White Marsh Elementary School
2024 - 2025
A Week
Week of October 14-18, 2024
Greetings, White Marsh Families!
There will be a lot going on this week!
We start off on Monday with a 2 hr. Early Dismissal. White Marsh will dismiss at 1:45 pm. The afternoon is designated for parent conferences. We encourage all parents to conference with their child's teacher at some point in the next few weeks.
Tuesday is the School Dance! DJ Pink will make her return, and the Bears will dance away the afternoon! Those students signed up to stay after school will need to be picked up promptly at 4:30 at the fence near the playground. Please be sure to bring your photo ID.
Wednesday is Unity Day- Wear lots of Orange to unite against bullying! The Book Fair will begin on Wednesday, too, and will run through Wednesday of next week. As an FYI, the Book Fair will be open to parents next Monday, October 21 from 4:30 to 6 pm! See the recent Dojo messages from Mrs. Baril about how to pay for purchases from the Book Fair.
Finally, Friday is also a 2 hr. Early Dismissal. WMES will dismiss at 1:45 pm. A reminder that you can access the SMCPS calendar here to stay aware of other holidays and early dismissal days.
Have a great week!
Sincerely,
Principal Steele
End of Marking Period One- Coming Soon!
Can you believe it- we are almost at the end of the first marking period! The last day of the marking period is Friday, October 25, 2024. Now is a good time to check with your child's teacher to confirm that they do not have any missing assignments. It is also a good time to conference with teachers, to see how your student is doing with the demands of his/her current grade level.
Coming Soon- Red Ribbon Week- October 28 - November 1, 2024
White Marsh will recognize Red Ribbon week with a Spirit Week- coming soon! See below for our theme days!
Conscious Discipline Parent and Childcare Provider Workshop:
Please complete if you have not done so already: Online Emergency Information Update Messaging
Effective communication is critical to the success of St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS). This will be crucial not only for emergencies but for our ability to communicate with families in general. Online Emergency Information Update Forms are now available through the student’s Home Access Center (HAC). Once logged in, directions to access the online form can be found HERE. A video with instructions is available HERE. It is vital that all information is updated in eSchool. The deadline for the online submission of Emergency Information Update forms is October 31st, 2024. Please click here for the Blank Emergency Form. If you have any questions, please contact The Department of Student Services at 301-475-5511 ext.32150.
As the Weather Changes...from SMCPS Dept. of Maintenance
As we approach the cooler months, nighttime temperatures have dropped significantly, which means our buildings may feel quite cool in the mornings, even though we're not yet ready to turn on the boilers and switch to heat. Given these fluctuating temperatures over the coming weeks, we encourage everyone to dress appropriately for the weather. Layering is recommended to ensure comfort throughout both the warmer and cooler parts of the day.
Band, Chorus and Strings has begun!
Students should bring their instruments and supplies with them on Wednesday. It's not expected for students to have all supplies and materials the first week or two of instruction. Students who are interested in renting an instrument from WMES will be notified if an instrument is available to rent from the school.
In order to participate, Band and Strings students must have their supplies!
Click Here for Band Supplies
Click Here for Strings Supplies
Band and Strings Schedule
A Week: Wednesday and Friday
B Week: Wednesday and Thursday
Upcoming Events
Oct 21 - 25 Bus Driver Appreciation Week
Oct 21 Book Fair Open for Parents, 4:30 - 6 pm
Oct 22 Dress for Success Day
Oct 22 Site Based Volunteer Training, 3 pm
Oct 23 Running Club Begins, Gr 3-5, Pick up at 4:20
Oct 24 PTA Boo Thru! 5 - 6:30 pm
Oct 25 End of the first marking period
Oct 25 Kindergarten Field Trip
Oct 28 - Nov 1 Red Ribbon Week/Spirit Week
Oct 30 Character Tea
Oct 30 Running Club, Gr 3-5, Pick up at 4:20
Oct 31 Parents- Emergency Information Forms are Due to SMCPS
Nov 5 Election Day, No School for Students
Nov 6 Running Club, Gr 3-5, Pick up at 4:20
Nov 8 2 hr. Early Dismissal
Nov 11 Veterans Day, No School for Students
Nov 13 Running Club, Gr 3-5, Pick up at 4:20
MBMS is having a Track n Treat Fall Fundraising Event!
Please join us at MBMS on Friday, October 25th from 5-7 PM for our Track n Treat Fall Fundraising Event! This year, we will have face painting, pumpkin painting, Halloween-themed games, trick or treating, costume contests, a food truck, and our 5K race! It is just $5 for kids (3 and under free) and no cost for adults if you have kids with you. If adults want to participate in the 5K, it is a $10 entry. Kids also gain automatic entry into the race with their $5 fee. Please direct any questions toward Patrick James (ptjames@smcps.org) or Summer Wood (smwood@smcps.org). Use this link to sign up through MySchoolbucks. Put on your best costume and come join the festivities!
Call the Office
Our staff is also impacted by new guidelines regarding the use of cell phones during instruction. Please know that if you reach out to teachers during the day via Class Dojo or email they may not receive the message until after dismissal. For changes to your student's dismissal procedures, or other important messages, please call the Main Office.
The following are general reminders:
Here Comes the Bus App
Here Comes the Bus®
Available to parents of students riding SMCPS School Buses
- View the real-time location of your child’s bus
- Access the app from your smartphone, tablet or computer
- Receive push notifications or email alerts
- Send your child to the bus stop at just the right time, every time
How to get started:
- Download the Here Comes the Bus app* or visit herecomesthebus.com
- Click the Sign Up button
- Enter school code (86563) and click “Next” followed by “Confirm”
- Complete the “User Profile” box
- Under “My Students,” click “Add.” Enter your child’s last name and student ID number
- Once you confirm your information, you’re ready to begin using Here Comes the Bus!
Absences Add Up
All absences count towards a child's school attendance, including both lawful and unlawful. Remember, students missing 1 day will miss 7 hours of instruction. We need the Bears here all day, every day. See the Student Handbook for more information on absences. Feel free to reach out to Nurse Parrish if student health concerns/questions arise.
Communication
You will receive a weekly Smore newsletter from Principal Steele on Sunday evenings. The newsletter will be sent to the email we have on file in the Main Office. Newsletters are also posted on our website. Please be sure to be familiar with the information in each newsletter; current information is kept at the top, and review information is posted under the "General Reminders" section.
In addition to the School Newsletter, your child's classroom teacher will communicate with you on a regular basis. You are invited to sign up for the Class Dojo.
WMES Family Handbook
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.
School Supplies
A copy of the current School Supply List can be found on our school website. Feel free to have students bring their school supplies to Open House so that they don't have to carry them on the bus the first day of school.
Meal Benefit Information
Now is the best time to submit an application for Free and Reduced Meals. Remember- these applications must be submitted every year.
Information- Meal Benefit Information
Bus Information
If you wish for your student to be a daily car rider, you must complete an application (this must be done annually). Applications may be picked up in the Cafeteria at Open House.
Student Laptops
As a reminder, returning students should have their devices (and charger) at home. Students in Grades 3-5 will transport their device to and from school daily. Students in Grades 1 and 2, wait for information from your teacher about bringing your device to school. This device is checked out to your student, and families may be responsible for replacing the device if damaged or lost.
For more information including replacement fees, see the SMCPS Student Device and Resource Accountability document.
Sign out Procedures
Please note- when signing out a student from school you will be asked to present your photo ID every time.
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.
White Marsh Elementary School
Email: jwsteele@smcps.org
Website: wmes.smcps.org
Location: 29090 Thompson Corner Road, Mechanicsville, MD, USA
Phone: (301)472-4600