WT Page Weekly Newsletter
October 15, 2023
Contact Information
Email: stacey_m_brown@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/pagees/
Location: 13400 Tamarack Rd, Silver Spring, MD, USA
Phone: 240-740-7560
Twitter: @WTPagePenguins
WT Page Principal's Message
Good Evening Page Families,
This week we celebrate National School Bus Safety week, make sure you take time to THANK our bus drivers!! More information is can be found below.
The Grand Opening and Open House is scheduled for Wednesday, October 25th from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. Finally families will be able to see the addition and the "forever" teaching spaces. Visit the following locations: Classrooms, courtyard, media center, kitchen, cafeteria, and new back foyer. There will also be a PTA Sip and Reflect event, food trucks, food tastings, support with ParentVue, and more.
Every school year we practice the following drills: fire, shelters-in-place, lockdown and evacuation. Last week there was a need to call a shelter-in-place due to an emergency situation with a student. There was no threat to staff or students. As a reminder here are the types of MCPS drills that we prepare for during an emergency situation.
Fire Drill
What: This is a fire code requirements as well as a requirement of MCPS that students and staff must practice how to leave a building if there is a fire.
How: Students are made aware of fire alarm sound and where the emergency exits are located. They also practice walking the building silently to the designated areas away from the building.
Shelter in Place
What: A safety procedure used when there is either a serious law enforcement incident in the community surrounding the school or when emergency services need unobstructed access inside the school building to address a medical issue or a contained incident or a student or staff member is in crisis and we need limited movement in the hallways. Instruction continues during Shelter-in-Place.
How: During a Shelter-in-Place involving a situation in the building, students remain in their classrooms (or designated area) while the issue is addressed by emergency personnel or staff. If the incident is in the surrounding community, outdoor activities are brought inside and exterior doors remain locked.
- Public Safety Shelter is used if there are public safety actions occurring in the community near the school. Exterior doors are secured, and classroom instruction continues. Public safety officials will notify the school when the situation is under control.
- Severe Weather Shelter is used when a high wind warning has been issued for the community near the school. All students, staff, and visitors—including those located in relocatable classrooms—are brought into the school’s main building. Everyone in the building reports to the designated weather-safe areas. Staff monitors the weather reports
- Outside Hazardous Materials Release requires students, staff, and visitors to be brought into the main building; however, relocatable classrooms are evacuated to the main building only if safe to do so and in consultation with public safety officials. Exterior doors and windows are secured. Ventilation systems are shut down. Public safety officials will notify the school when the situation is under control.
Evacuation
What: A safety procedure used to exit a school when it is too dangerous to remain in the building (ex. fire, gas smell, etc.)
How: Students and staff exit the building to a designated location away from the building. Public safety officials will designate when re-entry to the school is permitted.
Lockdown
What: Lockdown is an emergency alert and response to imminent danger in the school or on campus.
How: Students, staff, and visitors report to the nearest securable location under adult supervision. An administrator ensures that 911 is called to request immediate assistance. Students, staff, and visitors remain secured until police have controlled the situation.
Parent/Child Reunification
What: Parent/Child Reunification Plan that is used to reunite parents and children during an emergency.
How: Parents report to a central location in the building and staff retrieve students and release them only to parents or emergency contacts listed on the emergency cards in ParentVue.
As always, if there are any questions or concerns about any communication that is sent out by the school, please email me or reach out to me on ClassDojo to get further clarification or information.
Have a great rest of your weekend!
Ms. Brown
Principal
Mark Your Calendars - Upcoming Dates
October 16 - 20 - National Bus Safety Week - learn more.
October 18 - No Pre-Kindergarten Classes - Professional Day and Open House at Parkland Middle School 6 pm (5th grade Families)
October 23 - 27 - National Red Ribbon Week - Spirit Week
October 25 - Open House at A Mario Loiederman Middle School 6 pm (5th grade Families)
Wednesday, October 25th and Thursday, October 26th - Student Picture Days
Wednesday, October 25th -Grand Opening and Open House - 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM and SIP and Reflect Event - 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Tuesday, October 31st - End of the Marking Period
Wednesday, November 1st - No School - Professional Day for Staff
Friday, November 3rd - Fall Festival Classroom parties
Saturday, November 4th - Blake High School Poms Day Camp Event - 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Register here - (See Flyer Below)
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Things to Know for Thursday October 12th
Dear MCPS Families,
Here are things to know for Thursday Oct. 12. Get information about how you can learn more about the upcoming FY 2024-2025 Operating Budget, applications for the Montgomery Virtual Academy, upcoming district events, vaccinations, national bus safety week and a pilot for a possible new sport at MCPS.
Upcoming Events:
- **NEW DATE** Sip n’ Reflect (flyer attached) - Wednesday, October 25th 6:30pm-7:30pm
- Register Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScnTmCVz8tqmmb45c1RCb2shtMfrD_XEUGOpv72lpJr9a0Qbw/viewform
- Volunteer Here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084CA9AB2FA4F8C61-volunteer#/
- **NEW** Fall Book Fair - November 3rd through November 13th - more information to follow
- **NEW** PTA Reading Night - Sunday, November 5th via Zoom
- Looking for parent volunteers to read - contact president@wtpagepta.org
- **NEW** Spirit Night - Dine out at Wendy’s - November 7th - details to follow
MCCPTA News - 10.15.23
- MCCPTA advocates for students, caregivers, and educators across the county. To ensure we include multiple perspectives, we invite all members to become a part of our committees and help lead this important work. We are now accepting expressions of interest for Committee Members, Vice-Chairs & Chairs from interested individuals.
- 2023-2024 MCCPTA Committee Interest Form:
- Proposed MCCPTA Advocacy Priorities Out for Review
- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZlJaRWU0JpsR2OjMOl-2mSwU22FqcIuX/view?pli=1
- Vote to approve after consideration of amendments (received by October 18th) at the October 24th DA Meeting
The Montgomery County Executive wants to hear your VOICE!
- The County Executive would like to expand its outreach to hear from more voices! - PDF attached
- Please come to this new forum and hear about the County Operating Budget process, get your questions answered and let your thoughts be known. The County Executive is holding a 2025 Operating Budget Forum for PTAs. The Forum will be in-person, with an on-line option (October 16, 2023 Viewer Link ), on Monday, October 16th from 7:00 - 8:30 pm at the Executive Office Building (in the Auditorium) in Rockville.
WT PTA Membership and Calendar
- Join OR Renew your PTA Membership
- WT Page PTA Calendar
- Stay up-to-date with upcoming events, news and meetings.
- Subscribe to our calendar today!
Volunteer's Needed for Upcoming Events - How you can help?
- Sip ’n Reflect Event - October 25th (New Date)
- Volunteer Here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084CA9AB2FA4F8C61-volunteer#/
- Book Fair - Friday, November 3rd through Friday, November 10th
- Reach out to volunteercoordinator@wtpagepta.org AND president@wtpagepta.org
- Winter Dance Planning Committee - December 15th
WT Page Ongoing PTA Fundraisers - Running Year Long!!
- Rita’s Ice- Custard- Happiness (flyer below)
- Spirit Wear - Order Online
Are You Looking for Important Information from Past Newsletters?
NEW for the 2023 - 2024 School Year - Withdrawal Policy (Please Read)
New this year MCPS is lowering the threshold of consecutive days of unexcused absences from 15 to 10 days. If a student is absent 10 consecutive days they will be withdrawn. MCPS will require schools to complete the following forms: MCPS Student Permanent Withdrawal, regardless of student age and the MCPS Educational Interview for Withdrawal Prevention. Then the forms will be filed in the student’s cumulative folder.
Apply for Free and Reduced Meals (FARMS) for 2023 - 2024 School Year
FARMS applications must be completed each school year. New for the 2023 - 2024 school year students in Maryland who qualify for reduced-price meals will not be charged for meals. The application for FARMS is online and has been updated for the new school year. Apply using www.MySchoolApps.com; this is the preferred application method. You can also apply online using the QR code.
Updated Covid-19 Guidance for the Fall 23 - 24 school year
- COVID Positive - Positive individuals should isolate at least 5 days at home per CDC guidelines
- Case Reporting - No online self-reporting or dashboard, however please contact Ms. Hedley and classroom teacher to let them know the absent was due to COVID-19.
- Masks - required temporarily in outbreak situations and for COVID positive individuals on days 6-10. (Note: Individuals with 2 negative tests between days 5-10 can end the face covering period early and after 5 days of isolation)
- COVID-19 Vaccination - Strongly encouraged but not required for students, staff and volunteers
- COVID-19 Clinics - No more weekly clinics at schools
- COVID-19 Testing - Home test kits may be distributed for screening testing: During outbreaks, before or after school breaks, or at other times as determined by school leadership and depending on available supply.
- Health room testing - Will no longer be conducted for students presenting with possible COVID symptoms during the school day.
- Communication - We will send a letter to staff and students that have reported they have COVID-19. We will also communicate to staff or students who have been exposed in possible outbreaks only (3 or more cases in a classroom or activity within 10 days) or (5 or more cases within 10 days from different classroom and homes)