Hoot Off The Press

Military Child Support Week

Monday, April 20th

No pre k

interim reports

Tuesday, April 21st

5~7pm McTeacher Night

Wednesday, April 22nd

nothing at this time

Thursday, April 23rd

Purple Up Day

Wear purple in support of military families.

Friday, April 24th

Career Day

Students Dress Up

(see flyer below)

Upcoming Events

END OF THE YEAR

testing window

April 28th~May 8th

30th-Spring Concert

• 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!"

Dear Families,

We are shifting our focus to a very important window on our calendar: Testing (April 28th – May 6th). These assessments are a vital opportunity for our students to show off the incredible growth they have made this year. We want every student to feel confident, calm, and prepared to do their best. To ensure a smooth testing experience, we are asking for your partnership in setting them up for success.

How to Prepare: The "Big Three"

Success on testing days often starts the night before. Here is how you can help at home:

1. Prioritize Sleep: Ensure your child gets a full night’s rest. A well-rested brain handles complex problems and maintains focus much more effectively.

2. Fuel the Mind: Please ensure your child eats a protein-rich, healthy breakfast. We want them focused on their questions, not a hungry stomach!

3. Positive Mindset: Testing can feel intimidating. Remind your child that this is simply a chance to show what they have learned. A simple, "I am proud of how hard you’ve worked this year," goes a long way in reducing anxiety.

Vital Reminders for Testing Days

• Prompt Attendance: Testing begins first thing in the morning. Please ensure your child is at school on time. Late arrivals can be disruptive and may require your child to take a make-up test in a different environment.

• Avoid Appointments: If possible, please avoid scheduling doctor or dentist appointments during this April 28th – May 6th window.

Warmly,

Principal Ballard Go Owls!!

NTouch Text and Email Alerts:

Download the BCS App . Learn more: berkeleycountyschools.org

On the Web:

Sign Up: WV Dept of Ed alerts: https://wvde.state.wv.us/closings

Social Media

Follow Us @Berkeley County Schools

McTeacher’s Night

Join Us at

McDonald's

14634 Apple Harvest Dr

Tuesday, April 21st

5:00~7:00 pm

See the flyer below.

Mark your calendars for Friday, April 24th! We are excited to host our annual Career Day, a time for students to explore their future possibilities and celebrate their big dreams.

To get into the spirit, students are invited to dress up as what they want to be when they grow up. Whether they aspire to be an engineer, a chef, a doctor, or an artist, we can’t wait to see their ambitions on display!

Important Note: To ensure a safe and focused learning environment, please no handheld props (such as plastic tools or wands). Let the outfit tell the story!

See the flyer below

Dream it...Dress it...Be it!

🌸 Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week 🌸

May 4–8, 2026

Monday – May 4 🍎

“Teachers help us grow each day,

In every single wonderful way!”

Bring a flower (real or handmade) or a sweet thank-you note to brighten their day.

Tuesday – May 5 🍫

“For all the lessons that you teach,

You deserve a sweet treat.”

Bring a favorite candy bar or small sweet treat to say thanks!

Wednesday – May 6 ☕

“You fill our minds with so much light,

And cheer us on with all your might!”

Bring a drink (soda, tea, or water) to keep them going strong!

Thursday – May 7 🧼

“You care for us in every way,

And make our school a happy place each day!”

Bring a small self-care item like hand sanitizer, lotion, chapstick, or tissues.

Friday – May 8 💙

“You make our school the very best,

Above the rest — you pass the test!”

Bring a small gift or a special handmade card.

Scholastic Book Fair

When: May 4th ~8th

Where: Winchester Avenue

Family Night will take place Thursday, May 7th

(more information to come)

At Winchester Avenue Elementary, we believe in recognizing students who consistently go above and beyond to make our school a great place to learn. We are thrilled to announce the upcoming 4th Nine Weeks PBIS Reward Celebration!

Congratulations to our S.O.A.R.ing Owls!

This celebration is for students who have consistently chosen to:

• Safety First

• Own Your Actions

• Always Achieve

• Respect Yourself and Others

To those students who have shown kindness, leadership, and school pride every day: You have officially earned your invitation! We are so proud of the environment you are helping to build. Get ready to celebrate—you earned it!

📋 Understanding Participation Criteria

Our PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) program relies on "Consistent Excellence." To maintain the high standards of our school community, we use specific data to determine eligibility for this final reward of the year.

Students will attend if they have:

• Demonstrated S.O.A.R. values daily.

• Maintained fewer than 9 "Red Owl" write-ups for the entire year.

• Maintained a clean record with zero Major or Minor office referrals.

Students will NOT be eligible to attend if they have:

• Accumulated 9 or More "Red Owl" Write-Ups: These represent repeated behaviors throughout the year that fall outside our S.O.A.R. expectations.

• Received 1 or More Major Office Referrals: Any major infraction requiring administrative intervention automatically disqualifies a student from this specific reward.

• Received 1 or More Minor Office Referrals: Even a single minor referral indicates a need for further practice in our school-wide behavioral routines.

• Persistent Struggles with S.O.A.R. Expectations: Frequent difficulty demonstrating Safety, Ownership, Achievement, or Respect as outlined in our school-wide rubric.

  
  

A Message of Encouragement

We understand that missing a reward can be disappointing. However, we view this as a vital "teachable moment." If your child did not qualify this time, we encourage you to speak with them about a "Fresh Start." We believe in every student’s ability to grow. Use these final weeks of school to reflect, reset, and show that they can S.O.A.R. to success! We are here to support every student in making better choices every single day.

See flyer 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.

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.

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.

Spring break with the family is often a paradox: you want to make memories, but you also desperately need to recover from the school-year grind. The key to actually relaxing is lowering the stakes. Here is a guide to decompressing this spring break, categorized by how much energy you have left in the tank.

🏖️ The "Low-Stakes" Outings

If staying home makes you restless but a theme park sounds overwhelming, try these middle-ground activities:

• Local Nature "Slow" Walks: Forget hiking for distance. Go to a local botanical garden or nature preserve with the sole intent of finding a nice bench or a spot for a picnic.

• Matinee Movies: High-quality AC, comfortable seats, and two hours where no one is asking you for a snack (because they already have popcorn).

• The "Tourist in Your Own Town" Day: Visit that one local museum or quirky landmark you always drive past but never enter. No flights required.

  
  

🏠 The "Maximum Chill" Home Strategy

You don't have to leave the house to feel like you’ve had a vacation.

• The "Yes" Morning: Pick one morning where, within reason, you say "yes" to the kids' requests (Pancakes for breakfast? Cartoons in pajamas all morning? Yes). It removes the friction of constant negotiating.

• Backyard Camping: Set up the tent, grab the sleeping bags, and make s'mores. You get the "adventure" vibe, but with the luxury of a clean bathroom ten feet away.

• Family Reading/Quiet Hour: Set a timer for 60 minutes. Everyone—parents included—must engage in a quiet activity (reading, coloring, puzzles). It’s a collective nervous system reset.

Regular school attendance matters, but if your student misses school, you can submit your student's absence online using the Parent Absence Note Form

Play on pieces of equipment

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

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.

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.

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