The Dolphin News
News & Information 1/3/21
South Lake Elementary School’s Biweekly Information & News
A Message From Ms. King
Welcome back! We are excited to begin a new year. I hope you had a restful and enjoyable winter break. As we begin the new year, we are monitoring the reopening of schools plan. The Board of Education met Dec. 15 to discuss and take action on a plan for the return of students to in-person learning. The Board will meet again on Jan. 12, to determine if metrics can be met by Feb. 1 for a safe return to in-person learning.
Over the next few weeks, MCPS will continue to finalize what in-person experiences will look like for our students. These details will be shared with the community following the Jan. 12 Board of Education meeting.
Thank you parents for completing the MCPS Parent Preference Survey. Of the 521 parents who responded, 199 have requested a return to in-person learning. When the metrics permit students to return to in-person learning, three models of instruction will be considered:
• Direct Model – students are in the building for face-to-face instruction
• Support Model – students are in the building but remain in a virtual learning class
• Simultaneous Model – students in the building and in virtual learning are taught by an in-person teacher
Additionally, depending on the number of students in each grade, it may be necessary for students to be placed on an alternate week in-person schedule. This means that students may be in the building for one week and at home for virtual learning for another. If you have chosen in-person learning, please begin to prepare your child by having your child wear a mask all day, seat in a designated area for instruction and maintain social distancing of six feet as this will be a requirement in the building. Please attend the next Parent Circle on January 6th or Parent Café on January 19th for any updates and to have your questions answered.
Kudos to the Reading/Writing committee for hosting a month of fun and engaging learning activities! Hopefully, you and your child were able to attend an event such as mystery readers, letter writing and poetry with art! We are continuing some activities through January. Students who attended had a wonderful time using their creativity! Mark your calendar for our next event, Black History Month in February!
While this has been a challenging year, we can look back and find things for which we are thankful. On behalf of the South Lake staff, we wish all of our students and families a safe and happy New Year. We hope you have had the opportunity to relax and enjoy your family in a safe environment. May the New Year bring you continued good health and happiness.
Chat with South Lake Administrators
Want to speak to Ms. King, Mrs. Levy, or Mr. McKinley? Come join us online, every TUESDAY from 8:30 am until 9:30 am for our open office hours. You can join by clicking on the Google Meet link, meet.google.com/ett-vojp-kuh or you can call in. Call in Phone Numbers (US)+1 501-819-2397 PIN: 582 026 222#
Ms. Celeste King Principal
Mrs. Leah Levy Assistant Principal
Mr. Aaron McKinley Assistant School Administrator
Important Dates
Jan. 4th - Move it Monday; wear your exercise gear
Jan. 6th - PTA Parent Circle 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm https://meet.google.com/rym-jytt-kbo (US) +1 321-465-5176 PIN: 789 401 378#
A Message From Mrs. Levy
We have been so excited to connect with our parents during our Parent Cafe. Parent Cafe is an online meeting we hold once a month to inform parents about important school information, academic help, updates from MCPS, and resources for parents and we answer any questions parents may have. Parents that attend the meeting are entered into a raffle to win a prize. Thank you to all of our parents that attend Parent Cafe. This month, we will be holding our Parent Cafe on Zoom on January 19th from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Zoom link:
https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/85359139358?pwd=Ymx3eTJqWWI1RHFNRHhwUmpVa2piZz09
Meeting ID: 853 5913 9358
Passcode: 587582
We hope to see all of our parents at the next Parent Cafe on Tuesday, January 19th at 7:00 pm. See the video below for the latest raffle winners.
Have a happy New Year!
Food Distributions and Food Resources
South Lake's Parent Community Coordinators
Questions? Need Help? Contact our Parent Community Cordinators
If you have questions about technology, lunch, family services or need any other assistance, please contact one of our parent community coordinators. We're here to help!
PreK & Headstart - Cesiah Ventura (English & Spanish)
Email Cesiah_Ventura@mcpsmd.org Phone 240-740-4530
Kindergarten & First Grade - Maria Romero (English & Spanish)
Email Maria_G_Romero@mcpsmd.org Phone 240-457-9242
Second & Third Grade - Allison Suarez-Charles (English & Spanish)
Email Allison_J_Charles@mcpsmd.org Phone 240-753-0411
Fourth Grade - Dary Herrera (English & Spanish)
Email Dary_Y_Herrera-Jurado@mcpsmd.org Phone 240-550-4712
Fifth Grade - Tony (Fernando) Maturana (English & Spanish)
Email Fernando_A_Maturana@mcpsmd.org Phone 724-259-7903
COVID-19 Testing in Montgomery County
From Montgomery County Website
How Do I Get a COVID-19 Test in Montgomery County?
Testing is free. If you have insurance, we will ask for your information, but there are no co-pays or deductibles and you do not need insurance. See our Notice of Privacy Practices for information we collect.
We do not require a government ID or a doctor's order.
About the Tests
We offer testing to anyone who lives, works, or regularly visits Montgomery County.
We test people of all ages. If you bring young children, we may ask you to help them.
Our clinics provide nasal swab tests from CIAN Diagnostic Laboratories in Frederick. You take the sample yourself. The tests are molecular tests. Also called PCR tests, these diagnostic tests detect genetic material of the COVID-19 virus using a lab technique called polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We do not offer antibody testing at any of our clinics.
Click here for a list of testing sites
Getting your test results
Instructions for viewing test results online (PDF)
If you plan on getting tested in advance of the holidays, please be aware that the time for getting results may increase. Plan ahead for your holidays.
County-supported test sites are averaging 3 to 5 days for lab results. We continue to work with our testing partners and labs to make results available as quickly as possible.
If you don’t receive your results within 5 days after your test, contact your test site.
Home-based testing
See details for No-Cost Home-Based COVID-19 Testing and Human Services Screening
Other sites offering COVID-19 testing
Before going to a test location listed below, check if walk-up testing is available or appointments are required.
COVID-19 Testing Facilities in Montgomery County - Quick Guide (PDF)
Don’t Forget to Activate Your ParentVue Account
ParentVue is the new, powerful, single location for all information about how your child is doing in school. ParentVUE also is a new tool we use to stay connected with you.
When you are logged into ParentVUE you can:
See your child’s schedule;
Check your child’s grades (and report card);
Check your child’s assignments;
Send a message to your child’s teacher; and
Update your contact information.
If you haven’t yet activated your account, please use the e-mail and/or notification via U.S. mail because MCPS just sent new activation letters to all parents that have not activated their accounts. Once you’ve received your activation letter, simply visit www.MCPSParentVUE.org to activate your account. If you need assistance, please contact one of our parent community coordinators. You can also watch a recorded ParentVUE Webinar HERE for more information.
Ms. Hissey - School Counselor
Ms. Hughes - School Counselor
Visit our Website
Counselor's Corner
We hope that you had a wonderful, restful break. As the new year begins, it is important that we take care of ourselves. Please try to do something that you enjoy. Thank you all for everything you do for your families and the South Lake Community! Have a Happy New Year!
Positive Office Referrals
We love celebrating all of the amazing things our students and staff are doing at South Lake! If your child has earned a Positive Office Referral, that means they are standing out as an exceptional student. Teachers recognize students for many things including attendance, work completion, good character, strong work ethic, collaboration, and responsibility. You too can submit a positive office referral for a staff member. Email it to Mr. McKinley at Aaron_A_McKinley@mcpsmd.org so we can include it in our weekly videos! Look for our videos later this week!