Words To The Wise
December Issue
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
December represents the most festive time of year. As we embrace the approaching Holiday Season, we join all our loved ones in sharing century-old traditions and remember the many people who touch and bless our lives. I enjoy the month of December because of the many additional opportunities to share with others how much the staff and I care about the community that makes Westowne a warm and special school.
During this holiday season, I would like to bring to light how our parents, grandparents, family members, children, and school staff contribute to the unique sense of community found at Westowne. Our teachers and staff members, on a daily basis, share their humanity, kindness, understanding, and knowledge so that our children can grow socially, emotionally, and academically to become successful and caring adults. We appreciate our parents, grandparents, family members, community volunteers, and business partners who are supportive and considerate through the giving of their time, talents, kind words, and donations that make Westowne a fruitful place for creating warm memories. We love all our children, who bring us joy and happiness through their laughter, inquisitiveness, hugs, and sharing. It is a true pleasure to see them each school day as they enter the school with their joyful smiles.
On behalf of the entire staff of Westowne Elementary School, I would like to extend our most heartfelt wishes to each family as you celebrate traditions that make this season so meaningful. Happy holidays and best wishes for a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year.
A special thank you to the 331 parents, grandparents, and family members that visited Westowne during American Education Week. It was quite a turnout! We thank you for your patience and for your assistance and participation while in the classrooms. A very big thanks to the PTA for providing snacks and beverages each morning and for their assistance with signing in and directing visitors to the correct rooms! We also thank our PTA for the set-up and staffing of the wonderful Holiday Shoppe. What a great opportunity for our students!
A few Important Reminders
Please take a look at the following reminders as they will ensure that our students are safe, secure and in school on time.
- Please remember that students are not to be dropped off before 9:00 a.m. as there is no supervision to ensure their safety. Moreover, the weather is getting colder and any students dropped off early will need to remain outside until the 9:00 a.m. bell.
- Please review the new Arrival/Dismissal Map found in this newsletter.
- As all students are expected to wear their ID throughout the day (except for physical education and recess) the lanyard attached to the ID must be a break- away lanyard. The school has purchased each student a Westowne lanyard and we have replacement BCPS lanyards if lost. If you choose to purchase a lanyard for your son/daughter (perfectly fine) please purchase the breakaway style.
- Any student who needs a replacement ID needs to send in $5.00 to there homeroom teacher for a new card.
Beginning Monday, December 12, 2016
Please see the map below showing changes to arrival/dismissal procedures that will begin on Monday morning, 12/12/2016. Please be patient as these changes are implemented. All changes are to ensure the safety of our students and staff. Thank you!
ARTS
Parents may pick up their students' Art to Remember items from 4 until 6:30 pm on Thursday, December 15, 2012! Please come to the Art Room for your purchases. This date is contingent upon good weather for shipping purposes.
Thank you for supporting the WES Art program! ~MRs. Albert
Thanks!
Annmarie
WELCOME
Hello! My name is Alison Kochesfahani, also known as Ms. K. As a product of the Baltimore County School system myself, I am thrilled to be joining the team at Westowne Elementary School! On the weekends, I can be found doing some sort of outdoor adventure (whether that means walking on the NCR trail or shopping at a Farmer’s Market!) and I love hanging out with my family (I have four siblings!) and friends. In my spare time, I enjoy painting and planning future travels. I’ve visited everywhere from Central America to Europe and the Middle East. Please join me in my excitement as I start my career with the third grade team!
Hello! My name is Josie Cuttitta and I am so excited to join the fifth grade team at Westowne Elementary! I was born and raised in Maryland in close proximity to my huge Italian family. Outside of the classroom I enjoy exploring new types of cuisine and the cultures they come from. As an animal lover I also frequent the National Aquarium, D.C. Zoo, and local animal shelters. I am looking forward to my future with the Westowne Elementary School community!
My name is Ashley Holland and I am honored and incredibly excited to be working in Baltimore County Public Schools, but I am even more excited to be joining the Westowne Family in CLSK! I come to Westowne with both experience and higher education in the field of special education. Teaching is my passion and I am looking forward to another school year of doing what I love.
My name is Cori Clifford. I attended Towson University and graduated in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. I recently moved to Baltimore from New Jersey. I am delighted to be joining the Westowne team in CLSK!
LIBRARY WORLD
Westowne’s kindergarten students (and their families) were invited to attend special nights just for them at the Catonsville Branch of the Baltimore County Public Library on Tuesday, November 29 or Thursday, December 1. They heard stories, earned prizes during a scavenger hunt, took a behind-the-scenes tour and almost 60 students got their first library card!
Westowne’s chapter of the National Elementary Honor Society will conduct a Winter Clothing Drive from Thursday, December 8 to Friday, December 16. We will collect NEW gloves, hats, scarves and mittens – in all sizes, for small and big children and adults. Items will be distributed to help keep the Westowne community warmer this winter. Thank you for your support!
Maryland Green Author Jennifer Keats Curtis will return to Westowne for a week-long author residency. She will work with each class PS – 5 during the week of December 12. As a part of her visit, Ms. Curtis is offering her books, which she will autograph/inscribe, for Westowne families at a discount. Order forms went home with students earlier this week. Forms AND payments are due by Friday, December 2 to ensure your book of choice. If you missed the December 2nd deadline, orders and payments can still be turned in during the week of December 5, but the longer you wait, the less chance the book you select will be available.
Six Flags’ Read to Succeed program is back at Westowne. Students who log 360 minutes (6 hours) of reading time and turn in the log by Friday, February 10, 2017 will get a free ticket to Six Flags for the summer. Students can record anything they read EXCEPT things they have to read for school assignments.
For the last two years, fourth and fifth graders from Westowne have competed in the BCPL Battle of the Books program. This year, Westowne will hold its own Battle of the Books competition in the spring. Third, fourth and fifth graders who want to participate can form teams of 1 to 5 readers to cover as many of the books for the competition as possible. There will be book discussion groups after Winter Break for students to talk with other students and staff who read the books. Starting in March, there will be competition preparation sessions that students can attend, if they wish, to get ready for the “Battle”. The Battle will be held in school in April or May. More information will be given to students in grades 3, 4, and 5 next week – watch for the flier to come home. Volunteers are needed to help read the books, host discussions, and prepare for the competition. If you would like to help, please complete the BCPS volunteer training and contact Westowne’s Library Media Specialist, Miss Johnson at cjohnson13@bcps.org.
For printable forms please go to our school website.