Cedar Grove Friday Flash
February 4, 2022
Dear Cedar Grove Families,
Our annual "Souper Bowl Challenge" begins next week! From February 7 through February 11, our school will be collecting non-perishable food items for Damascus Help. Please send in food items and place them in the box under the helmet of the team (either the Cincinnati Bengals or the Los Angeles Rams) that you hope will win the Super Bowl. As the piles in the boxes grow, we will see which team our families predict will win the game. This is a great way to have fun while at the same time helping the community. Thank you for your support!
Several school-based COVID-19 vaccination clinics will be held this weekend, on Saturday, February 5 and Sunday, February 6. Additionally, some schools will serve as walk-in COVID-19 testing sites. Please click on the link below for more information. https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/Coronavirus/Vaccinations/
In addition, MCPS will continue to distribute COVID rapid tests (two tests per kit) to all students during the weeks of February 7, 2022, February 28, 2022, and March 21, 2022. If your child is absent on any of these dates, we will be sure to provide the tests upon his or her return.
As you may already be aware, MCPS will consider a transition to virtual learning on days when schools are closed due to inclement weather for the remainder of the 2021-2022 school year. These are days when the district would otherwise determine that a system closure would be needed for safety reasons. This decision will be made on a case-by-case basis. Please click on the link below for more information from the February 2 community message: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/publicinfo/community/school-year-2021-2022/Community-Update-20220202-final.html
Have a wonderful weekend!
Mr. Derby and Mrs. German
Summer School 2022
MCPS is planning a range of summer programs for elementary, middle and high school students this summer, with most programs being tentatively planned during July. Generally, in-person programs will take place in the morning through lunchtime. Afternoon programs sponsored by county and municipal agencies and outside providers will be available in selected schools. For most summer school programs, registration will launch in early April in ParentVUE.
The goal of the summer programs is to mitigate learning disruption and continue to engage students in academic, specials and electives, and social-emotional support, while also narrowing focus to students with the greatest need to accelerate learning.
Tentative offerings include:
- Priority programs such as Extended Learning Opportunities in Title I elementary schools, Extended School Year and high school credit courses for repeat or original credit;
- In-person local school programs offered by elementary, middle and high schools. To maximize resources and available staffing, students with the greatest need may be prioritized first for programs at their local schools.
- A program for newcomer English Learners/Emergent Multilingual Learners.
- Online tutoring with external providers available to all students, on flexible schedules and available 24/7.
- Additional programs and camps, including Summer RISE and Montgomery Can Code.
All programs would be provided to students at no cost, with transportation and meals provided.
Final program offerings will be dependent on enrollment, budget and staffing. For more information, visit the MCPS Summer Programs webpage.
Free Tutoring and Homework Help
All students now have access to free tutoring and 24/7 Homework Help to support success in their current courses/grade level, through two new approved tutoring providers, FEV Tutor and Tutor Me Education. As part of comprehensive strategies to mitigate learning disruption associated with the pandemic, all students will have access to these virtual tutoring services through their MCPS Google Account, using Clever. More information can be found here: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/tutoring.aspx
Now Accepting Applications for the Montgomery Virtual Academy 2022 School Year
The Montgomery Virtual Academy, a full-time virtual learning program for students in Kindergarten to Grade 12, is now accepting applications for the 2022-2023 school year. Students interested in the program are required to apply for admission and must be approved to participate. (Students currently enrolled in the Virtual Academy do not need to reapply). Applications will be considered on a rolling admissions basis. Application reviews will begin March 1 for initial enrollment and staffing purposes.
The Virtual Academy serves students in a comprehensive, full-time online instructional program. The program will continue to expand its infrastructure and services, innovative instructional approaches and flexible options to access coursework, particularly for high school students.
Admission considerations include:
- For elementary school students: Primarily for students with extenuating circumstances related to health or other reasons that can be mitigated through a virtual learning program.
- For middle and high school students: For students to gain access to innovative courses, flexible scheduling and specialty courses that may not be available in all schools, and for students with extenuating circumstances, including health and other reasons, that can be mitigated through a virtual program.
Applications may be submitted now through ParentVUE.
For families needing to submit paper applications or via PDF, please email MoCoVirtual@mcpsmd.org.
For more information, visit these Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) or the Montgomery Virtual Academy website.
Note for Rising Kindergarteners
Students who will be kindergartners in the 2022–2023 school year must register at their home school prior to applying to the Virtual Academy. To receive a student ID number, contact your local neighborhood elementary school to schedule an appointment. Application reviews for kindergarten students will begin May 1.
Piano Sales
We are pleased to share that MCPS, in partnership with Schaeffer’s Piano Company, Inc., is once again providing families with an opportunity to purchase a piano at reduced prices twice a year. This second sales event will take place the week of February 19-26 at 105 North Stonestreet Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20850. In order to provide a safe and healthy environment and to ensure that proper distancing can be maintained, this year’s sale will be by appointment only with a limited number of appointment times available. All pianos will carry a 15-year transferable warranty. Each piano will come with a bench and one free in-house tuning. For additional information, you may visit the Schaeffer’s Piano Company, Inc. website at www.schaefferspiano.com.
To make an appointment, call the Schaeffer’s Piano Company appointment desk at 301-424-1147.
Free, On-Demand Online Tutoring Available for K-12 Students
All students have access to free tutoring and 24/7 homework help to support success in their current courses/grade level, through two new approved tutoring providers, FEV Tutor and Tutor Me Education. As part of comprehensive strategies to mitigate learning disruption, all students will have access to these virtual tutoring services through their MCPS Google account, using Clever.
The Maryland Association of School Libraries - "I Love My School Library" Contest
Do you love our school library? Well, we have the perfect contest for you! The “I Love My School Library” contest is a chance for our students to say and show why they LOVE their school library and what might just make it the best library in Maryland.
The contest will be open during the month of February and there will be three winners (elementary, middle and high). Prizes are involved 😊.
Tech Tips and Reminders
From Mrs. Hirschhorn, Media Specialist
Here is our February Media Monthly which has the media lesson information by grade but also links to our Lunar New Year presentation, our Black History read alouds, and a sneak preview to all the March Book Madness Read Alouds. Please bookmark the link, since I update the media monthly every Friday!
Art, Music, and PE Newsletter
Here is the February Newsletter which gives you a glimpse into what your students are doing in Art, General Music, Instrumental Music, and Physical Education classes.