The Wellwood Globe
May 2024 Issue
Our School Mission
Wellwood International strives to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring students in an engaging, rigorous and multi-cultural environment to instill inter-cultural understanding and respect.
Principal's Message
Hello Wellwood Families!
I canβt believe itβs May and the school year is almost over! We have begun the countdown, but learning is continuing until the very last day. Thank you for making sure that our learners are here every day, on time, so they donβt miss a minute of instruction!
From May 6 through May 10, we will be celebrating our teachers for Teacher Appreciation Week! I hope that you will consider sending a thank you note, email, text message, card, or small gift to your childβs teacher to show appreciation. May 8 is also School Nurse Appreciation Day, and we are grateful for the care that Ms. Seidler shows our boys and girls who visit the health suite each day. Thank you, Nurse Seidler!
Please continue to assist us in the last marking period by staying in communication with your childβs teacher. Check Schoology often so that you can monitor how your child is progressing. A strong, cooperative relationship between home and school is essential to our studentsβ success.
Our schoolβs boundary has changed. If you have not received a letter with next yearβs school assignment, please call us so that we can verify. The deadline for requesting special permission to remain at Wellwood is June 1st and there will be no extensions granted.
We will have Preschool (3 years old) and Pre-K (4 years old) next year! Please call if you wish to make an appointment to register your PS, PK, or K student. Kindergarten βround upβ (registration) will be May 13th.
Have you joined the PTA? The PTA is working hard to support Wellwood and needs your time and ideas. Please join! You may email wellwoodpta@gmail.com for more information. We need your support to make great things happen.
I hope that you have a wonderful month; before we know it, it will be June 14th, and we will be wishing our students well for the summer.
We are here to support and partner with you! Please reach out with any needs, questions, or concerns.
Mrs. Alonna Thompson
Dates to Remember
May 2 (Th) - Picture Day
May 3 (F) - Wellwood's Annual Diversity Day
May 6 (M) - May 9 (Th) - 3rd, 4th & 5th Grade MCAP testing
May 9 (Th) - 2nd Grade Field Trip
May 13 (M) - Kindergarten Round Up
May 14 (T) - Schools & Offices Closed - Primary Election DayMay 17 (F) - Asynchronous Learning Day - Wellwood School & Offices Closed
May 22 (W) - Wellwood Spring Concert & Art Show @ 6:30pm
May 23 (Th) - Wellwood Reading on the Lawn Day @ 9:15am
May 27 (M) - Schools & Offices Closed - Memorial Day
June 2 (Su) - Wellwood Orioles Game Day! @ 1:35pm
June 3 (M) - Field Day
June 7 (F) - Field Day Rain Date
June 12 (W) - 5th Grade Graduation, Pikesville High Auditorium
June 13 (Th) - Kindergarten Celebration, WIS Gym @ 10:00am
Brennan's Buzz
Testing Updates:
MCAP:
The Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) is the umbrella for annual statewide assessments in English Language Arts/Literacy, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires that states administer annual statewide assessments to all students in English Language Arts/Literacy (ELA/L) and Mathematics in grades 3-8 and once in high school, as well as in science once in each grade band (3-5, 6-8 and high school).
The May assessment includes 4 Math sessions. Each regular session is 40 minutes in length.
3rd Grade will test at 9:30am and 4th and 5th grade will test at 1:45pm on the dates/times below.
MCAP Math Testing Dates:
Monday, May 6th
Tuesday, May 7th
Wednesday, May 8th
Thursday, May 9th
Please try to have your child in school on these dates. If students miss a day, they will complete the test during a MCAP make up day.
On these days, we ask that students leave their cell phones and smart watches at home as they are not allowed to be with your child during the test. If your child brings their cellphone and/or smart watch to school on these days, they will be asked to turn their electronic device off and place it in their locker or in a basket in the front of the room during the test. The assessment will take place on the computer. Students will need to bring their charged device on these days.
If you have further questions about MCAP testing, please contact Michelle Brennan, Assistant Principal at mbrennan5@bcps.org
MAP:
Spring MAP
- All students K-2 will be taking the spring MAP assessment in reading and ELA in May. Reports of student progress will be sent home at the end of the school year.
Attendance Reminder:
Extended Year Learning Program (EYLP)
Wellwood will be holding a small summer program during the month of July. The Elementary Extended Year Learning Program provides direct instruction to students in reading and mathematics. Students are identified by using multiple data points, such as attendance rate, MAP scores, and report grade grades. Invites to the program were sent out last week. If you have questions please contact mbrennan5@bcps.org or cgoff@bcps.org
β 24-25 Approved Boundary Change β
If you have been rezoned and wish for your child to stay, you MUST complete a Special Permission form before June 1st. Please call the office with any questions.
(443) 809-1212
On Tuesday, March 5th, the BCPS Board of Education approved the plan for Wellwood's new zoning boundary. This boundary change effects many of the families in our school community for the 24-25 school year. The new boundary map is posted below. Families will also be receiving a letter in the mail stating their new home school or if they are still zoned for Wellwood.
For more information on the boundary study, please visit the Northwest Area Elementary School Boundary Study #1 website.
π Counseling Corner
Hi Wellwood Families!
Theme of the Month
The theme for the month of May is Careers for students in K-4. Students in grades K-4 will be introduced to and explore different career paths. Students will begin building an awareness of personal abilities, strengths, and skill sets while participating in activities to see what careers might be of interest to them as they explore different career paths. The focus for students in grade 5 will be the transition to middle school. Students will distinguish between the expectations of elementary school and of middle school in order to make their transition to middle school a successful one.
Parent University Events
* Lunch & Learn β BCPS & Talkspace β Online Mental Health Support for Teens in High School
May 2nd- 12:30 PM , Virtual- Presented by Talkspace
* Dine & Learn β Reducing Stress & Anxiety Through the Summer: Strategies to help your children and young teens
May 9th- 6:30 PM, Virtual- Presented by Tana Hope, Kennedy Kriegar
*Lunch & Learn - Introduction to Bullying Prevention
May 16th- 12:30 PM, Virtual- Presented by Brad Engel, Maryland State Department of Education
* Lunch & Learn - βTell me a Storyβ: Why Reading with your Child is Important
May 24th- 12:30 PM , Virtual- Presented by the Center for Family Success
Resources
- BCPS Virtual Calming Room https://scs.bcps.org/departments/social_emotional_support/office_of_student_support_services/mental_health_services/virtual_calming_room
- Baltimore County Crisis Response: 410-931-2214
- Crisis text line: Text the word "TALK" to 741741 for free 24-hour support
- Maryland Food Bank: 410-737-8282
- 211 Maryland: dial 211 or https://211md.org/
- Maryland Suicide and Crisis Hotline: dial 988
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK
- Trevor Lifeline: Text βSTARTβ to 678-678 or call 1-866-488-7386
- Baltimore County Department of Social Services: 410-853-3000
- Sheppard Pratt's Urgent Walk-In Clinic is available through virtual appointments. https://www.sheppardpratt.org/care-finder/virtual-crisis-walk-in-clinic/
Lindsey Delis
Renee Best
Teacher Appreciation Week π
Teacher Appreciation Week is May 6th - May 9th! We are grateful for all our AMAZING Wellwood teachers!
Thank you to the PTA and families for supporting our efforts during this week to make our teachers feel extra loved!
π Green School Celebration
Congratulations to Wellwood for re-certifying as a Maryland Green School for the 3rd time!
The Maryland Green School award represents a school-wide commitment to environmental literacy that includes staff, students, and the community. The efforts of our school community make a difference today and in the future! We recognize the green efforts our teachers, students and families have worked to achieve, and we commend this significant accomplishment!
A special thank you to our Kindergarten teacher, Ms. Morgan Stein, who leads Wellwood in this amazing initiative! You rock, Ms. Stein!
π Earth Day Fun!
On Friday, April 19th, Wellwood students took part in an outdoor Earth Day event! Students were able to meet and learn the importance of native animals, talk about our recycling practices and practice harvesting oysters in the Chesapeake Bay! Thank you to all the parents who volunteered to help support this annual event! A special thanks to our wonderful PTA for sponsoring two of our Earth Day presenters!
π©Ί Nurse's Notes
Warm Weather Has Arrived!
But along with outdoor fun comes more opportunity for activity-related injuries.
If your child sees a medical provider and requires a temporary activity restriction due to an injury the school nurse must have written medical documentation of the restrictions your child will have because of the injury. For example, PE as tolerated, no PE until May 15, no Pe until further evaluation.
Activity restrictions are not limited to physical education. If your child is restricted from PE. Those restrictions will be applied to recess and field trips.
Activity restrictions must be followed as they are written to prevent further injury.
Stay Cool In School!
- Hydration, Hydration, Hydration.
- Make sure your child brings a water bottle to school every day
- Sunscreen, Hat, Sunglasses
- Dress lightly. light colors, light weight clothing.
Allergies and Asthma Triggered by High Pollen Count and Asthma
If your child needs to stay inside for one day the parent/guardian can notify the teacher or nurse.
If itβs more than one day a written request by parent/guardian should be given to the school nurse.
If itβs longer than one week a note from a medical provider is required to be excused from all outdoor activities, not just recess.
π» Technology Tips
End of Year Chromebook Procedures
The school year is drawing to a close and you have a $355 computer and charger on your hands. What are you supposed to do with it now that school is ending?
The end of the year process is very simple:
- If you will be attending any Baltimore County Public School next year, you will keep your Chromebook over the summer. In the fall you will either take it to your new school or bring it back to Wellwood to use in the next year.
- If you are withdrawing from Baltimore County, then you will be turning in your Chromebook and charger at the end of the year.
When we get closer to the end of the year a form will be sent home asking if you will be returning to Wellwood, going to another BCPS school, or withdrawing from BCPS. This form not only allows use to make sure your device ends up in the correct place, but it also helps us plan classes and allows school staff to process withdrawal packets.
24-25 K Round Up!
π Library Land
New Books are Here!
The library was excited to unpack our new book order! A special thanks to our AMAZING library helpers! Keep an eye on the shelves for these brand new titles!
π¨ Awesome Art
Calling all Volunteers!
We are in the process of planning for our student art show. The show is scheduled for May 22. Save the date! We are hoping for parent volunteers to assist in organizing and mounting studentsβ artwork. Volunteering may be done during school or after schoolβ¦ Interested parents, please contact Ms. Mim at moncharoen@bcps.org
Wellwood Students Honored at Baltimore Museum of Art!
Coming soon Art Is for Everyone, at the Baltimore Museum of Art. The exhibit showcases the artwork of Baltimore County students, grade preK-12. The opening will be held on Sunday, May 19, from 1:00-4:00. This year, five of our brilliant artists, Jude C., Julia A., Rishita M., Jhunn Y., and Anya H., 4th grade will be representing our school.
Flower by Anya (4th Grade)
Quilt by Jude, Rishita, J.D. & Julia (4th Grade)
π Spotlight On: 5th Grade
The Pikesville Music Festival occurred on Tuesday, April 9th at 6:30PM, featuring musicians in orchestra, band, and chorus. Students from elementary, middle, and high schools in the area came together to perform side-by-side at this community-wide event. From Wellwood International ES, there were 40 5th grade students who participated and performed alongside high schoolers. We are so proud of them and their growth as musicians!
π MCAP Rock Stars
Our primary students in grade K-2 partnered up with an intermediate class in grades 3-5 to cheer them on for MCAP testing!
Our kindergarten friends visited third grade to sing them a song called "You Rock the Test!". Their motivational posters and chants made all our students feel ready!
π Spotlight On: Kindergarten
Our Kindergarten students had a blast learning and playing at the Maryland Science Center in April!
About Us
Wellwood International School
2901 Smith Avenue
Baltimore MD 21208
Phone: 443-809-1212 | Fax: 443-809-1213