Gator Newsletter
Quarter 4, March 2023
Gator Families
We are entering into the 4th Quarter of the school year. Our focus continues to be Respect, Responsibility, and Relentlessness. This quarter we are emphasizing the 3rd R, Relentless. As we approach summer and spring fever sets in we can begin to lose focus. However, this quarter is critical in so many ways as we provide your child with the skills and content they need to demonstrate grade level mastery. This is so important for future success in upcoming grade levels. I have been meeting with classes from 1st - 5th grade to share individual assessment data with students and to conduct goal setting. These goal setting sheets will be sent home around spring break. Please review the goal sheets with your child and help him/her create a plan to accomplish his/her goals. Together we will help each child reach their maximum potential.
We are excited to announce that MoES will be RENOVATED this summer. Most of the interior building will be remodeled, painted, new floors, doors, windows, etc. This is a much needed renovation and we are looking forward to welcoming our students and families back in the Fall. This is a two year project that will occur beginning this summer through the '24-'25 school year. Next summer the focus will be on finishing the interior of the building and then updating our HVAC and other systems. In addition, the second summer will include all new furniture! Beginning on June 6th MoES will be shut down for the renovation. Front office staff and administration will be housed at North Frederick Elementary School. We will have our phone lines transferred to NFES and will be available there to support our students and school community.
Please take time to review the Quarter 4 Newsletter as it includes information about important dates, our We are Monocacy Night, PreK and K registration, MCAP testing, and use of electronic devices.
We are One Team One Goal and it is an honor to serve you and our students!
Troy Barnes,
Principal
Quarter 4 Dates
March
March 28th: Bus Evacuation Drills and 6:30 - 8:00 24 Math Challenge @ Lincoln ES
April
April 3rd: Class Picture Day
April 5th: PTA Treats for Staff
April 6th: 5th Grade Health Lesson
April 7th through April 16th: No School (Spring Break)
April 18th: Quarter 3 Award's Program 10:00 K and 1st, 11:30 2nd and 3rd, 1:00 4th and 5th--> Invitations for families to attend will be sent home on 4/6/23
April 20th: Judy Center Parent Event 5:30 - 7:00pm and MCAP 3rd and 5th Grades
April 21st: MCAP 3rd and 4th Grades, 9:15 Pre K and K Blue Sky Puppet Show
April 24th: MCAP 4th and 5th Grades
April 25th: MCAP 3rd and 5th Grades, 6:00 Frederick High School: Young Author Celebration
April 26th: NED Show 9:15 and 10:20 (grades---times TBD) and Pastries with Parents
April 27th: MCAP 3rd and 4th, 10:00 - 1:00 L4L Field Day at UHS, Pastries with Parents
April 28th: 1:00 Grade 5 Class Picture, 2 Hour Early Dismissal Day
May
May 1st: MCAP Grade 4 and TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK
May 2nd: MCAP 3rd and 5th, 7:00 PTA Mtg.
May 4th: MCAP Grade 3rd and 5th, 4th Quarter Interims sent home
May 5th: MCAP 3rd and 5th Grades
May 8th: MCAP 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grades
May 11th: 6:00 - 7:30pm We Are Monocacy Night, 5:30 - 7:00 Judy Center Night, PTA Yard Game Night
May 14th: Happy Mother's Day!
May 18th: 6:00 - 7:00pm Spring Concert
May 23rd: 6:30pm Band Concert (GTJHS)
May 24th: Field Day (Pre K - 4th Grade)
May 25th: Field Day (Pre K - 4th Grade) Rain Date
May 25th: Spring Concert 9:30 and 2:00
May 29th: No School
May 31st: 9:30 5th Grade Promotion followed by Field Day Picnic
June 1st: 5th Grade Field Day Picnic Rain Date
June 2nd: Last Day of School ( 2 Hour Early Dismissal Day)
June 5th: MoES Closed for Summer (administration and front office moved to NFES)
Pre K and Kindergarten Registration
Cell Phones, Social Media, and Text Messages
Social Media and Text Messages
There are policies in place to protect students and to ensure schools are a safe place conducive to learning.
Regulation 400-48: Bullying, Harassment, and Intimidation
Policy 115 and Regulation 100-08: Social Media
Regulation 100-11: School and Workplace Safety Behavior Assessment
Regulation 400-08: Discipline
Unfortunately we are experiencing greater numbers of students bringing their devices into school, attempting to use their cell phones during the school day, and engaging in social media chats that lead to peer-peer conflict. The reality is social media and cell phones aren't going anywhere. Social Media posts are occurring at home typically in the evenings or weekends, but when the issue comes into school then it becomes a school disciplinary issue.
We need to work together. The content our children view through these various platforms is damaging. The words, videos, and actions being portrayed by some are disgusting, cruel, and illegal. Monitor your child's activity. If something is going on, reach out to the school so that we can work together. Place restrictions on the type of content your child can access and discuss the seriousness of posting content. Once it hits the internet, it is always there. I believe in our students and our community. We must work together to teach and prevent our children from being hurt or hurting others via words, actions, or social media.
FCPS policy states that cell phones in Elementary School are at the discretion of the principal. As a parent I understand the safety concern and the desire to reach your child before or after school. However, if cell phones are being used, visible, or a distraction during the school day then students must turn in their cell phones daily and retrieve them at the end of the day. If students do not comply then the phone will be taken until a parent can come and receive it.
Sincerely,
Troy Barnes
MCAP (Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program)
Testing
MCAP testing season is upon us. MCAP is administered to all students in grades 3rd - 5th. Students will participate in 4 days of ELA assessment and 4 days of Math assessment. It is important that your child gets a good night rest and arrives to school on time to do their very best. The assessment measures their ability to demonstrate mastery over the grade level content standards and is reported on our Maryland School Report Card indicating our school's success. I believe we are the best! Let's show up and do our very best!
3rd Grade
MCAP Reading---4/20, 4/21, 4/25, and 4/27
MCAP Math ------5/2, 5/4, 5/5, and 5/8
4th Grade
MCAP Reading---4/21, 4/24, 4/27, and 5/1
MCAP Math--------5/2, 5/4, 5/5, and 5/8
5th Grade
MCAP Reading---4/18, 4/20, 4/24, and 4/25
MCAP Math -------5/2, 5/4, 5/5, and 5/8
Please reach out to melissa.burton@fcps.org with any questions.
We Are Monocacy Night
We are thrilled to host our first ever, We Are Monocacy Night. This event is a celebration of our school's diversity and culture. We are looking for families willing to share about their cultures. If you are interested please complete this Google Form.
Everyone join us on Thursday, May 11th from 6:00 - 7:30pm as we explore the rich cultures of our school, participate in a "Who I Am" student-parent project, have some refreshments, and enjoy each other's company. After you explore the culture presentations and project you are invited to participate in our PTA Yard Game fun outside. We will have several yard games set up for some friendly family competition. A RSVP will be coming in the near future.
We look forward to having a packed house!
Celebrations
MoES Teacher of the Year: Maggie Frey
Young Author's Contest: 1st Place: Hannah Grace Kokou
Principal Award Winners for Q2: Bradley Miller, Claudia Davalo, Eunice Manc, Amin Nkemanjong, Rosemary Francis, Drew Wilkins, Jayson Sweathmon--> These students consistently demonstrate Respect, Responsibility and Relentlessness
Spelling Bee Winner: Kh'nae Hill
Spelling Bee Runner-Up: Amin Nkemanjong