Cougar Connections
December 23, 2020
Dear Families,
It is hard to believe that we are already to winter break. The longest day of the year has come and gone, as we begin the chilly days of winter. We've already successfully survived our first snow of the year and managed to continue school without a hitch thanks to virtual learning! That's one of the "pearls" of this pandemic, learning new ways to manage challenges. Now we can have virtual snow days and not have to worry with making them up at the end of the year!
As we move into the new year 2021, I want to wish you a happy, healthy one. There is no doubt that each of us has been touched by this pandemic. We all have a story. Hopefully this time has helped us all to grow bigger hearts, just like the Grinch! I know it has changed me forever. Enjoy your holiday break with family and friends. Stay safe!
Yours in Education,
Debbie O'Donnell
New Grade Level Schedules in the New Year!
We will await the final decision of FCPS Superintendent, Dr. Alban, regarding hybrid learning. You have all shared your preference for your child in the new year, either hybrid or virtual learning. We are now planning for the impending change based on a review of the metrics provided by the MD Department of Health. Be sure to stay tuned.
Regardless, we will begin our new 5-hour day schedule on 1/28/21. With that said, we have had to adjust our daily learning schedules in each grade. Below is a copy of those schedules. There may be some class changes as a result of our new schedule. We will communicate these class changes as we finalize our plans for the third quarter, dependent on the decision to implement the hybrid learning model.
Grade Level Schedules Beginning January 28th
Grade 3
8:10 - 8:40 Arrival & Announcements
8:40-8:55 Morning Meeting
8:55-10:05 Math
10:05-10:40 Specials
10:40-11:00 SS/Sci/Paths
11:00-12:40 ELA
12:45-1:15 Lunch
1:15-1:35 Recess
1:40 Dismissal
2:00-2:30 Virtual Small Group Support
2:30-3:40 Student Independent Work Time
Grade 4
8:10 - 8:40 Arrival & Announcements
8:45-9:20 Specials
9:20-10:50 ELA OR Math/SS/Science/PATHs
10:55-11:25 Lunch
11:25-11:45 Recess
11:50-1:25 ELA OR Math/SS/Science/PATHs
1:25-1:40 Class Meeting
1:40 Dismissal
2:00-2:30 Virtual Small Group Support
2:30-3:40 Student Independent Work Time
Grade 5
8:10 - 8:40 Arrival & Announcements
8:40-10:10 ELA OR Math/SS/Science/PATHs
10:15- 11:45 ELA OR Math/SS/Science/PATHs
11:50-12:20 Lunch
12:20-12:40 Recess
12:45-1:05 Class Meeting
1:05-1:40 Specials
1:40 Dismissal
2:00-2:30 Virtual Small Group Support
2:30-3:40 Student Independent Work Time
New Year's Resolutions!
Lexia Platform
Phonological Awareness ~ identifying, segmenting, blending and manipulating syllables and sounds in words. Phonemic Awareness is a component of phonological awareness that focuses on individual sounds within words to build reading and spelling skills.
Phonics ~ the ability to apply knowledge of letter-sound correspondence to reading and spelling words including recognition of syllable types, rules for syllable division and simple spelling generalizations based on letter-sound correspondence.
Structural Analysis ~ recognizing meaningful parts of multisyllabic words derived from Latin and Greek.
Automaticity/Fluency ~ focused on speed of processing to build reading rate, which impacts comprehension.
Vocabulary ~ to provide exposure to rich and varied words, so students will develop an awareness of word relationships and associations.
Comprehension ~ building understanding of information at a concrete level as well as an abstract level through the application of higher order thinking skills using increasingly complex narrative and informational texts.
Mrs. Best's BEST Math Tips!
Take some time to practice math facts during the break. Automaticity with facts is fundamental to math problem solving. When students are "bogged down" with trying to do simple computations, it impedes their ability to accurately solve more complex problems. ALL students should be fluent with the addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts by the time they go to middle school (if not sooner!).
Empathy
A Can for a Cane
Weis 4 Education
https://fcps.ezcommunicator.net/edu/frederick/upload/76/13873.pdf
FCPS Meal Distribution
Due to the FCPS Winter Break, the schedule for FCPS Food and Nutrition Services meals distribution will be different for Wednesday, December 23 through Sunday, January 3.
- From 11 AM-1 PM, all school and community locations will distribute 5 days' worth of to-go breakfast, lunch and supper meals on Wednesday, December 23 ~Sunday, Dec. 27 at Emmitsburg ES
- From 10 AM-1 PM Thurmont MS will also serve 2 days' worth of breakfast, lunch and supper on Monday, December 28 and Tues., Dec. 29
- From 10 AM-1 PM Thurmont MS will also serve 5 days' worth of breakfast, lunch and supper on Wednesday, December 30 for Wed.~ Sunday, January 3
Mark your Calendar!
- Dec. 24 Schools and offices closed for winter break
- Jan. 4 Return from break for the new year
- Jan. 13 Proposed asynchronous day of learning for teacher preparation
- Jan. 14 Virtual Lexia Night w/ TPS ~ look for more information to come!
- Jan. 18 Jan. Schools closed for MLK Day
Thurmont Elementary School
Email: debra.odonnell@fcps.org
Website: https://education.fcps.org/tes/
Phone: (240) 236-0900
Facebook: facebook.com/ourschool
Twitter: @ourschool