Watergrass Elementary School32750 Overpass Road \ Wesley Chapel, FL 33545 \ 813-346-0600 \ wges.pasco.k12.fl.us

Scott Mitchell, Principal \ Liz Boeger, Assistant principal

Principal’s Message     April   is   a   very   busy  month   for   us.    We   have  FSA  testing  for  3rd,  4th,  and  5th  grades.    Everyone  has   the   opportunity   to   participate   in   our  Boosterthon   Fun   Run.     PTA   hosts   their   Spring  Festival.    Elf  Owls  are  having   two  concerts.    Many  teams   are   taking   field   trips.     Fourth   and   fifth  graders   are   participating   in   the  Tropicana  Speech  contest.     And,   we   still   have   a   lot   of   teaching   and  learning   that   will   be   happening   every   day!                                           If   Mrs.   Boeger   or   I   can   be   of   any   assistance,  please  do  not  hesitate  to  contact  us.  

          Mr.  Mitchell    STEM Fair Winners!     Congratulations   to  our  STEM  Fair  winners!  The  following  students  will  represent  WGES  at  the  district   STEM   Fair:     Grade   5:   Riley   Kartel   and  Emeliana   Kleibert   (not   pictured),   Isabella  Maldonado,  Evan  Schumm,  and  Faith  Welling  Grade  4:  Elizabeth  Parsons  and  Anastasia  Weeks  Grade  3:  Dillan  Armstrong       Thank  you  Mrs.  Welling  for  your  leadership  on  this  important  experience.  Our  thanks  also  to  all  of   the   volunteer   judges   who   donated   their   time  and  interest  to  our  students.  

April 1, 2015 (No Fooling!)

Look For the Silly April Fool’s

Day titles we have given to each team’s article…Have Fun!

Important  Dates  4/2       Burrowing  Owls  to  Safety  Town     (Hunter,  L.  Turner,  Perez,  Smith)  4/3       Holiday  for  Students  /  Staff  4/9   BOOSTERTHON!  4/16       PK  Elf  Concert-­‐10:30  4/17       K-­‐5  Elf  concert  –  10:30  4/22       PTA  Family  Dine  Out  Night  @  McDonalds  4/23       Snowy  Owls  to  Glazier  Children’s  Museum  4/24       Citizen  of  the  Month  4/27       Progress  Reports  go  home                          SAC  Meeting  –  4  pm  

UpComing  5/5       Chorus/Orff  Concert  –  7  pm  5/6       Burrowing  to  Glazier  Children’s  Museum  5/14       PTA  Family  Dine  Out  Night  @  Happy  Cow    5/18       SAC  Meeting  –  4  pm  5/25       Memorial  Day-­‐Holiday  for  Students/Staff  

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P.E. Rundown Rah-Rah:     As   we   enter   the   fourth   quarter   of   the   school  year,   the   P.E.   Coaches   want   to   continue   encouraging  you   to   stay  healthy  by  making  good   food   choices   and  staying   active!   Your   Exercise   Log   is   a   great   way   to  record   the   activities   you   are   doing   outside   of   school.  Write   it   all   down  and   turn   it   in  on  May  15!   It’s   the   last  Exercise  Log  of  the  2014-­‐2015  school  year!                           Also,  we  will   continue  with   our  monthly   pledge.  April  is  BE  GREEN!  We  hope  everyone  celebrates  Earth  Day   on   April   22!     It   is   an  annual   event,   celebrated  worldwide  to  demonstrate  support   for  environmental  protection.   It   was   first  celebrated   in   1970,   and   is  recognized   in   more   than  192   countries   each   year.  What   will   you   do   to   be  green  in  April?  

 

Burrowing Owl Bugle: Spring   has   arrived   in   kindergarten!   Our  students  are  blossoming   into   first  graders.    At   the  end  

of  kindergarten,  your  child  should  be  exiting  as  a  1  green  reader  and  entering   into   the   2   green   level.    Before   summer,   we   will   be  sending   home   information   with  resources  that  will  help  your  child  maintain   and/or   grow   his   or   her  

reader  level.                 We  have  a  field  trip  coming  up  next  month,  on  May   6th     to   the   Glazer   Children’s   Museum   in   Tampa.    The   cost   for   the   field   trip   will   be   $16.00   per   student.  This   fee  will   cover   the  admission  and  a  charter  bus   for  this  trip.                 We   are   proud   to   recognize   our   Citizens   of   the  Month   for   April,   Krisztofer   Farkas   from   Mrs.   Turner’s  class   and   Eliorah   Jordan   from   Mrs.   Compton’s   class.    We  chose  these  students  based  on  their  honesty.      

Pygmy Owl Piper Congratulations   to   Calvin  Gregory,   Dylan   Pabon   and   Marc  Moua   for   winning   the   Citizenship  Award  this  month!

Eagle Owl Examiner:       Second   grade   is   ready   for   READING-­‐FUN  FRIDAYS.    Throughout  these  last  months  of  school,  we  will   be   celebrating   our   reading   by   having   theme  days.    Our  very  first  day  will  be  Friday,  April  10.    It’s  Read  to  a  Buddy  Day!    On  this  day  we  encourage  readers  to  bring  their   favorite   stuffed   animals   or   dolls   to   school.      Students   can   read   with   their   buddies   during  independent  reading  time.    Please  be  on  the  lookout  for  more  information  from  your  teacher.             In   math,   we   are   focusing   on   measurement.    This   includes   measuring   length  as   well   as   working   with   money  and   time.     Please   look   for  opportunities   for   your   child   to  practice   this   skill   at   home.        Second   grade   teachers   also  encourage  Fast  Math  practice  at  home.    Fast  Math  is  an  on-­‐line   program   that   will   build   and   reinforce   your  child’s  math   fact   fluency.     Please   find   the   link   on  Kids  Corner.     If   you   have   questions   about   your   child’s   user  name   and   password,   please   contact   your   child’s  teacher.      

Snowy Owl Scribe:         Our   third   grade   students   have   continued   to  work  hard   this  month!  Please  keep   reading  each  night  for  at  least  20  minutes  and  encourage  your  child  to  take  an   AR   test   on   each  book.     Practice   makes  perfect!   Practice   your  multiplication   facts   so  you   know   them   at  flash  speed.         In   Social   Studies,  we  will   begin   learning   about  immigration.  A  great  home  to  school  tie-­‐in  would  be  to  talk  about  your  family  heritage  with  your  child.       Our   field   trip   to   the   Glazer   Museum   will   take  place   on   Thursday,   April   23.      Please   look   for   field   trip  forms  and  return  these  forms  with  payment  as  soon  as  possible.                     The   FSA   Math   testing   will   take   place   on  Wednesday,  April   1  and  Thursday,  April  2.  Test   results  will   not   be   released   until   the   summer.   Thank   you   for  your  continued  support.  

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Spotted Owl Scoop:       Welcome   back   Spotted   Owls!     We   hope  everyone  had  a  fun  and  relaxing  Spring  Break!  It’s  time  to   get   back   to   work   and   show  what   we   know.     A   big  congratulations  and  huge   thank  you  goes  out   to  all   of  our  Spotted  Owls  for  working  hard  on  this  year’s  STEM  FAIR   projects.     Our   fourth   grade   classroom   winners  

were   Ella   Chappie,   Brianna   Hill,  Ryan  Holden,  Elizabeth  Parsons,  and   Kale   Ramer,   from   Mrs.  Gaudens  and  Ms.  Wohl’s  classes.    In   addition,   Ethan   Perkins,  

Myles   Romo,   and   Ashleigh   Smith   from  Mrs.   Chatmon  and  Ms.  Preston’s  classes.    Lastly,  we  have  Aiden  Brake  and  Ana  Weeks  from  Ms.  Marsella’s  class.           Please   give   a   big   shout   out   to   our   fourth  graders   for   their   hard   work   taking   the   new   FSA  standardized  tests!               The   Spotted   Owls   Team   has   been   diligently  preparing  and  presenting  4-­‐H  Tropicana  Speeches!    You  should  have  already  seen  some  speech  guidelines   that  have  been  sent  home,  including  a  timeline  and  a  rubric  that  explains  how  points  are  earned.             A  few  of  our  fourth  graders  worked  very  hard  to  compete   in   this   year’s   Odyssey   of   the   Mind  tournament.     Congratulations   to   all   of   them   for   a   job  well  done!        

Guidance Counselors’ Chat:  

  Our   fifth   grade   students  will   be   beginning   the  middle   school   articulation   process   this   spring.   School  Counselors   from   Weightman   will   visit   WGES   on   May  14th   to   discuss   course   cards   and   to   answer   questions  about   middle   school   life.   Families   will   be   invited   to  attend   Parent   University   at   Weightman   that   evening.  Students  will  also  have  the  opportunity  to  visit  TEWMS  for  a  pep  rally  on  Friday,  May  15.       Parents   of   WGES   Owls   who   have   plans   to  attend   different   middle   schools   in   the   district   are  encouraged   to   contact   those   schools   if   you   have   not  already  done  so.             You   are   welcome   to   call   Mrs.   Ward,   or   an  administrator   if   you   have   other   needs   regarding   the  transition   to  middle   school.  This   is   an  exciting   time  of  year   for   our   fifth   grade   students.   Remember   to   show  your  Owl   pride,   students,   by   being  Ready,   Respectful,  and  Responsible  role  models!

Great Grey Owl Gazette:       Spring   is   in   the   air,   and   with   quarter   4   just  beginning   we   start   our   final   shift   towards   middle  school.    This   means   that   now,  more  than  ever,  it  is  vital  to  your  child's   success   that   they   are   on  track.   They   must   keep   their  assignments   organized,     put  time   and   effort   into   their   work  each   day,   both   at   school   and  home.   Please   continue   your  support   by   checking   planners,  planning   ahead,   offering  guidance,  and  encouraging  best  effort.           It   is   very   important   for   the   fifth   graders   to  exhibit   the   behaviors   of   following   the   school   rules:   be  responsible,   be   respectful   and   be   ready.    The   Great  Grey   Owls   are   the   oldest   students   on   campus   and  therefore   are   role  models   for   the   others.    We  want   to  instill   these   good   behaviors   into   them   so   they   will  continue  into  middle  school  and  beyond.         The   Great   Greys   certainly   won't   be   bored  during  the  month  of  April.      BizTown  curriculum  has  just  begun   in   social   studies   class.   The   students   will   be  learning   about   work   readiness,   entrepreneurship,   and  

financial   literacy.    They   will   also  be  applying   for   jobs  so   that   they  can  be  functioning  citizens  of  the  BizTown   community.    The   field  trip  is  right  around  the  corner  and  we   need   about   25   volunteers   to  

make   the   visit   a   success.    Please   contact   your   child's  teacher  if  you  are  willing  to  assist  the  Great  Grey  team  at   JA  BizTown  on  May  10.    It   is  our   final   field   trip,   and  promises  to  be  an  amazing  time.         As  we   gear   up   for   the   FCAT,   please   help   your  child  prepare  for  success  by  getting  a  good  night  sleep  and  a  hearty  breakfast.    Don't  forget  to  take  advantage  of   the   free   breakfast   at   school   during   FCAT.    Finally,  congratulations   to   Great   Grey   Tropicana   winners.    Good  Luck  at  the  school  competition  on  April  5!    

Remember to Snip & Clip:   Please   continue   to   save  Boxtops  for  Education  and  Campbell’s  Labels   for   Education.    Thank   you   to  

everyone   who   has   been   snipping   and   sending  these   FREE   fundraisers   in   for  WGES

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Citizens of the Month            March  Character  Trait:  “Honesty”.  Citizens  of  the  Month  were  celebrated  before  Spring  Break.        Burrowing  Owls       Sarah  Robinson  (Raysor)      

Krisztofer  Farkas  (Turner)    Pygmy  Owls       Joshua  Moua  (Hust)    

Calvin  Gregory  (Mack)  Eagle  Owls         Sebastian  Perez  (Johnson)  

Savannah  Rodriguez  (Hughes)              Snowy  Owls   Lena  Mullis  (Welling)  

Matthew  Ulery  (Ruday)                Spotted  Owls   Kacey  Setser  (Gaudens)  

Elizabeth  Parsons  (Wohl)  Great   Grey   Owls        Spectacled  Owls      

Zachary  Liebman  (Rosekelly)  Ryan  Hutchins  (Satinoff)  

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Kindergarten  Pre-­‐Registration  

Monday,  May  4,  2015    9:00am  to  12:00  noon  then  5:00  to  7:00pm  

Your  child  must  be  5  years  of  age,  on  or  before  September  1,  2015  to  qualify.  

Information  Required  to  Complete  Registration:  

ü Registration  Packet  ü Certified  Birth  Certificate  ü Social  Security  Card  ü Physical  (  Yellow  Card  DH  3040,  less  than  one  

year  old  upon  registration)  ü Certificate  of  Immunization  (Blue  Card  DH  680)  ü Proof  of  Residency  (Utility  Bill,  Lease  

Agreement,  etc.)  ü Driver’s  License  of  Parent/Guardian  

Follow  WGES  Online  Keep  in  touch  with  all  the  latest  happenings  through  your  favorite  social  media  outlet.  

 

 

New State Testing Calendar Our   students   in   grades   3,   4,   and   5   will  participate   in   new   state   testing   this   year.   The  Florida   Standards   in   English   Language   Arts   and  Math,   and   the   Next   Generation   Sunshine   State  Standards   in   Science  will   be   assessed   in   separate  test  windows.    The  dates  listed  below  are  planned  test  dates   for  each  test  session.    The  windows   list  the  last  date  the  specific  test  may  be  taken  by  any  student  for  each  test.             Free  breakfast   is   served  on   the  day  before  and   day   of   each   test   session   to   students   in   the  grade  taking  the  test  as  noted  below.  

FSA  AIR  TEST  (Window  2  through  4/10/15)  (paper/pencil  tests)                                                                                                      Grade  3  and  4  Reading:  March  25  &  26        Grade  3  and  4  Math:  April  1  &  2            

FSA  AIR  TEST  (Window  3  through  5/8/15)            (online  tests)                    Grade  5  Reading:  April  13  &  14                                      Grade  5  Math:  April  20  &  21      

FCAT  TEST  (Window  3  through  5/8/15)        (paper/pencil  test)              Grade  5  Science:  April  27  &  28      

  Please   mark   your   family   calendars   and  avoid   scheduling   appointments   or   changing   the  school  routines  during  these  dates.    All  tests  must  be  given   in   the  order   listed  above  per  district  and  state  rule.  When  a  student  is  absent  for  one  test  it  pushes  the  student  into  automatic  make  up  testing  for   that   test   and   any   that   follow.   This   can   cause  some  students  to  test  poorly  due  to  the  change  in  routines.    Thank  you!