
White Marsh Elementary School
2022 - 2023
Week of October 10 - 14, 2022
B Week
Greetings, White Marsh Families!
This week begins on Monday with a 2 hr. Early Dismissal. White Marsh will dismiss at 1:45 pm on Monday. Monday afternoon is designated for parent conferences. Please be sure arrive on time for any conferences that may have been scheduled.
We have had a great response to Running Club! There are no more spaces available. Running Club starts on Wednesday this week! If your student is in Running Club, they must be picked up promptly at 4:20 on Wednesday. Walk around the side of the building by the playground, and they can be picked up directly from the exterior gym doors. Bring your photo ID!
On Friday, our Kindergarteners will enjoy a field trip to Forrest Hall farm! Also on Friday, our 4th and 5th grade Bears will enjoy STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) lessons here at school during the day.
On Friday afternoon, a WMES Volunteer School Based Training session is scheduled for 3 pm.
Finally, please remember to to complete the following: Impact Aid Forms, Online Emergency Information, and Acceptable Use Policy.
Have a great week!
-Mrs. Steele
Impact Aid Forms
Our schools are heavily impacted with federally-connected students – those parents/guardians who work on federal property in Maryland, live on federal property in Maryland, and/or are active duty military personnel. Because of this impact, we receive federal grant funds to operate and maintain our schools and enrich school programs. To receive these funds, the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) requires us to survey each student to determine eligibility. St. Mary’s County Public Schools’ parents are asked to complete the Federal Impact Aid Survey every school year. The school system receives federal grant funds to operate and maintain the schools for federally connected students. To receive these federal funds, the United States Department of Education (USDE) requires the school system to survey each student. The Federal Impact Aid Survey window will be open until Monday, November 14, 2022. It is important to complete the survey through the student’s Home Access Center Account.
Online Emergency Information
Parent Conferences
Volunteering at WMES
A reminder that all Volunteers (including Field Trip Chaperones) must be approved through SMCPS. Beginning this year, this will be an annual requirement. At WMES, those volunteers being asked to support students and teachers in the building will be required to complete a site based training session.
Any volunteer with an interest in supporting classroom activities, Field Day, Book Fair, copying/laminating for teachers must attend the WMES Volunteer Training Session prior to working with students. Please note- participation in the Training Session does not ensure that you will be needed to support an individual classroom. Teachers will reach out to you if school based volunteers are needed.
Future training dates are less than 30 minutes long, and have been added to the WMES event calendar.
Acceptable Use Policy
ALL students in SMCPS must have a completed Acceptable Use Agreement on file for School Year 2022-2023.
Elementary (PreK-5th) Link: https://bit.ly/22022-2023_Elementary_AUPForm
PTA News
Please consider joining the PTA; the membership form is here.
Upcoming Events:
Oct 17 - 21 WMES Book Fair
Oct 17 - 21 Bus Driver Appreciation Week
Oct 19 Character Tea
Oct 19 Unity Day- Wear orange to show support against bullying!
Oct 19 Running Club, ends at 4:20
Oct 20 School Dance
Oct 20 Book Fair Evening Hours 4:30 - 6 pm
Oct 21 Book Fair Closes at 11 am
Oct 21 2 hr. Early Dismissal
From the Music Room
Earbuds Needed!
Thank You, Food Services!
The following are general reminders:
Chronic Absenteeism
Chronic Absenteeism: Students are chronically absent when absent 10% or more of the school days while enrolled at that school. For example, a student who is registered to attend a school for 30 days and who is absent 3 of those 30 days is considered chronically absent.
WMES will follow up with chronically absent students through the Pupil Services Team, Pupil Personnel Worker, and the Department of Student Services. In order to reduce the number of our students with Chronic Absenteeism, incentives to encourage good attendance include participation in the Bear Crawl, Running Club, and School Dance.
Student Attendance
Schoology for Parents
Proper Care of Electronic Devices
Text Alerts
SMCPS Text Alerts are a great way to get information quickly. They are not sent often, and usually only in the event of an unexpected school delay or closure. On occasion, WMES will send a text alert about a late bus, substitute bus, or school event. Click the link for information about registering for text alerts.
Mrs. Julia Steele, Principal
Email: jwsteele@smcps.org
Website: schools.smcps.org/wmes
Location: 29090 Thompson Corner Road, Mechanicsville, MD, USA
Phone: (301)472-4600
Twitter: @wmes_smpcs