Dear Parents and Guardians!

Thank you for the outpouring of support for our colleague and friend, Ms. Ward and family. This has been a challenging and sad week for our community. However, we have rallied together as a family and we thank you for that.

Just a couple of announcements:

• Kid’s Heart Challenge is going strong! Thanks for your support! I wonder which teacher will get a “pie in the face”! I can't wait to find out! :-)

• Thank you for your flexibility as we have had to slightly shift the Milestone’s schedule.

• Please enjoy your weekend!

Gratefully,

Dr. Brown

5/1-2 Math Milestones- 3rd, 4th, & 5th

5/3 Play2Learn Wednesday 9:00am-10:30am

5/4 Science Milestones- 5th ONLY

5/5 Kindergarten Field Trip

5/9 Cubs Care Club 7:30am

5/10 Play2Learn Wednesday 9:00am-10:30am

5/16 Cubs Care Club 7:30am

5/17 Play2Learn Wednesday 9:00am-10:30am

5/24 Last Day of School

All 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students will be taking the Georgia Milestones Assessment after Spring Break. Gwinnett County has approved the dates shown below for administration. Please contact Mrs. McClelland (melissa.mcclelland@gcpsk12.org) if you have any questions. More information will be provided as we approach testing.

This practice site lets students see what testing online is like. Parents and educators are welcome to try it too. The items on the demonstration tests are general and are organized into three grade bands: Grades 3 – 5, Grades 6 – 8, and High School in the content areas of English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. The items do not necessarily represent the specific grade-level content that students learn daily in their classrooms. The primary purpose is to let students experience, firsthand, the functionality of the online testing platform. The sample tests are not graded, so have fun!

Student Council is proud to host the first Glow Party for our 4th & 5th grade students on May 12, 2023 from 3:15pm-4:30pm. Admission is $5.00 and must be paid by Friday, May 5th in MyPaymentsPlus. Don’t have a MyPaymentsPlus account? Watch the video in the Tech Corner section below to learn how to create an account.

It’s our final week of Kids Heart Challenge! We are having a blast learning about our hearts, and I’m so proud of our students and families for creating a community of live savers!

There is still time to register your student and be a Heart Hero! We will be accepting donations until Sunday, April 30th 11:59pm. So far Woodward Mill has raised $2,908! Let's see if we can reach $4,000 this weekend!

And don’t forget to complete Finn’s Mission and help us reach our goal. Your student will earn a Finn’s Lifesaver Heart Hero keychain for finishing Finn’s Mission.

Team Coach Watson vs. Team Coach Jones - the winning coach will get to pie the losing coach on the morning announcements!! Plus, the top student will get the gym named after them! The top class in each grade level will earn a Recess Bag full of playground equipment for their classroom!

Here’s how you can help:

• Click Here to Register.

• Complete Finn’s Mission: Watch a 2-minute video to know Hands-Only CPR, spot the signs of a stroke and more!

• Share with friends and family through social media, text and/or email.

Also, check out this fantastic video below.

Please pick up any medications that your student may have in the clinic by 3:00 on 5/25. Medications that aren't picked up by that time will be disposed of. If you have any questions please e-mail or call Mrs. Bacon in the clinic. Thank you.

kathleen.bacon@gcpsk12.org

678-407-7598

Charging for meals will not be allowed after April 30th. Students without money after this date will be rung up using the Alternate Meal Process.

Monday: Chicken sandwich, hummus basket, or pull apart cheesy bread

Tuesday: Bean bowl, quesadilla, or PBJ

Wednesday: Chicken wings, yogurt basket, or fish sandwich

Thursday: Pizza or hot dog

Friday: Chicken dumplings, hummus basket, macaroni & cheese, or PBJ

*Menu is subject to change due to supply shortages.

It's a dog's life! Every dog has a tail to wag . . . and a tale to tell. Patricia MacLachlan and Emily MacLachlan Charest asked a collection of canines to speak up--and so they do, in words, barks, and yips. Captured here are poetic accounts of happy days filled with squeaky toys, good smells, plenty of naps, and the very important jobs they do for the people they love to love.

When: Saturday, May 6, 2023 @ 8 am

Where: J. Alvin Wilbanks Instructional Support Center in Suwanee

Register at bookmobile5k.com

Runners 18 and under get a FREE BOOK!

Music, door prizes, awards and snacks! See the Book Mobiles in person!

During the month of May, encourage your child to read and log at least 300 minutes in the Teacher Appreciation Challenge! Students will login to Beanstack using their GCPS student number and their birthday month and date (MMDD) as their password. Students are able to log reading minutes either on their laptop or on a mobile device.

Refer to the media center link of the school website for helpful resources to get your child started with Beanstack. Contact Jennifer.Alden@gcpsk12.org if you have any questions about this digital reading program.

Woodward Mill Beanstack

How to Use Beanstack

As we approach the end of the year, it is important for students to come to school, on time, every day! We are learning up until the last day! Keep in mind that seasonal allergies are not a reason to stay home from school. Please contact Ms. Bacon in the clinic if you have questions about managing your child’s allergies at school.

The character word of the month for April is Fairness. Being fair does not always mean that everyone gets the same things, but it does mean that everyone is treated with the same amount of respect. Teachers will be looking for students exhibiting fairness to be recognized as the student of the month with a free ice cream!

Third, fourth, and fifth grade students will be taking the Georgia Milestones beginning on Monday, April 24th. It is best that students have arrived at school by 8:10 am so that they are settled and prepared to test. Also, foods high in protein give students brain power and the best amount of energy. Treat your child to a nice, protein-rich breakfast on testing mornings!

Join us on Facebook for more updates & upcoming PTA meeting information!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/363356410352065/

Do you have a MyPayments Plus account set up for you students? Need help setting one up? Watch the video below to learn how to set up a MyPaymentsPlus account for your family. Remember, at the beginning of the year, each student will need to have the beginning of year documents signed off! MyPaymentsPlus is also how you add funds to your students’ lunch accounts.

Support your school every time you shop!

Publix Partners has contributed $38.7 million to more than 4,950 schools across the Southeast since the program's inception.

Participating is easy! Simply sign up for Club Publix or log in to your existing account, click Publix Partners, and select a school. Then, every time you shop at Publix, pay with the Publix app or enter your phone number at checkout. We’ll give back to the school of your choice—one of the many perks of being a Club Publix member!

Woodward Mill would like to take this opportunity to thank the numerous business partners that support the students and teachers at our school. Our business partners support our school in various ways such as sponsoring after-school clubs, providing teacher appreciation gifts, donating supplies, and mentoring students. Please check out our wonderful business partners below:

Woodward Mill’s mission is to achieve academic and social excellence through quality instruction that promotes lifelong learning.

Website: http://www.woodwardmilles.com
Location: 2020 Buford Drive Northeast, Lawrenceville, GA, United States
Phone: 678-407-7590