The Paw Print
Week of November 9, 2020
Updates from Mrs. Murphy and Mr. Ajamian
As a reminder, beginning this Wednesday, the schedule will shift slightly based on the decision by the Board of Education. We will be focusing time on small group instruction. All students will begin with their entire class at 9 a.m. Students will have assignments for the morning if they are not working directly with a teacher. Students with morning specials will continue at their scheduled time. Classroom teachers will be communicating grade-level specific information this week.
We are looking forward to parent conferences in the coming weeks. Please be sure you have signed up with your classroom teacher!
We will hold our second parent coffee of the year on Friday, December 4th at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom to continue our discussions about race and culture. We plan to share resources and provide tools for parents that will help engage your child(ren) in these conversations. The parent coffee is open to all parents and we hope to have a strong turnout again. This work is critical and complex. We appreciate the support of our parents in helping us achieve this vision. Below is a picture that links to the invitation.
VIrtual PTA Meeting - Thursday, November 12th
Join Zoom Meeting
https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/85693540523?pwd=NHZNaWRXMndUVi84RElPSGJnZThkZz09
Meeting ID: 856 9354 0523
Passcode: 009456
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,85693540523#
Upcoming Counseling Lesson
Montgomery County Public Schools is taking an active role in the prevention of child abuse and neglect through early prevention and intervention education. Mrs. Steinberg, our school counselor, and the classroom teachers will be presenting lessons about Personal Body Safety in Grades K-5 in November. The lessons will be taught during their regularly scheduled counseling lesson time. The purpose of the lessons are as follows:
- Develop knowledge, decision making skills, and behaviors which promote safe living in the home, school, and community;
- Learn skills for self-protection and identifying child abuse and neglect;
- Learn skills for asking for help for self and others and practice reporting to a trusted adult; and
- Engage in positive and appropriate interactions with peers and adults.
If you have any questions or concerns about the topics that will be covered, please contact Mrs. Steinberg at Laurie_M_Steinberg@mcpsmd.org.
Virtual Book Fair
You’re invited to shop our Scholastic Book Fair online from Thursday November 12 - Wednesday November 25. All purchases benefit our school and connect kids with new books, favorite characters, complete series, and more.
You’ll love the NEW option to shop for Book Fair exclusives directly from the interactive booklist and enjoy these special online shopping features:
Over 6,000 items, including new releases, best sellers, and value packs
All orders ship direct to home
FREE shipping on book-only orders over $25*
All purchases support our school and earn 25% in rewards
Visit our Book Fair Homepage and click “Shop Now” to get started:
https://www.scholastic.com/bf/sevenlocks
Book Check out with MCPL and MCPS Virtually
The Montgomery County Public Library buildings may be closed to visitors, but you can still register for a virtual library card HERE and find so much more on this flyer (in English and Spanish) with some of the resources to access audiobooks and ebooks, as well as to help with research for homework- a one-stop directory for learning at home help!
For more resources and help, see the website, call your local branch, or call our Ask a Librarian Service.
For virtual book check out from home, visit SORAApp.com!
All these resources and more can be found on the Seven Locks ES Course in myMCPS Classroom, and have been reviewed with students during Media class.
Happy Reading!
We are here to help
As a Seven Locks Community, we are here to support all our families that may be in need. As it gets colder and the holidays approach, please reach out if your child is in need of something. Please call the main office or email Megan_H_Murphy@mcpsmd.org. Also, MCPS continues to provide curbside meal service at 74 school sites. Click here for more information and for a list of pick up locations.
Attendance Reminders
Students are expected to attend all live virtual learning classes in which they are enrolled. However, in some instances, this may not be possible due to illness or extenuating circumstances. Students may then access the recording of the class to engage in the daily learning during an alternate time within 72 hours of the absence. Students/Parents/Guardians may then submit a Live Virtual Lesson Absence Form to document that they engaged in the lesson and to request the unexcused absence to be reconciled to Present. If extenuating circumstances exist, parents/guardians are encouraged to communicate with the school’s administration ahead of time. The Live Virtual Lesson Absence Form must be completed for each documented absence. This form is accessible from the main page of the SLES website.
Parent Technology Resources
Parents who need technical help can call 240-740-7020 Monday-Friday between 7am and 8pm or email communitytechsupport@mcpsmd.org
MCPS News
COVID-19 Rent Relief Program for County Residents
The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is providing short-term rental assistance to eligible families that have experienced financial loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While funds are available, the program will provide up to $4,000 to eligible households to cover the cost for back rent (arrears) and/or a rent credit for future months. The program is funded through a $20 million supplemental appropriation to DHHS.
You can learn more and apply for the rent relief program at this website.
Parent Resources for Virtual Learning
The MCPS Parents page has been updated to include various online resources for families to help them navigate virtual learning. Visit www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/parents/ to see the list of resources.
Important Dates
Monday, November 9 - No School for Students (Professional Day)
Monday, November 23 - Early Dismissal for Conferences
Tuesday, November 24 - Early Dismissal for Conferences
Wednesday, November 25 - Early Dismissal for Thanksgiving
Thursday, November 26 - No School for Students & Staff
Friday, November 27 - No School for Students & Staff
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