Carter Chronicles

“I am worthy of love, kindness, and belonging. I cherish the people who bring warmth into my life and make space for meaningful connections. I am valued, I am enough, and I have love to give.”

As we enter this week, I find myself reflecting on how often the smallest moments can have the greatest impact on our scholars. We sometimes think that making a difference requires a grand gesture, but so much of what shapes our children happens in the ordinary moments of everyday life. A few encouraging words before school, a conversation about what they learned, a moment of patience when something feels difficult, or simply taking the time to listen can make a lasting impression. As educators and families, we have countless opportunities to remind our scholars that they are capable, valued, and supported. These moments may seem small to us, but they help build the confidence, resilience, and sense of belonging our scholars need to thrive. As we continue racing into success, I encourage each of us to be intentional about the moments we create with our children. We may not always see the immediate impact of our actions, but the care, consistency, and encouragement we provide today help shape who our scholars become tomorrow. Every moment matters, and every lap counts!

Quarter 1 report cards have been sent home, and now is the perfect time to turn those grades into a plan for success! Families, we encourage you to look closely at your child's grades, celebrate their strengths, and identify areas where they need additional support. Talk with your Wildcat about what went well, what was challenging, and what they want to accomplish in Quarter 2. If you have questions about a grade or your child's progress, connect with their teachers. Remember, a report card shows where your child is right now, not how far they can go! Let's use what we've learned to make Quarter 2 even stronger!

Did you know that schools receive report cards, too? The Maryland State Department of Education recently released the 2026 Maryland School Report Card, which shows how schools performed during the 2025–2026 school year. Just like your child's report card, our school's results help us celebrate successes and identify areas where we can improve. The report includes information about student learning, academic growth, attendance, and other measures of school success. We encourage our Wildcat families to explore our results, ask questions, and partner with us as we continue working to make Walter P. Carter a stronger school for every scholar. Our goal is progress, and together, we'll make sure every lap counts!

• MONDAY - Showing Kindness
• How can I make someone feel included during Halloween activities, even if they don’t have a costume?

• TUESDAY – Respecting Differences

  • Why is it important to respect classmates who celebrate Halloween differently or choose not to celebrate?

• WEDNESDAY – Using Good Manners

  • How can I show respect and use polite words when receiving candy or participating in Halloween activities?

• THURSDAY – Working Together

  • ow can I cooperate with my classmates to make Halloween activities fun and enjoyable for everyone?

• FRIDAY – Being a Good Friend

  • What can I do to help someone feel safe, happy, and included during Halloween celebrations?

• Show their learning by completing and recording work in their workbooks, notebooks, and other classroom materials.
• Write regularly to explain their thinking through responses to reading, exit tickets, and other classroom tasks.
• Work productively in small groups by participating, collaborating, and completing assigned tasks.
• Stay focused and engaged during learning time by listening, participating, and working quietly when expected.

• Asking: “What did you write about today?” or “Can you explain something you learned today?”
• Checking workbooks, notebooks, Common Core standards sites, and asking your scholar to show you work they are proud of and where they need more support.
• Encouraging your scholar to stay focused, participate in small-group learning, and complete every task.
• Practicing having your scholar explain their thinking—not just give an answer. You can do this by simply asking "Why?" or "How do you know?"

Our school food pantry will be open on November 19th at 12:00 PM to support families with groceries and essential food items. We encourage families who may benefit from this resource to stop by.

Need assistance with Thanksgiving? Every year, thanks to so many wonderful partners, we are able to provide support to our families during the Thanksgiving holiday. Please fill out this form, and we will reach out to you if we are able to match you with a donation!

Need assistance with school uniforms? Uniform support is available upon request. Please reach out to the Community School team if your family needs support. ashleyantonsen@ymaryland.org

Walter P. Carter EMS will celebrate American Education Week with a fun-filled Spirit Week from November 16–20, featuring themed days that bring students and staff together to show their school spirit. Through activities like Twin Day, Career Day, Wacky Tacky Day, Student-Teacher Swap, and School Colors Day, we will celebrate the joy of learning and recognize the amazing WPC community that makes education special!

There are a few more days to order your Joe Corbi's items! We are one week into our Joe Corbi's Fundraiser. Now is the time to make sure you register online. It only takes a couple of minutes! Here's why you want to register.

• There are over 800 items that are available online only connected to the fundraiser.
• Out-of-town supporters can have those online items shipped directly to them.

Join us at our next PTO meeting with the newly elected PTO Board. A formal announcement on the members is coming! The next parent meeting will also include members of the Student, Family, & Community Council and we will hear from the Attendance Monitor about attendance initiatives, Wholeness Lead about climate and culture, an AP about academics, and the Community School Coordinator about family engagement opportunities!

We had such a successful meeting this past week and voted for our PTO Board!!! A formal board announcement will be coming out shortly, so stay tuned! The next meeting will be November 11th. Reach out to Ms. Antonsen to find the agenda from October 14th!

At Walter P. Carter Elementary/Middle School, we are incredibly grateful for our partnership with Keisha Blake and the I Am Me Mentoring Program!

Through her dedication to empowering young girls and supporting our school garden initiative, Keisha has helped create meaningful opportunities for students to build confidence, develop leadership skills, and take pride in their school community.

From mentoring our young ladies to helping bring our garden to life and supporting its growth, Keisha continues to demonstrate what community partnership is all about. Her commitment to nurturing both our students and our school environment has made a lasting impact.

Thank you, Keisha, for investing your time, passion, and energy into our WPC Wildcats! 💚🐾🌻https://iammeproject.org/

• November 3, 2026 - No School

  • Schools will be closed for Election Day. Students will return on Wednesday, November 4.

• November 5, 2026 - Report Cards

  • Regular school day. First-quarter report cards will be available. Families are encouraged to review their child's academic progress, celebrate successes, and connect with teachers about opportunities for growth.

• November 6, 2026 - No School

  • Schools will be closed for students.

• November 11, 2026 - SFC Meeting

  • Regular school day. Join us for our School Family Council (SFC) meeting at 5:30 PM. This is an opportunity for families to share their voices, learn about school priorities, and help strengthen our school community.

• November 16–20, 2026 - American Education Week

  • Join us as we celebrate public education and recognize the educators, families, and community partners who support our scholars. We appreciate the important role everyone plays in helping our Wildcats succeed!

• November 17, 2026 - Family Night

  • Regular school day. Join us at 5:30 for a special evening of family engagement, connection, and fun! Additional details will be shared as we get closer to the event.

• November 19, 2026 - Food Pantry

  • Regular school day. Families are invited to visit our school food pantry for additional household food support. Supplies are available while they last.

• November 25–27, 2026 - No School

  • Schools will be closed for Thanksgiving Break. We wish our Wildcat families a safe, restful, and enjoyable holiday. Students will return on Monday, November 30.

School doors will open at 9:00 am. We encourage families to arrive early, particularly during the first few days of school as everyone becomes familiar with our arrival procedures.

Students should enter the building at the following locations:

• Pre-K through 2nd Grade: Side entrance across from the pool
• 3rd Grade through 8th Grade: Gym Doors across from the pool
• Citywide/Special Programs: Main Entrance

Staff members will be stationed throughout the exterior and interior of the building to welcome students and help them get to the appropriate location.

Please remember that the parking lot can only accommodate a small number of vehicles. We ask families to be patient and follow the directions of staff during arrival. Please do not park or stop in areas designated for buses, emergency vehicles, or other restricted areas. Our priority is ensuring that all students can enter the building safely and efficiently. Additionally, please do not leave your car unattended in the parking lot. If you are planning on walking your student to the building, please park your vehicle in one of the external parking spaces or utilize street parking. Do not park in the middle of the street, and be courteous to all school community members as they pass through St. Georges street.

Students are expected to arrive in full school uniform beginning on the first day of school.

• Primary Grades: Red Shirt and Khaki Pants
• Intermediate Grades: Hunter Green Shirt and Khaki Pants
• Middle School: Black Shirt and Khaki Pants

Students are not allowed to carry their backpacks throughout the day. Please ensure that students are able to carry their necessary materials without a backpack.

Breakfast for primary (PreK-2nd Grade) students will begin at 8:45 AM, and for all other grades will begin promptly at 9:00 am.

In the event that your child leaves their lunch at home, please drop it off in the main office. It will be labeled and ready for your child at their designated lunch period.

No take out food or door dash deliveries will be permitted.

If your child has any food allergies, please ensure they are documented in the health suite and we will ensure the cafeteria team has it documented.

Students will dismiss at the following times:

• Pre-K through 2nd Grade: Basketball Sides
• Grades 3–5: Main Entrance
• Grades 6–8: Near Bus Loop
• Citywide/Special Programs: Main Entrance

Please make sure your scholar and their teacher know how they will get home each day. Any changes to a student's regular dismissal plan should be communicated to the school as early as possible.

To ensure that we are able to safely dismiss all students in an organized manner, early dismissal ends at 3:00 PM. Please note that you must be present and listed in the student's Infinite Campus to request an early dismissal.