A PTA Publication 19201 Thomas Farm Road Gaithersburg, MD ...€¦ · You can share ideas,...
Transcript of A PTA Publication 19201 Thomas Farm Road Gaithersburg, MD ...€¦ · You can share ideas,...
The Paw Print
November 2016, Issue 3
Victoria A. Casey, Principal • Renee Osuntuyi, Asst. Principal • Eva Brooks, Administration • Sarah McKee, Attendance • Jennifer Manning, PTA President • Karen Valverde, Editor
Events & School News
Whetstone Elementary School
19201 Thomas Farm Road
Gaithersburg, MD 20879
301-840-7191
A PTA Publication
Dear Whetstone Families,
Happy Fall, Wildcats! October was a fun and busy
month at Whetstone; after-school activities and clubs
began, and we enjoyed several fun events. We had
our first PTA meeting, where we heard a special
presentation on PAX, received grade-level updates,
reviewed the calendar, and approved the 2016-2017
PTA Operating Budget.
We also held our Annual Scholastic BOOK FAIR, which
was a HUGE success! We were thrilled to see so many
of our children and parents excited about reading! We
would like to give a big shout-out and “THANK YOU!” to
PTA Member Cindy Weiss for coordinating the BOOK
FAIR and to all of the volunteers who helped during the
week.
We would also like to thank Ms. Casey, Ms. Osuntuyi,
teachers, and staff for hosting a fantastic LITERACY
NIGHT! The classrooms were bustling as parents and
students engaged in activities with Chromebooks, Peb-
blego, Daily 5 centers, creative writing, illustrating, puz-
zles, and word searches. Literacy Night is one of our
best traditions at Whetstone; thank you for participat-
ing in this important event.
We would like to remind you about our upcoming FALL
DANCE on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4th from 7:00-9:00 pm in
the gym. Admission is FREE if you bring a canned good
for Manna Food Center; otherwise admission is $2.00.
We will have a DJ and, once again, transform the gym,
so put on your party clothes and bring your dancing
shoes!
Our FALL FUNDRAISER IS OFFICIALLY ON! You should
have received information on our delicious fundraiser
with GERTRUDE HAWK CHOCOLATES. Please review
and participate as you are able; invite friends, family,
and neighbors to indulge in the yummy chocolate
treats, perfect for Holiday entertaining or late night
cravings! This fundraiser will determine the level of sup-
port we are able to provide to Whetstone Elementary
next year, therefore, the success of the fundraiser is
critical. Thank you in advance for your participation.
Finally, we encourage all of you to join the PTA and
learn how you can get involved to help nurture a cul-
ture at our school which encourages learning, growing,
and sense of community. Without you, we cannot be
successful.
Sincerely,
Your Whetstone PTA Executive Board,
Jen M., Jenn J. & Katia
I pledge to Be Here, Be on Time,
Be Prepared, and Be Respectful,
so that every day I can learn
more and more.
Each school day Whetstone Wild-
cats begin the day with this pledge.
The “Four Be’s” are the basis of our
school’s discipline policy and cap-
ture in “kid” language our expecta-
tions for Whetstone students. They
are simple to remember and allow
Whetstone staff to use a common
language to talk with students
about their behavior and what they
need to do to be successful here at
Whetstone.
The “Four Be’s” are posted in each
classroom and in other strategic
places in our school. They are there
as continual reminders to staff, stu-
dents, and parents of expectations
for Whetstone Wildcats.
One of the ways
we recognize
those students
who consistently
demonstrate the
“Four Be’s” is
through our Stu-
dent of the Week
and Student of
the Month pro-
gram. Each week
we recognize one
student from each
class as Student of
the Week. This
gives every stu-
dent a chance for
recognition of being a Great Wild-
cat and a chance at being select-
ed as the Student of the Month. A
Student of the Month is chosen by
each grade level to recognize con-
sistent demonstration of the “Four
Be’s.” Please ask your child who is
the Student of the Week for their
class each week, and we will cele-
brate the success of all our Whet-
stone Wildcats together.
Mrs. Casey
NOVEMBER 2016, ISSUE 3 PAGE 2 THE PAW PRINT
Me Comprometo a Estar Aquí, Llegar a Tiempo,
Estar Preparado(a) y a Ser Respetuoso(a), para que
todos los días pueda aprender más y más.
Cada día escolar los Whetstone Wildcats (Gatos
Montés de Whetstone) comienzan el día con este
compromiso o promesa. Las “Cuatro Bs” son la base
de las normas de disciplina de nuestra escuela y
captan en el lenguaje de “niños”, nuestras expectati-
vas para los estudiantes de Whetstone. Son simples
para recordar y le permiten al personal de Whetsto-
ne usar un lenguaje común para hablarles a los estu-
diantes sobre su comportamiento y sobre lo que ne-
cesitan hacer para tener éxito aquí en Whetstone.
Las “Cuatro Bs” están publicadas en cada salón de
clases y en otros lugares estratégicos dentro del plan-
tel escolar. Están ahí como recordatorios continuos
para el personal, los estudiantes y para los padres de
familia, sobre las expectativas de los Whetstone Wild-
cats.
Una de las maneras de reconocer a aquellos estu-
diantes que constantemente demuestran las “Cuatro
Bs” es a través de nuestro programa Estudiante de la
Semana y el Estudiante del Mes. Cada semana reco-
nocemos a un estudiante de cada clase como el
Estudiante de la Semana. Eso le da a cada estudian-
te una oportunidad de reconocimiento por ser un
gran Wildcat y una oportunidad para ser selecciona-
do como el Estudiante del Mes. Un Estudiante del
Mes se escoge por cada grado escolar reconocien-
do que demuestra de manera consistente las
“Cuatro Bs.” Por favor pregúntele a su hijo(a) quién es
el Estudiante de la Semana en su clase, cada sema-
na y nosotros celebraremos juntos el éxito de todos
nuestros niños Whetstone Wildcats.
Sra. Casey
NOVEMBER 2016, ISSUE 3 PAGE 3 THE PAW PRINT
Joining the PTA is a great
way to become active in
your child’s education.
Annual dues help our PTA
support a wide variety of
programs and activities
that enrich the school
year for students and their
families. By joining, your
dues help support PTA
programs & events such
as the Ice Cream Social,
Cultural Arts Assemblies,
the Annual Dance Party,
Staff Appreciation Week,
The Paw Print newsletter,
and much more! Please join us! The more mem-
bers we have the stronger
our voice when advocat-
ing for our children.
Complete & return this
form with payment at-
tached (cash or check
payable to Whetstone
PTA) to your child’s
teacher. Thank you!
Why join the PTA? The number one reason to join
the Parent Teacher Association is to benefit your child. In
doing so, you also help your school. But there are many more
PTA advantages:
Get Connected. There’s no better way to know what’s hap-
pening in your school.
Discover Great Resources. The PTA offers a variety of
programs designed for parents as well as students.
Tap into a Network. PTA functions are opportunities to
meet other parents and teachers, building rapport and dis-
cussing issues that are on your mind. You can share ideas,
concerns, and experiences.
Watch Yourself Grow. By volunteering with your PTA, you put your skills and hobbies to use for a no-
ble cause—your child and all children in the community.
Speak Up. PTA can be a way for you to more effectively suggest change at your child’s school.
Witness Improvement. By getting involved at your child’s school you’ll be part of the solution, helping
make positive changes. Local PTAs play an important role by supporting improvements through advoca-
cy and by fundraising for curriculum-based programs and social events.
Be a Role Model. By becoming a PTA member, you’ll be demonstrating to your child the importance
you place on education.
NOVEMBER 2016, ISSUE 3 PAGE 4 THE PAW PRINT
Put on your dance shoes, because it’s
time for another great night at
Whetstone! The DJ will play our favorite
tunes, and there will be snacks & drinks
for sale.
Admission is FREE if you bring a
canned good for Manna Food Center!
(Otherwise, admission is $2.)
If you’d like to volunteer to help
with the dance, please email
Jenn Jacobson at
Take a night off cooking, enjoy a meal out with the family,
and support the Whetstone PTA at the same time! Bring
your flyer when you go, and the PTA will receive 10% of
the profits to help support programs at Whetstone.
8401 Snouffer School Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20879
President: Jen Manning
1st, 2nd, and 3rd Vice President: Open
Treasurer: Katia Gilliam
Recording Secretary: Jenn Jacobson
Corresponding Secretary: Open
MCCPTA Delegate #1 and #2: Open
Family Fun Night December 13th
PAGE 5 THE PAW PRINT NOVEMBER 2016, ISSUE
November 2016
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
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NO SCHOOL Professional Day
Fall Dance 7 pm
NO SCHOOL Election Day
HALF DAY Parent-Teacher
Conferences
HALF DAY Parent-Teacher
Conferences
Fundraiser Forms Due
Ay Jalisco Restaurant Fundraiser
HALF DAY
NO SCHOOL Thanksgiving
NO SCHOOL
Fundraiser
for instructions for ONLINE FUNDRAISING! Online orders placed within the sale dates below can choose to have their orders delivered for free with the main shipment
(seller delivers the order) * OR * out-of-town friends & family can choose to send their orders directly to their home (shipping fees apply) from now through 12/18/16!
Order forms (top copy) and money are due
Friday, November 11, 2016. Paper Order Forms should NOT include any online sales.
Make checks payable to Whetstone PTA.
Estimated order pickup date is Tuesday, December 6, 2016.
We need your participation to support programs at Whetstone! Brochures have been sent home in your
child’s backpack. EARN AWESOME PRIZES!! Every
student who sells at least ONE ITEM will receive a PRIZE!
Please check the back of your brochure
Our Gertrude Hawk Chocolates Fall Fundraiser is underway!
Coming up in December:
Dec 6th: Getrude Hawk Fundraiser Delivery Dec 6th: PTA Meeting, 7pm Dec 13th: Ledo Pizza Restaurant Fundraiser Dec 26th-30th: Winter Break
Parent Focus Team Meeting
6-7:00 pm