FALCON FAMILY NEWS
12.18.23
MESSAGE FROM MRS. POQUETTE & MRS. MCCONVILLE
We hope your winter break is one that provides opportunity with family and friends, allowing for down time to relax and rejuvenate. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! We look forward to all that 2024 will bring!
CONGRATULATIONS SOFIA!
Congratulations Sofia! She was selected as the NFES MLK award winner! We are so proud to have Sofia represent NFES! Her teachers shared the following message at our award ceremony- "Sofia is an outstanding student who goes above and beyond in all areas of her education and social interactions. She is kind and accepts all peers in our North Frederick school community as they are. Her teachers can always count on her to model expectations, kindness, resilience, and positivity. Sofia has shown that she is willing to speak up against unkindness in a mature way. In conflict she exhibits grace and advocates for others. The fifth grade teachers could not think of a better student to represent North Frederick in receiving this award."
Important Dates
Dec. 11th-22nd: December to Remember Spirit Days (See below)
Dec. 25th-Jan.1st: School Closed
Thursday, January 11th: Free Food Giveaway 3:30-4:45 PM
Thursday, January 11th: Mandatory Parent Meeting for Play Participants 4:30 in the cafeteria
Friday, January 12th: Coffee with the Principal 8:30-9:30AM
January 15-17: School Closed
Friday, January 19th: Q2 Falcon Rally during all lunch shifts
Friday, January 26th: Q2 Awards Ceremony (Parents of student receiving an award will get an invitation in the 1.18 Thursday folder.)
Recruiting Substitutes at NFES
We are seeking substitute teachers to work with our students when teachers are absent.
The Substitute Teacher instructs students during the absence of a regular teacher. Substitute Teachers are expected to maintain a professional attitude toward their work and support the mission and goals of the school system. Substitute Teachers are assigned on an as needed basis and are temporary employees. Substitute Teachers hours are 7:50am-3:20 pm each day. https://www.fcps.org/careers
ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL PROCEDURES & LATE ARRIVALS
Recently, we have noticed a lot of unsafe practices when dropping off and picking up students, mainly past the crosswalk and crossing guard. Children and parents are walking through cars and nearly getting hit. If a child gets away from a parent, cars do not anticipate that and may not have time to stop. This is unsafe and could lead to an accident. Although children are under a parent's supervision, we highly recommend crossing at the crosswalk during every arrival and dismissal.
Dropping children off and picking them up is prohibited along Fairview and Motter. That includes at or near the crosswalk. Our car loop is the only place to pick up and drop off your child without getting out of the car. Parents/Guardians must park legally and walk to the front of the building to drop off or pick up their child(ren).
Please do not drop off your students outside if they are late. If students arrive to school after 8:20, a parent must walk them into the office.
Required Volunteer Training
NFES School Hours
Students will arrive between 7:50 AM-8:15 AM
Instruction starts at 8:20 AM (Students who arrive after 8:15 will be marked late.)
Dismissal will begin at 2:50 PM
Attendance = Opportunity
The research strongly correlates good attendance with school success and, ultimately, high school graduation. Below are some facts related to attendance that highlight the importance of good school attendance (from Attendance Works, www.attendanceworks.org):
- Poor attendance can influence whether children read proficiently by the end of third grade
- By 6th grade, chronic absence becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school.
- When students improve their attendance rates, they improve their academic prospects and chances for graduating.
We appreciate your support in establishing positive attendance habits at home and reinforcing the importance of coming to school on time each day. Please let us know how we can support your efforts.
NFES 23.24 PTA
President – Alicia Graves
Secretary – Lauren Herbster
Treasurer – Ryan Trout
PTA INFORMATION
Happy Holidays, PTA Families! Your support and involvement this first half of the school year are shaping incredible experiences for our kids, and we appreciate you! We hope you have a happy holiday season and new year! We will see you in 2024. Here’s what's happening in the PTA right now:
TODAY: Don’t Forget to Pick Up Your Spirit Wear!
Did you order some Falcon gear last month? Orders arrived last week at the school and can be picked up TODAY, Monday, December 18th from 4-4:30pm at the school. This year, we shifted to a pick-up system because last year we encountered challenges when items weren't received after being sent home, leading to confusion and reimbursements. This change ensures a smoother process and we thank you for your understanding!
Showbiz Update - MET Play 🎭 We are excited to announce that our school is collaborating once again with Maryland Ensemble Theater (MET) on the school play in the Spring! Preparations will begin when we come back to school in January 2024. If you are a parent who is interested in volunteering to help organize and oversee the play practices and bring this event to fruition, please email northfrederickpta@gmail.com. A parent meeting is expected to be held sometime in January. Here are the key dates:
- Jan. 11th at 4:30 Mandatory Parent Meeting. This meeting will be held in the cafeteria (please come in through cafeteria doors). A virtual link will also be shared. A parent or guardian must attend the meeting if your child is participating in the play.
- 2nd & 3rd Grade Auditions: February 5th
- 4th & 5th Grade Auditions: February 7th
- Dress rehearsal: Thursday, April 25th
- Performances: Friday, April 26th and Saturday April 27th at TJ High School
THURSDAY: Join Us for a Festive Night at Texas Roadhouse! 🍽️
Take a break from the holiday hustle and bustle by making this Thursday, December 21st a Texas Roadhouse Night! Indulge in some delicious eats while supporting our school - 15% of your orders come right back to us! 🙌🏫
STAY INFORMED
Communication is very important to your child’s success at school and we want to keep you informed of what is going on at North Frederick Elementary School. We do not want you to miss important information.
- Find Out First: register online at www.fcps.org/fof/nfes
- Twitter: @FCPS_Poquette
- PTA Facebook page: North Frederick Elementary School PTA
- North Frederick Elementary Website: https://education.fcps.org/nfes/
NORTH FREDERICK ELEMENTARY
Mrs. Kelly McConville: Assistant Principal
Mrs. Ericka Villatoro-Somarriba: Administrative Secretary
Mrs. Alex Brown: Front Office Secretary
Email: tracy.poquette@fcps.org
Website: https://education.fcps.org/nfes/home
Location: 1010 Fairview Avenue, Frederick, MD, USA
Phone: (240) 236.2000
Twitter: @FCPS_Poquette