Cedar Grove Friday Flash
January 15, 2021
Dear Cedar Grove Families,
Please save the date of Wednesday, January 27 for our next materials distribution to all students to support instruction in the third marking period. Students will receive math workbooks and reading materials, as well as additional items your child will need for his or her learning. In addition, students in Grades 4 and 5 in the Enriched Literacy Curriculum should plan to return their novels (Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library and Wild Wings) that day. Curbside pick-up will occur from 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.; the time for your pick-up is based upon your child's last name. Please click here for the pick-up schedule, directions, and procedures.
Materials distribution days are a great time to return your media center books -- especially those that have been in your home since March of last year. We really would like those back. Please consider putting them together in a bag and bringing them to Cedar Grove on Wednesday, January 27 when you come to pick up your marking period 3 learning materials. We'll have our Holds to Go, but since the times for the distribution are between 12 and 6, Holds to Go will also be extended until 6 PM!
As a reminder, there is no school for students and staff on Monday, January 18.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Mr. Derby and Mrs. German
Pledge Project - Correction
We have had an overwhelming number of students interested in participating in our pledge project. Mrs. Hirschhorn is now working on distributing the words/phrases to those of you who signed up. Please be on the lookout for an email with your "assignment" and directions. You will have plenty of time to practice and record your piece. Mrs. Hirschhorn will be sending the student assignments by Tuesday, January 19.
MCPS to Remain in Virtual Learning Until March 15
On Tuesday, January 12, the Board of Education voted to delay the start of returning small groups of students for in-person instruction from February 1, 2021 to March 15, 2021, on the condition that health metrics are met or health guidance is adjusted as a result of vaccine distribution. The COVID-19 new case rate and test positivity in the county remain significantly above the thresholds adopted by the county and state. Read the message here. The Board will meet again on Feb. 23, 2021, to determine if metrics can be met by March 15 for a safe return to in-person learning. More information will be shared with the community following the Feb. 23 Board of Education decision.
MCPS High School Student-Led Groups Offering Free Virtual/Remote Tutoring to K-8 Students
The Montgomery County Council of PTA's (MCCPTA) Student Service Learning (SSL) committee would like to share that a number of MCPS high school student-led groups are providing free virtual tutoring to students in kindergarten through 8th grade across the county. These student tutors have either an MCPS faculty or non-profit SSL sponsor and have been through a formal interview process. Tutors have also taken the MCPS Volunteers and Contractors: Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect, online training course.
Many of these student-led groups have posted their services on a platform called Kiddo, which provides families looking for free learning support a single place to search and register for those services. This free virtual tutoring platform is the Central platform for families to search and register for free student-led tutoring services. Families can also contact the following student-led tutoring services directly:
- Stepping Stone Tutoring- Led by Montgomery Blair HS students
- Montgomery County Virtual Tutoring Project- Led by Clarksburg HS students
- MoCo Pineapple Tutoring- Led by Winston Churchill HS students
- SparkStars Tutoring- Led by Montgomery Blair/Richard Montgomery HS students
- Centro de Asistencia Social y Orientación - Led by Montgomery Blair and Richard Montgomery HS students
- Generation Z Tutoring- Led by Richard Montgomery HS students
- Aurora Tutoring- Led by Walter Johnson HS students
Virtual Pajama Story Time! New Information
We are so excited to host our first ever virtual read aloud night! It's also pajama day all day and all evening! The following information is important to make sure that our students can get to the sessions they'd like and that our readers know how many students to expect!
Please submit this survey by Tuesday, January 19, which will give you an idea of who our readers are and the themes of their read alouds and let us know how many students to expect in each session! You will need to fill out and submit this form for each child attending. And remember, you can choose up to two sessions. You will want to take a note of your choices.
Then, please take a look at the Zoom information for each teacher's sessions.
Please note that you will need to access the zoom meeting outside of Canvas and these video directions may help! The first session will begin at 6:30 so we'd like our students to be in the waiting room a little before 6:30 so we minimize the interruptions once the reader begins. The second session will begin at 7:00 PM. Please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Hirschhorn if you have any questions!
Holds to Go at Cedar Grove ES - New process, same wonderful service!
To promote a safe Holds to Go program, the media center has been using a “curbside” distribution system and we appreciate how you have been participating. Just as a reminder:
- A table is curbside in the bus lane in front of the school at the main entrance. (On inclement weather days, it will be placed under the overhang.)
- Please have your child’s last name clearly printed, in very large print to show to the staff member as you drive up to the table.
- Once we recognize the student's name, the staff member will place the books on the table for you or your student to pick up.
- Please place your library returns in the box marked "returns" on the table.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may present however, we believe that together, we can maintain a safe environment for everyone while continuing providing this service to our students. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mrs. Hirschhorn.
Tech Tips and Reminders
From Mrs. Hirschhorn, Media Specialist
Please make sure you visit The January Media Monthly again this week. I've updated it to give more information about the various activities that are going on for the next two weeks. I look forward to a wonderful month of reading!
Art, Music, and PE Newsletter
Parents, each month our Arts team will share a newsletter that will provide you with what grade level students are doing in their classes.
Here is the January Newsletter from Mrs. Arellano, Mr. Jansson, Mr. Kieft, and Mrs. Kim! The link may also be found on our school website.