WFES - News You Choose - Friday, March 17, 2023


WFES Weekly News & Notes...


Ramadan graphic

Newsletter: This year, the first day of Ramadan is Wednesday, March 22. Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year, a time for spiritual discipline for Muslims, who believe it was during this month that God revealed the first verses of the Quran to Mohammed. Read more about Ramadan in National Geographic Kids.


Upcoming Dates

Calendar Reminder

March 20 - 24 - Spring Book Fair

March 20-31 - SCA Food Drive

March 21 - Spring Book Fair - Evening Hours

March 27 - Woodson Pyramid Art Show - Cav Hall Woodson HS

March 27/29 - Grade 6 Field Trip to National Portrait Gallery

March 31 - Last Day to Order Yearbooks

April 3 - 7 - Spring Break


Attendance Reminder

Attendance-es

This year, spring break is April 3-7. We will be eager to welcome your children back in school on Monday, April 10. Their attendance is very important. Every day, our teachers will be teaching, and students will be learning. Studies have shown that just two absences per month can cause students to fall behind. Let’s finish this school year strong. Visit FCPS’ website for attendance resources.


Spring Book Fair is March 20-24th

book fair

Our WFES spring book fair will take place in the WFES library from Monday 3/20 through Friday 3/24. Students will be able to shop during school hours each day, or may visit the fair with their families on the evening of Tuesday 3/21 from 6pm to 8pm. Details regarding our shopping hours and procedures, as well as a shopping flyer, came home in Thursday folders on 3/9 and 3/16. Book fair purchases may also be made online via our online book fair shopping site from 3/17 until 3/21 by visiting https://www.scholastic.com/bf/wfes23.

If you will be sending your child to school with shopping money, please remember that we are now required to charge sales tax on all book fair purchases, so please keep this in mind when determining how much to send.

If you are interested in signing up to help set up, pack up, or run the book fair, please visit our Sign Up Genius at https://bit.ly/wfes4011. We are especially in need of helpers for our evening event on Tuesday 3/21. We can’t wait to see you at the fair!


Secure Your Bike

bike rack

WFES has had several bike racks on site. We have had at least one bike disappear from school property. Please ensure your student is locking their bike to the bike rack each day.


Looking for Volunteers - PTA Nominating Committee

We are looking for PTA members who would like to help shape the 2023-2024 PTA Board. The committee will be responsible for identifying members who would be interested in filling the key roles including, VP Fundraising, VP  Treasurer, and President. The committee will convene and make a recommendation to the current board later this year. The PTA is critical to the overall success of Wakefield Forest!

If you are interested in being part of the nominating committee or for one of the open rolls please contact Lisa Verne at lwadors@yahoo.com.


Rising Kindergarten Students

tree

We are collecting names for our rising Kindergarten for 2023-24. Kindergarten Orientation is April 19, 2023 4 - 6 PM. If you have a child who turns 5 by 9/30/23 please contact Sue Holmes, ksholmes@fcps.edu and let her know what your intentions are for Kindergarten next year.  We will be doing a mailing in March with all the registration information.


SCA Food Drive - March 20-31st

food

Our SCA is collecting food for "Food for Others" from March 20-31st. Most Needed Items are:

  • Oil
  • Cereal
  • Canned tomato products (crushed, peeled, diced, etc.), 4oz – 1 lb
  • Canned meat (chicken, turkey, or seafood), 2oz – 15oz
  • Rice, 16oz packages
  • Spaghetti sauce, 14oz – 1 lb (ideally in cans instead of glass)
  • Canned fruit (packed in fruit juice instead of syrup) 11oz – 20oz
  • Dried or canned beans (black, kidney, pinto, etc.)
  • Pasta
  • Fruit juice (100% juice) 32oz – 64oz
  • Non Food Items:
    • New or Clean Reusable Grocery Bags 8 ½ x 14 x 15
    • Can openers
    • Boxes (no larger than a copy paper box)
  • Students may drop off items/donations in Mrs. Muratore’s room (101). 
  • Our school goal is to have each classroom collect 1,500 items for the whole school! 

Woodson Pyramid Art Show

Pyramid Art Show

Order Your WFES Yearbook - Deadline is 3/31

yearb

It's time to order your child's WFES 2022-23 yearbook. Go to the following site to order yours! Deadline is March 31st.

https://strawbridge.fotomerchanthv.com/clients/wakefield-forest-elementary-school/2022-2023-yearbook-560/access?clearSessionAuthentication=1


SOL Spring Testing Dates

SOL Testing dates are below. Please plan to have students in school on these days whenever possible.

Grade 3

Reading-May 9

Math- May 23

 

Grade 4

Reading- May 4

Math-May 18

 

Grade 5

Reading-May 3

Science-May 10

Math-May 17

Grade 6

Reading- May 2

Math-May 16

 

Dates are subject to change, as needed. Make-ups will happen through out the window, May 1-26. Retakes are scheduled for May 30-June 2.


Construction Corner

Second Floor

The masonry work for the second floor has started. Our renovation continues to be on track. 

 

Follow us on Twitter @wakefieldforest and @sbprindle


Family Liaison Corner

Teach your child four strategies for achieving learning goals

Setting goals gives students something to work toward, and visualizing them can keep kids motivated when the going gets tough. You have probably helped your child set learning goals. But does your child know what to do after setting a goal to make it easier to reach?

Help your elementary schooler put these four strategies into action:

  1. Define the goal in writing. Make sure that your child’s goal is specific, and can be accomplished in a short time frame: “I will learn my multiplication facts by the end of the month” rather than “I will do better in math.” Post the written goal in a visible place.
  2. Decide on steps to take. What work is your child willing to do to achieve the goal? Together, make a step-by-step plan.
  3. Share the goal and plan with others. Making goals public builds commitment. Encourage your child to discuss the plan with the teacher.
  4. Carry out the plan, one step at a time. If problems crop up, brain­storm possible solutions together. For example, if your child is too tired to review flash cards in the evenings, reviewing over breakfast might work.

As your child works toward the goal, offer encouragement and support. Praise effort and progress. And when your child achieves the goal, celebrate!

 

For more information on FCPS resources please contact our Family Liaison:

Hana Kim

Hkim22@fcps.com


PTA Bingo Night Coming Soon...

bingo

Save the Date...PTA Bingo Night will be on April 27th!

On Thursday, April 27th at 6:30 pm, we will be having WFES' annual PTA BINGO night! We are very excited about this fun family event, which will be held in person this year. Mark your calendars!

Volunteers needed: If you can help with planning our Bingo night, please reach out to Katie Roessler and Jamie Petrik: kathryn.ann.roessler@gmail.com and jamie@teamdda.com. Thank you very much in advance.


Braddock and Springfield District Town Hall

School BOard

Join Springfield District Representative Laura Jane Cohen, Braddock District Representative Megan McLaughlin, FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid, and Student Representative to the School Board Michele Togbe for a town hall. All Braddock and Springfield District parents/guardians, staff, students, and community members are welcome. We hope to see you there!

When: Tuesday, March 21, 2023, from 7:00-8:30PM

Where: Lake Braddock Secondary School (Little Theater), 9200 Burke Lake Road, Burke, VA


Natural High - Be Informed

natural

Resources:

Natural High 

Fentanyl Is Now The Leading Cause of Death For Young People In the US (Video)

Live Your Life Naturally High

Knowing The Signs: Substance Abuse & Today’s Use (Video)

Adolescent Substance Use: America’s #1 Public Health Problem

FCPS video on Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs: https://dl.ebmcdn.net/fcps/courses/ATODParentPresentationRequired103119b/story_html5.html 

For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: (571) 423-4270.

For further Information & support:

De’Ja Ruffin, MSW

Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist

dsmcneil@fcps.edu


Tutor.com - Extra Help for Students at No Cost to Families

tutor

With Tutor.com through Schoology, FCPS students are able to get learning help at any time, even from bilingual tutors! Students in FCPS meet with tutors thousands of times each week to practice reading, prepare for an upcoming math test, write computer programs, study for the SAT, or to get feedback on scholarship essays–all at no cost to their families! If you haven’t already, we encourage you to take just a few minutes to connect with a tutor with your child. More info about Tutor.com in FCPS is available here. 


Contacts

Attendance Phone Line: 703-503-2323

Attendance Email: wakefieldforestelem.attendance@fcps.edu

Heath Room: 703-503-2310

Parent Information Phone Lines/Support for parents who do not speak English as their first language: Parent Information Phone Lines

Parent and Student technology support: IT Support Portal

Principal: Sharyn Prindle sbprindle@fcps.edu

Assistant Principal: Amy Williams alwilliams1@fcps.edu

Follow Wakefield Forest on Twitter

Follow Principal Prindle on Twitter

WFES PTA homepage


Mental Health