Dolphin Digest
Weekly Update #22
Week of January 10th, 2022
WMES Parents/Guardians,
Happy Friday! It was great being back 5 days this week. Quarter 2 is coming to an end on January 20th. Please remind students to submit any missing work so it can be graded. Report cards will be emailed home on January 28, 2022 and we will again recognize our students for their academic achievements at their classroom Honor Roll assembly. In light of current circumstances, we are suspending all perfect attendance awards for this school year.
School Swag
Below are some promotional graphics for the next promotion we running on your spirit wear website. If you have any questions feel free to give us a call at (517) 606-0000 or send us an email at info@spiritweardirect.com.
Promo Graphic 1: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1q17RPezjvVrcGJv76qqJagg_A8RuMv3T/view?usp=sharing
Promo Graphic 2: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Qy08lzcMerje18PhfHVqTxx6aaeLqVAv/view?usp=sharing
Here is a reminder link to your spirit wear store if needed: http://whitemarshspiritwear.com/
It's Time to Nominate the 2022 Teacher and Support Staff of the Year!
Nominations for the 2022 Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year are open! Use the link below to nominate exceptional TCPS professionals!
Talbot County Public Schools is excited to announce that the process to select the 2022 Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year has begun! Is there a teacher or member of the TCPS support staff who is truly outstanding, has made a significant impact on your family, and/or goes above and beyond in their commitment as a professional? The Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year programs are a fantastic way to recognize educators who exemplify excellence.
Any individual within the school system or any member of the community may nominate a candidate to apply to be Talbot’s Teacher of the Year or Support Staff of the Year. The nomination forms are linked below. Nominations for both Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year are due by Friday, February 4, 2022.
Please note: nominations from family members will not be considered.
Teacher of the Year Nomination Form
Formulario de nominación de maestro del año
Support Staff of the Year Nomination Form
Formulario de nominación del personal de apoyo del año
Potential Virtual Days
While there is no plan to move to virtual instruction across the district, that does not mean that there won't be a need to have virtual instruction for a short period of time for a smaller subset of students, such as a classroom, grade level, or a school building. The decision to move to a short-term virtual situation will be announced in advance by the superintendent and the school administration so that families have a little bit of time to prepare.
The schools have been tasked to ensure that students have their devices and know where to go on a teacher's FROG page in the event of a virtual day. Teachers have updating their FROG pages and virtual meeting links.
Please note that teachers will be taking attendance for virtual days just like they do for regular school days. If a student is unable to log in for a virtual day, the student should email the teacher requesting work so that the teacher knows the student is still engaging.
Take some time to discuss a plan for your student if he or she is attending school virtually for a week or two. Think about the following:
- Where will my student work?
- Is there a power source nearby the designated workspace for my student so he/she can charge the computer?
- Does my internet work well enough for my student to be online?
- If I do not have internet is there a place my student could go to get online?
- If you need a hot spot, please contact the school
Again, there is no plan to move to virtual at this time.
As usual, when there is winter weather, check the local news, your email and text messages, and/or the school/TCPS websites for announcements.
COVID Updates
We are aware of the rise of COVID cases in the community and nationwide. At this time there is no plan for the district to go back to virtual or hybrid. Our state superintendent is encouraging all districts to stay open if it is safe to do so. The best place for students to be is in school when it comes to their education!
At school, we will continue to require masks and remind students to wear them appropriately. We will also continue our enhanced cleaning procedures. In the classrooms, we are doing our best to keep students as socially distant as possible.
At home, please continue to stress the importance of wearing a mask. Also, if your child has any COVID like symptoms, has been exposed to a positive COVID case, or is waiting on COVID test results for him/her or a family member, do not send your child to school. Please, let the school know. We always have to err on the side of caution nowadays!
TCPS is now following the CDC 5-day quarantine guidelines! This will cut down significantly on missed time by students. Please see the information sent from TCPS regarding updated quarantine procedures and guidelines.
Illness
Please be sure to keep your child home if they are not feeling well and let the school nurse and your child's teacher know (Nurse- christa.johns@talbotschools.org). If your child is awaiting COVID test results they should remain at home until they receive a negative test result even if they are not showing symptoms. You will need to forward a copy of the results in order to return to school. TCPS follows strict guidance from the Talbot County Health Department on quarantine procedures when a student is sick or exhibits Covid-19 symptoms. In addition, please make sure you send a parent or doctor's note if your child is absent for any reason.
PBIS
As we return to school, our students will be reviewing school-wide expectations in their classrooms. To help ring in the new year with excellent behavior, please check out the PBIS matrix below and review the expectations with your student.
Our PBIS incentive for students who earned 60 or more stamps will be held on January 28, 2022! The incentive will be Winter Wonderland activities. The students will have options to participate in two winter games, a winter craft, and a cold treat.
WMES STRONG! Stay safe and well! Go dolphins!!
Ms. Seidel, Proud Principal
WMES PBIS Expectations!
Coat Donations!
ATTENTION!
Cold weather is here and we are in need of any donations of gently used or new coats for boys or neutral colors fitting ages 5-10 years old. Please send freshly laundered &/or new coats in a bag with your student or drop them off at WMES. Thank you!
Video Tutorial for TCPS Elementary Parents
Elementary parent video Logging in as your child and viewing an assignment. (on computer)
Elementary parent video Logging in as your child and viewing an assignment. (on iPad)
Accessing the Frog Parent Portal
Signing into Chrome on an iPad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha5-OYmi8go
Logging into PowerSchool Parent
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Es3AE3V1z6g
Iniciar sesión en PowerSchool Parent - Español
For help with device issues, please refer families to the campus-based Help Desks.
White Marsh Elementary School: WMEShelpdesk@talbotschools.org
Technicians will be available during normal school hours of operation.
Math Coach Corner
WMES Spirit Wear!!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dGkn_Nu00ROBmbXhwJTliLTBc_ztfrWG/view?usp=sharing
Here Comes the Bus App
The Here Comes the Bus® App will be available to parents of White Marsh Elementary School students mid September! Here Comes the Bus® will allow you to:
View the real-time location of your child’s bus
Access the app from your smartphone, tablet or computer
Receive push notifications or email alerts
Send your child to the bus stop at just the right time, every time
How to get started:
Download the Here Comes the Bus app* or visit herecomesthebus.com.
Click the button.
Enter school code 87314 and click “Next” followed by “Confirm”
Complete the “User Profile” box.
Under “My Students,” click “Add.” Enter your child’s last name and student ID number. The student ID number can be found in the PowerSchool Parent Portal under the Bus Information tab. If you have not yet set up your PowerSchool Parent Portal, please do so using the instructions below. This will be necessary in order for you to access your child’s transportation information in the future.
Once you confirm your information, you’re ready to begin using Here Comes the Bus!
*Available at the App Store and Google Play
Here Comes the Bus® is a registered trademark of Synovia Solutions™ LLC
HARRIS TEETER'S TOGETHER IN EDUCATION PROGRAM!
We need our families to please sign up!!! HARRIS TEETER'S TOGETHER IN EDUCATION PROGRAM!
Earn funds for WMES by linking us to your Harris Teeter VIC card, then shop Harris Teeter brands!
Linking must occur each school year.
Here's the link to register your VIC card: https://www.harristeeter.com/together-in-education
Thank you in advance for your support!
Technology Updates
TECHNOLOGY TROUBLE-SHOOTING TIPS:
If you are having trouble with your device (slow running, not holding a charge, etc), please email wmeshelpdesk@talbotschools.org with the following information: Your name, your school's name, the issue you are having, and your contact information.
VISIT for TCPS Technology Tutorials:
https://www.tcps.k12.md.us/2020-21-news/online-learning-family-tutorials
WMES PTO Updates
*PTO officers:
President/Vice President: Valerie Russ
Treasurer: Lisa Short
Secretary: Carla Beavers
Dedicated Dolphin
This year we are looking for parents, teachers, and community members to nominate a WMES teacher for the Dedicated Dolphin Award. Click on the link to submit a nomination during any time of the year. Dedicated Dolphin Nomination Form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScmGYlL6Iw3-iiBgXCU7K2C7Rltl2Y7rBSvA5YN0hgODybeig/viewform
Important Dates
JANUARY
School Board Appreciation Month
9 - Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
17 - Martin Luther King Day, Schools Closed
19 - Public Budget Hearing and Board of Education Meeting
20 - Marking Period #2 Ends
21 - Transition Day, No school for students, Half day for staff
24 through 28 - Junior Achievement for 4th Grade
24 - Marking Period #3 Begins
28 - Report cards issued
FEBRUARY
American Heart Month
Black History Month
Career & Technical Education Month
National Childrens' Dental Health Month
4 - National Wear Red for Cardio Health Awareness Day
7 through 11 - Junior Achievement for 4th Grade
14 - Valentine's Day
18 - Early Dismissal for staff and students 12:20 pm
21 - Presidents Day, No school for staff and students
22 - School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
24 - Interim 3 Ends
28 - Interims due from Teachers
White Marsh Elementary School
4322 Lovers Ln,
Trappe, MD 21673
(410) 476-3144
Come One Come All...to the Greatest School of All!
Grandparent's Club!!!
Connect with Kim Seidel and White Marsh Elementary School
Email: kseidel@talbotschools.org
Website: http://www.tcps.k12.md.us/schools/WMES
Location: 4322 Lovers Lane, Trappe, MD, USA
Phone: 410-476-3144
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/wmes21673/about/?ref=page_internal