The Wellwood Globe

Wellwood International strives to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring students in an engaging, rigorous and multi-cultural environment to instill inter-cultural understanding and respect.

Dear Wellwood Families,

October is here, and we are off to a strong start this school year! Thank you for helping us create a positive, nurturing beginning for our students. Your encouragement, communication, and support make a difference, and we are grateful to partner with you in helping every child thrive.

This month, I invite you to get even more involved in our school community. If you haven’t already, please consider joining our PTA. Our PTA plays a huge role in supporting student activities, field trips, and special events. We also encourage every parent and guardian to complete volunteer training so you can help in classrooms, on field trips, and at school events.

To stay connected with what your child is learning, please check Schoology regularly. This is a great way to follow classroom updates and assignments. Also, be sure to check your child’s school folder each week for important information and graded assignments.

We have some exciting events coming up! Our Book Fair will be held during the week of October 6, and we can’t wait to see students browsing and discovering great new books. Mark your calendars for Reading Night on October 9 from 5:00–6:30 PM — this will be a fun evening of stories, activities, shopping the Book Fair, and time together as a community. Remember to RSVP!

Thank you again for your continued support and partnership. When families and schools stay connected, great things happen! We’re always here to answer your questions and look forward to seeing you involved in your child’s school experience.

In partnership,

Mrs. Alonna Thompson

athompson8@bcps.org

Oct 2 (Th): Schools Closed for Students / Professional Development Day - Yom Kippur

Oct 6 - 10: Fall Book Fair

Oct 9 (Th): Wellwood's Reading Night, 5:00 - 6:30 pm

Oct 13 (M): Wellwood Fall Picture Day

Oct 17 (F): Schools Closed for Students & Staff - MSEA Convention Day

Oct 20 (M): Schools Closed for Students / Professional Development Day - Diwali

Oct 21 (T): 4th Grade Aquarium Field Trip

Oct 24 (F): Wellwood PTA Trunk or Treat Night, 6:00 pm

Oct 31 (F): Schools Close 3 hours Early for Students - End of 1st Marking Period

We’re excited to welcome several new team members to Wellwood International!

• Ms. Amy Curtin and Ms. Sara Muller are our new Speech-Language Pathologists.
• Ms. Curtin will provide virtual services two days a week, and
• Ms. Muller will work with students in person two days a week.
  Both have previously worked within BCPS and are now assigned to support Wellwood students.
• You can contact them at:
• Ms. Curtin – acurtin@bcps.org
• Ms. Muller – smuller2@bcps.org
• We’d also like to welcome Ms. Chaya Cohen, our new Occupational Therapist.
  Ms. Cohen joins us from Campfield Early Childhood Center and is now part of the Wellwood team.
  You can reach her at: ccohen2@bcps.org
• Finally, please welcome Ms. Hillary Shaffer, our new IEP Facilitator.
  Ms. Shaffer will be serving Wellwood part-time and also works as a special educator at Summit Park Elementary.
  Her contact is: hshaffer@bcps.org

Please join us in giving a warm welcome to all of our new staff members!

KRA:

In September all kindergarteners will took the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA). The KRA is an assessment that measures a student's knowledge, skills, and abilities in literacy, mathematics, and social and emotional development. It is given to all kindergarten students enrolled in public schools in Maryland by October 10th each year. The purpose of the KRA is to provide teachers and caregivers with information about what students know and can do, as well as to identify areas where they might need additional support. The assessment has three components:

• Star Early Literacy - 10-minute computer adaptive assessment of early literacy skills
• Star Math – 15-minute computer adaptive assessment of math skills
• SAEBRS (Social Academic Emotional Behavior Risk Screen) – 19-question survey completed based on teacher observation

Caregivers will receive information about how their student performed after the assessment has been administered. The KRA results are only one piece of data, and scores should be understood in the context of other information, including feedback from a student’s teacher.

STAR:

BCPS is transitioning from using the MAP assessment to using the STAR Suite of assessments to monitor student achievement and growth in reading and math. Assessments will be given three times a year (fall, winter, and spring). Below are a list of the assessments being given.

• STAR Math (Grades K-5): Adaptive computer assessment measuring counting and cardinality, operations and algebraic thinking, geometry, expression and equations, number and operations, functions, ratios and proportional relationships, the number system, measurement and data, statistics and probability.
• STAR Early Literacy (Grades K-2): Adaptive computer assessment measuring print concepts, phonological awareness, phonics and word recognition, fluency, vocabulary acquisition and use, and early Numeracy.
• STAR Reading (Grades 3-5): Adaptive computer assessment measuring vocabulary, comprehension strategies and constructing meaning, analyzing literary texts, understanding author’s craft, analyzing argument and evaluating text
• STAR CBM (Grades K-3): One on one paper assessment measuring rapid automatic naming (RAN), phoneme segmentation, letter sounds, passage oral reading, expressive nonsense words, sight and high-frequency words, encoding.

These assessments fulfill the requirements outlined in Maryland’s Ready to Read Act.

Reminders about Dismissal at Wellwood:

• Early dismissal students must be picked up by 3:10pm. Any parents after this time can pick up their child from their outside classroom doors.
• Dismissal changes must be in writing and given to the teacher by the morning of the change. Teachers may not be able to check email while teaching so please send it before school if there is a change.
• Car rider students need a carpool tag to ensure students are dismissed with the correct person. Please call the office or email your child’s teacher to request one.
• Any adult that picks up a child early will be asked to show their I.D.
• Information on our Bus Where app was emailed to families last month. If you did not receive an email, please email mmoore18@bcps.org to request access.

Regular attendance is essential for academic success. Please note the following important expectations:

• Students are expected to attend school every day.

• Students should not have more than 10 absences in a school year.

• The Wellwood Attendance Committee will send reminders when a student reaches 5 and 8 absences, so families can monitor attendance closely.

• According to the State of Maryland, all absences count toward the total, including those with doctor’s notes. Exceeding 10 absences places students below the required 94% attendance rate.

• If a student exceeds 10 absences, a meeting will be required with Mrs. Moore to discuss next steps

I’m excited to share that this year I am located in Learning Cottage 1, now called our Community Cottage. This space allows me to host meetings and store community care resources for our students and families.

We kicked off the school year at the Pikesville School Event on August 11th thank you to those who joined us. We are thrilled to be part of this new partnership with all of the “feeder” schools to Pikesville High.

Our Back-to-School Night on August 21st was another great success. A special thank-you goes out to our amazing sponsors: CHAI, the PTA, and Caliday for their support. Families also received produce packages provided by the Baltimore County Health Department and backpacks donated by one of our new partners, Shmerling and Zirkin Law Firm .

This year, our Shared Decision Team (SDMT) meetings are paired with the PTA. The first joint meeting went wonderfully, both in person and online. The next meeting will be held on November 18th from 6:00–7:00 PM, and we’d love to see you there!

As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions, ideas, or needs at mfriedberg@bcps.org.

We’re thrilled to welcome 43 new members—you helped us surpass our membership drive goal! Huge thanks to everyone who joined, and congratulations to our raffle winners: Mrs. Wolinski (4th Grade Teacher) and Ms. Candy Carter (Parent)!

Although the official drive has ended, it’s never too late to join the PTA and be part of the magic. Our first meeting of the year was the most attended in years; thank you for showing up! Special shoutouts to Ms. Friedberg for her community school updates and Ms. Devereaux for sharing Title I insights. We hope you left feeling informed, inspired, and connected.

A massive thank-you to everyone who supported the World’s Finest Chocolate Fundraiser! Together, we sold 160 boxes of chocolate to support our school. Congrats to our top sellers: Rilyn Dalton and Jaden Alexander with 7 boxes! We can’t wait to celebrate at the Prize Party in November.

Trunk or Treat on October 24 at 6 p.m.! We’re still looking for volunteers to decorate trunks and hand out candy. Can’t decorate? No problem— you donate candy and ship it straight to the school. This beloved event can’t happen without you!

Let’s keep the momentum going—thank you for being an amazing community and we hope to see you at our next meeting on November 18.

If you have any questions for the PTA, we can be reached at wellwoodpta@gmail.com

Consider joining the Wellwood PTA!

Reading Activities: 5:00-6:00pm

Dinner: 6:00-6:30pm

The Book Fair will be open during the event!

Hi Wellwood Families!

Welcome to the Counseling Corner, where we will showcase helpful tips and information about Social Emotional Learning.

Theme of the Month

As part of our School Counseling Program, your child’s class will have the opportunity to engage in a counseling core curriculum lesson each month based on a different theme. It is our hope that the core curriculum counseling lessons will help to promote the social emotional, academic, and career development of our students. We hope that you can help your child reflect on these lessons by discussing their content together.

In the month of October, students will discuss the topic of bullying prevention. These lessons help students understand what bullying is, how it can affect others, and—most importantly—how they can stand up for themselves and support their classmates in positive ways. Below is the list of books/resources used in each lesson.

Kindergarten: Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns About Bullying by Howard Binkow

1st grade: Have You Filled a Bucket Today by Carol McCloud

2nd grade: I Walk With Vanessa by Kerascoet

3rd grade: One by Kathryn Otoshi

4th grade: Tease Monster: A Book About Teasing vs. Bullying by Julia Cook

5th grade: My Secret Bully by Trudy Ludwig

Parent University Events

*Magnet Program Events

October 6th - 16th, times vary

More Information

*Lunch & Learn: Positive Parenting

October 3rd - 12:30 PM

Virtual- Presented by Shatisha Tates, the Center for Family Success

*Dine & Learn: BCPS and Talkspace: Online Mental Health Support for Teens

October 14 – 6:30 PM

Virtual- Presented by Gabriella Stajic of Talkspace

* Dine & Learn: Dementia Information Workshop

October 20 – 6:30 PM

Virtual- Presented by Emily Kearns, Dementia Specialist, Baltimore County Department of Aging

* Lunch & Learn: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

October 28 – 12:30 PM

Virtual- Presented by Wendy Carver, Office of Family and Community Engagement

Click here to register for any of the events

Resources

• BCPS Virtual Calming Room

• Baltimore County Crisis Response: 410-931-2214

• Crisis text line: Text the word "TALK" to 741741 for free 24-hour support

• Maryland Food Bank: 410-737-8282

• 211 Maryland: dial 211 or https://211md.org/

• Maryland Suicide and Crisis Hotline: dial 988

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK

• Trevor Lifeline: Text “START” to 678-678 or call 1-866-488-7386

• Baltimore County Department of Social Services: 410-853-3000

• Sheppard Pratt's Urgent Walk-In Clinic is available through virtual appointments. https://www.sheppardpratt.org/care-finder/virtual-crisis-walk-in-clinic/

Lindsey Delis

ldelis@bcps.org

443-809-1167

Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Hello Wellwood families! Welcome to “The Wildcat Den: Family Spotlight of the Month" where we will celebrate many wonderful Wellwood families! This section of the newsletter will showcase the voices and experiences that make Wellwood special!

This month, as part of Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, we are featuring:

the Linares Alvarenga Family!

Family's Name: Linares Alvarenga

Students: Leticia, 2nd grade & Yostin, 3rd grade

Family's ethnicity and/or nationality: Honduras

What does your Hispanic heritage mean to your family?

It means a lot of love, respect and being united.

Are there any traditions or cultural celebrations that are special to your family?

If it's September 15th, the national day, and our tradition is to dance punta, parades, and eat foods like chicken with baleadas slices.

What do you enjoy about Wellwood International School?

Kindness and respect for everyone regardless of race or color

We are so grateful to the Linares Alvarenga family for sharing their story and for being such an important part of the Wellwood community. Be on the lookout for next month’s Family Spotlight survey—we can’t wait to highlight even more of our wonderful Wellwood families!

Thank you to Mrs. Delis for organizing this great Wellwood community spotlight!

October is here, and with it comes cooler weather, falling leaves, and exciting fall activities! This is a great time to remind families to dress children in layers so they stay comfortable throughout the day as temperatures change. Cold and flu season is also beginning, so please encourage your child to wash their hands often, cover coughs and sneezes, and stay home if they aren’t feeling well. Don’t forget that healthy snacks, good sleep, and plenty of outdoor play help keep our students strong and ready to learn. Wishing everyone a safe, healthy, and happy October!

Wellwood is proud to be one of the first schools in Baltimore County to participate in school-wide cafeteria composting!

Community building and teamwork was the focus of our first lessons in both Library and Computer Science classes. This month, 4th graders were challenged to make new connections with their classmates by asking and answering questions about their interests.

Students in Ms. Wolinski's 4th grade class dance together to wake up and get ready to focus on learning some new music for the winter concert.

We kicked off the year in Inquiry with a celebration of apples! We used apples as stamps, explored ways to paint apples and apple trees and established our routines all while experimenting with different materials. We’re ready to FALL into our next theme of pumpkins and leaves!

This month in Physical Education, our students have been actively engaged in building foundational skills and fostering a positive learning environment.

Early Childhood and Primary Students have been focusing on key foundational concepts including safety protocols, respecting personal space, spatial awareness, and introductory ball skills. These activities promote self-regulation, coordination, and cooperative play in a structured and supportive environment.

Intermediate Students have been participating in team-building exercises and exploring lifelong fitness practices. Through collaborative challenges and fitness-based activities, students are developing communication skills, resilience, and an understanding of how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

We’re off to a great start and look forward to an exciting year of movement, growth, and learning!

We have learned all about the science of sound in exploratory music and we are about to move onto our Brass Instrument Family unit! We are going to learn how to play the trumpet and discuss other instruments in the brass family so that students are fully informed about all instruments to choose from in 5th grade Instrumental Music.

Music lessons are in full swing! We have begun to learn how to assemble instruments as well as proper posture and position, and we are beginning to make our first sounds! Stay tuned :)

In E-CSI this month, our second-grade students have been introduced to foundational concepts in digital literacy and computer science. They’ve explored the basics of computer hardware, learning to identify and understand the function of key components. In addition, students have engaged in lessons on internet safety and password security, gaining awareness of how to navigate online environments responsibly and protect their personal information. These early experiences are helping students build the skills and habits necessary to become safe, confident, and informed digital citizens.

This year, 3rd and 5th graders will have class with me twice a week. Once for Library class and the second day for Computer Science. I'm very excited for this new learning opportunity!

Community building and teamwork was the focus of our first lessons in both Library and Computer Science classes. 3rd and 5th graders worked in groups to put together a 100 piece puzzle. This was a great opportunity to set our "Group Work Goals". They have also been showing great problem-solving and critical thinking skills while learning to Use the "code and go mouse" aka "Colby" During computer science class. I am very proud of how they have been working cooperatively in groups and communicating kindly with their classmates.

We’ve had a happy and fun start to the year, and students are already diving into exciting activities. As we get into art projects, students should have a large old t-shirt to use as an art smock. This will help keep their clothes safe while they explore, create, and make a little mess along the way!

Looking forward to a colorful year ahead!

- Ms. Mim

We are so happy to welcome our 3 year olds to the Wellwood Wildcat Family!

Our Pre-K 3 students are already taking part in activity-based learning in the classroom.

PreK 4 students have been exploring their 5 senses and collaborating in the classroom.

Kindergarten jumped right into math workplaces to start the year. Students work independently and with partners daily on different math activities.

This month, students collaborated and created a given number using popsicle sticks to show the number in tally marks .

Our students have also been playing a matching game with their sight words. They're learning the words quickly and good sportsmanship.

Finally, students are reading their decodables using the strategies they learned to sound out words; so proud!

Second graders took a field trip around the school grounds to complete a trash survey. During our science unit we will learn ways that we can help to make a difference to limit trash in our communities.

Students have also been busy at work in the classroom! They are working together to identify topic and central idea, exploring math workplaces and reading to friends.

3rd Grade students are kicking off the year by developing efficient strategies to add and subtract 2-digit numbers. Next up - Multiplication!

This month, fourth graders have been settling back into school routines, practicing how to follow rules, get along with peers, and strengthen their listening skills to become better learners. In reading, we completed our first module of HMH Into Reading and focused on developing writing skills across reading and science. In science, students began the Turtle Trouble unit, studying the structure and function of turtles and how body parts work together to help animals survive. We are looking forward to extending this work during our upcoming trip to the National Aquarium.

Our fifth graders put their scientist hats on as they tested different fuels to determine the best one to launch their rockets. This exciting experiment is part of our Blast Off! Unit, where curiosity and discovery take flight!

5th graders have also been working with Ms. Morgan to better our school community by becoming safeties. These students support in the hallway, on buses, at carpool and with our youngest learners!

2901 Smith Avenue

Baltimore MD 21208

Phone: 443-809-1212 | Fax: 443-809-1213