The Paw Print
Week of March 16, 2020
Updates from Mrs. Murphy and Mr. Ajamian
Coronavirus
Governor Larry Hogan and State Superintendent Dr. Karen Salmon announced on Thursday, March 12 that all Maryland schools must close in response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. In light of this announcement, all MCPS schools will be closed starting March 16 until March 27. Please visit www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org and https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/coronavirus/ to stay up-to-date on the latest information.
MCPS is providing instructional materials for students through the Curriculum Contingency website. These materials will be available online and MCPS will be sending information to parents through email and automated phone calls on how to access this material. If you have not heard from MCPS by Tuesday, March 17, then please feel free to call the main office at 240-740-0940. If needed, we will make hard copies available for students in the main office starting Monday. Please call the school before coming.
This school closure is the result of the state of emergency which does not allow staff members in the building. Instructional resources are being provided through central office. Teachers will not be providing feedback on these resources and will not be on their email during the closure. Please direct any questions you have to the main office during the closure.
As you are seeking resources to help you have the difficult conversations with your child about the coronavirus, we want to make available to you some of the resources that have been shared with us. A number of reputable national organizations have developed guidelines for parents, caregivers and teachers for talking with children about the coronavirus and infectious disease outbreaks. Some of the resources can be found on the MCPS coronavirus webpage and are also linked below.
Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource (More information to help conversations with children)
Just for Kids: A Comic Exploring the New Coronavirus
https://childmind.org/article/talking-to-kids-about-the-coronavirus/
PTA
Thank you to all our parents who joined our PTA parent breakfast! Our school is extremely lucky to have so many active and supportive parents. Without parent support the activities that enrich our students' lives would not be possible. We are always in need of additional parents to support the work. Please reach out if you would like to get involved. We would love to have your support!
The PTA is launching a Read-a-thon Fundraiser. Students are bringing home information today! Please read, read, read!
A Newsletter from the Teachers
Thank You
Thank you to our 1st grade parents for a very yummy lunch last week!
Thank you to all the families that attended the PTA breakfast. We appreciate the endless support of our current PTA executive board: Neal Orringer, Kathleen Taymen, and Aby Filomeno.
CHURCHILL HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
SCHOOL SYSTEM UPDATES
Public Comment Sought on Amendments to Policy JEE
The Board of Education is proposing amendments to Board Policy JEE, Student Transfers, and is seeking public comment on the amendments. The draft policy is available for public comment until Tuesday, April 21, 2020. Please visit
www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/policy/policy-for-public-comment.aspx for more information.
Presenting the 2019 Annual Report
The 2019 Annual Report to the Community is now available. The Annual Report to the Community includes highlights from the 2018–2019 school year and where we are when it comes to equity and excellence in learning, progress, achievement, and opportunity. The report provides the community with information about who we are, student performance data, operational performance data, and the steps MCPS has taken to fulfill the vision and mission of MCPS. Visit www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/annualreport/2019/ to view the Annual Report.
Survey Open to Special Education Parents
Parents or guardians of children receiving special education and related services (such as speech, physical, or occupational therapy, etc.) are asked to complete this year’s Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey. The information you provide will help guide the state’s efforts in improving special education and related services in public schools. Complete one survey for each child receiving services. The survey is anonymous and can be completed online at www.mdparentsurvey.com/.
The deadline to complete the survey is Friday, May 15. View more information at the following links:
Maryland Preschool Special Education Parent Involvement Survey
Spring Theater Schedule
The curtain is rising on spring theater productions throughout the school system, at middle schools and high schools. Get your tickets now to see these great performances, which begin in early March and run into May. From “Mamma Mia!” and “Frozen” to “The Great Gatsby” and “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr.” there’s something on stage for everyone. Visit
news.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/2019%E2%80%932020-Spring-Theater-Schedule.pdf to see a complete list of productions.
Important Dates
3/23 - Yearbook Order Deadline
3/30 - Author Visit Provided by SLES PTA
3/31 - 4th Grade Quarterly Planning Provided by Educational Foundation
4/1 - Kindergarten Quarterly Planning Provided by Educational Foundation
4/6 - 4/13 - Schools & Offices Closed
4/14 - School Resumes
Seven Locks Elementary School
Email: Megan_H_Murphy@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/sevenlockses/
Location: 9500 Seven Locks Road, Bethesda, MD, USA
Phone: 240-740-0940
Twitter: @SLESPrincipal