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Dear Woodside Elementary School Families,
My name is Lorie Barnes and I am beyond excited to be your new principal. I have been an educator in Anne Arundel County for more than 16 years and I am looking forward to working with all of the students, families, and staff here at Woodside Elementary School.
Prior to coming to Woodside, I was principal at Severna Park Elementary, an assistant principal at Monarch Global Academy, and a classroom teacher in Glen Burnie and Jessup. I am also a mother of two small children and understand the importance of providing a safe and nurturing environment for all students and families.
This year we will begin the exciting journey of becoming a Community Based School. Through this initiative, you will see an increased amount of opportunities for family involvement and partnership.
Community school means a public school that establishes a set of strategic partnerships between the school and other community resources that promote student achievement, positive learning conditions, and the well–being of students by providing wraparound services. (Blueprint for Maryland’s Future)
This initiative will also be supported by our PTA, which is a phenomenal group of parents that go above and beyond to support all children here at Woodside Elementary School. Please consider helping the PTA in this work. They would love to have your support!
I will be communicating with families via a monthly newsletter. In this publication, we will provide you with important information about school events and policies.
Finally, each year we select a school theme that helps anchor our work to a specific idea or focus. This year, our theme is “Make it Click.” As my daughter and I played with her LEGOs this summer, I thought about how each LEGO fits and complements other LEGOs. Each LEGO is a different shape, size and color, yet can still be added to other LEGOs to make exciting designs and structures. Then, these structures can be added to others and it quickly becomes a complex unit or neighborhood of LEGO buildings. There are almost infinite ways to connect and come together for our LEGOs and as people in the community. Community, as well as academic connections, are required for student success.
“Make it Click” also embodies that fantastic moment when a child understands something new. It is the “ah hah” or lightbulb moment when a new concept just “clicks.” As my daughter and I clicked our LEGOs together as we built our towers, I reflected on our school’s vision to work together for the advancement of all students and the idea just “clicked”. So, let's “Make it Click” this year!
Please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher or me if you have any questions or concerns. I’m looking forward to an amazing school year!
Sincerely,
Lorie Barnes
