WT Page Weekly Newsletter
November 5, 2023
Contact Information
Email: stacey_m_brown@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/pagees/
Location: 13400 Tamarack Rd, Silver Spring, MD, USA
Phone: 240-740-7560
Twitter: @WTPagePenguins
Table of Contents
Mark Your Calendars with Links and Flyers
MCPS News
PTA News
Community News
Important Information for Past Newsletter
Past Newsletter Links
WT Page Principal's Message
Good Evening Page Families,
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) has partnered with Common Sense Education to deliver a digital citizenship curriculum to students. William Tyler Page is an identified Common Sense Media school and the lessons are delivered by our school media specialist, Mrs. Lauren Crooke.
What is Digital Citizenship? Using social media and other digital tools in a responsible, respectful manner that allows individuals to communicate freely and share ideas without the threat of intimidation, harassment or abuse.
Common Sense Education will provide high-quality digital citizenship materials for schools to use with students and families as part of the district's Digital Citizenship Program. A whole-community approach to digital citizenship is an implementation model that involves student instruction, family engagement, and educator professional learning and support. Media specialists will serve as the key contacts at each elementary school and receive professional learning during the school year to support the coordination of implementing the digital citizenship curriculum. Digital citizenship content will be embedded within an existing curriculum, giving each Grades K–5 student a minimum of 3 lessons over the school year.
https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/digital-citizenship/index.html
Have a great weekend!
Ms. Brown
Principal
Mark Your Calendars - Upcoming Dates
PTA Bookfair November 6 - November 10 @ WT Page Media Center
Scholastic Fall Book Fair - November 3rd through November 13th -
- **NEW INFORMATION**
- Scholastics Homepage : https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/pagepenguins
- Setup your Ewallet: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/content/fairs/how-ewallet-works.html?fairId=5422205
- We will be hosting a reading night. If you are interested or have a student looking to fill SSL hours please reach out to President@wtpagepta.org
Tuesday, November 7th - WT Page PTA General Meeting - Virtual
- 7pm - 8:30pm
- Join Us via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/6914988593?pwd=4sX48Ex12yBqwKxbI7b2WPDymljr0e.1
Meeting ID: 691 498 8593
Passcode: 3wduKs
Tuesday, November 7th - PTA Spirit Night at Wendy's on Randolph Rd - All Day until 11:30 PM
- LOCATION: 17 Vital Way Silver Spring, MD
- 20% of the proceeds are donated to our school!
- Dine In, Take Out, Drive Thru OR Pick Up! Simply mention William Tyler Page Elementary PTA when ordering
Tuesday, November 7th - Elementary Science Fair Night at Blake HS presented by The National Science Honor Society students at Blake HS @ 7:00 PM - see flyer below
Thursday, November 9th - Report Cards Available on ParentVue and being Distributed
Friday, November 10th - Last Day to Order Thanksgiving Pies Fundraiser - See Flyer Below
Upcoming Dates -
Monday, November 20th - Early Release Day for Parent Conferences@ 12:55 PM
Tuesday, November 21st - Early Release Day for Parent Conferences@ 12:55 PM
Wednesday, November 22nd - No School for Staff and Students
Thursday November 23rd - Friday November 24th - Thanksgiving Holiday - No School for Students and Staff
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Things to Know for Thursday November 2nd
Dear MCPS Families,
Here is what is happening at MCPS this week. Get information about mental health awareness week, how you can share your insight on the FY 25 Operating Budget tonight and at an upcoming forums, some bright spots this week and more!
Spirit Wear Holiday Sales - Begin November 6th
- Spirit Wear Holiday Sales starts Monday, November 6th - (Flyer attached)
- Order here: https://1stplace.sale/43996
- Flash Sale Alert: WT Page long sleeve tees are $24.99 this week only! Shop at https://1stplacespiritwear.com/collection/43996?style=Long+Sleeve+Tees
Thanksgiving Pie Fundraiser
- Order your pie by November 10th on our website: https://RB.GY/STBTM
- Pie pick up will be November 17th
- The pies are from Milburn Orchards (https://milburnorchards.com)
Reflections National Art Contest - Deadline November 21st
- Reflections National Art
- National Arts Contest - Students are invited to create theme-based artwork in the categories of dance choreography, film production, literature, musical composition, photography or visual arts.
- For more Information: https://www.wtpagepta.org/services-3
- Deadline to submit is 11/21
WT PTA Membership and Calendar
- Join OR Renew your PTA Membership
- WT Page PTA Calendar
- Stay up-to-date with upcoming events, news and meetings.
- Subscribe to our calendar today!
Volunteer's Needed for Upcoming Events - How you can help?
- Book Fair - Friday, November 3rd through Friday, November 10th
- Reach out to volunteercoordinator@wtpagepta.org AND president@wtpagepta.org
- Winter Dance Planning Committee - December 15th
WT Page Ongoing PTA Fundraisers - Running Year Long!!
- Rita’s Ice- Custard- Happiness
- Spirit Wear - Order Online
Deadline Extension - DCCAPS - November 8, 2023
- Montgomery County Public Schools is extending the deadline until November 8, 2023 for the following:
- Northeast Consortium Choice Process (Applies to only rising high school students who live in the Northeast Consortium attendance area)
- High School Regional/Countywide Application Programs (Applies to current Grade 8 students who live in Montgomery County)
- Two high schools had their open houses and/or information meetings rescheduled, and as a result, the deadline was extended to provide families more time to consider their options and submit their Choice form and/or high school program application.
- The deadline for the Downcounty Consortium and Middle School Magnet Consortium Choice Process, Montgomery Virtual Academy and the Upper-grade Part-Time Career Readiness Programs will keep their deadline of November 3, 2023.
- For questions about the deadline, send an email to DCCAPS@mcpsmd.org or call 240-740-2540.
Literacy Forum hosted by the Black and Brown Coalition
On November 9th there will be a Literacy Forum hosted by the co-founder of the Black and Brown Coalition (BBC). The goal is to have hundreds of Black parents/caregivers along with hundreds of Brown parents/caregivers alerted to the alarming level of our students that are not reading on grade level.
Register here:https://forms.gle/Tjp7xpmJ7pWXK51m8. To help with our planning for food and childcare, please register ASAP and invite others!!
When: Thursday, November 9, 2023 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM, Doors Open at 5:45PM
Where: Gaithersburg High School, 101 Education Blvd, Gaithersburg MD, 20877
Recommended MCPS - CIP
The recommended CIP was released Friday evening, please take a look at the summary below. Individual (or specific school PTAs) sign-ups to provide public comment on either November 6th or November 7th begin October 31st at 9:00am. The BOE will have a work session on October 31st at 10:00 am if you would like to see the CIP explained by staff. It will be streamed on MCPSTV on You Tube. Please contact CIP@mccpta.orgwith any questions!
CIP Committee Chairs
Laura Stewart
Sally McCarthy
Sign up link for public comment:
Three new addition projects:
Mill Creek Town Elementary School
Blake HS
Paint Branch HS
Five new Major Capital Projects:
Eastern Middle School (planning and construction funds)
Cold Spring ES (planning funds and placeholder construction funds)
Damascus ES (planning funds and placeholder construction funds)
Twinbrook ES (planning funds and placeholder construction funds)
Whetstone ES (planning funds and placeholder construction funds)
One-year construction timeline extension projects to align with anticipated completion dates:
•August 2027 Recommended Completion:
Damascus High School
o Northwood High School
o Charles W. Woodward High School
•August 2026 Recommended Completion:
o JoAnn Leleck Elementary School at Broad Acres
Are You Looking for Important Information from Past Newsletters?
NEW for the 2023 - 2024 School Year - Withdrawal Policy (Please Read)
New this year MCPS is lowering the threshold of consecutive days of unexcused absences from 15 to 10 days. If a student is absent 10 consecutive days they will be withdrawn. MCPS will require schools to complete the following forms: MCPS Student Permanent Withdrawal, regardless of student age and the MCPS Educational Interview for Withdrawal Prevention. Then the forms will be filed in the student’s cumulative folder.
Apply for Free and Reduced Meals (FARMS) for 2023 - 2024 School Year
FARMS applications must be completed each school year. New for the 2023 - 2024 school year students in Maryland who qualify for reduced-price meals will not be charged for meals. The application for FARMS is online and has been updated for the new school year. Apply using www.MySchoolApps.com; this is the preferred application method. You can also apply online using the QR code.
Updated Covid-19 Guidance for the Fall 23 - 24 school year
- COVID Positive - Positive individuals should isolate at least 5 days at home per CDC guidelines
- Case Reporting - No online self-reporting or dashboard, however please contact Ms. Hedley and classroom teacher to let them know the absent was due to COVID-19.
- Masks - required temporarily in outbreak situations and for COVID positive individuals on days 6-10. (Note: Individuals with 2 negative tests between days 5-10 can end the face covering period early and after 5 days of isolation)
- COVID-19 Vaccination - Strongly encouraged but not required for students, staff and volunteers
- COVID-19 Clinics - No more weekly clinics at schools
- COVID-19 Testing - Home test kits may be distributed for screening testing: During outbreaks, before or after school breaks, or at other times as determined by school leadership and depending on available supply.
- Health room testing - Will no longer be conducted for students presenting with possible COVID symptoms during the school day.
- Communication - We will send a letter to staff and students that have reported they have COVID-19. We will also communicate to staff or students who have been exposed in possible outbreaks only (3 or more cases in a classroom or activity within 10 days) or (5 or more cases within 10 days from different classroom and homes)