WHES Community News
Week of April 8
WHES Mission and Vision
Our mission is why we exist:
To inspire a contagious spark for learning and foster a sense of belonging for all – one relationship at a time.
Our vision is how we accomplish goals:
To establish Windy Hill Elementary School as a leading educational institution within CCPS. At WHES, we uphold a commitment to foster a sense of belonging with a strategic focus on systems that ensure continuous growth for all. At WHES, all members of the community will make an unparalleled, collaborative effort to inspire a contagious spark for learning and ensure all students achieve success.
Important Dates & Reminders
Upcoming Events
April
6-12 – Week of the Young Child
8 – 2-hour Late Arrival
8 – WHES Military Brunch - 10:00-11:00am
8 – Total Solar Eclipse (see below for more information)
9 – Spring Picture Day
12 – Report Cards are Distributed
19 – WHES Career Day (PK-2 from 9:30-11:30am / 3-5 from 9:30-3:00pm)
25 – WHES Spring Concert - Twin Beaches Library - 6:00-8:00pm
May
12 – Mother's Day
14 – Primary Election Day (virtual asynchronous learning)
24 – Schools Closed
27 – Schools Closed for Memorial Day
Military Appreciation Breakfast
Military Breakfast doors open at 9:30am starting promptly at 10am
April 8, 2024 Solar Eclipse Info and Safety Tips
A partial solar eclipse will take place on Monday, April 8, 2024. In Calvert County, the eclipse will begin at approximately 2:00 p.m. and end just after 4:30 p.m., with maximum coverage at 3:20 p.m. During the eclipse, there will be 86 - 88% coverage during which it will get darker outside, but there will not be total darkness.
WHES is fortunate to have a parent of a WHES student who works for NASA. Ms. Norton's team at NASA has generously donated enough solar eclipse glasses for every student and staff member to safely view this amazing science event.
Our PTO has created a video for teachers to share with their classes on Monday prior to observing the Solar Eclipse in the afternoon. 😎
Students and families are encouraged to read more about solar eclipses and safety and enjoy experiencing this exciting phenomenon.
Congratulations MESA Wizards!
These MESA Wizards have been hard at work since November! They have used their math, science, and engineering skills to do amazing things! Amazing things like designing a wearable device that could monitor the breathing of an infant and designing and building a rover that could work autonomously to clean up the community. Amazing things like helping to further along space exploration by creating a planetary lander that could land safely on another planet and designing a working model of an amusement park ride. Congratulations to all of them! Hard work does pay off!
Counselor's Corner
Here at school, we are busy learning about honesty- what it is, why it’s important and how we can learn to be honesty in our daily lives. Honesty forms the bedrock of trust in relationships, both personal and professional. When children learn to be honest, they not only build integrity within themselves but also foster strong connections with others based on trust and reliability.
Ways to Encourage Honesty:
- Lead by Example: Children learn best by observing the behavior of adults around them. Model honesty in your words and actions, even when it’s challenging.
- Create an Open Environment: Encourage open communication at home where children feel safe to express themselves without fear of judgment or punishment.
- Praise Honesty: Acknowledge and praise honesty whenever you see it, reinforcing the value of truthfulness in your family’s culture.
- Discuss Consequences: Help children understand the consequences of dishonesty, both for themselves and for those around them. Encourage them to consider how their actions impact others.
- Problem-Solve Together: When children make mistakes or engage in dishonest behavior, approach the situation with empathy and work together to find solutions and learn from the experience.
Read About It
Here are some books to help you learn more about honesty:
- The Empty Pot by Demi
- The Honest to Goodness Truth by Patricia C. McKissack
- The Boy Who Cried Bigfoot! by Scoot Magoon
- A Bike Like Sergio’s by Maribeth Boelts
Talk About It
Here are some discussion points to help you talk about honesty with your child:
- What does the word honesty mean?
- Why is it important to show honesty?
- Have you ever been dishonest? If so, tell me about it. How did you feel afterward?
- What are some benefits of being honest?
Save the Date! Student Services will be holding a “Spring into Wellness” event on May 9th from 4:30-6:30 at CHS.
Below are mental health resources:
- Calvert County Health Department https://www.calverthealth.org/_pdf/lbha/resguide.pdf
- Charlie Health Referral link Mid-Atlantic Referrals | Outreach | Charlie Health
- Website Personalized Youth Intensive Outpatient Program | Charlie Health
Support for Ms. Myra - House Fire
Myra Mackall, our evening Building Service Manager, experienced a devastating house fire last Sunday, resulting in the loss of her home and all her belongings. While Ms. Myra and her husband were able to get out of the house safely, there is still much to navigate in the aftermath. She is currently in a hotel with limited space and no kitchen for the next two weeks. Our school is collecting gift cards to help with this unexpected financial burden. Anyone who wishes to contribute gift cards can send them to school in an envelope labeled with Ms. Myra's name. Gift card suggestions include local restaurants, gas stations, Walmart, or VISA gift cards.
Thank you for your compassion and support during this difficult time.
Penny Drive for the One Room School House
4th grade Service Learning Project
Dates: April 9 - 19
Times: Morning collection (4th Grade students will be going to each grade to collect).
Price: 1 penny, or any loose change (please no paper money)
Purpose: to help keep the One Room School House open
Attention 5th Grade Parents!
5th Grade Recognition
We will recognize our 5th graders June 5th at 10 a.m. at the Mary Harrison Center.
Please use the link below to purchase a sign:
Deadline to order is April 11th!
Incoming 6th Graders: Parent and Student Information Night!
Date Change - Now May 15th!
Lost and Found!
Anything not claimed by April 12th will be donated.
School Based Procedural Reminders
Parent Teacher Organization
Additional Information and Resources
For information about family events and youth activities taking place in our community, visit www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/flyers. Please note: These events and activities are not sponsored by the Calvert County Board of Education or Calvert County Public Schools. We provide equal opportunities to outside agencies to distribute materials that offer opportunities to students and/or their parents, but that permission should not be considered a recommendation or endorsement by the school district.
Nondiscrimination Statement
Calvert County Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, ancestry or national origin, familial status, marital status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or genetic information in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
- Director of Student Services
- Director of Human Resources
443-550-8000
For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System at: https://ocrcas.ed.gov or call 1-800-421-3481.
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Anti-sexual, Anti-racial and Anti-disability Harassment Statement
Discrimination can manifest itself in behaviors such as bullying, harassment, or intimidation of individuals.
Calvert County Public Schools does not tolerate any form of harassment including, but not limited to, sexual, racial, or disability. Any individual (student, employee, or community member) who believes that he or she has been subjected to any form of harassment is encouraged to report the allegation of harassment. Students, parents, and community members may report allegations of harassment to: Ms. Cecelia Lewis, Director of Student Services, Calvert County Public Schools, 1305 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Employees may report allegations of harassment to: Mr. Zachary Seawell, Director of Human Resources, Calvert County Public Schools, 1305 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678.
Calvert County Public Schools is committed to conducting a prompt investigation for any allegation of harassment. If harassment has occurred, the individual will be disciplined promptly. Disciplinary actions for students found to have engaged in any form of harassment may result in suspension or expulsion. Disciplinary actions for employees found to have engaged in any form of harassment may result in suspension or termination.
Calvert County Public Schools encourages all students, parents, employees, and community members to work together to prevent any form of harassment.
For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System at: https://ocrcas.ed.gov or call 1-800-421-3481.
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Calvert County Public Schools Antiracism Statement
Calvert County Public Schools explicitly denounces racism, bullying, discrimination, white supremacy, hate, and racial inequity in any form within our school community. Furthermore, CCPS will not tolerate the values, structures, and behaviors that perpetuate systemic racism.
Each member of the district, individually and collectively, is responsible for creating and nurturing a safe, antiracist learning environment where each student, staff member, and community partner is a respected and valued member of the CCPS community.
Owings Maryland 20736
Phone 443-550-9790
Fax 410-286-4023