A word about our WAAG - Watershed also uses a cultural calendar to ensure visibility of all holidays, holy days, and national days of recognition, across various backgrounds. Watershed continues to be a space of learning, dialogue, and safety for all people. If you have a comment or correction regarding the WAAG, please contact our Turtle Talk editor, Sage Magness-Hill.

https://cdnsm5-ss3.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_2744/File/Calendars/Edited_2024-2025_School_Calendar_050724-WEB.pdf

We are continuing to see amazing things happening at Watershed. In addition to the outdoor learning that is happening each and every day, our staff is also completing a professional development cycle which provides them the necessary courses to become a certified environmental educator. We are continuing to provide staff with the ability to learn and grow outside of the school building so our students will learn and grow outside of the building!

Please take note of the upcoming events: our Unit 2 showcase is on June 4th and is for only K-2 students. Our 3rd - 7th graders will be participating in student led conferences. This is their opportunity to meet with you, one of their teachers and show you the work that they are most proud of during their time at Watershed. The goal of student-led conferences is to ensure that students continue to be the leaders of their own learning. We cannot wait for you to hear about the amazing things your child has done while at Watershed and look forward to sharing their work with you directly. More information about sign ups will be coming home in class newsletters.

And keep coming to school, Turtles! We have increased our attendance rate - only 24 more days to go until Summer!

EYLP invitations for identified elementary (k-5) students by BCPS were automatically sent via Focus earlier this week. Families can accept their summer programs invitation directly in Focus, or schools can accept the invitation on behalf of the family. Spaces in EYLP are very limited. This Friday, May 9th, is the deadline for families to accept/decline before other students are invited. Please drop off any paper RSVPs to the front office and call 443-809-2100 to speak with Ms. Willey if you have any questions. Middle school invites will be sent next week!

We know that the world is constantly changing and with it, so might your plans for next school year. As soon as you know your child will be attending a different school for the 25-26 school year, please tell the front office. The more time we have to process the withdrawal, the more information we can share with your child's next school. Please note that withdrawal packets will be distributed on the last day of school or your child's last day of attendance.

At the end of fifth grade, every student in the state of Maryland must re-verify their residency information to remain enrolled in their current county. This is required for every student regardless of when they registered in a public school.

Fifth grade students at Watershed must provide residency documentation by June 1 to the front office to remain enrolled for th 25-26 school year. Letters were sent home this past week to all fifth grade students. Please bring your documents to the main office as soon as possible this includes students who are enrolling at another Baltimore County school for the 25-26 school year. We can process your documents in less than 5 minutes minutes if you arrive after 8:30 am (avoiding arrivals).

Hey 7th grade parents - you will have to do this at the end of 8th grade (just a heads up!)

• Always park in a parking space - never the fire lane or in a non-line spot - to pick up your child.
• Slow and steady wins the race (it's how the tortoise beat the hare!) - please make sure your speed is between 5-10 mph on the lot.
• When there is the food pantry, please avoid parking at the end of the parking spot lines so that the pantry line moves easily.

https://bcps.nutrislice.com/menu/bcps-weekly-menus

More information about these dates will be available from your classroom teachers but here are some of the major events happening at Watershed from now to the end of the year:

• Career Day – 5/28
• Kindergarten Round up (newly enrolling kindergarteners) – 6/2 & 6/3
• 5th grade End of Year (EOY) celebration – 6/6
• 6/7 and 1st EOY celebrations – 6/9
• Earth Field Day – 6/10 (board president chat and chew 8:15-9)
• K EOY celebration – 6/11 AM
• 4th grade EOY celebration 6/11 PM
• 3rd and 2nd grade EOY celebration 6/12

Ms. Lauren has created a plant propagation station in the Watershed front doorway. Plant cuttings are growing in the window and available for anyone to adopt a plant cutting and take it home. Families are also welcome to leave their own plant cuttings for others to take. If you are looking for a new houseplant, check out Ms. Lauren's display!

Watershed is still recycling plastic for the NexTrex Recyling Challenge! Way to go! Our goal is to recycle 1000 pounds of plastic by September 10, 2025. If WPCS reaches our goal, our school would receive a composite bench made out of plastic bags like the ones that we have been recycling. Please help us reach our goal and bring your clean, dry, and food-free plastic to recycle in the 2 tall white containers in the school's lobby. Thank you!

Watershed was founded in a cooperative space - where students, teachers and families work together to ensure that our children are learning and safe. When you applied to Watershed, you agreed to contribute 40 hours each year in service to the school. There are many families to fulfill this requirement every year - and go above and beyond the expectation! This Turtle Talk will be the space where we note the names of the students whose families have tracked hours so far this year. Next Turtle Talk, we will include the number of hours each family has completed. Please track your hours here: https://forms.gle/Z3SposySt2wtbrmt7

Please see the attachment below for a list of students and families that have completed volunteer hours.

Ticks season typically occurs from early spring through late fall, with peak activity from April to September. Nymphs from young deer are most active in spring and early summer. Adult ticks from adult deer are active in the fall. Warmer climate and high humidity create ideal conditions for tick survival and reproduction.

Did you know? That ticks don't jump, they rely on a strategy called questing, where they climb on vegetation and wait for a host to pass by so they can latch on to a passing animal or human. Ticks live in grassy, brushy or wooded areas. Many people get ticks in their own yard or neighborhood.

Preventing tick bites per CDC

1. Wear long sleeve shirts or pants and closed toe shoes to cover exposed skin. Tuck pant legs into socks or boots to prevent ticks from crawling up your legs. If it's hot outside, consider wearing light colored long sleeve shirts, light colored clothing will also make it easier to see ticks.
2. Treat clothing and gear products containing 0.5% permethrin and again should only be used in clothing, boots/shoes or camping gear. Not to be sprayed on skin.
3. Use EPA registered insect repellant/bug spray. Read and follow product instructions. Please don't send insect repellant in school/book bag. It should be applied before dropping students to school.
4. Walk in the center of the trails
5. Inspect clothes after coming outdoors, make sure used clothes are placed in high heat dryer for 10 minutes to make sure ticks are killed before washing.

*Inspect your child after coming home from school, when they are getting ready to change clothes or before or after showering, making sure that they don't have any ticks, especially if they mentioned that they were in the forest.*

As the weather gets warmer, and our turtles spend more time outside, please don't forget to apply sunscreen on them before dropping them at school. Check the expiration of your sunscreen to provide effective coverage and CDC recommends SPF of 15 or higher.

Make sure they have water bottles in their bookbags.

You can also send them with a hat-please make sure that it's labeled with their name.

Thank you to those who send in their completed comprehensive examination referral. I will be doing my 30 days follow up in the second week of May.

Maryland Schools Record of Physical Form and Pre participation Physical evaluation Form were sent home May 2nd. Once completed please return it to school, it will go to their health files. If your student is going to a different middle school, you can either send the completed form to nurse Flor and it will be on their health files, that will be sent to the middle school over the summer or you can hold on the completed form and give it to the middle school nurse.

Notifications for students who are needing immunization for 1 dose of Tdap and 1 dose of MCV (Meningococcal vaccine) was sent in March, please call your HCP if your child need those vaccine. They will need to have those immunizations before the 2025-26 school year starts. Missing immunization can result in exclusion. I will reach out to you one day during the summer break to remind you of the vaccinations needed.

Nurse Flor schedule follows teachers schedule over the summer.

• 24 hrs. fever-free without the use of any medication
• 24 hrs. diarrhea-free
• 24 hrs. vomit-free

If your kid is sick: Send in a note, an email, or a doctor's note to your child's homeroom teacher or school nurse when they are absent. You will still receive a BCPS phone call or voice message that your child is absent regardless of notifying school, teacher or school nurse. It is a safety feature.

Clothes: Please make sure you have extra clothes in your child's book bag. If Nurse Flor loaned your student clothes, please return the clothes to Nurse Flor once washed/cleaned, please and thank you! The nurse's suite currently doesn't have any more pants to lend for any age.

As always, I’m here to support not only our students but also our families. I can share local mental health resources as well as connect families directly to therapists through our school-based mental health partnerships with Thrive Behavioral Health and Lighthouse Youth Services. If I can be of any assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out at rhennessy@bcps.org.

Hi Turtle Families!

I hope you had a wonderful spring break with your families! We have some exciting events and student opportunities ahead this spring including our upcoming college and career day, April Student of the Month celebration, and Middle School Student Service-Learning Opportunities!

Thank you to those who signed up to support our upcoming college and career day! We are looking forward to having our parents and community members sharing their career journeys and insights with our students. Stay tuned for more updates to come!

https://forms.gle/tZn6K6xS7uSPE3qn8

Please complete this form if you have interest in volunteering for our college and career day!

Upcoming SSL Hour opportunity with JUMP, Inc: Interested in earning hours?

JUMP Inc. is a Double Dutch nonprofit organization offering Service-Learning hours to students in Baltimore County, through a teaching method that combines meaningful service to the community related to health. See the attached flyer for more details and access the JUMP, Inc Intake Form Here.

The Maryland State Department of Education requires that all high school diploma seeking students complete 75 hours of Student Service-Learning (SSL) hours. Students can begin earning hours in 6th grade.

All student service-learning hours must be pre-approved by the school student service-learning coordinator prior to completion to guarantee hours meet BCPS requirements. Students and families can find both the Student Service Learning pre-approval and post volunteer reflection forms on the Watershed Website under "For Families" as well as on the BCPS website. I can also provide hard copies of these forms when requested. For a detailed understanding of SSL hours and the criteria specifications, please visit the BCPS website linked below. Upon completion of SSL hours, student must complete a reflection form, along with their hour verification form signed by the site supervisor and turn into Ms. Rives to be documented into their student Focus portal.

May Virtue of the Month - Determination:

What is Determination, and Why Does It Matter at School?

At Watershed, we believe determination is a powerful virtue that helps students grow into confident, capable learners. Determination means sticking with something—even when it’s hard. It looks like a student who keeps working on a challenging math problem, practices a skill until they improve, or sets a goal and works toward it step by step.

We encourage determination because it builds resilience, self-confidence, and a growth mindset. When students learn that mistakes are part of learning and that effort leads to progress, they become more willing to take on challenges and support one another. Celebrating determination helps our students see that success comes not just from being smart—but from being strong, focused, and never giving up.

We’re excited to share that our elevator passed its state inspection on Friday, May 2 and is now fully operational! Thank you to the entire Watershed community for your patience and support throughout this lengthy renovation process.

Fresh mulch has been delivered to the area near the Rain Garden. A big thank-you to the Watershed PTO for organizing garden support this spring! Throughout May, 6th and 7th grade students will join PTO volunteers after school to help with garden upkeep as part of their service hours.

The next in-person meeting of the Watershed Board of Directors will be held on Tuesday, May 27 at 6:00 PM at the school. All members of the Watershed community are welcome and encouraged to attend.

If you’d like to share input or speak during the Public Comments section of the meeting, please email board@watershedpcs.org to request a spot on the agenda.

Ideas/Questions/Concerns Contact us at PTO@watershedpto.org

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend the May PTO meeting this past Tuesday, May 6th. We discussed all of the upcoming end of year events like the Spring Dance, Staff Appreciation Week, Repair Shop, End of Year Bash, and more. We also held our PTO executive board elections for the position of Secretary and held a vote on a budget proposal.

Check out all the exciting news in our May Meeting Minutes.

We look forward to seeing you at our final PTO meeting of the school year on Tuesday, June 3rd! meet.google.com/uvx-zqmz-rcd

The Watershed PTO is still looking for its next great leader — could it be you?
Step up solo or with a potential Co-President and help guide our amazing community forward. Elections for PTO President will be held at the June meeting on Tuesday, June 3 at 7 PM. Submit your nomination today using this form.

Curious about the role? The Elections Committee chatted with Kristi to get the inside scoop — check out the link for more info! President Q&A

We’d like to offer a big congratulations to our newly elected Co-Secretaries, Kyri Miller and Rachel Chernow! They were officially voted in at the May 6th PTO meeting and we’re thrilled to have them on board. We know they’ll do an amazing job in this role!

Let’s keep our PTO events and fundraisers thriving. Questions? Visit our website for the description of the president’s role or email us at pto@watershedpto.org.

This past week was Staff Appreciation Week and the PTO celebrated the wonderful staff of Watershed with a fun, camping-themed week of appreciation. We transformed the stage into a relaxing campsite to host our activities and made an Appreciation Forest of thank you notes to the staff. Through the week, the staff was treated to delicious drinks at the Hydration Canteen, invited to make Trailblazer Treats at the trail mix bar, indulged in elevated Campfire S’mores, relaxed with a Mountaineer Massage, started the day right with a Backpackers Breakfast, and challenged each other in a Rock, Paper, Scissors Competition to be the Top Trailblazer! There was even a raffle on Friday where every staff member’s name was entered for a chance to win some top-notch prizes!

We’d like to thank everyone who played a part in making this week of appreciation a reality. Thank you to those who contributed notes for the Appreciation Forest, volunteered to cover a recess period, signed up for a volunteer shift, or made material and monetary donations. You helped us create a truly special week for the Watershed Staff!

To the Watershed Staff, we are truly grateful for all you do every day! Thank you for helping our children grow!

We also want to recognize a list of businesses that donated to Staff Appreciation Week. We could not have pulled off the week without their help. Thank you to our sponsors:

Trader Joe’s of Pikesville

Starbucks of Pikesville

Nothing Bundt Cakes of Owings Mills

THB Bagelry & Deli of Towson

Giant Food in Pikesville

Weis Markets on Security Blvd.

Smyth Jewelers in Ellicott City

Jintara, LLC

JC’s Chicken & Trout

Dunkin’ on Dogwood Road

Kareaway Stress -Karen Hunter-Dixon, LMT

Electa’s Touch Massage

The PTO would like to give a very special thank you to Jane Vincent of Ecolistic Cleaning for offering a virtual session about green cleaning to our school community. Jane taught us how to determine the safety of household cleaners and shared cleaning product swaps you can make that are healthier choices for your home and safer for the environment. She also shared recommended products that her company uses that clean more efficiently and safely. If you weren’t able to attend, but would like to know more, please visit this website: www.EcolisticCleaning.com. The website includes a list of safer, greener products her company uses to clean.

Mark your calendars for the Watershed PTO Spring Dance on Friday, May 16th from 6:30 - 8:00 PM at Chadwick Elementary School ! This year’s theme is Sneaker Ball—so throw on your most stylish outfit, lace up your freshest kicks, and get ready for a night of fun, music, and memories. Pre-Register for your tickets using the QR code on the flyer or via this link: https://my.cheddarup.com/c/spring-dance-sneaker-ball

Volunteers Needed to make the dance a smashing success! Sign up here to help!

Let’s make this a night our students will never forget!
Location: 1918 Winder Rd, Windsor Mill, MD 21244

At Watershed, we know environmental education is essential—and we’re excited to bring that spirit to life at our very first PTO Repair Shop on Friday, May 23rd, from 3:30–5:00 PM.

Are you handy with a bike, crafty with a glue gun, or a whiz with a needle and thread? Each volunteer will work with students or families, guiding them through hands-on repairs—choosing materials, using tools, and learning as they go. Students will sign up for 30-minute slots, and we’ll match you with the right projects.

This event can’t happen without the amazing skills and support of our Watershed community—sign up today to volunteer to help make this event happen!
Volunteer Sign-Up

Want to learn how to fix a beloved item instead? We’ve still got repair slots open! Fix-It Appointment Sign-Up

Let’s give our items a second life—and keep more out of the landfill!

Get ready to wrap up the school year in style at the first-ever Watershed PTO End of Year Bash! We’re throwing a family-reunion style celebration to honor our amazing students and families, give a big thanks to volunteers, and bring the entire Watershed community together for one unforgettable event.

Students, Families, Teachers and Staff, join us on Friday, June 6th, from 4:00 - 7:00 PM at Freedom Church for some food, snacks, fun games, and more! Time to be announced soon!

Interested in helping bring this event to life? Join our next planning meeting on Wednesday, May 14th at 7:00 PM Click here to join the fun on Google Meet!

Let’s team up to celebrate a fantastic year and send it off with joy, laughter, and community spirit!

Upper School Committee News
We’re kicking off end-of-year festivities, and exciting things are in the works for our upper school students in grades 5-7! Take a minute to complete the poll to vote on where you would like to celebrate! The poll is open until Thursday, May 15th.

Join the Upper School Committee meeting on Tuesday, May 20th, 2025, at 6:00 PM via Google Meet. We’ll be sharing updates and looking for volunteers to help make this event unforgettable!

Don’t miss your chance to get involved and help send off the school year in style!

Service learning hours are available for 6th and 7th grade students to assist with gardening and groundskeeping. Responsibilities include weekly weeding of the pollinator and vegetable gardens, watering plants and trees on campus grounds, mulching, trash pickup, and organizing lost and found items. Service learning hours will continue on Tuesdays from 3:15-4:00 pm until June 3rd. Please review and complete the form for your student to participate! The deadline for permission forms to be turned in has been extended until today, May 9th. So be sure to get yours in!

School Volunteer Opportunities
Time’s almost up! There’s just one month left to complete your family’s 40 required volunteer hours for the school year—don’t miss your chance to wrap it up strong and possibly win a $10 gift card in the process!

Sign up to volunteer below and not only will you help our school thrive, but you’ll also be entered to win a $10 gift card in our monthly raffle! We’ve already had four lucky winners—you could be next!

Join us on Thursday, May 22nd from 6:00–8:00 PM at Rita’s of Windsor Mill for the last Watershed PTO Restaurant Night of the school year!

Enjoy your favorite frozen treats while giving back—10% of all purchases will be donated to the Watershed PTO to support our students and programs. For your purchase to count toward our fundraiser, you are required to show a copy of the digital flyer.

Bring your family, grab a friend, and treat yourself to something sweet!

Watershed Public Charter School is now participating in the Box Tops for Education program! To earn some extra box tops, when you download the app, please take a minute and use the QR code or visit here referral code (T8071IUK) and download the app to get started.

Youth Mental Health First Aid

The Watershed PTO is offering our members an opportunity to learn Youth Mental Health First Aid at a greatly discounted cost. Angela Donn has offered to donate training free of cost to our members. Participants would only be required to pay a $29 fee for the digital course materials from The National Council for Mental Wellbeing. Typically the course costs $150 (for training) plus materials. Angela is a clinical social worker of 20 years and has been teaching mental health first aid for the past 3 years. She also has special connections to the Watershed community. She is the secretary of WPCS Board and her husband is Mr. Mendel!

From the Youth Mental Health First Aid website: Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders.

Youth Mental Health First Aid is a blended eight hour course. The first component is online pre-coursework that takes about 1.5-2 hours to complete and needs to be finished at least 24 hours prior to the facilitated course. The second component will be held virtually on May 31 from 9:00am-3:00pm as a group and is about 6 hours long. Participants are required to have a camera that works and is turned on for the entire virtual training session.

The sign-up to participate in this course is open now and will remain open through 5pm on May 16 or until there are 15 participants. Within a few days of signing up, you will receive a link to pay the materials cost through Cheddar Up ($29 plus processing fees). Once the sign-up closes, Angela will reach out to the participants with the next steps. The training requires at least five participants and is capped at 15. If you would like to participate, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/MB7CSsUwtU45yk8F9.

If you have any questions, please email pto@watershedpto.org.

Did you know that the Watershed PTO has a LinkTree? Visit https://linktr.ee/watershedpto to find an up to date list of all our links including volunteer opportunities sign-ups, staff appreciation week, repair shop, dance committee sign-ups, the exec board nomination form, and more!