Dolphin Digest
Weekly Update #42
Weekly Message!
Week of May 24th
WMES Parents/Guardians,
Happy Friday! We had another fantastic week of school. Due to end of the year planning for WMES Summer Learning and other professional development requirements for our WMES staff, we will be ending on Wednesday, May 26th for small group instruction for the remainder of the year. 6/2 and 6/9 will be reserved for any teachers needing to meet with students to complete missing assignments as needed for the end of Quarter 4.
Also, just a reminder that we are still selling yearbooks and they are selling very quickly. A flyer came home last week in case you want to order one. Also, all fifth grade students will receive one free due to a generous donor.
ATTENTION: NEW PRE-K and KINDERGARTEN STUDENT REGISTRATION FOR 21-22
Please call 410-476-3144 to make an appointment for your 30-minute registration review. You do not need to bring your child to this appointment.
We are asking families to mark their calendars for June 2 and June 9th so they can drop off any school materials. Students will be expected to return their iPads this year. All virtual students will need to drop them off in the afternoon of June 17th or June 18th. All in-person iPads will be collected by their teachers. If a TCPS technician or service contractor deems that damage caused to equipment was the result of neglect or malicious intent, Parents will be notified and may be responsible for the cost of repair.
We will thrive in 2021 because we are #!WMES STRONG! Thank you for your continued support. Stay safe and well!
Ms. Seidel, Proud Principal
Please Return Overdue Library Books!
Parents/Guardians-
Please check for possible WMES library books at home! Ms. Middleton, Media IA, will be limiting the number of books checked out by our students and then will be stopping check out in order to get all our books back! Thank you!
The Reading Corner
As a parent, there are a number of things you can do to encourage your child to read and to develop strong reading and writing skills over the summer. Here are 6 tips for parents and caregivers to help keep children engaged in reading during the summer months:
1.) Create a fun reading space
Set up a tent or create a reading fort. Add comfy pillows, bean bags, and blankets along with a basket of books to make a fun, relaxing spot for reading.
2.) Make a reading routine
Set aside a specific time each day to dedicate to reading, by making it a priority.
3.) Ensure reading materials are readily available
Make books easily accessible in the most used rooms of your home and carry them with you everywhere.
4.) Make reading an adventure: Visit libraries, bookstores, and take field trips
Take your child to your local library or bookstore. Picking out a book can be just as much fun as reading one.
5.) Encourage choice
Reading should be a choice, not a chore. Allowing your child to choose the books they read gives them a sense of control.
6.) Write Away
Keep writing materials handy such as pencils, paper, and crayons so that your child can practice writing. Encourage them to write letters or postcards to friends and relatives over the summer, to keep a journal, make a summer scrapbook, or to write stories and poems. Ask your child to help you when making shopping lists or copying a recipe.
5th Grade Parent Corner
We are planning our end of the year Fifth Grade events. On June 14th we will be holding a special lunch, awards ceremony, and our annual "Clap Out" event. This event will be an in-school event only and for students only this year due to COVID-19 and the safety of our staff and students.
We have been preparing for the end-of-year 5th-grade celebrations! Save the following dates
- Monday, June 14th 5th Grade End of Year Awards and Celebration-Students event ONLY
- Wednesday, June 16th Drive-thru Goodbye
June 14th:
Virtual students are invited to join us at WMES for an End of the Year Celebration!
12:20 pm: Arrival for those virtual students who wish to attend the celebration in person.
***Please let us know as soon as possible if you would like for your virtual child to attend this event, in person, so we may plan accordingly.
Lunch will be provided free to students by Sodexo
-Students may bring a blanket or towel to sit on. Following lunch, they will have an extended recess time.
At 2:00, the awards will be given out.
Parents/families will be able to join via a Zoom link.
-Any WMES students who do not wish to attend the celebration in person may also join via the Zoom link.
After the awards, the traditional WMES 5th grade clap-out will occur at 3:15. This is a time when the whole school puts their hands together to "clap out" and congratulate the 5th graders.
At 3:20 Virtual students will be picked up for dismissal.
June 16th:
Drive-thru will be a student and family-only event where each student will be recognized.
The drive-thru will be from 10:00-11:00.
Feel free to decorate your car!
WMES Field Day Info.
Field Day(S)
2020-21 WMES Field Day(S) Activities scheduled for the weeks of:
May 24-28
June 1-4
June 7-11
It has been an unusual educational year. We have been in person, hybrid, A Day, B-Day, and even C Day. It has been hard on all of us trying to keep some sense of predictability. In hopes of maintaining expectations, I’d like to send a message out about Field Day(S)! Yes, that is an (S) at the end of Day, which means there will be multiple days in the field.
For WMES, those dates are May 24-27, June 1-3 (Memorial Day is Monday), and June 7-11.
Field Day activities will be:
1. conducted during PE class time
2. performed outside (weather and activity-dependent)
Please come to school on Field Day(S) ready to participate with sunscreen, water bottles, comfortable shoes, and activity-appropriate clothing as needed.
We cannot have the traditional Field Day with families or volunteers participating along with the students. Still, there are activities on my FROG page under Field Day that each family can perform together. If those activities are conducted at home, please share pictures and messages on the page or via email to their teachers or me.
I am looking forward to these Field Day(S) as they are a marker that the school year is coming to an end and SUMMER VACATION BEGINS!
TCPS Dress Code Reminders
Just a reminder as the weather gets warmer:
Spaghetti strap tops, open back tops/dresses, strapless shirts are not to be worn to school.
Shorts, dresses, and/or skirts that are shorter in length than the mid-thigh are not permitted.
See-through or mesh shirts, tops, dresses, slacks, or shorts, are not to be worn unless they are worn over other appropriate clothing. Pants or shorts that contain holes or slits above the mid-thigh are not permitted.
No flip-flops. Sandals must have a strap on the heel.
No head coverings including, but not limited to: hats, bandanas, hoods, visors, or sunglasses.
PBIS Parent Corner
To date our WMES students have earned 259 Positive Office Referrals during Quarter 4. Our grand total for the year is up to 1,343.
When your child is in school, they practice being Responsible, Respectful, and Safe. Reinforcing these behaviors at home will only help solidify its importance. One way to practice being Responsible at home is to encourage your child to "always do their best." Describe what “doing your best” means in your home. Examples might include focusing on your work, reading/listening to all instructions before beginning, asking for help when needed, and sticking with it until done. Discuss what this looks like (and does not look like) across the types of learning activities. At the start of the day and at the beginning of new or difficult activities, remind children to “do their best work.” When you see your child doing their best, provide specific praise. “It’s great to see you doing your best! I think you’ll be proud of your work!
--
HARRIS TEETER'S TOGETHER IN EDUCATION PROGRAM!
We need our families to please sign up!!! HARRIS TEETER'S TOGETHER IN EDUCATION PROGRAM!
Earn funds for WMES by linking us to your Harris Teeter VIC card, then shop Harris Teeter brands!
Linking must occur each school year.
Here's the link to register your VIC card: https://www.harristeeter.com/together-in-education
Thank you in advance for your support!
PowerSchool Parent Access Videos
And with a HUGE thank you to Janine Puma, here is the link to the video of directions in Spanish:
Technology Updates
TECHNOLOGY TROUBLE-SHOOTING TIPS:
If you are having trouble with your device (slow running, not holding a charge, etc), please email wmeshelpdesk@talbotschools.org with the following information: Your name, your school's name, the issue you are having, and your contact information.
VISIT for TCPS Technology Tutorials:
https://www.tcps.k12.md.us/2020-21-news/online-learning-family-tutorials
Reminders from the School Health Office
All of the following are symptoms of Covid -19
Fever (100.4 or higher)
Chills/Body Aches
Sore Throat
Headache
Nausea or Vomiting
Diarrhea
Loss of taste or smell
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Breathing
New or worsening cough
Fatigue
Congestion/Runny nose
Please do not send students to school sick.
If a student has 2 or more of the above symptoms they will be sent home.
They will be required to stay home for 10 days or see a doctor to get a specific diagnosis or get tested for Covid-19.
Please continue to monitor your children for any of the above symptoms and follow the guidelines to help keep students and staff safe and in school.
Please feel free to call the school health office if you have questions regarding your child coming to school due to illness.
WMES PTO Updates
*PTO officers:
Presidents/Vice President: Valerie Russ
Treasurer: Lisa Short
Secretary: Carla Beavers
Dedicated Dolphin
This year we are looking for parents, teachers, and community members to nominate a WMES teacher for the Dedicated Dolphin Award. Click on the link to submit a nomination during any time of the year. Dedicated Dolphin Nomination Form:
Important Upcoming Dates:
May:
5/31- NO SCHOOL- Memorial Day
JUNE
June 11th-Last day of Pre-K
*6/14- Tentative 5th Grade Celebration (Students Only)
*6/16- Tentative 5th Grade Drive-Thru Celebration 10:00-11:00 a.m. (Families Welcome in Cars, Decorating of Cars Encouraged!)
*6/17- Last Day for Students, Early Dismissal 12:20 p.m.
White Marsh Elementary School
4322 Lovers Ln,
Trappe, MD 21673
(410) 476-3144
WMES Teacher Super Heroes!
Grandparent's Club!!!
Connect with Kim Seidel and White Marsh Elementary School
Email: kseidel@talbotschools.org
Website: http://www.tcps.k12.md.us/schools/WMES
Location: 4322 Lovers Lane, Trappe, MD, USA
Phone: 410-476-3144
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/wmes21673/about/?ref=page_internal