is Back!
Be sure to join us on Zoom for this month's virtual Parent Cafe!
Join WMES Girl Scout Troop!
This Month's Market Day
This Month's Fundraiser: Moe's Southwest Grill!
Please consider purchasing Moe's Southwest Grill on Tuesday, March 14 any time from 11:30am-7:30pm! All sales that mention Watkins Mill Elementary School will have a portion donated to our school! Funds raised will be used towards assemblies, events, and materials for our students and families. Thank you for your support!
Kindergarten Registration Opens May 27! See flyer below for more details!
WMES is starting a PTO, and we need YOU!
Wellness Words of Wisdom
Mental Health Resources
"Where can I learn more about children's mental health?"
Always seek immediate help if a child engages in unsafe behavior or talks about wanting to hurt themselves or someone else. Refer to this list of local and national resources: Where To Get Help
It can be hard for families to tell the difference between challenging behaviors and emotions that are consistent with typical child development and those that are cause for concern. In general, if a child’s behavior persists for a few weeks or longer, causes distress for the child or the child’s family, and interferes with functioning at school, at home, or with friends, then consider seeking help.
Listed below are informational resources on a variety of mental health topics to help families and educators support student success.
What is Mental Health? | Español
Supporting Children’s Mental Health | Español
What to Expect: Healthy Mental and Emotional Development
Facts for Families: Early Childhood Mental Health
Facts for Families: When to Seek Help
Facts for Famlies: Well-being and Resiliency
Resilience Guide for Parents and Teachers
The Road to Resilience | 10 Ways to Build Resilience
Parents Guide to Getting Good Care
Finding Culturally Proficient Mental Health Providers
Grief | Grief after a Traumatic Event | Helping Children Cope
Oppositional and Defiant Disorders
Self Injurious Behavior | Español
Substance Use | Español | Keeping Youth Drug Free
Suicide | Start the Conversation | Support for Suicidal Thinking and Threats | Español
Friday Bags
If you would like your student(s) to receive Friday Bags this school year, please contact your student's teacher or a member of our WMES Family Support Team!
CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS MONTH'S WOLF PAW WINNERS!
MCPS Updates
How to Find Mental Health Resources and Supports in MCPS
You can easily find valuable district information and community resources for students, staff and families on the MCPS homepage and at the top of every school website. MCPS is committed to the physical, social and psychological well-being of its more than 160,000 students and over 24,000 employees.
Student & Family Support / Mental Health Resources
Be Well 365 Resources by School
Mental Health and Crisis Support
MCPS Stronger Student mobile app
Free Tutoring Available to All MCPS Students
There are several free tutoring options available to MCPS students. FEV Tutor and Tutor Me Education offer free, virtual tutoring. By logging into their Clever accounts, students can join a tutoring session. Both companies offer the same two services: On-demand homework help that require no scheduling and scheduled, ongoing tutoring for longer term support.
FEV Tutor
More information linked in English and Spanish
To set up tutoring: mcps@fevtutor.com
*Offers tutoring without cameras for students in grades 3-12 who learn best without a camera.
Tutor Me Education
More information linked in English and Spanish
To set up tutoring: MCPS@tutormeeducation.com or 240-618-2549
Free English Classes for MCPS Parents
In collaboration with MCPS, the Literacy Council of Montgomery County (LCMC) is offering free English as a Second Language classes for MCPS parents. Parents with questions regarding class availability and the sign-up process should email Kevin Ralph from LCMC at kevin@lcmcmd.org or call 240-665-0471.
FREE Chromebooks for MCPS Students to Keep at Home
*Requesting the device implies consent of use in accordance with MCPS policy (IGT-RA) and acknowledgement that the Chromebook, software, and issued peripherals are owned by MCPS.
SchoolCash Online Registration
SchoolCash Online is an easy to use and safe way to pay for your children’s school fees. Now, with a few clicks, you can pay for your child’s yearbook, class trips and so much more from your own home. All you have to do is register an account, attach your children and in no time you will be able to make payments online.
Click here to view instructions in English
MCPS Parent Academy To-Go
The MCPS Fall 2022 Parent Academy To Go session will begin on September 14. Please join us to engage in virtual workshops that will provide tips, tools, and strategies to support your child’s academic progress and social emotional well-being. Please see the schedule and register for upcoming workshops below.
Community Updates
MCPS Community Resource Guide
Washington WIzards' Winter Reading Challenge
Participating is easy:
- Sign up online via MCPL’s website.
- Print a game board at home or pick one up at your local library.
- Read any book of your choosing for 20 minutes a day and complete fun activities to receive points and earn badges.
- Earn the Reading badge and at least two other badges focused on Fitness Fun, Programs or Connect and Share by March 31 to complete the Challenge.
Register for the Wizards Winter Reading Challenge at https://www.dcfamily.com/winter-reading-challenge or by visiting MCPL’s website or any of MCPL’s 21 locations.
Montgomery Village Recreation Summer Camps
Montgomery Village Recreation's Summer Camp Registration is OPEN NOW!
LOOKING FOR A SAFE PLACE FOR YOUR CHILD(REN) TO HAVE FUN ON NON-INSTRUCTIONAL SCHOOL DAYS FOR THE 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR?
SCHOOL’S OUT ALL-SPORTS CAMP IS THE PERFECT SOLUTION TO KEEP BOYS & GIRLS AGES 5-13 BUSY AND ACTIVE, ALL WHILE HAVING A BLAST ON THEIR DAYS OFF!
Montgomery County to Distribute 10,000 Remaining Free ‘Montgomery Connects’ Computers to Eligible Low-Income Residents in February, March and April!
WMES Diaper Distributions
If you are in need of diapers and/or wipes at any time throughout the school year, please complete our WMES Diaper Request Form at the link below!
Previous Newsletters
Missed one of our Parent Cafes? No problem! Check out the presentations below!
Quick Links
Watkins Mill Elementary School
Mrs. Brooke Simon, Principal
Ms. Alejandra Olavarrieta, Assistant Principal
Mrs. Frances Avila-Miller, Assistant School Administrator
Email: Chelsea_J_Aceves@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/watkinsmilles/
Location: 19001 Watkins Mill Road, Montgomery Village, MD, USA
Phone: (240) 740-5280
Facebook: facebook.com/WMESCommunity
Twitter: @WMESCommunity
ASK MCPS/SPANISH HOTLINE
Call: 240-740-3000
Provides answers to community questions in English and Spanish from 7:30 a.m.
to 4:00 p.m., Mondays through FridaysE-mail: ASKMCPS@mcpsmd.org
Visit: Department of Family and Community Partnerships (DFCP) at 850 Hungerford Drive, Rockville, Maryland 20850