🦅🦅 Eagle Nation Weekly Digest🦅🦅
April 5, 2024
Tara Strain, Principal
Twitter: @MrsStrain
Angela Castillo, Assistant Principal
Twitter: @GlenHaven_AP
Main Office: 240-740-7960
Health Room: 240-740-7962
Cafeteria: 240-740-7964
Update on Mrs. Castillo
Dear Glen Haven Families,
I am writing to update you on the return of Ms. Castillo, assistant principal. As you know, Ms. Castillo began leave on Thursday, January 25 to recover from a medical procedure. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, her leave has now been extended through the remainder of the school year. Since March 4, we have been without an acting assistant principal to support our school. I want to thank the staff for stepping in and supporting me and the school community in the absence of an additional administrator.
Beginning April 15, the Eagle Nation welcomes Ms. Penny Tsonis to serve as the acting assistant principal for the remainder of the school year. Ms. Tsonis is a retired MCPS principal with many years experience. She most recently served as the Acting Principal at Steven Knolls School. As she transitions into our building, there will be opportunities to meet her through the PTA Parent Coffee and arrival and dismissal.
Please join me in wishing Ms. Castillo well as she continues her recovery and welcoming Ms. Tsonis to our school community.
Thank you,
Tara Strain
Principal
Glen Haven ES
Upcoming Events
Saturday, April 6 - Bowie Baysox Reading Incentive Baseball Game - 6:30PM
Monday, April 8 - Friday, April 10 - Buddy Up Against Bullying Week - spirit week flyer attached - students will participate in Town Halls with their grade level throughout the week.
Monday, April 8 - MCAP testing begins (see Spring Testing Calendar for grade level specifics)
Tuesday, April 9 - Spring Picture Day - Individual & Class Pictures
Wednesday, April 10 - Grading & Reporting Day (No School for Students)
Friday, April 19 - Purple Up Day - in honor of military children.
- Kindergarten Field Trip - Zoo
Monday, April 22 - Professional Day for Teachers; Asynchronous Day for Students
(more information coming soon)
Wednesday, April 24 - International Night - 6:30 - 8:00PM (more information coming soon)
Sunday, April 28 - GHES TreeFest sponsored by the GHES PTA - 10AM - 12PM
Here is a link to the Spring Testing Calendar. Students in grades 3, 4, and 5 will be taking the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) assessment beginning April 8. We ask that you try to limit the amount of appointments during this time.
For families in Ms. Baker's and Ms. Quinn's classes - PEP Family Calendar - it is slightly different from the school calendar.
Lunch Menu - 4/8 - 4/12
Spring Picture Day - April 9
https://onlineorders.classicphoto.com/ordering/access
Access Code: LBDH9JXC
Eagles in Action
Here are some pictures of the amazing work going on in and around the Eagle Nation!
Solar Eclipse - Monday, April 8
On Monday, April 8, Montgomery County will experience a partial solar eclipse beginning approximately 2:04 p.m. with maximum solar coverage at approximately 3:20 p.m.
People outside during this time should review this information on eclipse safety, as looking directly at the sun may cause eye injury. Some children may need supervision and support in practicing eclipse safety. Visit here for a one-pager with safety tips and family activities.
With the support of the GHES PTA, we were able to purchase sunglasses approved for the solar eclipse for each member of our school community. Classes will be able to go outside and participate safely in viewing of the solar eclipse. If you would not like your child to go outside to view the eclipse, please let your child's teacher know.
Save the Date - GHES Annual International Night - 4/24
GHES will hold its Annual International Night on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. & WE ARE LOOKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Are you able to share a cultural artifact (food dish, decoration, clothing, etc.)? If so, please complete the form linked below. Contact: Jasmin Ukoha.
Click on the link to complete the GHES International Night Form: https://forms.gle/Sa4XnwGz7xv9Aj1N7
Counselor's Corner
Welcome to the Counseling corner! During the month of March GHES counseling lessons will be focused on problem solving and coping skills!
Buddy Up Against Bullying Week - April 8 - April 11
Buddy Up Against Bullying Week focuses on cultivating camaraderie and solidarity among students and staff to address bullying within our community. During this week-long campaign, students are encouraged to stand up for each other, promote kindness, and create inclusive environments where everyone feels safe and respected.
Students will participate in Buddy up Against Bullying week by participating in a spirit week and completing activities during huddle. Each Grade will have their very own town hall where students and teachers will be participating in a virtual assembly through Peaceful School Productions and follow up activities.
Through various activities, discussions, and awareness-raising initiatives, it is our hope that Buddy Up Against Bullying Week will empower our students to be proactive allies, speak out against bullying behavior, and promote empathy and understanding among their peers. Together the Eagle Nation will strive to build a culture of acceptance and compassion by working towards the eradication of bullying in all its forms.
If you have any questions about our Buddy Up Against Bullying week, please feel free to reach out to our counseling team, Ms. Levin and Mrs. Silver.
Counseling Website
Have you checked our the counseling website? It contains information from our counselors to help support our students.
https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/misslevincounseling-ghes?usp=sharing
GHES Cafecito - April 12
Bowie Baysox Game this Saturday April 6
Your child should have come home with a flyer about the Bowie Baysox Reading Incentive program with two tickets stapled to it prior to spring break. Every child received one student ticket (there is a line on this ticket that says for ages 15 and under) and one adult ticket. The flyer has information if you are interested in purchasing additional tickets or you can go to www.baysox.com or call 301-464-4865.
Blair HS Drama Club Presents Oliver!
We are pleased to announce that we are offering free tickets to middle and elementary school students accompanied by a paid adult chaperone for the matinee performance of Oliver! on Thursday, April 25 at 4 pm. We are looking to build connections with our younger community members and also fill those auditorium seats!
To reserve complimentary elementary/middle school student tickets, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/c9bXRt7SeLWJmNPb7. (All ticketing will be done through GoFan, but those electronic ticket links are not yet available; we will make sure you get the tickets if you fill out this form. All seating is general admission.)
LIST OF SHOW DATES AND TIMES
Fri, 4/19 - 7pm: Red Cast
Sat, 4/20 - 7pm: White Cast
Sun, 4/21 - 2pm: Red Cast -- relaxed performance: standard theater etiquette rules are "relaxed" so as to be more welcoming to all types of audience members, especially those with sensory sensitivities or special needs; includes meet-and-greet with actors and chill-out rooms; see visual story available at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Q9wES3Nwi4KNIvqc7tQC601aV46Ve-gha8CNnIWyuPM/edit?usp=sharing
Th, 4/25 - 4pm: White Cast (free tickets for middle and elementary school students)
Fri, 4/26 - 7pm: Red Cast
Sat, 4/27 - 7pm: White Cast
Updates from MCPS
Prekindergarten and Head Start Registration
Prekindergarten and Head Start registration is open for the 2024-2025 school year. Children must be 4 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2024, and families must be income-eligible to apply. Families can register their children online or in person.
If your child was 4 on or before Sept. 1, 2023, you may still register for Prekindergarten/Head Start for the remainder of this school year.
Game Changer Essay Contest Deadline: April 10
The Game Changer conference is hosting a student essay competition to foster academic excellence.
Students are encouraged to submit a 300-word essay answering the essay theme question: “Being a Competitor is a Game Changer: How will you Compete to Win and Own your Future?” Essay submissions are due by Wednesday, April 10 here.
MCPS Communication
MCPS connects with families and staff in a variety of ways. You are encouraged to share information from our newsletters and social media channels.
Webpage featuring the latest MCPS news and press releases updated regularly.
Thursday Message
Weekly message with at least five things to know sent to families, students, and staff. Find the latest edition here.
QuickNotes
A newsletter emailed to all families every other week. Find the latest edition here.
Ask MCPS / Spanish Hotline
General information about MCPS
Call: 240-740-3000 | Spanish Hotline: 240-740-2845
E-mail: ASKMCPS@mcpsmd.org
Arrival & Dismissal Reminders
Students should arrive for morning line up at 8:40 a.m. and all students are encouraged to arrive no later than 8:50 a.m. This will allow students time to eat breakfast (free for all students and served from 8:40-9:00 a.m.) and be ready for instruction which will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m.
Students should not arrive prior to 8:40 a.m., as supervision will not be available. Students arriving after 9:00 a.m. will need to report to the main office to get a late slip before going to their classroom.
Dismissal begins at 3:25PM. Unless with a parent, students will be asked to leave the campus and go home before returning to play at the playground or soccer field. If you are planning to pick up your child early or have a change in dismissal plans, please promptly contact the main office at 301-649-8051 so that the teacher can be notified. To ensure a smooth early pick-up, we advise early pick-ups no later than 3:00 p.m.
To ensure everyone’s safety during arrival and dismissal, we ask the school community to please:
Drive slowly in the parking lot for the safety of students, staff and others. Look before you turn and yield to pedestrians.
Follow the directions and guidance from the crossing guard and staff members
Stay on the sidewalk when walking onto campus. Do not cut through the parking lot.
Ensure that your child can enter or exit from the right side of your vehicle. Staff members and patrols will open and close car doors for children.
Use the carpool line, do not park in the staff parking lot or block cars in.
After loading/unloading, please remain in the line and do not pass unless directed to do so by an adult or safety patrol on duty. We will work quickly to move our line, and appreciate your patience!
Remain in your vehicle at all times - DO NOT leave your car unattended in the Drop-Off or Pick-Up lane for any reason. If you need to exit your vehicle, we ask you to park your car in a designated parking spot.
Looking for Volunteers - Career Day!! May 8
We would also like to encourage family members to volunteer for Career Day which will take place on Wednesday May 8. If you would like to volunteer, please complete the google form linked here: https://forms.gle/h3yHCLyXUqju8sjk6
New Communication Tool - Remind
We are excited to share that MCPS is transitioning to the use of Remind to engage with its school communities! If you're not already familiar with Remind, it's a communication tool that makes it easy to stay involved with your child's learning. Remind is free to use, and you'll be able to receive and send translated messages on any device - even a simple text message from your mobile phone!
By next school year, we will transition as a school from Class Dojo to Remind to share news and information with the school community. As we learn how to use Remind as a communication tool, you may receive messages from both platforms.
To learn more about Remind - Parent Quick Guides are available: English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Vietnamese, Portuguese, Amharic, Korean
Here is a youtube video with more information about starting with Remind: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHkSDA6DNI8
Order Your Yearbook!
Yearbook sales have begun! Order your yearbook online before it is too late!
https://shop.yearbookmarket.com/glenhavenelementary
Questions? Email Mrs. DeFilippo at Sara_E_DeFilippo@mcpsmd.org
Kindergarten Registration - OPEN NOW!
Students who will be 5 by September 1, 2024 can begin to enroll for the 2024 - 2025 school year beginning March 18. Please visit the MCPS website to learn what you need to enroll your child for Kindergarten: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/enroll/kindergarten/
Families who complete the kindergarten registration between March 18 - April 12 will be given the opportunity to sign up for a tour of the Eagle Nation including a visit to the kindergarten classrooms.
Volunteers
If you would like to volunteer in our building or attend a field trip, we would love to have you. All volunteers must complete a Volunteer Child Abuse and Neglect Training which can be located on the MCPS website.
Spring Extracurricular Activities
2024-2025 School Year Calendar
Click here to view next year's school calendar which has been approved by the MCPS Board of Education.
💡 Reminders
Keeping in Touch with the School
Communication with your child’s teacher, as well as the school, is essential to your child(ren)’s success. Research shows that parents who are involved in the school and informed about what is going on, have children who perform better. The best way to show your child that school is important is by reading the newsletters, attending school functions, keeping in touch with the teacher and asking your child about school! We use several methods here at school, please be sure to share all updated contact information with us so that we can communicate with you.
School Day Start and End Times
The student day begins at 9:00 AM and ends at 3:25 PM. Please make sure students arrive on time. If your child is late, they need to be signed in to the main office by an adult.
Please notify your child’s teacher and the main office if you will be picking your child(ren) up early, so that we can have them ready for you. There will be NO early dismissals after 3:00pm. If the way your child gets home is changed for the day, please be sure to communicate that with the office and your child's teacher prior to 3:00.
Visitors and Security
Attendance
If your child(ren) is/are sick or absent, please send in a doctor’s note or a note indicating the reason for absence so that we can code it in the system correctly. Daily attendance is critical to the academic, and social emotional growth of our students.