White Marsh Elementary School

Let's keep our fingers crossed that this week will be a normal week! As Superintendent Smith discussed in the Board of Education meeting on January 9, we have now used the 3 snow days included in our School Calendar. If we accumulate more snow days, we may have to give up future vacation days, or add to the end of the school year!

The Joe Corbi's fundraiser information went home last week. The fundraiser will continue through January 17. Items will be delivered to WMES, and must be picked up the same day. The tentative delivery date is February 3. This is an easy way to prepare for a superbowl party! Thanks for supporting the WMES fundraiser!

Tuesday is Dress For Success Day! (weather permitting) Our Bears are encouraged to dress nicely on this day. There is some research that indicates this can increase self-confidence, as well as work performance!

Friday is the end of the second marking period. Can you believe it- this marks the mid point of the school year! All student assignments for the second marking period should be completed and submitted by this date. Friday is also Groups Picture Day. The following groups will have their photo taken for the yearbook: Band, Chorus, Strings, 4th and 5th grade Math Club, Battle of the Books Club, Morning Announcements Team, PreK Helpers.

Have a great week!

Principal Steele

As mentioned in the most recent newsletter, student attendance decreased in December. This week, our students will participate in an assembly to talk about attendance, behavior, and work ethic. Below are some of the slides that will be shared.

Jan 17 Joe Corbi's fundraiser ends

Jan 20 Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday

Jan 24 PTA Family Game Night, 6 - 7:30 pm

Jan 28 Report Cards Distributed

Jan 31 Professional Day, No School for Students

Feb 3 Tentative Delivery and Pickup: Joe Corbi's fundraiser

Feb 7 WMES Spirit Day!

Feb 10 - 14 PTA Pencil Gram Fundraiser

Feb 14 2 hr. Early Dismissal

Feb 17 Presidents Day Holiday

It's that time of year when we look more to the weather forecasts to see about the possibility of inclement weather. A reminder that if schools are delayed, closed, or closing early, there are several ways to be aware of the status. The status of schools will be noted on the St. Mary's County Public Schools website. Click here for a description of the school status codes. In addition, if your information is in our system you may receive an automated phone call or email. Another way to get information is through texts; for this, you must opt in. See the information towards the end of this Smore to opt in to text messages from SMCPS.

A Week: Wednesday and Friday

B Week: Wednesday and Thursday

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

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.

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:

1. Download the Here Comes the Bus app* or visit herecomesthebus.com
2. Click the Sign Up button
3. Enter school code (86563) and click “Next” followed by “Confirm”
4. Complete the “User Profile” box
5. Under “My Students,” click “Add.” Enter your child’s last name and student ID number
6. Once you confirm your information, you’re ready to begin using Here Comes the Bus!

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.

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.

Here is the electronic version of the WMES Family Handbook for you to view. It has important information about school policies and practices, including Volunteer Information, Breakfast and Lunches, School Celebrations, and more!

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.

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.

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.

Please note- when signing out a student from school you will be asked to present your photo ID every time.

From the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE)-

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.

Julia Steele, Principal

Email: jwsteele@smcps.org
Website: wmes.smcps.org
Location: 29090 Thompson Corner Road, Mechanicsville, MD, USA
Phone: (301)472-4600