THE ROSEMONT ROCKET
March 2023
Rosemont Elementary School
Email: keely_r_cooke@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/rosemontes/
Location: 16400 Alden Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
Phone: (301) 840-7123
Twitter: @RosemontES
The Principal's Page
With the month of March comes the end of winter. March also marks the beginning of the fourth marking period. Marking period 3 will end on March 31. This is a great opportunity to discuss student progress with teachers. I would also encourage regular conversations with your children about how they are performing and what they are learning.
March is Womens History Month
During Women's History Month, we celebrate the countless women who have fought tirelessly and courageously for equality, justice, and opportunity in our Nation. We also reaffirm our commitment to advancing rights and opportunities for women and girls in the United States and around the world.
RES Mission Statement
At Rosemont, our mission is to --
· foster positive EQUITABLE RELATIONSHIPS with students, staff, and the community,
· deliver CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE RIGOROUS instruction, and
· achieve RESULTS for ALL students.
Rosemont ES Measurable Results Assessment (MRA)
To the Families of our Students,
Starting March 14, our school will be administering the Measurable Results Assessment (MRA), a survey and reporting system designed to provide insights into the progress of our school. In order to provide a holistic picture of what is going on in our school, the MRA includes three different surveys; 1) one completed by all school staff, 2) one completed by students, and 3) one completed by the families of students in all grades. We hope you will participate so we can use the feedback to make our school an even better place for students and families. If you have any questions about the surveys or wish to see a list of questions, please contact Tawny Ditto at tawny_n_ditto@mcpsmd.org.
The online survey should be completed by one member of each household. ● The survey typically takes about 5 minutes to complete ● Questions relate to the experiences you and your child have at Rosemont ES. ● Answers are anonymous--to encourage people to be honest and open, no names and other identifying information will be collected.
The survey is now available for you to take through May 19, 2023.
The survey can be taken from any computer, smartphone, or tablet with internet access, ● Simply click on this link: Rosemont Elementary Family Survey
STUDENT BEHAVIOR REMINDERS
Parents we need your help! Students must learn to keep their hands and feet to themselves at all times. Students need to demonstrate understanding of personal space. When students are upset they need to use their words to express their feelings rather than using their hands and feet to show their feelings. It is important that all students kindergarten through grade five keep their hands and feet to themselves and follow school expectations so all students feel safe. Please remind your child to keep their hands and feet to themselves at all times.
PTA Meeting - March 2 at 7:00 p.m.
The PTA is a vital part of our school community. Please consider joining to support our staff, students, and families.
- President - Ms. Yvette Andrade - andradedc5@gmail.com
- Treasurer - Ms. Lakita Jessie - ashante36@live.com
- Secretary - Ms. Ayanna Upsher - ayanna.upsher@gmail.com
The PTA will be meeting the first Thursday of every month via Google Meet.
Yearbooks
Preorder Your Yearbook Now!
It is time to preorder your Rosemont 2022-2023 Yearbook at a discounted price! Preorders are ONLY online for $20. We will have a limited number of yearbooks for cash purchases at the end of the school year for $25.
Order online through this link. Be sure to use the order code: 25470.
https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/ Order # 25470
Read Across Rosemont Week
On Thursday, March 2, we will celebrate Read Across America by inviting parents and guardians to read at Rosemont. During this event, volunteers will have the opportunity to show your love of reading by sharing some of your favorite stories. If you are interested in participating in our read-aloud, please fill out the form that was sent home on Tuesday, February 21, and return it to your teacher. If you have any questions about the event or volunteer training, please email your child's teacher.
Read Across America Spirit Week: February 27 - March 3
- Monday, February 27: Denim Day - Wear your favorite pair of jeans or denim.
- Tuesday, February 28: Sweats Day - Wear your warm sweats to school.
- Wednesday, March 1: Rosemont Day - Show your Rosemont spirit.
- Thursday, March 2: Favorite Book Character Day - Dress up like your favorite book character.
- Friday, March 3: Pajama Day - Wear your comfy pj’s to school.
Spring Testing
We have several state assessments coming up in the spring.
- Students in grades 3-5 will be taking the MCAP assessments in March/ April. This assessment will evaluate your child's progress in math and reading.
- Grade 5 students will also be taking the MISA assessment for science in March.
- All students K-5 will take the Spring MAP in April/ May
Your child's teacher will provide you with the specifics dates once they are determined.
How You Can Help at Home
Even as students are showing growth and mastery, many still must reach end-of-year reading and math goals. Please listen to your children read aloud. Encourage reading and ask questions about what was read. Have students write in journals and respond to questions about their reading and in math, students must master their addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts.
KINDERGARTEN ORIENTATION 2023-2024
Kindergarten Orientation information is coming soon!
At orientation, parents and students will meet the school principal, kindergarten teachers, and other school staff members. There will be fun activities for children and an opportunity for parents to ask questions about the school’s procedures and programs. Kindergarten orientation is primarily an opportunity for children to look forward to coming to school and to begin to build an important partnership between home and school.
Registration opens March 27!
Next Generation Leadership Day: April 15
This event is free to the students. Free transportation will be provided from each high school at 8:00 a.m. to bring the students to Northwood HS and return to the high school by 4:00 p.m.
RES STEAM DAY & SCIENCE FAIR
Show your love of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) by conducting your own STEAM project.Your Rosemont ES STEAM Planning Guide will help you to identify a project of your choice, plan it out, and manage your time with a weekly checklist. You can display your STEAM Project at school on Thursday, April 27, 2022 for ALL to see!
Let’s get STEAMing!
Rosemont ES STEAM Project Checklist:
● Have you returned your completed STEAM Project Permission Slip?
● If you need a STEAM Planning Guide, ask your teacher.
● If you need a FREE trifold science board for your STEAM Project display, ask your teacher.
Please see your classroom teacher or Mrs. Vactor for any STEAM materials or questions!
VIRTUAL ACADEMY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR
The Montgomery Virtual Academy, a full-time virtual learning program for students in Kindergarten to Grade 12, is now accepting applications for the 2023-2024 school year. Students interested in the program are required to apply for admission and must be approved to participate. (Students currently enrolled in the Virtual Academy do not need to reapply). Applications will be considered on a rolling admissions basis. Application reviews will begin March 1 for initial enrollment and staffing purposes.
The Virtual Academy serves students in a comprehensive, full-time online instructional program. The program will continue to expand its infrastructure and services, innovative instructional approaches and flexible options to access coursework, particularly for high school students.
Admission considerations include:
- For elementary school students: Primarily for students with extenuating circumstances related to health or other reasons that can be mitigated through a virtual learning program.
- For middle and high school students: For students to gain access to innovative courses, flexible scheduling and specialty courses that may not be available in all schools, and for students with extenuating circumstances, including health and other reasons, that can be mitigated through a virtual program.
Applications can be submitted through ParentVUE beginning today, February 2.
For families needing to submit paper applications or via PDF, please email MoCoVirtual@mcpsmd.org.
Note for Rising Kindergarteners
Students who will be kindergartners in the 2023–2024 school year must register at their home school prior to applying to the Virtual Academy. To receive a student ID number, contact your local neighborhood elementary school to schedule an appointment. Application reviews for kindergarten students will begin May 1.
Saturday School for Rosemont ES
The George B. Thomas Sr. Learning Academy, Inc. Saturday School program mentors and tutors MCPS students in Pre-K-12 grade. Each Saturday, transportation is provided at each center and breakfast is served. Elementary school students utilize MCPS aligned curriculum with benchmarks and Eureka math. For those students looking for acceleration, they introduce grade level appropriate extension activities to broaden learning experiences.
Saturday School costs $40 (FARMS)/$85 for the entire year of services. They have nine Saturday School sessions remaining from February 11 through April 29.
Families can register online at www.saturdayschool.org or bring the attached registration form to one of their physical locations on Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m.
CAR RIDER SAFETY REMINDERS
The safety of our students is a top priority and we appreciate your cooperation! Please be reminded of our safety procedures.
- Please do NOT attempt to drop off students on neighboring streets from across, behind, or next to the school as it is dangerous.
- Please utilize the car loop lane when dropping off students by pulling up all the way to the end of the car loop lane.
- Please stay in your vehicle until your child is escorted to your vehicle for pick up
- Please be reminded to pick-up and drop off students during arrival and dismissal times in the car rider loop only.The bus loop should only be used for students getting dropped off by bus.
MCPS After-School Tutoring
Rosemont ES is offering FREE virtual after-school tutoring to help your child with math and reading each week. Please contact our Math Content Coach, Mrs.Vactor, for more information about FREE virtual tutoring camille.p.vactor@mcpsmd.net.
Student Chromebooks for Home Use
As a reminder MCPS has a process for students obtaining a Chromebook for students to use at home. Linked below are resources regarding a student Chromebook if you do not have a device at home to use:
Amazon Smile Donations
An easy way to help Rosemont is by using Amazon Smile when shopping on Amazon. It has the same products, same prices, same services and you can use your current Amazon account. To get started click here and Rosemont Elementary as your charitable organization. Then every time you shop at smile.amazon.com, Amazon will donate 0.5% of eligible purchases back to the school.
Amazon Smile Link: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/52-6070574
Clothes Bin
Clothes Bin’s school recycling program helps raise money for Rosemont with a textile recycling bin. With contactless textile recycling bins, we can inspire change in our community while we educate students about the environment and the importance of recycling.
Clothes Bin provides for the collection, management and distribution of unwanted shoes, clothing, and other textiles. We have a textile recycling bin at Rosemont, in the parking lot next to the gymnasium. Rosemont receives money for every pound recycled in the bin.
Bathroom Reminders & Expectations
A clean and safe environment for our students is top priority at Rosemont. Please remind your child of appropriate bathroom behavior.
- Paper towels should be put in the trashcan not the toilet
- Flush the toilet after each use
- Wash your hands after using the restroom
- Throw toilet paper in the toilet not on the floor
- Respect the privacy of others
Birthday Celebrations
Parents may bring individual store bought cupcakes, donuts, or cookies to school to celebrate their child’s birthday. Please do not bring cakes, drinks, decorations, cameras, or goodie bags. Cupcakes, donuts, or cookies need to be brought to the main office and will be served during your child’s lunch.
Cell Phones and Mobile Devices
All cell phones and mobile devices should be turned off and:
- Placed in the main office upon arrival or
- Kept in student's backpack during the school day
Calls, text messages, and recordings are not allowed in the classroom, during recess/lunch or in the restroom. In addition, the school is not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged devices while on school property. Thank you for your support regarding this matter.
Colder Weather, Appropriate Dress, and Lost & Found
COLDER WEATHER
Recess provides an important break for students, and is a chance to recharge energy for the remainder of the day. Students will go outside for daily recess unless the temperature or wind chill factor reaches below 32° F. Therefore, all students need to dress appropriately for the weather conditions.
APPROPRIATE DRESS
Please ensure your child are dressed in clothes appropriate for school. Stomachs and undergarments should not be visible.
LOST & FOUND
Have your child check the lost and found for missing items.
Connect with Teachers
For the safety and security of our students and staff, the following procedures have been established for all parent/teacher meetings:
If you need to communicate with your child’s teacher, you may email the teacher, schedule an appointment for a phone conference or a virtual meeting. All staff emails can be found here: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/rosemontes/aboutus/directory/
Forget Something? Delivering Items to Students
When it is necessary to deliver books, lunches, chromebooks, or other items to students, please bring them to the office. The students will get the item quickly without interrupting instruction.
Girls on the Run
Girls on the Run is a girl-empowerment organization that inspires participants to be joyful, healthy and confident using evidence-based lessons that combine relationship-building, community strengthening, and goal setting with physical movement. Please view the attached flyer and contact the school or email info@girlsontherunofmoco.org for more information!
BE ALERT FOR THE SIGNS OF HEAD LICE
Head lice, also called Pediculus humanus capitis, are parasitic insects found on the heads of people. Anyone who comes in close contact (especially head-to-head contact) with someone who has head lice is at greatest risk. Occasionally, head lice may be acquired from contact with clothing or personal items that belong to an infested person. Personal hygiene or cleanliness in the home or school has nothing to do with getting head lice. See attached for more information.
RES Student Change in Dismissal Form
For the safety of ALL students at Rosemont Elementary School, use the attached "RES Student Change in Dismissal" form when your child’s after school dismissal plans change. Please complete the form and send it to school in your child’s backpack for his/her teacher. All dismissal changes must be in writing, signed by the parent or legal guardian, and received by 2:00 p.m. Phone calls are discouraged to change dismissal plans.
Rosemont ES Spirit Wear
Show your Rosemont spirit and get a head start on your holiday shopping by purchasing new Rosemont Rocket gear!
Order online now at https://www.rosemontspiritwear.com/.
*Free shipping for orders over $50!
Volunteering
Montgomery County Public Schools requires school volunteers and partnership agencies to complete certain compliance measures in order to volunteer within our school district.
- Online Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect Training via their myMCPS Classroom/ Canvas account
- COVID-19 Vaccination Attestation
- Gradesheet will show 83.3% for successful completion)
- Fingerprinting/Background check (only if the volunteer is working alone with students without supervision of an MCPS staff member or other type of volunteer service, per the Volunteers Regulation and FAQ)
If you need the forms translated, please access this link:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1IecE73crybtZ1SU51T_gtXDQXYU6pnDE?usp=sharing
Important Dates:
March
- March 2: Read Across Rosemont
- March 2: PTA Meeting
- March 3: Early Release Day
- March 8 & 10: MISA Testing (Grade 5)
- March 14: MSDE MD Survey (Grade 5)
- March 15: Early Release Day
- March 22: Parent Coffee
- March 22: Multicultural Bedtime Stories
- March 31: No School for Students
April
- April 1-10: Spring Break
- April 17: MCAP Testing Begins
- April 27: STEAM Day/ Science Fair
- April 21: No School for Students