The Eagle’s Eye
Rock Creek Valley Elementary School
5121 Russett Road, Rockville, MD 20853
(301) 460-2195 Fax (301) 460-2196
May 15, 2015
Catherine Jasperse, Principal
Julia Bialeski, Assistant Principal
Principal’s Message
In all of my years as your principal at RCV, this is one of the most difficult messages to write because it is
the beginning of turning over the job I have loved for so many years to a new person. As difficult as this
is, I am so happy to be turning it over to Mr. Kevin Burns. I have had the opportunity to get to know
Kevin and interact with him throughout the past school year while he has been the principal intern at
Meadow Hall ES. While this transition may be difficult for me, I am also excited about the future that
RCV will have under Mr. Burns' leadership. I have no doubt that his enthusiasm, dedication, and
knowledge will lead our school to even greater levels of success and continue to foster the warm and
nurturing learning community our school is known for. And so, my message to you this week is to begin
to introduce you to your new principal, Mr. Kevin Burns. I know that you will welcome him and be as
strong a partner with him as you a have always been with me.
Message from the Principal To Be:
I am honored to be the new principal at Rock Creek Valley Elementary School! I am proud to be joining
a team that makes students feel valued and respected, as well as, believes all children can be successful.
Throughout my career I have always strived to inspire students to think beyond what they think is
possible. I believe this is done through building strong relationships, reflective practice, and a willingness
to explore different pathways for students.
A little bit about me. I was born and raised in New York. Most of childhood years was spent in Monroe,
NY (near West Point). I received my bachelors degree from State University of New York at Oswego.
After graduation, I came to the Washington D.C. area to pursue my graduate degree. I have earned a
Masters of Art in Teaching from Trinity, as well as, my degree in Administration and Supervision from
McDaniel College. I began my career in MCPS in 1997 at Weller Road Elementary as a Kindergarten
teacher. Throughout my 18 year career, I have served as a classroom teacher, staff development
teacher, instructional specialist on the Curriculum 2.0 team, assistant principal, and principal intern.
My wife, Lori, is a 6th grade teacher at Rocky Hill Middle School. We live in Hagerstown, MD with our
two children, Riley (9) and Jack (6). I am a huge sports fanatic who loves playing golf and cheering on the
Yankees, NY football Giants, and Capitals.
I look forward to meeting everyone! Kevin Burns
Summer School
We are gearing up for another exciting summer of Rock Creek Valley Summer School! Our four-week
program is designed to enrich students' reading and writing skills while having fun! Please see the
invitation letter and enrollment form below for details. There are a very limited number of spots at
summer school this year due to space limitations on the bus for field trips. Please send in your
enrollment form and payment (cash or check made out to Rock Creek Valley) as soon as possible to
secure your child's spot. Any questions? Call or email Mrs. Bialeski ([email protected]).
Class Pictures for sale
We have received an extra batch of class pictures. If you missed out on ordering a class picture for your
child we have a limited amount available in the main office. The class pictures are $12 each. If you are
interested in purchasing a class picture please contact Ms. Roop at 301-460-2195.
Art Project Donations
We are in need of skeins of yarn for a weaving project, if you have any to donate it would be greatly
appreciated.
SPRING CONCERT
WHO: 4th and 5TH Grade Choruses
WHEN: Thursday, May 21, 2015
7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Rock Creek Valley Elementary All-Purpose Room
Come and enjoy wonderful music making by our 4th and 5th grade classes!
(4th and 5th graders need to report to school at 6:30 that evening for warm-up)
Learn to ride a bike!
Back by popular demand!
Learn to ride your bicycle now! As done in the past 9 years, Mr. Hagai Golan, RCV Alumni Adi and Gili's
dad, will lead the way in teaching this great technique to you and/or your kids. Bring a friend too!
Yes, there is a secret that will be revealed on how to do it. No training wheels! No pressure. No running
n' pushing. No sweat. No worries. No charge. (it's free). Some students learn to ride in under 30 minutes
- stress free!
This cool system has been used in the Golan Family for years and will be shared with you. Come to the
black top at the back of RCV on Saturday, May 16th at 8:30-10:00am.* RAIN DATE: to be rescheduled.
For individual tips, come a few minutes early.
Hablamos Español también!
* Must bring own bike and helmet *- we'll take care of the rest!
Questions? Call Hagai Golan at 240.281.4000 or
email [email protected]
April 28, 2015
Dear Rock Creek Valley Families,
Your child is invited to participate in Rock Creek Valley’s 2015 summer school program! Our
four week, four day per week program is designed to help your child build his or her literacy
skills through reading a variety of text types and writing for a variety of purposes. Students will
engage in literacy work Monday through Wednesday and make connections to the reading and
writing they have done that week on Thursday on a fun field trip. Our small summer school
classes are taught by Rock Creek Valley teachers.
This summer, our program will run for four weeks, Monday-Thursday, from Monday, June 29
through Thursday, July 23. There is no summer school on Fridays. The hours will be
9:00-noon on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday and 9:00-2:00 on Thursdays, when students
will go on field trips. There is no breakfast or lunch served during summer school, but students
will need to bring a bag lunch and drink on Thursdays for the field trips. There is no
transportation available for summer school. All families will need to arrange for their
own transportation to and from school. Summer school tuition is $350 for the full four-week
program.
There are a limited number of spaces in this summer’s program. In order to secure your space,
please complete the attached enrollment form and return it with your payment. Students will not
be registered until both the enrollment paperwork and tuition payment is returned, and space is
available on a first-come, first-served basis. Should your family need financial assistance to
help with the tuition payment, you will need to also complete the Application for Partial or
Full Waiver of Summer School Tuition and attach valid income documentation as
outlined on this form.
Please feel free to call or email with any questions about summer school.
Best regards,
Julia Bialeski
[email protected]
301-460-2195
RCV 2015 Summer School Enrollment Form
Student Name: _______________________________ Date of Birth: _________________
Grade Level for 2015-2016: _____________
Parent/Guardian Name(s):____________ ___________________________________
Emergency Contact Information:
Home Phone: _____________________________________________
Work Phone: ______________________________________________
Cell Phone: _______________________________________________
Medical Information:
Does your child have any allergies? Yes No
If yes, does your child have a prescribed Epi-Pen? Yes No
Please describe any other medical information that summer school staff may need to know
about your child.
I am enclosing payment in (circle one): Cash,Check (made out to Rock Creek Valley)
Full tuition is $350 per student. Please see the attached form, titled Application for
Partial or Full Waiver of Summer School Tuition, to apply for financial aid. If you qualify,
please enclose your reduced payment according to the income guidelines on the form.
You must include one of the listed verification documents to qualify for financial aid.
I give permission for my child _______________________________________ to attend
Thursday field trips as part of the RCV Summer School Program. Transportation will be
provided by MCPS school bus.
____________________________________________________ __________________
Parent Signature Date