Vienna Elementary

**STAFF "Underground Spirit Week" took place from Monday, November 3rd, to Friday, November 7th, 2025.** #withJOY

**Monday:** Our Hallway Heroes kicked off the week with capes, and their enthusiasm for "flying" through the halls earned them bonus points!

**Tuesday:** Stache Bash was a hit! Everyone enthusiastically participated by wearing mustaches, and Mr. Abbott showed great spirit by shaving his beard for the occasion.

**Wednesday:** We had a great time celebrating Secret Service Day! The staff dressed as Secret Service agents to protect "HER MAJESTY, MADAM TERRAPIN," our esteemed principal, Mrs. Price, while also honoring her birthday.

**Thursday:** During Monochrome Day, we each showcased our favorite color from head to toe, encouraging creativity and vibrant expression among staff and students alike.

**Friday:** We wrapped up the week with Ties and Tutus Day, where everyone enjoyed the playful mix of tutus and ties. It was a fantastic way to end the week!

The students truly appreciated seeing our joyful spirit while we continued to teach. Overall, we shared a wonderful week filled #withJOY and unity!

**December Vienna Terrapin 2025 Calendar Reminders:**

- **Tuesday, December 2:** McTeacher Night in Cambridge from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- **Thursday, December 4:** Picture Retake Day.
- **Friday, December 5:** Wear your "HOUSE" t-shirt Day!
- **Tuesday, December 9:** Term 2 interim reports go home.
- **Wednesday, December 10:** Half-Day for Students; dismissal at 12:45 p.m.
(Day “67”th of school)
- **Thursday, December 11:** Author Mr. Kevin O'Malley is visiting Vienna Elementary School at 2:00 p.m.
- **Friday, December 12:** Wear your "HOUSE" t-shirt Day!
Join the Vienna Parent Association for the Magical Snowman Show in the Vienna Elementary School gym from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- **Monday, December 15:** Holiday Spirit Week begins with Comfort Cozy Day! Wear your favorite holiday pajamas.
- **Tuesday, December 16:** Mean, Green Grinch Day! Represent the famous Mr. Grinch by wearing green, and don't forget a red heart!
- **Wednesday, December 17:** Winter Concert at North Dorchester High School. Students should arrive by 5:30 p.m. The concert starts at 6:00 p.m.
Go, Team, Go! Wear your favorite winter sports team attire (football, hockey, basketball, volleyball, etc.).
- **Thursday, December 18:** "UGLY" Christmas Sweater Day! Wear your craziest, tackiest Christmas sweater!
- **Friday, December 19:** Half-Day for Students; dismissal at 12:45 p.m.
Are you PRESENT?!? Dress as a holiday gift bag or present.
- **Monday, December 22 - Friday, January 2, 2026:** Winter Break. Students return on Monday, January 5, 2026.
Enjoy Winter Break with family and friends! #withJOY

**Students Ran #withJOY!**

The Vienna Elementary Running Club was so much more than just a program; it was a joyful celebration of unity! Every Wednesday, our students laced up their shoes and took to the beautiful streets of Vienna, bringing excitement and energy to the town while community members cheered them on.

A huge shoutout to our amazing coaches: Mrs. Jennifer Bailey, Mrs. Katie Crucillo, Mrs. Jodie Condon, Mrs. Connar Winn, Ms. Shanna Hubbard, Ms. Chela Hernandez, and Ms. Ginger Oakes. Your dedication to volunteering after school has made a wonderful impact on these young athletes, and we can't thank you enough!

To show their appreciation, the students wrote "Happy Mail Notes" for each coach, saying, "Thank you for helping make the Running Club a fun and positive experience."

Let's keep inspiring our students to continue their running adventures and carry the joy they found in this program into everything they do!

**Tomorrow**
We encourage everyone to wear their "HOUSE" t-shirts. Students who do not wear a "HOUSE" t-shirt are expected to wear their uniforms.

**A Celebration of Fun, Food, and Community!**

“Our Vienna Elementary School McTeacher Night” was a resounding success, thanks to the amazing support from our Vienna families and the community!

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Cambridge McDonald's for hosting this event, to the dedicated staff at Vienna Elementary for volunteering their time, and to Mrs. Connar Winn, our Community School Social Worker, for organizing the fundraiser. Most importantly, we appreciate our Vienna families for coming out and contributing with generous hearts—your participation made all the difference! Thank you for continuing to give #withJOY!

** HAPPY MAIL**
Something is in the A I R at Vienna Elementary School! We just wanted to take a moment to brag about our outstanding students! Each Happy Mail note is color-coded to represent their "HOUSE" color, and our students can earn points for their "HOUSE" by showing off some fantastic positive behaviors, such as:

-Being a good friend
-Showing great improvement
-Showing kindness
-Excellent behavior ALL day
-Uplifting others
-Working well with others
-Helping others
-Following instructions
-Moving up a level in reading

We are so proud of our Vienna Terrapins and all their accomplishments! Keep up the great work! #withJOY

***** Tonight ******
**McTeacher's Night!**

Have you ever wondered what your teachers do after school? Here's your chance to find out!

Join the Vienna Elementary staff at McDonald's, where they will be serving delicious meals and sharing big smiles. It's the perfect opportunity to hang out with friends and enjoy a fun evening!

Please remember that 20% of all orders between 5:30 PM and 7:30 PM will directly support our school.

**When:** December 2nd, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
**Where:** McDonald's in Cambridge
**Address:** 317 Sunburst Hwy, Cambridge, Maryland 21613

Your participation will help us purchase books by author Mr. Kevin O'Malley for every child in grades 1–5. Plus, Mr. O'Malley will visit VES for a special assembly in December! Don't miss out on this chance to support our school! #withJOY

**Ready, Set, Game!**

Vienna Elementary School students had a fantastic time at the Term 1 Kindness Incentive Reward held on Friday, November 14th. The staff truly enjoyed seeing the joy on the students' faces as they received their well-deserved reward.

We want to extend our gratitude to the Precision Paintball Mobile Gaming unit from Georgetown, Delaware, to Mrs. Connar Winn (our Community School Social Worker) for organizing the event, and to the Vienna Parent Association for their generous support that made it possible.

Keep up the great work, Vienna Terrapins! We are looking forward to the Term 2 incentive! #withJOY

We are incredibly thankful for our Vienna Trotters! The Turkey Trot at Vienna Elementary School on Tuesday, November 18th, was a tremendous success, and we owe it to everyone who participated.

Our Dorchester County Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Jmyil Thompson, ran with the students, demonstrating his support for our young athletes. The Running Club proudly made him an honorary member and presented him with a Vienna Elementary Running Club shirt.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to the VES Running Club for hosting this wonderful event, to all the students and their families for their participation, to Dr. Thompson for joining us, and to the dedicated Vienna staff for their unwavering support.

Your involvement makes all the difference. We appreciate it greatly! #withJOY

Fifth-grade students from Vienna Elementary recently had an incredible opportunity to attend NorthBay, located at 11 Horseshoe Point Lane in North East, Maryland 21901. This trip was an unforgettable experience that provided our students with the adventure of a lifetime, keeping them engaged and excited every single day.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the chaperones, the NorthBay staff, and our Vienna staff for making this trip an exceptional and cherished experience! #withJOY

For more information about NorthBay and online lessons, click here for details: https://northbayeducation.org/

Dear Vienna Families,

We want to remind you that our Thanksgiving Break will start with an early dismissal on Tuesday, November 25th, at 12:45 p.m. Please note that we will be closed from Wednesday, November 26th, through Friday, November 28th.

Wishing you all a joyful and wonderful Thanksgiving!

With love from all of us at Vienna Elementary School. #withJOY

**McTeacher's Night!**

Have you ever wondered what your teachers do after school? Here's your chance to find out!

Join the Vienna Elementary staff at McDonald's, where they will be serving delicious meals and sharing big smiles. It's the perfect opportunity to hang out with friends and enjoy a fun evening!

Please remember that 20% of all orders between 5:30 PM and 7:30 PM will directly support our school.

**When:** December 2nd, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
**Where:** McDonald's in Cambridge
**Address:** 317 Sunburst Hwy, Cambridge, Maryland 21613

Your participation will help us purchase books by author Mr. Kevin O'Malley for every child in grades 1–5. Plus, Mr. O'Malley will visit VES for a special assembly in December! Don't miss out on this chance to support our school! #withJOY

Our 5th-grade students at Vienna Elementary are enjoying their time at NorthBay in North East, Maryland. We will be returning tomorrow.

Tomorrow, we encourage everyone to wear their "HOUSE" t-shirts. If you do not have a "HOUSE" t-shirt, please wear your uniform instead.

Attendance is important! Missing even one school day may seem insignificant at first, but those small absences can accumulate more quickly than you think.

When a student misses 2 days a month:
- They will miss 20 days in a year.
- They will miss 30 hours of math and 60 hours of reading and writing throughout the school year.
- By graduation, they will have missed over a year of school.

When a student misses 4 days a month:
- They will miss 40 days in a year.
- They will miss 60 hours of math and 120 hours of reading and writing throughout the school year.
- By graduation, they will have missed over two years of school.

Attend today to achieve tomorrow. Your commitment to being present makes a big difference. Let's make every school day count!

**Thank You, Veterans!**

Mrs. LeMire, our art and media specialist, organized a meaningful project at Vienna Elementary to celebrate our veterans. She emphasized the importance of honoring veterans every day and highlighted their vital roles in protecting our freedoms. The students used the red poppy in their projects, which symbolizes the sacrifices made by veterans and represents the bloodshed of soldiers in war.

Accompanied by a poem, as shown in the picture below with Mrs. Diffenbach's class, each student crafted a poppy to present to a veteran in their family or a family friend. This was a way for them to express their gratitude for that person's service and sacrifice.

Thank you, Mrs. LeMire, for reminding us to be thankful for our veterans every day. #withJOY

We want to thank you for reminding us that Thanksgiving is all about being thankful. We truly appreciate every one of our Vienna families! It was such a delight to have you join us for the Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, November 13, 2025.

Once again, thank you to all the families who came out. We loved spending time with you, and it filled our hearts #withJOY!

Mrs. Thomas' and Mrs. Carroll's second-grade classes had a blast on their field trip to JZ Farms in Federalsburg, Maryland, on Thursday, October 6, 2025! This fantastic place had so much to offer our Vienna Elementary students, including:

- Adorable farm animals
- A huge 10-acre corn maze just waiting to be explored
- An exciting combine slide for lots of fun
- Barnyard Skee-Ball, where skill meets laughter
- Two awesome jumping pillows for bouncing around #withJOY
- Farmersville, a cute village with 14 imaginative playhouses

As a sweet surprise, every student got to take home their very own pumpkin, making this trip even more special!

A huge thank you to JZ Farms for their warm hospitality and to Mrs. Carroll and Mrs. Thomas for organizing this unforgettable adventure. Experiences like these bring so much joy and make learning fun! #withJOY

** HAPPY MAIL**
Something is in the A I R at Vienna Elementary School! We just wanted to take a moment to brag about our outstanding students! Each Happy Mail note is color-coded to represent their "HOUSE" color, and our students can earn points for their "HOUSE" by showing off some fantastic positive behaviors, such as:

-Being a good friend
-Showing great improvement
-Showing kindness
-Excellent behavior ALL day
-Uplifting others
-Working well with others
-Helping others
-Following instructions
-Moving up a level in reading

We are so proud of our Vienna Terrapins and all their accomplishments! Keep up the great work! #withJOY

It's a big day for Vienna Terrapin students tomorrow, Friday, November 14, 2025. We encourage everyone to wear their "HOUSE" t-shirts. If you do not wear your "HOUSE" t-shirt, please wear your uniform instead.

The Gaming Truck will be available for students who earned this reward for showing KINDNESS during Term 1. Additionally, the Blue Sky Puppet Theater is scheduled to perform at 2:30 p.m. in the gym.

It's going to be a fun-filled day at Vienna Elementary School! #withJOY

**Also, remember that this Saturday is Mystery Bingo at the East New Market Firehouse! Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Don't miss out!**