The Paw Print
Week of January 21, 2019
Updates from Mrs. Murphy
Our Valentine's Day parties will be on Thursday, February 14th from 2:45 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Please remember that if students pass out Valentines, they must have one for each student in their class. If you plan to join us for the parties, you will need to be signed in through the main office. The following link should be used to preregister. If you complete this form before 12:00 p.m. on February 12th, a badge will be printed in advance for you. Please be sure to hit submit once you have completed the google form. If you do not preregister, you will still be welcome to join us, but you will need to bring your identification and sign in through the main office before visiting your child's class. The parties will end at 3:30 p.m. In order to have a smooth dismissal, all cars that are parked illegally must be moved by 3:35 p.m.
Thank You
International Night was a huge success! It was wonderful to see so many different countries represented. Thank you to each family that shared your background with the school community. A big thank you to Christine Leung and Aby Filomeno for making this event possible.
Staffing Update
Are you impacted by the government shut down?
Montgomery County Public Schools has held two job fairs for furloughed federal employees over the last week. Please visit their website for additional information.
Lunch and Recess Volunteers
Academic Night is January 31st
Please let us know if you're coming at https://goo.gl/forms/pyHAFP8zgDhKZgVl1
Kindness Poster Contest
SGA News
The SGA is holding school-wide spirit days to raise money to purchase new recess equipment. We encourage everyone who participates to donate $1.00, or whatever they can contribute. SGA Officers will collect money from homeroom classes on the date listed below. Please only send money in on spirit days. The SGA Officers would like to thank everyone in advance for their support. We have raised $566.26 from our two previous spirit days.
Friday, January 25: Crazy Hair Day
5th Grade Mermall
Churchill Cluster Updates
School System Updates
Fiscal Year 2020 Operating Budget Virtual Presentation
In case you missed it, you can still watch the superintendent’s virtual community conversation on the Fiscal Year 2020 recommended operating budget online at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/budget/.
During the December 18 discussion, Superintendent Jack R. Smith, MCPS staff, and community partners answered questions on the budget and stressed the importance of its focus on student classrooms and schools, including the key bodies of work: improving programs; increasing access to strong academic and career opportunities; extending learning; providing language opportunities; focusing on physical, social and psychological well-being; hiring and retaining an effective and diverse workforce; and strengthening operational excellence.
Now that Dr. Smith has presented his recommendation, the timeline for the FY 2020 Operating Budget is as follows:
· January 9 and January 14, 2019: Board of Education holds operating budget hearings
· January 16, 2019: State releases budget
· January 17 and 24, 2019: Board of Education holds operating budget work sessions
· February 12, 2019: Board takes action on the recommended operating budget
For more information, visit www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/budget/.
Upcoming County Education Budget Meetings
Parents/guardians and members of the community are invited to join Montgomery County Councilmember Craig Rice, Superintendent of Schools Jack R. Smith, and Montgomery College President DeRionne Pollard at upcoming Education Budget meetings scheduled for February and March. Attendees can find out how budget decisions are made, what the County is doing today to get ready for FY 2020 and beyond, and the opportunities residents have to influence budget decisions.
The meetings will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the following locations:
February 20, Neelsville Middle School, 11700 Neelsville Church Road in Germantown
February 27, Col. E. Brooke Lee Middle School, 11800 Monticello Avenue in Silver Spring
March 6, Rockville High School, 2100 Baltimore Road in Rockville
March 11, Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, 4301 East-West Highway in Bethesda
March 27, Montgomery College Takoma Park Campus, 7600 Takoma Avenue in Takoma Park (Cultural Arts Center Theater 1)
The county executive will announce his Recommended FY 2019 Operating Budget in March. In April, the County Council will hold public hearings and approve the operating budget at the end of May.
Winter 2019 Parent Academy Schedule
The MCPS Parent Academy offers parents/guardians and community members the opportunity to attend workshops that provide information, resources, tools, and tips to support their children’s success in school. The 2019 winter season of workshops has begun. You won’t want to miss sessions on mindfulness, college and career planning, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) resources and much more.
Parent Academy workshops are free. Childcare and interpretation services are provided at all sessions. A full list of courses is available on the Parent Academy website www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/parentacademy/. Registration is available here.
Nominees Sought for Annual Distinguished Service to Public Education Awards
The Montgomery County Board of Education is seeking nominations from the public for its 22nd Annual Awards for Distinguished Service to Public Education. The awards are sponsored by the Board to recognize and show appreciation to individuals (including students), groups and organizations that have made exemplary contributions to public education in Montgomery County. Visit www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/boe/community/awards/ for more information. Completed nomination forms must be received in the Board of Education office by 5:00 p.m. on March 1, 2019.
Don’t Be Distracted Contest Open to Elementary and Secondary Students
A Safe Kids study demonstrated that one in four high school students and one in six middle school students walk distracted. These distractions were most often texting or wearing headphones. Research also indicates that for teen drivers, a single glance off the road for two or more seconds increases the risk of a crash or near crash by almost four times. When students are distracted while walking or driving, they are putting themselves and others in danger. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation is inviting all MCPS students to help raise awareness of this critical issue by participating in the 2019 Don’t Be Distracted Contest.
Students are asked to create a 30- to 60-second public service announcement (PSA) video or artwork about one or both of the following topics:
1. Tell your peers the importance of not walking or driving distracted.
2. Tell adults the importance of not being distracted while driving, especially in school zones.
All entries are due Monday, March 4. For more information and to submit an entry, visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DOT-PedSafety/SRTS/creative-contest.html.
Important Dates
1/21 - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. No school for students or staff
1/22 - Grade 5 Professional Development Day provided by SLES Foundation
1/22 - Spelling Bee First Elimination Round, held during lunch and recess
1/23 - Grade 4 Professional Development Day provided by SLES Foundation
1/23 - CES Parent Meeting, 6:30 p.m. at Richard Montgomery High School
1/24 - Grade 3 Professional Development Day provided by SLES Foundation
1/25 - SGA Crazy Hair Day
1/25 - Mermall
1/25 - End of second marking period
1/25 - Early Release Day, 1:20 p.m. dismissal
1/28 - Professional Day - No school for students
1/29 - Grade 1 Professional Development Day provided by SLES Foundation
1/30 - Kindergarten Professional Development Day provided by SLES Foundation
1/31 - Community Flyer Distribution
1/31 - Academic Night
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