Whittier Weekly Newsletter
April 18, 2021
Important Information - responses needed
Dear Whittier Families,
On Friday, you received a Find Out First from FCPS with information about the elementary offering of four days a week of in-person instruction. On Friday afternoon, we sent out the link for Whittier parents to indicate their wishes. I am including it again below in case you have not had an opportunity to complete it yet. It is a quick turn-around time to plan for this change, so your prompt response is greatly appreciated. As of this moment, I have 258 responses. Thank you very much for communicating your wishes.
Please click on the link below (or copy and paste it into your browser) to complete a short form, so that we may begin planning for the May 3 implementation.
We ask that you complete one form for each elementary child in your home.
Responses are required by Wednesday, April 21. We appreciate your help gathering this important information. Please look for additional communication as we plan for the transition.
Whittier Elementary Reopening Update: Instructional Model Form
WHES - Actualización de reapertura de escuelas primarias: formulario del modelo de instrucción
As with anything that a school community does, success comes from the close collaboration between parents, staff, and students. I continue to be grateful for the opportunity to serve such a positive, hard-working, and dedicated community.
With my kindest regards and appreciation,
Lorcan OhEithir, Principal
Library Book Exchange
Library Book Exchange News!
Virtual students:
If your child would like to check out library books, please complete the permission form and help them place up to 3 holds in LS2PAC on books they’d like in LS2PAC by 4pm Wed. April 21. Book Pick Up is between 3:00-4:00pm on Wed., April 28 in the front of the school. Please pull up to return their library books and pick up your bag of new library books. Masks are required. If families are unable to pick up at this date and time, they can pick up books from the front office between 8:30-4:00 on either Thurs. the 29th or Fri. the 30th. Here is the schedule for upcoming dates for holds and pick up.
Cohort A and B students:
If your child would like to check out library books, they will need to place their holds in LS2PAC by 4:00pm Wed., April 28. Ms. Dattoli will check out the books to your child and deliver them to their classroom during the week of May 3-7. Students will return their old books in their classroom bin. Here is the schedule for upcoming dates for holds and deliveries.
Questions? Email Ms. Dattoli at tina.dattoli@fcps.org.
Counselor's Corner with Mrs. Reese and Mrs. Leatherman
April is the Month of the Military Child
At Whittier we acknowledge “Purple Up Day” by wearing Purple to show support for our students from Military Families. Please wear PURPLE this coming Friday, April 23rd.
Why purple? Purple is the color that symbolizes all branches of the military, as it is the combination of Army green, Coast Guard blue, Air Force blue, Marine red, and Navy blue.
For More Information about MOMC: Month of the Military Child
ATTENTION PEER MENTORS! We will have a meeting during lunch (1:00-1:30) on Tuesday April 20th. The meeting is for ALL Peer Mentors- virtual and hybrid and will in Google Meet named: WHESPEERMENTORS. We will be preparing for Mental Health Matters Campaign- May 3-8th.
Counseling Lessons for April: We will continue to come into your child’s classrooms - both virtually and hybrid to deliver our Leader in Me and Counseling lessons.
Grades K-2: Habit #5: Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood. We will be focusing on Tolerance and Accepting Differences.
Grades 3-5: Habit #5: Seek first to Understand, then to be Understood. We will be learning more about Diversity, Tolerance and Acceptance- These themes inspire conversation. We encourage our students to ask questions and share what they have learned!
Student Small Groups Schedule : Our small groups will continue to meet virtually during hybrid. The virtual schedule for groups is posted on the Counselor’s Corner Schoology Page.
HYBRID Mrs. Leatherman's Google Meet Codes
Hybrid Schedule: Mrs. Reese's Groups
Please do not hesitate to contact us on our Schoology Counselor’s Corner or by phone or email . We continue to support the Social Emotional Well being of all Whittier Students.
Mrs Leatherman 240-236-3135 Kirsten.Leatherman@fcps.org
Mrs Reese: 240-236-3170 Lisa.Reese@fcps.org
Upcoming Dates
Today: Complete your request for 2 days, 4 days, or virtual per Board of Education decision (link above)
Now and ongoing: Enroll for Pre-K and Kindergarten for the coming year: Enroll Here
Wednesday, April 21: Reserve your child's library books by 4pm. (details above)
Friday, April 23rd: Purple Up Day in support of our military families
Wednesday, April 28: Pick up reserved library books
May 2nd-May 8th: Mental Health Matters Campaign - details in next week's Whittier Weekly
Camp Invention this Summer
Spark your child’s creativity and confidence with our new Camp Invention® program, Recharge! At Whittier Elementary from July 12th to July 16th, campers in grades K-6 will team up to take on fun, hands-on STEM challenges. From taking apart their own microphone to exploring solar-powered crickets and creating duck-launching devices, each activity is designed to give your young innovator an unforgettable summer experience. Watch this video for more information: RECHARGE overview video
This year camp will be offered both in person or at home and families have the option to choose either up until Memorial Day! See this FLYER (en español or français) for more information about registration.
Contact Robin Murphy at robin.murphy@fcps.org with any questions.
Whittier Elementary School - Believe, Achieve, Succeed
We will also communicate through our school website
Follow me on Twitter @fcpsOhEithir where I will communicate school news and happenings
Email: lorcan.oheithir@fcps.org
Website: https://education.fcps.org/whes/home
Location: 2400 Whittier Drive, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
Phone: (240) 236 3100
Twitter: @fcpsOhEithir