Carson Chronicles
Rachel Carson Elementary School - August 21, 2022
A Message from Principal Reeves
This time next week we will be preparing for the first day of school! As we gear up for the last week of summer, please note the important information below from me and our supportive PTA. This week we welcome teachers back to the building. They will be eagerly preparing their classrooms for Friday's Sneak Peek. We look forward to seeing you at school on Friday!
Respectfully,
Mrs. Reeves
Important Times
Regular Day- 8:40 AM - 3:25 PM
- Students are marked as tardy as of 9:00 a.m., and must go to the front office to check-in and be escorted to class.
Delayed opening- 10:40 AM - 3:20 PM
Early Release- 8:40 AM - 12:55 PM
A Note from the PTA President
Hello Families of Rachel Carson ES!
My name is James Conway, and I am thrilled to be your incoming PTA President. For the first time since 2019, we're planning a full calendar of events...some that you're familiar with, and new events too! I look forward to working with you to bring our RCES community the best that our PTA can provide. As soon as our full directory is set up, I'll communicate to you directly through monthly newsletters and event announcements.
So what does the PTA do? We plan and sponsor events like the Back to School and Spring Picnics, STEM Night and Pizza Bingo Nights. We run the Fall and Spring Book Fairs, provide Rachel Carson Spirit Wear, and support the RCES staff at events throughout the year. And that's just a fraction of what we have planned! As an incoming president, I'm still learning about everything the PTA can do, and where our new opportunities reside.
We are all so excited to work with Principal Reeves and Assistant Principal Tilkens as we begin the 2022/23 school year. However, we need your help! Here are a few ways to contribute:
- Join the PTA! Follow this link to become a PTA member today.
- Purchase Spirit Wear! Follow this link to represent the Blue Herons in style.
- Pledge your time! This is so important, and we've seen parents step up already to volunteer their time for the upcoming school year.
A quick note on volunteering...we are all faced with impossible schedules, trying to juggle work, school and home. But if we can all volunteer some time, we can fulfill the PTA's mission while making it a little easier for every other volunteer.
Set a goal to volunteer two hours during this school year...there will be plenty of opportunities! If you are willing to volunteer two hours this year, please let me know at jamespatrickconway@gmail.com. We have a few immediate needs for volunteers as we begin the school year, so I'd love to hear from you today.
Finally, I'll introduce the incoming RCES PTA Executive Board:
VP, Operations: Somer McBride
VP, Ways and Means: Anna Prall
VP, School Support: Kate Wernick
VP, Social Events: Tina Gubb
VP, Community Outreach: Gina Carlton
Treasurer: Jay Melnyk
Secretary: Rachel Sumrow
All of these parents, in addition to other Board members whom you'll meet later, have stepped up to serve the RCES community. I'm indebted to them for the time and effort they've contributed.
Please reach out to me any time, and please join us at our first PTA meeting on September 6th at 6pm in the RCES Media Center.
Stash-n-Dash: Tuesday, September 6th 5:00-6:00pm
This year the PTA will be sponsoring four official opportunities for parents to donate items that support teachers and students in their classrooms. These items are frequently requested and so appreciated! The PTA will ensure that all classrooms are amply supplied with your generous stash. Drive up, drop off, and dash out! OR…STAY? Our first PTA meeting is at 6pm. ALL are welcome!
Requested items:
Individual snacks *no nuts (granola bars, crackers, fruit snacks, etc)
Small water bottles
Tissue boxes
Band-aids (multiple skin tones!)
Plastic spoons
Hand sanitizer
Liquid hand soap
Paper Towels
Bus Transportation Information
Sneak Peek: Friday, August 26th
Sneak Peek is a time to bring your child to school to find his/her classroom, see the school, meet the teacher, and enjoy the excitement of a new start! Parents may also bring any large items, school supplies, and/or extra clothes. It is designed to reduce beginning-of-the-year anxiety and help your child prepare emotionally for the start of school. Sneak peek is not like Back-To-School Night in that teachers are still busy preparing and planning for the opening of school. Please do not try to hold a conference with teachers. Instead, enjoy a walk through the school, a brief visit to your classroom(s), and a conversation with your child about the coming year.
- 1:00-2:00- Grades 3, 4, and 5
- 2:00-3:00- Kindergarten, grade 1 and 2
There will be a Safety Patrol meeting at 2:00 p.m. in the media center with Mr. Ash.
The PTA will also have Carmen's Ice for sale for $4.00. Cash only please!
Cheers and Tears Breakfast for New to RCES Families
Introducing our Newest Herons
Ms. Colleen Walcott- Special Education Teacher
My name is Colleen Walcott, your Special Education teacher. I worked as a General Education teacher in New York City but switched to Special Education. I migrated to Maryland in July 2022 and accepted a Special Education teaching position at Woodlin Elementary school prior to coming here.
I have a bachelor's and a master's degree in Special Education. I enjoy shopping and traveling to other countries with my family in my spare time. This year I look forward to establishing an open communication link with all stakeholders to help our students excel in all areas.
Mr. Chris Raifsnider- Music
News from the Cafeteria
Purchasing School Meals
Our Courtyard Got a Makeover Thanks to Eagle Scout, Todd Steele!
Upcoming Dates
August
23- Kindergarten Playdate at RCES Playground (4:30-5:30 pm)
26- Sneak Peek with Carmen's Ice (Cash only)
- 1:00-2:00- Grades 3-5
- 2:00-3:00- Kindergarten-Grade 2
29- First Day of School
- Cheers & Tears Breakfast for kinder parents and new to RCES parents (8:45-9:30 am)
September
5 - No School for Staff and Students
6- PTA Stash and Dash (5:00-6:00 pm)
6- PTA Meeting (6:00-7:00 pm)
13 - Back to School Night
- 6:00-7:00- Kindergarten-Grade 2
- 7:00-8:00- Grades 3-5
14 - Early Release Day
22 - PTA Back to School Picnic
26 - No School for Staff and Students
30 - Early Release Day
Principal Reeves
Email: Mindy_D_Reeves@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/rachelcarsones/
Location: 100 Tschiffely Square Road, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
Phone: 240-740-1840
Twitter: @RCESPrincipal