http://schools.fcps.org/wfms          

Phone 240-236-4000               FAX 240-236-4050     February 1, 2008                     Issue 2007-6

 

Calendar:

Tues. Feb. 5      Report Cards Issued

Fri.    Feb. 8      SCA Dance 6 – 8 pm WFMS Gym

Tues. Feb. 12    Schools Closed for Election Day

Mon.  Feb. 18    Schools Closed for Presidents’ Day

Thu.  Feb. 21    6^th/7^th Grades Course Offering Fair 6pm Gym

Thu.  Feb. 21    Art Show – Gym Lobby 6 – 7:30 pm

Thu.  Feb. 21     Mystery Dinner Theatre 7:30–9:30pm Café

Fri.    Feb. 22     2 Hour Early Dismissal (1 p.m.)

Fri.    Feb. 22    Mystery Dinner Theater 7:30-9:30pm Café

Thu.  Feb. 28     Mystery Dinner Theatre 7:30–9:30pm Café

Fri.    Feb. 29    Mystery Dinner Theater 7:30-9:30pm Café

Tue.  Mar. 4      3 ½ hour Early Dismissal (11:30 a.m.)

                        Due to Parent/Teacher Conferences

Wed. Mar. 5      Schools open 4 hours late (11:55 a.m.)

                        Due to Parent/Teacher Conferences

Wed. Mar. 5      BLOOD DRIVE 3 – 8 pm Cafe

Wed – Tue        3/19 – 3/25 Spring Break

 

Black History Month Celebrations

WFMS is celebrating Black History Month in many ways, such as daily information relayed during morning announcements, PBIS lessons focused on the accomplishments and endeavors of many Black Americans throughout history.  All students have participated in a classroom door decorating contest portraying the accomplishments for Black History Month.  Here are just a few examples of what our teachers are doing in support of February’s Black History Month:

 

The Renzulli Program is offering a chance for students to learn about Black History in Frederick. On February 7 WFMS teacher Shelly Garner will speak about her uncle’s experiences as a Tuskegee Airman during WWII. Maria Whittemore, minority achievement coordinator for FCPS, will share her personal experiences of desegregation in Frederick on February 19. 

 

If you know of anyone who would like to share their experiences with our students, please contact us. The time is not limited to February. Speakers are always welcome!

 

Rosemary Blyler’s class is making a class poster of Martin Luther King Jr. with facts that they add each day about his life.  We also do research questions every day which have been focusing on Black History Month.  Her science classes will also be researching the life of an African American scientist during the month of February.

 

Denise White’s 7^th grade Language Arts classes are creating our curriculum based lesson on “A Celebration of Black History” and “African Americans A – Z”.

 

Submitted for Mr. Cross’ and Mrs. Creter’s classes in American Studies One:  Throughout American Studies One, we will have several opportunities to focus on Black History. For example we will be learning about Olaudah Equiano. We will focus on his experiences as he endured slavery during the 1700’s, and how he pursued freedom, and eventually became a sailor, learned to read and write, and published his autobiography.  Later in the semester we’ll be learning even more about how many other African-Americans relied on their faith and families to endure and resist slavery in the Americas. We’ll be learning about abolitionists such as Frederick Douglass, and Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad, as well as how many African-Americans served valiantly fighting as soldiers during the Civil War.

 

Media Center News

Come to the Media Center and check out a great book for Black History Month! 

 

Roll of thunder, hear my cry by Mildred Taylor

Dear Austin: letters from the Underground Railroad

by Elvira Woodruff

I thought my soul would rise and fly by Joyce Hansen

The journal of Biddy Owens: the Negro leagues by

Walter Dean Myers

Alvin Ailey: celebrating African-American culture in dance

by Barbara Cruz

Black hands, white sails: the story of African-American

whalers by Pat McKissack

Duke Ellington: the piano prince and his orchestra by

Andrea Davis Pinkney

The dream keeper and other poems by Langston Hughes

Brown angels: an album of pictures and verse by Walter

Dean Myers

 

 

Renzulli News

Kaye Stefanick, Judy Reilly 240.236.4085

 

The spring session of the Stock Market Game begins the week of February 4, 2008. Students may form a team of five and fill out the team form in the Renzulli Room. Students get an imaginary $100,000 to invest in the stock market. The game lasts for nine weeks and the teams meet at lunchtime.

 

Eighth grader Chelbi Riley planned and completed her Type III independent project. She organized a fieldtrip to the Museum of Industry in Baltimore, Maryland. Students had the opportunity to role-play people in an oyster canning factory from the early 1900s. Thanks to Chelbi for all her hard work! Also many thanks to our two parent chaperones, Ms. Visco and Ms. Soward. We appreciate their willingness to help!

 

Mike Moretti is also working on his project to learn about a career of his choice-bail bondsman. We visited a local office where Mike interviewed a bail bondsman. Mike is also creating a PowerPoint presentation that he will share with interested students.

 

The debate team is beginning to research and practice for the FCPS Middle School Debate, held on March 7 at Urbana Middle School. The topic: FCPS should prohibit the sale of snack foods in the cafeteria at lunch time.

 

Do you know where your History Day project is? Deadline for application to participate in this year’s county event is March 1. The Renzulli staff checks in with students on these projects, but students should be working diligently on their own. Questions? Contact us!

 

The staff of the literary magazine is currently soliciting submissions for writing in all genres as well as art.  If you have a budding J.K. Rowling     secretly hiding out in your home, please encourage him or her to submit work to the magazine. 

 

The creative writers in all grade levels are still going strong, and working on products to share with fellow students by the end of the winter.

 

Renzulli teachers will be tapping the best readers, recommended by language arts teachers, to join in

small-group, shared inquiry discussions based on classic short stories and poems. One seventh grade group recently read and discussed Kurt Vonnegut’s “Harrison Bergeron” a story about a dystopian society. 

 

The Renzulli staff will also be tapping great thinkers, again recommended by classroom teachers, to join in Socratic Seminars.

 

For both the shared inquiry discussions and Socratic Seminars, students need to be caught up in their current class work since students are released from class for the discussions.

 

 

Life Skills – 8^th grade

 

Students in Life Skills are working on earning their Red Cross Babysitting Certification. They have learned basic care skills for infants and children, such as holding, feeding and diapering. Next, they will learn to create safe and educational play situations. Finally, they will learn some basic first aid skills to use in case of emergency. This certification will help students prepare not only for babysitting jobs, but any job working with children. It’s been a fun unit.  I have been impressed with how caring the students have been in regards to children.

 

 

WFMS Wall of Honor

Attention Parents and Students !!  It’s time to update our Wall of Honor!  If you, or a member of your family, are currently serving in the Armed Forces (or a Veteran), please send in a photo along with their name and duty station to Mrs. Boyd.  We want to include as many members of the WFMS family as possible!  What a great way to recognize someone special!  Photos may be dropped off at the front office or emailed to Catherine.Boyd@fcps.org and will be placed on the wall throughout the school year. Thanks for your support.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PERFORMANCE NOTES!!

from Ms. Stefanizzi and Ms. McEndree

 Mystery Dessert Theatre production rehearsal schedules and other important information can be found on Ms. Stef's webpage which is accessible through the WFMS webpage.  Our shows will be in our Café on Thursday (2/21/08), Friday (2/22) and Thursday (2/28/08) and Friday (2/29) at 7:30 pm. Tickets will be $5.00 which will include a show as well as desserts and beverages.  Last year's show was a total sell out...packed house both nights.  Be certain to get your tickets ahead of time to secure your seat.   This is to celebrate “Bring your Family to School Week”, a PTSA sponsored event.  Ms. Stefanizzi and Ms. Van Kirk are coordinating this event and specific details will be forthcoming on the morning announcements and in the next PTSA newsletter.  Stay tuned!

 

We are in full All County Band and Chorus mode too. Please refer to the papers your students received when they were accepted in to the ensemble.  All times and rehearsal locations along with concert information is included in the packet. 

 

Time to begin thinking about our Spring Concerts!  The spring Choral Concert will be on Tuesday, May 13 beginning at 7pm.  Our Spring Band Concert will be on Wednesday, May 14 beginning at 7pm.

 

We try to keep our WebPages updated for your convenience. Please drop by at http://schools.fcps.org/wfms/home.html, click on Staff, find our names and retrieve the information you need.       SEE YOU AT THE SHOW!!!

 

 

 

 

CHAT with our Superintendent

Got questions for FCPS’s Superintendent Dr. Linda Burgee?  This year’s CHAT will be held at 7630 Hayward Road in Frederick: 

Tuesday, Feb. 5^th  7 – 8:30 pm

(snow date is 3/10/08 1–2:30 pm)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Easy Way to Help WFMS --- Donate !!!

The EcoPhones Recycling Fundraiser pays up to $300 per item. There's nothing to buy and nothing to sell. Simply ask parents, neighbors, co-workers and local businesses to donate and recycle their used consumer electronics:

• Cell Phones
• Ink Jet Printer Cartridges
• DVD Movies & Videogames
• Portable DVD Players
• Laptop Computers
• MP3 Players
• X-Boxes, Sony Playstations, Wii
• Digital Cameras & Digital Video Cameras (DVRs)
• Digital Picture Frames
• Portable Navigation & GPS Devices (Garmin, Magellan, Tom-Tom)

WFMS earns cash for every item guaranteed! We even benefit from damaged, non-working and non-listed models. Have some of this stuff collecting dust in your house? Bring it in to me and I’ll ship it off. We are hoping to afford a new broad cast camera for the morning announcements, and a new digital camera to take ID pictures.   Robert A Dacey 240-236-4013 

FCPS News:

Families That Care – Guiding Good Choices - A Five Session Program on Effectively

Parenting Preteens and Teens

Available for free to the community -- What do the five Guiding Good Choices Workshops cover?

• Setting Guidelines: How to Develop Healthy

Beliefs and Clear Standards  

 • Avoiding Trouble: Helping Children Handle Peer

Pressure

 • Managing Conflict: How to Express and Control

Anger Constructively  

 • Involving Everyone: How to Strengthen Family

Bonds  

Being provided Wednesday evenings 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Frederick County Health Dept. 350 Montevue Lane, Frederick in Room 2-139.

            Series 3   April 2 – April 30th, 2008

Please register prior to attending. To register call 301-600-3357.  For an up to date schedule:  www.co.frederick.md.us/HealthDept/substanceabuse

 

 

FIRST FREDERICK COUNTY SPELLING BEE

 

The Gazette Newspaper and the Frederick County Public Library is sponsoring a county spelling bee.  Elimination Bees will be on February 21, 22, and 24 with the Championship Bee on March 7^th at the C. Burr Artz Library.   This is not an FCPS event, so students must register on their own at www.fcpl.org/spelling.   If your child is interested in participating and would like some practice words or ideas, he/she may see Ginny Hines, our Literacy Specialist during school hours.

 

From the Nurse’s Corner:

FCPS Food Service Complex Managers are sending out the following information to all schools to put in the school newsletter:

“If your child has a food allergy, you must provide the school food service personnel with a physician’s signed statement that must include:

·         An identification of the medical or other special dietary condition which restricts the child’s diet;

·         The Food or foods to be omitted from the child’s diet; and

·         The food or choice of foods to be substituted

If you have further questions, please contact Sandy Shankle Hillcrest Complex Manager @ 240-236-3232 or by email @ Sandra.shankle@fcps.org

 

February is Dental Health Month

Did you know to change your toothbrush after getting over a cold or flu?   Researchers at Georgetown found that children with frequent sore throats were continually re-infecting themselves with their toothbrushes.  Bacteria can linger on un-rinsed brushes for up to 15 days!  To avoid this, make sure the toothbrush is thoroughly rinsed under hot tap water for half a minute or so to dislodge infected toothpaste and food debris.  Also remember to switch your toothbrushes after getting over a cold or the flu!!!  It is a good idea to get a new toothbrush every three months or so anyway.

 

Tips For Keeping A Healthy Smile:

Keeping teeth healthy makes for a nicer smile.  If you take care of your teeth when you are young, you will have your teeth later in life.  You will

be able to bite into a big juicy apple when you are older.  Plaque keeps teeth from being healthy.  Plaque contains bacteria.  When you eat food that contains sugar, the bacteria mixes with the sugar and acid forms.  The acid attacks your teeth and causes tooth decay.

 

Here is what you need to do to prevent tooth decay:

• Brush your teeth after you eat whenever possible
• Floss your teeth at least once a day; ask a parent for help if you don't know how
• Eat nutritious foods as much as possible
• See your dentist regularly
• (When choosing a dental product look for the American Dental Association seal of Acceptance- this is a symbol of safety and effectiveness)

 

 

 

Guidance Corner

 

National School counseling week will be celebrated Feb. 4^th – 8^th. This week helps focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within our school system. National school counseling week highlights the tremendous impact that counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.

 

Mrs. Irwin will be teaching a career lesson to all 6^th graders during 3^rd term.

 

Grade 8 Four Year Plan for High School

Sue Marinello, Grade 8 Counselor, will present classroom lessons in February to enable 8^th graders to consider a career focus; to plan high school classes for 9^th, 10^th, 11^th and 12^th grades and to explore post-secondary educational and career plans. The purpose of the “Four Year Plans for High School” activity is to help 8^th graders plan for High School and prepare for 9^th grade registration. Maryland graduation requirements (25 credits), Career Tech programs, and the fast forward Program of earning college credit while still in high school will be discussed. A student’s “Four Year Plan” is always subject to change and should be reviewed each year before February registration for the next grade level.

 

 

 

 

Learn How To Study

It is no surprise to you as parents that good study skills help your child succeed in school.  Your job is to provide a nurturing and supportive environment so that your teen(s) want to learn.

Now that your teens are taking more courses, you can begin to teach them how to develop their personalized schedule, which includes school and activities outside of school. This schedule can be kept in their rooms or on the refrigerator, as well as in their school notebooks.  At home, teach them how to study smart and efficiently by:

 

·         Identifying a comfortable place in the home to study

·         Clearing off the desk or workplace; only include relevant materials

·         Making sure they have all the materials they need

·         Encouraging them to study at the same time everyday if possible. Regular study time is ideal

·         Making sure the space is quiet ( Some teens like studying with music, and that’s fine as long as you see results)

·         Taking them to the library, recommending it as another place to study

·         Making sure they know how to use the different resources in the library. This will be helpful when they have to write research papers

·         Making sure they understand the difference between doing homework, reviewing homework and studying for exams.

Donate Blood and Save Three Lives!

Sign up for the Blood Drive on March 5, Conference Day, sponsored by the Student Council Association, by e-mailing Melanie.Laffer@fcps.org, or completing the tear-off portion below, and turning it in to your child's AR teacher.

 

Name (please print) __________________________

 

Phone ______________________________________

 

Student Name ____________________________

 

Student's AR teacher _________________________

 

Preferred blood donation time frame on March 5 (any time between 3:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.) ______