WHES Community News
Week of February 19, 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.
Important Dates & Reminders
February
19 – Schools Closed for President's Day
22 – WHES Evening Art Show (this is a change from the 23rd)
March
1 – Snow Day Makeup (D day)
5-13 –Boosterthon Week
13 – Day of Fun Run Event
Mar 25-Apr 1 – Schools Closed for Spring Break
Windy Hill Fun Run Fundraiser
Our Windy Hill Fun Run fundraiser is kicking off soon! Lookout for more information in the coming weeks. For now, mark your calendars with these key dates!
● REGISTRATION OPENS - 02/20/2024
Register on MYBOOSTER.COM
● Windy Hill Fun Run Kickoff - 03/05/2024
● Event Day - 03/13/2024
Thanks for your support, Windy Hill Elementary families!
Please provide your information if you can present April 19th!
https://forms.office.com/r/vURy091mSj (kindergarten)
https://forms.office.com/r/ecP00WWAVR (First Grade)
https://forms.office.com/r/cEtGa3JXud (Second Grade)
https://forms.office.com/r/XFD1Rh0ixQ (3rd- 5th)
Youth Reading Program
Spotlight on Learning
Are you looking for research-based ideas that you and your child can engage in to help develop their reading and writing skills? If so, read the article below.
Parent Strategies for Improving Their Child’s Reading and Writing (nwea.org)
WHES Fundraiser
Counselor's Corner
Hello! Here at school, we are very busy learning about perseverance- what it means, why it's important and how we can persevere when we face challenges. Learning happens best when it is done both at school and at home. Below are many ways that you can help your child to continue to learn about the theme of perseverance, through reading about it, talking about it, and practicing it! We are really enjoying exploring this topic at school and we hope your family will enjoy it just as much!
Read About It
Here are some books to help learn more about perseverance:
- Whistle for Willie by Ezra Jack Keats
- After the Fall by Dan Santat
- Brave Irene by William Steig
- The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
Talk About It
Here are some discussion points to help you talk about perseverance with your child:
- What do you think perseverance means and why is it important?
- What is one way you can show perseverance at school?
- Why do you think it’s important to keep trying even if you fail?
- How does perseverance help you become better at something?
- What are some challenges that may require perseverance?
- How is perseverance different from giving up?
Upcoming Community Events
Northern High - Alice RESCHEDULED!
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.
School Based 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
Transfer Requests
Student Transfers: If your child is on a Student Transfer, the window for applying has opened. A transfer must be completed each year. Through the summer, each school monitors enrollment and staffing which sometimes leads to grade levels being closed to transfers. Please ensure you complete your transfer process in a timely manner to ensure attendance at WHES. Letters have been mailed to all families currently on a transfer.
If a Student Transfer Request is not submitted through ScribOrder (http://calvertmdc.scriborder.com) for the 2024-2025 school year, the student will return to their “home school” at the time of rollover. Please remember to complete the transfer in a timely manner (by spring/before summer break) when we make staffing decisions.
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