NBC 4 at WES for Grade 3 STEM Book Fair

Thanks to Mollett Green from NBC 4 for broadcasting live from our library as we packed up more than 4,000 books and donations that were given to A Wider Circle on Friday, March 15. Grade 3 STEM class students used their entrepreneurial skills and desire to help others to plan, promote, and orchestrate this book drive that will benefit local children in need. We had a surprise visit from A Wider Circle founder Dr. Mark Bergel this morning who was thrilled with the generosity of our community. Thanks to everyone who donated and who joined us early this morning. Catch a clip of our segment on NBC4:

Lenten Book Camp

Have you found that “just right” Lenten practice which will feed and challenge you this Lent?

WES parents are invited to participate in a Lenten Book Group in the WES Religion Room on five Thursday evenings during Lent in cooperation with St. Columba’s Episcopal Church in Tenleytown. Come once or up to all five times! We will be discussing the book Sabbath as Resistance: Saying NO to the CULTURE OF NOW, by Old Testament scholar Walter Brueggemann. If you order this book, please be sure to get the NEW VERSION with STUDY GUIDE. You can order a copy from Amazon.com at this LINK. The chapters are short and sweet to read, and they provide many questions to ponder with a thoughtful group. The book is a pretty profound theological exploration of why Sabbath is as relevant today as it ever was.

We will meet on the following five dates and times in the Religion Room:
• Thursday, March 14, at 6 p.m.
• Thursday, March 21, at 6 p.m.
• Thursday, March 28, at 6 p.m. (WES Spring Break)
• Thursday, April 4, at 6 p.m.
• Thursday, April 11, at 6 p.m.

If you have any questions, please contact Chaplain Tim at tkennedy@w-e-s.org.

March 1 Community Service First Friday Summary

Our March First Friday had over 50 participants busy helping our WES community and beyond with the following activities:

  • Mrs. Cuddihy, Mrs. Dawn Harding (using her secret recipe!), and students in Grades 5–8 made cookies and personalized bags for our local Police Department.
  • Ms. Haggerty and T, K, & 1 students made treats for the Police K-9 Unit.
  • Mrs. Poland, Mr. Dennison, and students in Grades 2-5 went to Sunrise Village where a pianist was willing to share the stage with WES. Our students sang a capella and participated in a trivia game of “Name that State!”
  • Middle School students assisted the staff at the Rosemount Early Childhood Center by playing with students, reading books, and helping tidy up classrooms with Mr. Gill. Each Rosemount teacher that was partnered with a WES student went out of their way to commend the efforts of the group.
  • Mrs. Earle, Ms. Hopper, and Mme. Larson accompanied Middle School Students to clean up Little Falls Parkway.

On Monday, Officer Strohman and Commander Liquorie of the Montgomery County Department of Police 2nd District, Bethesda, came to visit Nursery and Transition. Students presented the cookies and dog treats to them. Afterward, Officer Strohman and Commander Liguorie shared with the students the duties police officers perform on a daily basis and how they keep us safe. They reminded us to call 9-1-1 in an emergency.

Way to go DRAGONS!  Our final First Friday will take place on  April 12 (note date change). Activities and sign-up will be posted in the next few weeks.

Get Your Tickets for WES’s Grade 6 Musical Footloose

See our Grade 6 students—with the assistance of Grade 5 students—perform this wonderful play. This adaptation features the story of a boy named Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town.

Ren is preparing for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. What he isn’t prepared for are the rigorous local edicts, including a ban on dancing instituted by the local preacher, determined to exercise the control over the town’s youth that he cannot command in his own home. The heartfelt story that emerges is of a father longing for the son he lost and of a young man aching for the father who walked out on him. All ages are welcome, and these events are open to the public!

Invite friends, neighbors, and family! There are two performances as follows:

  • Friday, March 15 7:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 16 12:30 p.m.

Tickets:
General Admission: $6
Children 3 and Younger: FREE

Buy your tickets online today at www.w-e-s.org/musical.

Dr. Omékongo Dibinga’s International Reading List

Several weeks ago, Dr. Omékongo Dibinga came to WES and gave three special presentations to our community, —to parents, students, and faculty. Parents learned a variety of skills to engage in courageous conversations with their children about the challenges we face today. As a follow up to this parent presentation, the following are books recommended by Dr. Dibinga.

Please click HERE for his organization’s UPstander reading list.