The Paw Print
Week of February 17, 2020
Updates from Mrs. Murphy and Mr. Ajamian
Our Valentine's Day parties were complete successes on February 14th! The students and teachers enjoyed the class parties complete with food, games, and decorations! Thank you to all of the room parents and parent volunteers who created such a special day for our Wildcats!
February is Black History Month, a time when communities and schools give special attention to learning about the contributions and history of African Americans. Throughout this month we will include Black History Facts on the Friday Show. Please encourage your child to visit the library to read additional facts and check out books about significant contributors.
4th and 5th Grade Student Study Circles Groups
As a staff we are committed to providing all our students with a caring and nurturing school environment that embraces and celebrates our diversity. We have taken steps to deepen our learning through research-based professional development. As a part of our ongoing work, we are working with the MCPS Equity Initiatives Unit and Learning and Achievement Specialists from our Office of School Support and Improvement to plan Study Circles with our 4th and 5th grade students. The purpose of these Study Circle meetings is to equip our students with the skills and opportunities that are necessary for engaging in respectful and productive conversations about race, culture, and diversity. These sessions will happen in the classroom over four one-hour sessions during the month of February and March. The classroom teacher will co-teach the lesson with a central office staff member. We will hold a parent coffee on Friday, February 21st at 9:30 to share resources and provide tools for parents that will help them engage their child(ren) in these conversations. The parent coffee is open to all parent, not just 4th and 5th grade parents. This work is critical and complex. We appreciate the support of our parents in helping us achieve this vision.
Thank You
A big thank you to all our room parents for always making sure that our students celebrate in style!
Thank you to all our parents that attended the PTA Meeting on February 4th to learn about Social Emotional Learning. We appreciate your insight and active engagement.
Note from the Nurse
This month in the Health Room, we have seen stomach flu, sporadic influenza A & B, and the usual infections and recess injuries we see at this time of year. Recently there has been some conversation about the report of a few Coronavirus cases in the U.S. and the concern that our community would be at risk. I am following the situation closely. The Montgomery County Health Department as well as MCPS is on alert to inform parents of any need for concern. Right now, we have NO confirmed cases in our immediate area and no one who is considered to be high risk. We are following our normal protocol for keeping everyone safe and healthy. We do need your assistance in keeping your child home if they have a fever, severe coughing, vomiting, diarrhea or other signs of illness. Staff will continue to promote best practices for healthy hygiene--hand washing, covering coughs/sneezes, etc. The Coronavirus is similar to other respiratory illnesses in that the virus does not survive well on surfaces, but is generally spread via respiratory droplets. Please continue to model these healthy practices for your child(ren) and provide them with the necessary reminders. Feel free to contact me (Brienne Merritt, RN, BSN, School Community Health Nurse) directly if you have any questions or concerns.
Staffing Update
We are also happy to welcome Ms. Sara Glasser. Ms. Glasser is Ms. Shupe's student teacher from the University of Maryland. Students taking Instrumental Music will enjoy getting to work with her.
Save the Date
June 3rd - Spring Choral and Instrumental Concert
June 9th - 5th Grade Promotion
Grade 3 CogAT Testing
Last week, MCPS mailed letters to parents of third grade students to let them know if their student had been identified for CogAT testing. Third grade parents who did not receive a letter from the county are encouraged to contact the school with any questions.
SCHOOL SYSTEM UPDATES
Help Improve How You Get Information From MCPS
How do you like to receive news and information? What MCPS news is important to you? MCPS parents/guardians are encouraged to take this important survey about your communication preferences. The survey will be available until Friday, February 28. Your responses will be used to improve how you get news and information from MCPS. You can access the survey at mcpsweb.wufoo.com/forms/r51nhvd1xs06y6/.
MCABSE Hosting Black History Showcase Fundraiser
The Montgomery County Alliance of Black School Educators (MCABSE) is holding its annual Black History Showcase Scholarship Fundraiser, How Sweet the Sound. The event will be held from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 19, at Shady Grove Middle School, 8100 Midcounty Highway in Gaithersburg. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. The snow date is Wednesday, February 26.
Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Tickets can be purchased online at http://mcabsemcps.org/?page_id=1879.
The event coordinators are seeking staff or student performers (steppers, singers, choirs, poets, musicians). Auditions are not required. A sign-up link is available here. For more information on performing, contact Kimberly Prillman at Kimberly_D_Prillman@mcpsmd.org.
Nominations Open for Annual Distinguished Service to Public Education Awards
The Montgomery County Board of Education is seeking nominations from the public for its 23rd Annual Awards for Distinguished Service to Public Education. The awards are sponsored by the Board to recognize and show appreciation to individuals (including students), groups, and organizations that have made exemplary contributions to public education in Montgomery County.
Nominations will be accepted in the following categories:
· business
· community individual (which can include students)
· community group
· MCPS staff
· school service volunteer
· individual pioneer
Nominations in other categories must be of individuals (including MCPS students), groups, or organizations that have, within the past three years, provided service, support, and commitment to public education as demonstrated by:
· an outstanding contribution of time and expertise to school system programs,
· development and/or implementation of an exemplary program or project, or
· a contribution that results in systemwide benefit.
Nomination forms are available on the Board of Education website or from the Board office. Completed nomination forms must be received in the Board of Education office by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 6. More information is available at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/boe/community/awards/.
Nominations for Presidential Awards Open to STEM Teachers
The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching are the highest honors given by the U.S. government specifically for K-12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science teaching. The awards were established by Congress in 1983.
The awards recognize teachers who have deep content knowledge of the subjects they teach and the ability to motivate and enable students to be successful in those areas. Since the program's inception, more than 4,800 teachers have been recognized for their contributions in the classroom and to their profession.
Parents/guardians, students, or members of the general public may nominate exceptional individuals who teach science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science in Grades K-6 for this award year. Applicants must hold at least a bachelor’s degree and have at least five years of teaching experience. The nomination deadline is Sunday, March 1. The application deadline is Friday, May 1.
Winners receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation, along with recognition and professional development opportunities. For more information and to complete a nomination form, visit www.paemst.org/nomination/nominate.
2020-2021 School Year Calendar
The Board of Education has adopted the school year calendar for the 2020–2021 school year. The traditional school year will begin on Monday, August 31, 2020, and the last day is scheduled for Wednesday, June 16, 2021. The calendar includes 182 days of instruction; a 10-day spring break; closures for planning and professional development; and an operational closure in September.
Visit www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/calendar/proposed-calendar-2020-21.aspx to see the calendar for all closures and early release days.
The calendar was developed to comply with closings required by state law, guidance from the state superintendent of schools regarding emergency make-up days, and early release days that are contractually required by the Montgomery County Education Association.
The Board also adopted an Innovative School Year for Arcola and Roscoe R. Nix elementary schools. School will begin on Monday, July 6, 2020, for these schools.
Important Dates
2/17 -Schools and Offices Closed
2/18 - Grade 2 Spelling Bee, 9:45 a.m.
2/18 - Grade 3-5 Spelling Bee, 2:00 p.m.
2/21 - Parent Coffee, 9:30 a.m.
2/21 - Severe Weather and Drop, Cover, Hold Drills, 3:00 p.m.
2/24 - 3rd Grade CogAT Testing
2/25 - 4th Grade Study Circle #2 & 5th Grade Study Circle #3
2/26 - Class and Group Pictures
2/27 - 5th Grade Parent Family Life Meeting, 4:30 p.m.
2/28 - Early Dismissal, 1:20 p.m.
3/3 - 5th Grade Study Circle #4 & 4th Grade Study Circle #3
3/5 - Interim Grades available on Parent Portal
3/9 - 5th Grade Quarterly Planning Provided by Educational Foundation
3/10 - No Place for Hate Committee Meeting, 8:15 a.m., Room 146
3/11 - PTA Breakfast, 9:30 a.m., Room 146
3/13 - 2nd Grade In School Field Trip
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