Timberwolf Times -March 13, 2023
T. Clay Wood - Facts at your Fingertips
Welcome to T. Clay Wood ES
Welcome Back to School - 2022-2023
"It's A Great Day to be a Timberwolf"
Dear Timberwolf Families,
We are looking forward to our Omega Man Presentation on Monday, March 13, 2023. Ask your student about the assembly and what they learned and liked about it. We will also have a Super Hero Spirit Day on Monday, March 13. Dress as super hero. Please be sure that students' faces are not covered completely, that they are wearing shoes, and that they do not bring in any weapons or toy weapons to complement their outfits.
We are also continuing Read Aloud March Madness - 16 Read Alouds and our students will pick their favorite.
Attendance Email: cwes-timberwolf-attendance@pwcs.edu Phone:– 703.594.3992
All 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.
2022-2023 – Back to school information: https://www.pwcs.edu/parents/backtoschool
2022-2023 – Calendar link: https://www.pwcs.edu/cms/one.aspx?pageId=654031
Code of Behavior link: https://www.pwcs.edu/cms/One.aspx?portalId=340225&pageId=767701
Link to Family Life Education objectives and Opt out - https://www.pwcs.edu/academics___programs/science___family_life_education/family_life_education
Masks will continue to be optional if students would prefer to wear them
.
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
“Like the Sun, I am here to Shine”
Discord - Instant messaging social platform.
Recently, students have shared with their teachers that they are using an instant messaging social platform called Discord. I do not know much about it other than students can chat with others using text, video, or voice calls.
However, the students shared that there appears to be no or limited content supervision so other people they chat with can curse, send pictures and videos, and talk about topics that might be inappropriate for elementary school aged children. It also lets them interact with a variety of people of all ages. Users can access chat rooms through links and different channels.
I am just writing to make you aware of this platform so that you can supervise your children at home as you feel is appropriate if they are using Discord. I did not know about this program so I thought maybe some of you did not know about it either and, therefore, I wanted to bring it to your attention.
Unfortunately, today, many of the online tools that are useful can also be used in negative ways if we are not aware of them or are not appropriately supervising our children when these programs, apps, etc are being used. I have heard from some college aged students and adults who use Discord to collaborate and communicate effectively and appropriately. However, the students who shared the information about Discord with their teacher also mentioned how others were using the platform inappropriately (bad language, inappropriate topics, saying meaning things, threats, etc..).
As I have shared in the past, I believe, it is important for all families to be aware of where their children go on the internet just as we take care to know where they go when they walk out our front doors.
Career Fair
Are you interested in volunteering to participate in our T. Clay Wood Elementary School Career Fair? We are excited and know that your willingness to share your profession will have a tremendous educational impact on our students. The Career Fair will take place on Friday, March 31st from 9:30-2:45. We will have a space for each presenter. Students in grades 3-5 will interview different presenters and use what they learn to complete a variety of projects. Please bring any visual aids/hands-on materials that might help elementary age students better understand your job. Please let us know if you need extra space, access to an outlet, or other needs which we might help to accommodate. Lunch will be provided. Once we receive the online form, we will include you in our program. Please plan to arrive at school by 9:15 (or earlier if needed) so we can be ready to start at 9:30. Please let us know if you have any other questions. We are looking forward to a great day!~T. Clay Wood Elementary School Counselors
T. Clay Wood - Social Media Needs YOU to follow us
Please take a look at some of the great stuff happening at T. Clay Wood. and follow us to see all the great things going on at our school. These sites are all for the adults not our students.
Twitter site is @TClayWoodElem - https://twitter.com/home
Instagram is; TClayWoodElementary - https://www.instagram.com/tclaywoodelementary/?next=%2F
Facebook - tclaywoodes- https://tclaywoodes.pwcs.edu/
March Leader in Me SCHOOL FOCUS
STRINGS Schedule
Monday -- Young/Cortash
Thursday -- Aracich/Browning
Friday -- Sanfilippo/Curry
5th grade
Day 1 -- Van Gelder/Watson
Day 2 -- Van Gelder/Watson
Day 3-- West/Wood
Day 4 -- West/Wood
Day 5 -- Smith/Warren
Day 6 -- Smith/Warren
School Wide Information
Omega Man will present to our students about being a Dreammaker and how to reduce bullying and mean behavior on March 13, 2023. Here is the link: https://omegamanschools.com/
Our March Madness Read Aloud will take place on March 1 - 24. Each morning a staff member will read aloud one picture book. Students will vote to narrow down the most favorite of all 16 books. (See books below). If you have any questions, please contact our Librarian, Mrs. Rice, at riceml@pwcs.edu
SAVE the Date
Wednesday, March 29 - Please join us for a Virtual SOL Information Night on Wednesday, March 29th at 6:30 p.m. https://pwcs-zm-edu.zoom.us/j/83290876292?pwd=MGl1U2FWZXJzeHAwNlBDT2s1dnl6Zz09
Meeting ID: 832 9087 6292
Passcode: TCWES
Thursday, April 27 - STEAM (Science, Technology, and Math) Night
T. Clay Wood Elementary School SOL Testing Schedule
3rd Grade: Reading SOL - 5/12/23
Math SOL - 5/19/23
4th Grade: Reading SOL - 5/17/23
Math SOL - 5/23/23
Virginia Studies SOL - 5/11/23
5th Grade:
Reading SOL - 5/16/23
Math SOL - 5/22/23
Science SOL - 5/24/23
What's Happening at T. Clay Wood this week
School Wide Focus: Habit 3 - Begin with the End in Mind
March Madness Read Aloud Month March 1 - March 24 - Which Book will be our Favorite?
Omega Man Assembly
Super Hero Spirit Day
Tuesday, March 14, 2023- Day 5
Wednesday ,March 15, 2023 - Day 6
Thursday, March 16, 2023 - Day 1
Friday, March 17, 2023 -Day 2
2022-2023 Calendar - As a reminder, due to current supply chain issues with paper, the Communications Department will not be printing the 2022-23 School Guide and Calendar at this time. A printable PDF version of this year's School Calendar and Reference Guide, as well as a printable PDF Month-at-a-Glance Calendar, are available on the PWCS Calendar webpage.
After a several year break, it is time to Relay for Life! Our school community has suffered many losses of loved ones. Others are still fighting the fight! Join the T. Clay Wood Community Relay Team AND/OR make a donation! Together, we can make a difference!
Questions? Contact Mrs. Scarce (scarcekb@pwcs) or Mrs. Hanover (hanoveab@pwcs.edu)
https://secure.acsevents.org/site/STR?fr_id=103969&pg=team&team_id=2673595
Transfer Requests -
Transfer requests can be made for students in grades Kg through 5 between January 3, 2023 - April 30, 2033. Kindergarten transfer requests can be made starting in January or through 30 days after the kindergarten student registers. Please contact your child's school for more information.
As a reminder, all students currently attending T. Clay Wood on a transfer need to resubmit their transfer request by the due date.
Leader in Me Corner -
BIG ROCK Activity for Habit 3
Watch the video linked below with your family to learn about "big rocks" and "little rocks."
Your "big rocks" are the most important things for you to do, like family time, work/school, etc. Your "little rocks" are the less important things that fill up your time, like watching TV, excessive social media, and other activities that keep you from your "big rocks." When you fill up your time with "little rocks," there is not room for the "big rocks" to fit.
This month, if you can, find a moment to sit down with your family to complete the below brainstorming sheet. I have attached it here - https://pwcps-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/buchhear_pwcs_edu/EVicaH_dFptErVj9ekfiOZ4Bp01M0WzDrZ3AnRSNgC95gw?e=IAfU7f
Volunteer Opportunities
1. Welcome Table:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FAFAD28A4F5C52-welcome
2. Library Volunteers -
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090C4AA4AF2AA5F94-library
3. Book Fair- -
PTO Corner
Upcoming Dates:
SAVE THE DATES FOR UPCOMING TCWES PTO EVENTS
April:
Tuesday, April 11th - 6:30pm PTO Meeting
Thursday, April 27, 2023 - STEAM night Fun
Tuesday, May 23rd-31st - Boosterthon Fun Run
Late Bus
Recently, we have noticed that some of our buses have been late in the mornings. Sometimes we are notified and sometimes we are not. If you have concerns about your bus being late, please call Transportation at 571-402-3940. If you are not able to get them on the phone, please call us and we can do our best to find out the situation with your bus.
You can also go to https://www.pwcs.edu/departments/transportation/index which is the Transportation site and there is a Bus Delays section that you can click on to give you updates on any delays by school.
There is also an app called “Here Comes The Bus.” Click on this link that it will walk you through getting this app. https://www.pwcs.edu/departments/transportation/here_comes_the_bus
You will need your student’s ID number and the School Code – 76348.
INCLEMENT WEATHER PROCEDURES
When bad weather or other emergency situations occur, it may be necessary for Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) to modify normal operations by canceling, moving to virtual/remote learning, delaying opening, or closing schools early.
Code Red: Schools Closed For Students And Employees. (Exception: Inclement Weather Employees)
"All Prince William County Public Schools and Offices will be closed Code Red."
- Schools and offices are closed.
- Virtual classes are canceled.
- The School Age Child Care (SACC) program will not open.
- All school activities (day and evening) are canceled including field trips, team practices, club meetings, interscholastic contests, and athletic contests.
- All non-school activities (day and evening) are canceled including Adult Education, night school classes, and recreational programs scheduled in school buildings.
- Students may use the day optionally to catch-up or voluntarily work on assignments already assigned.
Employees
Reg 404.04-1- Employees do not report for work UNLESS declared inclement weather employees. Those designated as inclement weather personnel will report at times specified to perform essential duties as dictated by the event. Refer to Reg 404.04-1 for more information on Inclement Weather Employees.
- Teaching staff may voluntarily elect, but are not required, to employ "telework" or other work-at-home strategies to enter data, grade student papers, or otherwise supplement their normal work efforts (per Regulation 561-1, "Telework"). Time spent in this manner is strictly voluntary and shall not be counted against contract hours or otherwise compensated.
- All professional development activities including virtual are canceled.
Code Orange: Virtual Learning Day For Students And Remote Work For Non-Essential Employees.
"All Prince William County Public Schools are operating on Code Orange."
- Asynchronous Learning Day for students and remote work for non-essential employees.
- School buildings and office buildings are closed.
- Buses will not operate.
- In-person and live virtual classes will not occur. Students enrolled in Virtual Virginia should follow their schedule.
- Students should use the day to work asynchronously on assignments related to curriculum previously taught.
- Teachers will hold live office hours via Zoom. Please refer to your school for the schedule.
- The School Age Child Care (SACC) program will not open.
- All in-person school activities (day and evening) are canceled including field trips, team practices, club meetings, interscholastic contests, and athletic contests.
- Remote (virtual) activities may occur.
- All non-school activities (day and evening) are canceled including Adult Education, night school classes, community use including recreational programs scheduled in school buildings.
- Visit the Aquatics Center website for operation schedule during inclement weather.
Employees
- Inclement weather employees are expected to report to sites.
- Employees whose jobs cannot be done remotely (e.g., Food and Nutrition, Transportation, and Facilities) will receive specific instructions from their supervisor.
- Refer to Reg 404.04-1 for more on inclement weather employees.
Code Green: Schools Closed For Students And Teachers
"All Prince William County Public Schools will be closed Code Green."
- Schools are closed. Offices are closed to the public.
- Virtual classes are canceled.
- The School Age Child Care (SACC) program will not open.
- All school activities (day and evening) are canceled including field trips, team practices, club meetings, interscholastic contests, and athletic contests.
- All non-school activities (day and evening) are canceled including Adult Education, night school classes, and recreational programs scheduled in school buildings.
- Students may use the day optionally to catch-up or voluntarily work on assignments already assigned.
Employees
- All employees on the teacher salary scale (Pay Grade 12) and less-than-250-day non-exempt employees do not report for work.
- All 250-day classified employees report to work at 10 a.m.
- School Based/Central Office Administrators report to work at 10 a.m. (pay grade 13 and above, including Principals, Assistant Principals, High School Directors of Student Activities, and High School Directors of School Counseling, and central office administrators.)
- Admin Interns do not report.
- Teaching staff may voluntarily elect, but are not required, to employ "telework" or other work-at-home strategies to enter data, grade student papers, or otherwise supplement their normal work efforts (per Regulation 561-1, "Telework"). Time spent in this manner is strictly voluntary and shall not be counted against contract hours or otherwise compensated.
- Inclement weather employees report on time. Refer to Reg 404.04-1 for more information on Inclement Weather Employees.
- Liberal Leave is in Effect - Employees may request approval to take leave in the event of extreme weather or a similar emergency which prevents them from safely reporting.
- Professional Development activities may be canceled so check with the department or school sponsoring the activity.
*The Division Superintendent has the authority to delay the reporting time of all School Division employees.
Two-Hour Delayed Opening: Schools Will Open Two Hours Late
"All Prince William County Public Schools will open two hours late."
- In-person and virtual PWCS classes will begin two hours late. Check with your school for specific bell times.
- A.M. bus transportation will operate on a two-hour delay.
- The School Age Child Care (SACC) program will open two hours late.
- A simplified breakfast will be offered. Lunch will be served.
- Field Trips are canceled.
- Athletic activities will be decided by appropriate personnel on an individual basis depending on road conditions.
- Morning and full-day preschool students will follow the two hours late arrival. Morning preschool students will be dismissed one hour later than the regular schedule. Afternoon preschool students will arrive one hour later than usual. See more about Preschool Schedules here.
*Parents/guardians please do not bring students to school early when a delayed opening is in effect because school staff members may also be delayed in getting to school.
*Parents/guardians have the option of not sending their child to school. However, the student is expected to make up all assignments. Your student will not be penalized academically, and your student will be given an excused absence.
Employees
- All employees on the teacher salary scale (Pay Grade 12) and less-than-250-day non-exempt employees report for work or telework two hours late.
- Inclement weather employees report on time. Refer to Reg 404.04-1 for more information on Inclement Weather Employees.
- School Food and Nutrition Services employees report on time.
- Bus drivers, bus attendants, route managers, and dispatchers report to work one hour late.
- School Based/Central Office Administrators (Pay grade 13 and above) report to work or telework one hour late or at a specific time as directed by the Superintendent.
- All 250-day classified employees report to work or telework one hour late or at a specific time as directed by the Superintendent.
- Liberal Leave is in Effect - Employees may request approval to take leave in the event of extreme weather or a similar emergency which prevents them from safely reporting.
- Professional Development activities may be canceled so check with the department or school sponsoring the activity.
Early Closing: Schools Will Close One Hour Early
"All Prince William County Public Schools will close one hour early today."
- In-person and virtual school day will end one hour early.
- The after-school SACC program will not open.
- Buses will run in usual order.
- Morning preschool and full-day preschool students will be dismissed one hour earlier than the regular schedule. There will be no afternoon preschool. See more about Preschool Schedules here.
- Lunch will be served.
- Field Trips are canceled unless already departed. Late activity bus runs are canceled.
- All school activities are canceled including team practices, club meetings, interscholastic contests, and athletic contests.
- All evening non-school activities are canceled.
Employees
Early Closing (One-Hour)
- Teachers, teacher assistants, library media assistants, sign language interpreters, and school nurses (employees whose primary responsibility is working with students) may be excused early by the principal.
- Administrative staff and all other non-exempt employees remain on the normal work schedule unless specifically excused by an announcement from the Superintendent.
Early Closing: Schools Will Close Two Hours Early
"All Prince William County Public Schools will close two hours early today"
- In-person and virtual school day will end two hours early.
- The after-school SACC program will not open.
- Buses will run in usual order.
- Morning preschool and full-day preschool students will be dismissed two hours earlier than the regular schedule. There will be no afternoon preschool. See more about Preschool Schedules here.
- Lunch will be served.
- Field Trips are canceled unless already departed. Late activity bus runs are canceled.
- All school activities are canceled including team practices, club meetings, interscholastic contests, and athletic contests.
- All evening non-school activities are canceled.
Employees
Early Closing (Two-Hour)
- Teachers, teacher assistants, library media assistants, sign language interpreters, and school nurses (employees whose primary responsibility is working with students) may be excused early by the principal.
- Administrative staff and all other non-exempt employees remain on the normal work schedule unless specifically excused by an announcement from the Superintendent.
Cancellation Of After-School Activities And Evening Programs
"All activities scheduled in Prince William County Public Schools or on school grounds for this afternoon and evening are canceled."
- The School Age Child Care (SACC) program will close at 5 p.m.
- All afternoon and evening school activities are canceled including team practices, club meetings, interscholastic contests, and athletic contests.
- All evening non-school activities are canceled.
Cancellation Of Weekend Activities
"All activities scheduled in Prince William County Public Schools or on school grounds for this weekend are canceled due to expected inclement weather conditions."
- All school activities are canceled including team practices, club meetings, interscholastic contests, and athletic contests.
- All non-school activities are canceled.
Cancellation Of Saturday Activities
"All activities scheduled in Prince William County Public Schools or on school grounds for Saturday are canceled due to expected inclement weather conditions."
- All school activities are canceled including team practices, club meetings, interscholastic contests, and athletic contests.
- All non-school activities are canceled.
When bad weather or other emergency situations occur, it may be necessary for Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) to modify normal operations by canceling, moving to virtual/remote learning, delaying opening, or closing schools early.
Cancellation Of Sunday Activities
"All activities scheduled in Prince William County Public Schools or on school grounds for Sunday are canceled due to expected inclement weather conditions."
- All school activities are canceled including team practices, club meetings, interscholastic contests, and athletic contests.
- All non-school activities are canceled.
Cell Phones and SMART watches
Cell Phones and Watches with text/calling capabilities
We have seen an increase in students using watches to text during the instructional school day. In order to preserve instructional time, students are not permitted to text, on a phone or watch, during the school day.
If you need to relay a message to your child during the school day, please call the front office.
Please refer to the Parent Handbook regarding the use of Cell Phones (which includes calling and texting on watches). It states, "If cell phones are brought to school, they should be turned off and kept in book bags during the school day."
Students may continue to wear the smart watches but calling should be turned off. Our Elementary school students should NOT be receiving messages (or calls) during the school day. If students misuse the watch by sending or receiving calls and/or messages, taking pictures or videos, or making recordings, playing on games or searching the internet, etc.; the teacher will need to have the student put the watch in their backpack similar to a cell phone or another device.
We thank you for your support in ensuring our students are focused on the learning process while at school. We want to be sure watches, phones, other devices are not used to distract from the learning environment or used in a way that is not appropriate for school. I appreciate all our parents and guardians taking the time to have these conversations with their children prior to allowing their students to come to school with a cell phone, smart watch, or other device.
Phones and watches can be removed if students are using them in ways that are distracting or not appropriate to their learning or the learning and safety of other students.
LEXIA
Dear Parents,
T. Clay Wood ES and Prince William County Schools has purchased an incredible reading program for your student for this school year. It is entirely free for your student to use this year. We are encouraging all students to use the program each day.
Lexia is a program to help your student with reading. We are encouraging all students to use Lexia for 10-20 minutes per day. (at least 40-60 minutes a week). Lexia is engaging and works at your students personalized reading level.
All students have been shown how to access Lexia. Please help your student remember to log on to Lexia and work on Lexia each day.
Below are the 3 step directions to access Lexia:
1. Go to https://clever.com/in/pwcs
https://clever.com/trust/privacy/policy. https://clever.com/about/terms
clever.com
2. Log in with Office365
3. In Clever, scroll down until your see the blue globe for Lexia Core 5- Click on the Lexia
DIRECTIONS FOR ACCESSING LEXIA:
-Login to your child’s Office 365 account
-Click on the 9 dots (also called the “waffle”) on the top left-hand side of the screen
-Click on “Clever”
-Scroll down to “Apps purchased by schools”
-Click on “Lexia Core5”(The app with the world)
OR
-Login to Canvas
-Click on account
-Click on “Clever”on the right-hand side
-Scroll down to “LexiaCore 5” under “PWCS Resources”
-Click on “Lexia Core5” (The app with the world)
Paper - Online tutoring available to all PWCS students free of charge
PWCS has partnered with Paper to provide K-12 students with unlimited tutoring, 7 days a week—at no cost to families.
Students can get help with their homework, receive feedback on their writing assignments, or ask questions about any academic subject. Experts are available to assist students with any subject or content area via a secure, chat-based platform.
Tutors are currently available to help students in English, Spanish, French, and Mandarin.
You can access Paper right from your student's Clever Account. Or you can use this Link to Access Paper: https://paper.co/
Learn how to use the Free Online Paper Tutoring Service by clicking on this PWCS Link: https://www.pwcs.edu/departments/Instructional_technology/paper
Transportation Department
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 Webpage. 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 reminders
Early Dismissal
We encourage all families to avoid, when possible, taking students out early from school. Instruction and learning continues until the end of the day. 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 before 3:15pm.
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 3pm. Anyone other than parent/guardian must have prior written approval to pick up a student even if listed on the emergency card.
Dress Code Reminders
All students are expected to dress appropriately and maintain a reasonable appearance. The Prince William County Schools’ Code of Behavior has addressed several areas that are considered improper dress in any Prince William County school. Please refer to the Parent Handbook in the Timberwolf Folder and the School Division’s Code of Behavior.
Cafeteria
PLEASE NOTE - if Packers/Lunch Bringers would like to purchase school milk, the cost this year is $1.00. If a student who has purchased lunch, would like a 2nd lunch, the cost this year for the 2nd lunch is $4.00
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
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.
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. You can get a tag on August 19, 2022 during the Open House Meet and Greet and Orientation times. 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.
Student Inclement Weather and Emergency Dismissal Plan
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. We will also place this information on our school website, Facebook and Twitter sites.
I encourage you to sign up for PWCS Weather alerts from PWC Schools. You can access this link from the PWC website or by this link:
https://www.pwcs.edu/departments/communications/p_w_c_s_weather_alerts_subscription
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
Device Reminders
All Students in Prince William County Schools will be issued a school laptop or similar device. Students and their families are responsible for the safe and appropriate usage of the devices.
Families can opt to purchase low cost insurance to protect the device in case of accidentally damage. Here is the link for information on the optional digital device insurance. https://securranty.com/pwcs If purchased, the insurance covers unlimited repairs or replacements for everything from broken screens, lost chargers, and accidental damage, with a zero deductible for one year on a school-issued HP device. The insurance cost is $32.95, which may be significantly less than repair or replacement costs without insurance.
I do encourage all families to consider the optional low-cost insurance. After last year, I observed it was very beneficial for families to purchase the insurance PWCS was offering for the devices.
As we get ready to start using the devices again, please look for emails from Mr. Taylor about how to reset passwords, etc.
Also this is a good time to remind all families to always know what your students are doing when they are on the internet, using devices to complete their school work, using social media, texting with friends, or playing online games. We continually are reminding our students about appropriate and acceptable use of technology. I encourage all parents and guardians to regularly check what their students are doing on the internet and while using technology -(school devices, gaming systems, home devices, phones, etc). Just as you monitor where your children go in person, I encourage you to monitor where they go on the internet.
I would also encourage all families to consider adding parental controls on their personal devices that students use. If you have any questions about student devices, please feel free to reach out to Mr. Taylor, our Instructional Technologist at TaylorBi@pwcs.edu. Thank you.
Phones - Reminder: If students bring in phones to school they must remain in their backpack and turned off. Please let all your family members know not to call your elementary school student during the day. If you need to change dismissal, please let our front office know by calling 703.594.3990.
Also I recommend that all parents and guardians turn off the Air Drop feature on their Iphones. I have heard of students at secondary schools air dropping inappropriate photos into all phones that can receive airdrop and then other students accepting those photos. You can turn this off on your students' device.
PWCS is now a fully one-to-one School Division; laptops are provided by PWCS for every student and all instructional staff. As such, the use of personal devices by students and staff for any instructional or official PWCS business is strongly discouraged. The PWCS technology support will not support issues with Personal Technology Devices.
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: 9:15 am – 3:55 pm
(Office hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
SCHOOL SCHEDULE
Doors Open: 9:05 a.m.
Students tardy after: 9:15 a.m.
Dismissal: 3:55 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.pwcs.schoolfusion.us/
Location: 10600 Kettle Run Road, Nokesville, VA, USA
Phone: 703.594.3990
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TClayWoodES
Twitter: @TClayWooElem