Timberwolf Times -August 19, 2024
T. Clay Wood - Facts at your Fingertips
"It's A Great Day to be a Timberwolf"
ALL are Welcome at T. Clay Wood: Learning and Leading with Kindness
Dear Timberwolf Families,
Welcome Back to School - 2024-2025
"It's A Great Day to be a Timberwolf""
The First Day of School is this Monday, August 19, 2024!! We always feels like it will never arrive but it is here - The First Day of School is Monday, August 19, 2024. We are all so excited to get this AMAZING Year started on Monday, August 19, 2024
Our School Hours are 9:20– 4:00 pm. We open the doors for our Awesome Timberwolves at 9:10 am.
I encourage you to send your students to school the way they will be going home. Making the first day the first day will help them get into the routine while everything around them is new.
Please double check bus schedules again before sending your student on the bus to make sure times or bus numbers have not changed. Bus Schedules are online – you can access from our school and county website. Your student’s specific bus information can be found in ParentVUE under the Student Information Tab. See this link for information on how to access the Hub: https://www.pwcs.edu/about_us/the_hub
In anticipation of the first day of school, I encourage you to download the Here Comes the Bus mobile app that allows you to track your student’s buses in real-time. Once the Back to School Packet is completed, check back often in ParentVUE, as changes to bus stops and times may occur up until the first day of school.
Please note due to ensuring the safety and security of all our students and staff members, we will not be allowing visitors into the building the week of August 19, 2024 until 9:45 am. This will allow us to focus on our students and classrooms.
Please remember to complete your Back to School Packet (information Below). Once the packet is complete, you will be able to access bus information and class placement information starting Monday. Please note, all Back to School Packets need to be reviewed by school staff and need to be complete. Some have had to be sent back for being incomplete. Please review each item carefully.
I want to ensure you that we have an outstanding staff and no matter which classroom your child is in, I know he or she will have a successful year.
Timberwolf Folder and 2024-2025 School Magnet
Each student will receive a Timberwolf Folder. The Timberwolf Folder is also our Parent Handbook. It outlines many of our school Procedures and Policies. Please take a moment to review the folder about important information related to Attendance, Dress Code, bringing items to school, and so much more.
Every Timberwolf Student will receive our New Timberwolf Magnet for your cars. The magnet captures our theme for the year: "At T. Clay Wood, Everyone Belongs” (Magnets might be sent home after school starts).
Dr. McDade's August 9, 2024 letter: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/VAEDUPWCPS/bulletins/3add381
We truly do Everything Better Together as a Community of Leaders and Learners Achieving Excellence.
Our Theme this year: "ALL are Welcome at T. Clay Wood: Learning and Leading with Kindness"
Sincerely,
Dr. Andrew Buchheit, Principal
First Day of School
The first day of school is Monday, August 19,2024.. We encourage you to send your students to school their regular way. In order to focus on the safety, security, and well-being of our students, parents, guardians, visitors, volunteers will not be able to walk their students to their classroom.
Please note that we will not check in visitors until 9:45 am this week
Please note due to ensuring the safety and security of all our students and staff members, we will not be allowing visitors into the building the week of August 19, 2024 until 9:45 am. This will allow us to focus on our students and classrooms. This also will mean that families will not be able to walk their students to class.
What's Happening at T. Clay Wood during the week of August 19-23, 2024
Monday, August 19, 2024- Day 1
The First Day of School
Tuesday, August 20, 2024 - Day 2
Wednesday, August 21, 2024- Day 3
Thursday, August 22, 2024 - Day 4
Friday, August 23, 2024 -Day 5
Upcoming Calendar of Events
All dates are subject to change – please monitor your email).
- Sunday, August 18- Check updated Bus information
- Monday, August 19- First Day of School. School starts at 9:20 am. Doors open at 9:10 am.
- Thursday, September 12, 2024- First PTO Meeting at 6:30 pm in Art Room.
- Tuesday, September 24- 3rd/4th/5th Back to School Night, 6:30 pm
- Thursday, September 26 - Kg/Preschool/1st/2nd Back to School Night, 6:30 pm
- Friday, October 25 -- PTO Costume Bingo
Sports Equipment Coming Home the first week of school -
Our school will be participating in the kid's heart challenge this year (not until March). The kids heart challenge is a program run by the American Heart Association and more information will be provided later in the year. Below is a link if you are interested in what the program is all about. Every student in our school will receive a playground ball and jump rope. They will be bringing them home the first week of school. No action is needed by you at this time nor are you obligated to participate.
https://www2.heart.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=khc_resources_educational
If you have any questions, please reach out to our PE Teacher, Mr. Byer at BYERAS@pwcs.edu
Watch Dog Sign Up Coming on Monday, August 26, 2024
Dear Timberwolf Families,
THE WATCH D.O.G.S SIGN UP IS COMING!!! The Sign up will be sent out to families August 26,2024. This year we will have TWO SLOTS per day, more details will be on the sign up..
PWCS Back to School Packet are available in ParentVue
The Annual Back to School Packet, where parents/guardians can review emergency cards, update contact information, and complete annual policy reviews and acknowledgments, will be available in ParentVUE. All families should complete the Back to School Packet before the start of the school year if possible. The information you provide will allow school staff to ensure your student's safety this school year.
- Log in to the ParentVUE app or the ParentVUE website using your ParentVUE user name and password.
- Once logged in to ParentVUE, click the Online Records button at the top of the screen.
Find clear instructions by clicking this link then clicking Instructions - https://www.pwcs.edu/parents/backtoschool/index
Please contact the T. Clay Wood office to speak with Mrs. Baker or Ms. Colon at 703.594.3990 if you need assistance or do not have an active ParentVUE account.
PLEASE NOTE: SINCE HAVNG UP TO DATE EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION FOR OUR FAMILIES IS VITAL, PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS REQUIRING ALL FAMILIES TO COMPLETE THIS ANNUAL BACK TO SCHOOL PACKET BEFORE PARENTS/GUARDIANS WILL BE ABLE TO ACCESS IMPORTANT INFORMATION IN PARENTVUE TO START THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR (Including student schedules, class placements, and bus information). If you do not have a ParentVue account, please contact our school office at 703.594.3990.
For questions about the Back to School Packet, please contact Rebekah Schlatter, director of college, career, and student support, at schlattr@pwcs.edu.
School Supply List
Please see T. Clay Wood ES Supply Lists for 2024-2025
https://tclaywoodes.pwcs.edu/news/2024/04/school_supply_kit_for_2024-2025_school_year
Class Placement/Teacher Assignments
CLASS PLACEMENT/TEACHER ASSIGNMENT will be made available in ParentVUE the week of August 12, 2024.
See this link on how to access ParentVUE - https://www.pwcs.edu/about_us/the_hub
Please note that you do need to complete your child's Back to School Packet before you can access this information in ParentVUE.
When you do receive your child's teacher assignment/class placement, please be kind and remember that social media spreads far and wide. Even the simple question of "Does anyone know anything about Mr/s. so-and-so?" can lead to a multitude of opinions that may not all be positive. Remember, someone else's experience will not necessarily be the same as your experience. Teachers come in all different packages and personalities, just like all of us. I encourage everyone to extend the courtesy to your child's teacher, get to know him/her, ask questions, and give him/her a chance. You may find that the teacher you worried about, was exactly what your child needed!
I believe the adults at a school set the tone and climate of the school. How we react and interact with others in our school community can impact how your child feels about school, their teacher and learning in general. I believe we can all work together to make our school the best it can be and model the types of behaviors and actions that we want our students to mimic and follow.
Some things that you can do at home to establish a strong foundation of success in school now and in later years are emphasizing the importance of school and education, setting time each day for homework to be done, ensuring your child attends school regularly and on time, and supporting the teacher in front of your child.
I want you to know that your child has a knowledgeable, skilled, and caring teacher who will work with you to make sure your child has a productive and successful school year and is learning to his or her full potential. As you probably already know we have an outstanding staff and no matter which classroom your child is in, I know, he or she will have a great year.
Bus Schedules
Once you complete your child's Back to School Packet in ParentVUE, you can access the Bus information for your child in ParentVUE. You do have to complete the Back to School Packet first.
Bus Schedules are online – you can access from our school and county website. Your student’s specific bus information can be found in ParentVUE under the Student Information Tab. See this link for information on how to access the Hub: https://www.pwcs.edu/about_us/the_hub
Bus schedules will be available in ParentVUE and StudentVUE. In anticipation of the first day of school, I encourage you to download the Here Comes the Bus mobile app that allows you to track your student’s buses in real-time. Once the Back to School Packet is completed, check back often in ParentVUE, as changes to bus stops and times may occur up until the first day of school.
. However, changes will take place all summer long and we recommend checking for any changes up to the first day of school on August 19, 2024. It is a good chance bus times/bus numbers/routes could change, please check.
Our Prince William County School Transportation Department continues to update and implement some tools to help us all when it comes to buses. I have included some helpful links below that are now on their PWCS Transportation Webpate. I believe these will help families throughout the school year. Please take a moment to check these out.
1. The main Transportation Website - most of the below links can be accessed from this site: PWCS Transportation
2. Delayed Bus Page will inform you of any buses that are expected to arrive at least 15 minutes late. Delays will be removed after 12pm for morning runs and after 5:30 pm for afternoon runs. Bus Delay Site
3. Here Comes the Bus APP - See real-time map location for students' buses and get push notifications when the bus gets close by - Info on Here Comes The Bus App
4. Looking for your student's bus schedule? Remember it is located in the Hub which you can access in your ParentVUE account -
5. Transportation Contact for T. Clay Wood (PWCS Western Area Transportation): trns-westernbusroutes@pwcs.edu or 571-374-6593
Some additional Reminders:
- Bus route information can change in the beginning of the school year due to student enrollment and The Hub offers parents and students the ability to receive the most up-to-date bus information.
- Bus schedules will not be emailed to parents/guardians and due to security reasons, we will not post bus routes to our website. During the school year, you can get real-time information on bus routes via Here Comes the Bus.
- Please note, buses may be arriving later than expected during the first few days of school while bus drivers are learning students, routes, and families. If your entire bus has not arrived, please be patient.
I hope this information is useful and will help you have a great start to your school year.
If you have a concern about the bus stop - you can share the issue here - https://pwcs.zendesk.com/agent/dashboard
However, please note, Route Managers cannot make any changes if the new stop meets the new criteria.
Additional Information about Kg Bus Riders
Key Points:
Mandatory ID Checks: Daily ID checks will continue.
KG Authorization Forms: Verification via KG Authorization forms remain in place.
No Guardian Situations: KG students without a guardian or proper ID will continue to be returned to school.
Front Bus Seats: KG students will still be assigned seats at the front of the bus.
Enhanced Student Identification:
Backpack tags will continue to be used for student identification.
Lanyards labeled “PWCS Kindergartener” will be provided to schools. KG students will wear these lanyards home each day, and teachers will write the school name and student ID# on them. In the morning, guardians should ensure students wear the lanyards for the bus ride to school. Teachers will store the lanyards during the day for reuse in the afternoon.
In case a KG student is dropped off without a guardian, CPS will be contacted.
Communication and Training:
Driver Communication: Translation cards will be provided for drivers.
Training: Additional training will be given to Bus Drivers and Bus Attendants.
A quick review of the procedures and best practices:
Transportation:
Before the first day of school, yellow KG tags and lanyards will be bulk delivered to each elementary school. Bus drivers, equipped with route sheets listing assigned students and grades, will receive additional training.
Each school day, drivers will check for lanyards or backpack tags as students board, seating KG students at the front. Authorized IDs will be verified before releasing KG students. If no guardian or ID is present, the student will be returned to school. Drivers will contact Dispatch for updates to authorization forms.
Schools:
Before the first day of school (or on the first day before dismissal), yellow KG tags will be affixed to kindergarteners’ backpacks. KG authorization forms will be distributed on the first day.
Each school day, teachers will place lanyards on KG students for the bus ride home. Lanyards should be part of the classroom dismissal process and removed each morning after arrival at school. Schools may choose to bring KG students to the bus separately or identify them during boarding. Substitute drivers will receive authorization forms for their routes, and updated forms will be given to regular drivers as guardians provide new information. Schools will collaborate with families when students are returned due to no guardian at the bus stop.
Guardian Procedures:
Before the First Day of School: Parents or guardians should complete the attached kindergarten authorization form and return it to the school. This form lists individuals authorized to pick up their student from the bus. Guardians must update the form whenever there is a change.
Each School Day: The guardian or authorized individual should meet the bus at the designated stop in the morning and afternoon. Proper identification must be presented to the driver each afternoon. Additionally, lanyards should be placed on KG students for them to wear on the bus to school.
Consistently following this procedure is crucial for the safety of our KG students
IPAD Insurance
This year all of our students are being issued iPads. Each iPad comes with AppleCare already purchased to cover physical damage to the device or charger. Make sure to report any physical damage (cracked screens, frayed chargers, etc) to your child’s teacher ASAP so that it can be repaired using AppleCare coverage. AppleCare does not cover total loss of the device, however. If you would like to purchase additional insurance for total loss or theft of the device or charger, please consider the Securranty supplemental coverage for $29.95. Insurance is valid for 1 year from the date of purchase and must be purchased prior to damage/loss of the device. While physical damage to your child’s iPad will be covered through AppleCare, if you choose not to purchase additional coverage, you may be financially responsible in the event of loss/theft of your child’s iPad, in accordance with PWCS Device Handbook, Section 7.1.
T. Clay Wood ES - Communication
We will communicate as much as possible using our school website and Canvas. Please bookmark our web site https://tclaywoodes.pwcs.edu/ and check it frequently. We will also communicate through email using the email address that you have provided and is in the system. Please make sure this email address is up to date and correct. We will send home by email upcoming dates and important information. It is important that we have your correct email address. You will also want to be sure to allow your email provider to accept email from T. Clay Wood ES including from me by adding the following to your Contact Lists– buchhear@pwcs.edu and from NoReplyTCWES@Pwcs.edu. You should also add your child’s teacher’s email too.
Code of Behavior, FLE objectives and Opt Out Procedures
Code of Behavior link: https://www.pwcs.edu/about_us/code_of_behavior/index
The PWCS Code of Behavior has been clarified that expulsion must be considered in the case of substance abuse offenses, weapons offenses, group assault, and assault on staff (as set forth in Virginia Code § 22.1-277.08). The updated Code of Behavior can be accessed from the Back to School Packet.
Link to Family Life Education objectives and Opt out - You can also use opt out form to opt out of social media posts
https://www.pwcs.edu/academics___programs/science___family_life_education/family_life_education
Calendar Link
2024-2025 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
Attendance
Sending out early this year as a reminder.
Did you know attendance is the number one predictor of dropout and graduation rates? That’s why this year we are increasing communication to our parents and students around the importance of attendance- a critical indicator of success. Attending school every day helps our students build a solid foundation for their future in school and in life.
Our new strategy includes an attendance management system that carefully tracks attendance and ensures that parents are notified in a timely and consistent manner. Our goal is to connect with parents quickly so that we can remove any barriers that families face in getting students to school on time, every day.
You may receive a letter regarding your students’ attendance in the mail. Please understand that these notifications are to bring awareness on how much school has been missed this school year. We pledge to partner with you to find solutions and resources to support your student. If you feel that you have received the letter in error or have questions, please contact your school directly.
We understand there are unavoidable illnesses or other times when your child should remain at home. We also know that absences add up quickly, and that “showing up” is critical to your child’s success in school and in life.
We are committed to achieving our goals and supporting our Prince William County Public School families. Our students stand to benefit the most from this!
Together, let’s create a culture of showing up. Thank you for your continued support.
It is the responsibility of parents and guardians to see that their child attends school regularly and on time every day. Research tells us that the best learning takes place during the interaction of the teacher and child during class discussions. Children who are not in school each day miss important educational opportunities and learning experiences. Simply making up the missed work does not begin to take the place of actual class attendance. Students who enter class tardy are disruptive to classroom instruction and can have a challenging time getting into the classroom routine. The same holds true for students who leave early. We urge you to schedule medical and other appointments so that they do not conflict with class time.
It is important to note that Prince William County policy states that: “students in kindergarten through grade eight, who miss ten or more days of school for the year, excused or unexcused, and who have completed little or no make-up work may be considered for retention.” In addition, we are required to notify our Attendance Officer in cases of excessive absences.
Preapproved absences, such as vacations are discouraged and are only granted in extraordinary circumstances. The principal is not allowed to approve absences for family trips unless accompanied by extraordinary circumstances. The school principal can approve no more than 5 days of these type of absences. Additional absences beyond 5 days will need approval by student services. Please send a note or letter in advance to the teacher and the principal informing the school of your plans. Teachers are not required to provide assignments in advance. We would encourage students to read, keep a written journal and practice math facts while out of school. Students can complete make up assignments when they return.
If your child is absent, please call the school Attendance Line at 703.594.3992 or email cwes-timberwolf-attendance@pwcs.edu. This is for your child’s safety. If you do not contact the school, it will be necessary for the school office to contact you. Students with excused absences are allowed two days for every day of absence to make up work. Students are responsible for making up work when they are absent. Students are marked unexcused if parents do not call the school to inform us that their child is out.
For students who have missed a number of days of school, have been tardy a number of times, or have a number of early dismissals we will be sending letters to parents informing them of the number of missed days or days tardy from school. Thank you for your cooperation and support.
Building a Positive School Community
Please take time to read over our school wide Quality Leader and Learner School Wide Expectation Plan – “Building a Positive School Community” with your student. The plan outlines our expectations and responsibilities for all members of our school community. I will send the plan out in another email. You can also access the link by clicking on Building a Positive School Community link here.
Cell Phones/Dual Purpose Watches (Smart Watches)
The T. Clay Wood procedures for Cell Phones and Smart Watches will remain similar as in past years:
Cells are off and stored away during the school day.
- All functions within personal wireless communication devices must be silenced and stored away during the school day.
- Dual-purpose watches may be worn at school, but wireless/cellular features must be turned off during the school day (e.g., must be placed in airplane mode). If students choose to use their watches as a cell phone, then these will also need to be put away while at school.
Celebrating Student Birthdays at T. Clay Wood ES
Birthdays are special and significant milestones in each student’s live and we understand the importance of recognizing these special days. We also want to encourage school wide health and wellness, avoid sharing of food items, protect students with serious life-threatening food allergies, and minimize the loss of valuable instructional time. To accomplish these four goals, please review the following guidelines that will be in effect this year.
1. Invitations to students' birthdays (or other celebrations) are not to be distributed in class unless each student is invited.
2. We will recognize all students on the morning announcements.
3. All students will receive a birthday recognition from the office and administration such as a birthday pencil or a birthday book mark.
4. We recognize that parents and families often want to recognize their children’s birthdays during the school day. However, since PWCS Schools discourage students from sharing food or beverages during meal or snack times, we have suggested other types of healthy and creative options. Please make a choice from the list below. You may choose only one option. To celebrate my child’s special day, we would like:
- The class to enjoy 5-10 extra minutes of recess;
- A homework pass for one homework assignment;
- To donate a library book in my child’s name (Send in $15 check to librarian made out to TCWES. A name plate and birthday message will be put in book.);
- To send in a non-food item or token for each student in class (Example: Pencils, bookmarks, stickers, erasers, games, etc.)
There are no expectations or requirements that families send in anything above for their child’s birthday. We just wanted to give some options to our families since we are following PWCS Regulation 275-1 which discourages students from sharing food items.
You can still recognize your own student with a birthday cupcake by sending in just one birthday cupcake for your own child to enjoy during lunch time. If you still do want to send in birthday cupcakes/treats, please coordinate with your child’s classroom teacher 2-3 days in advance. This time will allow the teacher to coordinate with our school nurse and also find an appropriate time to pass out the treat.
Free and Reduced Price Meal and Meal Prices
Additional Information about MySchoolBucks.Com included
Only students who qualify for free and reduced meals will receive free meals. This year, students whose families qualify for reduced-price meals will also receive free meals, based on a Virginia General Assembly expansion of the program. Applications will be available in August.
Free and Reduced Price Meal Applications were mailed by the School Division to families with children registered in Prince William County Public Schools. If you did not receive an application, please contact School Food and Nutrition Services at 703.791.7314 or your school. You may also complete the application electronically. Visit the School Division Web site at https://pwcsnutrition.com/index.php?sid=0408101731444083to access the electronic application.
Following are the PWCS meal prices for the 2024-25 school year:
- Breakfast
- Student full price - $1.60 (Second Breakfast entree is also $1.60 and side dish is $1.50)
- Adult price - $2.75
- Lunch
- Elementary student full price - $2.60
- Middle student full price - $2.75
- High student full price - $2.85
- Adult full price - $4.65 (Note price increase)
- A la carte - Milk - $1
- Bottled Water - $1.00
- A la carte options
- Side dish - $1.50
- Strawberry shortcake - $2.50
- Cookie - $1
- Packaged snack - $1
- Condiment - $0.30
If you have questions, please contact the Food and Nutrition Department at 703-791-3151.
Free and reduced breakfast and lunch are free to those who qualify for Free and Reduced
Families can apply to receive free and reduced-price school meals online.
Click here to see the PWCS link to the lunch Menus - PWCS Lunch Menu Link
Pre-Payment Options- Online
Online payments are a simple, safe and secure way to make payments to your student's account, 24 hours a day, at your convenience!
Please visit MySchoolBucks.com to make prepayments online any time to your student's meal account.
Questions or assistance regarding MySchoolBucks.com may be sent to sommaf@pwcs.edu or 703-791-7242.
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.
Early Dismissal
Please do not arrive early and ask to pick up your child unless you have an appointment. Instruction continues until students are dismissed. If you need to pick up your child for an appointment, please notify your teacher and school office at cwes-timberwolf-attendance@pwcs.edu and plan to arrive 15 minutes prior to dismissal. Please park and report to the office. Please do not leave your car unattended in the pickup line. All parties picking up a student from the office must show a photo ID. Please do not make changes to your child’s dismissal time after 3:30pm. Anyone other than parent/guardian must have prior written approval to pick up a student even if listed on the emergency card. Please arrive by 3:30 pm to pick up your child from 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.
Bus Passes
If it is necessary for a student to ride a bus home other than the one he/she is normally assigned, a bus pass is required and must be approved by the office. A note must be sent to school indicating the bus number that the child should ride and a phone number to verify the information. Thank you for helping us ensure the safety of all our students.
Drop Off and Pick Up
Drop off and Pick Up - When dropping your students off in the morning, please drive all the way around to the front of the drop off area in front of our school. Please do not allow students to exit your vehicles until staff members are outside. If you will be picking your students up frequently, please come into our office to sign up for a car pick up tag. If you choose to park in the parking lot, you will need to park your car and walk your student to the cross walk.
Drive Carefully
Drive Carefully - Drive carefully and obey the posted speed limits around our parking lot and the neighboring streets. Please pay close attention to posted speed limits and reduced speed limits during the start and ending of our school day and Patriot High School’s day. There are many students and families driving in our two parking lots and around these neighborhoods. Please be extra careful and follow all signs and cones and directions. Please do not enter the parking lot through the exit lane. Car drop offs and pick up should enter through the T. Clay Wood Entrance and not through Patriot HS.
Please note at some point Prince William County Department of Transportation will look at turning on the Speed Zone Cameras on Kettle Run Road. Speed limit is 25 MpH during arrival and dismissal times of both T. Clay Wood and Patriot HS.
Student Inclement Weather and Emergency Dismissal Plan
Learn How PWCS plans for weather cancellations - https://www.pwcs.edu/about_us/closings/index
In the event of inclement weather, power failure or any situation in which we are faced with an early closing of our school; we will activate our Automated Auto Dialer Calling system to inform our parents of the early closing. We will send out both a phone message and email message with the early closing information. Please make sure your phone number and contact information is updated.
Kindergarten teachers will contact their students’ parents to confirm dismissal.
If schools close early, the SACC program will not open. Parents of students who attend SACC will be contacted by our SACC staff. Parent of SACC students should have an Emergency Back-up Plan.
When school does close early, we will send your children home via their regular dismissal method for that day, unless we hear differently from you.
Please contact the school office immediately in case of a change to their dismissal procedures.
Dress Code Reminders
Volunteering
Please feel free to coordinate times to volunteer in the classroom with your child's teacher. Teachers and students appreciate our volunteers. Thank you again for everything you are doing to help us build our Positive School Community. I want to formally invite all parents to become involved in your child’s education at T. Clay Wood Elementary School. It has been shown that strong parental involvement and interest in education is a crucial factor in student success. There are many ways to volunteer at T. Clay Wood Elementary School as well. Joining the PTO or Advisory Council, helping out in your child’s classroom, volunteering in the library, working at our Welcome Table Counter and chaperoning field trips are just a few of the many, many ways you can become a part of our Community of Leaders and Learners. Please review the regulation on volunteering: Regulation 511-10 Please always bring your photo identification.
Classroom Interruptions
In order to limit interruption to the teaching and learning environment and protect instructional time, if you drop off forgotten lunches, homework or materials, we will ask you to leave these in the front office. We will inform the teacher who will pick it up at a more convenient time. We want to thank you in advance for your understanding of this procedure and hope you know that our only intent is to maximize your children's instructional time.
SOL Scores from Spring 2024 Testing
Here are the preliminary scores. We were also higher than the average scores in our school division in all areas.
· 86% pass rate in 3rd grade Reading (20% of the students who passed scored at the passed advanced level)
· 89% pass rate in 3rd grade Math (30% of the students who passed scored at the passed advanced level)
· 87% pass rate in 4th grade Reading (15% of the students who passed scored at the passed advanced level)
· 84 % pass rate in 4th grade Math (13% of the students who passed scored at the passed advanced level)
· 90% pass rate in 4th grade History (44% of the students who passed scored at the passed advanced level)
· 92% pass rate in 5th grade Reading (18% of the students who passed scored at the passed advanced level)
· 91% pass rate in 5th grade Math (37% of the students who passed scored at the passed advanced level)
· 90% pass rate in 5th grade Science (39% of the students who passed scored at the passed advanced level)
Registration is open
Registration is open - you start the process online - Registration - Prince William County Public Schools (pwcs.edu)
Padres/tutores: ¿Tiene usted un estudiante de kindergarten ser registrado? Se requiere la inscripción de todos los nuevos estudiantes. Comience su registro en línea ahora. Por favor visite: https://www.pwcs.edu/cms/One.aspx?portalId=340225&pageId=775554
Back to School Information from our School Nurse, Mrs. Ousley.
Back to School Information from our School Nurse, Mrs. Ousley.
Kindergarten and new students will need Physical and Immunization records on file prior to the first day of school or they will not be allowed to start school on the first day.
Returning students who are missing any of the required immunizations, will not be able to start the first day of school without proof of the immunizations.
- For students that require medication or health treatment plans please note that we need a new health treatment plan for the new school year.
- All over the counter medications must be unopened and a medication authorization form must be filled out by the Parent/ or guardian. Prescription medication must be in the original container with the pharmacy label and a medication authorization form must be filled out by the physician. Please do not send medication in with your student, an adult must drop it off to the office per PWCS policy.
You may drop off medications/health treatment plans starting Thursday, August 15, 2024 for the new school year.
Clinic Wish List
- Boys/Girls underwear
- T-shirts
- Pants/shorts with elastic waist
- Socks
- Select a size paper towel
- Tissues
- Dixie cups
- Snack size zip lock bags
THE PTO CORNER:
Next PTO Meeting, September 12, 2024 at 6:30 pm
Art ROOM
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!
:2024-2025 PTO Board members:
President: Julia White
Vice President: Lauren Bell
Treasurer: Beth Feliciano-Rivera
Asst. Treasurer: Kate Case
Secretary: Crystal MacCallum
Directors: Amelia Hunter & Tiana Marshall
Your PTO will have a table set up at the upcoming back to school events!
Please visit our table to:
- introduce yourself,
- check out what we have to offer,
- drop off your non-perishable snack and drink donations to stock the lounge,
- and enroll in your new 2024-2025 school PTO membership!
If you haven't already, please 'like' our Facebook page for the most up to date information as we navigate through the new school year together.
T. Clay Wood - Statement of Civility
The T. Clay Wood Statement of Civility
At T. Clay Wood Elementary School, we remind all our stakeholders to remember the 3 B’s:
1. Be Safe
2. Be Kind and Respectful
3. Be Responsible and Ready to Learn
Please take responsibility for the energy you bring into your school!.
Thank you for always being kind and respectful to all our staff members, adults, and children in our building.
We all may get frustrated from time to time, especially when it comes to our own children and students.
However, we believe all schools should be places where mutual respect is practiced and reinforced.
We strive to promote an environment in which all members of the school community treat each other with courtesy & respect.
Disrespectful, rude, and abusive behavior or language is unacceptable and creates an unsafe environment.
Any person who exhibits unacceptable behavior may be directed to leave the premises.
Unacceptable behavior includes but is not limited to:
Using loud and/or offensive language, displays of temper, speaking in an insulting or demeaning manner, through personal actions, spoken words, pictures, email, social media messages, in writing, or threatening or trying to intimidate office , professional, and administrative staff, students, parents, visitors, and other members of the school community.
Our People are People Too! – Your words and behavior matter!
It is also important to remember that our students are always watching and learning.
We want our students to learn to be respectful and kind even when frustrated, worried, upset, or disagreeing.
At T. Clay Wood, Everyone cares deeply about your children and our students!
Please treat Everyone with Respect!
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 #TimberwolvesRock
Email: buchhear@pwcs.edu
Website: http://tclaywoodes.pwcs.schoolfusion.us/
Location: 10600 Kettle Run Road, Nokesville, VA, USA
Phone: 703.594.3990
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TClayWoodES
Twitter: @AndrewBuchheit