Turtle Talk 09/27/2024

Just in the last few weeks, we have seen our Watershed Turtles outdoors every single day (yes, even in the rain!), students working with their hands, minds and bodies to solve academic problems, students fully engaged in learning each day. It has been a WONDER to see your children growing here at Watershed.

One of our initiatives this school year is to recognize students who exhibit the Watershed Way each day in their classrooms. The first part of the Watershed Way is WONDER. Students exhibited WONDER in their classrooms through curiosity, and trying new amazing opportunities or things. Students were nominated by peers and teachers and were invited to join their trusted adults at a breakfast on Friday October 4th at 8:15. A list of all nominated students is in the Student of the Month Section of the Turtle Talk.

Another update that I want to share with you is about Ms. Price transitioning to a new position at a different elementary school. Ms. Price has decided to step down from her role as Assistant Principal of Watershed, effective Thursday, September 26. We are grateful for her dedication and contributions to the Watershed community during her time with us.

Assistant Principal Price has been an invaluable member of the Watershed Turtles, supporting our students, families, and staff with compassion, and a commitment to educational excellence. While we are sad to see her leave, we fully support her decision and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

Watershed’s leadership team and Board will be working diligently to ensure a smooth transition, and we will keep you informed of any updates as we move forward in this process. In the meantime, please know that our focus remains on providing a supportive and enriching learning environment for all of Watershed’s students.

A photographer from Strawbridge Studios will be at Watershed next Wednesday, 10/2/2024 to capture Fall pictures. Information from Strawbridge has been sent home, and is attached below.

Reminder: Please check lost & found for your child's items. The lost & found storage locker is outside the chicken doors, under the fire escape stairs. Any unclaimed lost & found items will be donated at the end of Unit 1 (November 13). Thank you!

Please see the annual AHERA notice for Watershed below.

Four new Board members joined the Watershed Board in September following their nomination to the Board at the August Board meeting. These new Board members include:

• Ann Triola-Smolinski, the Teacher Representative to the Board, is a long-time Watershed Special Educator.

• Crystal Baze, a Certified Public Accountant and small business owner from the Gwynn Oak community.

• Charlotte Keniston, the Director of the Shriver Peaceworker Fellows Program at UMBC and a Watershed parent.

• Hashim Shortridge, a cybersecurity expert, and former educator from the Windsor Mill community.

We welcome these new Board members to the Watershed community and look forward to their leadership and input in the years ahead. The Board would also like to thank former Board members Stephanie Vice and Teacher Representative Sarah Chapman for their years of service as their terms ended this past summer.

Additionally, in the July meeting, the Board elected Laurel Freedman as Board President for a two-year term. The Board thanks Sage Magness-Hill for serving as President since March 2022. Sage led Watershed through its first renewal and a successful Executive Director Search. They will continue to serve the Board as President Emeritus.

Want to make a comment about facilities expansion? Want to make sure the Watershed Board hears your voice? E-mail board@watershedpcs.org to request the opportunity to speak during Public Comments at the next Board meeting.

We have a brief update on the status of the installation of two temporary trailers that will provide additional space for the 5th Grade for the rest of the 2024-2025 school year while the Middle School modular building is under construction. A temporary use permit is pending from Baltimore County’s permits office, and we are waiting for the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s approval and signature of a Lease Amendment for the two temporary classrooms. Once the Lease Amendment has final approval the anticipated timeline for site-prep and installation is two weeks. Our goal is to have the temporary classrooms ready for 5th Grade by mid-October.

Planning and design work continues for the Middle School modular building that is slated to open for the 2025-2026 school year. Two initial dig tests were conducted this month to survey stormwater and sanitary sewer systems. Watershed has received a permit for the modular buildings, and initial permit reviews are underway, including a traffic control study.

Volunteers are needed to plant 60+ native trees and shrubs on campus.

When: Saturday, October 26, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Where: Watershed

Please see the attached fliers for more details. To access the waiver and RSVP, click here.

Ideas/Questions/Concerns Contact us at PTO@watershedpto.org

Don’t miss out on the Watershed PTO General Meeting on October 1st! Join us to learn about upcoming events, exciting volunteer opportunities, and to find out if you’re one of the 10 lucky members from the membership drive who will win a prize from this year’s PTO events. The PTO Meeting Agenda is available for you to view ahead of the meeting.

Tuesday, October 1st at 7:00 pm

meet.google.com/uvx-zqmz-rcd

Thank you to everyone who RSVP’d for the Back to School Social! Unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate, and we had to postpone both the original and rain date. We’re excited to reschedule and can’t wait to celebrate with you! Please keep an eye on your inbox for PTO email updates and our social media channels for updates on the new date and a new RSVP. If you don’t receive our PTO Emails you can sign up here: www.tinyurl.com/Watershed-PTO-Membership-24-25

We’re looking forward to a wonderful evening where our Watershed community can connect, enjoy fun games, and indulge in delicious ice cream and treats. Your support is what makes our community truly special, and we can’t wait to see you there. Thanks to all our Watershed community for your patience and support!

Mark your calendars for the annual Watershed PTO Fall Fest on Friday, November 8th from 3:15-5:00 pm. Get ready for an afternoon filled with exciting games, adorable goats, delicious concessions, arts and crafts, sack races, candy, and much more! Join us for this beloved annual event and help make this Fall Fest our best one yet! We can’t wait to see you there!

Don’t forget to stop by the Charmery (Towson) on Monday, October 7th from 4:00 -7:00 pm for our scoop night! Mention you are there for Watershed PTO’s scoop night and the Watershed PTO will earn 20% of sales! 6807 York Rd, Baltimore, MD 21212

Thank you to all the families who participated in the Watershed PTO Mum Sale fundraiser! Thanks to our partnership with Maryland Flowers and Foliage Company, the Watershed PTO will earn 50% of the sales!

For those who placed orders, plants will be available for pickup on Friday, October 11th, from 3:15 to 5:30 PM. Pickup will take place rain or shine, so be sure to mark your calendars—this is the only time for pickup!

Please reach out to Christina Adams with any questions. christydip@yahoo.com

We’d like to give a heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for our first fundraiser night of the school year at Chuck E. Cheese on Wednesday, September 18th! It was fantastic to see everyone having a blast and enjoying the games together! Thanks to our amazing community, we raised an incredible $583.44 through this fundraiser!

And of course, a Chuck E. Cheese fundraiser wouldn’t be complete without a special guest stopping by Watershed to say “Hi!” Thank you for making the night memorable!

The PTO is still on the lookout for enthusiastic members to help bring our exciting events to life this year! Explore the available opportunities and their descriptions, and sign up for one (or more!) that catches your eye—there's something for everyone! Discover your perfect fit here!

Thinking about becoming a Room Rep or Watershed helper? There are still a few opportunities left. Sign up today and help assist our teachers/staff. Please review the descriptions for Grade Level Room Reps and Watershed Helpers here and choose the staff member(s) you’d like to support this year.

Congratulations to these students for showing Wonder in the month of September!

Brielle M.

Dylan G.

Cyrus B.

Grace E.

Jason D.

Aurora Y.

Kyrin D.

Peyton R.

Zendaya M.

Lacey V.

Jaxton J.

Willow P.

Bryson W.

John C.

Maia W.

Jace L.

Sage C.

Belle C.

Renai G.

Dylan V.

Yunha P.

Lucas E.

Noah B.

Amani C.

Kaleb F.

Zyiona W.

Callie C.

Elijah M-D.