Gator Newsletter
January 2023
Gator Familes
Happy New Year!
We are heading into the second half of the school year beginning on Thursday, January 12th. That is hard to believe but also exciting. As we move into the 2nd half of the year it is important to remember our 3 R's: Respectful, Responsible, and Relentless. We will be focusing on Respect throughout the month of January. Respecting ourselves, others, and choosing kindness.
In this newsletter you will find the 3rd quarter event calendar, opportunities to volunteer, information on family engagement, information on the importance of attendance, updates on our cell phone policy, information on weather closures and delays, and some Gator Highlights.
Every Thursday we send home a Thursday folder. In this folder you will find information on upcoming school and community events, graded work, and a Home-School-Communication sheet outlining how your child did throughout the week in regards to our 3 R's. Please review, initial, and return this document every Friday. This is one way we are trying to keep you in the loop of your child's progress.
We look forward to partnering with you to provide the best academic, social, emotional, and behavior support we can to help your child be successful. Your child is our goal and we want to work with you in order for him/her to achieve ultimate success. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions.
Sincerely,
Troy Barnes
Principal
240-236-1371
Calendar of Events: Quarter 3
1/12: Quarter 3 Begins
1/12: 4:00 - 5:15 Principal Chat: ELA
1/16: School Closed
1/19: Winter Concert 6:00 - 7:00pm
1/25: Maryland Science Center Assembly
1/26: 5:30 - 7:00pm Judy Center Event
February
2/7: Grade 5 Field Trip North
2/9: Family Game Night with Community Resources 6:00 - 7:30pm
2/9: PTA Kickoff of Gator Fundraiser
2/9: 5th Grade Field Trip South
2/15: PTA Love of Grandparent Event @ 8:00am
2/15: 2 Hour Early Dismissal Day
2/16: Virtual Reading Night 6:30 - 7:30pm
2/20: School Closed
2/23: Interims Sent Home
2/24: PTA Gator Fundraiser Ends
March
3/3: Pre K Field Trip to Weinberg
3/7: 7:00 PTA Meeting
3/9: Principal Chat 5:00 - 6:00pm
3/12: Clocks Ahead 1 Hour
3/21: Virtual Reading Night 6:30 - 7:30pm
3/21: End of Quarter 3
3/22: No School
DaD Program
Volunteers
In addition complete the volunteer training linked here.
Once completed, Mr. Barnes will send your information to those staff members you are interested in volunteering for and they will be in touch to coordinate times/days/etc.
We LOVE our Volunteers and are GREATLY appreciative of all that they do.
Thank you!
Family Engagement
PTA: Information, Membership, and Spirit Wear
January 12th: Principal Chat ELA (RSVP) 4:00 - 5:15pm
January 26th: Judy Center (Birth - 5 years old) Event, 5:30 - 7:00pm
February 9th: Family Game Night and Community Resource Event 6:00 - 7:30pm
February 15th: Love of Grandparent PTA Event, 8:00am
February 16th: Virtual Reading Night 6:30 - 7:30pm
March 7th: 6:30 PTA Mtg.
March 9th: Principal Chat (Topic TBD), 5:00 - 6:00pm
March 21st: Virtual Reading Night 6:30 - 7:30pm
*Principal Chats---> Topics chosen by you based on surveys at the end of last year and beginning of this school year. Informal presentation style with refreshments served. Times will be staggered (AM, During Day, PM) throughout the year to accommodate the schedules of all families.*
Attendance
Cell Phones
*Must be turned off and put away throughout the school day.
If students are caught with their cell phones out during the school day: texting others, social media, taking pictures, listening to music, playing games, etc.... Then the following consequences will ensue.
*Verbal warning
*Parent communication
*Right to carry cell phone in school revoked. FCPS Regulation 400-18
--Must be turned into administrator
--Student picks up at the end of the school day
*Student's device is secured by administration and parent will need to pick up the device
In addition, students are on social media platforms at all hours. At times content shared, as well as language used, may become offensive. Once this information enters the school and affects our school operations then it becomes a school issue. Please monitor your child's usage of their cell phones, the content they visit, and the hours they are occupied on these devices. This can have a detrimental impact on their social, emotional, academic well being, and their overall health.
Congratulations
Amin Nkemanjong: Carson Scholarship Nominee (outstanding leadership, perseverance, and academic achievement)
Weather Delays and Closings
Bad Weather and Emergencies
Occasionally, inclement weather or other safety or health conditions require us to close or delay all or some schools. FCPS posts details about procedures here.
Monocacy Elementary School Gators
Email: troy.barnes@fcps.org
Website: https://edu.fcps.org/moes/home
Location: 7421 Hayward Road, Frederick, MD, USA
Phone: 240-236-1400
Twitter: @MoESGators