Turtle Talk 9/5/2025

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/2025-2026/25-26%20BCPS%20Pre-Labor%20Day%20Calendar.pdf

Happy New School Year! We are excited to have you back in the building and connecting throughout the spaces at Watershed. So far, in collaboration with the Watershed PTO and Board, we have held two connection opportunities for families immediately following drop off and will host a third final connection session on Friday September 12 at 8:15 am. We hope you will join us!

Back to School Night: Tuesday September 9th from 6:30 - 8:30 pm. We will host four different rotations within the school building and have different assigned locations for each presentation. We will have group presentations in the gym as well as tables for the PTO and community connections. Please see the attached flyer below to know more about Back To School Night.

BCPS Student Handbook: All students will receive a printed copy of the BCPS Student Handbook. It is also available online and is attached below. Please make sure that you review it with your child and reach out if you have any questions.

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

Watershed was founded in a cooperative space - where students, teachers and families work together to ensure that our children are learning and safe. When families apply to Watershed, they agree to contribute 40 hours each year in service to the school. Please use the form linked below to log hours every time your family engages in an activity that strengthens our school community! There are lots of ways to get involved. You can use the drop down list in the Volunteer Engagement Form to give you ideas of how to be an active Turtle! So far this school year, families have logged over 80+ hours of volunteer time. The family that logs the most hours at the end of the school year will be honored with their name on Watershed's Volunteer Log. Thank you and looking forward to a great year of service!

Volunteer Hours Log: https://forms.gle/AQTxUxXjRVu4PJBc8

Before families can volunteer at Watershed, every individual must have taken the BCPS Volunteer Training for the 25-26 school year, completed a BCPS volunteer application and must have submitted a copy of this year's BCPS volunteer training certificate to Ms. Jenn Readmond via email at jreadmond@bcps.org.

More information about BCPS Volunteer Training is here: https://www.bcps.org/cos/communications/FACE/b_c_p_s_volunteers

This summer, St. Gabriel expanded the rain garden at the front of the parking lot. Now, its time to plant! St. Gabriel in partnership with Blue Water Baltimore and Watershed, is seeking volunteers for Tuesday, September 16 from 11am to 2pm to install 250 native species.

ALL participants must have taken the BCPS volunteer training for the 25-26 school year. And if you do volunteer on 9/16, don't forget to log your volunteer engagement hours.

Register to volunteer here: https://bluewaterbaltimore.org/event/st-gabriels-catholic-church-gsi-planting/

• 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 at the church, please avoid parking at the end of the parking spot lines so that the pantry line moves easily.

We are working with Baltimore County Public Schools and County Government to look at adding traffic calming measures. We hope to have an update from that collaboration soon! Your patience and support is appreciated!

Every year, Watershed participates in a challenge to recycle plastic bags. In 2024-2025, the Watershed community recycled 555 pounds of plastic! Last school year, we got even closer to our goal! A new challenge year begins September 10th and our school's goal is to recycle 1,000 pounds of plastic! There are 2 large white containers outside of the front office to deposit your plastic recycling. Here is a list of items that are accepted: produce bags, store bags, ice bags, Ziploc and other re-sealable bags, cereal box liners, bread bags, newspaper sleeves, dry cleaning bags, bubble wrap and plastic shipping mailers.

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!

We are excited to begin hosting Trash Free Lunches (TFLs) each Tuesday at WPCS! September 9th will be our first TFL weigh-in where each class saves all of it's non-compostable trash to determine who has the least amount of waste. The 2nd Tuesday of each month will be the official TFL weigh-in date, but know we compost each and everyday! Please see the attached flyer below for more information.

Any questions, please email Nurse Flor at ftorres@bcps.org

Discretionary Form (Pink Form)

• This form will be sent home in the first week of school. The form will be in color pink this school year. Listed in this form are over-the-counter medications a school nurse is allowed to give at school during school hours, for example Tylenol, Ibuprofen (for students 12 years old and above), cough drop etc.

• Please complete the form and return to school as soon as possible.

• If the form is not completed, no medications will be given to your child.

• Any other medications not listed on the form, even though it's over the counter, parents should complete/use the "Parent's request to Administer medication at school" form, which is to be completed by your pediatrician or Health care provider.

Parent's Request to Administer Medication at school Form

• This will be completed by Pediatrician or health care provider (HCP), examples are EpiPen, Albuterol or any medication that need to be taken during school hours, prescribed by HCP, or other over the counter medications that are not listed on the Discretionary form, whether for short period of time or for the whole school year.

• The form is good for one school year unless there are changes in the medications like doses, frequency or time-a new form needs to be completed by your HCP/pediatrician for the updated dose, frequency or time.

• Parents will need to sign the form before turning it over to the school nurse with the medication on hand-please make sure all medications are in its original packaging with student's name and please check expiration date as well.

• No medication should be sent to the bookbag for safety. Parents-please coordinate with the school nurse about medication drop off.

• All remaining medications will be returned at the end of the school year.

• I will always notify you if any medications will be given.

• Please send a note or email to your child's teacher or school nurse when your child miss school day/days. Your school nurse is part of the Attendance committee that meets every 2 weeks to discuss attendance.

• If your child sees your HCP/Pediatrician because of illness, please ask for a doctor's note.

• A phone call about your child's absence will still be sent out by BCPS, it is a safety feature.

• A home and hospital form is also available for students who will miss school frequently due to health conditions to support students. This form is completed by a HCP.

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

• A doctor's note is needed if your child is injured, if your student will be using crutches, have a cast or splint or is wearing any orthopedic shoes or splint, etc. and will be limited or will need to be excused from PE and recess; will need to use elevator or will need an assistive device for writing due to injury or will need any other accommodation like frequent bathroom breaks due to related health problem.

• Please send an updated doctor's note as well if the limitation/accommodation is extended. You can also call nurse Flor if the accommodation/restriction is lifted.

Our Cafeteria is a peanut and nut free school.

You can check the menu for the day or week by visiting the link at the top of every Turtle Talk.

*Cafeteria serves Hummus, and it contains sesame seed*

Check your child's account to see their ala carte spending/snacking.

In accordance with Maryland law and guidelines from the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and the Maryland Department of Health (MDH), BCPS will stock Albuterol MDI (a "bronchodilator") in schools.

Trained staff (school nurses, certified athletic trainers, and certified nursing assistants) will administer albuterol to students who are experiencing symptoms of respiratory distress, such as wheezing, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing at school or during athletic practices or events.

What This Means for Your Child:

If your child shows signs of respiratory distress and does not have their own prescribed inhaler at school, trained staff will administer the albuterol MDI as an emergency measure.

• If your child shows signs of respiratory distress and has an inhaler at school, the trained staff will use the medication you provide and follow your child's prescription.

• If your child shows signs of respiratory distress and has a health care provider's order for an inhaler but it is lost or expired, the trained staff will use the school system's albuterol MDI according to your child’s prescription.

• If your child does not have a provider’s order and inhaler, the trained staff will follow Maryland Department of Health guidelines in administering stock inhaler dose.

• You will be notified immediately if your child receives this medication.

• You will be asked to pick your child up from school and follow-up with a health care provider, unless your child has a prescription for an inhaler at school.

• This program is intended to improve safety and emergency response for all students, with the expectations that if stock rescue inhaler was used, the parents/guardians will provide a completed medication form by health care provider and a personal inhaler to the health room for your child’s individual use.

• If Stock Bronchodilator is being used frequently to your child, school nurse and school administrator will have Parent conference to identify barrier and offer support in obtaining necessary treatment.

• If your child has asthma or another respiratory condition, we encourage you to submit an Asthma Action Plan.

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Please contact the Nurse Flor if you have any questions.

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.*

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 the events of the modern day unfold in our country, individuals can experience a range of emotions and complex thoughts. These emotions and thoughts can impact our daily lives as they create a disruption to our sense of stability or moral purpose resulting in frustration, powerlessness, or outrage. Worries about the future and what is next can be a reality. To support individuals in navigating these thoughts, we wanted to share BCPS ‘ Tips for Talking About Traumatic Events as a gentle reminder of how we can support during these times to broadly promote and support individuals in their investment in the well-being of themselves and others.

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.

The Watershed Board of Director would like to say "Welcome" to our new families and "Welcome Back" to our returning families. The commitment of our families and teaching staff to Watershed is what makes our community great!

We wanted to use this first Turtle Talk as an opportunity to (re)introduce the purpose and mission of the WPCS Board. As a charter school, Watershed is unique to Baltimore County as it is a public school that also operates as a non-profit public benefit organization. Watershed, Inc. as a non-profit and therefore has a governing Board of Directors. Directors are members of the local community, are professionals that provide specific knowledge and skills to Watershed, and some are even parents of current or past students. The Watershed Board is responsible for oversight of all aspects of school and community operations and ensures that the Watershed mission and vision are followed by our Charter Agreement with the Board of Education. The Board's current focus is ensuring our upper school building construction will be started and completed on time, as well as expanding membership.

Watershed Board meetings are on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 6:00 PM EDT. The October, February, April, and June meetings will be held at the Watershed school house. September, November, January, March, and May meetings will be held virtually on Google Meet. The September Board meeting will be September 23.

The Board values and encourages input and feedback from the public during board meetings. If you would like to make a public comment at an upcoming board meeting, email board@watershedpcs.org. Board members will not respond to public comments within the same board meeting except to ask clarifying questions.

When speaking, speakers are asked to give their full name and be respectful of the Board and members of the public. Speakers are given 3 minutes for comment, should address the Board of Directors, and be ready to respond to questions for clarification from the board if asked. The Board does not discuss personnel matters in open board meetings. Inappropriate comments or behavior are discouraged. Inappropriate behavior is defined as insults, obscenities, or profanity, attacks against any person in their capacity, and/or physical violence or threat thereof.

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

Thank you for joining us for the first general PTO Meeting! We are excited for the wonderful things we’ll do together this year! You can find the minutes from last night’s meeting here: 9/2/25 General PTO Meeting Minutes . And don’t forget to mark your calendars for the next meeting on October 7th at 7pm.

The Membership Committee is cooking up something special! Beginning on Back to School Night, September 9th, we will be holding a Membership Drive! Three lucky winners and two staff members will be selected to win prizes! So be sure to visit the PTO table in the gym to find out how you can enter. Can’t make it to Back to School Night? Don’t worry! We’ll be sharing information all over campus on how you can join us. If you haven’t already done so, sign up today to join the Watershed PTO! https://tinyurl.com/joinwpto25-26

We are looking for a few dedicated individuals to lead and assist with some of our initiatives. If you think you would be interested please complete the form at Committee Volunteer Form or email us with questions at pto@watershedpto.org.

Love making people feel welcome? The PTO Hospitality Committee helps create a warm and inviting atmosphere for our school community. From monthly meetings to special events, your helping hands (big or small!) make a big difference. We’d love for you to join us! Next Meeting is Wednesday Sept 10 @ 7pm https://meet.google.com/wfk-oaae-okn

It’s not too late to support the ongoing Mabel’s Labels fundraiser!

You can place an order at any time you desire and it will help to benefit Watershed PTO. Just visit the link campaigns.mabelslabels.com and search Watershed PTO from the list. This will ensure that we receive 20% of the purchases. Keeping track of your students’ belongings will be a cinch with this high quality assortment of cool identifiers!

Save the Date for the return of the Mum Sale with Maryland Flower & Foliage! September 8th-18th with pick up on October 10th. Details regarding order instructions, payment collection and pick-up will be announced soon!

Come and enjoy a few hours of kidding around with the PTO at Chuck E. Cheese! 20% of the sales goes to the PTO so be sure to join us and bring a friend on September 12th at the Catonsville location anytime between 3pm-9pm. Don’t forget to mention that you’re with Watershed PTO to make it count!

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.

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!