6 minute read
COMMUNITY MATTERS
It has been so important for our community to remain connected and engaged this past year. While at times, we were disappointed that we couldn’t gather and celebrate all that makes The Woods so special, we still found creative and memorable ways to come together in grand Woods fashion. Here are some of the ways we enjoyed community-building experiences this spring.
#WeAreTheWoods
31st Annual Night Owl Auction
This year’s Annual Night Owl Auction was one for the record books.
We celebrated our pride in our community with our first online Auction, featuring Woods Wonders – items unique to The Woods – a reserved parking space for the year, your child as The Woods Fire Chief for the Day, lunch with Mr. Powers, a painting party with Ms. Butler, Fireside Chats with Mr. Clubbs, a tea party with Mrs. Tanzi, and so much more. While we missed gathering together in person, participation was fantastic with many a bidding war. Proceeds from this year’s virtual Raise the Paddle will help us put the finishing touches on the Woods Outdoor Lab, filling our earth and physical sciences areas with materials as we plant the seeds for a life-long love of the sciences and the desire of our students to reach for the stars. Thank you to all you joined us!
Thank you to our auction sponsors! Robert and Carrie Basil Friends of The Woods BridgePoint Healthcare Monique and Jason Fields Franny Rock Ines Vega and Alejandro Villegas WAPTO Thank you to our Woods community businesses that donated items/services to our auction! Allegra Rockville Designs by Tiara (Ms. Butler, Art Teacher) Galewinddesigns Gaucha Chica Gold Signature Writers Harmonic Music Studio Ideas Summer Camps Kaytering by Kay Kicks Karate Nourish Parodi Educational Consulting and Student Advocacy ProFish Seafood Scout & Cellar (Vivian Carmody) TomKat Construction LLC Topgolf Total Wine & More Tuko Pamoja Turgla Home
And the schools that gave us spirit gear Connelly School of the Holy Child Georgetown Prep Georgetown Visitation Gonzaga College High School Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart And Thank You to Scout Bags for creating one with The Woods logo!
Woods Cake Decorating Event
Since we could not all be together to properly celebrate our friendships on Valentine’s Day this year, we encouraged our families to bake and decorate a Woodsthemed cake during the weekend of February 12–15. Thank you to everyone who participated in our first ever Woods Cake Decorating Event! You sure did help us spread some Mighty Owl love. Mr. Powers randomly selected three winners from the dozens of entries. Congratulations to Connor O (M4), Niki P (1), and Nora C (3). They all earned a $50 gift certificate to The Owlcove courtesy of WAPTO.
Ash Wednesday Mass
Special thanks to Fr. Mike Conway from Don Bosco Cristo Rey for celebrating Ash Wednesday Mass with us on February 17. Some of our Upper School students along with Director of Religion Randy Bednar hosted the Mass from our Chapel while the celebration was shared via livestream so that the entire community could gather virtually to prepare for the season of Lent.
Virtual Bingo Night
Thanks to all the Woods families who participated in our virtual Bingo event on Friday, February 19! The 4th grade students came up BIG, winning four times. After Max B (7) won the very first game, his dad got in on the action winning in game 2. We had another student-parent combo with Dylan R (5) winning in game 1 and his mom winning during game 5. One of the highlights of the night was seeing the brother-sister duo, Constantine P (2) and Woods alum Ariana P (2020), take the first win of game 3. Congratulations to all our winners listed below. They all received Amazon gift cards, courtesy of WAPTO! And a big thank you to Katie Wisecarver, mom of Molly (3) and William (5), for being our caller and organizing the evening!
Game Winner Name 1 1 Max B (7) 1 2 Maria M (4) 1 3 Dylan R (5) 2 1 Valentina B (6) 2 2 Jason Bakelar (dad) 3 1 Constantine P (2) 3 2 Hanna G (4) 3 3 Ruby S (4) 4 1 Pierce B (6) 5 1 Alison Rhein (mom) 5 2 Eva B (6) 6 1 Maria M (4) 6 2 Niki P (1)
Can We Talk? Event
WAPTO Community Liaison Karen Borno arranged for Rita M. Sampson, Chief Diversity Officer and Director of EEO for the United States Intelligence Community Office of the Director of National Intelligence, to lead the February 25 discussion. The focus of the session was the TED Talk “John Lewis and Bryan Stevenson – The Fight For Civil Rights and Freedom.” Parents and faculty members enjoyed a lively and meaningful virtual conversation.
Trivia Night
In the Parent/Teacher Trivia Night challenge held on Saturday, March 20, a team of teachers triumphed. Congrats to Team 2: Bob and Katie Kalas, Eric and Katie Smith, Erin and Kevin Ricca, and Kristen and Roy Chrobocinski! Well played!
March Madness Basketball Pool
Special thanks to Ryan McCormick, dad of Aidan in Grade 5, for organizing our Mighty Owls’ NCAA Basketball Pool. Here are the results:
STUDENTS AND PARENTS WINNERS
1. Aidan M (5) – 76 points
2 (tie). Ara and Xander J (2) – 72 points
2 (tie). Kennedy M (8) – 72 points
4. Bahrami Family: Navid (K), Mina (2), Layla (8), Milad and Jennifer – 71 points
Special Honorable Mention to the Hedge Family: Olivia (K), Thomas (2), Emma (3), Ashley and Justin for being the only Mighty Owls to take the Baylor Bears all the way!! (35 Owls had Gonzaga winning the title.)
Second Honorable Mention goes to the Gobien family: Zachary (3), Joshua (6), Ingrid and Steven for being the only Owl family to take the 11th seed UCLA Bruins to the Final Four. Well done!! FACULTY AND STAFF WINNERS 1. Mr. Paul Paoletti – 62 points
2 (tie). Mr. Randall Bednar – 59 points
2 (tie). Mr. Joe Powers – 59 points
2 (tie). Mr. Martin Bednar – 59 points
Lastly, in the class competition, the Eighth Grade (428 points) pulled out a narrow victory over the Second Grade (411 points), with the Fifth Grade taking third place with a respectable 357 points! But, it was a great collective showing by our Lower School, which edged out the Upper School (1,409 to 1,315)!
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL AND THANKS FOR PARTICIPATING!
Flower Planting around Campus
WOW! On Friday, April 23, WAPTO and many parent and students volunteers came to campus to plant flowers. We received over 100 flower donations! It was truly a joy to see our community come together to beautify the front of the school. We loved seeing families from Montessori, Lower, and Upper School chatting and reconnecting, and we especially enjoyed meeting new Woods students and parents, too! Thank you to all those who planted and donated flowers.
Photos by Martin B (7)
Teacher Appreciation Week
Staff and Teacher Appreciation Week 2021 (May 3–7) was quite the adventure. Thank you to WAPTO and the best parent volunteers in the world for all of the treats for our hardworking, dedicated faculty.
