Cedar Grove Friday Flash
April 9, 2021
Dear Cedar Grove Families,
We hope that you and your child(ren) enjoyed spring break and were able to spend time together with family or friends. As we returned from the break, we were very pleased to welcome back some of our fourth and fifth grade students to in-person learning, and we look forward to seeing the remaining in-person fourth and fifth graders as they return to school next week. As a reminder, next week is week B.
On Wednesday, April 14, we will have our final materials distribution for our virtual only students to support your child's learning in the fourth marking period. In-person students will be given their materials at school as they are needed, and students should continue to bring their materials to and from school each day. Please note that thermometers were sent home this week with in-person students in grades K-2 and A week students in grades 3-5. Students attending in-person school in B weeks will bring home thermometers next week. Thermometers should be used daily to check your child's temperature prior to coming to school. If your child has a fever, he or she should stay home from school. If you child is a virtual learner only, thermometers will be included in the materials pick-up next Wednesday. Please click here to see the pick-up schedule and directions for the materials distribution.
Last week in the Friday Flash, we shared that MCPS is planning a range of summer programs for elementary, middle and high school students to address learning loss. The focus of these programs for elementary children will be on mathematics, literacy, and specials/electives and preparing for the next grade level. We also shared that Cedar Grove may undergo some construction updates, and we have since learned that these updates will occur this summer. As a result, we cannot hold summer programs in our school; however, we will be partnering with Wims Elementary School so that we can still offer these programs to our families. We would like to get an idea as to your interest in having your child attend virtual or in-person summer school. If you are interested in having your child attend, please take a moment to complete this survey. As a reminder, summer school is offered at no cost, and transportation is available. There will be all-virtual and in-person options. Registration will open Monday, May 3, and elementary summer programs will begin Tuesday, July 6. More information is available here, and we will continue to communicate additional information as we receive it.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Mr. Derby and Mrs. German
From Our PTA President:
Happy Spring Cedar Grove families!
The first two weeks of in-class learning has been a success! It is exciting to see students back in the classrooms. Although this is a challenging time for everyone, I would like to thank Cedar Grove’s administration for all of their hard work in preparing for the return of students in the healthiest way possible.
Please take a moment to visit the Cedar Grove Elementary website and join our PTA! Even though we have a short time left for the 2020-2021 school year, it is not too late to support our school, students and staff. Our PTA membership is important in supporting 5th grade graduation, staff lunches and class celebrations, just to name a few. We are at a record low for membership. I realize with full time virtual learning for most students, the PTA is not thought of on a daily basis. Please take this opportunity to help raise our membership numbers and support our Cedar Grove Bears!
Jessica Carter, PTA President
Special Education Parents Asked to Complete Important Survey
The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and MCPS want to hear from you.
MSDE has mailed the Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey to all parents/guardians of students with an IEP in Montgomery County. Families of kindergarten–Grade 12 students should have recently received the school-age version of the survey, which takes the place of the preschool form mistakenly sent out in February. Parents of preschool-aged children with an IEP in Montgomery County are also invited to fill out the survey.
Parents/Guardians have the following options:
Complete the correct, hard copy of the survey (the school-age version mailed on March 22) and mail it back in the postage-paid envelope received from MSDE or complete the survey online here.
Participation is voluntary and anonymous. Complete a separate survey for each child receiving services. The information provided will help guide the state’s efforts in improving special education and related services in public schools.
March Book Madness 2021!
On Monday, March 29, our championship ballot opened for 2021 the championship game. And we have a winner! Our 2021 March Book Madness winner is the book All the Way to the Top by Annette Bay Pimentel, a story about never giving up and making sure you're counted. Thank you to all of you who participated -- from my readers to my voting students. You made your choice, and it is a great one! Congratulations!
Earth Day Celebration-Update!
We have over 80 participants who have committed to sending in a picture to help us put together a pledge to our home planet! And we thank our over 50 participants who submitted their pictures. The deadline for your picture submission is today. However, we know that life can get weird. If you have not already done so, please send in your picture by Monday, April 12. That is the last day Mrs. Hirschhorn will accept your picture and be able to include it in the video. Please email Mrs. Hirschhorn if you have any questions!
Holds to Go at Cedar Grove ES -- Update
As of this week, both our in-building and at-home students can put three books on hold and check out three books at a time, provided their Destiny Media Account is clear. Please take a moment and have your student guide you through their Destiny account. They have become experts!
Our first holds to go deliveries for our in-building students was on the Wednesday before spring break. Our holds to go curbside pickup for our in-home students resumed this past Wednesday. Unfortunately, quite a few holds were not picked up. We understand that it is sometimes difficult to get to the school between the 1 to 4 PM timeslot. However, you are always welcome to email or call the school if you need a different arrangement.
If you are a parent of an in-home student, whose holds are ready for pickup, your child will receive an email through their Gmail account. On Wednesday mornings, we will send out a connect ed message as a reminder. Please encourage your child to check their Gmail account regularly for emails from Mrs. Hirschhorn.
As always, feel free to contact Mrs. Hirschhorn if you have any questions.
Update on Mathematics Courses
MCPS recognizes the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted many students’ learning in mathematics over the course of the 2020 and 2021 school years. As a result, adjustments to existing courses and alternative recommendations for course pathways are currently being discussed. While no decisions have been made for the 2021-2022 school year, MCPS continues to engage in discussions and will meet with school principals, teachers and the community to receive feedback and make needed adjustments.
A final decision about the district mathematics course offerings will be made in April. As a result, mathematics course offerings and student recommendations for the 2021-2022 school year may change in the coming weeks and months based on student data and anticipated readiness. Addressing the needs of all students continues to be the top priority for the district.
National Poetry Month - Update
We are going to be very busy creators this April. Mrs. Hirschhorn has already received a few poems and we are delighted to share them on the Morning News Blast throughout the month of April. But we have room for many more. We are looking for original poems that your students have written. They can either send the poem to Mrs. Hirschhorn to read, or record themselves reading the poem and send that video to Mrs. Hirschhorn. Whatever makes then more comfortable!
Boys & Girls Clubs - "Camp Adventure 2021"
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, Germantown Branch, will be holding summer camp for children in grades 1-8 from June 28 until August 20, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Please click on this Camp Adventure Flyer for more information.
Tech Tips and Reminders
From Mrs. Hirschhorn, Media Specialist- April Media Monthly!
Our month of April is loaded with projects to celebrate National Poetry Month, Autism Awareness Month, and last but not least, Earth Day. Please make sure you take a good look at the April Media Monthly, bookmark it, and visit it often. It is updated weekly with important information for whole school and specific grade level activities!
Art, Music, and PE Newsletter
Parents, each month our Arts team will share a newsletter that will provide you with what grade level students are doing in their classes.