Blog Archives

The Blast - April 30

4/30/2015

We're starting to look forward to summer but don't want anyone to miss out on the fun Westowne events to come in the last couple months of school. We can help you stay in the loop with our website calendar and by joining our Facebook group.

PTA News

Chick-fil-A Today

Bring your families out to Chick-fil-A at 5668 Baltimore National Pike today from 4:00 – 9:00. Chick-fil-A will contribute 10-20% of all purchases to support the PTA's 5th Grade Committee and this year's graduating class. The larger the crowd, the larger the contribution.

Please bring your flyer or mention Westowne PTA at the register.

Teacher Appreciation Week

Westowne's teachers model good character for our children every day. Join us in showering our teachers and staff with gratitude the week of May 11th - 15th. Thanks to your financial support, we will be bringing in catered lunches twice that week. Thanks to the generous donation of Panera, breakfast will also be served one morning.

Please help us assure a fun, successful Teacher Appreciation Week:

Donate gift cards for merchandise or services and new items that may be raffled off to teachers. We are collecting items now. Donations may be sent in your child's folder in an envelope marked with "PTA" or placed on the PTA mailbox in the school office.
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, May 12th and Thursday, May 14th, and put on your aprons! With your help, we will fill the teachers' lounge with homemade sweets those days.
A template for letters and artwork is being sent home so students can create personalized thank-yous for their teachers and staff. Use the template or get more creative! These student projects should be sent into school by next Wednesday, May 6th, so we can feature them on teacher's doors and bulletin boards.
There are volunteer opportunities for daily events starting Friday, May 8th through Friday, May 15th. Show your love and send us an email to sign up.

Box Tops News

Calling all Box Tops!

Please send in all the Box Tops you have been saving at home. Even ask grandparents to send their Box Tops in! We are especially interested in getting the ones that expire on 6/1/2015. If Box Tops for Education does not receive them by the expiration date, they are invalid. We can not claim the money from any expired Box Tops. Please don't throw money away! Scour the cabinets, pantry, fridge and freezer--and send those Box Tops to Westowne.

Also take a moment to enter this Box Tops contest for a chance to win 10,000 bonus Box Tops for our school.

Oriole's Ticket Pickup

Thanks to everyone for ordering tickets for the game! Ticket pickup is Wednesday, May 6th during dismissal at the walker door until 4:30 and in the cafeteria from 6:00 - 7:00. In order to assure tickets are delivered to those who purchased them, they will not be sent home in student folders. Thank you!

School News

Screen Free Week

Ms. Johnson and her team are working on the exciting details for Screen Free Week, which is May 4th - May 10th. During this annual event, students pledge to go "screen free" all week. Expect activities like a school grounds clean up, a Peace A Pizza night, and a family park night. Earn raffle entries by participating in events and win prizes from local businesses. More details to come.

Community News

Challenger Baseball

The Arbutus Little League Challenger Baseball team is still accepting players between the ages of 6 and 21 with physical and developmental challenges. The next game is May 1st. Visit the website for sign up details.

Catonsville Flower Fest & Garden Party

Kick off the Sunday farmer's market season this Sunday, May 3rd from 10:00 - 3:00 on Egges Lane. Expect flowers, music, gifts, and more.

Catonsville Farmer's Market

The Catonsville Farmer's Market begins next Wednesday, May 6th at its new location. Check it out at the Christian Temple on Wednesdays from 10:00 - 1:00

0 Comments

The Blast - May 23

4/29/2015

0 Comments

Thanks for all the support and fun at last week's Pajama Day, Movie Night, and Spring Spree. You make Westowne great.

PTA News

PTA Thanks

Your PTA Board would like to thank Maura and Greg Hill and their team for bringing us Movie Night three times this school year! It was great to bring this fun, free event to Westowne's families.

We would also like to thank Debra Wright for her craft and vendor fair expertise. Setup and sign up was seamless thanks to her help!

OriolesREACH  High  Five  Night

The 5th Grade Committee is hosting an  Orioles  game night for the  Westowne community. Mark your calendars for Friday, May 15th for a 7:05 game. Please place your ticket orders by tomorrow Friday, April 24th. Proceeds will benefit the 5th Grade Committee, which provides the t-shirts, memory books, and recognition ceremony for this year's graduating class.

Teacher Appreciation Week

Westowne's teachers are models of respect, caring, responsibility, trustworthiness, and courage! Join us in showering our teachers and staff with gratitude the week of May 11th - 15th. Thanks to your financial support, we will be bringing in catered lunches twice that week. Thanks to the generous donation of Panera, breakfast will also be served one morning.

In addition to what you do all year long to support your children's teachers, there are several ways parents can participate in Teacher Appreciation Week.

Donate gift cards for merchandise or services and new items that may be raffled off to teachers. We are collecting items now. Donations may be sent in your child's folder in an envelope marked with "PTA" or placed on the PTA mailbox in the school office.
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, May 12th and Thursday, May 14th, and put on your aprons! With your help, we will fill the teachers' lounge with homemade sweets those days.
More information about how students can show their appreciation with letters and artwork , as well as parent volunteer opportunities for the daily events, to come. Send us an email if you are eager to help.

Chick-fil-A Night

Bring your families out to Chick-fil-A at  5668 Baltimore National Pike on Thursday, April 30 from 4:00 – 9:00.  Chick-fil-A will contribute 10-20% of all purchases to support the PTA's 5th Grade Committee and this year's graduating class. The larger the crowd, the larger the contribution.

Please bring your flyer or mention Westowne PTA at the register.

Box Tops News

Congrats to Allie from Mrs. Ritzes' class for winning the $10 Barnes and Noble gift card raffle! Thank you to all the students who sent in collection sheets. We had over 60 entries to the raffle.

Reminders

There's always something to to look forward to. We can help you stay in the loop with our website calendar and by joining our Facebook group .

School News

Art to Remember

Mrs. Albert, our  art  teacher, is running an  Art   to   Remember program. Students in 1st through 5th grade have completed projects, and families may purchase keepsake items  featuring their child's artwork . The proceeds from this program will support  art  education at Westowne. Please place your orders by tomorrow, Friday, April 24th.

Pillowcases for Patients

This week is Kids Helping Hopkins Awareness Week in Baltimore County Public Schools. Westowne's  initiative is “Pillowcases for Patients.”  We will be collecting new, colorful, child-friendly pillowcases for the pediatric patients at Hopkins.

If you would like to participate, please bring in your new pillowcases in today or tomorrow. Just drop them in the box in the lobby labeled "Kids Helping Hopkins." Please contact  Mrs. Ritzes  with questions.

Battle of the Books

“Battle of the Books” is a program sponsored by Baltimore County Public Libraries in which students in 4th through 6th grades from participating local elementary schools read Black-Eyed Susan nominated books and come together in teams chosen by the schools to demonstrate their abilities and test their reading comprehension.

Westowne and Westchester will be competing in the Catonsville branch’s Battle of the Books tomorrow,  Friday, April 24 . The competition begins at 6:30 .  All are welcome to attend and cheer on both schools for this inaugural Battle in Catonsville. Please note the branch will close to the public at  5:30 to allow this event to be held .

Two Liter Bottles

Mrs. Rees, one of our 5th grade teachers, needs two liter soda bottles for an upcoming project. Please send empty, clean bottles in with your 5th graders or drop them off in the school office.

New Administrative Assistant

Westowne's administrative assistant, Ms. Gross, is out on extended leave. Ms. Bowser is the substitute. Give her a warm, patient welcome when you catch her on the phone or in the office.

Screen Free Week

Ms. Johnson and her team are working on the exciting details for Screen Free Week, which is May 4th - May 10th. During this annual event, students pledge to go "screen free" all week. Expect activities like a school grounds clean up, a Peace A Pizza night, and a family park night. Earn raffle entries by participating in events and win prizes from local businesses. More details to come.

Community  News

Paradise Festivus

Join neighbors at this family friendly community festival including arts, food and music Saturday, April 25th, from 2:00 - 7:00. This event is a fund raiser for the Paradise Community Association. For more information,  email  them or visit their  Facebook page.

0 Comments

Come out to Camden Yards with Us on May 15

4/17/2015

0 Comments

4/14 PTA Meeting Recap

4/16/2015

0 Comments

Mrs. Patrick
1.     Staffing levels for next year
a.     Conducted a staffing meeting following the last PTA meeting
b.     PS 3s: 0.5 teacher
c.      PK: 1.0 teacher
d.     Kindergarten to increase from 5.0 to 6.0 teachers/classes
e.     Special Ed
                                               i.     Regional: 4.0 teachers (ECLS-K, CLS-K, CLS 3s/4s, EC 3s/4s)
                                              ii.     Continuum: 2.5 special education teachers
f.      Total number of teachers will decrease from 19.5 to 18.0 with loss of 1 teacher via priority transfer
                                               i.     Grade 1: projected at 100, 4 homeroom teachers, .5 RELA
                                              ii.     Grade 2: projected at 73, 3 homeroom teachers
                                             iii.     GRADE 3: projected at 103, 4 homeroom teachers .5 RELA
                                             iv.     Grade 4: projected at 75, 3 homeroom teachers
                                              v.     Grade 5: projected at 76, 3 homeroom teachers
g.     Instrumental music .4 teacher (approximately 2 days a week)
h.     Vocal Music/PE/Art 4.0 teachers
                                               i.     Due to space concerns, will not continue extra PE.
                                              ii.     Still considering best option for next year—possibly vocal music and art on cart and/or recorders for 3rd grade.
                                             iii.     Determination for extra special area will be decided annually.
i.       Librarian 1.0 teacher
j.       Support faculty and staff
                                               i.     Reading specialist 1.0 teacher
                                              ii.     Nurse 1.0 position
iii. No health assistant
  iv.     School counselor 1.0; will secure one person instead of two 0.5 positions
  v.     ESOL decreased 0.5 to 0.3 based on enrollment projections
                                             vi.     Behavior Interventionist 1.0 position
vii.     STAT 0.5 to 1.0 (Devices rolled out for grades 1-3 next school year)
vIii.     Paraeducators 7.0 positions
  ix.     Secretary 2.0 positions
  x.     Kindergarten Assistant 1.0 position
xi.     Lunchroom Assistant 1.1
xii.     Additional adult assistants – to be determined by IEPs
k.     Ms. McBride is SST and IEP Chair at Westowne

Debra Brooks, Executive Director Student Services
a.     Response to Intervention
b.     Student Support Team (SST) process and Student Support Plans
c.      Student Service Support: students with 504 plans accessing general education with accommodations but without specialized instruction and covered by Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
d.     Specialized Instruction: students with IEPs performing two or more years below grade level and covered by Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
e.     Additional adults funded by operating budget
f.      Behavior interventionist should provide services throughout school

Principal's Report: Mrs. Patrick
a.     Dates of upcoming events going out in Words to the Wise newsletter
b.     Field Day June 12
c.      Thanks to Ben Stallings for bike rack!
d.     Parent Perception Survey results going out in Words to the Wise
e.     Parent Input Committee discussed as a possibility with Mrs. Miller
                                               i.     How do parents want that committee to work?
f.      Engrade/BCPS One system
                                               i.     New system this year
                                              ii.     Teachers required to update twice a month (by 15th and end of month)
g.     April Autism Awareness Month
                                               i.     Classroom activities being planned
                                              ii.     Bulletin board in lobby

Teacher Liaison: Ms. Robey
a.     Art to Remember forms going out
                                               i.     1st-5th grade
                                              ii.     Due Friday, April 24th
b.     Kids Helping Hopkins forms going out
                                               i.     Requests donations for colorful or character pillowcases to be donated to
kids in Hopkins hospital

President’s Report: China Williams
1.     5th Grade expenses
a.     $1300 in uncashed checks from last school year; outstanding bills paid
b.     Moved 5th grade account into general account
c.      Upcoming fundraisers
                                               i.     Movie Night concessions
                                              ii.     Chick-fil-A Thursday, April 30
                                             iii.     O’s Night May 15th (orders due April 24th)
                                             iv.     Panera May 18
d.     Estimated $550 deficit to be absorbed by general funds
2.     County PTA Treasurer audited last year’s books to determine source of $2000+ surplus. Identified $951 in unrecorded deposits and $1300 in uncashed checks.
3.     38K year to date income, exceeds anticipated income of 36K, approximately 15K in upcoming expenses.
4.     Anticipate a minor carryover of about $1000 and meets goal of a balanced budget
5.     Voted to increase 5th Grade Committee budget to $5276
6.     Voted to add in Oriole’s Night as fundraiser
7.     Scholastic Fair great success. Thanks to all!
8.     Literature Night great success. Thanks to all!
a.     Suggested a half hour of pizza time with 6:30 and 7:00 sessions instead of three
9.     Spring Spree this Saturday with about 40 vendors and crafters
10.   Screen Free Week May 4th-10th
a.     Parents can ask local business connections to donate items for parent and student raffles

Secretary’s Report: Justine Stull

Membership

187 members

Teacher Appreciation Week May 11th-15th

Teacher raffle donations requested: gift certificates for merchandise/services and unused items
Student art and letters to be displayed Friday, May 8th
Monday Chipotle lunch
Tuesday & Thursday homemade baked goods donation from families
Wednesday BricknFire pizza oven
Friday Panera breakfast donation

Vice President’s Report: Jessica
1.     $1191 Box Tops
a.     Expecting $500 check
b.     Will exceed goal
2.     $316.19 Safeway Sept-Feb

Treasurer’s Report: Stacie Lauer
1.     $399 5th Grade Pizza Sales
2.     $2100 Book Fair
3.     $750 Chuck E. Cheese’s

Claire’s Gourmet: Becky Bass & Jen Zwarich
1.     Claire’s $1300
2.     Relatively small number of orders
3.     Another better option for next year?

0 Comments

The Blast - April 16

4/16/2015

0 Comments

Westowne celebrates Autism Awareness Month with this fresh bulletin in the school lobby created by Ms. McBride.

PTA News

Pajama Day and Movie Night

Send your kids to school in their PJs this Friday, April 17. Students may chose to bring in a donation. The class with the largest cumulative contribution will win an end of year party. Current front running classes include Ms. Murray, Ms. Connolly, and Mrs. Mannion.

Families are invited back to school Friday evening for the last Movie Night this school year. We'll be showing Big Hero 6 (PG) and will have pizza, snacks, and drinks for sale. Concession sales for this event will benefit the 5th Grade Committee. Doors open at 6:00. The show starts at 6:30.

Market Day

Pickup is Friday, April 17th from 6:00 - 7:00.

Spring Spree - Craft & Vendor Fair

Join us for Westowne's first annual Spring Spree this Saturday, April 18th from 9:00 - 1:00. We have nearly 40 local vendors and crafters supporting our school and bringing their goods for sale. Help us spread the word by sharing this event with your friends and neighbors. We have the flyer on our website and a Facebook group you can share.

We look forward to seeing you all on Saturday!

OriolesREACH High Five Night

The 5th Grade Committee is hosting an Orioles game night for the Westowne community. Mark your calendars for Friday, May 15th for a 7:05 game. Ticket order forms will be sent home so that you may preorder your tickets by next Friday, April 24th. Proceeds will benefit the 5th Grade Committee, which provides the t-shirts, memory books, and recognition ceremony for this year's graduating class.

Teacher Appreciation Week

Westowne's teachers are models of respect, caring, responsibility, trustworthiness, and courage! Join us in showering our teachers and staff with gratitude the week of May 11th - 15th. Thanks to your financial support, we will be bringing in catered lunches twice that week. Thanks to the generous donation of Panera, breakfast will also be served one morning.

In addition to what you do all year long to support your children's teachers, there are several ways parents can participate in Teacher Appreciation Week.

Donate gift cards for merchandise or services and new items that may be raffled off to teachers. We are collecting items now. Donations may be sent in your child's folder in an envelope marked with "PTA" or placed on the PTA mailbox in the school office.
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, May 12th and Thursday, May 14th, and put on your aprons! With your help, we will fill the teachers' lounge with homemade sweets those days.
More information about how students can show their appreciation with letters and artwork, as well as parent volunteer opportunities for the daily events, to come. Send us an email if you are eager to help.

School News

Round Up

Westowne will hosts Pre-school, Pre-kindergarten, and Kindergarten Round Up today, Thursday, April 16th and tomorrow, Friday, April 17th so that families may register their incoming students. Call the school office to schedule an appointment.

410-887-0854

Art to Remember

Mrs. Albert, our art teacher, is running an Art to Remember program. Students in 1st through 5th grade have completed projects, and families may purchase keepsake items featuring their child's artwork. The proceeds from this program will support art education at Westowne. Order forms are being sent home, and orders are due next Friday, April 24th.

Pillowcases for Patients

Next week is Kids Helping Hopkins Awareness Week in Baltimore County Public Schools. Westowne's initiative is “Pillowcases for Patients.”  We will be collecting new, colorful, child-friendly pillowcases for the pediatric patients at Hopkins.

If you would like to participate, please bring in your new pillowcases next week, and drop them in the box in the lobby labeled "Kids Helping Hopkins." Please contact Mrs. Ritzes with questions.

Picture Day

Spring photos are being taken on Tuesday, April 21st.

Battle of the Books

“Battle of the Books” is a program sponsored by Baltimore County Public Libraries in which students in 4th through 6th grades from participating local elementary schools read Black-Eyed Susan nominated books and come together in teams chosen by the schools to demonstrate their abilities and test their reading comprehension.

Westowne and Westchester will be competing in the Catonsville branch’s Battle of the Books on Friday, April 24. The competition begins at 6:30. All are welcome to attend and cheer on both schools for this inaugural Battle in Catonsville. Please note the branch will close to the public at 5:30 to allow this event to be held.

Community News

Paradise Festivus

Join neighbors at this family friendly community festival including arts, food and music on Saturday, April 25th, from 2:00 - 7:00. This event is a fund raiser for the Paradise Community Association. For more information, email them or visit their Facebook page.

0 Comments

The Blast - April 2

4/2/2015

0 Comments

Have a great Spring Break, Westowne! We'll catch up with you all when classes resume.

PTA News

PTA Meeting

Join us in the school library on Tuesday, April 14th at 7:00. Parents are encouraged to attend for a follow up discussion with Mrs. Patrick and Debra Brooks, Executive Director, Department of Student Services.

SWAEAC

The Southwest Area Educational Advisory Council (SWAEAC) Legislative Reception is Wednesday, April 15th at 7:00. Attend this event to chat with our elected representatives and neighbors. The reception is conveniently hosted by Hillcrest Elementary School right in Catonsville.

Pajama Day and Movie Night

Send your kids to school in their PJs on Friday, April 17. Families are invited back to school that evening for Movie Night. We'll be showing Big Hero 6 (PG) and will have pizza, snacks, and drinks for sale. Concession sales benefit the 5th Grade Committee. Doors open at 6:00; the show starts at 6:30.

Market Day

Place your online Market Day order by Friday, April 10th. Our account number is 8132. Pickup is scheduled for Friday, April 17th from 6:00 - 7:00.

Spring Spree - Craft & Vendor Fair

Join us for Westowne's first annual Spring Spree on Saturday, April 18th from 9:00 - 1:00. We have over 30 local vendors and crafters supporting our school and bringing their goods for sale. Help us spread the word by sharing this event with your friends and neighbors. We have the flyer on our website and a Facebook group you can share.

PE Twice Weekly Petition

This school year, students at Westowne have physical education twice a week. Next year, PE may be reduced to once weekly and replaced with a second vocal music or art class. Many families believe that continuing to offer a greater amount of gym time is beneficial for our children's learning, attention, and behavior. If you agree, consider signing this petition to let our administration know that we prefer to keep PE twice weekly at Westowne.

Box Tops Raffle

Keep clipping Box Tops over Spring Break. Each completed "Score One for Your School" collection sheet turned in by Wednesday, April 15th will enter students in a raffle for a $10 Barnes and Noble gift card. If you need extra copies, please print them from the attachment.

School News

Half Day Added

In order to make up time lost to inclement weather, today is a three hour early dismissal day for students. Spring break begins tomorrow, April 3rd, and students return to school on Monday, April 13th.

Round Up

Westowne will host Pre-school, Pre-kindergarten, and Kindergarten Round Up on Thursday, April 16th and Friday, April 17th so that families may register their incoming students. Call the school office to schedule an appointment.

410-887-0854

boxtopbasketballmarch.pdf
File Size:	469 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

0 Comments

The Blast - April 30

The Blast - May 23

Come out to Camden Yards with Us on May 15

4/14 PTA Meeting Recap

The Blast - April 16

The Blast - April 2

Westowne PTA

Archives

Categories