Turtle Talk 10/25/2024

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

Keep up the AWESOME attendance Turtles!

Old Cell Phones: Part of the STEM grant we received included robots controlled by a Bluetooth device. If you have an old cell phone in a drawer (it needs to be an iPhone 8 or newer), Mr. Mendel will happily take it off your hands. Mr. Mendel can also do a factory reset to erase any data on the phone.

VIRTUES: We were so excited to celebrate with parents, cherished adults and students who showed WONDER in September. We cannot wait to celebrate students who, during the month of October, exhibit ACCOUNTABILITY. As the end of the first quarter nears, students are being taught to take responsibility for what they do, say and how they affect the world around them. Their peers and staff will nominate those students who have exemplified this virtue and those students will be invited to a breakfast with their parents and/or cherished adults. Students who are nominated for this event will bring home an invitation with an RSVP portion on October 31 and 2 cherished adults are invited to be a part of the breakfast celebration on Nov. 8th at 8:15 am. We look forward to celebrating our accountable students!

AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS: Please make sure to see the links that focus on our afterschool clubs below in the Turtle Talk! Each sponsor will use a signup genius to allow parents and students the opportunity to choose their after school club. Once spots are filled, students will be placed on a wait-list. Most of our sponsors are providing multiple opportunities for different groups of students to join throughout the year. Be on the lookout for more information in your emails!

Reminder about GRADING: At this point in the school year, students have a number of grades in Schoology. While Watershed does not post work to Schoology to complete, we do use the gradebook function of the program. Please check Schoology regularly to see how your child is showing progress in school. Assignments marked as missing when a student is present for the completion of the assignment typically means that the student refused to complete it. Teachers will note in the gradebook when students do not turn in an assignment or refuse to complete it. Students with missing assignments who were present for the initial presentation of the assignment will not be offered the opportunity to "re-do" the assignment if they refused to complete it. If a student begins an assignment and needs more time to complete, the assignment can be completed at the discretion of the teacher. Excused absences will be provided make up work to be done at home for a grade. All other graded assignments must be completed at school to ensure equitable access to resources. Major grades for Watershed are based on project based learning and writing rubrics and are graded 3 times a year.

Reminder: Please check lost & found for your child's items. The lost & found storage locker is outside the chicken doors, under the fire escape stairs. Any unclaimed lost & found items will be donated at the end of Unit 1 (November 13). Thank you!

In the Science Club we will be using the scientific method to explore phenomena and create things. This year science club will be separated by grade level; 3rd-5th grade will be held November 12th-February 11th and 6th-7th will be February 18th-May13th. The times will be Tuesdays 3:15-4:15 pm. 3rd-5th will focus on things such as creating slime, making volcanoes and egg drops using parachutes. While 6th-7th grade will be exploring the science disciplines such as biology, physics, etc. and designing their own experiments. If you are interested in signing your student up for Science Club please use this Sign-Up Genius.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D44AAA82EA7F9C52-52628656-science#/

Temporary Classroom Installation & Upcoming Changes

You’ve probably noticed a hole in the ground between the schoolhouse and the playground—site preparation has begun for the new temporary classrooms for 5th Grade! These two classrooms will provide extra space for our 5th Grade Turtles for the rest of the school year while the new modular Middle School building is constructed in Spring and Summer 2025. Thank you all for your continued patience and support as our Watershed community grows!

Here is what to expect:

Classroom Trailer Delivery & Set-Up

• Tuesday, October 29: Classroom trailers will arrive after dismissal.

• Wednesday, October 30: The trailers will be set up, with temporary traffic changes in the parking lot that day. Fencing will surround the trailer area.

Traffic & Arrival Updates (Wednesday, October 30 only):

• Two staff members will meet families at Dogwood Station Shopping Center (near Dogwood Rd & Rolling Rd) from 7:45-8:15 am and walk students to school. Students dropped off during this timeframe will not be marked late.

• For dismissal, please park off-site if possible, to help with traffic flow.

Classroom Completion Timeline:

• October 31 - November 1: Finishing touches, including ramps and skirting.

• Week of November 4: Anticipated occupancy of the temporary classrooms.

Elevator Repairs

October 31 - Week of November 4: Repairs will be underway to restore full access to the second floor.

Volunteers are needed to plant 60+ native trees and shrubs on campus.

When: Saturday, October 26, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Where: Watershed

Please see the attached fliers for more details. To access the waiver and RSVP, click here.

Ideas/Questions/Concerns Contact us at 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 the Fall Fest RSVP, Room Rep Contact Information, volunteer sign-ups, our Mabel’s Labels fundraiser, and more!

The Watershed PTO would like to extend our gratitude to the incredible Watershed families, teachers, and staff who contributed their time and generosity to our recent Watershed PTO Clothing Swap. Your donations and participation were truly appreciated. It was wonderful to see families coming together to exchange “new to you” gear. Thank you for helping us create a more sustainable and connected environment for our children and families!

Calling all family members of our 6th & 7th graders! Sign up to join the newly formed Middle School committee. This group aims to come together to support initiatives and engagement of our middle school students! Sign up here

We have the opportunity to support our neighboring school! The PTA at Dogwood Elementary is looking for people to decorate their trunks for their annual Trunk or Treat on October 31st and has requested help from Watershed families. If you would like to share your creative side and help out with their event by decorating your trunk, please reach out to president@watershedpto.org so we can get you connected. Thank you!

Mrs. Widney and Ms. Smolinski will be representing Watershed with a themed trunk - come to the event and say hi!!

The Fall Fest Candy Monster is still feeling a little hungry so we have decided to extend our acceptance of candy donations through Thursday, 10/31. Please consider donating to our Candy Monster at drop-off or pick-up. You will find our friendly candy monster just outside the entrance to the school each morning until 8:15 and each afternoon until 3:30pm. Thank you for all your “sweet” contributions!

Watershed PTO will hold its third annual Food Drive November 11-15th to benefit the St. Gabriel AID Food Pantry and middle school students are invited to help run it! Permission slips will be in Tuesday Folders this week for all 6th and 7th graders who would like to participate and earn up to 7 service learning hours. You can also complete the permission slip electronically here. All permission slips for participation are due no later than October 30th.

Grab some dinner and support the Watershed PTO at Chipotle on Saturday, November 16th from 4-8 PM! 25% of event sales get donated to the Watershed PTO to help support all our initiatives & events. 7091 Security Blvd. STE 102, Windsor, Mill, MD 21244