Timberwolf Times -August 12, 2024

Dear Timberwolf Families,

We are getting ready for the first day of school on Monday, August 19, 2024. Teachers all will return officially this Monday, August 12 and we will be working to get classrooms ready for the start of school.

On Thursday, August 15, we are excited to welcome our students and their families for Open House Meet and Greets. Please see the schedule below.

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.

Our School Hours are 9:20 am – 4:00pm. The same as last year.

We open the doors at 9:10 am to welcome our Amazing Students into school each day.

Please welcome our new Admin Intern - Mr. Paul Johnson. He will replace Mrs. Laura Crawford, who has moved into the Assistant Principal position at another school. Mr. Johnson has been an educator for 21 years. He is married with a son and a 4th grade grandson. Mr. Johnson has most recently worked at Pennington Traditional School as a 7th and 8th grade Science Teacher. He also was involved in many different administrative duties while at Pennington. In his free time, he enjoys traveling and bike riding. We are happy to have Mr. Johnson join our T. Clay Wood Family.

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).

Please join me in giving a resounding THANK YOU to our custodians - Mr. Benitez, Mrs. Zavala, Mrs. Morales, and Mr. Rankothpedige. They have worked so hard this summer to clean and prepare the school for our students and staff. They clean each piece of furniture in every classroom, bring the furniture out in the hallway, strip then wax the floor, then bring in all furniture back to the classrooms while also cleaning all the other areas of school. Their work helps make our school look the best it can.

In addition, all summer long - Mrs. Hardwick and Mrs. Baker have joined me and Mrs. Yuditsky to get the school ready for the first day. They make sure everything we need is ordered, schedules are created, students placed into classrooms and all records are correct. Thank you for all their hard work as well!

Please keep reminding your students to read each day. 20-30 minutes a day will make a positive impact. Also encourage students to write in a daily journal, visit the library, interact with their friends off of screens, and practice their math facts. While students are young, this is also a good time to learn a 2nd (or 3rd language).

We truly do Everything Better Together as a Community of Leaders and Learners Achieving Excellence.

I hope you all have a wonderful week. I look forward to seeing you all on Thursday, August 15, 2024.

Dr. Andrew Buchheit

Principal

#TimberwolvesROCK

Our Theme this year: "ALL are Welcome at T. Clay Wood: Leading and Learning with Kindness"

Sincerely,
Dr. Andrew Buchheit, Principal

1. Our School Hours are from 9:20 am – 4:00 pm. (Students can enter the school at 9:10 am) Students will be considered Tardy after 9:20 am.

2. Our School Mascot is the Timberwolf. (We have three main Timberwolves- Clay, Wood and T.)

3. Our School Colors are Red, Blue, Gold and Gray (Like a Timberwolf)

4. Our Parent Handbook is located inside the Timberwolf Folder – which is sent home at Open House or the First Day of School. .

5. Our School Motto: “We seek to make a Positive Difference”

6. Our School Vision is: “A Community of Leaders and Learners Achieving Excellence”

7. Our Theme this is year is "ALL are Welcome at T. Clay Wood: Leading and Learning with Kindness"- all students will also get a Magnet in their Timberwolf Folder.

8. All Visitors/Volunteers must bring a valid photo identification with them.

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.

9. All Back to School Paperwork will be done in ParentVue in the Hub. If you need help, you can contact our school office staff at 703.594.3990 and speak to our Parent Liasion, Ms Colon or our School Registrar, Mrs. Baker.

10. There is a lot of information in this newsletter to help you proactively plan for a positive year for your students.

Thank you for entrusting your children to our care and being a part of our “Community of Leaders and Learners Achieving Excellence.”

I hope to see everyone on Thursday, August 15, 2024 during your child's Orientation/Open House Times.

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.

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.

Monday, August 12, 2024- Day -

Our T. Clay Wood Timberwolf Staff is busy getting school ready for 24-25 school year

Tuesday, August 13, 2024 - Day -

Wednesday, August 14, 2024- Day -

• Preschool and Kindergarten Parent/Guardian Information Night; 6pm

Thursday, August 15, 2024 - Day -

• Open House Meet and Greet and New Student Orientation. See times below
• 9:00am – Kindergarten Open House - Kindergarten Classrooms
• 10:30 am – New 1st-5th grade NEW Student Orientation in the gym/café.
• 11:00 am – 12:00 pm. Open House for 1st-5th graders with last name beginning with A-L and all New Students (1st-5th)
• 1:30 pm -2:30pm. Open House for 1st-5th graders with last name beginning with M-Z

Friday, August 16, 2024 -Day -

• Check bus schedules for any changes over the weekend.

All dates are subject to change – please monitor your email).

• Wednesday, August 14, 2024 -; Kindergarten and Preschool Parent Information Night (JUST for KG parents/guardians) at 6pm.
  
• Thursday, August 15, 2024 at 9:00am – Kindergarten Open House
  
• Thursday, August 15, 2024 at 10:30 am – New 1st-5th grade NEW Student Orientation in the gym/café.
  
• Thursday, August 15, 2024 from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm. Open House for 1st-5th graders with last name beginning with A-L and all New Students (1st-5th)
  
• Thursday, August 15, 2024 from 1:30 pm -2:30pm. Open House for 1st-5th graders with last name beginning with M-Z
  
• 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

I am sharing this email that went out from PWCS on July 31, 2024

Dear PWCS Families and Staff Members,

PWCS is excited to welcome students back to school on Aug. 19! To help prepare our families for the first day, below are 10 key things you need to know for a successful start to the 2024-25 school year. More details will be shared in the coming days and weeks:

1. Schedules
• Elementary schedules will be available on Aug. 11, and secondary schedules, including K-8 and traditional schools, will be available on Aug. 14, in ParentVUE and StudentVUE.
2. Complete the annual Back to School Packet
   
• The Back to School Packet will be available on Aug. 6 in ParentVUE. Please contact your student’s school if you do not have a ParentVUE account.
3. New Wireless Device Rules
• Coming to high, middle, K-8, and traditional schools, use of personal wireless communication devices (cell phones) will be prohibited during instructional periods. More details will be shared soon.
4. New Bus Stops
• As part of the transportation improvements announced earlier this year, many students may have new bus stops. Transportation information will be available in ParentVUE and StudentVUE on Aug. 12.
5. Code of Behavior Updates
   
• 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.
6. Important Health Information
• Be sure your student has received required vaccinations.
• PWCS has partnered with Hazel Health to provide quality mental health care services for all students at no cost to families. Families must opt-in for their student to receive services. More information will be shared in the coming weeks.
7. Communication Improvements
• Coming this school year, based on feedback from parents and guardians, families will have an option to choose their preferred method of communication via an app, emails, and/or texts. Stay tuned for details.
8. Curriculum Updates
• Virginia Literacy Act/English Language Arts - The Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) requires school divisions to develop a literacy plan to implement this school year. These enhancements will ensure success for all students.
• Math Curriculum Update - The Virginia Board of Education updated the math Standards of Learning. PWCS will be implementing the new standards this school year.

Look for the Scoop! newsletter and messages from your student’s school for more back-to-school information about these topics and more in the coming days and weeks.

Having up-to-date emergency contact information for our families is vital. We need all families to complete the annual Back to School Packet. Until this packet is complete, parents/guardians will be unable to access important information in ParentVUE to start the new year (including student schedules and bus information). If you do not have an active ParentVUE account, please call our office. For questions about ParentVUE, please contact the Help Desk at 703-791-8826.

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.

1. Log in to the ParentVUE app or the ParentVUE website using your ParentVUE user name and password.
2. 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.

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 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.

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.

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

We will hold a special Orientation just for Parents and Guardians of rising Preschool students and Kindergarten students on Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at 6:00 pm. Parents and guardians will meet in the cafeteria. After a brief overview from school staff, parents/guardians will go with their child's Kindergarten or preschool teacher to their classroom. The kindergarten and preschool teachers will explain their procedures, routines, and systems and what to expect the first month of school. This is just for parents or guardians and will last between 45 minutes – 1 hour. This meeting will allow us to share important information with all kindergarten and preschool parents and answer their questions without having to make our kindergarten and preschool students sit and listen for this length of time. You may bring your student’s school supplies with you.

Thursday, August 15, 2024

Please note, we will have a photo booth set up so you can take pictures with your students.

Preschool and Kindergarten Meet and Greet Open House –

On Thursday, August 15, 2024 between 9:00 am - 10:00 am, we will have a Meet and Greet Open house for Kindergarten students and their parents. Students and parents will bring in their supplies that day and go directly to their classrooms. Kindergarten students will also have an opportunity to ride a school bus around the bus loop during this time.

New Student Orientation for New students in 1st-5th grade

On Thursday, August 15, 2024 at 10:30 am, we will have a brief Orientation for students in 1st-5th grade who are new to T. Clay Wood this year. Students and their families should meet in the cafeteria at 10:30 am

1st-5th grade students Meet and Greet Open House

On Thursday, August 15, 2024 , we will have a Meet and Greet Open house for ALL New Students and Students in 1st -5th grade with the last name starting with A - L. Students and parents can bring in their supplies that day and go directly to their children’s classrooms at the following times:

• 11:00 am – 12:00 am - All New Students in 1st -5th grade and students with the last name beginning with A-L

• 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm - All 1st-5th grade students with last names beginning with M-Z

Parents and their students should go directly to their child’s classroom. This is a great time to bring in your student’s school supplies, fill out important forms in the classroom, meet your child’s teacher, and find your student’s desk. You will also get your child’s Timberwolf Folder which contains the Parent Handbook.

I encourage all our families to consider carpooling together since the parking lot gets full. I do want to remind everyone NOT to park in the car drop off lane or the bus loop. We need to keep these free in case emergency vehicles need to get access to our school.

Please be advised that students who are missing immunization(s) will not be allowed to attend school on August 19, 2024. Parents/guardians may view immunization information in ParentVUE.

An upcoming SCOOP! edition week will encourage parents/guardians to get students immunized.

Students who are lacking immunizations and their parent/guardians should be advised to schedule an appointment with their health care provider, Prince William Health District, Mason and Partners Clinic, Urgent Care, or a local pharmacy to ensure their student receives the missing immunization(s). Appointments are currently available at all locations.

If a student fails to comply with providing the completed proof of the required immunization(s) by August 16, 2024, the student will be excluded from starting/attending school on August 19, 2024, and will remain excluded until the required immunization record(s) have been provided to the school.

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.

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 in their folders for your cars. The magnet captures our theme for the year: “ALL are Welcome at T. Clay Wood: Leading and Learning with Kindness"

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

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

From a recent email that PWCS sent out - copied below:

July 31, 2024

Dear PWCS Families and Staff Members,

PWCS is excited to welcome students back to school on Aug. 19! To help prepare our families for the first day, below are 10 key things you need to know for a successful start to the 2024-25 school year. More details will be shared in the coming days and weeks:

1. Schedules
• Elementary schedules will be available on Aug. 11, and secondary schedules, including K-8 and traditional schools, will be available on Aug. 14, in ParentVUE and StudentVUE.
2. Tax Free Weekend for School Supplies
• The three-day Virginia Sales Tax Holiday is Aug. 2-4. Check your school’s webpage for supply lists.
3. Complete the annual Back to School Packet
• The Back to School Packet will be available on Aug. 6 in ParentVUE. Please contact your student’s school if you do not have a ParentVUE account.
4. New Wireless Device Rules
• Coming to high, middle, K-8, and traditional schools, use of personal wireless communication devices (cell phones) will be prohibited during instructional periods. More details will be shared soon.
5. New Bus Stops
• As part of the transportation improvements announced earlier this year, many students may have new bus stops. Transportation information will be available in ParentVUE and StudentVUE on Aug. 12.
6. Free meals expanded to 24 more schools
7. Code of Behavior Updates
• 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.
8. Important Health Information
• Be sure your student has received required vaccinations.
• PWCS has partnered with Hazel Health to provide quality mental health care services for all students at no cost to families. Families must opt-in for their student to receive services. More information will be shared in the coming weeks.
9. Communication Improvements
• Coming this school year, based on feedback from parents and guardians, families will have an option to choose their preferred method of communication via an app, emails, and/or texts. Stay tuned for details.
10. Curriculum Updates
• Virginia Literacy Act/English Language Arts - The Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) requires school divisions to develop a literacy plan to implement this school year. These enhancements will ensure success for all students.
• Math Curriculum Update - The Virginia Board of Education updated the math Standards of Learning. PWCS will be implementing the new standards this school year.

Look for the Scoop! newsletter and messages from your student’s school for more back-to-school information about these topics and more in the coming days and weeks.

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.

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.

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.

Back to School Nights will be held at on the following nights at 6:00 pm:

Tuesday, September 24 for 3rd, 4th, and 5th -6pm

Thursday, September 26 for Preschool, Kg , 1st, and 2nd - 6pm

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

If your child needs to take over the counter or prescription medicine at school, the parent/guardian must bring in the medicine in the original bottle/container for him or her and fill out the medication form. Students cannot carry most medicine to school with them or keep it with them while at school. We cannot administer any medicine without the appropriate forms filled out. Please see our school website or call our school nurse, Mrs. Ousley at 703.594.3990 for more information. Our school nurse will be able to take medications and forms on August 15, 2024 during Orientations and Open House Meet and Greet times.

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.

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.

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.

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 - 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 15, 2024 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 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.

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. We will also place this information on our school website, Facebook and Twitter sites.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)

We are excited to contiue our partnership with Rooted In Education (RIE), a Haymarket-based 501(c)3, to sponsor the newest location in their Fare Harvest Community Garden network. RIE is passionate about providing access to enriching educational opportunities and fresh food so that all children may share their talents and passions to inspire our communities.

In July, we will have the garden will open on the weekend for community members to pick their own fresh vegetables and food. There will also be open hours during the week after school is out - please see the information in Rooted for Education Facebook page for dates the Community Garden will open. We are happy to be able to work in partnership to help give back to our community.

Lots of plans to incorporate the garden into the 24-25 school year to offer enriching learning opportunities for our students are underway! In the meantime, we encourage you to check them out at @rootedineducation on Facebook and Instagram for updates about educational programs and harvest updates at our T. Clay Wood garden and surrounding locations.

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

THERE is time to still participate -

This year you can take a picture of Your student and your family having summer fun or reading with Flat Clay and send it to me at buchhear@pwcs.edu.

You can also tag it on Social Media yourself with #TimberwolvesROCK

If you still have a device from summer school, please bring it in so we can update it. You can bring it in to our front office between the hours of 9:00 am - 3:30pm.

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

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.

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!

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