Principal's Message
Dear Whitman Community,
This Friday, April 13 brings
us to the end of the 3rd quarter marking period. Students will
have a 2-hour early release and there will be no After School Program or late
buses. Furthermore, Monday, April 16 is Student Holiday. The
weather looks to be warm and sunny this weekend (at least that’s the forecast
so far) so I hope you and your students will take some time to enjoy yourselves
before our last quarter of the 2017-18 school year begins on Tuesday.
Last week, the science and
technology clubs were able to attend the 5th annual USA Science and
Engineering Festival thanks to a generous grant from our friends at Building
Engineering and Science Talent (BEST). Accompanied by Ms. White and Ms.
Lee, students were treated to a “Sneak Peak” of the Expo where they participated
in hands-on STEM activities and were able to connect with scientists and
engineers. It was an exciting day!
On Monday, April 9th,
two of our 7th graders are visiting the White House with Ms.
Tahy. They are two out of only ten students chosen nationwide to be part
of a panel hosted by the First Lady to discuss how teens use technology
today. There will be lots of press around this event so be sure to tune
into the news.
Thank you for all you do to
support our students I hope you have a great week!
Craig Herring, Principal
 
April is the Month of the Military Child
From deployments to new schools, military children are faced with unique challenges that ordinary youth their age never experience. Their ability to adapt to present and future changes deserves respect and admiration. In an effort to recognize the hard work and applaud the courage of military children, the DoD deemed April as the Month of the Military Child (MOMC). It is a time to honor military youth for the important role they play in contributing to the strength of the military family.
It reminds us that the strength of Soldiers comes from the strength of their Families. It also reaffirms the military’s commitment to ensuring excellence in schools, childcare and youth services as well as, providing a strong supportive environment where children can thrive.
Why Purple? Purple is the color that symbolizes all branches of the military, as it is a combination of Army green, Coast Guard blue, Air Force blue, Marine red, and Navy blue. Wearing the color purple is a visible way to show support and thank military youth for their strength and sacrifices.
APRIL
4/9-4/13
FCPS eCART Testing
4/10
Financial Awareness for Middle School Parents
(Whitman Middle School hosting College Access Fairfax)
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
7:00-8:30 PM
Lecture Hall
Contact:
Lisa Macey
SPANISH TRANSLATION AVAILABLE
4/11 & 4/12
Student Services - Wellness Screening, Lecture Hall
4/12
Whitman's Got Talent, 7PM
4/13
Support Military Youth - Wear Purple
Third Grading Period Ends Students Released Two Hours Early
NO ASP and NO Late Buses
4/16
Student Holiday
4/19
Spring Dance, 2:30 PM
4/20
Support Military Youth - Wear Purple
4/20-4/26
Scholastic Book Fair
4/23-4/27
Administrative Professionals and Support Employee Recognition Week
4/23-5/4
Roller Skating for 8th Grade PE
4/25
Student Services - Wellness Screening, Lecture Hall 3rd PD Only
Whitman Family Market, 2:45 PM
To volunteer sign-up: http://signup.com/go/RXxpCnv
4/27
Support Military Youth - Wear Purple
The
Mathemagician!
A public performance of magical mathematics, by Dr. Arthur Benjamin,
Professor of Mathematics at Harvey Mudd College. "He talks like a
performer, acts like a magician and multiplies faster than a calculator."
- Los Angeles Times
Sunday, April 8, 7-8pm, Longfellow Middle School Cafeteria. Doors open at 6:15pm.
Suitable for kids (and adults!)
of all ages, especially those in 3rd grade and up.
This event is free and open to the public.
FCAG is a non-profit, parent-volunteer advocacy group for gifted
children in Fairfax County. For more information, please visit: www.fcag.org
ParentCamp: Informed Families
Thrive—Preventing the Summer Slide
Parents, students, educators, and faith-based and community representatives are
invited to talk and share experiences, concerns, and solutions in order to make
informed decisions about their children’s education in a series of workshop
sessions facilitated by ED staff and invited guests. The sessions shall
focus on resources, information, and tips parents and families can utilize to
prevent summer slide with such topics as Use of Technology to Prevent Summer
Slide, Library Programs to Prevent Summer Slide, Resources and Tips for Parents
to Prevent Summer Slide, and other topics focused on preventing summer
slide.
The ParentCamp hosted by the U. S. Department of Education is free and open to
the community.
Monday, April 23, 2018
8:30 a.m. – 1:40 p.m.
United States Department of Education
Lyndon B Johnson Building
400 Maryland
Avenue, SW Washington, D.C.
For more information and to register, visit http://www.ed.gov/family-and-community-engagement
Online Application link below.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=18FSUR1Xt3QVaxLB28JoRlOjW1va8cYad
2018 Special Education Conference to Be Held
Saturday, April 21, at Hayfield Secondary School
Mark your calendars now for the 13th annual FCPS Special Education
Conference, which will be held on Saturday,
April 21, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hayfield Secondary School.
Go to the Special Education
Conference website for further information and to register for
conference workshop sessions.
Whitman PTSA
May
9, 2018 is our PTSA Staff Appreciation Luncheon. We are asking our Whitman
families to help show our staff how much we appreciate everything they do for
our children by contributing to this luncheon. Please sign up at:
http://signup.com/go/odNtZBA
May
10, 2018 is our end of year PTSA meeting @ 6:30PM. We are still looking for
PTSA Officer nominations.
May
12, 2018 the PTSA is sponsoring a community event, Dressed To A Tea. Seating is
limited, so reserve your tickets today at: Whitman-dressed-to-tea.eventbrite.com
PTSA OFFICER NOMINATIONS FOR UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR
We are currently recruiting candidates (moms, dads, grandparents,
staff, community members), to hold PTSA officer positions for 2018-2019
school year. Officer positions to consider are: President, Vice President,
Treasurer, and Secretary. The election will take place May 10, 2018 @ 6:30PM at
the general membership meeting. You may email your interest and/or questions to
parentsforwhitman@gmail.com
Sincerely,
Sherry Nachnani, PTSA President & mother of 8th grader, Jaya
Melissa Schmechel, PTSA Vice President & mother of 8th grader,
Olivia
Cara Stankewick, PTSA Treasurer & mother of 7th grader,
Catherine
Sandra Desir, PTSA Secretary & community volunteer
Volunteer Opportunities
**Volunteer Reston – Multiple opportunities!
-
Hunt Valley ES Beautification Day – 4/21
-
Energy Action Fairfax – Multiple
Opportunities throughout Spring
-
Lord of Life Preschool –Earth Day
Carnival 4/21
-
Clean Fairfax – 4/20 and 4/21
-
Spring Mar Coop Preschool – Touch A Truck
– 4/28
-
Northern VA Food Allergy Heroes Walk – 6/10
-
Earth Day Carnival at Lord of Life Preschool
– 4/21
-
Volunteer Reston Nature Walk 5k and Run –
4/14
-
Cardinal Forest Robotics – Mondays and
Thursday Feb-May
-
FEEA Charity Walk/Run – 5/6/18
-
The Virginian – multiple opportunities
-
KEEN Greater DC – most Saturdays through
the Spring
-
Northern VA Bridge – every Tuesday night
Scheduled
Other
-
Country Day School Spring Fair on May 5th from 10 AM- 2 PM -
Volunteers are needed for the fair held May 5th from 10am to 2pm. This fun
filled family event is geared towards preschool children and will hosts games,
crafts, face painting, tie dying and a petting zoo. We are in need of volunteers
to lead the activities and play with the children. Shifts are from 10am to 12pm
and 12pm to 2pm. (Feel free to volunteer for both shifts if your schedule
permits.) If you have any questions about volunteering or to sign up for the
event please contact Elle Patout, elleopatout@gmail.com.
A confirmation email will be sent with details upon registering to
volunteer. We hope to see you there!
-
Fairfax County LED
Light Bulb Exchange events in April and May. See the library calendar page here
- https://librarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov/calendar.php?t=s&q=lightbulb&sa=0&cid=6524&sort=1
-
Fairfax County Stewardship – Remove Invasive Plants from Fairfax County's Natural Areas Invasive invaders such as kudzu, wisteria and stilt
grass are pushing out important native flora and diminishing the health of our
parks. Help turn the tide against these exotic invaders by joining the
Invasive Management Area (IMA) volunteers and pulling these weeds out by their
roots. The IMA volunteer calendar can be found online.
-
Potomac River Watershed Cleanup – 4/14/18 The Annual
Potomac River Watershed Cleanup has become a decisive catalyst for progress
that ignites people’s interest and passion for the environment and community
action. The largest regional event of its kind, the Cleanup provides a
transforming experience that engages citizens and community leaders and
generates momentum for change. https://goo.gl/pf3zPo
Ongoing
Other
-
Annandale Christian Community for Action - Individuals and groups are invited to prepare the evening
meal for either on-site or off-site hypothermia guests. Bag lunches
are needed for the guests to take with them during the day to eat prior to
returning to the shelter each evening. Welcome kits are also needed at the
Baileys Shelter. These are easily assembled using a quart plastic zip bag
and should include a comb, bar of soap, wash cloth, deodorant, shaving cream,
razors, feminine hygiene items, nail files, several band aids, tooth
brush, and tooth paste. For more information about shelter needs or to
have questions answered, please call Mary Lee Di Spirito at 703/256-9513 or ddmld@verizon.net.
-
Volunteer Fairfax Directory of Youth Service Opportunities http://www.volunteerfairfax.org/individuals/YSOD%2017-18.pdf
-
ArtStream is a nonprofit that provides creative and
performance opportunities that build confidence, interaction and independence
skills for adults with disabilities, such as Autism and Down Syndrome. The
successes of ArtStream program participants range from new jobs to better
friendships to improved public speaking skills. Volunteer application: http://www.art-stream.org/2016-2017-volunteer-application/
Personal Property
Students are responsible for the personal property that they
bring to the school building, on school grounds, on a school-sponsored function
such as a field trip, or on a school bus. Fairfax County Public Schools
does not assume responsibility for the personal property of students and does
not insure their property or otherwise reimburse students for loss of or damage
to their property. Students and their parents should consider carefully
the value of property brought to school. Electronic games, expensive
equipment, and excess money should not be brought to school. Students
may not bring toys or stuffed animals to school unless the items are related to
a current unit of study or approved by the classroom teacher.
This year, the Walt Whitman Middle School PTSA, acquired a lost
and found bin. This bin is now located
in the cafeteria. Unclaimed lost and
found items will be donated to charity at the end of March. Future lost and found items will be donated
the last day of April and May. If you
have any questions please contact Mr. Ausbrooks at maausbrooks@fcps.edu.
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