Woodridge ES Community Letter
August 12, 2024
Greetings Woodridge Elementary School Community,
I hope that you and your families are enjoying the summer and staying safe. The start of a new school year is a very exciting time! The staff and I are excited about the teaching and learning that will happen for the 2024-2025 school year. It is truly an honor to serve my fourth year as principal of Woodridge Elementary School and my 20th year as an educator.
PGCPS Focus
This year the school district will focus on three areas: 1) Creating a Positive School Climate and Culture and 2) Accelerating Achievement in Mathematics.
School Vision, Mission, Motto & Core Values
Our school vision:
“At Woodridge Elementary, we will develop global thinkers and lifelong learners.”
Our school mission:
“Through collaboration and shared responsibility, the Woodridge Elementary School Community will set high expectations, build character, and promote diversity and inclusion.”
Our school motto: “Dream, Believe, Achieve!”
To fulfill our school’s vision and mission, we need the help of the entire Woodridge Elementary School Community to hold firm to our core values:
- Come to school on time everyday.
- Show respect for myself and others.
We want our school community to dream big, believe in themselves and achieve their goals… “Dream, Believe, Achieve!”
New School Hours
- Our school hours have changed.
- School hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 1:40 pm.
- Students should not be dropped off before 7:15 a.m. because we do not have staff members to supervise them at that time.
- Students can enter the building at 7:20 a.m. and receive breakfast if they choose.
- At 7:45 breakfast ends and instruction starts.
- Students are considered tardy at 7:40 a.m.
- School ends at 1:40 p.m.
- If a parent wishes to pick up their child for an early dismissal, they must do so by 1:20 p.m.
- All students should be picked up on time.
- Students who are picked up late on a frequent basis will require a conference with the parent.
Staff Members
I am pleased to announce the newest additions to our staff:
- Ms. Brittney Vail will serve as one of our Second Grade Teachers.
- Mr. Lemuel Colon Vega will serve as one of our Second Grade Teachers.
- Ms. Maleshia Jones will serve as our Fourth Grade Math and Science Teacher.
- Dr. Anita Stevenson will serve as one of our Special Education Resource Teachers.
- Mr. Brandon Elliott will serve as our Kindergarten and First Grade Paraprofessional.
- Ms. Nia Tolliver will serve as our Second Grade Paraprofessional.
- Mr. Mauriel Peacock will serve as our Intermediate Math Paraprofessional.
- Our former Sixth Grade Reading and World Geography Teacher, Ms. Karina Jones will serve as one of our School Resource Teachers.
- Mrs. Seun Oakande will serve as our new Mental Health Therapist.
I am very excited to be working with such amazing individuals. I am expecting great things this year!
We had some staff members who chose to move to new positions or schools:
- Mr. Leginsky, our former Sixth Grade Math and Science Teacher, retired.
- Mrs. Donelson, our former Fourth Grade Math and Science Teacher, transferred to another school.
- Ms. Moore, our former Special Education Resource Teacher, transferred to another school.
- Mrs. Stone, our former Second Grade Reading and Social Studies Teacher, received a new position at a new school.
- Mrs. Isabella Anderson, our former Mental Health Therapist, received a promotion as a Mental Health Supervisor for our school and will be working with Mrs. Akande.
- Nurse Kargbo, our former School Nurse, had her twins on July 18th and decided to stay home to take care of her baby girl and baby boy with her new position as a mother of three.
We will miss them and wish them the best of luck!
Information Sessions & “Meet & Greet”
Wednesday, August 14th
- On Wednesday, August 14th from 12:00-1:00 p.m., we will have a virtual “Meet & Greet” for parents of new students in grades 1st-5th.
- The Zoom link is: https://pgcps-org.zoom.us/j/7222048968. The password is: 6EHKuc.
- During the orientation, parents will get to meet some of our staff members, learn more about the school and get necessary information for the upcoming school year.
- This Zoom link is only for parents of new students in grades 1st-5th.
- A translator will be available.
Tuesday, August 20th
- On Tuesday, August 20th from 12:00 -1:00 p.m., we will have an in-person Information Session for parents of Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students.
- During the Information Session, parents will get to meet teachers, learn more about the school and get necessary information for the upcoming school year.
- The students will be able to play together on the playground with some of our staff members and high school and middle school students receiving community service hours.
- Students will also have an opportunity to play with their peers and make friends.
- For those parents who cannot attend in-person. We will have a virtual Information Session on Tuesday, August 20th from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
- The Zoom link is: https://pgcps-org.zoom.us/j/7222048968. The password is: 6EHKuc.
- This Zoom link is only for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten parents. A translator will be available for both sessions.
Back to School Bash
On Friday, August 23rd, we will have our Back to School Bash from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Parents can meet their child’s teacher(s), visit the classroom, receive free backpacks and school supplies (while supplies last) and other items for families. There will be community resources, food to purchase and music.
School Fundraiser: Chuck E. Cheese
On Friday, August 23rd from 3-9 p.m. we will have a school fundraiser at Chuck E. Cheese in Largo, MD. The school will receive 20% of the profit. Please try your best to attend and support our school and our students. Money raised will support incentives and rewards for students. School staff and leadership will be in attendance.
Back to School Night
On Wednesday, September 4th, we will have an in-person Back to School Night. The time frame for grades PK-2 is 6:00-6:45 p.m. The time frame for grades 3-5 is 7:00-7:45 p.m.
School Website
Please visit the school website ( https://www.pgcps.org/schools/woodridge-elementary) to be informed about the following items:
- Arrival & Dismissal
- Attendance
- Chromebooks
- Class Dojo
- Emergency Contact Forms
- Learning Resources
- Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)
- School Meals
- School Supply List
- Synergy ParentVue
- Uniforms
- Volunteering Information
Our goal is to continue to increase community and family engagement and build trust with students, families and the community. Please know that we are here to support you and your children because we are a team. We are excited to see our students on August 26th. If you have any questions or concerns, please email Mrs. Gilbert at tamara.gilbert@pgcps.org. We look forward to working with you! Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Respectfully,
Tamara Gilbert, Proud Principal
