Hoot Off The Press
WEEK OF April 21st
“When you change your thoughts, remember to also change your world.”Norman Peale
Important Information
- Arrival begins at 7:50am Pre K; 8:20am K~3rd
- Tardy bell rings at 8:45am
- Dismissal begins at 1:50pm Pre K; 3:15pm K~3rd
Mark Your Calendar
April
21st -No School for Students
22nd- 2 hour delay
25th- Interims Available
End of the Year Testing
April 28th ~ May 6th
May
5th~9th Staff Appreciation Week
9th - Career Day
12th - No Pre K
5th~16th 3rd grade testing - West Virginia Summative Assessment
19th- Step Up Day
21st- Pre K Field Day
22nd- Field Day grades K~3rd
26th - Memorial Day - No School
27th - Nine Weeks Reward
28th - Pre K Transition Ceremony
29th - LAST day for Students
A note from Ms. Ballard
Our end of the year iReady Diagnostic Testing will take place Monday, April 28th ~ Tuesday, May 6th. Third grade students will also be complete the West Virginia Summative Assessment May 5th~16th.
In preparation for testing:
1. Be sure your child gets plenty of rest. (at least 8 hours)
2. Attendance- be present for the test.
3. Try your best! Speak to your child about taking their time and putting forth their best effort.
With the last days of school quickly approaching, it can be easy to let some assignments and deadlines slip away. You can keep yourself and your child on track by participating in our countdown calendar to SUMMER🌞. Have your child mark all of the upcoming tests, activities, and events coming up. With a countdown calendar, you can plan celebrations and family time while your child remains on track with their schoolwork.
We are using the 26 letters in the alphabet to countdown to summer. It begins April 23rd and concludes the last day of school for students, May 29, 2025. (tentative)-see calendar below.
Thank you for all you do to help your child each day!
Testing Tips
The info below contains recommendations to help your child be successful.
Testing Season is here. Read below to begin preparing your child for end of the year testing.
Promote a positive attitude: Reassure your child that their effort is valued and that you believe in their ability to do their best.
Manage test anxiety: Help your child develop coping mechanisms for anxiety, such as deep breathing.
Plan a treat for when testing is complete. This could be something as simple as a pizza and movie night or a weekend outing to a local park.
from- google search
😎Warmer Weather Outfits 🔆
As the weather warms up please be mindful of what students wear to school. If they are wearing sandals be sure there is a buckle to keep students’ feet safely in the sandal. If students are wearing dresses or skirts please be sure they have shorts underneath so they may play freely. We also suggest sending in labeled water bottles so students may stay hydrated.
Remember to SOAR to success with GOOD choices.
100% ID CHECK
If your student is not an every day parent pick up, please have your ID when you come to pick up your child from the school. It is BCS policy that we check IDs of every person that request to pick up a student. Please keep this in mind and be paitent with staff when your ID is requested.
Volunteers and Chaperones
There are changes to the BCS Volunteer/Chaperone Process. Those wanting to become a Level I (Unsupervised) or Level II (Supervised) Volunteer will need to complete the following steps.
· Watch Meghan's Law video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jwb-Z9luNVU
· Complete a quiz and attain a score of 80% or above related to the video and BCS procedures https://forms.office.com/r/r6rk3ktUsk
After completion, those requesting to be a volunteer will receive a customized message with next steps. A follow-up email will be sent by the district to provide specific instructions for next steps depending on the level (Level I Volunteers the background check link & Level II Volunteers school approval list status).
Join Our PTO today...only $5 for a membership
Attendance Matters
Check your child's planner and folder each night to check the attendance tracker.
Please aim to send your child to school each day. If your child is not sick, please send them to school.
Walkers
We understand that older siblings may need to walk our kiddos home. Please be sure your child's teacher is aware of this arrangement. We have a new form to be completed by parents/guardians of students that are walked home by siblings that are under 18 years of age. Once the teacher is made aware, we will send home the form.
Please complete the Annual Emergency Information Update
Click the photo to complete this process today.
Share Your Contact Info!
If you need to contact Ms. Ballard
Email: cballard@k12.wv.us
School Website : https://www.berkeleycountyschools.org/o/winchesteravenue
Location: 650 WInchester Avenue, Martinsburg, WV 25401
Phone: (304) 267-3570