Sandalwood Elementary Newsletter
March 2023
From the Admin Team
We have been busy here at Sandalwood. Students recently took the winter MAP assessment which measures students’ growth from the beginning of the school year. We are excited to share that 70% of our students met their math growth target and 55% of our students met their reading growth target. Each family will receive individual student reports in the month of March. To support your child with their academics, be sure to practice sight words, reading, and basic math facts each night. In order to keep our students focused on instruction and making as much progress as possible, please be sure to send students to school daily. Our arrival time is 8:30am and dismissal is 3:30pm. Early dismissals cause a disruption to the learning process. If you must pick up your child early from school, please do so prior to 3:10pm.
Congratulations on improving our student attendance for the month of February!! Our overall attendance is 92%, and we are getting so close to the state expectation of 94%. I know as the weather becomes warmer, we will have less ailments and more students attending consistently. If you or someone you know needs support with something that is preventing a child from coming to school, don’t hesitate to reach out to our office.
Arrival and Dismissal: Safety is our number one priority. Cars are not allowed in the bus loop during arrival or dismissal as we are an entirely walking school. Also, a reminder that BCPS does not allow pets on school grounds. No matter how adorable and “safe” your pet is, please do not bring them to drop off or pick up students. Middle school students are only allowed on school grounds to pick up a sibling. Please remind your children that they may not bring friends with them at dismissal.
Morning Drop Off: If you bring your children to school by car, please pull into the parking lot. Staff will be there to open the car door and assist children with entering the building.
Mrs. Lingenfelder, Principal
Mrs. Alexander, Assistant Principal
Mrs. Ament, Community School Facilitator
March 2023 Calendar
March 1: Sweetfrog Fundraiser all Day at Golden Ring Location
March 2: Read Across America Spirit Day- Dress like an animal
March 2: Monthly Food Bank/Thrift Store/Resource Fair
March 8-9: 5th Grade MISA testing (please make sure your 5th grader is present and on time)
March 8: Parenting Support Classes with the topic "How to Help Your Child with Homework" In person at 9:00 a.m. in our cafeteria, virtually at 7:00 p.m. on google meets (see flyer below for more information)
March 9: Read Across America Spirit Day- Wear Clothing with Positive Words
March 14: Operation Warm Shoe Event for Prek-2 students from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
March 15: Bedtime in a Box Presentations with Judy Center (see flyer below for more information)
March 16: Read Across America Spirit Day- Wear gree
March 16: Birth through Five Story Time with Judy Center
March 16: Chesapeake H.S. Art Show, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Many Sandalwood students will have art featured! Free bus transportation from Sandalwood leaving at 5:15 p.m., 6:00 p.m., and 6:45 p.m.
March 17: Schools Close 3 Hours Early, Sandalwood will close 12:30 p.m.
March 23: Read Across America Spirit Day- Wear your favorite sports team
March 23: Family Writing Workshop with Judy Center
March 23: Fitness Night- RSVP Required (see flyer below for more information)
March 24: Schools Close 3 Hours Early, Sandalwood will close 12:30 p.m.
March 29: Spring Picture Day- Class and Individual Pictures (flyer coming soon)
March 30: Read Across America Spirit Day- Dress like a superhero
March 31: Spring Break Begins at the End of the Day
Sandalwood has Been Selected by Operation Warm!
For more information visit:
Partner Spot Light- Brick by Brick
What is the story of Brick by Brick and the meaning of the name?
The name has significant meaning to us. We believe that every great home has a solid foundation, and each youth that we interact with has a body & mind which we consider their home. All great homes, and skyscrapers start with a solid foundation. The foundation begins with one brick at a time, and we use that approach to interact, and engage each individual youth that we mentor. If the balance of the youth is not in a solid place at the moment we want to create a space where they can rebuild their mental, physical, and emotional structure through restorative practices, and group mentoring sessions.
What have been some of your favorite moments mentoring students at Sandalwood?
The highlight for us so far is seeing the youth begin to feel comfortable sharing their vulnerabilities with one another each week. They have become a close knit group, and the interactions, and engagement they have seem to have an effect on their social skills. Each week coming into the café looking for the group of kids, and seeing them spot us before we spot them. The excitement in their faces when we arrive is honestly one of the greatest feelings, and a constant reminder of why we are doing what we are doing. Every week is a great week, and it truly is a honor to be a part of the Sandalwood community.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the Sandalwood and Essex community?
We want to bridge the gap between School, Family, and Community. Our vision is to facilitate outcomes driven programming to successfully integrate youth, and their families of the Sandalwood, and Essex community experiencing behavioral health challenges, by laying foundations of quality restorative practices to improve living, working, and social functioning to all community members that we interact with.
Community School Resource Corner
-MD SPCA (They will be providing our community with pet food)
-Maryland Insurance Administration
-SNAP Support from CCBC
Judy Center Monthly Update
The Judy Center Early Learning Hub at Sandalwood has been busy!
In February, we:
- met with the Pre-K classes for a science experiment demonstration. Each student received an experiment kit to take home and be scientists with their families.
- had another expectant mom start prenatal massages.
- hosted a second story time with Birth to Five Services, reading "The Snowy Day" by Ezra Jack Keats.
- focused on self-care in a second childcare provider training with Abilities Network.
Coming up in March:
- Childcare provider training on 3/9
- Bedtime in a Box presents Parent sessions about healthy bedtime routines on 3/15
- Birth to Five story time on 3/16
- Pat Goldys, author and retired BCPS administrator, will be reading to Pre-K & K classes during the school day AND leading a Family Writing Workshop after school on 3/23
See flyers below for more information!
Perfect Attendance for February 2023
February 2023 in Pictures
About Sandalwood
Email: scarr2@bcps.org
Website: https://sandalwoodes.bcps.org/
Location: 900 South Marlyn Avenue, Essex, MD, USA
Phone: 4438090174
Facebook: facebook.com/sandalwoodes
Twitter: @Sandalwood_BCPS