Rocket News
Woodholme Elementary School - September 2016
DID YOU NOTICE WOODHOLME'S ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL TIMES HAVE CHANGED?
For our returning families who missed our newsletters, emails, flyers and calls last year and this August, Woodholme's bell times were adjusted for the 2016-2017 school year. This means that the start of the school day arrival time is now 9:15 AM, and the late bell rings at 9:30 AM.
Afternoon dismissal starts at 3:55 PM, and all carpool and aftercare vans must pick up students by 4:10 PM. The pink carpool numbers had a typo error on them (listing 4:15 as the final pick up time), but that is in error, so please remind anyone picking up your carpool students to arrive by 4:10 PM.
For our morning front door carpool and day care drop-off families, this means that students should not get out of the cars or vans until the 9:15 bell rings. Parents, please know that staff members are not on duty out front until 9:15, so children should not be left unsupervised by dropping them off early and leaving them. This creates an unsafe situation when students start to play, argue or run around the grounds.
As we do at the start of every year when the carpool line is long, we have families who try to drop off their children on Mt. Wilson Lane, or they try to drive into the second parking lot which is only open to buses during arrival/dismissal. Both of these drop off locations are unsafe, and those cars get in the way of the many school buses driving in and out of the lot and in the way of the children crossing from the buses. Please do not drop off your children on the road or in the bus lot. All cars must follow the car line so children are dropped off at the front doors safely.
A few parents have asked each year, "Why can't my kids stand inside the front lobby when it rains or is cold when they arrive early?" Due to space, liability and supervision issues, students will not be allowed to enter the front doors until the 9:15 bell rings, no matter the weather, so please plan on arrival times accordingly. Remember, Woodholme is an all bus school, so if the long carpool line is not working for your family, you can notify the school that you would like your child(ren) to start riding the bus.
Thank you so much for your assistance with our arrival and dismissal procedures and with understanding why with such a large school we must put protocols in place for the safety of our students!
Coffee with the Counselors
Join us for our 1st Coffee with Counselors Event!
What is Coffee with Counselors? It’s an informal, relaxed way to connect with your child’s school counselors to share in meaningful discussions with them and other parents about issues our kids face today.
What date? Wednesday, September 28, 2016
What time? 8:15am to 9:00am
Where? The Library at Woodholme Elementary School
How do I sign up? Please RSVP by e-mail to one of the school counselors by Monday, September 26th.
Due to the sensitivity of possible topics, this is an adult only gathering and children will not be able to attend the event.
Julie Kramer- jkramer3@bcps.org
Lisa Greenberg- lgreenberg@bcps.org
Back-to-School Night
In September we have another excellent opportunity for parents to see the school and meet the teachers.
Tuesday, September 13th
Grades K-5
5:30 - 6:00 General Info in the Cafeteria
6:00 - 8:00 Teacher Presentations (schedule will be emailed)
This is a great way to learn more about your child's program and classroom routines. We hope to see you there!
Volunteer Training
If you would like to chaperone a field trip or asssist in classrooms, you must be volunteer trained this school year. We encourage Volunteer training to be completed online. However, we will conduct an evening Volunteer Training session for those families who do not have internet service at home on September 6th at 6:00 PM in the computer lab so parents can access the computers to watch the required video and print out documents. More info...
Join Band & Orchestra!
All fifth grade students are invited to join the Band or Orchestra. Recruitment Night for 5th grade is Tues., Sept. 6th at 6:00 PM! Students who attend with their parents/guardians will have the opportunity to try out and choose an instrument they would like to play this year. Instruments and supplies may be ordered and/or reserved that evening. For more info contact Mrs. Pfeifer at bpfeifer@bcps.org
Free & Reduced Lunch
A new Free & Reduced Lunch form must be completed every year. All families who think they may qualify should apply. Meal benefits from the previous school year will be continued for a maximum of 30 operating days into the new school year. Renewal applications must be received and processed within that time in order to requalify.
Parent Handbook
We are very excited to provide our updated Parent Handbook this year. Parents can use the Woodholme Parent Handbook as a resource when questions arise. Our Parent Handbook can also be found on our school website and in your child's daily communication homework planner.
BCPS One
New parents, have you signed up for access into the new BCPS One system? This online resource will allow you to check your children's grades and assignments, access educational resources, and Parent University offerings. Parent Verification codes were sent home for new students, so check with your child's teacher if you did not get one. For returning families, last year's codes should still be used.
Magnet School Applications
Middle School Magnet Program brochures will be sent home with each fifth grade student on Sept. 14th. Applications are accepted from Oct. 5 through Nov. 18. Contact Lisa Greenberg at 410-887-6700 with questions.
Magnet Expo is on Oct 1st!
Nurse's Nook
Reminders!
1. Notify nurse of allergies, medical conditions & medications students will need at school
2. Bring in medication and doctor's order
3. Change of clothing for all students
4. Immunizations must be completed by Sept. 8th to remain in school
Please view the September calendar for information on upcoming events at Woodholme! We look forward to seeing you at Back-to-School Night on September 13th! Be sure to complete your volunteer training for the 2016-2017 school year!
A Note from the Principal
Dear Families,
Welcome to a new school year at Woodholme Elementary School! It was great seeing our new and returning families at our New Student Orientation and “Sneak a Peek at Your Seat” event, and we look forward to even more families joining us for the very important Back-to-School Night. This will be a great way for parents to meet the teachers and hear more about what goes on in the classroom, so we look forward to seeing you there!
The administration, teachers and staff are looking forward to working with you as we challenge each of our students to reach their full potential with our quality educational program that supports our 21st century learners. We need your support! Communication and collaboration between home and school is critical to the fundamental success of our school and our students. I invite you to get involved in your child’s education by speaking to your child(ren) about the importance of education and of being a good learner and citizen in the classroom, by attending school activities, joining the PTA, and by establishing a positive working relationship with teachers and staff.
The Woodholme PTA (Parent-Teacher Association) is looking for new members to join the PTA to support the school and our teachers and students. They will be starting their annual membership drive to get families involved, and to kick off the drive the PTA will be set up at the Back to School Night event and will speak with parents during the general meeting that will be held in the cafeteria from 5:30-6:00 PM. We appreciate our PTA and can't wait to work together again this year for our students!
As the school year begins, we look forward to working together to help all of our students achieve, so thank you parents and families for all of your support and collaboration!
Sincerely,
Teresa Young
Principal
Contact Us!
Principal: Teresa Young
Assistant Principal: Suzanne DeWeese
Assistant Principal: Meghan Nelson-Tracey
September 2016
SCHOOL VISION: Woodholme is a family of students, parents, staff and community. Our family is committed to developing life-long learners in a safe, orderly, respectful and nurturing environment. We will use technology to achieve challenging expectations in an ever changing world.
TECHNOLOGY VISION: The Woodholme Learning Community is committed to preparing our students for the future by integrating a variety of technological resources into all areas of instruction. Through technology, we will motivate our students, enrich our rigorous lessons, and continue to reinforce content to increase student achievement.
Email: wes0311@bcps.org
Website: WoodholmeES.bcps.org
Location: 300 Mount Wilson Lane, Pikesville, MD, United States
Phone: 410-887-6700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Woodholme-Elementary/632005713553821
Twitter: @WoodholmeES