Word on the Wirt

It’s hard to believe we’re already approaching December and halfway through the second quarter. This is an ideal time to reflect on our practices and focus on some key values, especially Respect and Integrity.

We are fortunate to be in a brand-new school building, a space designed to provide the best possible learning environment for our students. It is disappointing to see that, in less than three months, there have been incidents of graffiti on the walls and toilets deliberately flooded as part of what some students might consider a prank. This kind of behavior is unacceptable and goes against the very principles of respect and responsibility that we uphold.

To ensure a safe and productive environment for everyone, we have several non-negotiable rules in place: clear book bags, no hooded sweatshirts, and no cell phone use during the school day. Recently, the admin team has also noticed an increase in students not storing their cell phones in their lockers, as well as the concerning acts of vandalism mentioned above.

We need all students to understand that our school is a shared space where respect for one another and our environment is paramount. We are asking for your partnership in reinforcing the values of kindness, responsibility, and respect at home. Together, we can maintain a positive and welcoming atmosphere for all students.

It’s crucial that we address the issue of cell phone use thoughtfully, as it impacts students' focus, social interactions, and sense of responsibility. Disregarding the school’s cell phone policy not only undermines these important values but also disrupts the learning environment we are striving to create. Here’s why your support is vital:

Our cell phone policy is designed to minimize distractions in the classroom. Cell phones can significantly interrupt a student’s focus, making it difficult for them to engage fully in lessons and complete their work effectively. By supporting this policy, we help students prioritize their education and reduce unnecessary interruptions during instructional time.

As we head into the holiday season, we must remind our students to respect differences. While the current political climate can sometimes feel divisive, we must continue to model and encourage respect, kindness, and open-mindedness. We believe in fostering a community where everyone is valued regardless of background, opinions, or beliefs. Let’s work together to raise our children with understanding and empathy, promoting a more inclusive and united America.

As we approach Thanksgiving, I want to express my gratitude for your support of our school. I sincerely appreciate your involvement in your child’s education and look forward to continuing our work together as a community. May your holiday be filled with joy, reflection, and time spent with loved ones. Thank you for your ongoing support as we work together to uphold the standards that make our school a safe, respectful, and beautiful place for everyone. I wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Warm regards,

~Principal Simley

Access to our building has changed. You will now need to approach from Kenilworth Avenue, as the entrances from 62nd Street and 63rd Avenue are no longer available.

To get WWMS:

1. Turn right onto Kenilworth Avenue from Riverdale Road.
2. From Kenilworth, take another right onto Sarvis Avenue.
3. Then, make the first right onto 60th Avenue, which will lead you directly to William Wirt.

Please note: the road around the building is one-way. You must enter from the Kenilworth Avenue side.

November 25, 2024 - Thanksgiving Dinner Giveaway from Senator Alonzo T. Washington

(use this link to register by Friday, Nov. 22)

November 27-29, 2024 - Thanksgiving Break; Schools and Offices Closed

December 19, 2024 - William Wirt's Winter Wellness Fair - 5:30 to 7:30 P.M.

December 20, 2024 - 3-hour Early Dismissal for Students

December 23, 2024 - January 3, 2025 - Winter Break

January 6, 2025 - School Re-opens

January 20, 2025 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; Schools closed

January 27, 2025 - 3-hour Early Dismissal for Students

February 14, 2025 - Schools Closed for Students

February 17, 2025 - Presidents' Day; Schools Closed for Students

This document will help you decide what is best for your scholar. If you have questions, please call Nurse Smith for guidance. When kids feel their best, they learn their best!

Parent volunteers are the heartbeat of our school’s success. If you can spare some time, we encourage you to complete the volunteer application. Even it's only an hour or two a month, your contribution helps create a stronger, thriving school community! Here is the application link.

A. Visit: pgparks.com/volunteers

B. Click - I'm ready to volunteer

C. Click - proceed to site

D. In search box (bottom left corner) type: community center aide or Bladensburg

E: Community Center the opportunity will come up click - sign up

F. Complete the profile

G. Volunteers will receive an email with your contact information and you will receive an email every time a volunteer signs up.

1. Complete consent
2. Create an account

3. Request therapy for your child by calling Hazel Health at

   800-764-2935

   or submit a referral through your account by selecting “request teletherapy.”

4. After submitting the referral, you can schedule the intake visit right from your account. A therapist will give you a call back at the selected date and time.

Through your account you can reschedule visits, send a message to Hazel, view upcoming appointments, and join scheduled therapy visits.

Here are a few important reminders about attendance from our Mr. Diamante Calloway, our School Secretary in charge of attendance:

• Send a note with the reason for the absence upon returning to school. This will change the absence from Unexcused to Excused.
• Use this calendar as you make appointments and plan family trips.
• Perfect Attendance is honored with quarterly Chick-fil-a celebrations.

Since our last newsletter, our library has celebrated some exciting milestones! First, Ashley Gonzalez Osorio won our school-wide bookmark decorating contest, honoring the freedom to read. Then, we celebrated our 1,000th book checkout with Keiry Carranza’s visit to the library with her RELA class. And just a few weeks later, on November 8, Angie Estrada Vasquez reached our 2,500th checkout. William Wirt Jaguars are true readers!

We’re also thrilled to share that our library collection is growing. Thanks to generous funding from the school board, we received nearly 10,000 new books delivered by Follett on November 7. With these new additions, our school library is truly one of the best in the county!

Parents, please encourage your scholars to check out books and read daily. Studies show that students who read regularly excel academically and build lifelong skills for success.

If you are interested in volunteering in the library or reading books at home for consideration for our collection, please contact Mrs. Lavell via email at jenifer.lavell@pgcps.org.