Words To The Wise
February 2018
PRINCIPALS MESSAGE
It is hard to believe that the second marking period is over and we are half way through the school year!
Cold weather has been the story, as well as those annoying dustings of snow during morning rush hour, making it a tough decision between a 2-hour delay and closing!
Moreover, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, ensuring us six more weeks of winter.
Finally, pitchers and catchers report to spring training in two weeks!
Anyway, please be aware that the second marking period ended on January 19, 2018 and that second quarter report cards were distributed on February 1, 2018. Please remember that the elementary report cards are designed to report the achievement of students whose instructional program is based on the Maryland State College and Career Readiness Standards (Common Core).
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the second marking period report card, or concerns in general, please contact your student’s teacher to schedule a face-to-face conference.
This is the best way to address any and all questions/concerns.
I wanted to take the opportunity to thank the PTA for their continued support!
We already know that this group works extremely hard to support students and instruction at WES, but wanted to thank them publicly for the club programs that they will be offering this spring. It is always nice to provide different outlets for our students to shine.
Thank you!
Finally, we are all looking forward to the four performance of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Junior.
The Drama Club has been working extremely hard to make this an amazing and unforgettable performance. Please support this hardworking group by attending one of the four performances.
The dates are as follows:
Friday, February 16, 2018 - 7:00pm
Saturday, February 17, 2018 - 7:00pm
Friday, February 23, 2018 - 7:00pm
Saturday, February 24, 2018 - 7:00pm
Tickets may be purchased for $5.00 online at the following link:
https://osp.osmsinc.com/BaltimoreCountyMD/
Enjoy!
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NURSES NOTES
Encourage children, parents, and staff to take the following everyday preventive actions
- Stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects at home, work or school.
Hand-washing: Clean Hands Save Lives
- Teach students and staff to wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, dry hands with a paper towel, and use the paper towel to turn off the faucet.
- If soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty, a hand-sanitizer may be used.
- Include hand-washing time in student schedules.
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National Nurses Week
Get excited because National Nurses Week will be back next year, May 6-12, 2018!
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WHAT'S HAPPENING AT WESTOWNE
BCPS FEBRUARY & MARCH CALENDAR OF EVENTS
February
Thursday 1 Report Cards Distributed
Monday 12 Lincoln’s Birthday*
Monday 19 Presidents’ Day – Schools and Offices Closed
Thursday 22 Washington’s Birthday*
March
Sunday 25 Maryland Day*
Thursday 29 Third Marking Period Ends – Elementary and Middle School Schools Close 3 Hours Early for Students; High Schools in Session Full Day; Spring break begins at the end of the school day
April
Tuesday 3 Schools Reopen
Thursday 19 Distribution of Report Cards
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BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Jr.
Tickets are on sale NOW for $5.00 each.
Tickets can only be purchased online at:
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Black History Month Essay
There will be a winner selected in each of the following grade level bands: grades K-2, grades 3-5, grades 6-8, and grades 9-12.
Your student will be working with his/her teachers to create and publish an original work within the classroom.
Permission forms for contest submission will be coming home over the next week.
Please sign and return the form as soon as possible so that your student can participate.
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CROSSING GUARD HOURS 8:50 - 9:15 & 3:40 - 4:05
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Guide to Understanding Elementary Report Card's
Parents and Guardians,
BCPS has posted a guide to help you understand your child’s elementary report card. This guide can be found at http://www.bcps.org/academics/grading/ and may be accessed directly by scanning the QR code.
Thank you!
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HOOTY'S WHO - WHAT - WHERE
ALL ABOUT HOOTY
Westowne’s Mascot, Hooty the Owl, is slowly travelling around the world thanks to the students, staff and their families.
If you or a family member travels, please pack Hooty in your suitcase (or pocket) when you travel, take a photo of him at a landmark or other notable location.
Then email or deliver the photo to Miss Johnson (cjohnson13@bcps.org) with the following information.
Where Hooty is, who took the photo and which student at Westowne helped Hooty travel.
Below find the image of Hooty that you can print out and take with you.
Please see the letter sent home explaining how Hooty could travel with you, your family and or friends on the next adventure!
Westowne Elementary School Library
401 Harlem Lane & Baltimore, MD 21228
Telephone: 443-809-0854
December 2017
Hello Parents, Guardians & Relatives of Westowne Students!
This year, we are sending our mascot, Hooty, on adventures all over the world.
In the school lobby is a display marking places Hooty has visited on a map and showing photos of his travels.
You can help!
- Take Hooty with you on a trip or send him to relatives across the country or around the world.
- Snap a photo or two of Hooty in notable locations or at landmarks.
- Send the photo(s) to Westowne’s Library Media Specialist, Miss Johnson
- Print and mail the photo(s) to the address above
- Email the photo(s) as an attachment to the email address cjohnson13@bcps.org
Include the following information with your photo(s):
- The name of the landmark and its city and state
- The name of the person who took the photo and his/her relationship to a Westowne student
- The name & grade of the Westowne student
Hooty has visited California; Texas; Oklahoma; Vancouver, Canada; and London, England.
It would be great if Hooty can visit all 50 states (and all 7 continents) before the end of the school year.
What travels can Hooty take with you?
Thank You and Happy Travels,
Miss Johnson
Library Media Specialist
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HOOTY's NEWLETTER
Here are a few items:
· Westowne’s National Elementary Honor Society Chapter will conduct a Food Drive to assist Catonsville Emergency Assistance from Monday, March 12 to Friday, March 23. Non-perishable, unopened food items will be collected during the school day (and at Literature Night on Thursday, March 15). Thank you for your support!
· Miss Johnson thanks the families that brought in the small or boutique sized tissue boxes for the library. With the cold and flu season in full swing, and allergy season fast approaching, the library can always use more!
· Super Hero Reads Day is coming on Thursday, March 15th! Students and staff are encouraged to wear super hero-themed shirts and clothing (no pajamas, costumes, masks or weapons) to school. There will be reading and other activities with a super hero theme throughout the day! It all leads up to the Annual Literature Night, which also has a Super Hero theme, that evening! Mark your calendars and come to Literature Night on Thursday, March 15th.
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AROUND WESTOWNE
Southwest Area Education Advisory Council Meeting - February 12, 2018 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Southwest Area Education Advisory Council Meeting
Building use, enrollment, overcrowding, planned renovations and new schools
Johnnycake Elementary School MONDAY FEBRUARY 12TH, 2018 from 6:30-7:30PM in the school library.
The Board of Education’s area education advisory councils hold meetings to discuss timely issues facing Baltimore County Public Schools.
Please plan to join us on Feb 12th to learn more about facilities use – enrollment patterns, overcrowding, plans for renovations and new schools.
We will have a speaker from the district office in attendance as well as opportunity for open discussion.
For questions or for more info, contact SWAEAC at emailthebcswaeac@gmail.com
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UMBC Summer Camp 2018
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UMBC Online Survey
Are you the parent of a child in currently in 1st through 5th grade?
The Children and Families, Schooling and Development lab at UMBC is looking for parents of elementary-aged children to complete an online survey.
We want to know what educational activities your child engages in at home, your views on the role of the home in children’s educational development and the use of educational technology.
This anonymous survey takes 15-20 minutes and can be completed entirely online.
Upon completion, if you want, you can enter to win one of five $20 Amazon gift cards. If you are interested, please use the following link: https://umbc.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9YzaID2r6exvaNT.
Please contact Dr. Susan Sonnenschein (sonnensc@umbc.edu) or Rebecca Dowling (rebe7@umbc.edu) with any questions or concerns.