The Cougar Connection
Principal News & Notes November 2022 Issue
Gratitude & Thanks
With Thanksgiving on the horizon, I find myself feeling thankful for our amazing Cold Spring community. I treasure the relationships I have formed with students, staff, and families and I am filled with pride when I am able to share about Cold Spring with others. I want to formally thank our phenomenal Parent Teacher Association and Board Members for their constant support. One example of this support is seen in our Literacy Resource Room. This important project has enabled our teachers to utilize high quality literacy resources and keep those resources in good shape for years to come. We have been able to purchase shelving, organizational bins, and student materials with your support. All of this directly benefits your children and we are so appreciative. We are also grateful for the budgeted teacher grant money. Our teachers are constantly looking for rigorous materials and programming and your generous donations allow for them to engage students with these types of educational experiences.
On behalf of the entire Cold Spring staff, I want to share our sincere gratitude for all your support and partnership and we look forward to this continuation.
Monthly Calendar
Cold Spring Elementary School Website
Cold Spring Elementary Phone Number: 240-740-4390
- November 4th: Student Picture Retakes
- November 7th: Professional Day - No School for Students
- November 8th: No School
- November 15th: PTA Meeting (Virtual)
- November 18th: PTA Donuts with Grownups Event
- November 21st -22nd: Early Release Days
- November 23rd - 25th: Thanksgiving Break
November Reconciliation & Remembrance Month
Montgomery County Public Schools will observe Remembrance and Reconciliation Month by supporting local Emancipation Day celebrations, providing schools with age-appropriate lessons on local historic African American communities, and virtual changemaker workshops for students and their families in English and Spanish on November 15 - 17, 2022. The goal of the program is to help students learn about Montgomery County’s historic African American communities.
There will be five 15 -minute lessons. The lessons will include the following themes:
All teachers leading these sessions have received professional learning to ensure lessons humanize African American history and are delivered with cultural competence, care, and compassion. Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) partnered with community members, Montgomery History, and Heritage Montgomery to create the historically accurate lessons. The content does not include graphic images of violence or derogatory language.
MCPS encourages parents and caregivers to talk with their students about the lessons. Below are links to the lessons and a resource to support conversations about race and racism.
2022 Remembrance and Reconciliation Month Lessons
Parent/Caregiver Resources
Two of the five lessons focus on how community members and their allies have taken informed action to challenge the problems they faced and are facing today. Grades 3, 4 and 5 students and their parents or caregivers are invited to participate in the elementary changemakers workshop, during which community and student activists will help participants learn how to effectively challenge problems and inequities within their communities on Thursday, Nov. 17 at 5:30 p.m. Register to attend..
These lessons are part of a larger program organized by the Montgomery County Remembrance and Reconciliation Commission who has called for this November to be a month of remembrance and reconciliation. The goal is to help residents grow their understanding of the full history of Montgomery County. The Commission on Remembrance and Reconciliation was established by the Montgomery County Office of Human Rights in 2019 to promote a better understanding of its history.
Are You Interested in Supporting Lunch & Recess?
Lunch and recess is a time where our students can enjoy social conversation and play. This is the one part of their day where there is a bit less structure and they can relax. We would love to have your support if you are available during this time.
If you would like to volunteer at lunch, recess, or both times, please head to the main office and sign in. You will need your driver's license or photo ID to get a visitor sticker. You will need to wear the sticker while you are volunteering.
The below link is our lunch and recess schedule for the year. Again, we welcome your support!
2022-2023 Lunch & Recess Schedule
Principal Coffee & Converstaion Mathematics Presentation
Thank you to everyone who joined the October Principal Coffee and Conversation event. The math conversation was rich and there will be more opportunities to engage in the topic of math throughout the rest of the year. If you weren't able to join, please use the link below to view the presentation.
Presentation Link
PTA Reflections
Calling all Cold Spring Student Artists!
Once again, our school will be participating in the National PTA Reflections Arts Program. This Program allows our students to express themselves through their gifts & talents in the ARTS! You may enter your original work in one or more of the following categories: Dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography, and visual arts. Please see attached general guidelines and rules sheet for details. This year's theme is "Show Your Voice". Entries are due December 5th. If you'd like to enter, please send an email to parastoo@hotmail.com and you will receive further instructions. All submissions are digital.
General Guidelines
Rules Sheet
Mrs. Bergel, our art teacher, would appreciate parent volunteers to help with the following tasks:
- cutting paper
- mounting projects
- hanging bulletin board displays
- prepping student supplies
If you have some time during your day to help, please email Mrs. Bergel at Shari_L_Bergel@mcpsmd.org. We sincerely appreciate your support for our Art program at Cold Spring ES!
Each month we will spotlight members of our stellar Cold Spring Staff. Enjoy reading about each of them and get to know them a little bit better!
Ms. Meghane Vaughan, Reading Specialist
Where were you born?I was born in Salem, Massachusetts.
What is your favorite color?
I love the color teal!
What is your favorite food?
I love Thai and Italian food.
What do you love most about Cold Spring?
This is my second year at Cold Spring and I just adore the staff.
What is one interesting fact about you?
I'm a major foodie. I love a good restaurant or home cooked meal.
Cold Spring Elementary School
Please contact Principal Hambrecht or ASA Legarreta with any questions!
