Hoot Off The Press
WEEK OF March 9th
“Wise owls keep learning and growing — March is our time to shine!”
Important Information
- Arrival begins at 8:20am K~2nd; 9:00am Pre K
- Tardy bell rings at 8:45am K~2nd
- Dismissal begins at 3:00pm Pre K; 3:20pm K~2nd
- ALL students enter through the rear of the building on Faulkner Avenue
🛑🚸SAFETY FIRST 🚸🛑
"For the safety of our students and staff, please do not park in the yellow zone. This area is designated for buses and BCS transports. Thank you for keeping our school community safe!"
Mark Your Calendar
March 8-20th
ELPA21 (English Language Proficiency Assessment for the 21st Century)
Mon March 9th
No Pre K Students
Tues March 10th
📸Spring and Class Pictures📸
Wed March 11th
nothing at this time
Thurs March 12th
nine weeks end
5pm PTO meeting in cafeteria
Fri March 13th
Bouncy House Nine Weeks Reward
Upcoming March Events
18th CD Day -No Students
A note from Principal Ballard
Dear Families,
As we embrace this season of change, we are reminded that growth takes time, patience, and encouragement. March gives us the perfect opportunity to reflect on how far our students have come and to refocus on the goals ahead.
Attendance continues to be a top priority. Every school day matters, and consistent attendance ensures students don’t miss the important instruction and experiences that help them thrive. We appreciate your partnership in making sure students arrive on time and ready to learn.
State testing is also just around the corner. Over the next several weeks, our teachers will continue providing strong instruction, targeted support, and meaningful practice to help students feel confident and prepared. You can support at home by encouraging reading each night, practicing math facts, and making sure your child gets plenty of rest.
Most importantly, we will continue to nurture kindness, responsibility, and perseverance. When students believe in themselves and feel supported by both school and home, there is no limit to what they can achieve.
Thank you for your continued support of Winchester Avenue. Let’s make this March a month filled with growth, determination, and pride in every accomplishment — big and small! 🦉
Reminders
March 13th: 3rd Nine Weeks Reward – BOUNCY HOUSE DAY! 🏰 (flyer below) To celebrate our hard-working students, we are bringing the inflatables to the school!A Note on Eligibility: Participation in the Bouncy House event is a reward for maintaining positive behavior. To ensure a safe and fun environment, students who have received numerous Red Owls or Office Write-ups during this nine-week period will not attend the jump session. Instead, they will participate in a Positive Behavior Reteach Session to refocus on our school expectations and prepare for future success
Warmly,
Ms. Ballard
Please get CONNECTED so that you are informed of school cancellations.
NTouch Text and Email Alerts:
Download the BCS App . Learn more: berkeleycountyschools.org
On the Web:
Sign Up: WV Dept of Ed alerts: wvde.state.wv.us/closings
Social Media
Follow Us @ Berkeley County Schools
Upcoming Events You Don't Want to Miss
Battle of the Books Voting Below.
Round 3: Monday, March 9th
*scan the ar code and read the 2 books, then scan to vote
YOUR VOTE MATTERS!!
Scan and Vote by Saturday, March 14th
Scan and Vote by Saturday, March 14th
Scan, Read, Vote!
Week 2
Round 4: Wednesday, March 11th
*scan the ar code and read the 2 books, then scan to vote
YOUR VOTE MATTERS!!
Spring Clubs
Garden Club 🌺
Program Details:
Garden Club provides students with hands-on learning experiences focused on gardening, teamwork, and caring for our school environment
· Who may participate? selected first and second grade students
· Day: Every Thursday, beginning March 5th
· Duration: 10 weeks
· Time: 3:45–4:45 PM
· Location: school garden and outdoor learning space
· Pick-Up Location: back of the school.
Fitness Club 🏈🏐
Program Details:
Students are invited to participate in Owl Fitness & Fun, an after-school program designed to promote healthy habits, teamwork, and confidence through physical activity.
Each week, students will focus on one sport or activity, allowing them time to learn basic skills, rules, and teamwork before moving on to a new activity the following week.
Weekly Activity Focus May Include:
· Basketball
· Soccer
· Jump Rope
· Yoga
· Start Date: March 10th
· Length: 10 weeks
· Day: Every Tuesday
· Time: 3:45–4:45 PM
· Location: School Gymnasium/ playground
Important Information:
The permission slip is due by Monday, March 9th.
Students will be dismissed from the back of the school.
PTO MEETING
PTO Meeting: March 12th at 5:00pm
All Parents and Guardians: Please come out to our PTO meeting March 12th at 5:00pm. It will take place in our cafteria. We will should important information and we need your input. Please see the flyer below.
Friday, March 13th Bouncy House Reward
Third Nine Weeks Reward: BOUNCY HOUSE FUN
To join the fun, remember to follow our school values! Students must be free of Red Owls or write-ups to attend. Those who have not met these requirements will attend a reteach session to help get back on track for the next big event. Please view the flyer below.
Family Resources
Tutor WV
Available daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Through TutorWV, every West Virginian gains no-cost access to personalized tutoring and drop-off review services, test prep and self-paced resources, and job search assistance. Click the link below from any device, and you’ll get connected to a live expert tutor and resources! Tutors are rigorously vetted subject-matter experts. They ask questions, they encourage, and they empower. They’re available every day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. so that learners of all ages and stages can get help anytime, anywhere, from any internet-connected device.
Snow Days vs. Remote Learning
In the event of inclement weather, and BCS schools are closed, or in the event that school is unable to open for any reason, we will follow the schedule listed below:
- Snow Days #1-5: Traditional Snow Days
- Snow Days # 6-10: Remote Learning Days
As of January 30, BCS has used all 5 traditional snow days. Any future inclement weather days will be Remote Learning Days following the schedule below.
Please see Our Instructional Focuses Below
High Impact Instructional Practices focus on ensuring all instruction is purposeful, rigorous, and student-centered. Lessons are aligned to grade-level standards and include clear, visible objectives that identify both what students must know and how they will apply that knowledge. Instruction intentionally builds academic vocabulary through curriculum-based opportunities for exploration and understanding.Teachers support students in moving from teacher-led instruction to independent learning through inquiry and gradual release. Finally, students are provided opportunities to integrate learning and produce original work by synthesizing information from multiple sources—building purpose, power, and practice in every classroom.
Project Learn
After School Program
Poject Learn offers after school programming:
- homework help
- health and wellness programs, nutritious meals, physical activity
- fun and safe environment with caring staff
- flexible schedules, affordable prices
Visit: https://www.bgcepwv.net or call 304-263-2696
Please see the flyer below.
Use the provided link below to learn more about iReady
Counselor's Corner
click below to read more...
Attendance Matters
Please aim to send your child to school each day. If your child is not sick, please send them to school.
Regular school attendance matters, but if your student misses school, you can submit your student's absence online using the Parent Absence Note Form
Recess Expecations
Students Can
Play on pieces of equipment
Play on blacktop with supervision.
Hold hands with friends
Sit on the ground
Play organized games on the playground or black top
Use the restroom
Students Cannot
Jump off high equipment
Push, shove, or wrestle with classmates
Throw mulch
Draw with chalk on the building
Go down the slide headfirst or on their stomach
Walk up the slide
WALKERS
We understand that older siblings may need to walk our kiddos home. Please be sure your child's teacher is aware of this arrangement. We have a new form to be completed by parents/guardians of students that are walked home by siblings that are under 18 years of age. Once the teacher is made aware, we will send home the form.
Picking up a student from BCS???
100% ID CHECK
If your student is not an every day parent pick up, please have your ID when you come to pick up your child from the school. It is BCS policy that we check IDs of every person that request to pick up a student. Please keep this in mind and be paitent with staff when your ID is requested.
click to view the menu
click to submit an absence note
Share Your Contact Info!
If you need to contact Ms. Ballard
Email: cballard@k12.wv.us
School Website : https://www.berkeleycountyschools.org/o/winchesteravenue
Location: 650 WInchester Avenue, Martinsburg, WV 25401
Phone: (304) 267-3570