Sunday Message from Mr. Burns
September 10, 2023
Full Week of School
Message from Mr. Burns
Back to School Night is one of my favorite days of the school year! It always exciting to open the doors and have all our families under the roof at the same time. We look forward to you joining us tomorrow!
**Unfortunately, we need to reschedule Mrs. Prange's Back to School sessions tomorrow due to a personal matter. However, families can still attend BTSN with their child's other teacher (either Block 1 or Block 2 based on the schedule below). We apologize for the adjustment.
-Mr. Burns
Back to School Night: Grades 1-5
*** Please make note of the change (indicated in Mr. Burns's message) for Mrs. Prange's class
*** Kindergarten families attended a BTSN meeting prior to school beginning.
Grades 1-2: 6:00- 6:30 p.m. (Session 1) 6:40-7:10 p.m. (Session 2)
Grade 3: 6:00- 6:30 p.m. (Block 1) 6:40-7:10 p.m. (Block 2)
Upper Academy (Grades 4-5) : 5:30-6:00 p.m. (Block 1) 6:05-6:35 p.m. (Block 2)
Instrumental Music Parent Meeting
Required Chaperone and Volunteer Training
Per MCPS Regulation IRB-RA, (available on the MCPS website using this
link: Volunteers in Schools chaperones and volunteers must complete the
"Preventing, Recognizing, and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect" online
training module available on the MCPS website using this link Child Abuse
and Neglect before attending a field trip.
■ Chaperones and volunteers who may need accommodations/access
to complete the online training should seek support from school-based
staff. See Volunteer. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) #8 for details
(Attachment B).
■ Chaperones and volunteers who have completed this online training
module will have a 100% course grade. They must share a copy of
the course grade with the field trip sponsor prior to the field trip to
confirm the completion of this course.
■ The Volunteer Child Abuse and Neglect (VCAN) training is required
every three years. Any volunteer who completed the training in the
2020-2021 school year or prior, will need to renew their training
certification in 2023-2024.
Completed 2020-2021 renew in 2023-2024
Completed 2021-2022 renew in 2024-2025
Completed 2022-2023 renew in 2025-2026
MCPS Covid- 19 Information
Possible Symptoms of COVID-19 at School or Work
Students with possible symptoms of COVID-19 at school will no longer be routinely tested in health rooms. Health room staff may distribute home test kits at their discretion. Staff or students with mild symptoms may be asked to mask for the rest of the school day. Individuals with fever or more severe symptoms who will be leaving school or work will be asked to wear a mask until they leave the building.
Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in Students or Staff
If a student or MCPS staff member is diagnosed with COVID-19, they should follow isolation and masking precautions as recommended by the CDC, which currently includes at least 5 days of home isolation. They should follow local procedures for reporting a school or work absence and specify that the absence is due to COVID-19. Staff and students no longer need to self-report cases online to MCPS.
Possible Exposure to COVID-19
Quarantine is no longer recommended for individuals with close contact exposure to COVID-19 if they have no symptoms and can follow other CDC recommendations for exposed persons. Staff and students’ families will be notified if they are at increased risk of COVID-19 due to an outbreak in their classroom or school. This notification will include any temporary measures required to prevent further local spread of infection, like masking, testing, or modification of activities.
Student Meals
Purchasing Student Meals Information click here.
MySchoolBucks is an optional service for parents to view recent purchases and make prepayments to your child's cafeteria account for breakfast, lunch and a la carte meals via the Internet with a credit/debit card. This service is offered as a convenience for interested families. By creating a secure online account, parents can manage their child's account.
Payments to student accounts through My School Bucks is an option and not a requirement. Checks can be made payable to the school cafeteria and submitted to the cafeteria manager. The check funds will be placed on student accounts for immediate use and the checks will be deposited in the bank the same day.
Send refund and balance transfer requests via email to DFNSHelpDesk@mcpsmd.org
We will return to using FARMS forms and require students to either scan a card with a barcode on it or enter their pin number to access their lunch account. Rather than a unique pin number, students will use their student ID number. The student ID number is also the students log in to access their Chromebook.
Free and Reduced-price Meals System (FARMS) Eligibility Data and Application Process: The FARMS application has been updated. Interested families must reapply each school year. Online applications are the preferred application method and schools should strongly encourage families to apply online at www.MySchoolApps.com. Families can apply now.
ATTENDANCE INFORMATION
The school must be notified any day your child will be absent. You may call the school office at 240-406-1670 or email the classroom teacher and the Attendance secretary Mrs. Norton; christine_e_norton@mcpsmd.org
When reporting the absence please include the following:
Child’s first and last name
Grade Level
Teacher’s name
The reason for the absence
If we do not receive a call from a parent, the absence or tardiness will be considered unexcused. A written explanation of each absence is required from the parent/guardian within three days of the student’s return to school (email is acceptable).
How Do I Activate My ParentVue Account?
Wilson Wims Facebook Page
Community Fliers
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From the PTA Board
The school year has certainly started with a ‘bang’ here at PTA - we have two of our largest and most beloved events coming up very soon! A Wims FAVORITE, Movie Night, is up first on Friday, September 29th and we invite all families to come “glow with us” and watch Elemental under the stars in the field behind the school. The PTA will be on hand selling spirit wear (in case you missed your chance at Open House), concessions, and more! We need volunteers to help with Movie Night as well as donations for our concession stand. All proceeds from Movie Night go to the PTA and directly to supporting activities throughout the school year. See below for more information.
We are still seeking families to join the PTA! A membership form was sent home last week in your child’s take home folder and you can also join online at wwespta.org. Please be sure to mark your calendar for our first PTA Meeting on Tuesday, October 3rd at Wims! Thanks to our friends at Global, we are pleased to announce that we can now offer FREE CHILDCARE during our meetings! Registration is not required. Just bring along your child if needed and they can have a great time while you attend the meeting. BIG thank you to the Global Staff! Also, a reminder that PTA memberships must be renewed annually!
Wishing you a Wonderful Wildcat Week!
~ PTA Executive Board
PTA BOARD VACANCY: DELEGATE 2
Delegates serve as the link between our school community and the Montgomery County Council of PTAs (MCCPTA) and assist PTA members understand and engage in advocacy efforts, focus groups, task forces, etc. which benefit all children and public schools in the county. Duties include attending the monthly Delegate Assembly Meetings during the school year to listen, discuss, and determine countywide PTA positions on key issues. Delegates should also plan to attend the Wilson Wims PTA monthly meeting to report to the membership on important issues brought forth at the Delegate Assembly Meetings.
If advocacy is important to you and you think you would be a good fit for this role, please reach out to Ashley Zuraf at president@wwespta.org.
First PTA Meeting
Movie Night
Spirit Night
Wildcat Fun Run
EARN FOR WIMS AT HARRIS TEETER!
CONNECT WITH US
We want to hear from you! If you have any questions regarding the PTA or our supported activities, please reach out to us at pta@wwespta.org and you are also welcome to contact Ashley Zuraf at president@wwespta.org.
Please “like us” on Facebook for the most updated information on our upcoming events and volunteer opportunities: https://www.facebook.com/wilsonwimspta