The Big Train
The Newsletter of the Walter Johnson PTSA - September 2014
Walter Johnson PTSA
The Walter Johnson High School PTSA is a dedicated group of parents, teachers and students who work together in support of the school and community.
Email: ptsapres@walterjohnson.com
Website: www.walterjohnson.com/parents/ptsa.aspx
Location: 6400 Rock Spring Drive, Bethesda, MD, United States
Phone: 301-803-7100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/walterjohnsonhighschoolptsa#!/pages/Walter-Johnson-High-School-PTSA/406475452770593
Twitter: @wjptsa
Welcome to Walter Johnson High School
The PTSA is geared up to provide a variety of programs for WJ students and parents througout the school year, including guidance advisory events to prepare students for college and adulthood, a new WJ Community Youth Summit, and speakers addressing health and safety concerns. Please join us at our meetings (see dates below) and make sure you visit the PTSA website learn more about who we are. For up-do-date news on school events, join the PTSA bulletin board/email List. The WJ Discussions listserv is available for non-school postings and discussions.
Please take a moment now to join the PTSA. Your membership pays for our programs and our growing membership numbers translate into a stronger voice for our school throughout the county. Your membership fees and donations are our sole source of funding. We do no additional fundraising.
I look forward to meeting you and learning more about your particular ideas.
Barbara Ferry
PTSA President
Principal's Message
School hallways on the first day of school are filled with an abundance of excitement, promise, enthusiasm and a touch of anxiety. On Monday, Aug. 25, WJ opened its doors on the first day of school to 2,245 very enthusiastic and exuberant students. As always, one could feel the energy and anticipation as the kids bounced through the halls, greeting friends and staff. They compared schedules, talked about summer adventures, gave hello hugs to pals and genuinely expressed their delight at being back to school.
Everyone was hunting for their classes and exploring the best and most expeditious route through the vast hallways of WJ. New students were assisted by a host of helpful folks and everyone eventually made it to their classes. The high expectations that come with the promise of a new beginning were ever present as students navigated the first day. School hallways are meant to be filled with children and we are thrilled to have ours back in the building.
Student engagement in the classroom is especially important and this year we are very excited to announce that we have 704 Chrome Books for our students to use in their classes. The new technology will only enhance the excellent instruction that is already taking place here at WJ. Additionally, our building is now wired for WiFi so students, staff and visitors will be able to use the service when in the building. Please note that county rules and regulations apply when using our WiFi on personal devices. It has been exciting this week to observe our students in action with the Chrome Books and I look forward to seeing what is yet to come in our classrooms.
With the beginning of school, we always observe a few great traditions to get us geared up for the year. A special thank you goes out to our parent volunteers, staff volunteers, club members, the National Honor Society and senior class sponsors for hosting the New Family Picnic and Senior Picnic. Despite inclement weather at both events, new families and our seniors enjoyed themselves tremendously. I encourage all of our students to try as many extracurricular activities as possible. One of the extraordinary things about Walter Johnson is we really do have something of interest to offer all students both inside and outside of the classroom. Students who are involved in school activities have a much richer experience.
For our parent community, I encourage each of you to form a strong connection with the school and to join our excellent parent organizations that support your children and WJ. A list of calendar events and more information regarding parent involvement may be found at www.walterjohnson.com. Our website is a wealth of information and I encourage you to explore it.
We are truly looking forward to this new school year and hope to see you at one of our many events soon.
Jennifer Baker
Principal
Community Youth Summit Leads Initiatives for 2014-15
New in 2014! Walter Johnson will host a Community Youth Summit. A team of parents and students will work together in the fall to learn about issues that are important to WJ students. In the early spring, the team will invite dozens of health and guidance professionals to discuss those issues with students. The summit committee is forming now. Please contact Barbara Ferry if interested.
Student Involvement Committee
Guidance Advisory Committee
Visit the website for a full calendar of events, and be sure to make note of the upcoming grade level parents' meetings coming up in September, all beginning at 7 pm in the cafeteria:
Monday, Sept. 8 - 12th Grade
Monday, Sept. 15 - 9th Grade
Monday, Sept. 22 - 11th Grade
Monday, Sept. 29 - 10th Grade
2014-15 PTSA Meeting Schedule
Sept. 16
Oct. 21
Nov. 18
December - TBA
Jan. 20
Feb. 17
March 17
April 21
May 19- All PTSA business meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month from 7-8 pm in the Media Center and are open to all parents, students and teachers.
- Minutes and agendas will be linked to the meeting dates as they become available.
- PTSA meetings include an update from the principal and committee chairs and a discussion of ongoing business.
- Agenda items for meetings should be sent to the PTSA president a week prior to the meeting so that enough time can be allocated for discussion.
- Speakers sponsored by the PTSA are held at various times during the year and are organized by the Guidance Advisory Committee or the Health and Safety Committee.
Back-to-School Night
Thursday, Sep 4, 2014, 07:00 PM
6400 Rock Spring Drive, Bethesda, MD
Walter Johnson High School Education Foundation
Originally set up to fund enhancements to the modernization, the WJ Education Foundation now focuses on supplementing school system funding to take WJ’s programs from great to excellent and to provide opportunities for all students to use modern, professional-quality equipment in courses taught by broadly trained staff. We are able to raise and donate money with fewer restrictions than the PTSA and with a broader school focus than the Booster Club for facilities improvements, student programs and staff development. We work with Ms. Baker and the school to determine needs and wishes, as well as with the PTSA and Booster Club with advocacy and fundraising efforts.
The support from our families and community -- parents, alumni and events such as the Kensington 8K Race and class reunions -- has totaled over $330, 000. With this money, we have provided professional-quality equipment and materials, such as a concert-grade tuba, permanent sound equipment for the band room, and a mobile laptop lab. We also have given professional development grants such as coursework in masters programs; chances to study abroad; and conferences for journalism, science teachers and media specialists. This past year, we helped at the Kensington 8K Race, awarded our sixth student recognition award and have started to work with reunion groups, including recognizing alumni attending the Homecoming Game. This year, we will again partner with the Kensington 8K and we hope to see many WJ students, staff, alumni and friends race, walk or cheer on the runners on Sept. 20. We are also planning a speaker series, inviting many WJ alumni to participate.
One concrete example of your donations used to beautify the school is the Wildcat Walkway at the rear of the school near the gym entrance. It is an attractive enhancement to the area and will be a focus as alumni return to see the engraved bricks for years to come. The latest batch of the bricks were just nstalled- go see the bricks honoring staff and 2014 alums. We expect to order annually. Look for information on our website.
We need you continued support to meet our goals so please give as generously as you can. You can make an online donation or print out a cash donation form. The website includes information on getting involved, purchasing bricks or auditorium seat plates, and any upcoming fundraisers. We meet each month on the first Wednesday night and welcome new parents or alumni to join us.
Marney Jacobs
WJ Education Foundation President
Website: wjedfoundation.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wjedfoundation
Walter Johnson Booster Club
The WJ Booster Club is comprised of parents, staff, and students who support the notion that extra-curricular activities are an integral part of the educational experience. Our Booster Club at WJ is unique, however, because we are one of the first in Montgomery County that supports all extra-curricular activities, not just sports.
How Does the Booster Club Raise the Funds?
There are two main sources of support for the Booster Club. The first is through our membership. It is essential that families in the WJ community join the Booster Club to provide the funds necessary to support our students in their activities. The second source of support is our fundraising events. Long-standing favorites include the mulch sale, used book fair, school store and our online store. Stay tuned for details on these fundraisers and more.
Why Should I Get Involved in the Booster Club?
In this time of cutbacks and economic hardship, it is more important than ever to get community support and provide our students with a well-rounded education. Volunteering your time in the Booster Club will help ensure that this goal is met. In addition, the Booster Club is comprised of dedicated people who not only work hard, but know how to have fun while doing it. Please visit our website for more information on donating and volunteering.
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR
- Thursday, Sept. 4, 7 pm - Back-to-School Night
- Monday, Sept. 8, 7 pm - Senior Parent Meeting
- Monday, Sept. 15, 7 pm - Freshman Parent Meeting
- Saturday, Sept. 20 - Kensington 8k
- Monday, Sept. 22, 7 pm - Junior Parent Meeting
- Saturday, Sept. 27, 9 am - College Saturday for Juniors, Seniors, and Parents
- Monday, Sept. 29, 7 pm - Sophomore Parent Meeting
- Thursday, Oct, 2, 7 pm - Parent Connection for Students Who Learn Differently
- Monday, Oct. 6, 7 pm - Parent Connection for Spanish Speakers
- Wednesday, Oct. 8, 7 pm - Rising Ninth Grade APEX Scholars Information Night
- Monday, Oct. 13 - 7:45 am - Open House, Parent Coffee, College Admissions Testing
- Friday, Oct. 17, 6:30 pm - Homecoming Football Game vs. Northwood
- Saturday, Oct. 18, 8:30 pm - Homecoming Dance in the Gym
- Monday, Oct. 20, 7 pm - Private School Transition
- Monday, Oct. 27, 7 pm - College Financial Aid Meeting
- Monday, Nov. 17, 7 pm - Understanding AP Classes
- Friday, Nov. 21, 7 pm - Parent Connection for Students Who Learn Differently
- Wednesday, Dec 3, 7:30 pm - Colleges that Change Lives at Walt Whitman HS Auditorium
SGA News
While we hope you all had a memorable and safe summer, we are happy to welcome our enthusiastic Wildcats and families back to school this August. We want to take this opportunity to recognize the Leadership students and PTSA who served snacks and directed rising ninth graders during New Student Orientation on Aug. 21. Never mind the rain, clubs and teams of every variety recruited freshman in high spirits at the annual family picnic. New opportunities are arising on campus every day since we encourage students to organize their own clubs.
While each of our classes are establishing their routines, our teachers and faculty are preparing for Back-to-School Night on Thursday, Sept. 4, at 7 pm. Parents are encouraged to attend and follow their student's schedule. More information can be found on the school website. Be on the lookout for the release of our award-winning school literary and arts magazine, Spectator.
Fall sports and club sports ask for your support this season. Be sure to attend games, meets, and matches to represent the Madcows. Aspiring for a year of green and white, we invite each grade level to participate in a traditional class color day and our fall pep rally on Friday, Sept. 5. The pep rally will take place during school with an alternative schedule. Seniors will dress in green, juniors in black, sophomores in white, and freshman in yellow. Additional spirit dress days following Labor Day weekend will include Pajama Day, USA Day, and Denim Day. The long-awaited unveiling of the two new mascots will bring the house down.
Underclassmen should be prepared to take yearbook photos during their science classes on Wednesday, Sept. 10.
We realize the beginning of a new chapter can be overwhelming, so we want to remind our senior class of a few dates to mark in a calendar. Parking permit requests will be accepted in the security office no later than Friday, Aug. 29. Don't miss the opportunity to hear prospective college recruiters speak in the next few weeks. Specific information can be found in the College and Career Center. If you did not take a yearbook photo over the summer, make sure to schedule a make-up date directly with Lifetouch.
We look forward to another successful year.
Kassidy Baldwin
Student Government Association
WANT TO RAISE FUNDS FOR WJ WITHOUT TAKING ANY MONEY OUT OF YOUR POCKET?
You can do this by linking your store loyalty card to Walter Johnson. WJ earns money every time you shop at Giant, Target, Safeway, Food Lion and Harris Teeter as long as you designate WJ as your beneficiary school. You can also opt to support more than one school. But you can’t help if you don’t register. And remember, many stores require you to re‐register every year, so please check to make sure your cards are still registered.Please take a moment and follow the links below. Use the WJ ID numbers and sign up now to help WJ earn.
Target Red Card Visa - School ID: 58206
Harris Teeter - School ID: 7371
Safeway - WJ Group ID: 6679161
Giant - School ID: 00646
Food Lion (including the former Bloom stores) - School ID: 219715
Submit an Item for The Big Train Newsletter
The Walter Johnson Big Train is the PTSA monthly newsletter, posted online. The submission deadlines for the 2014-15 The Big Train are Sept. 24, Oct. 29, Nov. 26, Dec. 17, Jan. 28, Feb. 25, March 25, April 29 and May 27.
Articles, questions and comments may be submitted via email to thebigtrain@walterjohnson.com with the article in the body of the message or as an attachment (please indicate file type). The Big Train is posted on the WJ website, so please do not included information you would not want to see online. Please supply email addresses as well as phone numbers for contact information whenever possible.
All persons associated with WJ are encouraged to submit news and information.