White Marsh Elementary School
2022 - 2023
Week of October 31 - November 4, 2022
A Week
Greetings, White Marsh Families!
Thank you for supporting Red Ribbon Week last week! The Bears had a lot of fun celebrating with the different theme days. Be sure to check out our Twitter, PTA facebook page, or Class Dojo for some of the pictures! A big thank you also goes to members of the PTA for organizing another successful Boo Thru! Thank you, families, for donating treats and your time to support this event!
This will be a full week of school for the Bears! Tuesday is Diabetes Awareness Day. Please consider having your student wear blue to support our WMES students and families managing this disease. On Wednesday, Running Club will be held after school, with pickup at 4:20. Please remember to bring a photo ID. The PTA will meet in the Cafeteria at 6:30; all families are welcome to attend. The Flu Clinic will be held on Friday for those students who were signed up. There are no additional spots available.
We still have families that have not completed the Impact Aid information (see below). Here is a link to a video that can assist with the process.
SMCPS is bringing back the Evening Counseling Center. See the flier below if you would like more information.
Have a great week!
-Mrs. Steele
The Bear Crawl is Coming!
SMCPS Evening Counseling Center
Tuesday- Wear Blue to Support those with Diabetes!
PTA News
Please consider joining the PTA; the membership form is here.
The PTA will meet on Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Cafeteria. All families are invited to attend!
Online Emergency Information
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.
Upcoming Events:
Nov 8 Election Day, No School for Students
Nov 9 Report Cards Distributed
Nov 9 Running Club (3:45-4:20 pm)
Nov 10 Elementary Honor Chorus Concert, LHS 7 pm
Nov 11 Veterans Day, No School for Students
Nov 16 Running Club (3:45-4:20 pm) Last Day of Running Club!
Nov 17 Picture Retake Day
Nov 23-25 Thanksgiving Break
From the Music Room
The following are general reminders:
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
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.
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