Dear Wakefield Forest Families,
As we approach Thanksgiving I know I have been thinking about the many things I am grateful for. Despite recent hardships, this list of gifts in my life always outpaces the challenges. Our WFES community is consistently something for which I have immense gratitude.
I recently reread the book How Full is Your Bucket? For Kids by Tom Rath and Mary Reckmeyer and plan to share it with students on the morning news soon. In the book, the main character, Felix, has an imaginary bucket he carries around with him all day. The bucket is either filled or emptied based on the interactions he has with others. We are all “Felix’s:” the positive and negative interactions we have during the day influence us, as does the positive and negative energy we put out into the world. This book aligns well with our focus on the Other People Matter Mindset and mindfulness. Every kind gesture, word and interaction has a ripple effect of positively influencing others…thank you for being a part of the positive impact.
We hope you and your families enjoy the Thanksgiving break. We are grateful for your trust in our school and the many ways you support the learning happening here every day.
With gratitude,
Sharyn Prindle
Principal
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Before/After School |
We have been having more and more early birds arriving at school prior to 8:25 AM. Students should not arrive or be dropped off prior to 8:25 AM. There is no supervision available prior to 8:25 AM. Supervision is required before and after school on the school playground to ensure students are playing safely.
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Window for AAP Level IV Referrals to Close December 15, 2021 |
Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for full-time advanced academic programs (level IV AAP services) may submit the AAP Level IV Referral Form no later than December 15 to WFES Advanced Academics Resource Teacher Tony Gray at
AWGray1@fcps.edu
The window to submit an AAP Level IV Referral Form is the first day of school through December 15, annually. Forms for full-time and part-time referrals are available on the AAP Forms Page. No late referrals for Level IV services can be accepted.
Submitting a referral form for AAP Level IV will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Our school will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of professionals from various schools review materials to determine eligibility for level IV placement. Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of the portfolio that was submitted after they are submitted to the central selection committee by emailing Tony Gray at
AWGray1@fcps.edu
Referrals for AAP Levels II-III (part-time services) are screened at the local school.
For more information, there are parent presentations available on the FCPS AAP website (under “Presentations”) that contain information similar to our fall parent information meetings at Wakefield Forest Elementary School.
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WFES Giving Tree Gift Card Drive |
In the spirit of giving this season, Wakefield Forest will be hosting a gift card drive to support our families in need. This year we will be collecting gift cards for the upcoming holidays in November and December. Please donate and keep our tradition of giving to others in our community.
We will be accepting gift cards of any denomination from local grocery stores and retail establishments. Giant, Safeway, Food Lion, Target, Walmart or other grocery stores are always great choices.
Gift cards can be dropped off at the front office until December 15. Thank you for your generosity!
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Picture Retake Day is Thursday, December 2 |
If your child was absent on the original Fall Portrait Day or if you would like to have your child's picture retaken, Strawbridge Studios will be at Wakefield Forest on Thursday, December 2 for retakes. If you ordered pictures in October, your child will bring the packet home today: even if you didn't order photos, you will receive a "student id" card that shows you the photo that will appear in the WFES yearbook and tells you how you can order copies. If you would like to have the photos retaken, please have your child bring the packet of photos to school on December 2 to turn in to the photographers. First time orders may be placed online at
www.strawbridge.net
Use the following code for our school: FM374513.
Do you recognize any of the items in this photo? These are just some of the jackets and water bottles that have ended up in our Lost and Found. We will be moving the Lost and Found to the front lobby of the school for the week of November 29 - December 3. You are welcome to come and look for your child's lost items any time between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm. Any items not retrieved before winter break will be donated.
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Message to Sixth Grade Families from Frost MS |
Rising 7th Grade Transition Activities at Frost Middle School
The Rising 7th Grade Orientation for current 6th grade students who will be attending Frost in the 22-23 school year will take place virtually on January 27 at 6:30 PM. We will also be having the Frost Family Festival (in-person) on February 16 beginning at 5:30 PM. This is a great opportunity to have dinner, get a school tour, and visit elective classes to help confirm desired course selections. Additional information will be sent out on both events next month, but please mark your calendars!
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Counselor Check-In |
We would like to remind our families that we are here to support you and your students! If your child needs a check in with Nancy Garcia-Henderson or Chelsea Boateng, WFES counselors, please complete this form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1sN3uJzbb-O4cRpECBzHOD9ysu07rT8s_QhBrFIcUPlc/viewform?ts=6123e7df&edit_requested=true
Wednesday, November 24 - Friday, November 26: Thanksgiving Holiday
Wednesday, December 1 at 2:50 pm: Patrol Officer Meeting
Thursday, December 2 at 2:50 pm: SCA Officer Meeting
Thursday, December 2 - Picture Retake Day
George Mason University is sponsoring a program to encourage kids to read!
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