The Paw Print
Week of December 10, 2018
Updates from Mrs. Murphy
As I visit classrooms, it is clear that our students are engaged and working very hard. It is very exciting to see their enthusiasm. We are looking forward to a few more weeks of focused learning before a much-deserved break for all.
We have received a new Visitors Management System (VMS) in our front office. Please be sure that you bring photo identification when you visit the school because you will need it to check-in. The office staff will assist you with the new system when you visit. Please see more detailed information below about the VMS.
Parents who come to the school during arrival and dismissal are reminded that they must check-in at the office before coming into the building. Teachers will make the office aware if they have a pre-scheduled appointment. We know that it is getting cold, but parents cannot wait inside the stairwell by the playground during dismissal. The door will be shut throughout dismissal.
As the holidays approach, we want to remind our families that our school gift policy is aligned with the Montgomery County Public Schools Ethics Policy (can be accessed through the MCPS website). Staff members may receive unsolicited gifts from students and families, and a gift from an individual student or one family can be received with a value of $20 or less. A series of unsolicited gifts to a staff member from one student/family cannot exceed $100 for the school year.
As the weather gets colder, please remind children to bring coats, gloves, hats, and scarves to school for outdoor recess time. We have outdoor recess if the temperature is 25 degrees or above, with the wind chill factored in. Also, if your child comes home missing some of these items, please feel free to stop by the school and check in our lost and found, as our lost and found inventory is already growing at an exponential rate! Items not claimed will be donated to a local charity in late January.
Thank You
Thank you to our fifth-grade parents who sponsored Bingo Night! We always enjoy the opportunity to get together outside the school day.
Thank you to all our parents who supported our school-wide celebrations for raising over $18,000 for the Wildcat Walk. It may have taken a few washes to get my hair to return to its natural color, but it was worth it for the students' excitement. The students also enjoyed their yummy treat at lunch.
Staffing Update
SGA News
The SGA is holding school-wide spirit days to raise money to purchase new recess equipment. We encourage everyone who participates to donate $1.00, or whatever they can contribute. SGA Officers will collect money from homeroom classes on the dates listed below. Please only send money in on spirit days. The SGA Officers would like to thank everyone in advance for their support.
We are pleased to report that we raised $380.26 on the SGA Pajama Day on November 30th! Thanks to your generosity we are well on our way to purchasing new recess equipment!
Friday, December 14: Hat Day
Friday, January 25: Crazy Hair Day
New Visitor Management System
If you do not bring a state-issued ID, you can still check in on the VMS. It is a more lengthy process. Our main office staff will be on hand to help get you registered and checked in.
When possible, please bring a state-issued ID (driver's license) on each visit to school.
Churchill Cluster News
School System Updates
What Does Your School of the Future Look Like?
The physical classroom and school environment affects teaching and learning and MCPS wants to know how students use those spaces on a daily basis. Students in all grade levels are invited to participate in a survey for them to share their feedback.
Parents/guardians of elementary students are encouraged to talk with their children about their learning environments and help them complete this survey: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSerCMOXTGuVCeThRki6Dz7I4m2eVha_A5Ba_MSNmiurPUkv-w/viewform.
Middle and high school students may share their feedback here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfAH--vClE-36XnLccMmss3MaB0GPtMRF1u3nBujsxaewr4Dg/viewform.
MCPS will collect survey results through the beginning of January and the information will be used to support continuous improvement of its educational facilities. After results have been collected, students will have the opportunity to participate in a contest to envision the future of schools and help influence future design. More information about the contest will be provided in the coming weeks.
Comment Sought on Four Board of Education Policies
The Montgomery County Board of Education is seeking comment from parents and members of the community on four policies—Policy BBB, Ethics; Policy BFA, Policysetting; Policy IGK, Career and Technology Education; and Policy KEA, Political Campaigns, and Political Materials. Visit www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/policy/policy-for-public-comment.aspx to read the draft policies and to offer comment.
Public comments on Policy KEA, Civic Engagement, Political Campaigns, and Political Materials are due by Sunday, December 16. Comments on Policy BBB, Ethics; Policy BFA, Policysetting; and Policy IGK, Career and Technology Education must be submitted by January 13, 2019.
Winter Coat Drive Under Way
The Prekindergarten/Head Start Programs is seeking donations to provide students with new winter coats. They are collecting coats for boys and girls in sizes 5, 6, and 7, along with other winter wear, such as hats and gloves. Monetary donations are welcome. Donations can be sent to Rocking Horse Road Center, 4910 Macon Road, Room 141, Rockville, Maryland 20852. For more information, please contact Lisa Conlon, social services specialist, at 240-740-4530.
Important Dates
12/11 - Grade 5 Field Trip to KID Museum, 10:15 a.m. - 12:15 a.m.
12/11 - Specialists Professional Development Day, provided by SLES Educational Foundation
12/13 - Grade 3 Field Trip to Imagination Stage, 9:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
12/13 - Grade 5 Chorus performs at Pageant of Peace, 7:00 p.m.
12/14 - SGA Hat Day for Recess Equipment
12/14 - Grade 4 Field Trip to National Museum of American Indian, 9:40 a.m. - 2:10 p.m.
12/14 - Grade 5 STEM In-School Field Trip
12/18 - Freed Photography will be here to take candid pictures for the yearbook
12/20 - Thank you to Grade 4 parents for providing lunch to staff today!
12/24 - 1/1 - Winter Break
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