Mammoth Mailing

2-5 National Assistant Principals' Week! Thank you for all you do, Mrs. Berger!

2 - Back to School from Spring Break

5 - 3rd Quarter Marking Period Ends. School Closes 3 hours early.

10 – School Closed.

16 – Report Cards Distributed.

26 – School Closes 3 hours early.

29 - Pre-K and Kindergarten Conference Day. No Preschool – 3, Pre-K,

or Kindergarten

30 – Pre-K Conference Day. No Preschool – 3 or Pre-K

Dear Third, Fourth & Fifth Grade Families,

Starting the week of April 8th, English Language Arts and Mathematics MCAP testing will begin. The MCAP assessments will be given to every Baltimore County Student in grades 3-5. The MCAP Assessments are designed to measure a student's progress toward mastering the Common Core State Standards. Teachers use the results of this and other assessments to help tailor instruction to your child's specific learning needs and help prepare students for college and careers later in life. Ms. Berger has developed a testing schedule to meet the needs of our buildings. This year, MCAP will consist of four Science (5th grade only) units, Math, and English/Language Arts units. No more than two testing units will be given on any individual day. Please rest assured that students with identified learning needs will be provided necessary accommodations per their individual plans (IEP, ESOL, 504). We plan to complete most testing by the end of May. Make-up tests will be administered as needed. The testing schedule is below:

3rd GRADE

English/Language Arts

April 8th, April 9th, April 18th & April 19th

Math

May 6th, May 7th, May 13th & May 16th

4th GRADE

English/Language Arts

April 11th, April 12th, April 22nd & April 23rd

Math

May 9th, May 10th, May 20th & May 21st

5th GRADE

Science

March 8th & March 11th

English/Language Arts

April 15th, April 16th , April 24th & April 25th

Math

May 6th, May 7th, May 13th & May 16th

Testing will begin promptly at 9:30 am. Students that do not arrive in time for their assigned testing session will be required to make-up the testing session. This is very disruptive to your student's schedule and could result in the loss of instructional time.

Parents can help their students by:

● Encouraging students to stay positive and do their best on these assessments.

● Making sure students get a good night's sleep before testing

● Eating a good breakfast each morning.

● Ensuring that students arrive on time (9:05 am) and remain in school the entire day.

All public schools in Maryland are required by state and federal laws to administer the MCAP assessment.

Thank you for your continued support of our students and staff. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Ms. Berger at 443-809-0766

Winfield is Hiring for 2023-2024!

Winfield is currently seeking to fill the following positions for the 2024-2025 school year:

• Part- time Instrumental Music
• 1- Primary Classroom Teacher (First Grade)
• 1- Intermediate Classroom Teacher (Third or Fourth Grade)
• 1- Inclusion Special Educator

If you know of anyone interested in teaching with us, please have them contact Ms. Bisker at the school at 443-809-0766

Monthly Virtue:

Last month, of school-wide virtue focus was hardworking. Congrats to the following student for receiving the virtue award for preparedness this month! Check out their pictures in the main lobby!

In ISDM, we are proud of our students and all their progress this year.

We continue to focus a lot of time on communication and life skills. We have also been teaching students more about yoga and mindfulness strategies and techniques. Additionally, we continue to emphasize the importance of the effective usage of school-based technology including Go Talks and IPADs to further support student-based communication needs.

We continue to work with our students on the HMH modified curriculum for Language Arts, and the Bridges Modified Curriculum for Math. We have also been utilizing the Unique Learning System to supplement classroom instruction.

In Ms. Chochos’s class, students have been focusing on writing their names and using magnet letters to spell their names. Additionally, they have been working on alphabet knowledge, words to know, and matching objects and pictures. They have also been reading stories in Unique learning and HMH. In math, students continue to focus on matching and identifying 2 dimensional shapes and one-to-one correspondence.

In Ms. Riggs’ and Ms. Kinsey’s classes, students have continued their focus on learning about the days of the week, and months and seasons of the year. Additionally, students have been exploring the weather, and discussing their favorite weather conditions. They have also been learning how to effectively discuss their feelings in a constructive manner using words, phrases, and visuals.

In language arts, students have been reading stories about the importance of working together, unity and teamwork. They too have been focusing on learning the alphabet, the sound each letter makes, and learning more sight words. Like in Ms. Chochos's, students will also be reading about the different weather conditions, including rain, fog, wind, and sun etc. They'll be learning about the job of a weather person, and exactly what the role entails.

In math, students have been learning about money, its purpose, and how to effectively utilize it. They have been identifying and sorting coins and dollar bills and using the beforementioned to purchase items. In addition to this, students have also been learning about patterns, and will soon begin to learn about different types of angles.

We look forward to another terrific month of learning, and the continued growth and progress of our students and department.

Welcome to Spring! We hope everyone had a restful and relaxing Spring Break. We only have a few months left until the end of the school year. That said, we still have a lot to learn. Currently, we are completing Unit 4, Exploring Museums.

Additionally, we will begin Unit 5, Growing our Garden.In this unit, we will learn how different things grow over time. The children will learn what plants and animals need to grow. In Math, we will continue to learn about 2-D and 3-D shapes, early addition and subtractions strategies and counting higher. Finally, in Literacy, we will read informational text, retell stories by telling the sequence of events that happened in the story and supporting our opinions about a story that we read. We will continue to learn more letters and letter sounds and well as blending sounds together to make words.

Things that you can do at home to support your child and their educational experience:

- read to your child and ask them questions about the story

- review letters and their sounds (writing the letters as well as recognizing the letters)

- count with your child, when you are out, count the number of steps you walk, count letters in signs, give your child a handful of things (rocks, toys, crayons) and have them count the objects be creative and make counting fun

- with the weather getting nicer, take a walk and discuss things that you see as you are walking

Please give a big "Winfield Welcome" to Skylar Wood, Mrs. Schwartz's new intern. Skylar has just just completed her classes prior to starting her internship at Winfield. She's actively involved and engaged assisting Mrs. Schwartz and team with classroom duties, and is eager to start Ohio State in the fall. We are happy to have Skylar and wish her the best in future endeavours.

Happy Spring! This school year is moving so quickly. To ensure students master their kindergarten goals, and to better prepare them for first grade, please partner with us to work with your child on the following skills at home:

-Practice naming letters as quickly as possible.

-Break apart the sounds in 3 and 4 phoneme words (example – shoe = /sh/, /oe/ hat = /h/ /a/ /t/ car = /c/ /ar/)

-Blend and read CVC nonsense words (example – suj, fim, bep)

-Read and write our high frequency sight words. They’re in the little decodable books the students bring home each week.

-Answer “wh” questions about a story you’ve read. (who, what, where, why, when, and how) They can even write a sentence to answer.

-Recognize and write the numbers from 0-20.

-Count to 100 by 1’s and by 10’s.

- Solve addition and subtraction story problems with numbers up to ten. (Examples - 5 cats were outside and 1 ran to chase a squirrel. How many cats are still there? 2 frogs were swimming in the pond. 2 more frogs jump in. How many frogs are swimming in the pond? Tad has 3 books. Liz had 7 books. How many more books does Liz have than Tad?

Hello Families!

MATH:

In this unit your child will:

Practice efficient math strategies to add and subtract within the range of 0–20

Practice efficient math strategies to add and subtract within the range of 0–20

Tell, write, and solve a variety of addition and subtraction story problems

Write equations to match the problems

Use place value strategies to add and subtract up to 100

- Measure, order, and compare height in inches

Parent tip: The measurements activities provide wonderful opportunities for students to make comparisons (e.g., How much taller am I than a little blue penguin?), which leads naturally to problem situations in which they calculate with single- and multi-digit numbers. In this way, students use measurements they have taken themselves to develop place value concepts in real-world situations.

READING:

In this unit:

Over the next three weeks, our class will be learning about nature, and we will investigate how things in nature can change. We will read about different environments and observe the beauty of nature. Children will learn about interesting changes that occur, such as how the Grand Canyon formed and how the water cycle works. They will also write a poem about things they like in nature.

Parent Tip: Make a special time and place to read with your child every day. During this module about holidays and national symbols, try these activities during your reading time together.

During this module about the natural world, try these activities during your reading time together:

-Imitate animal sounds and other sounds from nature when you read about them in books.

-Read about recycling and start a recycling project. Collect paper or plastics to recycle at home or to donate at a recycling center.

-Talk about how water is important to our environment. Read articles about water and think of ways to use less water

If you plan to volunteer or chaperone any field trips this school year, please complete the BCPS volunteer application and training as soon as possible. Go to www.bcps.org. Click Parent tab, scroll to Family and Community Engagement, then choose BCPS Volunteers. This has to be completed each school year that you volunteer or chaperone. It will remain on file until June 2024. Email or send the completed application and certificate to school. Thank you in advance!

Additionally, allergy season is upon us and we are accepting donations of boxes of tissues. Please feel free to send donations with your child. It is greatly appreciated.

In math, students continued to solidify their understanding of 2 and 3-D shapes. Students identified, read, and wrote fractions. We will continue to practice strategies to solve 2 and 3-digit addition and subtraction problems. Please practice using the traditional algorithm to add and subtract.

Students continue to read and write words with long vowels and identify synonyms, antonyms, homophones, and multiple meaning words. We read biographies and identified the hurdles people have overcome and achievements they’ve made. After reading several biographies, students will write a story about 2 of the people and explain their life’s experiences, including what the person would say and do. Students are encouraged to read and respond to a text each night.

Our field trip to The Hippodrome Theatre to see Pete the Cat is Wednesday, April 24, 2024. There is no cost for students. Permission forms have been sent home. There are a limited number of seats for chaperones. Chaperones will be chosen based on the return date of the completed application and training. We may have 1 more experience (in the building). If confirmed, the cost will be $7 per student.

Thank you for replenishing your child’s pencils as needed. One box of pencils should last the rest of the year. Review and remove the contents of your child’s yellow folder each night. Thank you for ensuring your child completes homework and returns any necessary papers.

We try to have outdoor recess as much as possible. With temperatures fluctuating, be sure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather. Email the homeroom teacher with any questions or concerns. We will respond within 48 hours.

I can’t believe we are so far into this school year. It’s going to be over before we know it. Our 3rd graders have been working so hard this month. In math we have been continuing our understanding of area, perimeter, and geometry, including their shapes and unique individual attributes.

In ELA, we have been reading biographies that focus on how community members can make a difference in the world. We have been paying close attention to text structure and text features. We learned how making predictions and inferences can help us pay more attention to the story.

This quarter in ELA, students identified and analyzed the features and characteristics of a traditional tale to determine the main ideas and the supporting details. They also examined how figurative language like similes and metaphors enhanced the stories and added to the author’s message.

In writing, students worked on writing complete sentences that included capital letters and punctuation. Instruction focused on organization of ideas using transition words and paragraphs to clearly communicate thought and ideas. They also wrote expository essays to support their opinion on a topic.

In math, students worked with a variety of tools, including folded paper strips, egg cartons, geoboards, number lines, and base ten pieces, to model, read, write, compare, order, compose, and decompose fractions and decimals. Their investigations and explorations ranged from the purely mathematical—the relationship between fifths and decimals, for example—to applied, as they determined a strategy to figure out how many candy bars the fourth-grade teacher will have to buy if she plans to give an undefined number of students three-quarters of a bar each.

In social studies, students explored the earliest Americans and began to look at early explorers, and

in science, students are currently looking at how the earth changes over time.

Lastly, please continue to encourage your child to display appropriate behaviors in class.

In math, the students have been working hard to learn how to graph coordinates on a coordinate plane, recognizing patterns when graphing and how to extend patterns. Students also reviewed how to find the volume of rectangular prisms. Students will be working on long division with large numbers with 2-digit divisors. Students will work with both whole numbers and decimals for our division unit.

In science, students are continuing to learn about the accomplishments of Benjamin Banneker and how he invented the first clock. Students will also investigate the effects of gravity, analyze the brightness of the sun and stars and create their own working sundial.

In STEM, students in all grades are continuing to strengthen their Skills. 4th grade is starting their series of investigations about energy using various devices like our energy ball, snap circuit kits, and solar powered air balloon. Check out some pictures of the snap circuits below. 3rd grade students have finished their cars for the safe racer contests and a car from Ms. Beatty’s class is going to the county wide competition on April 13th. Please be on the lookout for a link to join in on the festivities and celebrate our brilliant students on during the competition.

Fourth graders are finishing up their unit on the Brass Family. They recently explored the trumpet by making sounds on the trumpet mouthpiece and practiced playing the letter “C”. Students also have also learned about the many other instruments in the brass family, and the roles they play in bands and orchestras.

Fifth grade Band and Orchestra members are preparing for the Spring Concert on May 7th. Students have been working diligently to master the skills required to perform their music. They are doing an outstanding job. Please encourage your young musicians to keep practicing at home!

In Art, the students focused on a few amazing Women Artists in celebration of Women’s History Month. Georgia O’Keefe, Barbara Hepworth and Yayoi Kusama inspired art was created in unique ways. From pastel drawings to sculptures and abstract watercolor paintings each student found a way to express themselves through Art.

Hello Winfield families!

Thank you all for your continued support throughout this year so far. Field day is the next big event coming up and there will be more information on that coming soon.

The Baltimore County Health Department, Dental Division, will be coming to Winfield during the week of April 11th, to place Dental Sealants on those students in 2nd and 3rd grade who return their consent forms. Consent forms for Dental Sealants for 2nd and 3rd graders were sent home with students in 2nd and 3rd grade during the week of March 12th. If you would like your child to have Dental Sealants placed on their teeth, please make sure to return the consent form to Nurse Newmark. If you misplaced or cannot find the consent form, please call (443-809-4711) or email (lnewmark@bcps.org) Nurse Newmark and she can send another one home.

Hearing and Vision Screenings will take place during the week of 4/24/24-5/3/24

Please look out for information regarding Hearing and Vision Screenings which will go home or will be sent out during the week of April 15th.

Students in PreK, 1st and 4th grades (as well as Kindergarteners who were not screened in PreK) are routinely screened.

If you have any questions regarding Hearing and Vision Screenings, please contact Nurse Newmark at 443-809-4711 or lnewmark@bcps.org

April: Coping Skill & Careers

As part of our School Counseling Program, your child’s class will have the opportunity to engage in monthly counseling lessons throughout the school year. In the month of April, grades Pre-K – 4th will be learning coping skills strategies. The theme for 5th grades this year is careers students will build an awareness of personal abilities, strengths, skills, and interests so they can browse potential careers.

BGE & Winfield Career Event

On April 4th, Winfield will be hosting Exelon x Winfield- Career & Care Event. Volunteers from BGE will be engaging in activities with students. From 1:30pm to 2:30pm they will be visiting K – 3 locations to introduce themselves and handout freebies for students to take home. Grades that are in specials or lunch will have their freebies placed in the classroom so that don’t have to transition with them.

From 2:45-3:45, 4th and 5th grade will have the opportunity to engage in a career chat and make care packages that will be delivered to local shelters, libraries, or a local nonprofit. The volunteers will bring hard hats, safety vests & glasses for students to wear along with freebies to take home.

Ms. Funmilayo: PreK (Ms. Schwartz), K, 2nd Gr, 4th Gr

Mr. Carothers: PreK (Ms. Katenkamp), 1st Gr, 3rd Gr, 5th Gr

Students in grades 3-5 are preparing for MCAP testing and we are excited to see how they can demonstrate what they’ve learned this year! Khan Academy is a COMPLETELY FREE online resource that will provide grade level practice for your student to better prepare them for the upcoming MCAP test. Email Mr. Schilling at mschilling@bcps.org for more info and how to get them set up!

Try your best to get your student to Winfield on time and remind them to do their best so they can show off all they’ve learned this year when it comes to math!

The Winfield Elementary School Book Blizzard initiative is ending on Friday, April 5, 2024. If your child is interested in participating before the program ends, Blizzard Snowflake Reading Logs are available outside of the library or in the Book Blizzard Mailboxes throughout the building.

During the Book Blizzard we had 59 students and staff participate!

Altogether we have read 11,340 minutes or 189 hours or 1 week and 21 hours!

Congratulations to our Week 3 and 4 Reader Leaders:

Week 3

Pre-Kindergarten: Ms. Katenkamp’s Class

Kindergarten: Konner

First Grade: Korie

Second Grade: Joshua

Third Grade: Favour

Fourth Grade: Isaiah

Fifth Grade: Lillya

Faculty: Ms. Davis

Week 4:

Pre-Kindergarten: Ms. Katenkamp’s Class

Kindergarten: Konner

First Grade: Korie

Second Grade: Oziah

Third Grade: Favour

Fourth Grade: Isaiah

Fifth Grade: Liliya

Faculty: Ms. Davis

Here are the Team Rankings for the end of Week 4:

1. Third Grade: 3420 minutes read

2. Fourth Grade: 2340 minutes read

3. Faculty & Staff: 1890 minutes read

4. Second Grade: 1710 minutes read

5. First Grade: 1710 minutes read

6. Fifth Grade: 720 minutes read

7. Kindergarten: 270 minutes read

8. Pre-Kindergarten: 90 minutes read

Coming Up this Spring in the Library:

Spring Book Preview

Students & Teachers will have an opportunity to review the new books being added to our collection! Stay tuned for more information.

Scholastic Book Fair: Mark your calendars for June 3 – 7, 2024 for our Book Fair and kick off to a great summer of reading under the sun.

Active Minds Session 3 has begun and students are staying after school to participate in Math Support on Tuesdays, Drama / Dance / Soccer on Wednesdays, and Art / Coding / Yoga on Thursdays! A quick reminder for students who attend Math Tuesdays each week:

To participate in the Wednesday and Thursday clubs chosen, your student must:

1. Attend at least 4 math support Tuesdays (from 4:15-5:15 pm) during this session.

2. Actively participate in each math support Tuesday.

3. Display the Winfield Code of Conduct each week during all after school activities:

• I am respectful.

• I am responsible.

• I am safe.

• I am prepared.

• I am cooperative.

If your student is unable to attend a Tuesday session due to illness, please email (mschilling@bcps.org) or text (443-595-6263) Mr. Schilling.

This is an exciting time of the year for the Community Schools Department. February, we had a culture-rich Black History Month Assembly, where teachers and staff worked with students to do historical characterizations, poems, dance performances, and impersonations to capture the very essence of the African American experience.

In March, we had our Mult-Cultural Night where Winfield students and families treated participants to a Multi-Cultural Fashion Show, where members of the Winfield Community adorned themselves with the finest linens and cultural wear from their native homes. Attendees were also invited to sample delectable native food from around the globe.

And in May we are hosting our Annual Spring Fling, where Winfield families come together to fellowship, participate in fun and educational activities, and bring in the beauty of the Spring Season together

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Partnerships:

We value the partnership we have built with Deer Park Middle School. Their dedicated young scholars, also members of the Junior National Honors Society, report to Winfield weekly to tutor our students in various subject matters, provide homework assistance and support, and to role model the characteristics and attributes of being good student. The initiative is funded through a grant a transpires on Thursday afternoons from 4:00pm – 5:00pm in the Winfield Elementary School Library.

Special thanks to Deer Park Middle School, and our growing list of Community Partners including:

Northwest Hospital

Dr. Marlene Muriphat

Union Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Upsilon Epsilon Omega Chapter

Baltimore County Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta, Incorporated

Honorable Adrienne Jones, Speaker, Maryland House of Delegates

H.E.Y. HUB

Drop of Love Foundation

Morningstar Baptist Church

Resources:

The Winfield Elementary School Community Resource Cottage is open and available to students, staff, families, and community members. Resources available include food, coats, winter wear accessories, toiletries, uniforms, backpacks, and school supplies.

Hours of Operation:

Monday: (Walk-in) 9:30 – 4:30 pm

Tuesday: (Walk-in) 9:30 – 4:30 pm

Wednesday – Friday (By appointment only)

Food Giveaway Sponsored by Winfield Community Partners

Sponsor: Union Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Reverend Raymond F. Edmonds Jr., Pastor

Location: 8615 Church Lane, Randallstown, MD 21133

Date: Every 1st Saturday of the month

Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Thank you for your generosity and continued support.