Wolftrap Connection - November 28, 2021

In This Issue:

Message from the Principal

A Message from the PTA

Teacher Holiday Gift Contributions

Volunteer Opportunities

Teacher Support Team

PTA Meeting 

Book Fair Update

Yearbook Cover Contest

Original Works Order Deadlines

Pick Up and Drop Off Safety

1st Grade Party Wrap Up

Community Updates

 


Upcoming Events

wolftrap calender

November 29 - Holiday Stroll (6 pm)

December 3 - Original Works Deadline (Group 2)

December 3 - 3rd Grade Winter Party

December 6 - Original Works Delivered (Group 1)

December 9 - 4th Grade Winter Party

December 10 - PTA Meeting (8:45 am)

December 13 & 14 - Outdoor Band Performance, 8AM


Message from the Principal

Dear Wolftrap Families,

            Welcome back from a well-deserved break! I’m excited that we will be rounding the turn to 2022 for the next three weeks. Teachers and students continue to work on units of study diligently in their spaces, and I enjoy being in the rooms with them to engage in learning. While these next weeks can be hectic, we remain focused on academic pursuits, while supporting the emotional well being of our students and staff.

COVID TESTING: The testing at Wolftrap will continue this week, for families who have given permission. The testing company has changed our date and time, so students will test on Wednesdays from 2:00-2:30pm.  As always, please don’t hesitate to contact the office with any questions. The FCPS website with information is linked here.

TENT DINING, Part 2: In an earlier Connection article, I mentioned that we would continue tent dining. What we have since learned is that sitting during lunch does not generate as much warmth as running around during recess. While we do intend to eat in the tent, we will be assessing the weather to gauge for wind and cold. Keeping that in mind, shorts, t-shirts, and a light sweatshirt are not enough clothing for students who spend at least 30 minutes outside daily for recess or time in the tent. Please ensure that students are prepared for cold weather and wind with winter coats, hats, gloves, scarves, etc. As a reminder, here are the guidelines set out by FCPS:

Please be advised that it is the intention of the school to hold recess during cold spells and children need to be prepared to play outdoors (jackets, gloves, and hats). We will limit outdoor activities during National Weather Service (NWS) issued Wind Chill Advisories and Wind Chill Warnings. Wind chill is the human perception of temperature created by the combination of the actual temperature and the additional heat loss from exposed skin caused by the wind. This is how cold it “feels” outside (the apparent temperature). The higher the wind speed and the lower the temperature, the greater the wind chill effect.

BOOK FAIR: Thank you to all families who participated and to Ms. Dean, who coordinated this wonderful event. Thank you for your support of our teachers and their wish lists. Your wonderful generosity will benefit classroom libraries and promoting the love of reading in our classrooms.

DISMISSAL, Part 2: Last year, when we returned to school, we encouraged families to depart campus as soon as students were collected, to discourage gathering in large groups. While we have since learned that gathering outside may not pose as much of a risk, we need to keep up our guard. Please monitor your children’s activities outside, after school, as we want students to stay safe and not climb our beloved tree. Thank you for your help!

SERVICE PROJECTS: This year is a bit different, as classes are not having their traditional winter parties. Typically, grade levels will plan an activity for students to complete during the party, that supports a community need. This year, grade levels are participating in a variety of events to engage with the community and reinforce the idea that we are stronger when we support those who need a helping hand. As a school, we will be promoting Louise Archer’s Third Annual Warm Clothing Drive (see information below). This drive will take place this week. Please look for information from your child’s teacher to see how you can support each class in their service project efforts. Some examples include Fifth grade’s continuing work with Bake for Good and Sixth grade’s project to support a senior care facility after the holiday.

            I look forward to writing again to you, right before our winter break. Thank you!

Warmly,
Dr. Maggie Grove
Principal

 


Warm Winter Clothing Closet Donations

From Nov 29 - Dec 3, we will be collecting clothing donations to support Louise Archer Elementary's Third Annual Warm Winter Clothing Closet.

Please consider perusing your closet and donating new or gently used (in very good condition) youth, teen, and adult winter clothing that has no stains, rips or pulls. Some items to consider donating: jackets, coats, sweaters, pants, new gloves/scarves/hats, new socks, and new packages of underwear.

Place your donations in a sealed garbage bag and drop off here at Wolftrap. We will bring everything to Louise Archer on the 3rd.

Thank you in advance for supporting Vienna families in need.


Hour of Code

We live in a world surrounded by technology. We know that whatever field our students choose to go into as adults, their ability to succeed will increasingly depend on understanding technology.

But only a fraction of us are learning how technology works. Only 51% of all high schools teach computer science. That’s why our entire school is joining in on the largest learning event in history: The Hour of Code, during Computer Science Education Week (December 6-12) and throughout the month of December. More than 100 million students worldwide have already tried an Hour of Code. Our Hour of Code is making a statement that Crossfield is ready to teach these foundational 21st-century skills.

See http://hourofcode.com/us for details and explore our Hour of Code curated Google Site (students must login to their Google account) and FCPS coding resources page for ideas for coding at home.


Wofltrap PTA
Giving Tuesday

We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends!

The PTA is starting to look ahead to the winter months and all the programming we hope to continue in our school. In this Connection, you will find several volunteer opportunities available and ways for you to get involved. As always, please reach out to any Board member if you have any questions or would like more information.

Tomorrow, Nov. 30th, the Wolftrap PTA will be participating in a Giving Tuesday campaign Help us continue to provide funding, programs, and events for our students, school, and teachers by making a year-end, tax-deductible contribution to our Friends of Wolftrap donation campaign. The Wolftrap Elementary School PTA is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with Tax ID # 54-1605215. Thank you to those who have already made a Friends of Wolftrap donation, and thanks in advance to those who participate in this Giving Tuesday campaign. 

Mark your calendar for our next virtual PTA meeting on Friday, Dec. 10th at 8:45am. We hope to see you there!

2021-2022 PTA Board:
Corrine Fields, President (president@wolftrappta.org)
Debbie Rhoda-Choate, President-Elect (presidentelect@wolftrappta.org)
Ashley Uhl, Secretary (secretary@wolftrappta.org)
Laura Roper, Treasurer (treasurer@wolftrappta.org)


Teacher Holiday Gift Contributions

Gifts

The PTA is still collecting cash toward teacher and staff holiday gifts.

If you would like to contribute to your student[s]' teachers and to our school's staff, the PTA collects the money and then distributes a cash gift to teachers and staff before the Winter Break. Any amount is appreciated!  Contributions can be made, here.


Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer

The PTA is looking for committee leads for the following two programs at Wolftrap:

1) Skate Night Committee Lead - In order to have Skate Night this year, we need someone willing to coordinate with SkateQuest, work with our webteam to create a form for ticket sales, purchase glow sticks and pizza, and coordinate volunteers for the night of the event. The event would take place in the February timeframe.

2) Teacher Refresh - We need a committee lead for the Jan-Feb timeframe who will coordinate finding out items teachers need in their classrooms (pencils, wipes, tissues, Expo markers, etc.), purchase the items, and distribute them to teachers to "refresh" their classrooms with supplies for the second half of the year.

If you are interested in learning more or leading either of these programs, please reach out to president@wolftrappta.org.


Outdoor Lunch Volunteers

Outdoor Lunch

Sign up now for new dates that have been added to the SignUp Genius for outdoor lunch volunteers.

We are going to continue sending classes into the tent for as long as the weather allows. Now that we are in the season of inclement weather, check your email in advance for updates or call the school on days you are scheduled to volunteer if you aren't sure whether outdoor lunch will proceed.


Teacher Support Team

Teacher Support Team

Help us free up time for our teachers!

Over the next three weeks, we will continue to offer support to our teachers by having volunteers gather in the outdoor tent to help with administrative tasks (cutting, stapling, sorting, stuffing folders). Sign up to volunteer here, and make sure to include your email address so we can contact you if needed as our gatherings are weather-dependent.


PTA Meeting - December 10th

PTA Meeting December

Hey Wolftrap Community! 

Why was the snowman rummaging in the bag of carrots? He was picking his nose.

The next meeting is on December 10 at 8:45 am. Please join us on Google Meet or by phone. To join by phone, call (US) +1 785-670-6700‬ PIN: ‪812 400 578‬#

The meeting agenda will be posted here 48 hours prior to the meeting. Please also review the minutes from the last meeting.

We'd be SNOW happy to see you there. 


Book Fair Update and Online Sales

Book Fair

The Book Fair is a wrap! Thank you so much for your fantastic support. Together:

--Our community purchased over 300 items for teachers from their wish lists.

--Proceeds allowed the PTA to purchase over $600 in new book titles for our school library for all our students to enjoy.

--We put over 1,000 books and other educational materials in our students’ home libraries.

Tomorrow (November 30th) is the LAST DAY to order from the Online Book Fair – order HERE!


Yearbook Cover Contest

Calling all 3rd-6th Graders! Show off your Wolfie Spirit by submitting original artwork for this year’s Yearbook Cover Contest. The design must include:

This year’s theme: The Pack is Back
School name: Wolftrap Elementary
School year: 2021-2022

Instructions: Entries are due by Wednesday, December 15. Use an 8.5” x 11” sheet of paper oriented VERTICALLY. Any art medium may be used (crayons, paint, pastels, markers, etc.), but NO clip art, internet files, or copied work are allowed. Be sure to fill all the space with COLOR and submit your art to the front office with your name, teacher, and grade on the back. Wolftrap Teachers and Staff will judge the entries, and runners up may also appear in the Yearbook!

Please keep sending photos and any questions to: yearbook@wolftrappta.org


Original Works Order Deadlines

Original Works - Order Today

With COVID and quarantines impacting when our students completed their Original Works final projects, this year's program has two sets of dates for ordering:

-- 1st group order deadline (extended): 12/11
-- 2nd group order deadline: 12/3

Please place your order as soon as possible, following the ordering instructions here: https://store.originalworks.com/gallerylogin


Pick Up and Drop Off Safety!

Reminder:
Please do NOT drop off/pick up students along the school side of Talisman between Beulah and St. Roman.

No Parking


Safety First:

If dropping a child off at school from an automobile, Kiss and Ride is the ONLY safe process for this option. Please share this information with all adults driving children to school in your household.

Kiss and Ride Diagram

1st Grade Party - Special Thanks!

5th grade party

The first graders had a wonderful time at their Winter party visiting a variety of activity stations in the back field of the school.

Thank you to all the parents who made the First Grade Party a success!


Community Updates

SEPTA

Fairfax County Special Education PTA (SEPTA) Support Resources & Upcoming Events

SEPTA continues to provide great resources, events, and general links to support the FCPS community. All these opportunities are FREE unless noted. In most cases you must register if registration information is provided. Check out our PTA website here for links or go directly to the SEPTA webpage here.


The Flint Hill Elementary PTA invites all area parents to join them on Tuesday, 11/30 at 7pm for a parent program regarding COVID. 

Join a vaccine information session with Dr. Florencia Segura. Dr. Segura is a local Board Certified Pediatrician who will share her knowledge about the COVID vaccine for children ages 5-11 with our community. 

Click here to learn more about Dr.Segura.

Please RSVP at this link to register and receive the zoom link to the meeting approximately 1 hour before it begins.

Kilmer December Fundraiser at Vienna Vintner

For the entire month of December, Vienna Vintner will donate 20% of sales on all retail priced items back to the Kilmer PTA.  Only catch is that you must mention Kilmer Middle School Fundraiser at the time of purchase.  So, stock up on your holiday wine supply while benefiting the Kilmer PTA at the same time.