Dr. Ronald E. McNair ES Parent News
October 1, 2023
Dear Families,
Seeing so many of you at Back to School Night, at arrival, and at dismissal has been a delight. Many of you braved the weather for our Back to School Picnic. Thank you for showing that the Dr. McNair spirit is shown whether it is raining or shining. We appreciate the PTA and all of the volunteers for all of their efforts. We heard positive feedback about our Journey Through The McNair Universe version of Back To School Night. As with any change, we know there are some modifications that are needed and hope to continue to make the night engaging for all! Thank you to our staff and student volunteers for being a part of the evening's success.
October is a month that signals that we are solidly in our routines and entrenched in the 2023-2024 school year. Additionally, the month of October provides several opportunities to get involved and be part of the Dr. Ronald E. McNair ES community. Our first PTA meeting of the year will be held on October 3rd at 6:30 p.m. Join us to learn about the activities our PTA has planned and to offer suggestions for the board and budget for this school year. During this time, Bar-T will provide childcare. In October, the PTA will also be hosting their K.I.S.S. (Kids Inviting Someone Special) Breakfast.
Please remember that the school day is from 9:25 a.m. to 3:50 p.m. We do not have staff on duty prior to 9:05, so we ask that you do not allow your student to come to school before 9:05 a.m. Most importantly, we need your assistance with ensuring that your student is in the building between 9:15 and 9:25. If students are not in their classroom by 9:25 a.m., they are marked tardy. When your student does not feel rushed through the morning routine, it sets the tone for a great day of learning.
We know as a school that Dr. Ronald E. McNair ES is unique because of its diversity. Many of you have told the school and PTA leadership that you would like to see us do more to celebrate and share our diversity. We are committed to embracing and learning from one another, but we need your help. Please take a few minutes to complete the Diversity Survey, if your family has cultural or religious traditions and celebrations that are important to you and your student. We intend to keep this survey open until the end of the month and then share it again in February.
On October 31, all parents are invited to our Halloween parade outside. The parade will start at 2:45 p.m. You are welcome to join us on our field and stand outside the cones to watch all of our students dressed up in their costumes. (An alternative activity will be provided for students who are not permitted to participate in the parade or class parties.)
Please update your volunteer information with MCPS as there are many upcoming opportunities for parents to volunteer and be in the building. This newsletter's body contains updated information on how to have your name added to the approved volunteer list. Please read it carefully, as each parent must complete the steps in order to be considered a volunteer.
Finally, we are only two months away from Mrs. Graber, the principal intern, taking over as acting principal. As we begin to plan for this transition, we ask that you continue to communicate with administration via email with both Mrs. Moses and Mrs. Graber. This also means that Mrs. Graber will communicate more and Mrs. Moses will communicate less. Just a reminder that the principal internship allows Mrs. Graber to lead Dr. REMES from December 1 to January 30. This means that during this time, Mrs. Moses will go support another intern, and a visiting principal will be at Dr. REMES to support Mrs. Graber. More information about the process and the visiting principal will be shared in the November and December newsletters.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email both Mrs. Moses (Sherilyn_R_Moses@mcpsmd.org) and Mrs. Graber (Jessicabay_Graber@mcpsmd.org). Thank you for your continued partnership!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Sherilyn Moses, Principal
&
Mrs. Jessica Graber, Principal Intern
CONTACT INFORMATION
Emergencies can arise at any time. It is important to your child’s safety that we have your current address and current home and work numbers on file.
The school's phone number is 240-740-6830.
The health room's phone number is 240-740-6832.
Sick Student?
We understand that students will be sick and we want to help you. When your child is sick, in addition to informing the classroom teacher, please be sure to inform the main office. The best way to do so is by completing the Student Absence form. We appreciate you keeping your student at home when they are ill.
PERSONAL BODY SAFETY LESSONS
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) takes an active role in the prevention of child abuse and neglect through early prevention and intervention education. MCPS implements Personal Body Safety Lessons (PBSLs) with grade-level, age appropriate content for students in every grade from Pre-K to 12. These lessons were developed with input from national stakeholders and County partners and are designed to empower students to recognize and report suspected cases of abuse without fear of reprisal. The Chief of the State’s Attorney’s Office—Special Victims Division has commended MCPS on the PBSLs and shared publicly that these lessons are making a difference in children reporting incidents of abuse and neglect.
During the month of October, our school counselors and classroom teachers will be presenting lessons on the topic of child abuse and neglect with all grade levels Pre-K through Grade 5. The lessons are known as Personal Body Safety Lessons and their purpose is to help students to:
- Develop knowledge, decision making skills, and behaviors which promote safe living in the home, school, and community;
- Learn skills for self-protection and identifying child abuse and neglect;
- Learn skills for asking for help for self and others and practice reporting to a trusted adult; and
- Engage in positive and appropriate interactions with peers and adults.
Ensuring Student Safety- Personal Body Safety Lessons Website: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/childabuseandneglect/personal-body-safety-lessons.aspx. This webpage provides an overview of the lesson objectives for each grade level.
Elementary Personal Body Safety Lessons Overview and Resources for Parents: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/childabuseandneglect/Parent%20Elementary%20Personal%20Body%20Safety%20Lessons%20Overview%20and%20Resources.pdf
If you have any questions or concerns about the topics that will be covered, please contact your child’s classroom teacher, or our school counselors, Mrs. Privman and/or Mrs. Lavo.
Media Center Update
MCPS Pathways
MCPS Updates
Out-of-School Time Activities Available For All Students Starting Oct. 9
MCPS is offering out-of-school programming for elementary and middle school students throughout the 2023-2024 school year. Families are invited to take advantage of a host of activities for students on four days: Oct. 9, Nov. 1, Jan. 29 and April 10 when schools are closed for students. Students can participate in person or virtually. The cost is $15 a day. For a list of activities, sign up with the following links for Kids Day Out and Teens Day Out. For additional opportunities, visit the MCPS out-of-school time webpage.
MCPS to Host Girls’ Summit: The district is inviting all MCPS families to the Girls’ Summit on Saturday, Oct. 21 at Clarksburg High School. This event will provide informative workshops geared towards middle and high school girls on a variety of current topics. Join us for a chance to network, participate in fun activities, learn valuable skills and enjoy a fashion show presented by White House Black Market celebrating diverse body types!
Sessions will be provided in English and Spanish, and will be organized by grade level. Student Service Learning (SSL) hours will be available for students. Topics and activities will include:
Healthy relationships/dating violence
Social media use and mental health, including cyberbullying
Self-esteem
Identifying symptoms of depression and anxiety
Healthy eating and body image
Music therapy, Zumba and Kaiser Permanente spin bikes for art therapy
Narcan kits will be distributed and training will also be available.
Share Your Feedback on the 2024–2025 School Year Calendar
MCPS is seeking the community’s feedback as it works to finalize the 2024–2025 school calendar. Please complete this survey to share your input.
Your feedback represents an important component of the development process. MCPS will consider educational interests, operational needs, mandated school closures by state law, compliance with minimum instructional days and credit hour requirements, inclement weather and other emergencies, staff professional days and early release days, alignment with assessment schedules and more.
Calendario escolar de MCPS 2024-2025
MCPS 校歷 2024 - 2025 年反饋
MCPS 학교 일정 2024 - 2025 피드백
Calendrier scolaire de MCPS 2024-2025
Calendário Escolar MCPS 2024 - 2025
Phản hồi về Lịch học MCPS 2024 - 2025
የMCPS ትምህርት ቤት የቀን መቁጠሪያ 2024 - 2025 ግብረመልስ
Register and Verify Your ParentVue Information
The Annual Verification process allows families to update contact information, collect important information about you and your student, including any medical, immunization, language preferences, and emergency information that school staff need to know. MCPS uses ParentVUE to collect this information electronically. Online registration is available now until October 20th.
We have online registration quick guides in several languages available to support you in this process.
English | Español | 中國人 | 한국인 | Français | Português | Tiếng Việt | አማርኛ
Join Us Oct. 21 at This Year’s STEAM Festival
The STEAM Festival highlights the educational, cultural and financial impact of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts And Mathematics (STEAM) in the county. Families can participate in hands-on activities, talks, lab tours, nature experiences, exhibits and performances. The event will be held 10 a.m.-- 1 p.m. at the Wheaton and Edison high school campuses, 12401 and 12501 Dalewood Drive in Silver Spring.
PROCEDURE FOR A CHANGE IN THE WAY A STUDENT GOES HOME:
If a student’s plans require a change from their normal dismissal (e.g. play date, child care changes), the change must be made in writing to the homeroom teacher and front office. Please state your child’s name, the name of the individual they should be dismissed with, the date the change is occurring and your signature.
In the event of last minute changes to a student’s dismissal plans, please call the main office prior to 3:00 p.m. All students will be dismissed via their normal plan unless we have been notified of a change. Please arrange your child’s transportation home so that it is consistent. It is difficult for a child to remember where they are to go on a particular day if the routine changes daily. Students are not to call home from the school to make after school plans.
Any adults who come to school to pick up a child early will be asked to show documentation to verify identification and ensure student safety.
The front office will have quiet hours between 3:30 and 3:50 where students will not be called down for early dismissal.
HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
The Board of Education has proclaimed Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month. Throughout the month, MCPS schools will be celebrating the unique culture and traditions of students, teachers, staff and community members who trace their roots to Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries in North America, Central America, South America and the Caribbean. Hispanics and Latinos are the fastest growing ethnic group in MCPS, with 34 percent of the student population. We want all MCPS students, parents and staff to celebrate with us! Share a picture that represents your Hispanic/Latinx heritage and MCPS may feature it in a virtual gallery. Email pictures to pio@mcpsmd.org.
Steps to Complete for MCPS Volunteers
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) appreciates the support of the parent and community volunteers who support the essential needs of the schools. Volunteers and partnership agencies are required to complete certain compliance measures in order to volunteer within our school district.
Volunteers who will be attending field trips or supporting our school as a regular volunteer must complete BOTH the online child abuse and neglect training.
Volunteer Form
Complete the MCPS Parent/Guardian and Community Volunteer Form. This form serves as an introduction of yourself, your interests and availability in volunteering, and some important reminders about volunteers in schools.
Online Training
Complete the mandatory online Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect Training. This training is required for any volunteer who regularly supports schools, chaperones a field trip, etc. and is available in multiple languages. When the course is completed, a report is created to serve as proof of satisfying the training requirement.
Contact School
Contact our front office and provide a copy of the following:
- Appropriate MCPS Parent/Guardian and Community Volunteer Form or the MCPS Volunteers in the Virtual Classroom Form and
- Your online course grade sheet that will show 100% for completing the online Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect Training.
Online Training Support Guide (All Users)
Español | 中文 | français | tiếng Việt | 한국어 | አማርኛ | Português
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS:
We know your student's birthday is an important day for your family. As a school, we will celebrate your student's birthday by announcing their name on the Dr. McNair Morning Show and asking them to come to the office to pick up a birthday pencil.
- Parents are not allowed to send in party decorations, cupcakes, cake, candy, trinkets, or treat bags to celebrate their student's birthday. Please do not ask your child’s teacher to bend these rules.
- Birthday party invitations may be distributed at the end of the school day under the supervision of the homeroom teacher.
- School staff members are not allowed to give out student addresses or contact information.
October Sessions:
To register, visit https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/parentacademy/
Positive Discipline: October 11, 6:00-7:00 pm
Do you find yourself getting frustrated with your kids or giving in to their demands? For many families, discipline is one of the toughest parts of parenting, but also one of the most important. Discover how to keep peace in your home through the power of the logical consequence approach instead of punishment. Learn strategies to discipline with love, without threats and bribes and how to establish age appropriate expectations for behavior and consequences. Presented by Parent Assistant Resource (PAR). Recommended for families of elementary, middle, and high school students.
Active Parenting Now! (Part 1 of 4): October 12, 6:30-8:30 pm
This is Part 1 of a 4-part series. Attendance at all 4 workshops is encouraged.
Raising children in today's uncertain world can be overwhelming. It's important for families to help children feel safe, keep healthy routines, manage their behaviors and build resilience. Learn skills for effective discipline techniques, powerful communication strategies, tools to diffuse power struggles, and creative ideas for encouraging responsibility and independence. Presented by the Montgomery County Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health. Recommended for families of elementary, middle, and high school students.
Mindfulness: Managing Stress During Difficult Times: October 16, 6:30-7:30 pm
Effective focus, motivation, handling frustrations, and communication depend on the ability of students to understand and manage their emotions. These are basic competencies that are crucial to student well-being and success. This virtual workshop will focus on how to include Mindfulness practices in both the curriculum and our personal life. Presented by MCPS staff. Recommended for families of elementary, middle, and high school students.
Sharpening Phonics Skills at Home: October 17, 6:00-7:00 pm
Many students, third grade and up, still find sounding out and spelling words difficult—this makes all the reading and writing in school feel hard. Practicing with step-by-step phonics materials can improve these skills and build a student’s confidence and enjoyment of reading. MCPS has partnered with Open Source Phonics, a website that provides tutoring materials that are free and aligned with MCPS curriculum. Tips for making phonics practice fun and stress-free will be provided, so please come! Recommended for families of elementary students.
Online Safety Tips for Kids and Teens: October 18, 6:00-7:00 pm
Because kids are using media and tech at a younger age, helping them learn how to navigate their digital world should start as soon as they begin using devices. We should remain engaged and continue these conversations into their teens because as kids get older, online interactions can become more complicated. In this session, we will explore safety and some things you can to help your kids and teens safely explore digital spaces. Presented by Common Sense Media. Recommended for families of elementary, middle, and high school students.
Active Parenting Now! (Part 2 of 4): October 19, 6:30-8:30 pm
This is Part 2 of a 4-part series. Attendance at all 4 workshops is encouraged.
Raising children in today's uncertain world can be overwhelming. It's important for families to help children feel safe, keep healthy routines, manage their behaviors and build resilience. Learn skills for effective discipline techniques, powerful communication strategies, tools to diffuse power struggles, and creative ideas for encouraging responsibility and independence. Presented by the Montgomery County Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health. Recommended for families of elementary, middle, and high school students.
Roadmap to College - What Students Should Do to Stand Out During High School:
October 25, 6:00-7:00 pm
College admissions offices across the country are overflowing with applications as more students cast a wider net in their pursuit of the perfect school. As the process gets more competitive, finding ways to stand out is a must. This workshop shares insight on topics such as how the college admissions landscape is continually changing, the most significant factors that now determine whether a student will be admitted to their dream school, and how students can use their interests and accomplishments to craft a narrative throughout high school to help their future applications stand out. Presented by Educational Connections. Recommended for families of high school students.
Active Parenting Now! (Part 3 of 4): October 26, 6:30-8:30 pm
This is Part 3 of a 4-part series. Attendance at all 4 workshops is encouraged.
Raising children in today's uncertain world can be overwhelming. It's important for families to help children feel safe, keep healthy routines, manage their behaviors and build resilience. Learn skills for effective discipline techniques, powerful communication strategies, tools to diffuse power struggles, and creative ideas for encouraging responsibility and independence. Presented by the Montgomery County Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health. Recommended for families of elementary, middle, and high school students.