WT Page Weekly Newsletter
September 3, 2023
Contact Information
Email: stacey_m_brown@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/pagees/
Location: 13400 Tamarack Rd, Silver Spring, MD, USA
Phone: 240-740-7560
Twitter: @WTPagePenguins
WT Page Principal's Message
The first week of school flew by! Our new and returning Page Penguins have been very busy meeting teachers and staff, reuniting with old friends and making new ones. We are so excited with the expansion of the kitchen serving line which allows us to cut down our lunch periods from six to three and the extra large media center. Last week we also had an extra special visit from our superintendent, Dr. Monifa McKnight and Board of Education (BOE) member, Mrs. Brenda Wolff. Dr. Mcknight and Mrs. Wolff visited the kindergarten and 5th grade lunch period, 2nd and 3rd grade classrooms and traveled along the path to the playground and portables where she met some 4th graders. There are a few pictures of the visit below.
Dr. McKnight said, "I really enjoyed my visit to Page ES and can't wait to come back soon to see the new addition."
During this upcoming week we will meet the youngest penguins our Pre-Kindergarten students and Mrs. Dean and I are planning assemblies for K - 2 and 3 - 5 grade classes to review schoolwide expectations. During the assemblies students will review the Page Penguin core values: Partnership, Rigor, Integrity, Determination and Equity, review the PMD (Personal mobile device) policy, show students how to use the new share refrigerator that in the cafeteria, review school rules, and more.
I hope you had a great Labor Day weekend!!
Ms. Brown
Principal
MCPS Superintendent - Dr. Monifa McKnight Visits Page ES
Wings for Joy, Inc. donates Birthday Books for Page ES students
Wings for Joy, Inc. is a non-profit organization serving communities throughout Montgomery and Prince George's counties in Maryland. The organization runs 10 annual programs with the goal of helping individuals soar to new heights. Wings for Joy, Inc. is embarking on a NEW program - The Birthday Book Project with books donated from First Books Marketplace and Kohls Cares. During the morning announcements we celebrate student birthdays, by announcing the Page student's name and grade level. Then the students come to the main office to select a birthday pencil, sticker, small item from the treasure box and now a brand new BOOK - thanks to Wings for Joy, Inc. We are so excited to start this partnership!!
Welcome Prekindergarten students this week!
The first days of school for Prekindergarten students are September 5 and 6. The student start day will be staggered, with half of the assigned students attending on the first day and the other half of the students attending on the second day. Then on September 7th we will WELCOME all the Prekindergarten students.
If you have questions about Prekindergarten at Page ES, please reach out to Mr. Nick @ Nicholas_Joyce@mcpsmd.org or Mrs. Christine @ Christine_Hudacsek@mcpsmd.org (LTS for Mrs. Ruth)
Grade Level Newsletters Coming at the End of the week (September 8th)
Grade levels will start sending out their weekly newsletters to inform families of student learning, important grade level messages, calendar dates, and more.. The newsletters are sent out using the ClassDojo Class Story. Please make sure you have signed up for ClassDojo -- if you did not receive an invitation to sign up please reach out to your child's classroom teacher. If you need support with ClassDojo please reach out to the ClassDojo school mentor - Mrs. Lauren Crooke @ lauren_g_crooke@mcpsmd.org
Welcome Aboard - New Staff
Welcome to Page ES:
Mr. Danny Ontiveros - Facility Aide
Ms. Destiny Palmer - Paraeducator
Mrs. Vanetta Mingia - SPED-LTS
Mrs. Patty Parachini- SPED-LTS
Welcome Back to Page ES:
Ms. Tierra Riggs - Health Tech
Mark Your Calendars - Upcoming Dates
Monday, September 4th - Labor Day Holiday - No School for Students and Staff
Tuesday, September 5th - General PTA Meeting Virtual @ 7:00 PM (link is below)
Thursday, September 7th - Instrumental Music Parent Meeting for 4th & 5th grade families @ 7:00 PM on Google Meet (see below)
Wednesday, September 20th - Spirit Night at Kusshi Sushi (Silver Spring & Bethesda locations) @ 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Friday, September 22nd - Early Dismissal @ 12:55 PM
Monday, September 25th - Holiday - No School for Students and Staff
Back-to-School Night dates will be announced in the next newsletter - Due to construction delay!
Instrumental Music Interest Meeting for 4th and 5th Grade Families
Families of 4th and 5th graders interested in joining instrumental music for the first time -- you're invited to an optional, virtual parent information session. We will discuss how instrumental music works in school, logistics of instrument rentals, scheduling, how to register and address any specific questions you may have.
Thursday, September 7th -- 7:00 PM
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/cbn-nkvq-nek
Or dial: (US) +1 720-500-3497 PIN: 980 839 347#
Ms. Sara Glasser
Instrumental Music Teacher
Apply for Free and Reduced Meals (FARMS) for 2023 - 2024 School Year
FARMS applications must be completed each school year. New for the 2023 - 2024 school year students in Maryland who qualify for reduced-price meals will not be charged for meals. The application for FARMS is online and has been updated for the new school year. Apply using www.MySchoolApps.com; this is the preferred application method. You can also apply online using the QR code.
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MCPS Five Things to Know
Dear MCPS Families,
We hope you had a wonderful first week! Here are Things to Know for Thurs. Aug. 31. Get information about a curriculum update for students in Grade 9, new communication tool to receive messages, athletic safety and watch a recap of the first day of school!
Updated Covid-19 Guidance for the Fall 23 - 24 school year
- COVID Positive - Positive individuals should isolate at least 5 days at home per CDC guidelines
- Case Reporting - No online self-reporting or dashboard, however please contact Ms. Hedley and classroom teacher to let them know the absent was due to COVID-19.
- Masks - required temporarily in outbreak situations and for COVID positive individuals on days 6-10. (Note: Individuals with 2 negative tests between days 5-10 can end the face covering period early and after 5 days of isolation)
- COVID-19 Vaccination - Strongly encouraged but not required for students, staff and volunteers
- COVID-19 Clinics - No more weekly clinics at schools
- COVID-19 Testing - Home test kits may be distributed for screening testing: During outbreaks, before or after school breaks, or at other times as determined by school leadership and depending on available supply.
- Health room testing - Will no longer be conducted for students presenting with possible COVID symptoms during the school day.
- Communication - We will communicate staff or students have been exposed in possible outbreak only (3 or more cases in a classroom or activity within 10 days) or (5 or more cases within 10 days from different classroom and homes)
First WT Page PTA Meeting - Virtual
- WT Page PTA General Meeting - Virtual
- Tuesday, September 5th @ 7pm
Join the WT Page PTA
- Join OR Renew your PTA Membership
WT Page PTA - We Need Volunteers
- We are also always looking for volunteers! Please email volunteercoordinator@wtpagepta.org AND president@wtpagepta.org if you would like to join our amazing team!
Buy Page Spirit Wear
- Spirit Wear Sale - 30% now until September 21st
WT Page PTA Fundraisers - Currently Running
Reflections National Art Contest
- National Arts Contest - (Flyer below in English & Spanish
Students are invited to create theme-based artwork in the categories of dance choreography, film production, literature, musical composition, photography or visual arts. For more Information: https://www.wtpagepta.org/services-3