Cedar Grove Friday Flash
April 10, 2020
Dear Cedar Grove Families,
We hope that this newsletter finds you and your family well as we complete our second week of distance learning. We also hope that you are feeling a little more comfortable with your child's schedule and navigating the technology. We realize that there are challenges, and we will continue to assist you to work through any problems that arise. Thank you for your patience as well as working with your children to create a work space and assisting them with the technology during this journey together.
We also want to take a moment to give a huge shout out to the teachers, our entire Cedar Grove staff, and all MCPS staff who have been working tirelessly and many long hours to prepare curriculum lessons, learn the online platforms, learn to navigate the technology, and much more. Our staff truly loves and misses your children and are dedicated to doing whatever they can to help families.
There have been some questions regarding the many notifications parents are receiving since beginning distance learning. Mrs. Zimmerman, 5th grade teacher, shared the following information to help manage notifications:
There has been some confusion about myMCPS Classroom, the Parent Portal and Canvas. Canvas is a cloud based learning platform that combines digital tools and content. It is used many school systems, colleges, and universities across the country. In Montgomery County, we use a version of Canvas called myMCPS Classroom. This is where the Parent Portal that you may have signed up for is located. If your email inbox in being flooded with notifications from Canvas, it's because we are now using it in elementary school to facilitate distance learning. You should log into the Parent Portal with your username and password. Go into settings and determine which items you would prefer not to receive notifications for and which you would like to continue.
We understand that you have received a lot of communications from MCPS, and we recognize that some of the following is repetitive, but we want to be sure you have this information:
- Our Continuity of Learning school schedule can be viewed either on our school website or by clicking here. Instruction time frames and staff office hours are included.
- Printable learning packets for elementary students are available by clicking on the following link (scroll near the bottom of the web page) or by obtaining them from food distribution sites: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/coronavirus/continuity-of-learning/
- For technical support, please send an email to this address, mymcps_support.net, if you need any assistance.
- Mrs. Spoales shared her Distance Learning Counseling Site last week and can be found here. You will find county-wide information/links and information on how to contact her should you need anything.
As we mentioned in last week's Flash, if you have questions, you may continue to contact teachers and administrators through email or through the "Ask A Question" button on the bottom left of our school's homepage. Although we are still not able to be in the school building, we will make sure we respond to you as soon as possible and in a timely fashion.
As we end another week together, we would like to share the following YouTube music video, created and performed by Ilan Shterenberg, one of our 5th grade students. Ilan was inspired to create the parody after experiencing repeated difficulties accessing his virtual classroom. Please click on the link below and enjoy his version of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah"!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPPJslkoC0I
We hope you and your children have a safe and happy spring break!
Mr. Derby and Mrs. German
BlackRock Center for the Arts Online Education Program and Art Exhibit
BlackRock Center for the Arts is providing an online arts education program for local educators and families. Please click on this link, https://www.blackrockcenter.org/back-2-blackrock/, to view great arts activities for your children. Activities including music, dance, theater, visual arts, and arts enriched literacy are posted and updated weekly.
BlackRock is also hosting a virtual art exhibit for students in kindergarten through Grade 12 and will start collecting entries this week through April 19, 2020. The winning selections will be displayed in their gallery when it reopens. Please click on the link below for requirements and the submission form.
https://www.blackrockcenter.org/virtual-student-art-exhibit/
From Mrs. Hirschhorn, Our Media Specialist
Hello everyone! I hope this finds you well! Here is the April Media Monthly! Please bookmark and visit this page often. I will be updating it as media classes are established and scheduled! And, for our students who are logging into an MCPS Chromebook with their MCPS Google accounts, here is the slide show with the Morning News Blast embedded so they can see the morning news (and our special guest videos!)
From Mr. Jansson, Our PE Teacher
Hi Friends,
PE in April is going to look a little different then usual. We will be doing lessons from home. We will be finishing up marking period 3. The PE department is working hard to get that out to us and will show us what that will look like soon. Most importantly, I want you to take care of yourselves. Wash your hands, keep at least 6 feet away from others, and cover when you sneeze or cough. If you can get outside, do so as long as you keep away from others. Fresh air and the sun will make you feel better.
In April we celebrate National Parks week. If you have a chance, explore some national parks online. There are many cool web sites.
This past Monday was the start of Week A, and I sent out lessons for my kindergarten, first, and second grade friends. . Next week (which will be week B), I will send out another lesson for my third, fourth, and fifth grade friends.
This is all new for us. There may be some obstacles, but please don't stress. Just try your best. We are in this together.
Take care and be healthy!
Kindergarten Orientation
Kindergarten Orientation is currently scheduled for Thursday, April 30 and Friday, May 1, 2020. If there are any changes, we will send rescheduled dates.
If you have a child who will be turning five on or before September 1, 2020, please complete the kindergarten registration survey using the link below or email Noreen Fair at Noreen_K_Fair@mcpsmd.org to schedule your appointment. If you know of any friends or family members who have a rising kindergarten student, please share this information.
https://forms.gle/Fv6cJxE3q3ro3pTx5
The link below will take you to our school website, where you may also find the survey link, as well as health forms and the kindergarten handbook.
https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/cedargrovees/kindergartenreg/
Survey Still Open to Special Education Parents
Parents or guardians of children receiving special education and related services (such as speech, physical, or occupational therapy, etc.) are asked to complete this year’s Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey. The information you provide will help guide the state’s efforts in improving special education and related services in public schools. Complete one survey for each child receiving services. The survey is anonymous and can be completed online at www.mdparentsurvey.com/.
The deadline to complete the survey is Friday, May 15. View more information at the following links:
Maryland Preschool Special Education Parent Involvement Survey