WHES Community News
Week of January 29, 2024
WHES Mission and Vision
Our mission is why we exist:
To inspire a contagious spark for learning and foster a sense of belonging for all – one relationship at a time.
Our vision is how we accomplish goals:
To establish Windy Hill Elementary School as a leading educational institution within CCPS. At WHES, we uphold a commitment to foster a sense of belonging with a strategic focus on systems that ensure continuous growth for all. At WHES, all members of the community will make an unparalleled, collaborative effort to inspire a contagious spark for learning and ensure all students achieve success.
Reminder: Your Feedback is Instrumental to Our Growth
Please click the photo to direct you to complete a brief survey to support our growth.
WHES Teacher and Support Person of the Year 🙌
We are thrilled to announce the WHES Teacher of the Year and the WHES Educational Support Person of the Year! The teacher is Chris Angus - Media Specialist! The support staff is our secretary Becky Flowers! Please take a moment to congratulate them when you see them. They were nominated and voted for this honor by our staff. We are so proud of them!
Getting Ready for the iReady Assessment Window
Hello Windy Hill Families,
It is hard to believe that we are already preparing for the second i-Ready® Diagnostic. The testing window is Monday, January 29- February 9th. The second Diagnostic is an important benchmark for understanding your student’s growth, which is why it is so important they try their best. These results allow us to better support them in achieving their goals for the year.
The most important thing we can do is prepare students and motivate them to put forth their best effort.
Here are a few things you can do to help support your student:
· Make sure they get a good night’s rest before taking the Diagnostic!
· Talk to your student about why the second Diagnostic is important. You can say things like:
o The second Diagnostic helps you find out how much progress you have made since the beginning of the year.
o It allows your teacher and I to celebrate your accomplishments!
o Try your best, and do not rush—but do not spend too much time on a question either.
o Remember, questions on the Diagnostic change based on your answers to earlier questions. You will see some questions you do not know. That is okay! Just try your best.
· Let them know you are excited to celebrate their progress.
Thank you for your continued partnership in your student’s learning.
Sincerely,
Joanne Harbaugh
LETRS Literacy Coach
Windy Hill Elementary
Upcoming Fundraising Event @ WHES
Read Details Here: Boosterthon Fundraiser 2024.pdf
- The sponsorship form: https://forms.office.com/r/3kY2ueJPvN
- The online school payment: https://osp.osmsinc.com/CalvertMD/BVModules/CategoryTemplates/Detailed%20List%20with%20Properties/Category.aspx?categoryid=EQ317
Important Dates & Reminders
January
29 - Report Card Date (Extended)
29 – Winter iReady Diagnostic Window Opens (through February 9)
February
14 – Valentine's Day
16 – No Students for Parent Conferences / Professional Learning
19 – Schools Closed for President's Day
23 – WHES Evening Art Show
March
1 - Snow Day Makeup
Spotlight on Learning
Raising Readers: What Parents Can Do
Click the picture for a 5-minute read from National Education Association with great tips on raising readers at home.
Attend the CCPS Winter Reading Festival
Read! Read! Read! Windy Hill Elementary is participating in the Bowie Baysox "Read & Hit a Home Run" reading program.
The “Read &Hit a Home Run” reading program is now in its 27th season. It provides an incentive, both inside and outside of the classroom, for students to read. Students that complete the program by reading a minimum of four books inside or outside of the classroom from early January through mid-March receive two free tickets to our school’s “Read & Hit a Home Run” reading program night at Bowie Baysox game on Saturday, April 6th.
SECAC Awards
The Calvert County Special Education Citizens' Advisory Committee (SECAC) invites parents and guardians to nominate the CCPS staff member (individual or team) who has made a difference in the life of your child with an IFSP, IEP or 504 accommodation plan in the 2023-2024 school year. Review the attachment to nominate someone from our WHES team who may have made a difference for your student! OR vote here: https://forms.office.com/r/tRRfpCPmPYPlease
Upcoming Community Events
Procedural Reminders
Substitute Positions at WHES!
Interested in a substitute position at Windy Hill Elementary School? Come join our team! Please email Ms. Schmidt if you are interested or have already completed the application process at the CCPS website.
Apply online
♥️Volunteers♥️
We LOVE our Volunteers and couldn't do without YOU!
EVERYONE must reapply for being a volunteer. The system was cleared out and you must reapply each year. Remember, if you want to be a chaperone or work events, you must be approved. If you are an employee of CCPS, you still need to complete the volunteer process for participation in events at school.
Even if you are not sure if you will be able to attend anything, please sign up early. Here’s the CCPS link of info:
Become a Volunteer - Calvert County Public School District (calvertnet.k12.md.us)
Parent Teacher Organization
I am happy to introduce our 2023-2024 PTO Board.
President
Holly Norton
Vice President
Destiny Sweeney
Secretary
Michele Katsaris
Staff Member at Large
Theresa Flaim
Treasurer
Paul Krutsch
Click here to learn more about our PTO Board.
Additional Information and Resources Previously Shared
For information about family events and youth activities taking place in our community, visit www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/flyers. Please note: These events and activities are not sponsored by the Calvert County Board of Education or Calvert County Public Schools. We provide equal opportunities to outside agencies to distribute materials that offer opportunities to students and/or their parents, but that permission should not be considered a recommendation or endorsement by the school district.
Nondiscrimination Statement
Calvert County Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, ancestry or national origin, familial status, marital status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or genetic information in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
- Director of Student Services
- Director of Human Resources
443-550-8000
For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System at: https://ocrcas.ed.gov or call 1-800-421-3481.
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Anti-sexual, Anti-racial and Anti-disability Harassment Statement
Discrimination can manifest itself in behaviors such as bullying, harassment, or intimidation of individuals.
Calvert County Public Schools does not tolerate any form of harassment including, but not limited to, sexual, racial, or disability. Any individual (student, employee, or community member) who believes that he or she has been subjected to any form of harassment is encouraged to report the allegation of harassment. Students, parents, and community members may report allegations of harassment to: Ms. Cecelia Lewis, Director of Student Services, Calvert County Public Schools, 1305 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Employees may report allegations of harassment to: Mr. Zachary Seawell, Director of Human Resources, Calvert County Public Schools, 1305 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678.
Calvert County Public Schools is committed to conducting a prompt investigation for any allegation of harassment. If harassment has occurred, the individual will be disciplined promptly. Disciplinary actions for students found to have engaged in any form of harassment may result in suspension or expulsion. Disciplinary actions for employees found to have engaged in any form of harassment may result in suspension or termination.
Calvert County Public Schools encourages all students, parents, employees, and community members to work together to prevent any form of harassment.
For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System at: https://ocrcas.ed.gov or call 1-800-421-3481.
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Calvert County Public Schools Antiracism Statement
Calvert County Public Schools explicitly denounces racism, bullying, discrimination, white supremacy, hate, and racial inequity in any form within our school community. Furthermore, CCPS will not tolerate the values, structures, and behaviors that perpetuate systemic racism.
Each member of the district, individually and collectively, is responsible for creating and nurturing a safe, antiracist learning environment where each student, staff member, and community partner is a respected and valued member of the CCPS community.
Owings Maryland 20736
Phone 443-550-9790
Fax 410-286-4023