Principal and PTA Newsletters

Principal’s October Newsletter

Thank You

Thanks to all of our parents, staff and students for a great opening. The support that you provide to your children and our school is invaluable and it shows in the teaching and learning that occurs in our classrooms. Thanks to our PTA for supporting our staff with the staff pre-service breakfast and staff dinner during Back to School Nights.

Beginning in November, the Principal and PTA Newsletters will be sent to parents through email attachments and will be posted on the school’s website: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/ridees/ at the beginning of each month. Paper copies will no longer be sent home through Thursday Folders. If you would like a paper copy, they will be available in our main office.

Awards Assembly

As a result of the report card changes in Grade 3 last year and grades 4 and 5 this year, our leadership team has revised the criteria for our Awards Assembly which is listed below. We will conduct awards assemblies for students in Grades 3, 4 and 5 on the following dates at 9:00 for the 2013-2014 school year: November 14th, January 31st, April 11th and June 11th.

Soaring Eagle Award – All P’s or ES’s on the marking period report card. Sailing Eagle Award – All DEM’s on both Work Habits (not including any TASS grades). Ascending Eagle Award – Any student who has demonstrated considerable growth, regardless of grades or instructional level during the marking period. Arts Award – All P’s or ES’s in Art, Music, and PE on the marking period report card.

School and Safety Reminders

In order to make sure that our students are safe, please make sure that all parents adhere to the following:

1) Please make sure that on the day that your child has Physical Education (PE) class that your child is wearing appropriate footwear. If this does not occur, your child will be unable to participate in class for that day. 1 2) If you are visiting the school, please note that the front doors are locked and you will need to press the red button to gain access into the school.

3) Handicapped parking spots are only for cars that have appropriate identifiable handicapped stickers. There have been instances where these parking spots are being used for regular parking. Please note that violations can result in a $500 fine.

Thank you in advance for your attention to the above safety reminders.

George B. Thomas, Sr. Learning Academy Saturday School

This tutoring and mentoring program can help your child reach his/her potential through individualized assistance with school work, study skills, and test-taking skills. Registration is held every Saturday at all learning academy centers. For more information, call the Office of the Executive Director at 301- 649-8078 or information can be accessed at http://www.saturdayschool.org/

Parent Visitation Day

Parent Visitation Day is scheduled for Monday, October 14, 2013 from 9:00-11:30. This day provides the opportunity for parents to come in and observe our wonderful educational programs. If you choose to join us on October 14, please remember that classroom instruction should not be interrupted.

Curriculum 2.0

MCPS is continuing to introduce its improved curriculum for the elementary grades – Curriculum 2.0. Curriculum 2.0 is designed to provide a strong foundation in the areas of reading, writing and mathematics, while placing a renewed emphasis on other areas, such as science, social studies, the arts, and physical education. It also helps students develop the creative and critical thinking skills that are extremely important for success in the 21st century. In 2013-2014, Curriculum 2.0 will be implemented in Grades K-5 in all schools, and report cards for those grades will be improved to provide parents more information about how students are performing in specific areas. More information is available on the web site at www.montgomeryscholsmd.org/curriculum/2.0.

My Lunch Money.com

MyLunchMoney.com is an online service to make prepayments to your child’s cafeteria account using your credit card. Once your myLunchMoney.com account is established, you can check balances, view student purchases, and fund the account from your computer. You will need the student’s school, grade, birth date, and student ID number (not their PIN). With the recurring payment option, money will always be in your child’s account. When a low balance is reached, your credit/debit card is charged. Please note there is a convenience fee per transaction.

Halloween Celebrations

2 Families are invited to view our Halloween Parade at 1:40 on Thursday, October 31, 2013, on our outside playground blacktop and the lower field. Class celebrations will follow the parade and end at 2:45 to allow time for dismissal. In the event of rain, the parade will be cancelled, but the celebrations will still be held beginning at 1:45. Please note that items that look like weapons should not be a part of your child’s costume and should not come to school. Students who do not participate in Halloween will convene in the Media Center. Please inform your child’s teacher if your child is not to participate.

Bullying Harassment and Intimidation Reporting Forms

Dr. Sally K. Ride is committed to a positive and friendly learning environment where bullying, harassment or intimidation will not be tolerated. Any parent, student or staff member may report an act of bullying, harassment or intimidation verbally to school staff or by completing MCPS Form 230- 35. If you would like to complete the MCPS form, please contact Ms. Miller, our school counselor at 301-353-0994.

Parent Reunification

In the event of an emergency (for example September 11, 2001) that requires us to reunite parents with students, we have a parent reunification plan in place. Parents will be directed to assemble in the all-purpose room. Staff members will sign-in parents/guardians and check identification. If necessary, we will refer to your child’s Authorization for Release form which you completed at the beginning of the school year. Staff members will retrieve your child and escort him/her to the all- purpose room for dismissal.

Elementary Centers for the Highly Gifted (HGC)

Applications for the Elementary Centers for the Highly Gifted (HGC) were recently mailed directly to all parents of Grade 3 students in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). This is a reminder that if you are interested in having your child considered for the HGC, you must complete the application and return it by November 8, 2013, to:

HGC Application Division of Consortia Choice and Application Program Services 11721 Kemp Mill Road Silver Spring, Maryland 20902

If for some reason you did not receive an application in the mail, and are interested in the program, contact the school or access it from the website at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms/. The packet also is available in Chinese, French, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese. If you need a translated application, please contact the school.

Students who submitted their applications by the deadline will be tested in their current school during January 2014. Notification of the testing date and time for your school will be mailed to the homes of those applying.

3 The Middle School Magnet Program at Roberto Clemente, Eastern and Takoma Park Middle Schools, and the Middle School Magnet Consortium Application Process

This is a reminder that Grade 5 students interested in applying to the Upcounty Middle School Center Programs at Robert Clemente MS must submit their application by November 8, 2013. Application materials are available at http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms/. Ms. Miller, the school counselor, also has applications.

Grade 5 students will receive information about the Middle School Magnet Consortium program (MSMC) at Argyle, Loiederman and Parkland Middle Schools by mid -October. You can also go to http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/msmagnet/. The application for the Middle School Magnet Consortium Program is due by November 8, 2013. If you have questions, you can contact the Division of Consortia Choice and Application Program Services at 301-592-2040 or Ms. Miller at 301- 353-0994.

Converting from Air Conditioning to Heat

During the first three weeks of October, Montgomery County Public Schools will be converting the air conditioning to heat. During the changeover time, please have your child dress for the weather, in particular sweaters or jackets for chilly mornings. This process should be completed by mid-October

Homework Help

Homework Hotline Live (HHL) is available Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m., by calling 301-279-3234 and on cable TV (Comcast 34, FIOS 36 or RCN 89). MCPS-TV supports students by offering free homework help. You can also send texts (724-427-5445, 7244-ASK-HHL), email ([email protected]), Facebook (Facebook.com/AskHHL) and Twitter (Twitter.com/AskHHL) until 9:00 p.m.

Sign-up for MCPS QuickNotes and Alert MCPS

MCPS QuickNotes is a free e-mail service that provides subscribers with important news and information about MCPS programs and activities, plus emergency information. MCPS QuickNotes is offered in six languages: English, Spanish, French, Korean, Chinese, and Vietnamese. Visit www.mcpsquicknotes.org to subscribe. Alert MCPS allows you to receive text messages or e-mail from the school system during weather-related emergencies and other major events that impact school system operations. Signing up for Alert MCPS is free, but please check with your wireless provider about charges associated with text messages. Sign up at http://alert.montgomerycountymd.gov.

Hispanic Hotline

The Hispanic Hotline is a bilingual telephone service that provides Spanish-speaking parents with a communication resource to help them contact school staff for help in understanding school-related issues and receive information regarding county services. The Hispanic Hotline is attended by a bilingual staff member from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Hotline number is (301) 230-3073.

Youth Programs Kid’s College 4 Montgomery College offers enrichment courses for students in grades pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Courses are offered after school and on Saturdays on the Rockville campus. More information can be accessed at: www.montgomery college.edu/youth or by calling 240-567-7264 or 240-567-7917.

October 2013 Calendar of Events

October 1 PTA Meeting, 7:00 p.m. October 3 Interims distributed October 4 PTA Sweets and Treats, 7:00 p.m. October 9 Walk Your Child to School Day October 14 Open House, Parent Visitation, 9:00 – 11:30 October 17 Individual Picture Day (Make-up day, Nov. 21) October 19 No school for students, MSEA Convention October 21-25 Book Fair October 21 Kindergarten Field Trip to Gaver Farm, 9:30 – 1:00 October 21 4th Grade Field Trip to Montgomery County Agricultural Farm, 9:30 – 1:30 October 23 5th Grade Field Trip to Strathmore Music Center, 11:10 – 1:50 October 28-29 2nd Grade Field Trip to Kingsley Environmental Center, 9:30 – 1:30 October 31 Head Start Field Trip to Homestead Farms, 10:15 – 1:00 October 31 Pre-K Field Trip to Butler’s Orchard October 31 Halloween Parade & Parties, 1:40-2:45