WHES Community News
Week of February 5, 2024
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.
Last Chance for Winter Feedback - WHES Community Survey
Please click the photo to direct you to complete a brief survey to support our growth.
Important Dates & Reminders
February
5-9 – National School Counseling Week
14 – Valentine's Day
16 – No Students for Parent Conferences / Professional Learning
19 – Schools Closed for President's Day
22 – WHES Evening Art Show (this is a change from the 23rd)
March
1 - Snow Day Makeup
5-13 –Boosterthon Week
13 – Day of Fun Run Event
Mar 25-Apr 2 – Schools Closed for Spring Break
February is Black History Month
Although, black history should be taught all year, February is an opportunity to highlight Black History. King outlines the purpose of Black History Month in her opinion article in Education Week, What black history month should mean: A collection. Rann Miller’s 2020 Edutopia article, Teaching black history in culturally responsive ways shares specific ways that educators can incorporate black history into learning throughout the year. In a more recent Edutopia article, Teaching black history year-round requires rigorous sight, Miller shares insights about why it is important to teach the why of black history and offers three things educators can do and ways to apply rigorous sight tips.
Each of these articles discuss ways to ensure that we honor the contributions and history of black Americans throughout the year and in our curriculum. This aligns with the work we have been doing for many years. When reading this article, consider your individual equity journey and where you see yourself in the continued journey to honor the contributions of national, state, and local black Americans.
Spotlight on Learning
iReady Diagnostic Progress Sneak Peek!
The snip below was shared with staff this week. Keep up the great work, WHES Scholars!
Oral Reading Fluency – Why 95% Accuracy?
Reading fluency is the ability to read accurately, at an appropriate rate, and with proper expression. When students can read fluently, it’s easier for them to understand what they’re reading. Fluency develops gradually over time and through practice. Students who read with at least 95% accuracy are considered to have strong overall reading skills for comprehension (Moats & Tolman, 2019). That sounds high, but it’s an important number to attain!
Here’s an example of what it would be like to read a passage with 80% accuracy. The blank spaces are words that we can’t read or were read incorrectly:
Your ___________ is a small organ inside your body. It lives under your _________, to the left, above your ___________. Most _________ are about one inch thick, three inches wide, and five inches long. It is __________ or ________. Yours is as _________ as the rest of you! Your ______ has two main jobs. Its main job for your body is to _________ your __________.
Here is the same passage read with 95% accuracy:
Your spleen is a small organ inside your body. It lives under your ribs, to the left, above your _________. Most spleens are about one inch thick, three inches wide, and five inches long. It is purple or ________. Yours is as unique as the rest of you! Your spleen has two main jobs. Its main job for your body is to filter your _______.
Now we have a better idea of what this passage is about!
When we partner together we can strengthen your child’s literacy skills! Reminding your child to read every word, and to sound out words they don’t know is a great way to ensure they are using their word recognition skills to accurately decode words.
This document by Reading Rockets provides tips on how families can raise a reader: 10 Things to Raise a Reader (readingrockets.org)
Counselor's Corner
Hello! Here at school, we are very busy learning about perseverance- what it means, why it's important and how we can persevere when we face challenges. Learning happens best when it is done both at school and at home. Below are many ways that you can help your child to continue to learn about the theme of perseverance, through reading about it, talking about it, and practicing it! We are really enjoying exploring this topic at school and we hope your family will enjoy it just as much!
Read About It
Here are some books to help learn more about perseverance:
- Whistle for Willie by Ezra Jack Keats
- After the Fall by Dan Santat
- Brave Irene by William Steig
- The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
Talk About It
Here are some discussion points to help you talk about perseverance with your child:
- What do you think perseverance means and why is it important?
- What is one way you can show perseverance at school?
- Why do you think it’s important to keep trying even if you fail?
- How does perseverance help you become better at something?
- What are some challenges that may require perseverance?
- How is perseverance different from giving up?
Upcoming Community Events
Read Details Here: Boosterthon Fundraiser 2024.pdf
- The sponsorship form: https://forms.office.com/r/3kY2ueJPvN
- The online school payment: https://osp.osmsinc.com/CalvertMD/BVModules/CategoryTemplates/Detailed%20List%20with%20Properties/Category.aspx?categoryid=EQ317
Read! Read! Read! Windy Hill Elementary is participating in the Bowie Baysox "Read & Hit a Home Run" reading program.
The “Read &Hit a Home Run” reading program is now in its 27th season. It provides an incentive, both inside and outside of the classroom, for students to read. Students that complete the program by reading a minimum of four books inside or outside of the classroom from early January through mid-March receive two free tickets to our school’s “Read & Hit a Home Run” reading program night at Bowie Baysox game on Saturday, April 6th.
School Based Procedural Reminders
Substitute Positions at WHES!
Interested in a substitute position at Windy Hill Elementary School? Come join our team! Please email Ms. Schmidt if you are interested or have already completed the application process at the CCPS website.
Apply online
♥️Volunteers♥️
We LOVE our Volunteers and couldn't do without YOU!
EVERYONE must reapply for being a volunteer. The system was cleared out and you must reapply each year. Remember, if you want to be a chaperone or work events, you must be approved. If you are an employee of CCPS, you still need to complete the volunteer process for participation in events at school.
Even if you are not sure if you will be able to attend anything, please sign up early. Here’s the CCPS link of info:
Become a Volunteer - Calvert County Public School District (calvertnet.k12.md.us)
Parent Teacher Organization
I am happy to introduce our 2023-2024 PTO Board.
President
Holly Norton
Vice President
Destiny Sweeney
Secretary
Michele Katsaris
Staff Member at Large
Theresa Flaim
Treasurer
Paul Krutsch
Click here to learn more about our PTO Board.
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