Timberwolf Times - Feb. 12, 2024
T. Clay Wood - Facts at your Fingertips
Welcome to T. Clay Wood ES
Welcome Back to School - 2023-2024
"It's A Great Day to be a Timberwolf""
Dear Timberwolf Families,
February is Kindness Month at T. Clay Wood - just another time to remind our students, families, and our staff the importance of kindness to one another. Kindness matters each and every day at T. Clay Wood Elementary! During the month of February, we will be focusing on even more ways to spread kindness! We will be celebrating Random Acts of Kindness Week on February 12th-16th in our classrooms and on the morning broadcast! During this special week, we will be finding ways to challenge ourselves to see how many acts of kindness we can do! To show your kind character, please join us for our daily spirit wear!
It is School Board Appreciation Month in PWCS.
Boosterthon is Back!! We are excited to welcome the team back and are getting ready for the Fun Run on February 15, 2024.
Please mark March 5th on your calendar as a Teacher Workday - this was changed at a January School Board Meeting.
Please be sure you send your students in to school with a coat! We cannot send students out without their coats during the really cold days especially when it is below 32 degrees. Please make sure they come to school each day wearing their coat. So they do not lose their coats, I would suggest putting their full name on the jacket.
Transfer requests can be made for students in grades 1 through 5 between January 2, 2024- April 30, 2024 Kindergarten transfer requests can be made starting from the first day of Kindergarten registration through 30 days after the kindergarten student registers. Please contact your child's school for more information.
We truly do Everything Better Together as a Community of Leaders and Learners Achieving Excellence.
I hope you all have a wonderful week.
Dr. Andrew Buchheit
Principal
#TimberwolvesROCK
“At T. Clay Wood, Everyone Belongs”
School Status - Please do not unsubscribe from any School Status messages
Prince William County Public Schools discourage families from unsubscribing from any SchoolStatus messages as they may miss important communications from the school or division including emergency and inclement weather messages.
As part of new email deliverability guidelines, SchoolStatus must provide a one-click unsubscribe functionality option. Email providers will block emails arriving that don't provide this capability. SchoolStatus has implemented this functionality to ensure messages sent by email are not marked as spam or delayed. These email guidelines affect all email providers across all industries, not just with SchoolStatus.
The only change message recipients will see is an unsubscribe option in their emails (both Broadcast and Notify). Because parents can now unsubscribe, this could affect connections with some families. Please note that once a recipient has unsubscribed, PWCS staff cannot resubscribe them without that recipient taking action. This is by design and is a requirement of the email providers.
To resubscribe- click here - and ask to resubscribe.
School Wide Information
February 26- March 1 - Read Across America Week - March Madness. During this week, we will share on the broadcast the following 4 picture books. At the end of the week, we will vote on our number 1 Picture book for T. Clay Wood. If you have any questions, please reach out to your child's teacher or our librarian, Mrs. Rice:
The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors by Drew Daywalt
"Long ago," warrior Rock found that he had outbattled every inhabitant of the Kingdom of Backyard. Paper faced the same challenge in the Empire of Mom's Home Office, as did Scissors in the Kitchen Realm. So, each hero sets out to find a worthy opponent. Hilariously elaborate battle cries and full-bleed art that almost vibrates with combative intensity make this over-the-top origin story a winner.”
I Yam a Donkey by CeCe Bell
Even frustrated grammarians will giggle at the who's-on-first routine that begins with a donkey's excited announcement, 'I yam a donkey!' Unfortunately, the donkey's audience happens to be a yam, and one who is particular about sloppy pronunciation and poor grammar. An escalating series of misunderstandings leaves the yam furious, and the clueless donkey bewildered by the yam's growing (and amusing) frustration. The yam finally gets his point across, but regrettably, he's made the situation a little bit too clear . . . and the story ends with a dark and outrageously funny twist.
On Account of the Gum by Adam Rex
On Account of the Gum is a book about how the best intentions lead to some of the worst (and funniest) ideas! Serious humor abounds in this story about one kid's hilarious misadventures with gum, and the cumulative buildup of stuff stuck in hair. From the madcap mind of Adam Rex comes a book about the improbable, downright bizarre remedies for a problem kids have faced since the creation of gum. " Features hilarious text with unexpected turns and fun rhymes " Wacky suggestions make this prime for constant giggles and repeat reading " Author Adam Rex has a funny, smart, and relatable style How do you get gum out of your hair ‘a pair of scissors? Butter? The cat? Call your aunt, she'll know what to do. She doesn't? Try the fire department! With each page turn, this situation ‘relatable to any family ‘grows stickier and more desperate. " A wonderful blend of light wordplay, zany humor, and a timeless topic "
Llama Destroys the World by Jonathan Stutzman
Meet Llama, the next great picture-book megastar, who has most definitely driven a bus and who loves tacos way more than you. He also loves cake, and that’s where our story begins. On Monday, Llama discovers a pile of cake, which he promptly eats. On Tuesday, Llama squeezes into his dancing pants, which he promptly rips. The force of the rip creates a black hole (naturally). By Friday, Llama will (indirectly) destroy the world. In their debut picture book, author/illustrator team Jonathan Stutzman and Heather Fox introduce young readers to the comical, the studious, the oblivious Llama, a picture-book hero for the ages. So, grab some cake and your dancing pants and prepare for Llama Destroys the World... because THE TIME FOR LLAMA IS NIGH!
April 8, 2024 - Link Up Assembly. This is a fun, energetic, interactive school assembly program that mixes music, video and activities to introduce elementary students to Rachel Scott and her challenge to reach out to others with deliberate acts of kindness. Link-Up focuses on the following five challenges: Be Kind, Accept and Include Others, Choose Positive Influences , Dream Big, Set Goals, Keep A Journal and Start a Chain Reaction of kindness. Here is a link with more information: https://rachelschallenge.org/our-programs/rc-live/ If you have any questions, please reach out to our school counselor, Mrs. Amy Cunningham who arranged it to bring this assembly to our school.
April 23, 2024 - We will hold our annual I Can Assembly. The focus will be on reminding students that they can if they work hard, try their best, and persevere.
May 9, 2024 - The PTO has arranged for a Reptile Assembly. Students will have an opportunity to see a wide variety of reptiles -including snakes.
If you do not want your student to participate in any of these activities or assemblies please let your child's teacher know.
Social Media Reminders: T. Clay Wood ES only puts up photos or videos on the Official T. Clay Wood Social Media Sites - on the T. Clay Wood Facebook, X(Twitter), Instagram, and You Tube.
You will see the following Notice on our Official Site -
“This PWCS social media account has been approved by the PWCS Communications Department.”
Social Media sites have to be approved annually by the PWCS Communication Department. Regulation 790-3 , Section B of the Attachment provides further information as well as information about Opt-Out. When filling out the Back to School Packet, information is included that discusses and references this regulation.
Heritage Night Sign Up
Mark your calendars for T. Clay Wood’s annual Heritage Night next month on Thursday, February 22 from 6-7:30 p.m. Come celebrate our community with us by sharing in a cultural food tasting, heritage museum, crafts and activities, a fashion show and a performance from our Timberwolf Chorus!
Families, we need your help! Please consider signing up to contribute to the food tasting by bringing something from your heritage to share and/or to bring a cultural artifact to display in our museum! In the past, some families even brought a presentation board with their artifact so we could learn more! To RSVP to contribute for these two special parts of our Heritage Night, please complete the following Microsoft Form: https://forms.office.com/r/mfuVR0Ez8i?origin=lprLink
You may also click the QR code in the Heritage Night flyer your student brought home: 2024 Heritage Night Letter.pdf
Families and students are encouraged to dress in cultural attire and may join our fashion show that night (no early rsvp necessary for fashion!). Food and crafts are from 6-7 p.m. and the fashion and performance portion will be from 7-7:30 p.m.
We are looking forward to a wonderful Heritage Night and hope to see you there!
Boosterthon Starting this Wednesday
This T Clay Wood Fun Run fundraiser will kick off on 02/07/2024! Our goal is to raise $30,000 for Instructional and Classroom Resources for Teachers and Students. We are so excited about this fundraiser because it will be fun for all our students as they take part in Booster’s legendary character-building program, enjoy the T Clay Wood Fun Run and get a great boost of school spirit too!
Registration is NOW OPEN for our main fundraiser of the year.
Head to mybooster.com today to get your student(s) registered. Thank you for your support!
"If we meet our goal of $30,000 raised, Dr. Buchheit, Mrs. Yuditsky and Mrs. Crawford will be made into human ice cream sundaes by students in a school wide assembly!"
What's Happening at T. Clay Wood during the week of Feb.12 - Feb. 16, 2024
Random Acts of Kindness - February 1- February 23, 2024
February is School Board Appreciation Month
SEP- Feb. 5 - March 15, 2024
Tuesday, February 13, 2024 - Day 6
8:15 am - Chorus
Wednesday, February 14, 2024- Day 1
Thursday, February 15, 2024 - Day 2
Boosterthon Fun Run
Advisory Council/PTO meeting -6:30pm on ZOOM
https://pwcs-zm-edu.zoom.us/j/84553248885?pwd=Z3hQMUhCSFc2ZG91Z3pOdjF1SEx1UT09
Meeting ID: 845 5324 8885
Passcode: Advisory
Friday, February 16, 2024 -Day 3
PTO CORNER
Our 2023-2024 PTO BOARD
President - Kate Case
VP - Kelsey Fisher
Treasurer - Beth Feliciano-Rivera
Asst Treasurer - Cooper Waterman
Secretary - Sandra Oviedo
Director - Amelia Hunter
Teacher Director - Tiana Marshall
Upcoming Dates:
Moving forward we have decided to merge the Advisory Council meetings with the PTO meetings to offer families one combined meeting to get all the information they need for happenings at the school and in the community. Due to this change, some of our meeting dates have changed. Please see the schedule posted for new meeting dates. We hope you'll be able to join us!
Feb. 5 - March 11 - SEP
Feb. 7-15 - Boosterthon
Feb. 15 - - Advisory Council/PTO Meeting on ZOOM
Join Zoom Meeting
https://pwcs-zm-edu.zoom.us/j/84553248885?pwd=Z3hQMUhCSFc2ZG91Z3pOdjF1SEx1UT09
Meeting ID: 845 5324 8885
Passcode: Advisory
Feb. 28 - Panera Spirit Night, Bristow location - 4pm-8pm
Email tclaywoodpto@gmail.com for more information!
PTO Membership is still open!
As always, keep an eye on our T Clay Wood PTO facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/timberwolvesrock) and our website (https://www.tclaywoodpto.com/) for up to date information
*Every Tuesday - Every Tuesday during the school year Gainesville Papa Johns will give you 40% off your order and donate 10% back to the PTO!
LEADER IN ME CORNER
Habit 6 - Synergy - We are better together
Habit 6: Synergize®
Together Is Better
I value other people’s strengths and learn from them. I get along well with others, even people who are different than me. I work well in groups. I seek out other people’s ideas to solve problems because I know that by teaming with others we can create better solutions than anyone of us can alone. I am humble.
Bus Information
PWCS has a late bus link for buses that will be late 15 minutes or more - https://www.pwcs.edu/departments/transportation/bus_delays
You can also sign up for the Here Comes the Bus App at - https://www.pwcs.edu/departments/transportation/here_comes_the_bus
For more information about buses - please the Transportation Website -
T. Clay Wood - Statement of Civility
We are reminding all our School Community to treat our school staff, our students, and one another with civility. Our students are always watching!
Code Orange - Parents/Guardians - make sure you can access internet at this time
In case of inclement weather when school is closed, PWCS will provide live virtual (Synchronized) instruction to all students through ZOOM. PWCS Expectation is that all students participate. Attendance will be taken. Students must keep their cameras on to be counted as present. Instruction will take place between 9am - 2pm with 1 hour for lunch and recess time.
Prior to late fall/early winter, please make sure you are able to access the internet. Any family needing assistance with home internet should contact their school during the first month of school to receive a school-issued take-home “hotspot.” If you are not able to access the internet, please reach out to Mr. Taylor at taylorbi@pwcs.edu or 703.594.3990.
Visitors and Identification
At T. Clay Wood Elementary School, we love to have visitors and volunteers every day. To help ensure the safety of our students, visitors to Prince William County Schools are expected to report promptly to the school’s main office when entering school buildings. Visitors and volunteers will be asked to provide a valid government issued photo identification. There are no exceptions. Every visitor to our school must bring with them a photo id. Visitors will then be issued a temporary identification badge. We will not permit any visitor or volunteer into the building without this identification. Our main goal is to ensure the safety and security of our students and staff at school.
Change in Transportation Home
If a situation occurs which makes it necessary for your child’s transportation home to change, please send in a note with your child in the morning giving clear directions as to how your child should go home at the end of the day. Only a parent/guardian can change their child’s transportation plan for any given day. A note from the parent must be received by the office AND the teacher before noon that day indicating the change. This is for the safety of the children and will alleviate any confusion at the end of the day.
Changing Dismissal Routine – Parents, if you are changing your child’s dismissal, you must send an email/note to the office or notify the office by 3:30 pm. The teacher and bus driver cannot accept a change if a student just tells him or her about the change without a note. In these cases, students are sent home the original way. In addition, please try to avoid changing dismissal procedures in the middle of the day and please send all dismissal changes to our office by calling our office at 703.594.3990 or sending a note in the morning. Emails sent to the teacher in the middle of the day may be missed if there is a substitute that day or if the teacher is not able to check his or her email.
3:30 pm - If you must pick your student up early, please arrive before 3:30 pm. We will not be able to call students to the office after 3:30 pm until all car riders are picked up. Students called for dismissal after 3:30 pm will be sent to the car rider area and will be brought up after all car riders are dismissed with the supervising teachers. This way we can reduce interruptions to the classrooms, provide continual supervision for all our students and give our focus in the office to dismissing students. Parents coming in after 3:30 pm will be asked to wait in the vestibule outside of the office and once their students are brought up to come in and sign their students out.
Code of Behavior, FLE Objectives and Opt Out and Calendar Now Online
2023-2024 – Calendar link: https://www.pwcs.edu/calendars/school_calendar/index
You can also subscribe to the PWCS Calendar. To learn how, you can go to this PWCS Site and then follow the directions - How to Subscribe to the PWCS School Calendar
Code of Behavior link: https://www.pwcs.edu/about_us/code_of_behavior/index
Link to Family Life Education objectives and Opt out - https://www.pwcs.edu/academics___programs/science___family_life_education/family_life_education
Insurance for your student's device
For Grades 3-5 Students in grades 3-5 this year have HP 360 Windows laptops. If students damage the device, they are responsible for any repairs or replacement for the device. The cost for a total replacement is prorated based on the age of the device and maxes out at $308. Students are also responsible for the case and the charger issued with the device. Insurance is available to cover any damage or total loss of the device. The cost of the insurance is $29.95 and you can purchase it through Securranty. (https://securranty.com/pwcs) We strongly recommend the insurance for the Windows laptops, as they can be susceptible to drops and water damage. Contact Mr. Taylor, our Technology Coach, if you'd like more information or have questions (taylorbi@pwcs.edu).
Students in grades K-2 have iPads this year. Our iPads are Generation 9 and use Lightening charge cables; they are brand new devices this year, fresh out of the box! All iPads come with AppleCare included at no additional cost to families. AppleCare will cover any physical damage to the iPad so long as you return the damaged device to your teacher. AppleCare does not cover total loss the device. If your child loses their iPad, they will be responsible for a replacement cost. Since all devices are new this year, they will not be prorated and the replacement cost will be $285. Insurance is available to cover loss of the iPad. Keep in mind that damage to the iPad is already covered, so insurance would only be beneficial if your child loses their iPad. Insurance is $29.95 and is available through Securranty. Contact Mr. Taylor, our Technology Coach, if you'd like more information or have questions (taylorbi@pwcs.edu).
For Grades K-2
T. Clay Wood Continuous Improvement Plan
Please take a moment to view our 2023-2024 T. Clay Wood Continuous Improvement Plan by clicking this link: T. Clay Wood 2023-2024 Continuous Improvement Plan
We have three Academic Goals this year - Increase Reading, Math, and Science Achievement Rates for all students at T. Clay Wood to at least 85% or higher.
We also are focused at increasing student satisfaction rates to 90% or higher and increasing number of active business partnerships at T. Clay Wood.
Information about T. Clay Wood ES
A Prince William County School of Excellence
“A Community of Leaders and Learners Achieving Excellence”
10600 Kettle Run Road; Nokesville, VA 20181
Andrew Buchheit, Principal - buchhear@pwcs.edu
Melissa Yuditsky, Assistant Principal yuditsml@pwcs..edu
“A Community of Leaders and Learners Achieving Excellence”
School hours: 9:20 am – 4:00 pm
(Office hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
SCHOOL SCHEDULE
Doors Open: 9:10 a.m.
Students tardy after: 9:20 a.m.
Dismissal: 4:00 p.m.
School Phone Number: 703.594.3990
School Fax Number: 703.594.2653
Attendance Email: cwes-timberwolf-attendance@pwcs.edu
Attendance Phone Line:– 703.594.3992
Motto: “I seek to make a POSITIVE DIFFERENCE AT SCHOOL”
Website: http://tclaywoodes.schools.pwcs.edu
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TClayWoodES
Twitter @TClayWoodElem
Instagram: tclaywoodelementary
Email: buchhear@pwcs.edu
Website: http://tclaywoodes.schools.pwcs.edu
Location: 10600 Kettle Run Road, Nokesville, VA, USA
Phone: 703.594.3990
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TClayWoodES
Twitter: @TClayWoodElem