Dear Woodburn Families,
There continues to be much to celebrate as we wrap up the year. Our Career Exploration Week was also a huge hit across the school. Many volunteers shared their time and expertise with our students. Our youngest wildcats even enjoyed a visit from the sheriff and fire department. Thank you to Ms. Coury and Ms. Gannon for organizing and leading this event.
We also enjoyed watching our strings and band students perform in our spring concert. Our students have learned so much and we are grateful to Mrs. Hoffman and Mr. McClure for leading these two fine arts programs.
Our Drama Club put on an amazing performance for our families and community. Thank you to Mrs. Ragona, Ms. Vaught, and our students for the passion and time they gave to preparing for this production.
There is more to come next week! We look forward to promoting our 6th graders and to coming together as a school on June 11 to celebrate the end of this special year.
Together We Grow,
Katy and Bridget
June 7 - Virtual Field Day (details below)
June 8 - Virtual Learning for All Students (details below)
Virtual 6th Grade Promotion 3-4pm
June 11 - Virtual Student Celebration 10:30-1:30pm
Last Day of School, Early Student Dismissal 2:15pm
See the complete 2020-21 school year calendar
Summer Office Hours
Our summer office hours will be 9am-12pm, Monday-Friday, or by appointment. These new hours will begin on June 14.
Virtual Field Day
Virtual Field Day will take place on Monday, June 7th. A link to our Virtual Field Day is posted in our 24/7 Learning class. You can access this through “Specials” tab and then “PE” tab for your grade level. Mr. Shirley and Mr. Coakley have walked students through how to access this link during PE class. Here is a link to 24/7 Learning:
https://fcps.blackboard.com/webapps/blackboard/content/listContentEditable.jsp?content_id=_43883545_1&course_id=_1504226_1
We would love to have some students include pictures on our Padlet about some of the events they enjoyed. Here is a link to the Padlet:
https://padlet.com/rwshirley/oegc5aob79taissg
Have fun and enjoy!!!
June 8 - Virtual Learning for All Students
Tuesday, June 8, 2021 is Election Day. The Fairfax County Electoral Board and City of Fairfax Electoral Board will be using 165 school facilities as polling locations. Because of this, June 8th will be a virtual synchronous learning day for students.
June 11 - End of Year Celebration for All Students & Laptop Return
Mark your calendar, our end of year celebration is coming up! We have accomplished so much as a school community and we can’t wait to celebrate with you. We will be holding an end of year drive-thru celebration for our virtual students on Friday, June 11th from 10:30-1:30. Student will return their laptops, see their teachers, and enjoy a tasty treat courtesy of the PTA. Students participating in our summer school programs do NOT need to return their laptops, however, we hope you will still join us to celebrate the end of the year.
Once a Wildcat, Always a Wildcat
It is that time of year where we wish some of our beloved staff farewell as they prepare to take on new adventures. Please join us in showing our deepest gratitude and appreciation for their service to Woodburn.
Below are messages they have prepared for our community.
Julie Bradfield - It has been a pleasure working at Woodburn this school year, and I will miss you all especially my wonderful students. My family circumstances will require more of my time. Best wishes to all.
Justine Bryan - I am moving over the summer and will be teaching 3rd grade in Loudoun County next year. I will miss all my students from Woodburn!
Bethany Buckley - As we welcomed our second daughter this year, my husband and I have made the decision to move to Massachusetts to be closer to family. I will continue to teach up there, but Woodburn will have a special place in my heart after 6 years of working here. I will miss this community!
Paula Cortes - Thank you Woodburn for opening the doors of your school and your hearts to me these past 8 years. You are truly a very special community! It has been a wonderful journey learning alongside the students and teachers. I will take with me all that I have learned to Coates Elementary as their new reading teacher. I will miss my Wildcats tremendously!
Amanda Dyson - It has been an amazing year with our wonderful Kindergarteners. I am returning to my previous school to work in Special Education. I will miss the Woodburn family and all of my students so much. I look forward to checking in as the years go by to see the amazing things our children will do!
Marylou Feehan - Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes. Because for those who love with heart and soul there is no such thing as separation.” -Rumi I have always put my heart and soul into teaching. With so many years behind me, I can honestly say, "Teaching was never my job. It has always been my passion." I have been blessed to spend my last years at Woodburn. There is no other school that can compare. All of us know it to be true! But, it's time to begin a new season. My husband has been retired for several years and has been waiting for the season when we can be free to travel. I also had the best time of my life growing up with our children. Now it's our grandchildren calling my heart. I look forward to growing up all over again. The time is now!
Melissa Green - I'm so grateful for the opportunities I've been given at Woodburn. Recently, I have accepted a position at another school. I will always cherish my incredible students and all the great moments. Together, we have accomplished great work with an impact that I hope lasts forever and beyond!
Jo Rimel - I am so thankful for my time as a Woodburn Wildcat! I hope to continue teaching in Fairfax County for a few more years. Best wishes and love to all of you! Take care!
Brian Shields - After two years of Instructional Coaching, I have developed the itch to be back in the classroom with students. I will be teaching 4th grade at Cardinal Forest ES in West Springfield. I am grateful for my two years at Woodburn as they will make me a better classroom teacher than ever before!
Crystal Wind - It is with a heavy heart that I share that I will not be returning to Woodburn next school year. I have accepted a position at a school in my neighborhood and will be teaching 2nd grade next school year. Over the past 3 years, your children have made a permanent impact on me and I will miss Woodburn greatly! Please feel free to keep in touch.
Woodburn Library Book Round-Up
It’s the end of the year library book round up!
Please check around for books that are from the Woodburn library. They will be marked with a barcode on the back, and a white sticker on the spine.
To return books:
Drop off books anytime during school hours to the bin located in the front of the building.
You may also return books on June 11, when you drop off student computers..
Students attending school in person can bring their books and return them in the lobby or to the library.
Please contact me if you have any questions!
Thank you for your support as we work to round up our library books for Woodburn students to enjoy.
Please reach out to Ms. Lockwood Gocken at mllockwoodgo@fcps.edu with any questions.
Preparing for Laptop Return
Students are required to return their FCPS issued device (laptop, charger, and MIFI if applicable) at the end of the school year.
- Students attending in person on Friday, June 11th will leave their laptop and charger in the classroom
- Students who attend virtually will return their laptops through the kiss and ride lane on Friday, June 11th between 10:30-1:30.
- Students participating in summer school do NOT need to return their laptop at this time. Teachers and staff supporting collection on the 11th will have a list of who this applies to.
Preparing for drop-off
- If missing a charger, please start looking for it now
- Remove stickers or other adhesives were placed on the laptop
- Check the USB port for personal items (ie. Wireless mouse receiver)
- Save any items on the computers desktop, downloads, or documents to a personal flash drive. Devices will be reimaged and we will not be able to recover any files after that point.
- Laptop cases do not need to be returned and can be used by students next year.
Student Passwords and Access to Apps over the Summer
Student passwords will not be reset by the county until they return in the fall. Students should use their FCPS login information to access their gmail or other learning apps over the summer. ST Math, Imagine Learning, and Pioneer Valley will remain available to students throughout the summer!
Fairfax County Public Library Summer Reading Program
The library has offered a youth summer reading program since … Well, no one is completely sure of the date, just that it has been a standard offering for decades. Ask any child or teen participant about it and they will surely mention reading logs, dynamic programming and coupon booklets. In 2019, FCPL expanded summer reading and began offering a system-wide program for adults as well — because we like reading and getting prizes, too!
Recently, the library purchased a new digital platform called Beanstack and introduced it to staff and patrons with a special Winter Reading Challenge. The platform will now become the host of FCPL summer reading tracking and activities. The Beanstack online program allows patrons to participate in a variety of different reading programs or challenges and earn virtual badges when they complete certain tasks (like reading a book for 20 minutes or doing other activities).
According to its website, Beanstack is in use by more than 1,000 organizations — including library systems and schools — to inspire and encourage reading.
Want to go ahead and sign up for Beanstack in preparation for Summer Reading 2021? Click here for instructions. If you have additional questions about Summer Reading or Beanstack, email them to LIBLibraryEvents@fairfaxcounty.gov.
SOL score reports will be viewable in SIS Parent Vue in late July. Reports will be mailed home to any families that do not have a Parent Vue account.
Thank You Isn't Enough!
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This year has been especially challenging for everyone! Like each of you, the PTA board began this school year with a lot of questions, along with a mix of excitement and anxiety. Amid all the uncertainty, one of the key goals that the Woodburn PTA board set for the school year was to stay connected and to create community for all of Woodburn’s families and teachers. We weren’t quite sure what that might look like in the midst of a global pandemic, but we knew we wanted to give it our best try. Reflecting back over the past school year, we feel good about what we were able to accomplish together! We couldn’t have done it without every family and staff member, nor without each of our amazing volunteers. In case you missed the last PTA meeting of the year, we shared this video to celebrate all that we accomplished together. Please watch and enjoy! |
Woodburn School Website
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Do you want to celebrate a Woodburn employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way, or goes beyond what is expected? If so, then click here to share with everyone. |
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