Turtle Talk 11/8/2024

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!

The month of November is focused on Tolerance. Students will continue to learn ways to show tolerance in their morning meetings. We expect all students to engage in civil conversation which promotes higher level thinking and rigorous discourse, even when another person engages them negatively. Here are the ways we are teaching students to show tolerance at school:

• 🌟 Listen to Others​

Pay attention when friends are speaking and respect their ideas. Even if they’re different, they’re valuable!​

• 🤝 Include Everyone​

Invite others to join games or activities. Making everyone feel welcome helps us learn from each other.​

• 🌍 Celebrate Differences​

Be curious about what makes others unique. Learn about each other's favorite foods, holidays, or hobbies!​

• 💬 Use Kind Words​

If you disagree, share your thoughts kindly. We can have different opinions and still be friends.​

• 🧘 Stay Calm and Open-Minded

When someone does something differently, take a breath and remember that it’s okay to be unique!

Students and staff recognize each other with Sheldon Shout Outs which highlight acceptance, patience, inclusivity, non-judgment, and understanding!

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

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 20). 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#/

Students are invited to join the Watershed Environmental Club. There will be three sessions (fall, winter, and spring) that take place Saturdays from 8:30-10:30am here at school. The Fall Session (11/16, 11/23, 12/7, 12/14) is open to Middle School students and will focus on identifying environmental needs of our campus and community and becoming stewards of our environment. Every session will begin with a CleanGreen15 and end with a community circle. Follow the link to sign up! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0A4CA5AA23A3F49-52708143-environmental

As we reflect on this recent election season and the emotions it has stirred, we want to reaffirm the values that define our school. At Watershed, we remain dedicated to providing a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for every student, staff member, and family. We stand by our commitment to respect, tolerance, and creating a welcoming space for diverse voices and perspectives—principles that are not only ideals but the foundation of what makes Watershed a compassionate and unique learning environment.

Though the election may bring varied feelings and discussions into our school, now more than ever is the time to come together in unity. Let’s continue to model respectful dialogue, celebrate our differences, and support one another as we focus on our shared goal: a vibrant, nurturing environment where everyone feels valued. Thank you for joining us in our ongoing commitment to kindness, understanding, and inclusion.

This week, contractors are completing the final work on the temporary classrooms, including ramps and skirting, and are working with Baltimore County’s Permits, Approvals, and Inspections (PAI) office to secure the occupancy permit. We anticipate the electrical connection will be finalized over the weekend of November 9, with classrooms ready for our 5th Grade students by the week of November 11.

Repairs are currently underway to restore full access to the second floor through significant renovation of Watershed’s elevator. Safety barriers were installed on October 29, and demolition work was completed on November 4. The renovation and repair work on the hoist way and equipment is now in progress, with completion anticipated by November 15.

DNR Tree Planting
Thank you to everyone who joined our tree planting event on Saturday, October 26! With over 35 volunteers, we planted more than 60 native trees and shrubs around the Watershed campus. This event was organized in collaboration with our non-profit partner, Watershed Inc., along with St. Gabriel, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake.

There will be an additional opportunity to plant approximately 10 more trees from Maryland DNR on Wednesday, November 13 from 3:00 – 5:00 pm; please contact Christina Sawyer at csawyer@watershedpcs.org to register and students can receive student service hours for volunteering.

Please note that the November Board meeting has been rescheduled to Tuesday, November 19 at 6:00 pm, and will be held online. All members of our community are welcome to attend; an online meeting invite will be shared prior to the Board meeting. If you have a comment or wish to address the Board, email board@watershedpcs.org to request an opportunity to speak during Public Comment.

We appreciate your ongoing support and commitment to making Watershed a thriving, sustainable community!

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

Thank you to the families who attended our November PTO meeting on October 29th! Information was shared about upcoming events, school volunteer opportunities, and budget amendments. Check out everything discussed in our 10/29 General PTO Meeting Minutes.

Next PTO Meeting: Tuesday, December 3rd in-person and virtual at 7:00 pm

meet.google.com/uvx-zqmz-rcd

Be sure to join us prior to the PTO meeting for a fun Family Night at Watershed! Details below!

The Watershed PTO would like to shout out a huge thank you to our incredible 6th and 7th grade Clothing Swap volunteers! Your dedication in organizing, sorting, and labeling clothing, as well as creating signs and assisting at the clothing swap, truly made a difference. Your hard work and commitment to this event were nothing short of amazing!

A huge thank you as well to our dedicated volunteers, whose hard work and enthusiasm made this event possible, and to the incredible committee who spent months planning and bringing this year’s Fall Fest to life. We can’t wait to see you all at Fall Fest next year!

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 Our next meeting will be held on November 12th at 6pm. Join using the meeting code: meet.google.com/nct-wdsx-qkz

Calling all 6th and 7th graders! Lace up your skates & roll on down to Skateland! Middle School families are invited to attend an offsite get together to kick off the holiday season. This event is parent led & will be held November 21st from 6-9 at Skateland in Nottingham, MD.

Join us for Family Game Night on Tuesday, December 3rd at 5:30 pm in the Watershed Gym. There will be games, treats, and lots of family fun. Then stick around to hear all the exciting things the PTO has planned at the December PTO meeting, while the children continue the fun with some wonderful volunteers. A RSVP form will be shared soon.

Have some gently used books you are looking to part with? Consider donating to the Watershed PTO for a fun book related game/prize! There will be a bin outside the school from 11/18-11/20 to drop off your gently used books.

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

Our Double Good popcorn fundraiser will kick off on December 4th and run through December 8th. Setting up a storefront is easy and takes just a few seconds once the Double Good app is downloaded. Plus the PTO will earn 50% of the sales! PTO members will be on hand to assist with storefront setup during the in-person PTO meeting and Family Night on December 3rd.

Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks!

The PTO is excited to share that we have the opportunity to provide Parent/Caregiver Led Clubs for Watershed students! If you are interested in running an after-school club please view the information here. Reach out to president@watershedpto.org with any questions.

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!