Timberwolf Time - December 11 ,2023
T. Clay Wood - Facts at your Fingertips
Welcome to T. Clay Wood ES
Welcome Back to School - 2023-2024
"It's A Great Day to be a Timberwolf""
Dear Timberwolf Families,
The T. Clay Wood Light House Leadership Team is sponsoring the annual Toys for Tots drive from November 20- December 15. Please send in new, unwrapped toys to support our local community. We appreciate your assistance in making children in need smile this holiday season.
"Behind every young child who believes in himself is a parent who believed first" - Matthew Jacobson
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
“At T. Clay Wood, Everyone Belongs”
Cookie!
The PTO is looking for some help! Please review this message from our Hardworking PTO Board:
🍪 🎁 HELP NEEDED!! We're bringing back the annual holiday cookie bar for our fantastic teachers, staff and administration but we need your help! We need cookies and holiday treats to fill the teacher lounge for teachers and staff to enjoy! We're looking for about 200 dozen cookies - it sounds like a lot but we have ~100 team members and this will allow each person to take home ~1-2 dozen cookies.
Please sign up to bring in a treat - doesn't have to be homemade - store bought is great too!!
Help us bring a delicious end to 2023 for our amazing, hardworking T. Clay Wood team!! 🎁🍪
Math 24 Game Club
‘Math 24 Game’ Club
TCWES is starting at ‘Math 24 Game’ Club for 4th and 5th grade students. The ‘Math 24 Game’ is a competitive card game where students compete to see who can solve math problems the fastest. You can watch this video to learn more about the ‘Math 24 Game’. This club will host optional practice sessions twice a month before school at 8:15 in the library. In the Spring we will be hosting grade level competitions for interested 4th and 5th grade students.
Practice sessions dates are listed below:
Dec. 14th, Jan. 11th, Jan. 25th, Feb. 8th, Feb. 22nd, March 21st
If you are interested, please return the permission slip below to Mrs. Rice or Mrs. Moreno. The permission slip must be returned to attend. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Rice at riceml@pwcs.edu.
Here is a link to the entire Permission slip - Click Here
Or copy below and send in to Mrs. RIce and Mrs. Moreno
__________________________________________________________ (student’s name) has my permission to attend the Math 24 Game club meetings. We understand Quality Student behavior is expected at all times. Students must show quality leader and learner behavior to be able to continue attending practice sessions.
________________________________________Printed Parent name
________________________________________Parent Signature
___________________________________ Preferred email address(es
Students Need Their Coats - Brrrrrrrr
We cannot send students out without their coats during the really cold days especially when it is below 32 degrees. Please make sure they come to school each day wearing their coat.
PARENT TEA- Timberwolf Talk on Proactive Parenting
Let's ring in the new year with some new habits!
Please join us for our next parent tea on Friday, January 12th at 10 AM.
Our School Counselors and Mental Health Team will be focusing on Proactive Parenting: Developing Habits and Fostering Leadership at Home.
Our students have a head start on being Proactive since it's Habit 1 of our 8 Habits of Happy Kids, but let the count down begin for a Proactive happy home too!
😀😃😀😃😀😃😀😃😀😃
Please RSVP to Dr. Buchheit at buchhear@pwcs.edu
School Wide Information
On December 20, we will have a school wide Holiday sing along. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Meyer and your classroom teachers.
On January 3, 2024 - We will have a brief behavior expectation reminder assembly. If you have any questions, please reach out to Dr. Buchheit and/or your classroom teacher.
on January 9, 2024 - Our School Counselors have arranged for the Blue Sky Puppet Theater to present the puppet show: Super Pig. Students will learn anti-bullying techniques, recognize the importance of helping others, see everyday people doing helpful things, and understand the importance of reading and writing. For more information - click here: http://www.blueskypuppets.com/superpig_storyboard.html
on April 23, 2024 - We will hold our annual I Can Assembly. The focus will be on reminding students that they can if they work hard, try their best, and persevere.
on May 9, 2024 - The PTO has arranged for a Reptile Assembly. Students will have an opportunity to see a wide variety of reptiles -including snakes.
If you do not want your student to participate in any of these activities or assemblies please let your child's teacher know.
Social Media Reminders: T. Clay Wood ES only puts up photos or videos on the Official T. Clay Wood Social Media Sites - on the T. Clay Wood Facebook, X(Twitter), Instagram, and You Tube.
You will see the following Notice on our Official Site -
“This PWCS social media account has been approved by the PWCS Communications Department.”
Social Media sites have to be approved annually by the PWCS Communication Department. Regulation 790-3 , Section B of the Attachment provides further information as well as information about Opt-Out. When filling out the Back to School Packet, information is included that discusses and references this regulation.
Attendance - Why is it important?
2nd quarter Attendance Reminders
Dear Timberwolf families,
As we enter the second quarter, we have been asked to share the following key information to help your student(s) stay strong through the colder months and on track to have a successful school year.
Cold/Flu season is nearing
View illness or injury exclusion criteria for more information on when your student could be sent home from school/School Age Child Care (SACC) or when you should keep the child home from school/SACC.
The second quarter contains many scheduled days off for students
- November 10 – Veterans Day Holiday
- November 22-24 – Thanksgiving Break
- December 21 – January 1 – Winter Break
- January 15 – Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
We appreciate everyone’s efforts to avoid taking extra days off before and after scheduled days off for holidays. Just a few missed days here and there, even if they’re excused absences, can add up to too much lost learning time and leave your child behind in school. This is as true in kindergarten as it is in high school.
Missing 2 days a month, or 4 ½ days in a marking period, adds up to 18 days a year (10% of the school year) which is considered chronically absent. Students who attend regularly are more likely to stay on track, and we are here to support you!
Remember to report your student’s absences
As a reminder, if your student is absent, please remember to contact us at 703.594.3992 or email CWES-Timberwolf-Attendance@pwcs.edu
We want to express our gratitude to everyone who makes it possible for our students to come to school every day, on time, ready to learn. We also understand there are times when a student is sick or ill and needs to stay home. Thank you for all you do to help support your students and T. Clay Wood Elementary School.
What's Happening at T. Clay Wood during the week of Dec. 11- Dec.15, 2023
Toys for Tots -Nov. 20 - Dec. 15, 2023
Tuesday, December 12, 2023 Day 5
Chorus; 8:!5 am
6:30pm - Chorus Concert
Wednesday, December 13, 2023- Day 6
Thursday, December 14, 2023 - Day 1
Holiday Sweater Day
6:30 pm - 3rd grade "Snow Music" Concert
Friday, December 15, 2023 -Day 2
Red and Green Day
LEADER IN ME CORNER
Habit Four - Think Win-Win
The Habit of Mutual Benefit
- Think Win-Win is the belief that everyone can win. It’s not me or you—it is both of us. It is a belief that there are enough good things for everyone; it is an abundant way of thinking. Think Win-Win is being happy for others when good things happen to them. As a parent, not everything is negotiable, but if you go into discussions with your child with a win-win mindset, you’ll find a lot less resistance.
Everyone Can Win
I balance courage for getting what I want with consideration for what others want. I make deposits in others’ Emotional Bank Accounts. When conflicts arise, I look for Third Alternatives.
Think Win-Win isn’t about being nice, nor is it a quick-fix technique. It is a character-based code for human interaction and collaboration.
Most of us learn to base our self-worth on comparisons and competition. We think about succeeding in terms of someone else failing—if I win, you lose; or if you win, I lose. Life becomes a zero-sum game. There is only so much pie to go around, and if you get a big piece, there is less for me; it’s not fair, and I’m going to make sure you don’t get anymore. We all play the game, but how much fun is it really?
Win-win sees life as a cooperative arena, not a competitive one. Win-win is a frame of mind and heart that constantly seeks mutual benefit in all human interactions. Win-win means agreements or solutions are mutually beneficial and satisfying. We both get to eat the pie, and it tastes pretty darn good!
To go for win-win, you not only have to be empathic, but you also have to be confident. You not only have to be considerate and sensitive, but you also have to be brave. That balance between courage and consideration is the essence of real maturity and is fundamental to win-win.
Bus Information
PWCS has a late bus link for buses that will be late 15 minutes or more - https://www.pwcs.edu/departments/transportation/bus_delays
You can also sign up for the Here Comes the Bus App at - https://www.pwcs.edu/departments/transportation/here_comes_the_bus
For more information about buses - please the Transportation Website -
PTO CORNER
Our 2023-2024 PTO BOARD
President - Kate Case
VP - Kelsey Fisher
Treasurer - Beth Feliciano-Rivera
Asst Treasurer - Cooper Waterman
Secretary - Sandra Oviedo
Director - Amelia Hunter
Teacher Director - Tiana Marshall
Upcoming Dates:
Moving forward we have decided to merge the Advisory Council meetings with the PTO meetings to offer families one combined meeting to get all the information they need for happenings at the school and in the community. Due to this change, some of our meeting dates have changed. Please see the schedule posted for new meeting dates. We hope you'll be able to join us!
December 4-8 - Penguin Patch Holiday Shop
January 10 - Chipotle Spirit Night
January 18 - Advisory Council/PTO Meeting
Join Zoom Meeting
https://pwcs-zm-edu.zoom.us/j/84553248885?pwd=Z3hQMUhCSFc2ZG91Z3pOdjF1SEx1UT09
Meeting ID: 845 5324 8885
Passcode: Advisory
Please visit the PTO Facebook page and PTO website for updates and more info: https://www.tclaywoodpto.com/
Email tclaywoodpto@gmail.com for more information!
PTO Membership is still open!
As always, keep an eye on our T Clay Wood PTO facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/timberwolvesrock) and our website (https://www.tclaywoodpto.com/) for up to date information
*Every Tuesday - Every Tuesday during the school year Gainesville Papa Johns will give you 40% off your order and donate 10% back to the PTO!
T. Clay Wood - Statement of Civility
We are reminding all our School Community to treat our school staff, our students, and one another with civility. Our students are always watching!
Code Orange - Parents/Guardians - make sure you can access internet at this time
In case of inclement weather when school is closed, PWCS will provide live virtual (Synchronized) instruction to all students through ZOOM. PWCS Expectation is that all students participate. Attendance will be taken. Students must keep their cameras on to be counted as present. Instruction will take place between 9am - 2pm with 1 hour for lunch and recess time.
Prior to late fall/early winter, please make sure you are able to access the internet. Any family needing assistance with home internet should contact their school during the first month of school to receive a school-issued take-home “hotspot.” If you are not able to access the internet, please reach out to Mr. Taylor at taylorbi@pwcs.edu or 703.594.3990.
Visitors and Identification
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.
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.
Changing Dismissal Routine – Parents, if you are changing your child’s dismissal, you must send an email/note to the office or notify the office by 3:30 pm. The teacher and bus driver cannot accept a change if a student just tells him or her about the change without a note. In these cases, students are sent home the original way. In addition, please try to avoid changing dismissal procedures in the middle of the day and please send all dismissal changes to our office by calling our office at 703.594.3990 or sending a note in the morning. Emails sent to the teacher in the middle of the day may be missed if there is a substitute that day or if the teacher is not able to check his or her email.
3:30 pm - If you must pick your student up early, please arrive before 3:30 pm. We will not be able to call students to the office after 3:30 pm until all car riders are picked up. Students called for dismissal after 3:30 pm will be sent to the car rider area and will be brought up after all car riders are dismissed with the supervising teachers. This way we can reduce interruptions to the classrooms, provide continual supervision for all our students and give our focus in the office to dismissing students. Parents coming in after 3:30 pm will be asked to wait in the vestibule outside of the office and once their students are brought up to come in and sign their students out.
Code of Behavior, FLE Objectives and Opt Out and Calendar Now Online
2023-2024 – 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
Code of Behavior link: https://www.pwcs.edu/about_us/code_of_behavior/index
Link to Family Life Education objectives and Opt out - https://www.pwcs.edu/academics___programs/science___family_life_education/family_life_education
Insurance for your student's device
For Grades 3-5 Students in grades 3-5 this year have HP 360 Windows laptops. If students damage the device, they are responsible for any repairs or replacement for the device. The cost for a total replacement is prorated based on the age of the device and maxes out at $308. Students are also responsible for the case and the charger issued with the device. Insurance is available to cover any damage or total loss of the device. The cost of the insurance is $29.95 and you can purchase it through Securranty. (https://securranty.com/pwcs) We strongly recommend the insurance for the Windows laptops, as they can be susceptible to drops and water damage. Contact Mr. Taylor, our Technology Coach, if you'd like more information or have questions (taylorbi@pwcs.edu).
Students in grades K-2 have iPads this year. Our iPads are Generation 9 and use Lightening charge cables; they are brand new devices this year, fresh out of the box! All iPads come with AppleCare included at no additional cost to families. AppleCare will cover any physical damage to the iPad so long as you return the damaged device to your teacher. AppleCare does not cover total loss the device. If your child loses their iPad, they will be responsible for a replacement cost. Since all devices are new this year, they will not be prorated and the replacement cost will be $285. Insurance is available to cover loss of the iPad. Keep in mind that damage to the iPad is already covered, so insurance would only be beneficial if your child loses their iPad. Insurance is $29.95 and is available through Securranty. Contact Mr. Taylor, our Technology Coach, if you'd like more information or have questions (taylorbi@pwcs.edu).
For Grades K-2
T. Clay Wood Continuous Improvement Plan
Please take a moment to view our 2023-2024 T. Clay Wood Continuous Improvement Plan by clicking this link: T. Clay Wood 2023-2024 Continuous Improvement Plan
We have three Academic Goals this year - Increase Reading, Math, and Science Achievement Rates for all students at T. Clay Wood to at least 85% or higher.
We also are focused at increasing student satisfaction rates to 90% or higher and increasing number of active business partnerships at T. Clay Wood.
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: 9:20 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 @TClayWoodElem
Instagram: tclaywoodelementary
Email: buchhear@pwcs.edu
Website: http://tclaywoodes.schools.pwcs.edu
Location: 10600 Kettle Run Road, Nokesville, VA, USA
Phone: 703.594.3990
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TClayWoodES
Twitter: @TClayWoodElem