Back to School Newsletter
New Market Elementary - August 2021
Welcome!
We are looking forward to a fabulous 2021 - 2022 school year at New Market Elementary! Welcome back to our returning families and warm greetings to our new families. This Back to School Newsletter contains important and helpful information to help everyone have a strong start to the new year. Thank you for your support!
This year there is even more excitement in the air as we return to full in-person learning. The NMES staff remains committed to creating a sense of belonging within all our classrooms and across the school. We will continue to focus on ensuring everyone at NMES is seen, heard, known and supported.
To provide transparent and clear information, FCPS has created a Q&A document for questions regarding the 2021 - 2022 school year. We encourage you to visit this resource in order to be informed with the most up-to-date information for the coming year: https://www.fcps.org/backtoschool
Mr. Bowser - Principal
Mrs. McGaha - Assistant Principal
Important Back to School Dates
- Monday, August 16: PK - 5 Open House from 2:30 - 3:30
- Wednesday, August 18: First Day of School for grades 1 - 5 (Staggered start days for Kindergarten students and Home School Visits for Pre-Kindergarten)
- Tuesday, August 31: Primary Back to School Night from 6:00 - 7:30
- Wednesday, September 1: Intermediate Back to School Night from 6:00 - 7:30
NOTE: Parents/Guardians will not be permitted to walk students to their classrooms, this includes Kindergarten and Pre-Kindergarten. This is per guidance from Central Office. We will implement the "Kiss and Ride" option at our school entrance. We appreciate your understanding.
NMES Open House
Monday, Aug 16, 2021, 02:30 PM
New Market Elementary School, West Main Street, New Market, MD, USA
NMES PTA
Welcome back to the 2021 - 2022 school year from your New Market Elementary School PTA! The PTA is excited for what this school year will bring and we look forward to supporting the students, teachers and staff as we transition back into school. We have some fun activities planned for this coming year and hope you will join us!! We can't wait to see you at the Open House on Monday, August 16. Look for us at our table!
New Staff at NMES
Rob Purgason, Math Specialist
Message from Mr. Purgason: "My name is Rob Purgason and I am the new Math Specialist at NMES. Most recently, I was teaching at Walkersville Elementary for 17 years. At Walkersville, I was a fourth grade teacher and then spent 10 years a Math Specialist and Targeted Intervention Teacher. I am married to my wife, Katey, and we have a 13-year old son named Kollin. My family is huge dog lovers! We currently have a rescue dog named Dempsey and a puppy named Kamryn. In my spare time, I enjoy playing golf, watching and at times coaching my son in soccer. I also enjoy relaxing at the beach with my family. A fun fact is that I have an identical twin brother, Jeff, whose family lives in the NMES community with my two nieces, Emily and Claire Purgason, who are alumni of NMES. As a result, I already feel connected to the school and look forward to meeting all the families that I have heard so many great things through the years!"
Amy Knight, Reading and Math Intervention Teacher:
Message from Mrs. Knight: "My name is Amy Knight and I will be joining New Market Elementary as a Reading and Math Intervention Teacher. This will be my fourteenth year as an educator. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Hood College and a Master's Degree in Library Science from McDaniel College. I have taught kindergarten, first, and third grade. When I am not in the classroom, I am a mom to three beautiful daughters ages 9, 6 and 4. My husband and I live in Mt. Airy. I am super excited to be joining the New Market team and working with such a talented and dedicated staff."
Rachel Bower, Special Education Teacher (part-time):
Message from Miss Bower: "My name is Rachel Bower and I will serve as a part-time special education teacher. I just finished my first year teaching Kindergarten at Tuscarora Elementary. I graduated from Towson University with a dual certification in Early Childhood and Special Education. A little about me...I have two English Bulldogs named Zeus and Barley. I will be getting married in October. My mom is also a teacher so teaching runs in my family! Some of my favorite things are: coffee, going on walks and going to the beach. I am so excited to start this new chapter and join the NMES Family!
Mr. Purgason, Math Specialist
Mrs. Knight, Reading and Math Intervention Teacher
Miss Bower, Special Education Teacher (part-time)
Volunteering at NMES
Schoology Resources for Parents/Guardians
- FCPS Schoology Page for Students and Families https://www.fcps.org/student-services/schoology
- FCPS Schoology YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGATg8OciCItdUiqHJyHHrA
- FCPS Schoology Troubleshooting Guide https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OJWzxwXeSumMlev5Ac8_-B0aaKhW5_ofMvuRO3a1pws/edit?usp=sharing
- How To View Grades in Schoology https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HG9UQhjKp3gqu7lj6zJJoPNuALXpsY8GGseM5Gu-yX0/edit?usp=sharing
Important Information for Car-Riders
Arrival and dismissal can be a very busy time at NMES. It is extremely important to follow our car-rider procedures to ensure a safe and efficient process for everyone. Vehicle traffic should enter our "loop" by the entrance closest to the Derby restaurant. Cars will form a double line around the loop while waiting in order to keep traffic from backing up on Main Street. Once directed, you will pull around the side of the building toward the Gym and stay to the right along the curb. Staff will be on duty to assist with the flow of traffic. Please have your child exit and enter your vehicle on the passenger side (curb side) to avoid students getting out in the lane where buses may be traveling. We will do our best to keep things moving, but please be patient. While we understand nobody likes waiting in traffic, student safety is our main concern.
Car-riders are not permitted to park and get out of the vehicle. You may not park in our lot and walk over to meet your child.
Please help us by following these procedures. Allow yourself enough time, especially for the first week or two, until patterns settle in. Thank you for helping to keep all of our NMES Wolves safe!
FCPS Bus Information
Please visit the website to look up your child's bus number and pickup/drop off times. Also, plan to confirm the times closer to the first day of school as there could be changes.
Student Firearm Possession
Schools are required to share the following information at the start of each school year: "It is unlawful for students to possess or use any weapon on school property. Students who have or use a weapon on school property will be suspended from school, and the police will be notified of the incident. A weapon is any object designed to harm another physically or an object which is used in a way that can physically harm another. This school is committed to providing each of you with a safe environment, and we will do all we can do carry out that responsibility including, if necessary, conducting searches of student lockers."
FCPS Regulation Review
All schools are required to share the following FCPS Regulations:
Regulation 500 - 32: Replacement of Lost or Damaged Instructional Materials
Regulation 400 - 73: Responsible Use of Digital Technology
Regulation 400 - 48: Bullying, Harassment, Intimidation Complaint Process for Students
Regulation 500 - 06: Grading, Reporting and Intervention - Elementary
Free Breakfast and Lunch for ALL students
FCPS Strategic Plan
The FCPS Strategic Plan includes five aspirational goals and ten corresponding priorities with specific measurable targets for each. The FCPS aspirational goals and priorities function together in an integrated fashion. Ensuring the strategic, transparent, and equitable distribution of resources that support the presence of high-quality and diverse staff, strong family-school partnerships, and culture of wellness and safety in schools, is critical and essential to FCPS providing high-quality instruction and ultimately raising the achievement for each and every student.
While the aspirational goals and priorities provide a vision, the measurable goals allow FCPS to evaluate its success in meeting its vision. Cross-departmental efforts occur annually to facilitate progress monitoring on each goal. Results are then shared through multiple presentations to the Board of Education. FCPS has released a preliminary dashboard for the FCPS Strategic Plan. The dashboard can be found at: https://www.fcps.org/strategic-plan.
New Market Elementary
Email: Jason.Bowser@fcps.org
Website: https://education.fcps.org/nmes/
Location: 93 West Main Street, New Market, MD, USA
Phone: 240-236-1300
Twitter: @FCPSNewMarketES