Text Box: March of Dimes – Reading Program  Participate in the Reading Champions program for the March of Dimes! Students brought home large white envelopes for the program last week. Simply record the number of books OR pages read each night.  Get family members to sponsor your reading!  Every participant, regardless of fundraising, will receive a certificate of participation.  This reading counts for the 100 Minutes of Reading program as well! The March of Dimes is a charity whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.  Visit marchofdimes.com to learn more! Text Box: To all PTA Members:  The WT Page Directory is here!  Please pick up your FREE directory.     CyberSafety         www.marchofdimes.com           www.myLunchMoney.com                   Bus Riding Rules

Text Box: Principal’s Penguin Post   Yesterday, Monday December 8th, Dr. Hammond began a Morning Multiplication Club.   The Club is open to all 4th and 5th graders and will meet EVERY DAY in the media center for 2 weeks beginning at 8:15 AM until 8:50 AM. Students who ride the bus may enter the building and come to the library as soon as the bus arrives. The goal is for each student to learn their multiplication facts!   Parents please check with the cafeteria manager to verify the balance in your child’s lunch account.  It is very disappointing for your child not to receive a lunch because there is not enough money in their account.  Ms. Viands sends regular balance notices home in the Tuesday folder for student accounts that are low.  Students who do not have enough money in their accounts and who receive an alternate meal are required to reimburse the school.  Separate notices are sent home for these occurrences.    Winter weather emergencies, such as snow and ice, may cause disruptions in school operations, including the closure of school, a delayed opening, or an early dismissal.  The following is information about the procedures used when such disruptions occur:   ·        Closure of School When schools are closed systemwide, all instructional programs and extracurricular activities in schools are canceled.  Private day-care providers in school buildings may elect to stay open if the schools are closed but the administrative offices are open.  In extreme conditions, administrative offices also may be closed.  If this occurs, private day-care programs located in school buildings are closed as well.   ·        Delayed Opening A delayed opening means that schools open two hours later than scheduled.  All buses operate on the same delayed schedule and, therefore, the pick-up times are two hours later than normal.  When elementary schools open on a delayed schedule, the following programs are canceled—Prekindergarten, and other specialized programs or field trips scheduled before 10:30 a.m.  However, afternoon sessions of Prekindergarten begin at the regular time. Parents should continue to check for radio, television, or Web announcements in the event a decision to delay the opening of schools is reconsidered and a decision to close schools for the day is made (by 7:00 a.m.).   ·        Early Dismissal An early dismissal means that schools will close 2.5 hours earlier than scheduled.  All buses operate on that same early schedule and, therefore, drop-off times are 2.5 hours earlier than normal.  When elementary schools close early, afternoon Prekindergarten, and other early childhood programs are canceled, as well as any special programs or field trips scheduled after 10:30 a.m.  Morning Prekindergarten students will be dismissed at 10:30 a.m.  ·         Public Announcements Information about school operations is announced publicly as soon as possible on area radio and television stations, Montgomery County Cable Channel 6 or Cable Channel 34—MCPS TV, on the Internet at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org, and on a taped telephone message service at 301-279-3673.  Emergency e-mail announcements are available by signing up for MCPS QuickNotes on the school system’s home page.  If schools are closed or delayed, the announcement is made no later than 6:00 a.m. (or the night before if possible).  If schools are closing early, the announcement is made by 11:00 a.m.  Quote of the week:  212° Caring: “Warmth, kindness, and friendship are the most yearned for commodities in the world.  The person who can provide them will never be lonely….”…Ann Landers  

Text Box: Text Box: CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NOVEMBER OUTSTANDING CITIZENS – WE ARE EXCITED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT OUR MUSIC, ART,  & P.E. teachers are now choosing outstanding citizens – one from each grade level who showed outstanding citizenship behavior in those classes during November. The students were honored this week during lunchtime.  We are very proud of them!!   Tsige Solomon      Heidy Sanchez-Morales     Hebron Admassu      Danielle Jefferson     Musa Abd’Alim      Asad Siddiqui     Shenabeth Jenkins        Gina Yun     Benita Lukose     Julian Gonzalez Videla      Britney Chung      Mariama Samateh        Seble Kassahun     Rajdeep Mudhar       Dasia Jones   ART, MUSIC,& P.E.   Shayla Jones     Steven Hollingsworth       Alba Segura-Cruz         Christian Gramajo        Denee Hemmings     CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NOVEMBER ESOL STUDENT OF THE MONTH – 1st grader, Natalia Rojas, from Mrs. Goldschmidts class. Mrs. Jehn shares that Natalia has greatly improved in her speaking and reading and shows great respect and caring for others in class.

 

 

Text Box: NEW DISMISSAL PROCEDURES FOR INCLEMENT WEATHER  FOR WALKERS/CAR RIDERS!  Last year’s indoor lineup worked fairly well but due to bus riders now being dismissed from the gym and the increase in the number of students getting picked up, our system needed to be revamped. Our first attempt was not as successful as we had hoped and we believe that we have come up with a smoother and more efficient indoor lineup procedure for the year. Please be patient with us as we are working on this together. If you stay in your car, your child will be dismissed from the usual side entrance. All children will be sitting along the inside hall wall and will listen for their names to be called. Since the policy is to stay in your cars, please understand that those who choose to do so will have their child brought out to them. This allows for a smooth dismissal and no need to have anyone get wet in the process. Please note that ONLY children who are getting into a car will be dismissed from the side exit. All others will need to be picked up from the side door. This eliminates the crowd and allows for those who follow the “Please stay in your car” policy to pick up their child quickly. If your child walks home, they will be dismissed from the back kindergarten door only. If you choose to park your car and pick up your child, you will need to pick them up from the back kindergarten door only. If your child walks home with a middle school child, another adult, or waits for a patrol to get off duty, they will be dismissed  from the back kindergarten door only. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Ms. Berner or Mrs. Dean.   Text Box: Important Dates Events Winter Dance                                   Friday, December 12 Last Day this year                      Wednesday, December 23                       Winter recess - 24th  - January 5th, 2009

 

Text Box: Classroom Guidance Update – I am visiting all GRADE 5 classes and we will be working on CyberSafety in December.   Through discussion, computer use, and a guest speaker, the students will be learning what cybersafety is, taking a survey, learning online safety rules, and signing an internet safety pledge (Please look for this pledge as parents need to sign it also.)  We will be visiting the website www.NetSmartz.org.   This is an appropriate site for all ages. Text Box: Meet your PTA – 2008/2009 PTA     Executive Board   President   Ms. Pat Scully Executive VP Ms. Amelia McGhee VP Ways & Means Ms. Anna Paige VP Human Relations Mr. Edwin Chavous VP Programs TBD Treasurer   Ms. Veda Russ Audit Committee Ms. Anna Paige Recording Secr Ms. Alex Skowronski Corresponding Secr Ms. Sharon McKenzie Cluster Rep. Mr. Robert Paulsen MCCPTA Rep. Mr. Edwin Chavouv   Text Box: EDITOR’S NOTE The Ice Page is distributed every Tuesday. Deadline: Thursday at 3:00 PM   Anyone can submit items: teachers, staff, parents, students, etc.  To have an item included: Leave typewritten info in The Ice Page mailbox in the school office OR send by e-mail to: Robert.Paulsen@verizon.net And acmcghee@verizon.net    Editors: Rob Paulsen, (301) 351-7139 Amelia Mcghee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Text Box: Counselor's Corner