The Wildcat Chat
What's Happening at Willard? | February 26, 2021
Supplies, Backpacks, & Lockers
E-Hallpass & Navigating Willard
House Office Outreach Update
Given our return to hybrid, we will be changing the way in which students may reach out to the house administrative assistants. Instead of contacting them through the previously established Google Meet links, we ask that students send them an email directly. This will allow for a prompt response. Please note the contact information below:
- Grade 6 | Ms. Niehaus | Kerri.Niehaus@lcps.org
- Grade 7 | Ms. Mackey | Angelique.Mackey@lcps.org
- Grade 8 | Ms. Spanka | Heather.Spanka@lcps.org
Crossing Guard Introduction
With School starting on the hybrid plan on Wednesday, March 3, we will have a crossing guard stationed in front of Willard from 8:00 a.m. to 8:35 a.m. and from 3:15 p.m. to 3:50 p.m. During those times, no traffic should exit the school onto Braddock Rd. Please advise that parents will need to exit at Grassland Grove.
Make Up MAP Assessments
On Monday, March 1, students who did not have an opportunity complete the recent Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) testing, will be able to do so at 10:00 a.m. They simply need to go to meet.google.com. Once there, they need to enter the room WMS-Pickering. We look forward to them completing this valuable testing. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Steve Pickering.
WIDA Testing Reminder
On Monday, March 1, several of our students will be participating in WIDA ACCESS testing, starting at 8:30 a.m. Impacted students have been contacted by either their English Language Learner teachers Marina Xander and/or Michaela Corcoran. Students should arrive promptly either via bus or parent drop off. We look forward to their participation in the speaking and writing sections of this four part test.
Library Excitement is in the Air
#1. March Madness Tournament of Books: Students may participate in our March Madness Tournament of Books. Students may vote from Monday through Friday. This week, students will vote for Round 1 and 2. Please visit the library website for more information.
#2. Book: Our Online Book Fair will be from Friday, February 26 to Sunday, March 7. We will be hosting a virtual book fair through Follett. All proceeds will help support library programs and our Makerspace. Please email michelle.yalavarthi@lcps.org with any questions.
#3. Book Check Out: We are excited to offer many options to check out a book. Please check out the possible ways below:
Students may continue to use Mackin VIA to check out an e-book. Directions are available here.
We will continue to provide curbside pick up service for all students. Additional information is available here.
Hybrid students may place a book on hold through Destiny Discover. If you need assistance with this process please email michelle.yalavarthi@lcps.org or nadege.bessonrouse@lcps.org. The book will be delivered to your English class or your resource class if you are a hybrid student.
The library will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:25 a.m. for book checkout. It will be a grab and go process and no seating will be available to students.
Students may return books outside the library in the blue return bin at any time. Please note that books will need to be quarantined for 72 hours before circulating again.
Partnering on Social & Emotional Health
Course Recommendations
We want to ensure that all of our students are prepared for success in the level of courses they choose. For students who request to Level UP or Level DOWN from that which was originally recommended by the current teacher, we want to keep the door open for your decision. Parents, please complete this form if you wish to make a change to your scholar's course request for the 2021-2022 school year.
The deadline for all changes is Thursday, June 24. No changes will be accepted after this date.
Please feel free to contact your scholar's school counselor with any questions or concerns!
WMS Spelling Bee Winner
On Thursday, February 18, we held a run-off for the selection of our WMS Spelling Bee winner. After six intense rounds, we were able to declare a winner—seventh-grader Lalitha Aravind. She won by correctly spelling the word "itinerary." She was competing against two amazing scholars, sixth-grader Adyanth "Adi" Agili and seventh-grader Bhavya Yendapalli. Lalitha will represent Willard in the Thursday, March 4 District Run Off. To watch our spelling bee, please watch this.
Science Olympiad Goes to States
Congratulations to Willard’s Science Olympiad team! The students' hard work at the regional competition in areas of STEM secured them a place in the state competition in March–Wow! Congratulations to our scholars: Aadi Dhruv, Namish Dondeti, Harika Gunda, Gavin Holland, Asmita Kodityala, Prathima Prakash, Kabilan Prasanna, Guhan Ramanathan, Pratyush Saxena, Chetan Vanga, Vrishak Vemuri, Sthavir Vinjamuri, and Rahul Viswesh. And, thank you to our sponsors, Maria Gore and Amada Gworek! Good luck, Wildcats!