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Dear Wakefield Forest Families,
It has been an amazing week! We have been so excited to see all of our students in class. Our teachers have been working hard to build relationships in our virtual format. We are so thankful that by the end of the week we had close to 100% attendance. We have been so impressed with the efforts of our teachers, staff and families to reach this milestone of a successful first week!
While each and every student, parent, guardian, teacher and staff member has contributed to our success, there are a few standouts that deserve additional recognition:
- Brian Hubler, our TSSPEC, has reimaged and distributed over 400 laptops to ensure our students have access to virtual classes.
- Lucas Cook, our School Based Technology Specialist (SBTS), has provided countless trainings for staff on our new digital tools.
- Samir Mehta and Mason Conner, two of our parents, built 4 desks for families in our community.
- Our distribution team checked out hundreds of laptops, passed out materials for students and spread their positivity.
- The office staff registered all of our students and supported in countless ways for the first day.
On behalf of the entire Wakefield Forest School staff, thank you for your many kind words over this week. I am continually grateful to be the principal of such an amazing school community.
We hope you have a restful weekend and we look forward to seeing you next week!
Sharyn Prindle
Principal
Virtual Back to School Night - September 15
We are excited to review information about learning this year at our Open House on Tuesday, September 15, 2020. Your classroom teacher will host two sessions, one 7:00 – 7:30 PM and one 7:40 -8:10 PM. These sessions will repeat the content. A brief principal session will be available at 6:30 PM https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/f3a0b4d64aad4bb4a6a95aefc8276439. Additional information will be posted on the school website. Your classroom teacher will provide additional information on joining Back to School Night.
Assessments Update
In the next few weeks your child will be taking a variety of assessments across content areas. The purpose of these assessments is to determine students’ areas of strength and growth. This data will help drive the teachers’ instruction and enable differentiation to best support your child this school year. These assessments will not be graded. To ensure equity, these assessments should be completed independently by the student. Below are a few suggestions on ways to encourage your student, rather than help, while they take assessments in the virtual environment.
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Remind your student that the assessment is not graded and will be used by their teacher to help them learn this school year. It is okay if they do not know the answer to a question as it will tell the teacher that they need help to learn that concept.
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Examples of How You Can Encourage Students During Test Taking
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Please Avoid Using These Ideas While Students Take a Test
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- I noticed you are working hard on this question, keep it up
- Go back and read the question carefully
- Try your best
- Take your time, if you need a break get up and stretch
- Sound out the word, use the part you know
- Reread, think about what makes sense
- Don’t spend too much time on any one question
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- Providing the answer
- Giving the definition of a word
- Sounding out a word with a student
- Counting with a student
- Process of elimination with the student
- Pointing to a specific part of the question
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Thank you for your continued partnership in your child's learning. We look forward to a great school year!
iReady Assessment
The online iReady assessment (also known as the universal screener) provides an initial view of all students’ foundational skills to help teachers identify where students are in reading and/or mathematics. This assessment will not be part of your student’s grades. Between September 11th and October 30th, students in grades 1-6 will take the iReady Reading and Math assessments. Students in Kindergarten will take the iReady Reading assessment only. More information about the assessment can be found on the FCPS Universal Screener Parent Notification webpage.
This fall, students will take iReady at home instead of at school. Teachers will discuss the assessment with students in advance, including how to log in and what to expect. Resources to help families administer the assessment at home can be found on the FCPS Universal Screener webpage. There are short videos to explain your part and what to expect. These videos are in multiple languages.
For questions, please contact your child’s teacher.
Band, Strings, and Music Exploration
All 4th, 5th and 6th graders are required to choose an instrumental music class for the school year.
4th Graders may choose either Strings or Music Exploration.
5th and 6th Graders may choose either Band, Strings or Music Exploration.
Please click on the link below to view video demonstrations of the instruments offered in band and strings.
https://wakefieldforestes.fcps.edu/2020-21-return-school/band-orchestra-registration-2020-21-now-open
Please click on the link below to access the Band/Strings and Music Exploration Registration Form. Please register by today, Friday, Sept. 11.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScu1KmLO-K3yyGz7A2qUqVEyhxstpxlb2nNwYqs3utSm0dQsg/viewform?usp=sf_link
How to Get Technical Support (FCPS Laptops only)
If your child is having technical problems with their laptop (for ex, microphone not working, screen going dark, etc.), please go to this site:
https://www.fcps.edu/return-school/technology-support-families
You will be able to reference troubleshooting videos or place an online request for assistance (you will need to scroll down to Parents and Families – Do you need Tech Support?). Those requests go directly to WFES tech staff, who will respond as quickly as they are able.
Mental Health Support
We understand that this is a stressful time for students and families. If your child needs a check in from a member of our mental health team, please complete the below survey and one of our staff will reach out:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdpT4xXw3YpvfX40m1oLoabNBS8YRH6Ansop01487sn6sXayA/viewform
2020-2021 School Year Calendar
Please click for the current school year Calendar
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