Turtle Talk 9/19/2025
Watershed's Newsletter
Mid-September Updates
Throughout this month, students have been exploring our campus, using the outdoor classrooms and participating in hands-on projects and experiments. It has been amazing to see students saying kind things to each other, holding the door open for one another, and showing the virtue of WONDER as they explore our school campus.
School Spirit: We are lucky to be the Watershed Turtles. Did you know that our mascot is specifically the Eastern Box Turtle? We named them a few years ago - Sheldon is our mascot's official name. Also, our school colors are blue and green! We will hold spirit weeks throughout the year so keep an eye out for great turtles, blue and green clothing!!
Attendance matters: We meet every other week as an attendance committee to make sure that students do not fall into the "chronically absent" category with MSDE. In order to remain within the MSDE 90% attendance rate, students cannot miss more than 18 school day (combined excused and unexcused) for the entire year. Regular attendance sets your child up for success in their academic career. We are excited to share that our current attendance rate is at 97.44%!! This is an increase of almost 3%! Keep up the great work, Turtles!
Communication: Watershed uses digital communication through Talking Points (an app that automatically translates should a different language help with accessing the information), email, text and phone calls. We do provide paper copies occasionally but try to limit those as much as possible. We are always looking for ways to keep you connected so please let us know if there is a better way!
BCPS Student Handbooks - please make sure that you read the student handbook. Students are receiving lessons and hard copies of the handbook from Mr. Rhodes and myself about their expected behaviors at school. During our talks, we explain that students are expected to control their own behavior. They would be provided discipline from the handbook should the behavior they exhibit classify into behavioral categories named in the handbook.
Cafeteria Menu
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.
BCPS Daily Menu: https://bcps.nutrislice.com/menu/bcps-weekly-menus
Volunteer Log
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
Watershed's Plastic Recycling Program
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.
Take a Plant, "Leaf" a Plant
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!
Trash Free Lunches are Back!
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.
BCPS Medical Forms:
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.
Attendance:
Please send a note or email to your child's teacher or school nurse when your child misses school. 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.
Criteria for return to school:
- 24 hrs. fever-free without the use of any medication
- 24 hrs. diarrhea-free
- 24 hrs. vomit-free
Don't Forget!
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.
Ticks
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Walk in the center of the trails
- 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.*
STOCK BRONCHODILATOR PROGRAM
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.
Please contact the Nurse Flor if you have any questions.
Lighthouse Youth Services
The School Counselor or Families can make a direct referral
Thrive Behavioral Health
Students are seen by a therapist during the school day at Watershed.
Families can also be seen at their local offices. The school counselor and families can submit direct referrals/requests for services.
Ms. Rives Mailbox
October is Bully Prevention Month
October is National Bullying Prevention Month: Every October, schools and organizations across the country join STOMP Out Bullying™ in observing National Bullying Prevention Month. The goal: encourage schools, communities and organizations to work together to stop bullying and cyberbullying and put an end to hatred and racism by increasing awareness of the prevalence and impact of all forms of bullying on children of all ages.” For more information and ideas on how schools can participate in weekly events, visit the Stomp Out Bullying webpage.
** Wear Orange 10/8 for UNITY day, to unite in stomping out Bullying
Bullying Prevention Materials:
The following links are resources for bullying prevention and intervention with students, staff, and parents:
· Stomp Out Bullying: Campaigns
· About Bullying and Cyberbullying
o STOMP Out Bullying Online Student Participation Toolkit
Watershed is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for every student. This month, I will be visiting classrooms to lead bully prevention lessons and we will be kicking off our Schoolwide Bully Prevention Poster Contest! More details will be coming soon—encourage your student to participate and share their message of kindness and respect.
Parent Corner: Understanding Bullying vs. Conflict
It’s important for children to know the difference between bullying, conflict, and tattling vs. telling.
- Bullying: repeated, intentional harm where there is a power imbalance (physical, social, or emotional).
- Conflict: a disagreement between peers that can usually be resolved with support.
- Tattling vs. Telling: tattling is trying to get someone in trouble; telling is reporting to keep someone safe.
For older students, conversations about “snitching” can help clarify why telling an adult is always the right choice when safety is at risk.
Cyberbullying 101 for Parents
As technology becomes a bigger part of our students’ lives, cyberbullying and online behavior can impact relationships inside and outside of school. Please keep in mind:
- Monitor your child’s access to the internet and social media platforms.
- Talk about digital footprints—remind students that what they post or share online can follow them offline.
- Be aware of content (YouTube, TikTok, gaming chats) that influences behavior, language, and peer relationships.
- Encourage open communication—let your child know they can come to you if something online feels unsafe or hurtful.
Together, we can guide students to make safe, respectful, and responsible choices both in person and online.
Ms. Rives, School Counselor
rrives@bcps.org
The Watershed Way: Wonder • Accountability • Tolerance • Endurance • Respect • Self-Discipline • Honor • Empathy • Dependability
🚗 Move Planning & Parking Lot Committees
The Move Planning Committee met on Thursday, September 18—thank you to everyone who has already shared input! The Parking Lot Committee will meet virtually on Thursday, October 17 at 11:00 a.m., and families are encouraged to join the conversation. Your ideas and perspectives are a vital part of this planning process. Parking Lot & Upper School Move Committee Sign-Ups
🌱 Rain Garden Planting
A huge thank you to Ms. Ross’ 4th Grade class, Laura Guelcher, Christina Sawyer, Blue Water Baltimore, St. Gabriel, and a number of volunteers for planting 250 native species on Tuesday, September 16. Our 4th graders were wonderful stewards of the new rain garden and had a great time planting native grasses, shrubs, and trees.
🌿 Campus Updates
- Our locksmith made repairs to the “Chicken Doors,” and they’re closing much more smoothly now.
- The intercom project is nearing completion! Pavion will be onsite Monday, September 22 to install and connect the intercom server. On Tuesday, September 23 (Professional Development Day), they’ll complete installation of speakers and call buttons throughout the building.
October PTO Meeting
The next meeting of the PTO is scheduled for Tuesday, October 7 at 7:00pm. Here is the link to join the meeting: meet.google.com/uvx-zqmz-rcd An agenda will be emailed to the membership ahead of the meeting. We hope you can join us!
Join the 2025-26 Watershed PTO!
If you haven’t already done so, sign up today to join the Watershed PTO! Our Membership Drive is going until October 3rd! Anyone who signs up during the drive will be eligible to win one of our raffle prizes!
Volunteers Needed
Mabel's Labels
Mums Sale is Here!
Help raise money for the Watershed PTO General Fund which supports fun events for our school community by purchasing from the Mum Sale! The Watershed PTO will earn 50% of sales.
Link to order form: Updated 9.15.25 Order Form.pdf
It’s easy! Complete the order form with orders from friends and family. Send the form and exact CASH payment to school with your student on Monday, Sept. 22nd and Wednesday, Sept. 24th during drop off. PTO members will be available in the morning on those days only to collect order forms.
Orders will be ready for pick up from 3:15 to 5:00 pm on Friday, October 10th.
Pickup will occur rain or shine! THIS IS THE ONLY PICK UP day/time!
Contact Christina Adams with any questions. christydip@yahoo.com
This fundraiser is not sponsored by or endorsed by the Board of Education of Baltimore County or the Superintendent. This fundraiser is not an action of the Watershed Board or school leadership.
Thank you for coming to Chuck E. Cheese!
Restaurant Nights
Keep an eye out for upcoming events at other area businesses. Next up is a restaurant night at Honeygrow in Owings Mills on October 15th!
