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

Scott Mitchell, Principal \ Liz Boeger, Assistant principal

  March 10, 2014

Can You Hear Me Now?   Parents,   please   be   sure   to  update   your   telephone   contact  information  when   it   changes.    We  

must  be  able  to  reach  you  quickly  in  the   event   of   an   issue   regarding   your  

child’s  health  or  other  emergency  issues.      

Principal’s Message Each   year   the   Florida   Department   of  Education   surveys   parents   of   children   with   an  individual   education   plan   (IEP)   to   determine   how  well   each   school   is   partnering   with   you   and  promoting   your   involvement   in   your   child’s  education.   The   survey   is   currently   open   and   the  link  is  www.esesurvey.com.    Please  take  a  moment  to  complete  this  important  survey.         The  month  of  March  means  FCAT  testing  has  begun.     Fourth   graders   took   FCAT   Writes   on  February  25.      Additional  testing  in  grades  3-­‐5  will  occur   in   April.   All   of   our   students   are   working    hard,  and  we  look  forward  to  seeing  the  wonderful  results  in  June!             As   always,   if   Mrs.   Boeger   or   I   can   be   of  assistance,  please  do  not  hesitate  to  contact  us.

                                             Mr.  Mitchell    

Guidance News   Have  you  seen  the  amazing  Kindness  videos  on  our  YouTube  channel?  Our  third  and  fifth  grade  students   displayed   excellent   creativity   with   their  directing  and  acting  skills.  Let's  remember  that  we  are   "Owl   About   Kindness"   here   at   Watergrass!     Upcoming   classroom   lessons   in   Grades   1-­‐5  will   be   delivered   utilizing   the  MBF   Child   Safety  Matters   materials.   This   program   is   a   research-­‐based,   comprehensive,   and   developmentally  appropriate   curriculum   and   is   supported   by   the  Florida  Department  of  Education.  Parent  pages  will  be   sent   home   with   your   child   after   I   visit   for   a  lesson.  These  pages  summarize  what  was  taught  as  well  as  give  you  additional  resources  and  activities  to  utilize.    Please  contact  me  with  any  questions.      Happy  Spring!  

Mrs.  Ward,  School  Counselor    

February attendance & Tardy numbers Total  number  of  tardies:  133    Number  of  students  with    two  or  more  tardies:    35              Total  number  of  absences:   259    Number  of  students  with    five  or  more  absences:   16  

Important Dates: 03/13   Picture  Day  03/14   Planning-­‐No  School  for  students  03/17  –  21  Spring  Break  –  school  closed  03/24   Students  return                                            SAC  meeting  03/31   Q3  Report  Cards  sent  home   Up-Coming 04/01   Grades  4  &  5  Spring  Concert  04/09   ESY  ends  04/14  +          FCAT  testing-­‐see  details  inside  04/18   Holiday  for  students  and  Staff  04/28   SAC  Meeting  04/30   Progress  Reports  go  home  

Music Notes

  Our  4th  &  5th  grade  students  should  have  brought  home  permission   slips   to  participate   in  our  upcoming  musical,   “Dig  It”  Tuesday,  April  1,  at  7:00  PM,  at   the  Center   for   the  Arts  at  Wesley  Chapel   High   School.    All   4th   &   5th   graders   are  invited   to  participate.    Students  must   return   the  Parent   Release   forms   to   participate   and   to   ride  the   bus   over   the   morning   of   the  concert   to   practice   at   the   high  school.                      Our   Chorus   and   Orff  Ensemble   are   busy   working   on  their   concert   music   for   their  Spring  Concert,   Thursday,  May  8,   at   7:00  PM   in  our  cafeteria.    Media / Technology News The  results  of  our  recent  MEDIA  CENTER  INVENTORY  are  in!  Our  report  indicated  that  we  have  about  250  missing  books  at  a  cost  of  around  $4,000.00.    Please  check  with  your  child  to  make  sure   all   borrowed   books   are   returned.   Thank  you!  P.E. Rundown   Exercise   Logs   for  Quarter  3  were  due  by  March  7.    Please  send  them  in  if  you  have  not  yet  returned  the  logs.            

                                               Everyone  keep  moving!  

Art News             Mrs.   McAvey   will   be   on  maternity   leave   until   the  beginning  of  May.    She  will  miss  all  of   her   students   but   will   check   in  often.     Please   extend   a   special  

thank   you   to  Ms.   Pellegrino   for   filling   in   as   Art  teacher  during  Mrs.  Cerino-­‐Knott’s  absence.    Mrs.  Cerino-­‐Knott  will  be  returning  to  WGES  Monday,  March  24th.    We  look  forward  to  her  return.     Burrowing Owls     The   Burrowing   Owls   are   leaving   the  nest!    We   are   SO   excited   to   be   going   to  Wesley  Chapel  Center  for  the  Performing  Arts  to  see  Jack  Hartmann   on   Thursday,   March   13.    Jack  Hartmann   creates   and   performs   music   and  movement  for  kindergarten.    The  focus  will  be  all  about   math!    Please   be   sure   to   sign   and   return  the  permission   slip,   and  admission   fees   as   soon  as  possible.                         At   this   time   of   the   year,   our   classroom  supplies   start   to   dwindle.    Please   consider  donating   the   following   items   to   your   child’s  classroom:  dry  erase  markers   -­    Post-­it  notes   -­    pencils   -­  glue  sticks  -­  tissues  -­  baby  wipes-­  white  card  stock  Thanks   so   much   for   always   supporting   your  Burrowing  Owl  Kindergarten!    Pygmy Owls                 The   Pygmy   Owl   team   would   like   to  congratulate  our  Citizen  of   the  Month  Cheyenne  Steinruck.    Great  job  Cheyenne!         We   would   like   to   encourage   you   to  practice   math   facts   with   your   child.    This   will  help  your  child  as  we  continue  to  move  through  the  curriculum.         Please  remember  to  read  with  your  child  each   night   and   practice   the   monthly   sight  words/power  words.           Speaking   of   reading,   has   your   child  earned  a  dog  tag  necklace  yet?    If  not,  it's  not  too  late!    Have   your   child   start   taking   AR  tests.    Points  are  earned  for  each  AR  test  and  dog  tags   are   awarded   at   5,   10,   15,   25,   50,   100,   150,  200,  250,  300,  400,  and  500  points.      

Citizens of the Month Congratulations to our February Citizens of the Month who demonstrate FAIRNESS. The ice cream social was held on February 28th. Burrowing Owls: Adam Brisbane (Hunter) Logan Carbonero (Smith) Pygmy Owls: Cheyenne Steinruck (Kiefer) Eagle Owls: Aneisha Perez (Harden) Mehki Jordan (Johnson) Snowy Owls: Connor Maddox (Hallam) Laney Brinson (Ruday) Spotted Owls: William Robinson (Wohl) Great Grey Owls: Jake Stokrp (Marsella) Elf Owls: Vincent Russo (Bade) Tropical Screech Owls: Landry Feldman (Sanchez)

Pre-K ELF OWLS         The   TALK   program   has   been   busy  studying  about  Folk  Tales.    We  have  huffed  and  puffed  with  the  3  Little  Pigs,  traveled  through  the  forest   with   Little   Red   Riding   Hood   and   made  comparisons   in   the   bears’   cottage   with  Goldilocks.     We   have   enjoyed   role   playing   the  different  characters  in  the  Folk  Tales.         We  will   soon   be   talking   about   rainbows,  pots   of   gold,   and   leprechauns   as   we  move   into  the  middle  of  March.    Then,  we  will  all  enjoy  our  spring   break  with   our   families!    We  will   have   a  lot  to  TALK  about  in  our  class  when  we  return!  

Eagle Owls   The   Eagle   Owl   teachers   are   happy   to  welcome  our   interns  who  will  be   joining  us   this  quarter   and   working   with   our   children   as   they  train   to  become  classroom   teachers   themselves.    Mrs.   Jackson   is   interning   in   Mrs.   Goldstone’s  room,   Mrs.   Morales   is   interning   in   Mrs.  Horrigan’s  room,  and  Mrs.  Brocato  is  interning  in  Mrs.  Harden’s  room.           Both   our   100th   Day   and   Valentine’s   Day  celebrations  were  huge  successes!    Thank  you  so  much  for  bringing  in  things  to  count  as  well  as  all  of   the   amazing   sweets   and   goodies   that   were  shared   on  Valentine’s  Day!    We   could   definitely  feel  the  love!             Our   supplies   are   running   low!    We   need  baby  wipes,   hand   sanitizer,   and   tissues!     Thank  you   in   advance   for   any   donations   that   you   can  send  our  way!           As   Spring   Break   approaches,   please  continue   to  encourage  your  child   to  keep  giving  his   or   her   best   effort!     Please   monitor   your  child’s   homework   assignments   daily   by  reviewing   and   signing   your   child’s   planner.       Students   should   be   bringing   home   two  books   every   week   from   the   media   center   in  order   to   fulfill   their   weekly   reading   goals   and  enable   them   to   earn   points   toward   their  quarterly  AR  goals.               Also,   second   graders   should   be   working  on   their  math   facts  daily   so   that   they  will  know  their  fast  facts  quickly  and  accurately.     Finally,  please  do  not  allow  your  child   to  bring   candy,   games,   toys,   or   makeup   to   school.    These   items   are   distractions   both   in   and   out   of  the  classroom!    Thank  you!  

Snowy Owl News   We  hope   that   everyone   is   having   a   great  2014!  We   are   looking   forward   to   the  month   of  March  in  the  Snowy  Owl  pod!       Students   have   completed   STEM   Fair  projects  and  will  be  able  to  view  the  grade  level  winners   in  the  Media  Center  at   the  beginning  of  the  month.         We   are   also   studying   Immigration   and  students   are   working   on   adding   things   to   their  “suitcase  of  knowledge”.    Please  ask  you  child  to  tell   you   what   he   or   she   has   learned   about  immigration!   Students   are   all   very   interested   in  the  topics!         Over   the   next   few   weeks,   third   graders  are   starting   to   work   on   Reading   Strategy  reviews.    Please   remind   students   to   read   each  night  and  talk  to  them  about  their  reading.    One  of   the  best  ways   to  better   comprehend  a   text   is  to   talk   about   it!   Ask   your   students   questions!  They   will   love   to   talk   to   you   about   what   they  have  been  reading!       We   hope   all   of   you   have   a   wonderful  Spring  Break!     Watergrass P.T.A. If  you  are   interested   in  volunteering   for  any   of   our   events,   please   contact   us   at  wgesptavolunteers@gmail.com.           If  you  are  already  signed  up  to  volunteer,  please   contact   us   to   ensure   that   we   have   the  most   up-­‐to-­‐date   contact   information   available  for  you.                 The  Watergrass  PTA  wants   to  make  sure  your   voice   is   heard.     If   you  have   any  questions,  concerns,   or   comments,   please   direct   them   to  wgespta@gmail.com   and   someone  will   get   back  to  you  promptly.                 Be   sure   to   like   our   Facebook   page   and  become  part  of  the  Watergrass  PTA  community.    

PARENT NOTICE:   Please   notify   the   front  

office   EARLY   in   the   school  day   if   your   child’s   going-­‐home   plan   has   changed.    ALL  transportation  changes  

must   be   made   BEFORE   3:30PM,   this   includes  student   checkouts.     Your   assistance   with   this  matter  is  greatly  appreciated.  

Spotted Owls     The   Spotted   Owls   have   put   a   SPRING   in  their  step!      We  are  relieved  that  the  FCAT  Writes  2.0  Test  is  behind  us.  We  are  so  proud  of  our  4th  graders’   hard  work  with  writing.     The   students  have   shown   a   great   deal   of   writing   growth  throughout  the  year.    Thank  you  parents  for  your  support  with  writing  this  year.  We  felt  prepared  for  the  test!                 The  character   trait   for  February’s  Citizen  of  the  Month  is  Fairness.    William  Robinson,  from  Ms.   Wohl’s   class   was   chosen   to   represent   the  Spotted  Owls  team  as  he  is  a  role  model  when  it  comes  to  Fairness.                 Our   4th   graders   are   shining   AR   Stars!      Many  of   them  have  stepped   it  up   in  an  effort   to  meet   their   AR   goals.     Congratulations   for   your  hard  work!                   We   are   on   our   way   to   preparing   for   the    Tropicana   4/H   Speech   Contest.     This   is   a   great  learning   experience   for   the   students!     Students  have   seen   tapes   of   Tropicana   4/H   Speech  winners  from  the  past  and  they  have  been  given  information   to   guide   them   through  writing   and  presenting   an   effective   speech.     All   4th   graders  will  prepare  a   speech  on  a   topic  of   their   choice.       Enjoy  your  spring  break  and  come  back  to  school  ready  to  learn!      FCAT  2.0  for  Reading  and  Math  will  be  just  around  the  corner.      4th  graders  will  take  two  sessions  of  Reading  on  April  14  and  15.     Two   sessions   of   Math   will   be   completed  April  16  and  17.    We  encourage  our  students   to  be   in  school  all   four  of   those  days.      A   little  bird  told   us   that   there   will   be   a   special   treat   for   all  students  who  are  in  attendance  all  four  days  and  try   their   very   best   to   show   what   they   know!       Lastly,   thank   you   very   much   to   the  families   who   have   helped   us   replenish   our  supply   of   pencils,   paper,   hand   sanitizer,   and  tissues.      

Military Kids   We   offer   a   group   for   students  who   have  parents  in  the  Military.  The  intent  of  the  group  is  to   help   the   children   understand   the   role   of   the  military   as   well   as   learn   to   cope   with   changes  that  come  about  when  deployment  occurs.  If  you  wish   your   child   to   be   a  member   please   contact  Ms.   Beth   Rutz,   via   this   email   address:  brutz@pasco.k12.fl.us  

Box Tops for Education                    Please   save   Box   Tops   for  Education.    The   school   receives  10  cents   for  each  Box  Top.    We  use   the  proceeds   to  buy  books,  

AR   Tests,   and   fund   AR   celebrations.    Last   year,  WGES   received   $1,023   from   Box   Tops   for  Education.    Box  Tops  are  mailed  off  twice  a  year.  

Great Grey Owls Greetings   Great   Greys!    February   has  quickly   passed,   and   we   wanted   to   bring   your  attention   to   some   exciting   things   we   have  coming  up  in  March  for  the  fifth  graders.   First,   all   fifth   graders   should   be  working  on   their   Tropicana   Speeches.   The   students   are  excited   to   share   their   writing   skills   as   well   as  their   presentations   skills.   All   students   have   a  packet  of  information  and  due  dates.  Final  copies  of  speeches  are  due  March  24th  with  classroom  competitions  being  on  March  27  and  28th.   Also   in   ELA/Humanities,   students   are  going   to   begin   a   unit   on   the   structure   of  informational   texts   with   a   focus   on   technical,  scientific   and   historical   texts!   Students   will   be  learning   about   the   Bill   of   Rights   and   also   The  Westward   Expansion.   Please  make   sure   to   help  your   child   understand   these   concepts   by  exposing   them   to   a   variety   of   texts   as   well   as  having   them   keep   up   with   their   AR   goals!     Students   are   also  working   hard   in   STEM  class!   In  math  our  new   topic   is   graphing,  which  includes   describing   and   constructing   graphs.   In  science   we   are   learning   about   different   animal  adaptations.     Please   make   sure   to   review   these  concepts   at   home   and  don’t   forget   that   you   can  access   the   math   and   science   book   as   well   as  additional  resources  from  the  Think  Central  and  Science  Fusion  links  on  Kids  Corner.     Finally,   we'd   like   to   thank   all   of   the  students  and  staff  who  supported  our  End  of  the  Year   activities   for   5th   grade.  We   enjoyed   seeing  the  many   interesting,   silly,   and   team   spirit   hats  adorned  on  owl  heads  across  the  campus  on  the  Hat  Days!  

 

Relay for Life   We   are   inviting   our   WGES  parents   to   join   our   Watergrass  Relay  for  Life  Team  this  year.    The  Relay  event  date  is  May  2,  2014,  and  we  do  many   fundraisers  and  

activities  up  to  that  point.    We   will   have   meetings   from  

time  to  time.  To  join  our  team,  go  online  to  www.relayforlife.org.      

 

Community Partners

Please   remember   the  following   businesses   when   you   are  out   in   the   local   marketplace,   for  their   generous   contributions   to   our  school  programs:    

 

 

 

 

On  behalf  of  the  entire  Watergrass  School  family,  we  wish  you  a  relaxing,  safe,  and  adventure-­‐filled  Spring  Break.  

Students  will  be  off  March  14  -­‐21.  School  resumes  on  March  24.  We  look  forward  to  seeing  everyone  back  with  smiles  on  your  faces,  ready  to  learn!  

April FCAT Schedule

Please  mark  your  calendar  with  these  dates:    April  14-­‐May  2      More   detailed   information   will   be  sent  home  later  this  week  detailing  the  April  FCAT   testing  schedule   for  our   grade   3,   4,   and   5   students.    Additionally,   our   grade   2   students  will   be   taking   the   SAT10   Reading  test  (one  day)  during  the  same  test  window.