The Falcon News
Volume 1 Edition 4 September 15, 2019
Important Upcoming Events
9.18.19 - Back-to-School Night - 6:00-7:30 PM
9.30.19 - No School for Students and Teachers
Benchmark Advance
We are excited that our school is using a new Reading/Language Arts program this year, Benchmark Advance and Benchmark Adelante. These programs address key shifts in curriculum and instruction to meet the demands of the Maryland College and Career Readiness Standards. All students will have opportunities to engage with complex grade level text. Every student will receive a consumable text in a magazine-like format which is designed for them to write and annotate the text. Each book will be used for three weeks. After three weeks of reading and working with the texts in class, students will bring the annotated book home, which can then be used for independent reading. The texts in each unit are topic-centered and include social studies and science content, along with literary subjects such as point of view, theme, and character.
Students will continue to receive small group instruction to support them with the grade level texts, as well as read texts on their instructional reading levels. Writing instruction will include lessons that support process writing and writing in response to reading. Students will engage in word study including phonics, spelling, and vocabulary through reading and writing.
Students will also have online access to many curriculum materials including e-books with audio and digital tools, to help students meet higher standards and achieve success. We look forward to sharing more information about this new Reading/Language Arts curriculum at Back-to-School Night and parent meetings throughout the school year.
The Benchmark Advance Reading/Language Arts curriculum is designed to prepare students for success from Day 1. Before launching Unit 1 of instruction, teachers will spend time introducing and practicing routines within the reading block which will be critical to student success all year long. During this time, lessons are designed to build classroom community and set the stage for deep learning.
In grades K-2, this 20-day unit is called Foundations and Routines. In grades 3-5, the unit is called Review and Routines and lasts 15 days. In all grades, these lessons include read-alouds, book discussions, word work (often review), both shared and independent writing, and independent reading. These lessons are designed to model appropriate literacy behaviors and expectations that students will be using consistently throughout each subsequent unit. Parents should not expect to see homework or graded work in reading and writing other than independent reading coming home during this time. As a result, students will not receive interim grades for reading and writing during quarter 1.Teachers will gather anecdotal and formative data in order to assess students’ reading skills for placement in small, flexible, needs-based groups, but will not report reading or writing grades until Unit 1 begins.
Applications for Free and Reduced-Price Meals Are Available Now!
If you need help completing the application or access to a computer to do so, please feel free to stop by the main office between 8:30 AM and 3:30 PM so we may assist you.
Current MCPS News
Student Rights and Responsibilities and Code of Conduct
In order to ensure a safe, productive, and positive learning environment, MCPS publishes two documents that help students, parents/guardians, and staff understand school rules and regulations; the expectations for student conduct; and the possible consequences for violating the rules. A Student’s Guide to Rights and Responsibilities is an overview of the rights and responsibilities students enjoy in MCPS and a summary of the laws and regulations that affect students.
The MCPS Code of Conduct provides an overview of discipline procedures and protocols and the range of consequences students could face for violating various policies, regulations, and rules. The guide also discusses the MCPS philosophy toward discipline.
All families received copies of these documents and are encouraged to review them with their child(ren). The documents are available online at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/students/rights/.
Stay Informed with MCPS QuickNotes
MCPS QuickNotes is a bimonthly newsletter that provides MCPS families with important news and information about MCPS programs and activities, plus emergency information. MCPS QuickNotes is offered in seven languages: English, Spanish, French, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Amharic. Visit news.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/ to read the latest edition.
Saturday School
The George B. Thomas, Sr. Learning Academy, Inc. kicks off its 2019–2020 season of Saturday School on Saturday, September 21. Saturday School is a low-cost tutoring and mentoring program that provides a sixth day of learning and helps MCPS students enhance their mastery of core academic subjects. Students who are in need of additional academic support can attend sessions at one of 12 locations across Montgomery County. Classes begin on Saturday, September 21 and will end in May 2020. More information can be found at www.saturdayschool.org/.
Mrs. Erica Williams
Fields Road Elementary School
Email: Erica_Williams@mcpsmd.org
Location: 1 School Drive Gaithersburg, MD 20878
Phone: 301-840-7131
Twitter: @Principal_FRES