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Westside’s Pony Pages “Mustangs Ride with Pride”

Mission Statement:

The mission of Westside Primary School is to foster a caring and safe environment where all

children have equal opportunities to be challenged with rigorous content and use that

knowledge at the application level.

We Can…We Will”

Mrs. Maria N. Wright, Principal Mrs. Tawanda Small, Lead Teacher

December 2018

Westside Primary School 6046 Quantico Road

Quantico, Maryland 21856 410-677-5117

wps.wcboe.org/westsideprimary

Upcoming Events

December

⧫ 5: Evacuation Drill ⧫ 6: K and Grade 1 Stephen

Decatur Field Trip ⧫ 8: PTA Flapjack Fundraiser at

Applebee’s 8-10 a.m. ⧫ 12: Mid-terms Distributed ⧫ 18: Bookmobile ⧫ 18: Winter Concert – Grade 1 ⧫ 21-31: Winter Break

(SCHOOLS CLOSED)

January

⧫ 2: Schools Reopen from Winter Break

⧫ 15: Bookmobile ⧫ 21: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Day (SCHOOLS CLOSED) ⧫ 25: End of Term 2 ⧫ 28: Professional Day

(SCHOOL CLOSED FOR STUDENTS)

Message from Mrs. Wright

American Education Week was a huge success! We had over 490 visitors. During AEW many visitors made

purchases from the Book Fair. Thanks to your purchases the media center will get funds that will be used to purchase technology programs and non-fiction materials for students. We thank Mrs. Dawson for all the work she put into making the Book Fair a success.

Mid-term reports for the second marking period will go home on December 12th. Feel free to call or visit the school if you have concerns about your child’s progress.

The Westside Primary School family would like to wish you and your family a joyous and safe winter break. While on break, please take as many opportunities as possible to read with your child and review skills being taught in the classroom. Have fun together! We look forward to welcoming students back to school on Tuesday, January 2, 2019. ~Mrs. Wright

Thank you to all the volunteers who helped make American Education Week a success! Your dedication to Westside Primary and its students

is very much appreciated! Tammy Lauer

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INSTRUCTION AT A GLANCE

Pre-Kindergarten By: Mrs. Sterrett

Pre-K students will continue to work on Unit 2 with exploring the outdoors and familiar environments. We will continue to compare and contrast environments. We will end our unit with our Coral Reef environment project. This month Pre-K families will receive invitations to visit our classroom to explore our coral reef. You will receive an invitation in the next few weeks. We will be displaying the artwork and projects that we have created for the coral reef environment.

In literacy, students will work with rhyming words and the beginning sounds of words.

We will continue to work on counting and counting out sets of objects and identifying 2D and 3D shapes. Please continue to complete the activities on the homework calendar and initial the box. Please practice the cards in the practice pouch and keep the pouch in the back of the take home folder. Ready Rosie has so many great activities for you and your child to complete at home. If you are not signed up for Ready Rosie please send me a note.

Kindergarten

By: Mrs. Horsey

This month in reading we

will continue letter

recognition, beginning

sounds, rhyming words,

and sounding out short

vowel words. Our

comprehension skills will

include recalling details related to stories and

sequencing the events of a story. In our writer's

workshop our students are beginning to write

"How To" stories by describing the steps involved

in telling how to do a familiar task.

In math we will be working on numbers up to

20. We will practice identifying the numbers and

making sets of objects for each number. We will

be showing the teen numbers in double ten

frame form. We will do more with measurement

and word problems.

Over the holidays

practice counting to

100 with your child

and continue to have

your child practice

writing numbers up

to 20, and blending

letter sounds to read three letter words.

Please remember that we

usually go outside for recess

as long as the wind chill

temperature is above 32

degrees. It would be helpful if

you would work with your

child on putting on and zipping up jackets

independently, and work on tying shoes.

Hopefully, you are using the Ready Rosie videos,

the EM4 math games, and the practice bag

materials. We appreciate your support.

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INSTRUCTION AT A GLANCE - Continued

Grade 1 By: Ms. Matthews

Reading and Language

First grade students will be reading stories

about celebrating family and community

and sharing cultures through folktales. For

Writer’s Workshop we will be working on

informational writing.

Math

We will work on:

• Relating addition

and subtraction

• Finding the unknown in addition and

subtraction equations

• Solving story structure problems with

change unknown

Science

We will work on:

• Animal habitats and

hibernation

• Observing weather

Social Studies

We will work on:

• Holidays around the world

• Maps

Art

By: Mrs. Bishop

Visions of sugar plums dance at Westside Primary. Students in Kindergarten and First Grade learned

steps in doing a portrait, sleeping with visions of sugar plums in their dreams.

Pre-Kindergarten worked on textured starfish.

Pre-Kindergarten also worked on shiny, mosaic fish.

Be looking for calico trees and paper crafts in the next few weeks.

A project for the PTA is in the works.

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INSTRUCTION AT A GLANCE - Continued Music

By: Mr. Oltmann

Our Pre-K and Kindergarten classes have been on a Musical Safari incorporating music from The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra. They have been gaining knowledge of the four main instrument families – Woodwind, String, Brass, and Percussion. Not only are they learning them by name, appearance, of family grouping, but also leaning how some of them are to be played.

Our 1st Grade classes are still working on their Winter Concert performance of ‘‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’. This retelling of the timeless Christmas classic includes six festive songs that are cleverly interspersed throughout the original Clement Clarke Moore poem, creating a brief

theatrical performance that is sure to "wow" you, the audience. From the cheery "Christmas Is Coming," to the rockin' "Reindeer on the Roof," and Tchaikovsky's traditional "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies," 'Twas the Night Before Christmas is filled with memorable music and rhyming verse for a sleigh-full of young performers. The performance date is December 18 – you won’t want to miss this!!

NEWSFLASH!! Students can now practice or listen to the songs from home with the website I created for them and you! There are links for each song that not only include the lyrics, but also a sound clip for each song!! (narration parts are included in the sound clips) Here is the website address: https://poltmann.wixsite.com/mysite

Physical Education By: Mrs. Noelte

During the month of December, we will celebrate winter in the gym. We will continue to practice skills related to

sports and improve our healthy fitness zones as we do “what snowmen do at night,” train like reindeer, and learn about different winter sports.

We will also learn how we can still make healthy choices around the holidays. We will learn exercises that are safe to do inside and also talk about eating “sometimes foods” in moderation.

Please remember that safe gym shoes are required for safe participation in class. Uggs and snow

boots are not safe gym shoes.

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NEWS YOU CAN USE December Health News

Let’s fight the flu together!

Your decision to get the flu shot or not goes well beyond you. It also affects the many lives you touch…

Influenza is a contagious disease of the respiratory tract (nose, throat, and lungs) that can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia and the worsening of other chronic health conditions. Flu symptoms may include fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle aches. The best way to protect your family from new influenza strains is to get vaccinated each year.

The top five most virus-contaminated areas in the home are:

• Telephones (have you cleaned your cell phone lately?)

• Appliances such as refrigerator and microwave

• Faucets

• Light switches and door handles

• TV remotes

Follow good health guidelines: eat right, exercise, and get plenty of rest to help boost your immunity to fight the effects of colds and flu. Wash hands frequently, do the elbow cough, and disinfect hot spots at school, work, and home. Treat the symptoms if you must but avoid giving aspirin to children because it may cause a rare but serious illness called Reye syndrome.

Enjoy a healthy holiday season!

Nominations for the Wicomico Teacher of the Year will be accepted through Friday, December 14, 2018. Please take the time to recognize the great work of one of our teachers. If you have not done so already, please complete the form on the last page of this newsletter and return it to the Principal prior to the deadline. The winner for Wicomico County will be announced at the Teacher of the Year Banquet on March 28, 2019.

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LIKE Us on Facebook

Westside Primary School is on Facebook! To follow our page, log into your Facebook Page. Go to our Facebook page: Westside Primary School and click “Like” the page. Enjoy reading posts about all the wonderful things happening throughout the week at our school.

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Please continue to collect Box Tops. In January we will be having a competition between classes. The class that

collects the most Box Tops will be rewarded with an ice cream party. A new collection sheet will be sent home soon.

Thank you for supporting this initiative.

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Children’s Theatre Performance

Kindergarten and Grade 1 students will be traveling to Stephen Decatur High School to see the production of “Lost and Found: An Original Tale.” Students will leave at 9:15 a.m. on Thursday, December 6,

2018 and return to around 11:50 a.m. If you have not already done so, please return your child’s permission slip, no later than Monday, December 3, so that he/she may be able to attend this production.

______________________________

Student Resources Available

Are you looking for free online resources to support your child’s reading and

math skills that they can use at home? Do you need resources at home to help with math homework?

The following link will take you to online resources that you can use at home or at the library. Online

Reading, Writing & Math Resources: https://www.wcboe.org/Domain/62

PTA NEWS

Saturday, December 8, 2019

8 – 10 a.m.

Tickets $7.00 / person

Applebee’s Flapjack Fundraiser

2703 N. Salisbury Blvd.

Salisbury, MD 21801

Includes Pancakes, Sausage links, and a beverage.

For Tickets: Return this portion and payment to school with your child.

___ # of Tickets x $7.00 = Total: _____

Guest Name(s)____________________

________________________________

Guest Names(s)___________________

________________________________

Child’s Name: _____________________

Teacher: _________________________

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Guidance News By: Ms. Price

Our character value for the month of December is citizenship. We will be discussing what citizenship means, how we can show citizenship, and the importance of citizenship. What does citizenship mean? 1. Being responsible and respectful to people, animals, and the environment. 2. Caring about your community and country. 3. Being informed about the needs within your school and community. 4. Doing your best to make your home, school, and community a better place. What are ways you can show good citizenship? 1. Follow the rules and obey laws at school, home and in your community. 2. Respect authority, e.g., parents, teachers, police officers and other community helpers. 3. Participate in activities to improve your community and the environment, e.g., pick up litter, recycle, and plant trees and flowers. 4. Be a good neighbor and volunteer to help others. 5. Donate food or clothing to help someone in need. 6. Use kind words and good manners in all situations. Why is citizenship important? 1. We need good citizens to make our school and community better for everyone. 2. It is our duty and obligation as American citizens to do our part.

Books to read anout citizenship: What Can a Citizen Do? by Dave Eggers A House That Once Was by Julie Fogliano Arthur Meets the President? by Marc Brown Being a Good Citizen bymary Small D is for Democracy : A Citizen’s Alphabet by Elissa D. Grodin

Star Performers

Congratulations to our Star Students for the month of November who have shown the

character value of responsibility!

Mrs. Sterrett Yesli Hernandez-Bruno

Aaliyah Joynes Logan Tensley Wyatt Wright

Mrs. Bails Chloe Hill Erick Jung

Mrs. Horsey

Aryanna Goslee Olivia Elliott

Mrs. McKenzie

Avianah Peters-Weatherly Olivia Shakley

Mrs. Rousseau Cynhsir’ Lomax Audrey Salmon

Ms. Matthews

Dylan Derbyshire Elaina Smith

Mrs. Reed

Micha Honsinger Damien Seigler

Mrs. Tripp Ruby Hill

Connor Hohman

Ms. Weldon Paige Brown Devin Clark

Mrs. Williams James Potter

Brianna Villegas

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Wicomico County Public Schools

Nomination Form

2019-2020 Wicomico Teacher of the Year

Nominations: Students, parents, colleagues, and community members are encouraged to nominate a teacher who truly reflects

the best of the teaching profession.

Eligibility: Nominees must be Wicomico County certified teachers who are eligible as potential nominees for recognition as

Teacher of the Year if they have been granted tenured status by the Wicomico County Board of Education, be in at least their

current 5th year of teaching, and plan to continue to teach in Wicomico County through the 2019-2020 school year.

Qualifications: Teachers considered as nominees for recognition as Teacher of the Year should exemplify those traits associated

with master teachers. They should be skillful and dedicated teachers who plan to continue their teaching careers. A demonstration

of competencies in the professional area(s) assigned and evidence of successful professional experiences are basic criteria in

determining the qualifications of an individual to be nominated. The nominees should be persons who demonstrate the ability to

communicate effectively, openly and positively with other teachers, administrators, students, parents and the community. In

addition, they should demonstrate a positive attitude toward their professional responsibilities and support the county and school

policies and procedures.

Timetable: All nomination forms must be submitted to the teacher’s principal by the close of school on Friday, December 14,

2018.

Semifinalist Fishbowl………………………………………………………………...February 13th

Interviews of the Semifinalists……………………………………………….……..February 20- 21 Celebration & Announcement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 28

Awards: All qualified nominees for the 2019-2020 Teacher of the Year will be recognized on March 28, 2019. The finalists and Teacher of the Year will be announced at the banquet. Our recipient will then proceed to the Maryland Teacher of the Year competition.

Questions: Please contact Laura Bounds at 410-677-5287 or lbounds@wcboe.org

The nomination form is on the reverse side.

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Wicomico County Public Schools

Nomination Form

2019-2020 Wicomico Teacher of the Year

NOMINEE

Teacher’s name: _________________________________________________________________

School: _________________________________________________________________________

1. How does this teacher inspire students to learn?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. List the qualities that make this teacher outstanding.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Describe a special event/occasion that best illustrates the nominee’s impact on students and

education. Please reference the teacher’s current school for which they are being nominated.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

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(Please attach another sheet for any additional comments.)