Greetings Montgomery Virtual Academy Voyagers!

Because this week's newsletter is full of new and useful information, I'd like to point out the four time-sensitive announcements below! Be sure to check these out before it's too late!

1. MVA Weekly Boxed Meal Kits Interest Survey- Please answer by NOON on 10-24-22
   
2. Holiday Giving Project- Due Monday, October 24
   
3. Request to Return to In-Person Learning for MP2- Due by 10/25/22
4. Fall Fundraiser- now through Dec 1

FALL FEST IS COMING!

Also, on Friday 10-28, we will host our second annual Fall Festival with our K-5 students! Grades K-1 will participate from 1:30-2:30 and Grades 2-5 will participate from 2:30-3:30. This is NOT a Halloween party and all activities are fall-themed. We have designed the hour to be an inclusive and fun time for all students. While some students and staff may wish to participate in costume, there will also be costume-free Zoom spaces for students. Teachers will share specific details with their students this week.

I want to thank all of you all for your support & partnership! We are so happy to have you on our voyage!

Mrs. Cassandra Heifetz

Dean

Cassandra.Heifetz@mcpsmd.net

• Monday, October 24 - No school for students
• Tuesday, October 25- Deadline to request to return to in-person learning for MP 2
• Friday, October 28 - Grade 5 Strathmore Concert & Field Trip (details below)
• Friday, October 28 - Fall Festivities (more info to come from your child's teachers)
• Tuesday, November 1- Emancipation Day (Maryland)
• Monday, November 7 - No school for students
• Tuesday, November 8 - Election Day, schools and offices closed
• Thursday, November 10 - MVAPTC meeting 6:30pm-8:00pm
• Monday, November 14 - Marking Period 1 Report Cards available in ParentVUE

The Holiday Giving Project (HGP) of Montgomery County has provided Thanksgiving meals and December holiday assistance to families in need for over 30 years. A network of social workers, school counselors, and other human service professionals refer families and individuals in need of assistance. Local non-profits, faith-based organizations, service organizations, and other government agencies serve Holiday Giving recipients, as donations are available.

If you and your family are in need and would like to be referred to possibly receive assistance for the Thanksgiving or Winter holiday season, please complete the following referral form. The information is required to make a referral to The Holiday Giving Project. To be referred for assistance, you must complete this form by Monday, OCTOBER 24, 2022 to be considered for the Thanksgiving services. Applications for the Winter Holiday may be made at the same time. Resources are limited, please apply only if you and your family are truly in need. Winter holiday referral must be submitted by November 14, 2022. While a referral is not a guarantee of assistance, the Project helps as many families in need as donations will allow.

If you have any questions please email your student's school counselor. Ms. Whited: corinne.e.whited@mcpsmd.net Ms. Bamberger: nicole.m.bamberger@mcpsamd.net

Holiday Giving Project Referral (English)-

https://forms.gle/XYicjrkZQ6EmS7Ry9

El Programa de Asistencia para los días de Fiesta Referidos (español)-

https://forms.gle/8cpYrRs8Ea3ZNK4T9

We are aware that some of our students have been experiencing challenges with accessing instruction in the recent weeks. We have been in close contact with our partners in the technology office to try to identify what might be causing some of the specific issues. To support this work, we have been gathering data from our staff to try to identify any patterns. As we work to find a more comprehensive solution, we shared some tips at the MVAPTC meeting this past week. The tips that were shared address obstacles that we typically see, as well as the current issues with the password resets and Zoom functionality issues. These tips have helped some of our students, but not all. In most cases, the issue is not with the device itself and does not require a device swap. Please continue to reach out to our main office at 240-740-6060 and email the Community Help Desk mailbox at communitytechsupport@mcpsmd.org . We thank you for your continued patience and willingness to help problem-solve.

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) once again is pleased to offer the opportunity for all Grade 5 students to attend the Student Concerts presented this year by Strathmore Artists in Residence Blues Band on October 28, 2022 at The Music Center at Strathmore. This program gives our students exposure to the wonderful world of jazz and blues music in a concert hall setting. Our goal is to inspire a love and appreciation of music and the arts at a young age that will grow and develop over a lifetime. MCPS is able to provide these

concerts at no cost to families.

Students may only attend these performances in the company of their school. For safety reasons, parents may not drop off or pick students up from The Music Center at Strathmore. Although we encourage everyone to get the full experience of a live performance by attending in-person, there will also be a virtual option provided for students whose families may be more comfortable experiencing the performance in a home environment.

Transportation for MVA students will be provided from three locations across the county.

• Dr. Sally K. Ride Elementary School, 21301 Seneca Crossing Dr. Germantown, MD
• Virtual Academy Office, 15 W. Gude Dr., Rockville, MD
• Glenallan Elementary School, 12520 Heurich Road, Silver Spring, MD

Fifth grade teachers sent additional information to families that include the permission slip to be signed. The form should be completed as soon as possible, even if you plan for your child to attend virtually. We want to make sure we are able to make the appropriate arrangements for all to participate in this opportunity.

Safety of our staff, students and their families is of utmost importance to us and we know that one of the best ways to prepare for the unexpected is by being proactive with a safety plan. We are providing the tips below to our families to encourage you to talk to your children about a safety plan in the event of an unexpected weather-related emergency.

• Designate and identify internal spaces such as interior hallways or a windowless bathroom as safe areas to go to in the event of a tornado.

• Basements offer the best protection. Use interior rooms and hallways on the lowest floor and away from windows. Rooms with wide spans of open space and windows should not be used.

• Monitor weather information from local radio and television stations or phone-based weather apps

• Be prepared for a power failure during a tornado or other weather-related emergency. Access to a flashlight, or other equipment may be necessary.

• In the event a teacher or staff member loses internet or power, classroom instruction should pause. Students may attempt to connect every 30 minutes if conditions at their home are safe.

• In the event a student experiences severe weather at home, staff will check to see if the student has an adult present and encourage the student to follow the directions of the adult in the household. If no adult appears present, staff will issue the above guidelines to the child.

• Students should log-off and move to a safe location if weather conditions worsen or feel unsafe.

The following websites may be helpful in providing families with resources to learn more and develop a plan that will best suit the needs of your family.

• Ready.gov Build A Kit

• Sesame Street Emergency Preparedness

• FEMA for Kids

Families who are complete an updated Free & Reduced Meals application and are eligible for benefits may be able to receive additional financial assistance and bonuses.

Ready for School Initiative and Montgomery County are providing several “bonuses” for eligible families, including:

• $200 worth of free classes from the Recreation Department (provided by the Montgomery County Department of Recreation);
• Discounts on extracurricular fees (provided by MCPS);
• Reduced-price AP exam fees (provided by MCPS and College Board); and
• Up to a $40 reimbursement for school supplies (provided by Ready for School Initiative).

To participate, families must follow three easy steps:

1. Fill out an MCPS Free School Meal Form (www.MySchoolApps.com)
2. Share their free meal eligibility letter with Ready for School Initiative
3. Receive the bonuses

For more details and to submit visit: https://www.readyforschoolinitiative.org/

Note:

Eligibility for Free School Meals is determined based on the the size of your family and your household income. You do not have to be a US citizen to qualify for Free School Meals.

MCPS does not report meal application information to migrant, immigration or refugee offices.

Additional Info also at: https://conduitstreet.mdcounties.org/2022/09/08/montgomery-program-incentivizes-families-to-register-for-free-school-meals/

The George B. Thomas Learning Academy offers two face-to-face Adult Literacy classes and one virtual (weeknight) class to parents of MCPS students. The program gives parents the capacity to support their children’s success and navigate through the processes of the MCPS school system. The classes offer basic, intermediate, and advanced levels and focuses on listening skills, reading, comprehension, speaking and writing.

Parents of MCPS students from any school in the county may attend after registering.

https://saturdayschool.org/programs/#Adults

See flyer for details: https://saturdayschool.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/SS_2022_Flyers_07.pdf

Additionally, in collaboration with MCPS, the Literacy Council of Montgomery County (LCMC) is offering free English as a Second Language classes for MCPS parents. The classes will be held virtually and in-person, and there are options for all levels of English speakers. They are available to any MCPS parent for whom English is not their first language. Parents can complete this interest form to receive a placement test.

https://mcpsweb.wufoo.com/forms/english-classes-for-mcps-parents/

If you are having technology issues, please submit an e-ticket by emailing your question or issue to communitytechsupport@mcpsmd.org or submit a ticket via the Community Tech Support portal This account is monitored daily and you will receive email notifications throughout the process.

For helpful support guides and screencasts in English and Spanish: https://montgomery.service-now.com/csm.

Community Tech Support Portal Support Guide: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cczbhEXF7x3TBquSMQGUGsxIcqsm_BtG2KBBi_bA0_0/edit

To request tech support or submit a Chromebook Repair Request
communitytechsupport@mcpsmd.org

Zoom Log in information & Troubleshooting

Zoom for Students /Zoom para estudiantes

myMCPS Classroom/Canvas Information & Troubleshooting

https://classroom.mcpsmd.org/

Having trouble logging in? Please review the support guide

The following MVA Parent Council Announcements are being shared as a public information courtesy. The MVAPTC is the MVA parent-teacher organization with non-profit status and insurance.

MVAPTC Announcements:

1) MVAPTC Special Education Committee Meeting on October 20

2) MVAPTC Meeting on Thursday, November 10th

___________________________________________________________________________________________

1) MVAPTC Special Education Committee Meeting will be held this Thursday, October 20th. The topic will be: Sports & social activities: What is available in the DMV?

2) MVAPTC Meeting: Thursday, November 10th at 6:30 PM. Meetings will be held on the second Thursday of each month. Meeting slides, meeting minutes and other documents are available for review on the MVAPTC website located at http://www.mvaptc.org. We are working on getting this years meeting slides and minutes translated into Spanish. The zoom link is: https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/83004264203?pwd=M09hQzNtbVgyWVB6SGF3UE1sU2Fodz09, the Meeting ID is: 830 0426 4203 and the Passcode: mvaptc

Helpful Links:

Website: http://www.mvaptc.org

Facebook page: Montgomery Virtual Academy Parent Teacher Council

Facebook Discussion Group: MVAPTC Discussion Group - Montgomery Virtual Academy Families & Staff(MD)

Facebook Special Needs Discussion Group: MVAPTC - Children with SN - Montgomery VIrtual Academy (MD)

Shirts, Dues & Donations: https://mvaptc.square.site

Please contact Jessica, MVAPTC President, at presidentmvaptc@gmail.com to volunteer, or with any questions or concerns.

Family And Friends Mental Health Support:

http://namimd.org/family__friend_support

Food Resources

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/get-help/food.html

Food Giveaway Events this week:

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/get-help/food.html#events

Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center:

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/gilchrist/

Health Care for the Uninsured (English): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FoOQWe-GVr6ljzHjIxYRcl5VxtdBQCHN/view?usp=sharing

Health Care for the Uninsured (Spanish):

https://drive.google.com/file/d/15Pss-kVuL1IDh7cG1o47PrF0ZWImn1GY/view?

usp=sharing

Montgomery County Resources and Supports for Residents

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/get-help/

Montgomery County Public Library Programs:

https://mcpl.libnet.info/events?=undefined&r=thismonth&term=Virtual+Program

Utility Assistance from Montgomery County Government:

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HHS-Program/Program.aspx?id=SNHS/SNHSUtilityA-p746.html