Mammoth Mailing

February 3rd- Grades 2 and 3 - Arts on Stage Field Trip

February 5th- Second Quarter Attendance Assemblies

February 6th - Report Cards Distributed

February 12th- Pre-K Wooly SEL Workshop (Parent Learning Night) 5:30-7:30 Dinner Provided with RSVP

February 17th - School Closed - Presidents' Day

February 20th- Kindergarten Math Woolly Workshop (Parent Learning Night) 5:30-7:30 Dinner Provided with RSVP

February 27th- Black History Month Program 6:00-7:30

Dear Winfield Families,

I hope this message finds you well and that the new year is off to a great start for your family! February is a month filled with learning, celebration, and community spirit, and I am excited to share some important updates and upcoming events with you.

Celebrating Black History Month

This February, we honor Black History Month with activities and discussions that celebrate the achievements and contributions of African Americans throughout history. Classrooms will engage in special projects, and we invite families to join us for our Black History Month Celebration on Thursday, February 27th from 6:00-7:30 pm at Winfield, featuring student presentations, performances, and guest speakers.

Report Cards Available on February 6th

Report cards will be available digitally on February 6th. To view a child's BCPS (Baltimore County Public Schools) report card, parents can log into the Focus parent portal, where they can access the "Reports" tab to find their child's report card information.

Key Points About Accessing BCPS Report Cards:

• Access Point: Log in to the Focus parent portal.

• Navigation: Go to the Reports tab.

• Important Note: If a parent doesn't have a Focus account, they can contact the school to set one up.

• Request a Hard Copy: Parents and guardians can also call the school to request a hardcopy of their child's report card.

Virtual Learning and Device Use

To prepare for potential virtual learning days, please be aware of the following:

• Device Chargers: Chargers will only be sent home if the weather forecast indicates an extended period of inclement weather beyond three days.

• Alternative Chargers: Chromebook devices can also be charged using a standard USB-C charger that may already be available in your home.

• Device Usage: Devices should be used strictly for virtual learning on virtual learning days to conserve battery life. We encourage families to monitor students’ device usage to ensure they are using the devices appropriately.

Synchronous Virtual Learning Schedule

In the event of four or more inclement weather days, synchronous virtual learning will take place on a 2-hour delay schedule for students.

• Winfield’s Virtual Learning Start Time: The two-hour delay means that classes will begin at 11:00 AM, and all students are expected to log in at that time to start their day.

• Schedules for Virtual Learning Days: These schedules will be posted to each teacher’s Schoology page for easy access.

• Google Meet Codes: Google Meet codes for virtual learning will also be posted on the Winfield Website and on each teacher's Schoology page.

Special Considerations for ISDM Programs

Teachers providing instruction through the Integrated Service Delivery Model (ISDM) will ensure that each student’s login information, password, and Google Meet codes are adhered to their computers for easy access.

• For students unable to utilize Google Meet for synchronous virtual learning, teachers may access alternate resources and strategies.

Device Care and Costs

Please remind your child to handle their Chromebook with care. The following costs will apply for damaged or unusable devices:

• Replacement of a broken or unusable device: $375

• Replacement of missing keys: $30

• Case damage: $50

• Damaged touchscreen: $80

Expectations for Virtual Learning Days

On designated virtual learning inclement weather days:

• Students in K-5 will engage in synchronous learning for up to 4 hours.

• Teachers will take attendance.

• Assignments will be expected to be completed and submitted.

• For four or more virtual learning days, synchronous learning will follow a 2-hour delay schedule, with classes beginning at 11:00 AM

Virtue of the Month Recognition

The January Virtue of the Month winners will be posted on the front board in the entry hallway. Their names will also be included in the March Newsletter—congratulations to all students recognized!

For February, the Virtue of the Month will be Cooperation. We encourage students to demonstrate cooperation in their classrooms, with peers, and in their daily activities.

BCPS Stakeholder Survey

We encourage all parents and guardians to participate in the BCPS Stakeholder Survey to share their valuable feedback about our school. Your input helps shape decisions that impact students, staff, and the overall school community. The link for the survey is included below.

Thank you for your continued support in making Winfield a place where students thrive. As always, my door is open, and I welcome your feedback and involvement.

Wishing you a fantastic February!

Warm regards,
Dana Bisker

BCPS Climate Survey

2025 BCPS Climate Survey Opens January 27 !

The annual BCPS Climate Survey will be available from Monday, January 27, through Friday, February 28 2025. The survey is for all stakeholders: students in Grades 3–12, parents/caregivers, community members, and all staff and focuses on fon school climate and engagement. It takes three minutes or less to complete and is anonymous!

Please click this link to choose a specific language.

Greetings from the ISDM department! January has been a busy month, and we have started the year strong!

In Room #1, Ms. Kinsey’s students have been adding and subtracting within 20! We are excelling with learning new sight words and how to create sentences using them. We have also been reviewing digraphs (sh/ch/wh/th). We started a new routine with reciting affirmations to build confidence during our morning circle routine. Thank you, Ms. Johnson, for including our fifth graders in the Arts on Stage field trip in February.

In Room 3, Ms. Gregory’s class welcomed a new student, which was exciting as her newest addition brings many verbal strengths. Also, one of her students has been participating in Mrs. Morgan’s class during their morning instruction, and it has been amazing to see her progress. That student was also invited to the kindergarten field trip. Students have also been requesting various items and breaks through the use of their communication devices.

In Room 2, Ms. Riggs’s students have been working diligently on math by adding two-digit numbers using visuals and manipulatives.

In ELA, students are answering who, what, when, where, and why text questions and have been reading about the new giant pandas at the National Zoo! The students have also been working on communication skills using words, visuals, and devices.

Additionally, the ISDM team wishes to extend heartfelt thanks and appreciation to our incredible support staff team. These talented individuals work hard to help shape our climate, implement inclusivity, and display compassion daily.

We look forward to the month of February, and the opportunity to build on inclusion with each of you.

The Pre-K students had a wonderful month of learning! We just finished our Second unit Connecting with School and Friends. Our scholars were able to identify objects that begin with the letters Oo and Bb. As well as learning the sounds each letter makes. This month we will begin unit 3 “How Structures are Built”. In this unit they focus on how structures and tools work and how to make or do things. Children will explore the form and function of objects through observations, simple experiments, games, and activities.

In reading: students will spend time reading and writing procedural texts that tell someone how to make or do something that they want to know how to make or do. Through procedural texts, children will explore sequences of events and continue learning about letters, rhyming words, and the beginning sounds of words.

In math: students will play games and do chants and fingerplays to support the understanding of counting and the plus-one pattern. They will subitize, duplicate and extend patterns. They will investigate how two dimensional (2D) shapes can become three-dimensional (3D) shapes and compare shapes’ attributes.

Social Skills: students will explore emotions and recognize feelings and their causes, both in themselves and in others. They will talk about anger and learn ways to calm down when they have strong emotions

The first half of the year has gone by so fast. The students have been working hard and making progress in both reading and math.

In Reading, students listened to and read a variety of informational texts. They worked on asking and answering questions about key details in the text. Students also learned to describe the relationship between illustrations and the text and story elements like characters and the setting of the story. They are practicing illustrating parts of the story and writing with details.

In Phonics, students have been busy working on naming letters and letter sounds. Students have been connecting letters and sounds to segment and blend words while reading and writing. They have also been learning high-frequency words to improve their reading fluency.

In Math, students used ten frames to build and represent numbers. They made the same number in different ways to introduce and get ready for the skill of addition. They also used the ten frame to organize and count cubes by twos to find the pattern of what number comes next. Students began writing addition and subtraction equations. Finally, they compared quantities using the words greater than, less than, and equal to or the same as.

We look forward to working with the students as they continue to make gains and master skills throughout the second half of the year!

Happy February! We are excited to share all the wonderful learning experiences and events your children will engage in this month. Here's an overview of what we’ll be exploring in the classroom and beyond:

ELA: Module 6 – Patriotic Holidays and Symbols
This month, students will dive into the meaning and importance of patriotic holidays and symbols. They will explore why we celebrate these events and why people sing patriotic songs. Topics will include iconic monuments, the Liberty Bell, U.S. symbols, and notable presidents. Through stories and discussions, students will gain a deeper appreciation of our nation’s history and traditions.

Math: Unit 5 – Geometry and Fractions
In math, we will focus on Geometry and Fractions. Students will use hands-on tools and models to explore two- and three-dimensional shapes. They will identify, describe, draw, construct, compare, compose, and sort shapes while also learning about fractions. Activities will include cutting paper sandwiches into halves and fourths, folding and cutting circle pizzas to share, and playing a fun fraction bingo game to reinforce these concepts. By the end of the unit, students will have a stronger understanding of shapes and fractions in everyday contexts.

Black History Month
February is also Black History Month, and we will honor the achievements and contributions of Black Americans throughout history. Students will read books, watch videos, and participate in discussions celebrating important figures and events that have shaped our world.

We are especially excited to share that first grade will be participating in our Black History Program on February 27th. This event is a wonderful opportunity for students to showcase what they have learned about Black history through songs, readings, and performances. More details about the program and how you can attend will be sent home soon!

Special Activities & Reminders

• Valentine’s Day Celebration: We will celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday, February 14th. Look out for more details about bringing in cards or treats!
• President’s Day: We will use this holiday as an opportunity to discuss the importance of presidents in shaping our country. (schools and offices are closed February 17th)
• Report Cards: Report cards will be distributed February 6th.
• Shape Hunt at Home: Encourage your child to find two- and three-dimensional shapes around the house and bring examples or pictures to share with the class!

Thank you for your continued support in making our classroom a vibrant and enriching place to learn. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or for additional information about this month’s activities.

We hope 2025 has been off to an amazing start for you and your family!

The phonics focus was to blend words with long vowels. We will continue to work on reading words with silent letters.

We will read about various leaders and their accomplishments. Students will then write to compare leaders. They will explain the characteristics of each leader. Continue to read nightly.

In math, students compose and decompose numbers based on place value. They read and write numbers using base ten numerals, expanded form, and number names. Students will add using models, an open number line, place value, and algorithms.

Students are encouraged to practice solving comparison problems (i.e. how much longer, how much older, how much shorter, how much more). Having students identify coins and calculate the amount of money in a given set of coins would also be beneficial.

The AMIRA assessment has been administered, and MAP will be administered in the upcoming weeks.

Thank you for replenishing your child’s pencils and crayons as needed. If possible, send in a dry erase marker. Thank you for checking folders nightly, ensuring your child completes homework, sending notes when she/he is absent, and returning any necessary papers. Donations of tissue and wipes are always appreciated. If you would like your child to wear a mask, contact the teacher.

We are planning a trip to the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC. The trip would be in late March or early April. The cost will be $30.00. If the trip is confirmed, information will be shared as soon as possible so families can plan accordingly.

Please contact your child’s teacher via email if you have questions, concerns, or would like support.

The 3rd grade class is buzzing with excitement as they prepare for their upcoming field trip to Goucher College to see a play! They can’t wait to experience live theater and apply everything they've learned in class to the performance.

In ELA, the students are wrapping up Module 5, which explores how sports teach us about teamwork. They've been honing their skills in identifying an author’s purpose and central idea, while also analyzing how punctuation and sentence structure reveal a character’s internal and external feelings.

Meanwhile, in math, they are finishing up Unit 4, where they’ve explored different ways to measure, including time, fractions, and capacity.

In advanced math, students are concluding Unit 5, which delves into the concepts of area and the connection between multiplication and division.

With all the knowledge they’ve gained, they’re ready to take on their field trip and continue their learning adventure!

As we move into the second half of the year, we will be working towards preparing students for fifth grade. This means we will be modeling those behaviors that will make them successful learners in fifth grade which includes checking their assignment status and grades in Schoology.

In ELA we are starting Module 5 - Art Everywhere. During this module students will be reading and viewing selections on the topic of the arts. Throughout the module they will gather information to help them answer the essential question; How far can your talents take you? At the end of the module, they will write an opinion essay telling their opinion about whether they think art is important.

In Health we are finishing our second unit and will then begin our second unit of Social Studies; The Earliest Americans. Students will learn how geography impacted the cultures of the indigenous peoples of North America.

In Grade 4 math, students will study addition, subtraction, and measurement concepts. As part of their work, students investigate and use the standard addition and subtraction algorithms. They compare the use of algorithms to other methods and generalize about which works best for certain problems.

In Grade 4 advanced math, students study skills and concepts related to place value, from reading, writing, and comparing decimals to rounding and examining the decimal patterns of multiplying and dividing numbers by 10. Students use their place value understandings to convert within a measurement system, and they use both whole number strategies and place value understanding to add and subtract decimals to hundredths.

In Math Class, 5th grade students are working on a few key concepts. They’re learning how to multiply multi-digit numbers, which helps them solve larger multiplication problems. They’re also practicing using ratio tables to multiply and divide decimals, including when working with money amounts. This includes understanding how decimals work in real-life situations, like budgeting or shopping, and how to use ratio tables to make these calculations easier. They’re getting comfortable with working with numbers that go beyond whole numbers, which is an important skill for everyday math. Students are also learning how to divide multi-digit numbers using the partial products strategy.

In Science Class, students are learning about water and how it's distributed on Earth. They’re studying the water cycle and the different forms of water, like oceans, rivers, lakes, and glaciers. Students are also diving into the concepts of groundwater, water tables, and aquifers. This includes understanding how water moves through the ground, where it’s stored, and how we can access it for things like drinking, farming, and industry. The students are learning how important water is for life on Earth and how we rely on natural water sources for our daily needs.

In eCSI we are continuing to work with Ozobots in the classroom. Here is a little bit of information on how Ozobots work:

Ozobot is a tiny robot that holds a TON of fun!

Ozobots use colored pathways!

Ozobot will travel on a black pathway and follow the commands of certain color combinations along the path.

Students have learned to follow pre-made pathways to color and code the Ozobots. They are now moving into creating their own pathways using their knowledge of color codes and the different actions the Ozobots can perform. Please check out a photo of students creating their own pathways:

WIDA ACCESS TEST 2.0 officially commenced on Tuesday January 13, 2025.

There are four domains in English language development that our multilanguage learners (MLLs) will be tested in- Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing.

Although there is no need for teachers or parents to do anything extra to prepare students for the tests, teachers can help by ensuring that their students are quiet when passing by the first-grade hallway and when they go in or come out of the cafeteria.

I will be pulling students out of the classroom for the tests according to the schedule.

We are wishing all of our MLLs good luck with WIDA!

Overdue Notices will be sent home this week please be on the look out for them, and thanks for helping our readers return their library books!

If you want to see what your student has from the library you can always go to Destiny Discover ( https://search.follettsoftware.com/metasearch/ui/112089 ) log in and look for checkouts under the My Stuff tab at the top of the page.

While you’re there don’t forget to check out one of the almost 1000 eBooks that are in our school library that are available for the exclusive use of Winfield Elementary Students. They can be read on any device with internet access!

We had a very successful Dental Sealant program this year! Close to 50 students in 2nd and 3rd grade were able to have dental sealants placed on their molars while in school, with the help of the Dental Department from the Baltimore County Health Department. Thank you for your partnership and for getting the dental sealant consent forms back so that the students could have the sealants placed.

If your child is in 2nd or 3rd grade and you did not get the consent form in on time, or if you are now interested in having the Dental Department place sealants on your child's teeth, you can contact the Dental Department directly to schedule an appointment at their clinic. Their phone number is 410-887-2780.

In addition, we have sent home the Hearing and Vision failure letters for those students who failed the hearing and/or vision screenings done in December. Please make sure to check your child' backpack and refer to the letter for more instructions and for follow up information. If your child received a failure letter, you are urged to take them for a follow up visit at their doctor.

For any questions or concerns, please contact Nurse Newmark at 443-809-4711 or lnewmark@bcps.org

As part of our School Counseling Program, your child’s class will have the opportunity to engage in monthly counseling lessons throughout the school year. In the month of February, the theme is celebrating differences. Classes will learn the importance of accepting cultural differences, even if you don’t understand them and valuing diversity within our school.

Mr. Carothers: PreK (Mrs. Northern), Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade

Mrs. Robertson: PreK (Ms. Mchugh), 1st Grade, 3rd Gr, 5th Grade

In Art, the students were hard at work continuing Identity projects, Snow and Snowflake designs and New Years artwork. Fourth and Fifth graders continued their identity projects. 5th with clay letters and 4th with creative name designs. Third grade created Chinese lanterns to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Second graders created symmetrical snowflakes.

First graders drew unique snow globes with their choice of scene inside. Pre-k and Kindergarteners made New Years art. As they learned more about MLK, they created artwork that represented Peace for the whole world.

As the school year moves on to February, please make sure you are sending your students to school with tennis shoes on their gym days.

We have just completed another successful Whittle unit and will now be focusing on building our team skills and learning how to make ourselves healthier during Heart Health Month.

I am so excited to be back and running full steam ahead with the Music program here at Winfield Elementary School. Our Primary students are still talking about their Winter Concert as if it only happened a week ago! Each grade has begun a new unit, and we began with asking the simple question, “How do you make friends with music?” Especially with new students beginning to attend Winfield, this is a great way to kick off our new year!

Our Intermediate students have jumped into units focusing on Hopes, Dreams and Changing Times. They have songs and projects they are working on in preparation for Black History Month. In addition to performance opportunities, they continue to learn the basics of music appreciation. They are connecting the notes to the words and then the words to the message, meaning and reasons for songs being composed. Their new units will be more challenging, but I believe they will RISE UP to meet it!

The PTA’s mission is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children. The National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health, and welfare of children and youth. PTA leaders receive training and tools on organizational management, family engagement and community building to improve the school environment. PTAs have access to grants available from PTA and its partners. Learn more about the PTA at PTA.org.

To JOIN the Winfield PTA please contact Roberta Kelly, PTA Vice President by sending a note to school with your child with your contact information or email her at Stevenswoodimprovementassoc@gmail.com. You will be sent a PTA Membership form to complete and send your dues. Membership dues are $15.00 per family, $10.00 for teachers and staff. Donations are also accepted.

Spotlight on Community Partners for Holiday Support

We are most grateful to the following community partners for collaborating with us to make the holidays a festive and enjoyable time for Winfield students and their families:

• Fresh Fruits Farm
• Morning Star Baptist Church
• Dr. Marlene Mahipat
• Speaker Adrienne A. Jones, Maryland State Delegate
• Weekend Backpacks
• BCAC of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc
• Union Bethel Church
• Northwest Hospital
• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Upsilon Epsilon Omega Chapter

From holiday meals, to warm coats, scarves and hats, to a broad variety of toys for children of all ages, our community partners displayed what Dr. King referred to as “the strength to love”, and stepped up to the plate to work with us to ensure that all of our students felt happiness and joy this holiday season, and that no child, or family was left behind.

Additionally, Community Schools hosted a very successful “Spreading the Warmth Event” where families were able to collect food, clothing items, cosmetic and hygiene products, and of course winter wear to keep them warm and safe this holiday season.

Special thanks to the support of our incredible Community Partners for helping us to “make the holidays happen” at Winfield. We look forward to continued collaboration and partnership throughout the year, as we continue to serve our students and the Winfield Elementary School Community.

Celebrating Progress in Attendance

Special congratulations to the students who have achieved or surpassed the state’s standard attendance rate of 94% or higher, as this is no small feat. Because there is a direct correlation between regular attendance and academic success, we also recognize the parents and families who make sacrifices and go above and beyond to ensure that their scholars arrive to school daily, and on time. On Wednesday, February 5th we will host our quarterly attendance assembly to highlight those students and families who are making progress in this area.

Community Resource Cottage at Your Service

WES is a Community School, and as such we offer the Community Resource Cottage as a benefit and support to Winfield students and their families. If you find yourself to be in need of non-perishable food, toiletries, school supplies, shoes, winter coats/accessories, and school uniforms, contact C. Witherspoon at (443) 809-0766 or cwitherspoon7@bcps.org to schedule appointment, and for assistance.

Become a Volunteer:

Families and Community Members interested in volunteering must complete a new volunteer application and complete the volunteer training each school year. Please use the following link to complete the application and training. All completed volunteer applications and certificates must be turned into your child’s teacher or Volunteer Coordinator, Cortly Witherspoon @ cwitherspoon7@bcps.org

Volunteer Application and Training Link:

https://www.bcps.org/cos/communications/FACE