Turtle Talk 10/11/2024
Watershed's Newsletter
Keep up the AWESOME attendance Turtles!
VIRTUES: We were so excited to celebrate with parents, cherished adults and students who showed WONDER in September. We cannot wait to celebrate students who, during the month of October, exhibit ACCOUNTABILITY. As the end of the first quarter nears, students are being taught to take responsibility for what they do, say and how they affect the world around them. Their peers and staff will nominate those students who have exemplified this virtue and those students will be invited to a breakfast with their parents and/or cherished adults. We look forward to celebrating our accountable students on November 8th at 8:15 am. Students who are nominated for this event will bring home an invitation with an RSVP portion on October 31.
AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS: Watershed is beginning our after school clubs in the next few weeks. All students who participate in after school clubs must show acceptable behavior both during school hours and during the after school club. We are offering the following after school clubs:
- Yearbook
- Black Excellence
- Newspaper
- National Honor Society (requires a specific grade point average for participation)
- Pokemon Club
- Environmental Club
- STEM Club
Each sponsor will use a signup genius to allow parents and students the opportunity to choose their after school club. Once spots are filled, students will be placed on a wait-list. Most of our sponsors are providing multiple opportunities for different groups of students to join throughout the year. Be on the lookout for more information in your emails!
GRADING: At this point in the school year, students have a number of grades in Schoology. While Watershed does not post work to Schoology to complete, we do use the gradebook function of the program. Please check Schoology regularly to see how your child is showing progress in school. Assignments marked as missing when a student is present for the completion of the assignment typically means that the student refused to complete it. Teachers will note in the gradebook when students do not turn in an assignment or refuse to complete it. Students with missing assignments who were present for the initial presentation of the assignment will not be offered the opportunity to "re-do" the assignment if they refused to complete it. If a student begins an assignment and needs more time to complete, the assignment can be completed at the discretion of the teacher. Excused absences will be provided make up work to be done at home for a grade. All other graded assignments must be completed at school to ensure equitable access to resources. Major grades for Watershed are based on project based learning and writing rubrics and are graded 3 times a year.
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL SEARCH: Watershed has posted the job description for our next assistant principal on both the Watershed and BCPS websites. Now it's time to hear from you about the type of school leader you would want as our next assistant principal. Mrs. Widney is hosting a community member input session on Thursday October 17th at 3:30 to hear your thoughts and suggestions. Hope you can make it!
BCPS Spotlight on Our Turtles
WPCS third graders Brailyn and Washington Jones were recently featured in a BCPS Close-Up. Click here to read about our fantastic Turtles!
Thank you for joining us!
We wanted to extend a huge thank you to those who were able to attend the Watershed PTO General Meeting on October 1st! Information was shared about upcoming events, and exciting volunteer opportunities, and 10 lucky members from the membership drive won prizes from this year’s PTO events. For more information please check out the 10/1 General PTO Meeting Minutes.
Next PTO Meeting: Tuesday, October 29th at 7:00 pm (November meeting moved a week early due to elections.) meet.google.com/uvx-zqmz-rcd
Watershed Back-to-School Social
A heartfelt thank you to all our Watershed families who joined us for the Watershed PTO Back-to-School Social on Tuesday! It was a joy to connect with both new and returning families. We hope you all enjoyed the ice cream, games, and had the chance to make some new friends. Also, a huge thank you to everyone who volunteered, lent their DJing talents, and those who stepped in to help out! Our families are what truly make Watershed so special!
Mum Sale Fundraiser
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who ordered and participated in the Mum Sale Fundraiser! It was a tremendous success, and it brought us so much joy to see everyone picking up their mums and giving these beautiful plants new homes. Thanks to your support, the Watershed PTO raised about $1300!
Meet the Room Reps!
We did it! We’ve placed a Room Representative with every homeroom teacher who requested one! Room Reps will connect with families of their class from time to time as classroom needs and requests arise. To be added to the email list for your teacher’s Room Rep, send an email to the Room Rep or fill out the Google Form if available. The list of Room Reps and their contact information is available here.
Middle School Committee
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 the initiatives and engagement of our middle school students! Sign up here to learn more or join us for our first meeting to take place on October 23rd at 7 pm via google meet!
Help Support Dogwood’s Trunk or Treat
We have the opportunity to support our neighboring school! The PTA at Dogwood Elementary is looking for people to decorate their trunks for their annual Trunk or Treat on October 31st and has requested help from Watershed families. If you would like to share your creative side and help out with their event by decorating your trunk, please reach out to president@watershedpto.org so we can get you connected. Thank you!
Clothing Swap
Do you have gently used gear that you’re ready to part with? Or maybe you’re on the hunt for new items for your student, who seems to be growing like a weed? Look no further! We’ve got you covered. The Watershed PTO will be hosting a Clothing Swap on Friday, October 25th from 3:15 - 4:00 pm. Donate your gear at the drop-off times and dates listed below.
Sign up here to help our 6th and 7th graders earn service learning hours while volunteering for the Watershed Community.
Drop-off Times:
Monday 10/21, Tuesday 10/22, Thursday 10/24 - 3:15-4:00 pm
Wednesday 10/23 - 2:15-3:00 pm
