The Paw Print
Week of February 15, 2021
Updates from Mrs. Murphy and Mr. Ajamian
Thank you to all our parents that supported our virtual Valentine's Day Parties. It was clear that our students had a wonderful afternoon celebrating.
As you are aware, the Board of Education met this past week and announced the plan to return K-3 students to the building on March 15th. The target date for the return of grade 4 and grade 5 students is April 6th. K-2 students that have selected to return will be in the building 4 days a week. Grade 3-5 students that have selected to return will return 4 days but will take turns rotating on an A-week / B-week schedule. All students will remain virtual on Wednesdays. We will be sharing student-specific information towards the end of the month.
We have scheduled a virtual PTA Meeting on Thursday, February 18th at 7:00 p.m. Zoom Information is included below. The meeting will discuss updates shared at the Board of Education Meeting as well as logistics to getting back to in-person learning specific to Seven Locks ES.
To prepare for this change, March 8, 2021 is now a professional day for teachers to prepare for the opening and learn health and safety procedures. March 9 and 10 will be asynchronous learning for teacher training.
https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/87905702011?pwd=TzFsUHlLaFBIL0hGWm9UZ2ViN2xRUT09
Meeting ID:
879 0570 2011
Passcode:
127801
Phone one-tap:
US: +16699009128,,87905702011# or +12532158782,,87905702011#
Race & Equity Conversations
Our next parent coffee will be on March 5th at 9:30 a.m. Additional Zoom information will be forthcoming.
If you are interested in meeting in a monthly book club, please complete the following google form. We will select that book and time of the meeting based on the majority of responses! Please complete the google form by Wednesday, February 24th!
Our parent and child session will be in April. More information to come!
A Message from Ms. Torrey
Each year, MCPS holds a county-wide art exhibition in the spring. Given the circumstances around Covid, it will take place online this year. Participating students will have an artwork included, as well as their first name and in some cases, the first initial of their last name. If you would prefer your child's artwork not be included, please email Ms. Torrey and/or Mrs. Murphy.
We are here to help
As a Seven Locks Community, we are here to support all our families that may be in need at any time. Please reach out if your child is in need of something. Please call the main office or email Megan_H_Murphy@mcpsmd.org. Also, MCPS continues to provide curbside meal service at 74 school sites. Click here for more information and for a list of pick up locations.
Attendance Reminders
Students are expected to attend all live virtual learning classes in which they are enrolled. However, in some instances, this may not be possible due to illness or extenuating circumstances. Students may then access the recording of the class to engage in the daily learning during an alternate time within 72 hours of the absence. Students/Parents/Guardians may then submit a Live Virtual Lesson Absence Form to document that they engaged in the lesson and to request the unexcused absence to be reconciled to Present. If extenuating circumstances exist, parents/guardians are encouraged to communicate with the school’s administration ahead of time. The Live Virtual Lesson Absence Form must be completed for each documented absence. This form is accessible from the main page of the SLES website.
Parent Technology Resources
Parents who need technical help can call 240-740-7020 Monday-Friday between 7am and 8pm or email communitytechsupport@mcpsmd.org
MCPS News
MCPS Job Opportunity
As MCPS prepares for our return to an in-person learning experience, we have a need for adults to support the supervision of students. If you know any adults with the minimal qualification of high school diploma/GED who would be interested in monitoring students at $15.72 per hour, please encourage them to apply to be considered for the position of classroom monitor. Duties include monitoring classrooms for teachers who are providing virtual instruction to students in the building and supporting in-person teachers. Interested individuals need to apply on https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/careers/ We do anticipate the need for classroom monitors at our school to support our teachers however, we cannot guarantee our site would be the location all interested individuals would be assigned to work.
2021 MCPS Recovery Guide
Bulk Meal Boxes Available for MCPS Families
The Division of Food and Nutrition Services is providing bulk box meals to help accommodate the schedules of working parents and meet the needs of MCPS students. DFNS will distribute boxes on Tuesdays (3 Day Meal Box) & Fridays (4 Day Meal Box) at two designated locations. More information can be found here.
MCPS Planning to Offer Systemwide Summer Programs
MCPS is planning a variety of summer programs for elementary, middle and high school students. Programs will be focused on helping students accelerate learning following this unprecedented school year, with a focus on mathematics, literacy and preparing for the next grade level. More information is available here.
Student Transfer Application Season Underway
Online Homework Help Service Begins Feb. 1
MCPS has announced a new, free student online tutoring and homework help service that will begin with the second semester on February 1. Tutorme.com is a secure, online resource that will be easily accessible through MCPS student Canvas and StudentVUE accounts and will offer on-demand assistance on any subject from grade 3 through grade 12. More information is available here.
TutorMe Free Service Is Now Available
Elementary Immersion Application Process Now Open For The 2021-2022 School Year
The elementary application process for the 2021-2022 school year will remain open until April 23, 2021. Any student entering grades K–5 in the 2021-2022 school year may participate in the immersion application process. More information is available here.
Winter/Spring 2021 Guide To Children’s Arts Activities
The Guide to Children's Arts Activities is filled with exciting and enriching after-school and weekend activities ranging from music, dance, and creative writing classes to theater, visual arts, and TV production camps. More information is available here.
Parent Resources for Virtual Learning
The MCPS Parents page has been updated to include various online resources for families to help them navigate virtual learning. Visit www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/parents/ to see the list of resources.
Important Dates
Monday, February 15th - No School for Staff & Students
Monday, March 8th - Professional Day
Tuesday, March 9th - Asynchronous Instruction
Wednesday, March 10th - Asynchronous Instruction
Seven Locks Elementary School
Email: Megan_H_Murphy@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/sevenlockses/
Location: 9500 Seven Locks Road, Bethesda, MD, USA
Phone: 240-740-0940
Twitter: @SLESPrincipal