The Paw Print
Week of February 18, 2019
Updates from Mrs. Murphy
Our Valentine's Day parties were complete successes on February 14th! The students and teachers enjoyed the class parties complete with food, games, and decorations! Thank you to all of the room parents and parent volunteers who created such a special day for our Wildcats!
February is Black History Month, a time when communities and schools give special attention to learning about the contributions and history of African Americans. Throughout the next month we will read Black History Facts on the announcements. Please encourage your child to visit the library to read additional facts and check out books about significant contributors.
Thank You
Assemblies during Black History Month
The Honorable Henry L. Jones, Jr. is a retired Magistrate Judge of the United States District Court of the Eastern Shore. He is also the grandfather of two of our students. Judge Jones will spend time in each of our 4th and 5th grade classrooms talking about his experience growing up in the segregated south and the time he met his hero, Jackie Robinson. He will discuss the significance of Jackie Robinson's accomplishments and will end the presentation with a short reading from "Testing the Ice", a book written by Mr. Robinson's daughter, Sharon.
In the afternoon, all of our students will enjoy a special experience with a performance by the African Drumming Team, Tam Tam Mandingue DMV. The group will soon be leaving for Ghana.
Thank you to Mr. Cameron Jones for arranging these assemblies in coordination with our PTA.
Changes in plans and attendance emails
5th Grade Parent Meeting
There will be an informational meeting for parents of 5th graders to review the Family Life & Human Sexuality and Disease Prevention & Control health units on Wednesday, March 6 from 4:30-5:30 in the Media Center. Parents will be able to preview the materials that will be used during these health units. If you are unable to attend the meeting, please contact your child’s homeroom teacher to determine an alternative time the health materials can be made available to review in the main office.
Visiting Artist at Seven Locks
Lunch and Recess Volunteers
Churchill Cluster Updates
School System Updates
Elementary Immersion Programs
Applications for elementary school language immersion programs in MCPS are now available. The application deadline for the 2019–2020 school year is Friday, April 26, 2019. Elementary school language immersion programs begin in kindergarten and are offered in Chinese, French, and Spanish. For more information about elementary immersion programs and to download the Immersion Interest Form, visit the Special Programs website: www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/immersion. Forms are also available at elementary schools.
2018–2019 School Year Extended to June 14
Recent inclement weather forced MCPS to close schools on three days. The 2018–2019 MCPS school calendar includes 182 instruction days, two more than the minimum required in the state of Maryland. As a result of these closures, MCPS will need to use one designated make-up day to ensure that it meets the state-required number of school days. The school year will now be extended to June 14, 2019. The last day will be an early release day for all students. Any additional school closures for emergency weather will result in the need to use additional make-up days. If we have a fourth school closure due to emergency weather conditions, then the next emergency weather make-up day will be Wednesday, June 5, 2019. MCPS will continue to closely monitor for severe weather and provide updates on any impact it may have to the school calendar. For more information on the MCPS school calendar, visit www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org.
Share Your Thoughts on Policy KBA
The Montgomery County Board of Education wants to hear from the community on proposed revisions to Policy KBA, Policy on Public Information. The revised policy discusses the importance of effective communication with members of the Montgomery County community across a variety of existing and emerging media and communication channels. The revised policy also affirms the Board of Education’s commitment to following all legal obligations regarding the protection and appropriate disclosure of student and employee information. You can provide comments until March 3, 2019. For more information, visit www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/policy/policy-for-public-comment.aspx.
Student Transfer Application Season Begins February 1
Parents and guardians who wish to request a Change of School Assignment (COSA) for their children from their home school may begin the process during the upcoming transfer season which begins on February 1. All COSA requests must be submitted no later than April 1.
Except for students in the Northeast Consortium (NEC), Downcounty Consortium (DCC), and Middle School Magnet Consortium (MSMC) areas, MCPS students are assigned to a school on the basis of their place of residence or their Individualized Education Program (IEP) and are expected to attend their home school. Assignment changes for students from one school to another are permitted under limited circumstances. For more information, visit www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/transfers.
Honoring Contributions to Special Education
Students and parents/guardians are encouraged to submit nominations to recognize individuals who have contributed to the success and acceptance of students with special needs. The recognitions are being given by the Special Education Committee of the Montgomery County Council of PTAs, Inc. (MCCPTA, Inc.).
Nominations are being accepted in four categories: Staff, Programs, Parents, and Students. Electronic submissions are strongly encouraged. Applications are due by Friday, March 22. Nominations can be submitted by e-mail attachment or in the body of an e-mail message to SpecialEd@mccpta.org. If you are unable to submit an electronic nomination, you may send a completed nomination form and a nominating statement, along with supporting statements, to the MCCPTA, Inc. office: Montgomery County Council of PTAs, Inc., P.O. Box 10754, Rockville, Maryland 20849.
The nomination form can be accessed at the following link: news.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/MCCPTA-2018-2019-Special-Education-Award-Nomination-Form.pdf.
Community Conversations on the Future of High School Programs
MCPS is holding a series of community conversations with Chief Academic Officer Maria V. Navarro to discuss the future of high school programs. Attendees will have an opportunity to discuss what high school programs MCPS should offer in the future to best support college and career readiness. Staff, students, parents, guardians, and members of the community are invited to attend. The forum is scheduled for:
- Monday, April 8, Richard Montgomery High School, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Register online at mcpsweb.wufoo.com/forms/community-conversation/.
Upcoming County Education Budget Meetings
Parents/guardians and members of the community are invited to join Montgomery County Councilmember Craig Rice, Superintendent of Schools Jack R. Smith, and Montgomery College President DeRionne Pollard at upcoming Education Budget meetings scheduled for February and March. Attendees can find out how budget decisions are made, what the County is doing today to get ready for FY 2020 and beyond, and the opportunities residents have to influence budget decisions.
The meetings will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the following locations:
February 20, Neelsville Middle School, 11700 Neelsville Church Road in Germantown
February 27, Col. E. Brooke Lee Middle School, 11800 Monticello Avenue in Silver Spring
March 6, Rockville High School, 2100 Baltimore Road in Rockville
March 11, Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, 4301 East-West Highway in Bethesda
March 27, Montgomery College Takoma Park Campus, 7600 Takoma Avenue in Takoma Park (Cultural Arts Center Theater 1)
The county executive will announce his Recommended FY 2019 Operating Budget in March. In April, the County Council will hold public hearings and approve the operating budget at the end of May.
Nominees Sought for Annual Distinguished Service to Public Education Awards
The Montgomery County Board of Education is seeking nominations from the public for its 22nd Annual Awards for Distinguished Service to Public Education. The awards are sponsored by the Board to recognize and show appreciation to individuals (including students), groups and organizations that have made exemplary contributions to public education in Montgomery County. Visit www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/boe/community/awards/ for more information. Completed nomination forms must be received in the Board of Education office by 5:00 p.m. on March 1, 2019.
Important Dates
2/18 - Presidents' Day Holiday, no school for students or staff
2/19 - Spelling Bee Assemblies in the All Purpose Room
- Grades K-2 - 9:45 a.m.
- Grades 3-5 - 2:00 p.m.
2/20 - Winter Choral and Instrumental Music Concerts, 2:00 and 7:00 p.m.
2/21 - Science Fair
2/22 - Judge Jones In-school assembly for Grades 4 and 5
2/22 - African Drumming Group, Tam Tam Mandingue DMV assembly
2/27 - Class and Group Photos, Freed Photography
2/28 - Hearing and Vision Rescreening
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