Timberwolf Times -October 9, 2023
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,
As a reminder, there will not be school for students on October 9, 2023. This day is set aside as a Staff Professional Development Day.
It is Food Service Appreciation Week this week - be sure to thank our awesome Kitchen Staff and Hostess.
Operation Turkey begins this week- and runs through October 20, 2023.
Our Advisory Council Meeting will take place on ZOOM at 6:30pm on October 19, 2023. If you would like to attend, please email me at buchhear@pwcs.edu with the subject line - Advisory Council and then I will send you the ZOOM link. THIS IS A CHANGE of DATE from the original date.
This issue of the Timberwolf Times is a Jammed Pack Issue - lots of updates as we move into October. Please plan to attend Literacy Night and Family Book Fair Night on October 16, 2023.
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”
Parent Tea/Timberwolf Talk- October 27, 2023
If you would like to attend our first Parent Tea/Timberwolf Talk presented by Dr. Buchheit on October 27, 2023 at 10:00 am. Please RSVP to me at buchhear@pwcs.edu and include Parent Tea in the subject line. Hope to see you there.
Operation Turkey - October 10 - October 20, 2023
Operation Turkey is being sponsored by our Student Service Leadership Team. It will run from October 10 - October 20, 2023. - Please no Glass item.
Items we will be collecting - Canned fruit, Applesauce, canned vegetables, canned meat and fish, canned potatoes, beans/lentils, soup, broth/stock, pasta sauce, pasta, rice, coffee/tea, one box meals like Hamburger Helper, peanut butter, jelly, cereal, oatmeal, pre-made baking mix, flour, sugar, shelf-stable milk, cooking oil/spray. Gluten free and low sodium items all needed.
Bring items to the front office starting on October 10, 2023.
IMPACT AID Survey
The Impact Aid survey will be available electronically in ParentVUE on September 30, 2023. The U.S. Department of Education provides funding to our school division based on Impact Aid survey data, which is used for general purposes benefitting all schools.
What is Impact Aid?
Impact Aid is a federal education program that reimburses school districts for lost revenue and additional costs due to the presence of nontaxable federal property (such as military installations, Indian lands, national parks, national laboratories, and Veterans Affairs hospitals) in a community.
What are the funds used for?
Impact Aid, like revenue generated by taxes, can be used for any general fund purpose, such as instructional materials, teacher salaries, transportation, technology, social-emotional supports or facilities. All decisions on how Impact Aid funds are spent are made by school district leaders and locally elected school boards. This flexibility and local control ensure funds are targeted to where the greatest needs exist.
Additionally, Impact Aid data allows us to apply for competitive funding from other sources such as Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) K12 Partnership grants to provide tailored support services to children of active-duty uniformed services personnel. These grants support specific schools in which 10% or more of the student population is military-connected according to Impact Aid data.
When is the Impact Aid Survey available?
The Impact Aid Survey will become available on September 30, 2023, in ParentVUE. Be on the lookout for additional information regarding the opening of the survey.
Code Orange - Devices Information
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.
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 -
School Wide Information
Our PTO has arranged an Author Assembly on Friday, October 20, 2023 for all students. The Author is Ada Ari. If you would like to learn more information about her - please see her website - www.ada-ari.com If you have questions about the assembly please reach out to our PTO at tclaywoodpto@gmail.com
On October 27, 2023 - we will be visiting the Patriot Marching Band in the afternoon. Permission slips will go home. If you choose to not have your student participate, please let your child's teacher know.
On November 2, 2023, DJ Wood will visit our school during lunch to play some tunes for our students in celebration of a successful completion of the 1st quarter of school. If you prefer your student to eat in the office due to volume, etch this day, please let your child's teacher know.
On November 2, Mr. Taylor and our school counselors will join me in reminding our 3rd-5th grade students about Internet Safety. We will also have an evening event as well for parents. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mr. Taylor at taylorbi@pwcs.edu or one of our school counselors at 703.594.3990.
On November 9, we will have a school wide assembly honoring our Veterans and Active duty service members.
If you do not want your student to participate in any of these Whole School assemblies please let your child's teacher know.
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.
In the course of one school year, look at the learning loss for being late!
THE BOOK FAIR is Coming
Information about the Book Fair from Librarian Mrs. Rice
Dear Families:
Get ready! The Scholastic Book Fair is coming our way (YAY!). Choosing their own books empowers kids and inspires them on their journey to becoming lifelong readers. AND—as always—every purchase at the Fair benefits our school.
Here’s what you need to know about the big event.
Student Shopping:
Monday, Oct. 16th-Thursday, Oct. 19th - 9:30-3:30
Family Shopping:
Monday, Oct. 16th-5:00-7:30
Forms of payment:
Ewallet, Cash, Check (made out to TWCES), Credit Card
Say goodbye to cash and hello to eWallet—your child’s digital payment account. Before the Fair, set up eWallet for worry-free, cash-free purchases. Anyone can contribute! Share each child’s eWallet so friends and family can add funds and give your kids more books to enjoy.
If you can’t make it to the Fair, then shop at our school’s Book Fair online. All orders ship directly to your home, and shipping is free for book orders over $25. Every online purchase will also benefit our school.
Visit our Book Fair homepage to learn more and get started with eWallet and online shopping:
https://www.scholastic.com/bf/tclaywoodelementaryschool
The countdown to more Bookjoy is on! Catch you at the Fair!
Happy reading,
Mrs. Rice
riceml@pwcs,edu
Carnival Literacy Night
PTO School Enrichment Program (SEP)
You are receiving this email because you are a member of the PTO. SEP registration is now open for everyone, registration closes on Sunday, October 15th at midnight. As a reminder, SEP sign up is first come first served.
Please visit our website to see the dates of fall SEP, the program list and program descriptions and teachers as well as the registration form. We have an exciting list of courses for the fall for students of all ages - we look forward to getting started on 10/23.
The SEP Information and registration form can be found here: https://www.tclaywoodpto.com/sep-programs.html
Direct Link to sign up can be found here: https://www.tclaywoodpto.com/store/p83/SEP_2023_Fall_Programs.html
Thank you for your support and if you have any questions, please let us know.
Your PTO Board,
Kate, Kelsey, Beth, Sandra, Cooper, Amelia & Ms. Marshall
Attendance - Why is it important?
Save the Date
Picture Day - October 24, 2023
What's Happening at T. Clay Wood during the week of October 9-13, 2023
Operation Turkey - October 9, 2023 - October 20, 2023
- Teacher Professional Development Day - No School for Students.
Tuesday, October 10, 2023 Day 2
- Operation Turkey Begins
- PTO Mod Pizza Spirit Night
Wednesday, October 11, 2023- Day 3
- Operation Turkey
Thursday, October 12, 2023 - Day 4
- Operation Turkey
- Advisory Council meeting moved to next Thursday, October 19, 2023
Friday, October 13, 2023 -Day -5
Operation Turkey
LEADER IN ME CORNER
Habit 2 - Begin with the end in mind
It is The Habit of Personal Vision
One of the best ways to incorporate Habit 2 into your life is to develop a Personal Mission Statement. It focuses on what you want to be and do. It is your plan for success. It reaffirms who you are, puts your goals in focus, and moves your ideas into the real world. Your mission statement makes you the leader of your own life.
You begin with the end in mind when you:
- Set short term and long term goals.
- Plan the steps you need to take to reach your goals.
Kid Language
Have a Plan: I plan ahead and set goals. I do things that have meaning and make a difference. I am an important part of my classroom and contribute to my school’s mission and vision. I look for ways to be a good citizen.
Ways to practice Begin With the End in Mind:
- Lay out your clothes for tomorrow before you go to bed.
- Get out a pencil and a piece of paper and write down three goals you want to do. Put the paper in a safe place where you can see it.
- We all have something we need to get better at, like doing our homework, brushing our teeth at night, or obeying our parents. Pick one thing you need to do better. Start doing it.
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:
October 10: MOD Pizza Spirit Night
October 16-27: Read-a-Thon Fundraiser
October 20: Chuck E Cheese Spirit Night
October 23: Fall SEP Starts
October 27,: Costume Bingo Night
Please visit the PTO Facebook page and PTO website for updates and more info: https://www.tclaywoodpto.com/
Next PTO Meeting, October 26,,2023 - 6:30pm.
On ZOOM - Join Zoom Meeting
https://pwcs-zm-edu.zoom.us/j/88559394298?pwd=TDh1dWJYSmtWcTVSRUlZajBiUmJNZz09
Meeting ID: 885 5939 4298
Passcode: PTO
Your TCWES PTO has a lot of fun events and projects planned for the year. Come see what this year holds in store for the PTO! 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!
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