Summer Newsletter
New Market Elementary: Home of the Wolves
Message from Administration
Dear NMES Families,
Our Summer Newsletter is full of helpful information, including ways to support your child over the summer with academics and optional activities for fun. You will also find important dates for the 2023 - 2024 school year and information about staffing and teacher assignments. Be sure to read each section of the newsletter so you are informed.
We are closely monitoring our enrollment for the 2023 - 2024 school year. Our tentative staffing plan is outlined in this newsletter but if we need to make adjustments based on enrollment then we will notify the community.
As we shared in the May Newsletter, there are 81 days from the end of this school year to the start of next year to enjoy the small moments and to make some great memories with families and friends. Enjoy!
Dr. Lockard - Principal
Mrs. McGaha - Assistant Principal
Important Summer and Beginning of 2023 - 2024 School Year Dates
- Friday, June 2: Last day of school for students and 2-hour early dismissal (dismissal starts at 1:25pm)
- Wednesday, August 16: Emails sent to families through Schoology informing classroom teacher assignments
- Thursday, August 18: Teachers return to work
- Monday, August 21: Open House for PK - 5 from 2:30 - 3:30
- Wednesday, August 23: First day of school for students in grades 1 - 5 (Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students have staggered start days)
- Monday, September 4: Schools closed in observance of Labor Day
- Tuesday, September 5: Primary Back to School Night from 6:00 - 7:30 (parents only - no childcare provided)
- Wednesday, September 6: Intermediate Back to School Night from 6:00 - 7:30 (parents only - no childcare provided)
- Monday, September 18: Picture Day
PTA Information
Jane Monier - PTA President
Claire Cawthon - PTA Vice-President
Kim Bicknell - PTA Secretary
Jessica Smith - PTA Treasurer
Be on the look-out for information from our wonderful PTA at the start of the year!
FCPS Enrollment
Enrollment is open for the 2023-2024 school year that begins on August 23, 2023. Families should enroll their child(ren) by using the secure PowerSchool online enrollment portal (Click here for English or click here for Spanish). After submission, NMES will contact the family to complete the enrollment process and ensure that all necessary documents have been provided. If you need to transfer your student, please reach out to the transfer school to set up an enrollment meeting. Contact Sarah Main if you have any questions at sarah.main@fcps.org.
2023 - 2024 Class Groupings
Classroom Groupings:
Tentative classroom groupings will be determined for the 2023 - 2024 school year but will not be finalized until late July/early August. All NMES teachers are excellent and each teacher has a unique skillset. Through the grouping process, classroom teachers, specialists and administration collaborate to make thoughtful classroom placements based on multiple data points. While we value parent input and are always willing to listen, we do not accept specific teacher requests and cannot guarantee a particular teacher. We appreciate your support and understanding!
2023 - 2024 Teacher Assignments
Incoming Kindergarten students will receive a teacher assignment letter via the mail. The letter will include teacher assignment, staggered start date information and other important information for your kindergarten child. The letters will be sent during the first week of August.
For rising first through fifth grade students, families will receive teacher assignment information through a Schoology email. In August, systemic emails will be sent to primary and secondary guardians with the student schedules included. Teacher assignments/names will be on each Schoology course. This will be how you are made aware of your child's homeroom teacher. This email communication will be sent to families through Schoology on Wednesday, August 16.
2023 - 2024 NMES Staffing
Below is NMES staffing information for the 2023 - 2024 school year:
New Faces at NMES:
- Mrs. Tiffany Vidt: Mrs. Vidt has served as a Special Education Instructional Assistant this school year. Starting in August, she will transition to serve in the role of full-time special education teacher. Welcome, Mrs. Vidt!
- Mrs. Erin McCullough: Mrs. McCullough joins the NMES as a part-time math intervention teacher. Welcome, Mrs. McCullough!
- Mr. Brice Simpson: Mr. Simpson joins the NMES Specials Team as a part-time music teacher. Welcome, Mr. Simson!
- Mrs. Kelly Noblick: Mrs. Noblick joins us one of our Instructional Assistants. Welcome, Mrs. Noblick!
Retirement Announcements at NMES:
- Mrs. June Crawford and Mrs. Hildy Aldridge are retiring. Congratulations to both of them on their wonderful careers at NMES! They will be dearly missed. You will see a "TBA" in the section below for a Special Education Instructional Assistant.
Transfer Announcements at NMES:
- Mrs. Raynor, our part-time music teacher, has accepted a transfer to Middletown Primary School. Mrs. Raynor will be full-time at MPS as opposed to being split between two schools. We wish Mrs. Raynor all the best! A teacher will be hired to replace Mrs. Raynor.
- Mrs. Ghiglieri, our part-time special education teacher, has accepted a transfer to Deer Crossing Elementary. Mrs. Ghiglieri served in a split position during this school year with half of her day at DCES and half at NMES. This special education position was increased to 1.0 at both schools. Mrs. Ghiglieri accepted the DCES full-time special education position as this is the school where her children attend. We wish her all the best!
2023 - 2024 NMES Staff:
- Pre-Kindergarten: Mrs. Vogel
- Kindergarten: Mrs. Heller, Mrs. Bender, Mrs. White, Mrs. DeVan
- First Grade: Mrs. Kocher, Mrs. Lethbridge, Mrs. Schaffer, Mrs. Dwyer
- Second Grade: Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Ruch
- Third Grade: Ms. Goldstein, Mrs. Rawlett, Mrs. Imboden, Mrs. Shuman
- Fourth Grade: Mrs. Woozley, Mrs. Henry, Mrs. Kueberth, Ms. Johnson
- Fifth Grade: Ms. Cooley, Mrs. Hardy, Mrs. Trakas, Mrs. Noffsinger
- Front Office: Dr. Lockard, Mrs. McGaha, Ms. Wilks, Ms. Main
- Custodians: Mr. Frazier, Mr. McCartney, Ms. Abarca, Mr. Cromwell, Mr. Horner
- Guidance: Mrs. Carl and Mrs. Blake
- Specials: Mrs. Ewen, Mrs. Reynolds, Mrs. Anspach, Mrs. D'Onofrio, Mrs. Woods, Mr. Simpson, Mrs. Siderius
- Special Education: Mrs. Hortie, Mrs. Matthews, Mrs. Vidt, Mrs. Schwartzman
- Special Education Instructional Assistants: Mrs. Reifer, Mrs. Harris, Mr. Farley, Mrs. Bonenberger, Mrs. Myers, TBA
- Instructional Assistants: Mrs. Coccia (PK), Mrs. Thurston, Mrs. Noblick
- Specialists/Intervention Team: Mrs. Tortolani, Mr. Purgason, Mrs. Knight, Mrs. Evich, Mrs. McCullough
- User Support Specialist: Ms. Esslinger
- Instrumental Music: Mr. Hinkley and Mr. Berry
Summer Reading Ideas Mrs. Siderius
Summer Reading Challenge
Have you signed up for the Frederick County Public Library's Summer Reading Challenge? Join the fun of reading and earning prizes throughout the summer. You can learn more by visiting https://www.fcpl.org/programs-events/summer-challenge.
What to Read Next
Helping your child find their next read? Check out the book lists compiled by librarians and media specialists from Frederick County Public Library and Frederick County Public Schools! These lists contain great ideas for everyone from babies through adults! View the lists for this year, as well as previous years, at https://www.fcpl.org/programs-events/summer-reading/summer-reading-booklists.
Check out the fun events happening at the Walkersville branch of the Frederick County Library - click HERE to view.
Wolf Conservation Center
Our students had fun meeting our adopted wolf, Alawa, in April! You can continue follow her, her brother Nikai and their new baby brother at https://nywolf.org/meet-our-wolves/webcams/webcam-ambassador-wolves-zephyr-alawa-and-nikai/. If your child is interested in learning more about wolves, they can access free materials from the Wolf Conservation Center at https://nywolf.org/learn/activities-for-kids/.
iReady Math Summer Access
Happy Summer NMES Math Scholars! In order to alleviate the typical "summer slide" with our students, we are offering iReady Math online summer access. All students will have access to Personalized Instruction called "My Path" through July 27. This personalized instruction is assigned based on any weaknesses shown on each student's end of year iReady Diagnostic. It is recommended that each student spend at least 40 minutes per week on iReady My Path to fill in those gaps. Students can access iReady through Clever. Our students K-5 all have had access to iReady and My Path in their classroom and are familiar with how to get into that part of iReady. This video can help explain iReady's student platform and how to access My Path in iReady: iReady Tutorial. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at robert.purgason@fcps.org. Thanks and happy summer!
Rob Purgason
NMES Math Specialist
Summer Reading Activities
STOP SUMMER READING LOSS!
Read All SUMMER!
“Summer Slide” is a term used to describe the decline in reading achievement that many children experience from being away from school. Research shows that the amount of time children spend reading for fun is a key predictor of academic achievement. Reading is like playing an instrument – it is a skill that continues to improve with practice. Studies have proven that reading just four appropriate books over the summer can help maintain reading skills; reading more books can even lead to improvement. Check out this article Reducing the Summer Slide for some great tips!
Please encourage your child to read this summer! Don’t forget that kids no matter the age, love to cuddle up and listen to a good book too! Here are some resources to help beat the “Summer Slide” and keep your child reading all summer long!
Start with a Book is full of engaging ideas for parents and caregivers to keep kids reading all summer long!
K-5 Activity Calendar | RIF.org Explore seasonal reading activities for every day of the month. Click on each entry to discover printable resources.
Happy summer reading!
Angie Tortolani
Walking and Wheeling Wolves
Coming August 2023! The Walking & Wheeling Wolves - A PTA, NMES, and Town of New Market sponsored program that celebrates walking and biking to and from school. As the program plans are being developed we want your feedback. Specifically, the PTA wants to learn how your child(ren) get to and from school and why this works best for your family. Please click the link below to take our short 8 question survey.
NMES Front Office Summer Information
The front office phone number is 240-236-1300. During the summer, schools are open Monday through Thursday (schools are closed on July 4). It is best to call and make an appointment as we will be supporting the Elevate Program which is located at a neighboring school and not consistently available to answer the front door.
New Market Elementary
Email: Steven.Lockard@fcps.org
Website: https://education.fcps.org/nmes/
Location: 93 West Main Street, New Market, MD, USA
Phone: 240-236-1300