FALCON FAMILY NEWS
North Frederick Elementary Newsletter 9.9.20
MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Thank you for working through the first week together with us and with your student. There were so many successes and also some difficult challenges. We persevere and do our best. I thank you personally for all of your communication with me and your spirit of collaboration. I'd like to look back when we are through this period of time to find that we have strengthened the partnership between home and school. It's up to each of us. You've done an absolutely outstanding job so far! Thanks for everything you are doing as North Frederick families to support your students' learning. It's far from easy. Your positive and can-do attitude is contagious and our students are really benefiting from their adult role models.
Please don't forget to reach out if you need anything! #BetterTogether #NFESCommits #nfesSTRONG
Sincerely,
Tracy Poquette
IMPORTANT: Parent Permission for Recorded Google Meetings
Parents or Guardians of all NFES students are asked to complete the following form to provide or deny permission for their student to be recorded in teacher hosted google meets.
Please fill out a permission form for EACH student at NFES.
FCPS NFES Google Meet Recording Permission
FCPS NFES Google Meet Permiso de grabacion
If you do not provide permission, your student will be prompted to turn off their camera and microphone if a meet or any part of a meet is recorded.
NEED TECH SUPPORT OR INFORMATION FROM OUR STAFF
We have completed our first week of Virtual Learning. It wasn't easy at times, but it was definitely a team effort! We are here to support you! If you need support between the hours of 8:00am and 3:30pm M-F you can:
- contact the teacher
- call the front office at 240.236.2000
- hop on a virtual call with one of our staff members https://meet.google.com/jzi-qoig-nrw
We will also offer after hours support! If you need help between 3:30-6:30 M-F, you can access our virtual support line- https://meet.google.com/jzi-qoig-nrw Please use your students account to access the Google Meet successfully.
SUPPORTING YOUR CHILD WITH VIRTUAL LEARNING
Parent and Caregiver Roles and Responsibilities
Establish routines and expectations.
Identify a space in home where student(s) can learn comfortably.
Monitor communication from teachers.
Encourage student independence. The Google Meet sessions are for students and teacher. Please allow your child to participate and respond independently.
Begin and end each day with a check in; be mindful of stress or worry.
Encourage physical activity and exercise.
Support digital citizenship skills.
STUDENT LEARNING AND BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS
Please remind your students that the NFES learning and behavioral expectations remain in place in the virtual setting.
Teachers have shared this with students during this first week. We will revisit the expectations this week and periodically during the virtual learning model.
Parents are asked to talk with their students about these expectations. If students or parents see any inappropriate behavior, please notify the teacher or school staff. Both teachers and families can remind students of their roles and responsibilities.
Student Roles and Responsibilities
Prepare for Learning
Establish daily routines for learning.
Gather and organize materials and resources for learning.
Check Schoology frequently to receive announcements, assignments and feedback from your teachers.
Engage in Learning
Carefully review all learning materials and expectations for assignments.
Follow your daily schedule provided by your school in order to attend synchronous sessions.
Complete assignments and activities according to the timeline given by teachers.
Read and apply feedback from teachers and ask for clarification as needed.
Demonstrate Ownership of Learning
Complete assignments with integrity and academic honesty.
Show positive and appropriate interactions with others in the learning environment.
Demonstrate good digital citizenship skills.
Work independently when appropriate and ask for help as needed
Communicate with your school counselor, teacher, and caregivers if you lack the resources to engage in distance learning and/or if you are feeling overwhelmed.
Any inappropriate behavior will be handled in alignment with the FCPS Discipline Regulation.
Regulation 400-08 - Discipline
With everyone's help, we will ensure a safe and positive virtual learning environment for all students.
COMCAST INTERNET ESSENTIALS
Did you know that Comcast Internet Essentials is supporting students from FCPS?
They can support your family to get internet access even if you are not currently a Comcast customer. Comcast will offer 60 days of free internet services for new Internet Essential Customers and for most families who qualify for the National School Lunch Program you may only pay $9.95 a month in the future.
If you are eligible for public assistance programs such as Housing assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, SSI and others you may apply today!
To get started apply at https://internetsessentials.com and Comcast will let you know through an email or text if you qualify. If Comcast needs documents you can take a picture with your phone and upload right into your application. Call your school’s community liaison if you need assistance to apply.
NFES Back to School Virtual Orientation
Did you miss our virtual Back to School Orientation? Below you will find links to each grade level’s Back to School Hyperdoc. You will find important links and information on each document. Please be sure to take a look!
FREE AND REDUCED MEALS
FREE MEALS
FCPS is extending free "to go" breakfast and lunch service through December 2020 to all children ages 18 and younger, following recent approval from the United States Department of Agriculture. FCPS will also provide meals for adults 19 and older who are enrolled in an FCPS program for people with disabilities.
North Frederick Elementary is one of the 26 locations serving meals.
Meals are provided from 11 AM- 1 PM on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays using the following schedule.
Mondays - "To-go" breakfasts and lunches are provided for Monday and Tuesday
Tuesdays - Kitchens are closed
Wednesdays - "To-go" breakfasts and lunches are provided for Wednesday and Thursday
Thursdays - Kitchens are closed
Fridays - "To-go" breakfasts and lunches are provided for Friday, Saturday and Sunday
MESSAGE FROM OUR BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST
Despite the challenges presented by CoVid-19, we have enjoyed having the ability to take your child’s learning temporarily online. FCPS has set up its classroom experience through the Google Meet and Schoology platforms, and while the mode of communication and connection is different, teachers and students are making the most of their time away from the physical classroom.
From our school community to yours, here are 5 tips for parents who have children participating in distance learning.
1 – Help your child establish and stick to a routine. Even though school has gone to an online learning format, treat school days just like you would if your child was attending school as usual. This includes having them get up at the same time everyday, get properly dressed, and eat a healthy breakfast.
2 – Check in with your child’s teachers. Teachers are more than willing to connect with parents via email or phone during non-instruction hours. Check in if your child is having difficulty managing the online learning platform or staying on task. Be on the lookout for any communications from teachers indicating that they are having trouble connecting with your child during this time. Make sure that you have signed up for Schoology. This will make communicating with your child’s teachers much easier. Technology Tips for Parents
3 – Encourage physical activity and exercise. Your child will be sitting in front of their computer for long stretches of time. Encourage them to use the breaks in the day to stretch, walk the dog, or do jumping jacks — any movement helps!
4 – Resist the urge to sit in on classes with your child. While it may certainly be tempting to “pop in” on your child’s classes, please respect their privacy and that of other students. Connect with faculty and staff through email or other communication channels before or after school hours.
5 – Take care of you. This one is extra important, and we hear it often, but take care of you. If you’re not taking care of your own physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs, you will have less energy, space, and patience to connect with and take care of your children. Even 10-15 minutes of scheduled “me” time during the day is beneficial.
It’s more important than ever to find ways to stay in touch and connect with others, whether that be your local community, your school, or your workplace. At the end of the day or week, check in with your support network — family, friends, and colleagues — to share worries, advice, and the unexpected joys of living life in close quarters.
And, remember that we have the power to come out stronger from this experience, as we learn to adapt our lives and routines in the face of an unexpected yet shared challenge.
Do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.
Erin Malone- Erin.Malone@fcps.org
MESSAGE FROM OUR SCHOOL COUNSELOR
Welcome Back in a Virtual Way! This is our theme for the September morning announcements and one that we would not have believed to be true just one year ago! Regardless, we are ready to meet the high expectations we have for all of our students whether we are virtual or face to face. As the School Counselor, and a mom, wife, daughter, sister, and friend to many.... I know these are stressful and challenging times at best. Please let me help you and your child if you are in need of support. Whether it is food, clothing, academic or just a friendly ear to listen. My email is Laura.Vogtman@fcps.org and my office # is 240 236-2020. If you are new to North Frederick I'd love to hear from you!
Please find an excellent article on Social-Emotional Learning at Home, a topic we will visit often throughout this school year. 10-ways-parents-can-bring-social-emotional-learning-home
IMPORTANT DATES
Wednesday, September 23
Distribution of Student Materials 8-5pm
(More information coming)
Friday, September 25
Schools Open
(Fair Day Is Canceled)
Students Participate in Full Virtual Instruction
Monday, September 28
Schools Closed
No Instruction for Students
After the Calendar Handbook went to press and the BOE determined we would open in virtual learning mode, the Board also adjusted the calendar. Friday, September 25 (formerly Fair Day) and Tuesday, November 3 (when school buildings were formerly closed for Election Day) are now school days. Please see additional changes in the news release. For the most current calendar information and updated directories, please see the Calendar Handbook online.
MESSAGE FROM OUR INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC TEACHERS
Students in 4th and 5th grade have the opportunity to learn a band or orchestra instrument of their choosing. Enrollment for this school year is currently open and we would like all interested students to sign up. If you are not sure what instrument you would like to play please visit our website using the links below. The website provides information on what instruments are offered, videos to hear and see each instrument, information about the band/orchestra program, and the enrollment form to get signed up.
Mr. Boehmer and Mr. Racster would love for all 4th and 5th grade students to play an instrument this school year. Even if you do not have any experience playing an instrument, we will start from the beginning and teach you exactly what to do. We also hope students who played last year will consider playing again this year! All interested students need to fill out the enrollment form (even if you played last year). If you filled out the enrollment form at the end of last school year, we have your information and there is nothing else you need to do.
Please take some time to view the website and contact us with any questions. We look forward to seeing all interested students in band or orchestra lessons this school year!
Link to Website for Information about Band/Orchestra:
English - https://sites.google.com/fcps.org/eimrecruitment
Spanish - https://sites.google.com/fcps.org/eimrecruitmentes
Band/Orchestra Teacher Contact Information:
Mr. Boehmer - jonathan.boehmer@fcps.org
Mr. Racster - victor.racster@fcps.org
STAY INFORMED
Communication is very important to your child’s success at school and we want to keep you informed of what is going on at North Frederick Elementary School. We do not want you to miss important information.
- Find Out First: register online at www.fcps.org/fof/nfes
- Twitter: @FCPS_Poquette
- PTA Facebook page: North Frederick Elementary School PTA
- North Frederick Elementary Website: https://education.fcps.org/nfes/
NORTH FREDERICK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Mrs. Kelly McConville-Assistant Principal
Mrs. Missy Myers- 12 month Secretary
Mrs. Jennifer Mathers- 10 month Secretary
Email: tracy.poquette@fcps.org
Website: education.fcps.org/nfes/home
Location: 1010 Fairview Avenue, Frederick, MD, USA
Phone: (240) 236.2000
Twitter: @FCPS_Poquette