March Newsletter
New Market Elementary
Message from Administration
Dear NMES Families,
Former NFL player and now broadcaster, Greg Olsen, once said, "Hard is good. The earlier you can learn to deal with hard, the easier it gets...because hard is coming. Whether we want to shield it from our kids or not, hard is coming."
What hard things have you watched your child learn to do?
- Learning how to ride a bike
- Learning how to share
- Learning how to hit a baseball
- Learning how to admit wrong
- Learning how to navigate friendships
- and many more
As we observe students in their classrooms, in the cafeteria, on the playground and more, we see them learning how to deal with struggle and how to learn from failure. There are ways parents can help their children overcome a fear of failure.
- Change the Attitude About Failing: Failure isn't a sign of weakness, it's a sign of bravery. Growth happens when you learn from your mistakes and own your mistakes. Make it exciting to try new things and re-frame perceptions about failures. It isn't normal to excel at everything.
- Emphasize Effort Not Ability: Focus on the effort put into the task, rather than the innate ability. Praise the hard work and determination, not the outcome. Nurture a growth mindset
It is important for children to learn that there will be challenges and sometimes setbacks but worrying about failure can hold one back more so than the failure itself ever could. Let's continue to work together to help our students, your children, learn how to face struggle and challenge with a growth mindset.
Dr. Lockard - Principal
Mrs. McGaha - Assistant Principal
As a reminder, our NMES Vision and Mission statements are linked below for your reference.
Click HERE to read the vision statement.
Click HERE to read the mission statement.
Important March Dates
Note: NMES will celebrate Read Across America during the week of March 4. Click HERE to view the document that outlines each day. Participation is optional.
- Monday, March 4: MISA testing for Grade 5
- Tuesday, March 5: MISA testing for Grade 5
- Wednesday, March 6: MISA testing for Grade 5
- Wednesday, March 6: PTA meeting at 7:00pm at Prospect Pantry
- Thursday, March 7: MISA testing for Grade 5
- Monday, March 11: Spring pictures - Smile!
- Monday, March 11: Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Ruch's classes field trip to ESSL
- Tuesday, March 12: Mrs. Shuman and Mrs. Smith's classes field trip to ESSL
- Monday, March 18: Spring Book Fair
- Tuesday, March 19: Spring Book Fair
- Wednesday, March 20: Spring Book Fair
- Thursday, March 21: Spring Book Fair
- Thursday, March 21: Grade 1 field trip to the Weinberg
- Thursday, March 21: Staff Basketball game at LHS
- Friday, March 22: Schools closed for Teacher Work Day
- Friday, March 22: Final day to order NMES Yearbook
- Friday, March 29 - April 5: Schools closed for Spring Break
NMES Staff Basketball Game
- Date: Thursday, March 21
- Location: Linganore High School
- Time: Doors Open: 5:30 PM and Tip-Off: 6:00 PM
All students are required to attend with a parent or guardian and remain under their supervision throughout the event. Cash donations will be accepted at the door to purchase an additional bike rack for our school. We look forward to seeing you there!
MISA Testing Schedule for Grade 5 Students
All grade 5 students will take the MISA (Maryland Integrated Science Assessment) on the following dates/times:
- Monday, March 4 at 1:10
- Tuesday, March 5 at 1:10
- Wednesday, March 6 at 1:10
- Thursday, March 7 at 1:10
Each session is 40 minutes in length. Grade 5 will adjust their recess time to occur after testing.
There are several things you can do to support your child:
- Keep cell phones and smart watches home as they are not permitted during testing
- Ensure your child gets a good night's sleep
- A healthy breakfast to start the day
- Be in attendance on March 4, 5, 6 and 7 for MISA testing
- Avoid scheduling afternoon appointments during testing days and times
- A positive note in their lunch for encouragement
Thank you for your support! We are excited for our students to show their science knowledge!
MCAP ELA and Math Testing Schedule for Grades 3, 4 and 5
Grade 3 Testing Dates and Times:
- Wednesday, April 24: MCAP Math (testing at 9:10 and 1:10)
- Friday, April 26: MCAP Math (testing at 9:10 and 1:10)
- Monday, April 29: MCAP ELA (testing at 9:10)
- Tuesday, April 30: MCAP ELA (testing at 9:10)
- Wednesday, May 1: MCAP ELA (testing at 9:10)
- Friday, May 3: MCAP ELA (testing at 9:10)
Grade 4 Testing Dates and Times:
- Monday, April 15: MCAP ELA (testing at 10:30)
- Tuesday, April 16: MCAP ELA (testing at 10:30)
- Wednesday, April 17: MCAP ELA (testing at 10:30)
- Thursday, April 18: MCAP ELA (testing at 10:30)
- Monday, April 22: MCAP Math (testing at 10:30)
- Tuesday, April 23: MCAP Math (testing at 10:30)
Grade 5 Testing Dates and Times:
- Tuesday, April 16: MCAP Math (testing at 9:10 and 1:10)
- Wednesday, April 17: MCAP Math (testing at 9:10 and 1:10)
- Monday, April 22: MCAP ELA (testing at 1:10)
- Tuesday, April 23: MCAP ELA (testing at 1:10)
- Wednesday, April 24: MCAP ELA (testing at 1:10)
- Thursday, April 25: MCAP ELA (testing at 1:10)
How can you help your child on testing days? There are several things you can do to support your child:
- Keep cell phones and smart watches home as they are not permitted during testing
- Ensure your child gets a good night's sleep
- A healthy breakfast to start the day
- Be in attendance on the above dates and times for MCAP testing
- Avoid scheduling appointments during testing days and times
- A positive note in their lunch for encouragement
Parent Action Item
Please check with your child(ren) about headphones. Headphones are often used in the classroom but we are finding that many are no longer working. Thanks for sending your child(ren) with a working set of headphones (no wireless earbuds, please).
NMES Yearbook Order Information
FCPS Learning Journey to College and Career Readiness
Media Center Update
Book Fair Volunteers Needed
The spring book fair will be held in the media center from March 14th-21st! We are in need of volunteers to help set up, help students write wishlists, be cashiers and more! All volunteers receive 10% off their book fair purchases. If you are interested in volunteering, please visit our SignUpGenius at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4FABAF2AAAF58-47923394-spring or email Mrs. Siderius, our media specialist, at jennifer.siderius@fcps.org.
Book Fair Shopping
During the week of March 18th, students will have an opportunity to shop at the spring book fair! Watch for fliers and FindOutFirsts coming home with details about book fair hours, eWallet, available books, and more! You can also visit our book fair website to shop online at https://www.bookwormcentral.com/NewMarket.
Optional Choice Board for March
From the Counselor Corner
Click HERE to read information from Mrs. Blake and Mrs. Carl! The information includes:
- Dealing with tantrums
- Career Day volunteers
- Information about our Counseling website
Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Enrollment for 2024 - 2025 School Year
Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten registration is tentatively scheduled to open on March 4 for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. Information regarding registration can be found here. Parents/Guardians will need to register their child online through the PowerSchool online enrollment portal. If your child is currently enrolled at NMES and is transferring to another school for the upcoming school year or if you have any questions regarding enrollment, please reach out to Sarah Main at sarah.main@fcps.org or 240-236-1300.
MSDE Special Education Survey
Does your child receive special education services including speech and language services? If so then please read the following:
The MSDE Parental Involvement Survey creates opportunities for feedback and engagement. This is your chance to share feedback regarding Special Education Services for your child!
Share how we can better support your family and child with Special Education services. You can complete the short survey at www.mdparentsurvey.com.
The survey will be available through May 24, 2024.
Thank you in advance for sharing your experiences and ideas! Together, we can continue to improve Special Education Services and Programs in FCPS.
Role Model Monday Nominees
The following students were nominated by their classroom teacher as a "Role Model Monday" nominee. These students demonstrate our Be a Wolf expectations on a regular basis across the school day. These students are recognized on our morning announcements by Dr. Lockard. The students receive a certificate and small prize for being a great Wolf each and every day! Also, the parents receive a Good News Phone Call from Dr. Lockard.
- Reed Buckman, fifth-grade student in Mrs. Noffsinger's classroom. Mrs. Noffsinger shared the following about Reed: "Reed shows our Be a Wolf expectations daily. He is willing to help others, is always ready to learn and remembers to do his best. Reed has an "I can" attitude and spreads it throughout our room!"
- Olivia Liuzzi, fourth-grade student in Mrs. Henry's classroom. Mrs. Henry shared the following about Olivia: "Olivia is an outstanding student and role model! Olivia always has a positive attitude and is the first one to offer help to anyone who needs it. Olivia is responsible, kind, and hard-working. Olivia always strives to do her best."
NMES School Improvement
We are asking for your help in the school improvement process by reviewing the Home-School Connection document linked below and supporting your child's learning at home. Your support will help us to achieve our school improvement goals. Our school improvement plan supports our NMES Mission which is "To serve and support our students - every student...by name and need."
NMES Home-School Connection - Click HERE to view.
NMES PTA Information
NMES PTA: We are parents, teachers and staff members working together to strengthen the family-school partnership. We raise funds to provide student and family programming and supplement the NMES budget for student and teacher resources.
March PTA Meeting: In place of our monthly meeting, join us for a PTA social at Prospect Pantry on March 6th at 7:00pm. The kitchen will be open for our gathering so bring your appetite and enjoy socializing with NMES parents.
NMES Girls on the Run: Registration is open for Girls on the Run at NMES. Practices are Wednesday and Friday mornings from 7:30am-8:45 and start on March 13th. See flyer for details or sign up at https://gotrmidmd.org/programs
Mark your Calendars: Looking ahead to April, save the date for our upcoming events:
- April 10th at 7pm: PTA meeting in the NMES Cafeteria
- April 21st at 9am: Spring Sprucing in New Market
- April 29th at 7pm: Healthy Kids Program at NMES
FCPS Honors Chorus
Each year, fifth graders all over Frederick County have the opportunity to audition for the Elementary Honors Chorus. Each school can select a small percentage of their fifth grade class. This year New Market Elementary was allotted three spots for Honors Chorus. We had thirteen dedicated students audition for these spots. The students selected for this year's Honors Chorus were Audrey Merrbach, Andrew Remsch, and Olivia Siderius. These three students will rehearse at school and at home on challenging choral songs, some in different languages. They will join together with fifth graders from across the county for a concert this Spring. The concert will be Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at 7:00 pm in downtown Frederick at the Weinberg Center. We are so proud of all who auditioned for this chorus.
NMES Attendance
For all attendance related emails or transportation changes, please email nmes.attendance@fcps.org and include your child's teacher. Transportation changes must be made prior to 3:00pm.
Consistent attendance is important for your child's academic and social success in school. MSDE sets the attendance goal at 96%. Below are the attendance percentages for each grade level and for the school overall as of the end of February:
Pre-Kindergarten: 92.7%
Kindergarten: 94.1%
Grade 1: 94.5%
Grade 2: 94.1%
Grade 3: 95.1%
Grade 4: 95.2%
Grade 5: 94.8%
Overall School Attendance Percentage: 94.6%
You can support by sending your healthy child to school each day on time. Instruction promptly begins at 9:00 each morning. You can also support by planning vacations around the FCPS calendar. Thank you!
Click HERE to view the FCPS calendar for 2023 - 2024.
Click HERE to view the FCPS calendar for 2024 - 2025.
NMES Ambassador Wolf
Schoology Tips
Mrs. Imboden is our Schoology Ambassador for the 2023 - 2024 school year. If you have any questions about Schoology, don't hesitate to reach out to her. She will be happy to support.
Lunch Time Reminder
We always welcome parents/guardians to eat lunch with their child but please remember only one visitor at a time due to lack of space. Thank you!
Supporting our Young Wolves
To support our Young Wolves still at home, we are sharing an idea to support their development.
Next time you are outside with your child, take a few minutes to stop and listen. Ask your child how many different sounds you each hear. When your child listens, identifies and counts what they hear, they are using many of their senses, which promotes focus and memory.
World Language Summer 2024 Camps
What::
-Exploratory camp for rising second- and third-grade students - Click HERE to view the flyer.
-Summer immersion camp for rising fourth- and fifth-graders - Click HERE to view the flyer.
When:
June 17-18, 20, June 24-27; 8:30am – 1:00pm
Where:
Parkway Elementary
How to Register:
The QR codes and links are included on flyers. Flyers linked in "What" section above.
Cost:
$150
Bus Rules and Bus Safety
If your child rides an FCPS bus to and/or from school, please take some time to review our expectations for bus behavior. Click HERE to view information to review with your child. Our FCPS bus drivers work hard every day to keep all students safe. When all students consistently follow the behavior expectations on the bus then safe and enjoyable rides to and from school can occur. Thank you for your support!
Learning @ Home Days Information
As you may know, Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) has been approved by the Maryland State Department of Education to implement up to three virtual instructional days in lieu of systemwide closure during inclement weather. While not necessarily the first option, the Learning @ Home days provide FCPS flexibility in responding to various weather emergencies. Click HERE to view an FCPS created document about Learning @ Home Days.
As a result, our school has been engaged in planning and preparation for this possibility, to ensure full readiness if a Learning @ Home Day were to be implemented. Here’s what you need to know and how you can help your child prepare:
Instructional Activities: All assignments will be independent and self-paced (asynchronous). You can expect approximately 20-30 minutes per subject area that students can complete at a time that works for them or the household. Assignments and activities will be review and practice, not new content. In many cases, students will have choice in selecting the instructional activity. Please note that the design of these instructional days does not require students to follow a typical school or “live” virtual schedule.
Assignments will include instructional activities aligned to the curriculum, as provided by FCPS.
Grades PreK-2: The default format for PreK–2 is a printed packet, which will be sent home with your child on Thursday, December 21. Families should store the paper packet in a safe location in their homes.
Grades 3-5: Assignments will be posted in Schoology. Teachers will survey families on the availability/access of a device at home for students to complete assignments. Printed packets will be sent home if a device is not available in the home.
Attendance: Students will be counted as “present” by logging into Schoology on the virtual learning day or turning in assignments upon return to school. Students who complete the paper packet will be counted as “present” by turning in the work to their teacher upon return to school. Students who were unable to access the instructional activities during the Learning @ Home Day will be provided with additional time.
Support: During a Learning @ Home Day, should you have questions regarding any of the instructional activities your child’s teacher will be available via email or by calling 240-236-1300.
Teachers will take the time to review the necessary information with students prior to our first Learning @ Home Day so students are familiar with what to do. In the event of a Learning @ Home Day, FCPS will provide communication and notice well in advance of any predicted inclement weather to ensure that schools, students, and families are aware of this possibility and are prepared.
Personal Electronic Device Guidelines
Students may only use their electronic devices (including cell phones and smart watches) before or after school in a non-disruptive manner. They must be silenced and stored (out of sight) for the entire school day, except for approved instructional or medical use.