WESTBROOK EAGLE NEWS
October 2015
Westbrook Elementary School
5110 Allan Terrace
Bethesda, Maryland 20816
301-320-6506
JOIN US FOR OPEN HOUSE AND PARENT VISITATION DAY
Although we have an “Open Door” policy every day at Westbrook,
Monday, October 12th is a special day as we welcome parents in
Grades K- 5 to visit our classrooms and to see student learning in
action! Because of the Columbus Day holiday; for many parents this
is a “no work” day. Students should come to school on time and enter the building at 8:45am, as on a typical school day. Parents will
gather on the front lawn until 9:10am. This gives visitors a chance
to sign our visitor log and get a visitor sticker before the visitation
begins. Teachers will take attendance, complete the lunch count
and get the children focused for learning before parents join students in the classrooms. Our first lunch begins at 10:50am, and we
will announce the end of our official visiting hours at that time. We
hope that you will be able to join us anytime between 9:10am and
10:50am on Monday, October 12, 2015 for a visit. Unfortunately
due to space restrictions, we do not have room for parents to join
their child for lunch in our Dining Room. Please remember that
Open House is a day for parents to visit the classrooms and that
other arrangements should be made for the care of younger siblings
and extended family members.
HALLOWEEN
Westbrook will hold their annual Halloween Parade and
Classroom Parties on Friday, October 30th. The parade will begin
at 1:50 pm and individual classroom parties will follow at 2:20 pm.
All Halloween costumes should be aligned with our Westbrook Community of Caring. Violent, bloody, extremely frightening or gory costumes, and costume weapons are not allowed. Parents of students
who do not wish to celebrate Halloween should notify their child’s
classroom teacher, and their child may participate in an alternate
activity during the parade and party time period.
It’s NEVER too early to be thinking about Kindergarten!
We will hold a Kindergarten Parent Coffee for those families who
will have Kindergarten age children next year, (turning 5 by September 1st, 2016). Please share this upcoming date with friends
and neighbors in the Westbrook area. The coffee is scheduled for
Wednesday, November 18th at 9:30am. More details to follow.
Principal Jennifer Lane
Email address
[email protected]
School Web Site
http://montgomeryschoolsmd.org/
schools/westbrookes/
WHEELS UP WESTBROOK
It is a pleasure to see so many
bike riders traveling to school.
Please make sure that students
who ride or scooter to school
WALK their bikes on school property for the safety of all.
Students should begin to WALK
their bikes once they pass the
Westbrook sign.
SHELTER and LOCKDOWN
DRILLS
On September 9th we practiced a
“Lockdown” Drill. MCPS requires us to
practice six “emergency drills” during
the course of the school year. These
are in addition to our ten fire drills.
We will practice SHELTER, LOCKDOWN, SEVERE WEATHER and
EVACUATION drills. Shelter is in
response to an outside danger and
involves locking all outside doors. Instruction continues but student movement in the building is closely monitored. A Lockdown is when there is a
potential danger inside the building.
Classrooms are locked, shades pulled
and instruction is stopped. We do not
discuss reasons for doing these drills
other than the general explanation
given here. You may choose to discuss
these with your child.
GIFTED and TALENTED INFORMATION
Montgomery College Youth Programs offers Kids College with after school and Saturday courses for students in grades 1 – 10 held on the Rockville and Germantown campuses. This program consists of enrichment and advancement courses that cover a wide range of topics including science, math, art, engineering,
study skills, writing, etiquette, and technology. Classes begin in October. Classes fill quickly, so register NOW! For additional brochures or registration information, contact YOUTH PROGRAMS at 240-567
-7264 or 240-567-7917 or access brochure online at http://cms.montgomerycollege.edu/wdce/
youthkidscollege.html
Parents of Grade 3 students: Applications for the Highly Gifted Center at Chevy Chase Middle School
are due November 6th. Families should have received information directly from MCPS. Contact Ms.
Nguyen, Gifted and Talented Liaison, [email protected], for more information.
Parents of Grade 5 students: Applications for MSMC Choice Middle Schools, and Middle School Magnet
Programs at Eastern and Takoma Park are due November 6th. Families should have received information
directly from MCPS. Contact Ms. Nguyen, Gifted and Talented Liaison or Randi Vogel, School Counselor
for more information.
BULLYING POLICY
At Westbrook we are committed to creating and maintaining an environment that is free of bullying so
that school is a safe place in which to learn. Montgomery County Public Schools requires that principals
share the bullying reporting procedure and form with parents at the beginning of the school year. The
definition of bullying is intentional conduct, including verbal, physical, or written conduct that creates a
hostile educational environment by substantially interfering with a student’s educational benefits, opportunities, or performance, or with a student’s physical or psychological well-being and is motivated by an
actual or perceived personal characteristic; is threatening or seriously intimidating; and occurs on school
property, at a school event, or on a school bus. The Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation Reporting Form
is attached to this newsletter, and is also available online, in the main office or in the counselor’s office.
If a student or parent chooses to fill out the attached form at any time during the year, an investigation
into the allegations will be conducted by the principal or designee. Once the investigation is complete, if
any disciplinary action or consequence is required it will be in accordance with the guidelines of MCPS Student’s Rights and Responsibilities. Parents of any students involved will be notified. Support for the victim and bystanders will be made available. My goal is that we do not encounter problems with bullying at
WES. As a Community of Caring we work together to teach our students about caring, trust, respect,
responsibility, and family. These values make Westbrook a school where bullying has no place. Mrs. Vogel
our school counselor makes anti-bullying a focus of her classroom lessons during October and November.
Please contact Ms. Lane if you have any questions about the bullying policy. Also included with this month’s
newsletter is a recent MCPS Policy about Gang Activity.
PARENT SEMINAR
You are cordially invited to join Jennifer Lane, Principal and Westbrook's School Counselor, Randi Vogel
(Mrs. Pickle) for a parent seminar. The topic will be Bullying Prevention, The seminar will take place prior
to the October PTA meeting on Tuesday, October 6th at 6:30pm. Please plan to stay for the PTA meeting
to follow at 7:30 pm. The presentation will be repeated at our October Principal’s Coffee on Friday, October 23rd from 9:20am-10:20am.
SAFE ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL PROCEDURES
I know that all Westbrook families care about their children and our community. With
that in mind we all need to follow the same procedures at arrival and dismissal in order
to ensure that all students, families and younger siblings are safe.
Parking near school:
Obey posted No Parking signs. Do not park near the fire hydrant even for “just a minute”. No Parking signs are located in areas that need clearance so that busses can
traverse our narrow streets and arrive to pick up students, and to ensure that fire trucks can access
hydrants in an emergency. Please follow the posted regulations in order to ensure the safety of all. No
standing signs mean that your car should not be in the space even if you are in the vehicle.
Top Ten Tips for a Safe and Friendly Westbrook Arrival and Dismissal
1. Drive slowly and attentively. The posted speed limit is 25 mph
2. Follow the NO ENTRY to Allan Terrace signs during Arrival and Dismissal. Keep our flow of traffic
one way at this time. Please use the same one way traffic pattern at arrival and dismissal for delayed opening or early release days.
3. Avoid walking in the street near the school.
4. Walk your bike or scooter once you are on school property. As soon as you pass either of the large
Westbrook signs on either side of the bus circle you should begin to walk your bike.
5. Park only in legal spaces when dropping your child off.
6. If your dog helps to drop off or pick up your child; you and your leashed pet should wait in the designated pet area. This is located on the street side of the sidewalk between the “No Standing” sign
near the Westbrook sign and the bus loop, on both sides of the bus loop.
7. Only busses are permitted in the bus loop during arrival and dismissal.
8. Use sidewalks when available, this includes when walking on school grounds.
9. Identify and practice a meeting location for dismissal time. Grades K-2 are designated by grade.
Families of students in grades 3-5 should choose their own spot.
10. When walking to school be alert, watch for children, and greet old friends and new families alike.
Does someone else pick up or drop off your child?
If so share these guidelines , and our TOP TEN TIPS for Safe Arrival and Dismissal with your caregiver
so that they will follow the same safety regulations that help our entire community. If you have questions or concerns about our arrival and dismissal procedures please contact the main office. 301-3206506.
Join us as we participate in National Walk to School Day on Wednesday, October 7th.
In addition to all the fun and excitement planned by our PTA Science and Wellness Committees Montgomery County is promoting Walk to School Day with a contest. The lucky winners will receive $50
Chipotle gift cards. To participate in the contest, you will need to register your child at http://
www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DOT-PedSafety/SRTS/School_Contest.html
Consider walking, biking or scootering SAFELY to school on Walk to School Day. You may find
it is so fun, that you decide to make EVERY day Walk to School Day. If you live far from
school and need to drive, consider driving part of the way to school, parking a bit further than
usual, and walking the rest of the way.
Wondering about when your child should arrive at school?
8:40 am
Staff is on duty to supervise students. You may drop off your child at this time.
8:45 am
Bell rings to form lines and move into the building.
Students who arrive AFTER 8:45 may enter through the front doors and go directly to class.
8:50
Students enter classrooms to unpack and organize.
8:55
Warning bell rings, students prepare for instruction.
9:00
Start of the instructional day, Eagle Eye News.
Students who arrive AFTER 9:00 are considered tardy. An adult should accompany them to
the main office to sign them in, and they will receive a pass to class.
SUBSTITUTES WANTED AT RECESS AND LUNCH
Westbrook is still looking for a few people willing to apply to MCPS to be Substitute Lunch/Recess
Aides. This would allow us to contact you when we know that a Lunch or Recess Teacher will be absent
and to arrange for you to work for us as a substitute. We may also call you “on the day of” to see if you
are available to take a recess or lunch shift for someone who is out because of illness or family emergency. You would be paid the MCPS rate for Lunch and Recess Aides as well as receive our extreme
gratitude! Contact Ms. Barbara Kahn in the main office if you are interested and would like more information. Thank you to those parents who already have their applications in process, and to Mrs. Whitten
who has substituted for us numerous times already this year! It’s not too late to get on our list for this
year.
Sign Up for the 2015 School-Based Flu Vaccine Clinics
Flu season is upon us. There are simple steps you and your child can take to stay healthy and help prevent the flu. That includes getting a yearly flu vaccine. The Montgomery County Department of Health
and Human Services (DHHS) will conduct free nasal spray flu vaccine clinics (FluMist) in November for
children 18 and under at many MCPS schools. On Monday, November 2, 2015, flu clinics will be held at
John F. Kennedy, Richard Montgomery, and Seneca Valley high schools from 9 a.m. to noon. No classes
will be held on that day because it is a professional day for teachers. These clinics will be open to any
school-aged child.
All MCPS elementary schools will host a flu clinic on either Wednesday, November 11, or Thursday, November 12, 2015, following early dismissal of students on those days. All clinics are free, but registration is required due to limited vaccine supplies. For more information, visit the DHHS website at http://
www.montgomerycountymd.gov/flu or call 311.
October 2015
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
27
28
29
30
1
5th Grade FT
Williamsburg
2
4
5
6
7
8
9
Marquardt &
Nguyen FT
Living
Classrooms
Grade 2 Imagination Stage
PTA Meeting
7:30
Parent Seminar
Early Release
Day
No Pep Classes
Sat
3
10
National Walk to
School Day
Volunteer
Training
9:30
6:30
11
12
13
Open House
Interim Progress
Reports go home
Grades 1-5
18
19
14
15
Quinn FT
Living
Classrooms
16
Individual
Picture Day
No School
Aqua Eagles FT
20
21
22
23
26
27
28
29
Grade 5 FT
Strathmore
1
2
3
No School
24
Principal
Coffee
Grade 5
In School FT
25
17
30
31
1st Marking Period
Ends
Halloween
Parade & Parties
Flyer Distribution Day
4
5
6
7
November 2015
Monday
Sun
1
2
Tuesday
3
Wednesday
Thursday
5
4
NO
SCHOOL
Report Card
Preparation
8
9
10
16
11
Early Release
Day
No PEP
No PEP
BOOK FAIR
BOOK FAIR
BOOK FAIR
17
23
12
Early Release
Day
18
Incoming
Kindergarten
Parent Coffee
.
22
Sa
6
7
13
14
Principal
Coffee
BOOK FAIR
15
Friday
24
25
BOOK FAIR
19
20
21
Tentative 4th
grade Meteorologist presentation
26
27
28
Gr 4 Field Trip
Early Release
Day
At 12:55 p.m
29
30
1
2
NO
SCHOOL
Thanksgiving
Holiday
3
Individual
Student Picture
Make-Up Day
NO
SCHOOL
Thanksgiving
Holiday
4
5