Principal's Message
Pulitzer Prize winning author and columnist Dave Berry once said, “Once again, we come to the Holiday Season, a deeply religious time that each of us observes, in his own way, by going to the mall of his choice."
Many of us smile when we read this because all good humor has some truth to it, and we know that we get caught up in everything we don’t want the holidays to be about. Like you, I’m a parent myself, and I have this tenseness about making sure I get the perfect decorations, buy all the right presents, and get everything in order so I can fulfill this idea of what the perfect holiday season is supposed look like. When I stop and take a deep breath though, I realize I’m making this special time of year into everything I don’t want it to be. Regardless of your specific faith, this time of year is supposed to be about getting centered and focused on all that’s good, namely our faith, our hope, and our love for others. As parents, we have a real opportunity during the holiday season to refocus our efforts on the things we should be doing all year, and model for our children how to live like this in many different ways.
There are seasonal opportunities like holiday food drives, Toys for Tots, Salvation Army buckets in front of our local grocery store, and even our own Giving Tree right here at school that will help some of our own Washington Mill families. As we move through the holiday season this year, let’s commit together that we’re going to take advantage of some of these opportunities to teach our kids what’s important. Let’s take some time to shop with them, but have them pick out the food items for that food drive. Let’s make time to decorate the house and the yard together, but also have them set those toys aside that never get used anymore and donate them for children that haven’t been quite as fortunate. Let’s make that wish list for Santa, but also make a separate list together that identifies ways we can be a blessing for someone else this holiday season. -Believe me, I get it. It’s stressful to make time and do everything that needs to be done during this frenzied time of year. But my challenge to you (and to myself) is to let some of the unimportant things slide this year, and to make time for who we know we should be. If we can do that, then our kids will be learning the MOST important lesson of all, and our own joy this holiday season will be greater than we’ve known it to be in a very long time.
Happy Holidays,
Mr. Bennink
 The Washington Mill Chorus under the direction of Mr. Shane Smith performs for fellow classmates during the Winter Concert Assembly.
Advanced Academics Parent Referral Reminder
Dear Parents and Guardians,
This is a friendly reminder that the deadline for referring students in Grades 2-7 for AAP full-time Level IV consideration is due no later than January 9, 2020. Parents are welcome to submit early, but no late referrals will be accepted. We advise parents not to wait for pending abilities test scores if they would like their student screened. While the Grade 2 screening pool casts a starting point for screening some students, test scores are only one factor in the eligibility decision.
If you would like more information about Level IV AAP services or the screening process for Level IV, there are two parent presentations available on the AAP public website that have the same information that was shared at our local school information meetings.
Referrals can be submitted to Kirsten Habib (KLHabib@fcps.edu) at any time up through January 9.
 The Washington Mill 5th and 6th Grade Strings under the direction of Samantha Herge and Kelley Williams perform for fellow classmates at the Winter Concert Assembly.
Sign-Up for AmazonSmile to benefit WMES
While you are doing your Holiday Shopping, please consider signing up for AmazonSmile.
AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization of your choice.
Every item available for purchase on www.amazon.com is also available on AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com) at the same price.
You will see eligible products marked "Eligible for AmazonSmile donation" on their product detail pages.
Please look for Washington Mill PTA under charitable organizations
 The Washington Mill Band under the direction of Mr. Dan Stine perform for fellow classmates during the Winter Concert Assembly.
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Monday, Dec. 23-Friday, Jan. 3 - Winter Break Classes Resume Jan. 6
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Monday, Jan. 9 - Deadline for Parent Referrals for Advanced Academics
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Tuesday, Jan. 14 - January PTA Meeting 7:00 pm
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