The Paw Print
Week of October 12, 2020
Updates from Mrs. Murphy and Mr. Ajamian
In the coming weeks, we will hold a second distribution to pass out classroom materials for Marking Period 2. We hope to provide you with additional details by the end of the week.
4th & 5th Grade Student Study Circles & Parent Virtual Coffee
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 continue to take 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 begin in the classroom in October. The classroom teachers will co-teach the lessons with a central office staff member. Our 5th grade students will expand on the work that they began last year.
We will hold a parent coffee on Friday, October 23rd at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom 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 parents, 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. Below is a picture that links to the invitation.
A Message from Mrs. Steinberg
Please refer to the attached chart for days and times of open Counseling Recess Bunches by Grade for students. These Recess Bunches are a great opportunity for students to socialize with their grade level peers and learn new skills. Mrs. Steinberg hopes to see you there!
School Calendar Changes
- Addition of a Professional Day for Teachers on November 4, 2020
- Shift of early release days from November 11-12 to November 23-24
In the coming weeks, classroom teachers will send out information on how to sign up for a virtual parent conference during the month of November.
We are here to help
As a Seven Locks Community, we are here to support all our families that may be in need. As it gets colder, please reach out if your child is in need of a winter coat. Please call the main office or email Megan_H_Murphy@mcpsmd.org. Also, MCPS continues to provide curbside meal service at 74 school sites. Click here for more information and for a list of pick up locations.
The Black and Brown Coalition for Educational Equity and Excellence
Attendance Reminders
Students are expected to attend all live virtual learning classes in which they are enrolled. However, in some instances, this may not be possible due to illness or extenuating circumstances. Students may then access the recording of the class to engage in the daily learning during an alternate time within 72 hours of the absence. Students/Parents/Guardians may then submit a Live Virtual Lesson Absence Form to document that they engaged in the lesson and to request the unexcused absence to be reconciled to Present. If extenuating circumstances exist, parents/guardians are encouraged to communicate with the school’s administration ahead of time. The Live Virtual Lesson Absence Form must be completed for each documented absence. This form is accessible from the main page of the SLES website.
Digital Consent Form
SLES teachers may utilize a variety of supplemental online digital tools to reinforce the district’s instructional program. We are sharing with you a list of the online tools that may be used by teachers to enhance online learning. The list is embedded within the consent form. These tools have been evaluated to be safe for student use and are consistent with federal laws on student data privacy.
SLES requests you read the instructions on the linked google form and offer your consent to allow your student to use the supplemental tools listed on the Digital Consent Google Form.
Parent Technology Resources
Parents who need technical help can call 240-740-7020 Monday-Friday between 7am and 8pm or email communitytechsupport@mcpsmd.org
Churchill Cluster News
Hoover Middle School Drama Program
MCPS News
Additional Bus Stop Locations Added to Meal Service Program
MCPS is expanding the number of meal service sites for the community. In addition to the 74 school sites, students and families can pick up meals on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday at several bus stop locations throughout the county from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. More information is available at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/reopening/meals/.
Student Engagement Website Features Information on Leadership, Service, and Extracurricular Activities
MCPS students can engage and access several different experiences through leadership, service, and extracurricular activities. Students are encouraged to participate at the school level. The new student engagement website includes information for additional learning experiences and information, which often are student-led. Be sure to check
www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/student-engagement/ frequently as content and information will be updated throughout the school year.
Parent Resources for Virtual Learning
The MCPS Parents page has been updated to include various online resources for families to help them navigate virtual learning. Visit www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/parents/ to see the list of resources.
Board Committee to Host Community Conversation on Virtual Learning
The Board of Education’s Communication and Stakeholder Engagement Committee is hosting a community conversation about virtual learning on Monday, October 19 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. You can watch at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org, youtube.com/mcpstv or on MCPS-TV (Comcast 33, Verizon 36 and RCN 88). You can submit questions in advance at www.mcpssubmitquestion.org.
Parent Academy Holding To-Go Virtual Webinars, Chats, and Workshops
Families and students can stay engaged throughout the school year with Parent Academy TO GO. Parent Academy TO GO is a series of virtual webinars for families to watch at home. In addition, there are several virtual chats and workshops coming up that may be helpful for families. Among them:
Monday, October 12, Mental Health Monday Virtual Chat: Minimizing Meltdowns at Home, 6:00 to 6:45 p.m.
Join us for a virtual chat focused on compassion and grace. We will discuss crisis prevention and intervention strategies to help minimize meltdowns and support your child’s social/emotional needs during a dual pandemic. Recommended for families of elementary, middle, and high school students. Facilitated by a nationally certified school psychologist.
Tuesday, October 13, Virtual Chat, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
(Facilitated in English, Spanish, Amharic, French, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Korean)
Online learning is very challenging for some of our MCPS families. This virtual chat is a collaborative, community event built on the five primary languages in MCPS and created to listen to the technology needs of parents/guardians. It will create solutions with parents/guardians in real time so they can learn more about how to help their children online and how to solve problems when the technology stops. Presented by MCPS staff and recommended for families of elementary, middle, and high school students.
Monday, October 19, Mental Health Monday Virtual Workshop: An Overview of Social-Emotional Learning, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Join us for an overview of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL). SEL is a process through which adults and children deepen their expertise in understanding and managing emotions and learning how they impact a person’s choices, relationships, and outlook in life. MCPS staff will discuss and answer questions regarding SEL and how it impacts your child. Recommended for families of elementary, middle, and high school students and presented by MCPS staff.
You can find the complete list of virtual workshops, chats, and webinars on the Parent Academy website at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/parentacademy/.
Important Dates
Friday, October 23 - Virtual Parent Coffee to Discuss Race & Equity, 9:30 a.m.
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