Cedar Grove Friday Flash
December 17, 2021
Dear Cedar Grove Families,
Within the past week, we have seen an increase in the number of students and staff who have tested positive for COVID-19. The following message is a repeat of notifications that have been sent to our school community:
We encourage you to closely monitor your child for symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever, cough, headache, and shortness of breath. If your child develops any of these symptoms, do not send them to school. You should contact your healthcare provider and have your child tested for COVID-19. Please contact the school if your child develops COVID-19-like symptoms. Students who develop symptoms, or test positive for COVID-19, will not be able to return to the building until they are medically cleared. As a reminder, here are the steps that we can all take to keep ourselves, families, and school community safe:
Get vaccinated when eligible*
Wear a mask, or appropriate face covering, at all times when in school and other public spaces.
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially before and after eating.
Cover your cough and/or sneeze and immediately wash your hands for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer.
Stay home if you are sick or have any COVID-19 symptoms.
*Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine has been authorized for 5- to 11-year-olds. MCPS is partnering with the county’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and Holy Cross Hospital to offer a number of free vaccination clinics for children at schools and county sites tomorrow, December 18. The closest site is Clarksburg High School (clinic is open 10:00am – 6:00pm) at 22500 Wims Road Clarksburg, MD 20871. For more details and to sign up for vaccinations, visit:
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/Coronavirus/Vaccinations/
As we are moving into colder winter months, please be sure you are familiar with all of the places where information is posted when the school system announces school cancellations, delayed openings or early closures due to weather conditions and other emergencies. Please click on the link below to view this information.
We wish you a safe, restful, and enjoyable holiday season, and we look forward to your child's return to school on January 3, 2022. Happy holidays and Happy New Year!
Mr. Derby and Mrs. German
English Classes Available for MCPS Parents/Clases de inglés para padres de MCPS
In collaboration with MCPS, the Literacy Council of Montgomery County (LCMC) is offering free English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for MCPS parents. The classes will be held virtually and there will be options for all levels of English speakers. They are available to any MCPS parent for whom English is not their first language. Parents can complete this interest form to receive a placement test.
En colaboración con MCPS, el Consejo de Alfabetización del Condado de Montgomery (LCMC), está ofreciendo clases de Inglés como Segundo Idioma (ESL) gratis a padres de estudiantes en MCPS. Las clases serán ofrecidas en formato virtual y hay opciones para todos los niveles de inglés. Estas clases están disponibles para todos los padres de MCPS cuyo primer idioma no es inglés. Padres y guardianes pueden completar este formulario de interés para recibir la prueba de ubicación.
Attention Parents/Guardians of Students with Special Needs: Next SEAC Meeting December 20
The Montgomery County Public Schools Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) will host its next virtual monthly meeting on Monday, Dec. 20 from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Parents will have the opportunity to connect with other parents/guardians of students with special needs, have a dialogue with special education administrators and learn more about topics of interest.
The Zoom meeting information is included below:
https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/87243389346?pwd=L3RNUStKSnlRZlpudTUvRkI5S1l3UT09
One tap mobile
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
Meeting ID: 872 4338 9346 Passcode: 122021
Reminder - Winter Sing-Along is this Tuesday!
Our students and staff will be participating in our 3rd Annual Winter Sing-Along on Tuesday, December 21 @ 3:00 p.m. This event will be held outside on the blacktop. Students should come to school that day dressed for the weather - warm winter coats, hats, gloves/mittens, and scarves so that they will stay warm and cozy outside. Students are also welcome to bring a small towel or blanket to sit on. We're going to have so much fun!!
Mrs. Arellano, CGES Music Teacher
Charlie Brown Christmas
The Damascus High School Drama Club is back! On Tuesday, December 21, the Damascus Drama Club will present A Charlie Brown Christmas. There will be two shows. The first begins at 5:00 p.m. and the second begins at 7:00 p.m. Each show lasts about 30 minutes. Tickets are $5.00 for any audience member 5 years old or older, and doors open 30 minutes before showtime. Come out and support the performing arts at Damascus! Please note-masks for the audience are required.
Winter Break Marshmallow Challenge
We're so excited to have our Marshmallow Challenge again this Winter Break! Students will need to print out the "hot chocolate" document and color it, and then print out and cut out the marshmallows that apply to their reading experience this Winter break. Directions for everything are here. When they hand in their "cup of cocoa" at the end of Winter break, their name will be entered into a book raffle! For...more books and reading!
Share Feedback on the 2022-2023 School Year Calendar
The Board of Education is looking for community feedback on calendar options for the 2022-2023 school year. Learn more and share your feedback by Dec. 30. The Board will discuss and adopt a final calendar on January 13, 2022.
Save the Date for Read Aloud Night- January 27, 2022
We're having it again this year! Our virtual read aloud night! Save the date and plan on attending with your children! (It will be pajama day all day at school that day, too!)
Winter Concert ANNOUNCEMENT:
Our 4th/5th grade Chorus and Instrumental Music students have been working very hard so far this year! They are excited to be able to "perform" for you!
In lieu of a "live" concert that was scheduled for Monday, December 13, and out of an abundance of caution in large-group gatherings, we will not be having our "live concert" on December 13. Instead, Mr. Kieft and I will be videotaping the students "perform" during their regularly scheduled chorus and instrumental music rehearsals over several weeks in December and January. We are excited to put these videos together and share with you by the end of January!
Thank you so much for your continued support in your child's music education!
Warmly,
Mrs. Arellano
Mr. Kieft
Special Education Advisory Committee Meeting-December 20
The Montgomery County Public Schools Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) will host its next virtual monthly meeting on Monday, Dec. 20 from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Parents will have the opportunity to connect with other parents/guardians of students with special needs, have a dialogue with special education administrators and learn more about topics of interest.
The Zoom meeting information is included below:
https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/87243389346?pwd=L3RNUStKSnlRZlpudTUvRkI5S1l3UT09
One tap mobile
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
Meeting ID: 872 4338 9346 Passcode: 122021
If you would like to be added to the listserve, provide your email information to Rosa M. Aleman at Rosa_Aleman@mcpsmd.org.
Tech Tips and Reminders
From Mrs. Hirschhorn, Media Specialist
As we move through December, we are enjoying our last days of school in 2021 with celebrations and fun. Please click on the December Media Monthly link, since it's been updated with more details about the Winter Reading Challenge and more Fifth grade book club information, not to mention news about what we're doing in the media center at every grade level! Mrs. Wilson and I wish your families and our young patrons a wonderful Winter Break and a joyous start of the new year.
Art, Music, and PE Newsletter
Parents, each month our Arts team will share a newsletter that will provide you with what grade level students are doing in their classes.
Here is the December Specialists' Newsletter.