Whittier Weekly Newsletter
May 9, 2021
Looking Ahead
Dear Whittier Families,
For families who responded to the survey regarding 4 days a week, 2 days a week, or remaining virtual, we have been able to accommodate ALL requests that were made. The change to the new schedule will happen on Monday, May 17.
What you need to know:
- Families will receive an email from classroom teachers tomorrow, Monday 10th, to confirm your student's schedule for either 4 days, 2 days, or remaining virtual. We have worked very hard to provide as much continuity as possible for students and families.
- If families did not respond to the survey indicating a desire to change, those students will remain in their current assignment through the end of the year.
- Wednesday May 12th and Wednesday May 19th will be asynchronous days for students. This means that no live GoogleMeets will be scheduled. Your child's teacher will provide learning opportunities for these two days.
- If you want to confirm bus transportation, this is updated daily. Please plan to check in on Thursday or Friday to have the exact pick-up and drop-off time for your student. You can find the information here. (you'll need your child's student ID and birthdate) Please call the front office if you need any assistance- we are happy to help.
- Students in classrooms will maintain 3 feet of social distancing while wearing a mask. Lunch and breakfast times require 6 feet of social distancing. We have reorganized schedules and staffing assignments to comply with the requirements. The asynchronous day this Wednesday allows us to prepare classrooms fully for increased capacity. Our school will have 440 students in-person with 250 remaining virtual.
- Please reinforce social distancing and mask-wearing with your student. They have done an OUTSTANDING job! The challenge remains that when we have positive Covid19 cases we will need to do contact tracing, notification, and quarantining as required. We sincerely appreciate the vigilance and attention to health and safety from our families and staff. It has allowed us to prevent significant disruption to instruction.
- Your child's teacher will share the schedule with you this Wednesday. It does not have significant changes, but does require some adjustments to the virtual schedules to make everything work.
- Please plan to send a water bottle to school with your child if possible. We continue to reinforce hygiene, cleanliness, and to minimize sharing of materials.
It has been a challenging year, and maybe that's an understatement. I know that the toll on our families, on students, and our staff has been significant. I do believe that we have brighter days ahead for all of us as long as we stick together and support each other. I am grateful to our community for remaining united and for communicating so well together.
With gratitude and love,
Lorcan OhEithir, Principal
Thank You
At Whittier, all of our staff are included in this week - our food services staff, bus drivers, custodial staff, support staff, and teachers. And honestly, when a school really wants to be successful, our parents, students, and staff are one. That's what I am appreciative of.
Mr. OhEithir
Counselor's Corner with Mrs. Reese and Mrs. Leatherman
Mental Health Matters Campaign Thank you, Peer Mentors, for helping us to promote this important week! Peer Mentors MHA Week 2021
Please continue to check out our Schoology page with resources for your child’s mental health for the rest of the year. Here is a summary of the information that we shared with students this week. Children's Mental Health Matters Week Slideshow
Take some time this week to talk about the importance of Mental Health and Self Care with your child. Please take time to check out this calendar and try to do as many as you can with your child this Month. Mental Health Matters.pdf
Lessons this Month:
Grades K-2 will be learning about Careers. We will also be focusing on our final habit of the year, Habit #6 Synergize- working together is better.
Grades 3-5 will continue to focus on Self Care and Mental Health throughout the month of May. Beginning the second week in May, we learn about Careers.
Fourth Graders will have the opportunity to apply for Leadership Positions for the upcoming fifth grade year. Mrs. Reese will be coming to 4th grade classes to present information about these leadership opportunities.
Attention Safety Patrols! It’s yearbook picture time! We will meet at the front of the school on Wednesday May 12th (asynchronous day) at 3:00pm for our Safety Patrol picture. ALL Safety Patrol members should plan to attend. We will have belts available for those who do not already have a belt and badge. All patrols are welcome to be photographed. Hybrid students and virtual students. If you were selected for this position in June 2020, you should plan to be included in the photograph.
Student Small Groups Schedule
Our small groups continue to meet virtually. 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 FIfth grade group will meet on Tuesday at 1:00 on May 11th, and May 19th due to the asynchronous schedule. The code is: WHESREESE
Mrs Leatherman 240-236-3135 Kirsten.Leatherman@fcps.org
Mrs Reese: 240-236-3170 Lisa.Reese@fcps.org
Library Book Exchange
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 Sun., May 9.
Book Pick Up is between 3:00-4:00pm this Wed., May 12 in the front of the school. Please pull up to return their library books and pick up your 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 13th or Fri. the 14th.
This is the last virtual book exchange for this school year.
Families may return all library books on Wed., May 26 between 3:00-4:00pm in the front of the school or return them to the front office by June 1.
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., May 12.
Ms. Dattoli will check out the books to your child and deliver them to their classroom during the week of May 17. Students will return their old library books in their classroom bin by May 17.
This will be the last book exchange for this school year.
Students will then return all library books by June 1. Questions? Email Ms. Dattoli at tina.dattoli@fcps.org.
Whittier Elementary PTA Needs YOU!
At this time, we are in great need of candidates for these positions. All that is required is a big heart and some time.
If you appreciate all the activities sponsored by the PTA and feel you might be up for the challenge of volunteering while also being an active member at WHES, please consider taking a role on the PTA Executive Board for the 2021-2022 school year. Whittier has a strong and active PTA and the executive board plans many activities that enrich the lives of our children and teachers during the school year. We are currently looking for volunteers to run for all open board member seats.
President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer.
This has been a tough year for our school and PTA and any support you can give the school is important for our students and school community. The incoming executive board sets the goals for each year with regards to activities, so a new board would decide how many activities to take on. The current board will help you transition into your roles with any assistance and guidance over the summer.
If you are interested in running for a position or have questions, please do not hesitate to contact Sarah Leembruggen. (sleembruggen@me.com 240-481-4349)
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