Whittier Weekly News
November 17, 2019
Notes from the Administration
Mr. Migdal and I request that as we move into the holiday season that we remember to be thankful. Being a military school. we are reminded daily of the sacrifices that our service members and their families make for our freedom and safety. Thank you to our military families and the service that you provide.
Let's also remember to be gracious and thankful for the staff that work at Whittier. The job of every person in our building has grown exponentially over the years. It is a hard and thankless job. One that each person that works at WHES, loves.
There are WHES students who carry heavy burdens each and every day that they are coming to school. Each of those students handle those burdens individually and uniquely. Our job as a school team is to ensure that our students needs are being met.
Members of our community may also be carrying heavy burdens. We as a school community are working to support those needs with the resources that we have.
Mrs. Lewis, our Community Liaison has gathered enough supplies to provide over 50 Thanksgiving Dinners to families in need in our school. Last year, she coordinated holiday gifts for over 50 families. Our Giving Tree will up and ready for you to support our community when we return from Thanksgiving break.
Our Blessings in a Backpack provides over 225 Friday food bags for students in our school. Natasha Cleveland and Candice Poska have done an amazing job of coordinating and running our Blessings in a Backpack program at Whittier. In coordination with Girl Scout Troop 81534, Blessings in a Backpack will be having a Peanut Butter Drive. More details to follow.
Mr. Migdal and I request that you support where and when you can to support our total school community. We appreciate your generosity. Our school is busy and we have many needs. Our staff is committed to providing the very best to each and every child in our school. When our priorities shift to meet the needs of students, we appreciate your understanding. The greatest gift that you can our staff is free. Choose kind, choose gracious, and choose understanding.
American Education Week Breakfast
Monday November 18th - 2nd Grade
Tuesday November 19th- 4th/5th Grade
Wednesday November 20th- 1st Grade
Thursday November 21st- 3rd Grade
Friday November 22nd - Kindergarten
Volunteer Editors Needed
Whittier is looking for volunteers to support our students writing process. The highest yielding strategy to improve student achievement is feedback.
Volunteer Editors would conference one-one to provide feedback to students to make edits in writing mechanics: capital letters, spelling and punctuation for kindergarten through fifth grade. No specialized training is necessary. Volunteer Editors can support any day of the week for a time that works personally for their schedule. Click here to select a day and time:https://forms.gle/HCnrmu4wyirREfS38
Arrive the day and time you have volunteered by checking in through the front office. Please grab one Volunteer Editor basket that has pencils, paper, erasers, corrective tape, dictionary and much more to support you in helping students in writing mechanics: capital letters, spelling and punctuation. Any questions please contact literacy specialist, jacqueline.cramer@fcps.org
PTA Reflections Program
Use the arts to share your personal Reflections on this year’s theme!
Students submissions will be accepted until Friday December 6th, 2019.
Age categories include: Primary: Preschool-Grade 2
Intermediate: Grades 3-5
The Special Artist Division welcomes students from all grades and abilities and offers non-artistic accommodations (e.g. adaptive technology; transcribing; holding a camera) for students to participate fully in PTA Reflections. Assistants must refrain from being involved in the artistic process (e.g. developing an artist statement, choreography, music lyrics, storyboards, etc.) Student recognition and awards are announced as part of the Special Artist Division.
Reflection Reception will be held on Monday December 9th @ 6:30. Prizes will be awarded, and students who are selected to move onto the next level, judging by the Frederick County PTA will be announced.
Categories include:
Dance Choreography: Solo and ensemble works of all dance styles are accepted. Entrant must be the choreographer and may also be the performer, or one of the performers. If background music is used, cite it on the entry form. Video file must not exceed 5 min. and 1 GB in size. Accepted formats: AVI, FLV, WMV, MOV, MP4.
Film Production: Accepted short film styles include: Animation, narrative, documentary, experimental or media presentation. Use of PowerPoint is prohibited. Entrant must be the screenwriter, cinematographer, editor and producer. If background music is used, cite it on the entry form. Video file must not exceed 5 min. and 1 GB in size. Accepted formats: AVI, FLV, WMV, MOV, MP4.
Literature: Accepted forms of fiction and nonfiction include: Prose, poetry, reflective essay, screen play and play script, narrative and short story. Entrants may write in their primary language as long as an interpretive English translation is also attached. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. Writing must not exceed 2,000 words and may be handwritten or typed. Accepted formats: Single-sided print on 8 ½x11” paper, PDF file.
Music Composition: All music styles and combinations of instrumentation are accepted. Entrant must be the composer and may also be the performer, or one of the performers. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. Audio file must not exceed 5 min. and 1 GB in size. Accepted formats: MP3, WMA, WAV, ACC, FLAC. Notation (score/tablature) in PDF format is only required for middle and high school divisions.
Photography: Photo must be a single print/digital image. Collages and collections of photos are not accepted. Entrant must be the photographer and may use a variety of digital editing techniques including but not limited to, multiple exposure, negative sandwich and photogram. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. Print image dimensions must be no smaller than 3x5 inches and no larger than 8x10 inches. Accepted print formats: Mounted on mat or poster board no larger than 11x14 inches. Framed prints are not accepted. Digital image dimensions must be at least 640x960 (pixels) and 300 dpi (resolution). Accepted file formats: JPEG, JPG, GIF, PNG.
Visual Arts: Works of both fine and design arts are accepted, including but not limited to: architectural drawing and models, ceramics, collage, computer generated images and graphics, crafts, drawing, fashion clothes and jewelry, fiber work, mixed media, painting, printmaking and sculpture. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. 2D artworks must be mounted on sturdy material and no larger than 24x30 inches with matting. Framed entries are not accepted. Include one digital image of artwork with your submission. 3D artwork submissions must contain 3 digital images of artwork at different angles. Image(s) are used for artwork identification, judging and exhibition purposes.
WHES Giving Tree
Gifts must be returned wrapped with the gift tag from the Giving Tree by Monday December 16th.
Thank you in advance.
October Attendance Winner is......
Our overall attendance was in the excellent category this month with 96. 28%
We had 89 late arrivals and 99 early dismissals.
Please, please, please have your child arrive on time, stay all day, and leave when the bell rings.
Volunteer Training
Parents must attend a face to face training every other year. On the off cycle, you may watch the Volunteer PowerPoint on our website. Print the confidentiality agreement and return to the front office.
The front office maintains a database of your training and whether it was online or face to face. If you aren't sure. contact your child's teacher or the front office staff.
Please remember when volunteering whether in the classroom, on a field trip, or for a party- younger siblings are not permitted to tag along with you. Thank you in advance for following our policies and procedures.
WHES Spirit Wear
http://www.whittierspiritwear.com
Spirit wear can be ordered throughout the entire school year.
Free shipping has been extended until Monday November 18th
Each month a promotional offer will be posted.
From Oct 25th thru Nov 18th, the company is offering free shipping.
November 19th- November 30th- 20% order of $50 or more: TURKEY20
November Special is 10% off Banner Hoodies- Coupon Code: NOV19F
Gift Card and Snack Donations
As part of our PBIS incentives for students, we are having raffles for students each month. We are looking for $5 gift donations for our students. If you are willing to send in a donation of $5 gift card to WalMart, McDonald's, Chick-Fila, Dunkin Donuts, Target, Burger King- we would be very appreciative.
We have many students who are need of snacks throughout the day. Our teachers are donating to our supplies of snacks for students. If you are willing to donate a box of Cheez-Its, Nutri Grain bars, Granola bars, applesauce pouches- we would be appreciative as well!
PTA NEWS
BookFair was a huge success- Thank you to Jen Milsovic for a great PTA BookFair. Thank you to all of our parent volunteers who helped make the event a huge success. Number of books sold and profits to support PTA goals and initiatives will be shared at the next PTA meeting.
PTA Teacher Appreciation Dinner - during conferences was amazing. Thank you to everyone who cooked a delicious meal, provided set up or clean up. Our staff was truly impressed!
Trunk or Treat- Thank you for Elizabeth Dobson, Sarah Meyer, and Jennifer Waugaman for a wonderful evening. Lots of great cars and costumes.
WHES School Play Auditions- Details are shared below.
PTA Meeting- December 2nd @ 6:30 in the cafeteria. Looking forward to seeing you there!
PTA Facebook Page- Whittier Elementary School PTA
PTA Membership- Here is the link if you haven't joined yet: http://whittierelementarypta.com/Home
PTA Discount Cards: Membership cards, student bands, dog tags, and window clings have been sent out to all new members. If you didn't receive your Discount card or additional items, please call the front office. Ms. Black will ensure that it gets sent home.
WHES PTA presents: The Oz
Brush off those ruby slippers and watch out for tornadoes!
The Whittier PTA is excited to announce in collaboration with The Maryland Ensemble Theatre, (The MET) that the 2020 play will be The Oz.
Everyone knows the tale of Dorothy and her journey over the rainbow to the land of Oz, where friendships are formed and she must out-wit the Wicked Witch of the West. There are lots of great roles for students to play and plenty of roles for parents to be involved.
Auditions: Tuesday, December 17 - 1st, 2nd, 3rd grades, 3:30pm-5:00pm
Thursday, December 19th 4th and 5th grades, 3:30pm-5:30pm
Please be ready to sing a simple song
Rehearsals begin in January.
Performances; Friday and Saturday, 3-4 April 7, 2020 at Frederick High School.
Cost is $75 to participate, it includes a t-shirt and DVD of the performance.
An email and flyer with further sign up information will be coming next week.
Questions, please contact whittiersplay@gmail.com
Drop Off
If your child is in a car, they are a car rider and should be dropped off in the car rider line.
The front parking lot is for buses only.
Thank you for your assistance.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Monday November 18th
- American Education Week Breakfast - 2nd Grade-
- American Education Week Performance- 2nd Grade @ 8:55
- Leadership Meeting 4pm
- Girls on the Run 4pm
Tuesday November 19th
- American Education Week Breakfast -4th & 5th Grade
- American Education Week Performance- 4th & 5th Grade @ 8:55
- Boomshakers 7:45 a,
- Chess Club 3:45 pm
- WHES Music Makers 3:45 pm
Wednesday November 20th
- American Education Week Breakfast -1st Grade
- American Education Week Performance- 1st Grade @ 8:55
- Girls on the Run 3:45 pm
- Robotics Club 3:45 pm
Thursday November 21st
- American Education Week Breakfast - 3rd Grade-
- American Education Week Performance- 3rd Grade @ 8:55
- Young Rembrandts 3:45 pm
Friday November 22nd
- American Education Week Breakfast - Kindergarten
- American Education Week Performance- Kindergarten @ 8:55
Monday November 25th
- PBIS Meeting 4pm Media Center
- Girls on the Run 3:45 pm
Tuesday November 26th
- Picture Make Up Day
- Boomshakers 7:45 am
- WHES Music Makers 3:45 pm
- Chess Club 3:45 pm
Wednesday November 27th
- Schools and Office Closed
Thursday November 28th
- Schools and Office Closed
Friday November 29th
- Schools and Office Closed
Monday December 2nd
- Girls on the Run 3:45 pm
- Volunteer Training 6 pm
- PTA Meeting 6:30 pm
Whittier Elementary
Thank you for supporting our school's success!
Email: whittier.es@fcps.org
Website: https://education.fcps.org/whes/
Location: 2400 Whittier Drive, Frederick, MD, United States
Phone: 240-236-3100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Whittier-Elementary-School-PTA-147186718711529/
Twitter: @WhittierES