Rocket News
Woodholme Elementary School - September 2018
Save the Date: Back to School Night is Coming!
We need our parents! Learn more about your child's instructional program and classroom routines, and meet the teachers and hear from them about important grade and class information. Open Door will provide child care during the event so parents can better focus on teacher presentations (limited number of spots, so first come, first serve). We hope to see you there!
Tuesday, September 25th
5:30 - 6:00 General Info in the Cafeteria for all parents
6:00 - 8:00 Teacher Presentations (schedule will be emailed prior to event)
FREE BREAKFAST FOR ALL STUDENTS
The BCPS Office of Food and Nutrition Services has applied for an received funding to provide Breakfast in the Classroom for all students at no cost for the 2018-19 school year! More Info!
Join Band & Orchestra!
All fifth grade students are invited to join the Band or Orchestra. Recruitment Night for 5th grade is Wed., Sept. 12th at 6:00 PM! Instrument info, lesson schedules, and expectations will be shared. Students unable to attend will receive information in school on 9/13.
We are very excited to provide our updated Parent Handbook this year. Parents can use the Woodholme Parent Handbook as a resource when questions arise. Our Parent Handbook can also be found on our school website and in your child's daily communication homework planner.
Volunteer Training
If you would like to chaperone a field trip or asssist in classrooms, you must be volunteer trained this school year. Volunteer training must be completed online. We will conduct an evening Volunteer Training session for those families who do not have internet service at home on September 12th at 6:00 PM in the library. More info...
Free & Reduced Lunch
A new Free & Reduced Lunch form must be completed every year. All families who think they may qualify should apply. Meal benefits from the previous school year will be continued for a maximum of 30 operating days into the new school year. Renewal applications must be received and processed within that time in order to requalify.
New Protocols for Safety
Baltimore County Public Schools’ staff and students are being trained in a new protocol for responding to the unlikely event of an active assailant. BCPS, in partnership with the Baltimore County Police Department, is adopting the option-based ALICE response protocol to assist those in harm’s way, should this type of incident occur. More info
Middle School Magnet Program brochures will be sent home with each fifth grade student the first week of school. Applications are accepted from Sept. 17 through Nov. 16. Contact Michelle Washington at 410-887-6700 with questions. The Magnet Expo is Sept. 29th from 10:00-2:00 at Red Lion Hotel, 2004 Greenspring Drive, Timonium. More Info!
BCPS One
Have you created or accessed your BCPS One account? This online resource will allow you to check your children's grades and assignments and also access educational resources and Parent University offerings. You can also update your child's Opt Out preferences until Oct. 1. Directions to create your BCPSOne account.
School Counselors
Introducing Woodholme's school counselors Michelle Washington and Lisa Greenberg. School counselors are visible throughout the school building supporting all students with various needs. In collaboration with families and school staff, school counselors help to educate and empower students to be their best self. Learn More!
A correct fitting backpack is a good way to prevent physical pain and promote wellness. Learn some simple tips of how to help your child pack their backpack. Learn More!
Nurse's Nook
Reminders!
1. Notify nurse of allergies, medical conditions & medications students will need at school
2. Bring in medication and doctor's order
3. Change of clothing for ALL students
4. Immunizations must be completed to remain in school
Please view the September calendar for information on upcoming events at Woodholme! We look forward to seeing you at Back-to-School Night on September 25th! Be sure to complete your volunteer training for the 2018-2019 school year!
Arrival & Dismissal Reminders
The start of the school day arrival time is 9:15 AM, and the late bell rings at 9:30 AM. Students arriving after the 9:30 AM bell are marked tardy. For our morning front door carpool and daycare drop-off families, this means that students should not get out of the cars or vans until the 9:15 bell rings. Parents, please know that staff members are not on duty out front until 9:15, so children should not be left unsupervised by dropping them off early and leaving them. This creates an unsafe situation when students start to play, argue or run around the grounds where they could get hurt.
As we do at the start of every year when the carpool line is long, we have families who try to drop off their children on Mt. Wilson Lane, or they try to drive into the second parking lot which is only open to buses during arrival/dismissal. Both of these drop off locations are unsafe, and those cars get in the way of the many school buses driving in and out of the lot and in the way of the children crossing from the buses. Please do not drop off your children on the road or in the bus lot. All cars must follow the car line so children are dropped off at the front doors safely.
A few parents have asked each year, "Why can't my kids stand inside the front lobby when it rains or is cold when they arrive early?" Due to space, liability and supervision issues, students will not be allowed to enter the front doors until the 9:15 bell rings, no matter the weather, so please plan on arrival times accordingly. Remember, Woodholme is an all bus school, so if the long carpool line is not working for your family, you can notify the school that you would like your child(ren) to start riding the bus.
Thank you so much for your assistance with our arrival and dismissal procedures and with understanding why with such a large school we must put protocols in place for the safety of our students!
Afternoon dismissal starts at 3:55 PM, and all carpool and aftercare vans must pick up students by 4:15 PM. when the front doors close and teachers and staff are off duty. Drivers arriving after 4:15 PM are asked to park and sign out their children from the main office. In order to keep our students safe at a very busy and hectic time at dismissal, we must end any early dismissal pick ups at 3:25 PM. This way staff can focus on getting students back to their homerooms, lockers and dismissal rooms and areas safely and uninterrupted. If families have any after school appointments, their students much be picked up by 3:25 PM. Parents are asked to write a letter, email or note in the planner to let teachers know of the early dismissal. Changes to dismissal and early pick up cannot be done over the phone.
Buses are called two a time in the order that they arrive to school. Buses that depart the school building by 4:20 PM are leaving within the dismissal window. We appreciate everyone's patience with the buses as we get into our routines. The first few days buses typically run late because schools are taking time to properly place students on the correct buses, and since we are a late dismissal school, it takes time for buses to arrive. Please contact Suzanne DeWeese sdeweese@bcps.org with any transportation concerns that you have.
When buses are late we allow students with cell phones to call or text parents, we Tweet updates which also posts to Woodholme's Facebook page, and School Messenger calls are sent to families when possible. Please be sure that your contact information is up-to-date and follow us on social media for updates.
A Note from the Principal
Dear Families,
Welcome to a new school year at Woodholme Elementary School! It was great seeing our new and returning families at our New Student Orientation and “Sneak-a-Peek at Your Seat” event last Thursday, and we look forward to even more families joining us for the very important Back-to-School Night on September 25th. This will be a great way for parents to meet the teachers and hear more about what goes on in the classroom, so we look forward to seeing you there!
The administration, teachers and staff are looking forward to working with you as we challenge each of our students to reach their full potential with our quality educational program that supports our 21st century learners. We need your support! Communication and collaboration between home and school is critical to the fundamental success of our school and our students. I invite you to get involved in your child’s education by speaking to your child about the importance of education and of being a good learner and citizen in the classroom, by attending school activities, joining the PTA, and by establishing a positive working relationship with teachers and staff.
The Woodholme PTA (Parent-Teacher Association) is looking for new members to join the PTA to support the school and our teachers and students. They will be starting their annual membership drive to get families involved, and to kick off the drive the PTA will be set up at the Back to School Night event and will speak with parents during the general meeting that will be held in the cafeteria from 5:30-6:00 PM. We appreciate our PTA and can't wait to work together again this year for our students!
As the school year begins, we look forward to working together to help all of our students achieve, so thank you parents and families for all of your support and collaboration!
Sincerely,
Teresa Young
Principal
Contact Us!
Principal: Teresa Young
Assistant Principal: Suzanne DeWeese
Assistant Principal: Cheryl Shaw
September 2018
SCHOOL VISION STATEMENT: Woodholme Elementary will strive to engage and empower students to achieve academic excellence and to become lifelong learners. Our students will develop strong character and embrace diversity and contribute to our ever-changing world.
SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT: Students, parents, staff and community members of Woodholme Elementary are committed to meeting the academic, social and emotional needs of all students in a collaborative, nurturing environment that fosters a climate of mutual respect, educational growth and safety and prepares students for college, career and world.
Email: wes0311@bcps.org
Website: WoodholmeES.bcps.org
Location: 300 Mount Wilson Lane, Pikesville, MD, United States
Phone: 410-887-6700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Woodholme-Elementary/632005713553821
Twitter: @WoodholmeES