Welcome Back Message from Mr. Burns

Can you believe it? Tomorrow starts a new school year for our Wims community. We had an unbelievable turnout on Friday for our Open House. It was great to connect with our new and returning families:)

Tomorrow, we are honored to have Dr. McKnight, MCPS Superintendent, begin the 2023-2024 school year with us at Wims. Dr. McKnight will join our Gray Bus (Route 2521) students and ride the bus to Wims in the morning. Upon arrival, Dr. McKnight will join me in greeting our families as they arrive in the morning. I keep telling everyone that our Wims community is the best in MCPS, so I am glad that the word got to Dr. McKnight:)

Thank you to our Kindergarten families for join us this past week so we can ensure our K students are ready for the school year.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to our office team and let us know how we can help.

We have different entry patterns dependent on grade level.

Kindergarten will enter at the gym doors (back of school),

Grades 1-5 at the playground doors (back of school)

Having students enter in different doors helps ensures safety with students entering the building.

Only Car Riders will enter the building in the front of the school.

If you are dropping off your child in car loop, students need to be ready to get out when cars pull up. Drivers and other passengers are expected to remain in the car.

Dismissal numbers were handed out at Open House (number is the same for returning families). If you did not receive one, students will bring one home in their daily communication folder.

Car Riders are dismissed in the front of the school. Wims staff will call your child's number into the office. The number will be displayed in your child's classroom and they will be escorted down to the car.

Kindergarten Walkers: Kindergarten walkers are dismissed on the side of the building (Snowden Farm Parkway) towards the back of the building. Provide the staff member your child's dismissal number and your child will be brought out to meet you.

Grade 1 Walkers: Grade 1 walkers are dismissed on the side of the building (Snowden Farm Parkway) towards the front of the building. Provide the staff member your child's dismissal number and your child will be brought out to meet you.

Grade 2-5 Walkers: They are dismissed at the back of the building near the playground (same entrance they enter at arrival).

Parents will not be allowed to walk up to the front of the building where we dismiss car riders to pick up their child. If you are parking your car, then your child should be dismissed as a walker. This is critical to ensure the safety of all our students.

Any variation from your child’s daily routine requires an email or note from home addressed to the teacher AND main office. Students will not be allowed to go home with friends without a note or email. We realize that emergencies arise, but please try to keep last minute schedule changes to a minimum. If needed, please contact the office (240-406-1670) regarding the change in schedule (before 3:00 pm).

Back to School Night will be on September 11th for Grades 1-5. More specific times will be available in the next Sunday Message.

***This is a change from the original date sent out last week due to a conflict with Hallie Wells MS BTSN.

Please find the bus routes for the 2023-2024 school year below. The first attachment is a welcome letter from the Department of Transportation: Clarksburg Depot. The next two documents are arrival and departure for our bus routes.

Purchasing Student Meals Information click here.

MySchoolBucks is an optional service for parents to view recent purchases and make prepayments to your child's cafeteria account for breakfast, lunch and a la carte meals via the Internet with a credit/debit card. This service is offered as a convenience for interested families. By creating a secure online account, parents can manage their child's account.

Payments to student accounts through My School Bucks is an option and not a requirement. Checks can be made payable to the school cafeteria and submitted to the cafeteria manager. The check funds will be placed on student accounts for immediate use and the checks will be deposited in the bank the same day.

Send refund and balance transfer requests via email to DFNSHelpDesk@mcpsmd.org

We will return to using FARMS forms and require students to either scan a card with a barcode on it or enter their pin number to access their lunch account. Rather than a unique pin number, students will use their student ID number. The student ID number is also the students log in to access their Chromebook.

Free and Reduced-price Meals System (FARMS) Eligibility Data and Application Process: The FARMS application has been updated. Interested families must reapply each school year. Online applications are the preferred application method and schools should strongly encourage families to apply online at www.MySchoolApps.com. Families can apply now.

The school must be notified any day your child will be absent. You may call the school office at 240-406-1670 or email the classroom teacher and the Attendance secretary Mrs. Norton; christine_e_norton@mcpsmd.org

When reporting the absence please include the following:

• Child’s first and last name

• Grade Level

• Teacher’s name

• The reason for the absence

If we do not receive a call from a parent, the absence or tardiness will be considered unexcused. A written explanation of each absence is required from the parent/guardian within three days of the student’s return to school (email is acceptable).

Please click on the follow link for directions on activating your ParentVue account.

ParentVue Directions

Click to Join:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/767544047325701/