Strawberry Knoll News
STRAWBERRY KNOLL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
October 29, 2010
18820 Strawberry Knoll Road
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20879
E. Frank Kaplan, Principal
Rosemary Ford, Assistant Principal
Web Site Address—http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/
strawberryknolles/
Keeping Score- Part Two
We shared with you in our previous newsletter how our teachers are keeping score of their students’ reading progress. We also included for you a
chart that indicates where our kindergarten through fifth grade students
should be in terms of their reading levels for each of the four marking periods. Committed to excellence and success, we, as a staff, are determined to
make sure our students are college and work ready.
Last month’s reading data are revealing, especially when compared with the
school system’s Seven Keys to College Readiness. These keys are pathways
the system uses to measure and predict academic success and college preparedness. Currently, 11 percent of our kindergarten students have surpassed the end of year reading benchmark. Although 1 percent of our first
and second grade already met the end of year reading benchmark, the percentage of students that finished on level for this first quarter is at 85 percent. We remain on course in third through fifth grade, particularly as we
look at the percentage of students that have already hit the end of year targets for their grades. Based on this fall’s reading assessment (Measures of
Academic Progress- Reading,) 39 percent of third grade students, 34 percent
of fourth grade students, and 51 percent of our fifth grade students have
reached their end of year targets. Wow!
Our work is far from finished. We are challenged to provide all of our children with a rigorous program, because it is the right thing for us to do!
Mrs. Jennifer Forman, Reading Specialist, will in ―Keeping Score- Part
Three‖ let you know how she and staff are intervening on behalf of those
students who need extra support, and how we intend to increase the percentage of students meeting end of year benchmark.
Thank You, Mrs. Williams!
Join us as we thank our Mrs. Williams, long-term substitute for Mrs. Forman, reading specialist. Always with a smile on her face, and volunteering
spirit, Mrs. Williams made sure this marking period’s testing was a positive
experience for students and a productive one for staff. Mrs. Williams also
assumed responsibility for coordinating this past summer’s reading incentive program and recognizing those noble knights that participated.
Mrs. Williams, you are, indeed, ―Wunderbahr!‖
Special Point of Interest:
Si usted quiere tener las noticias del
Knoll en espanol por favor llame
Senora Stevens 301-840-7112.
A Myth About Student Attendance At School
“Absences in the early grades don’t really affect academics.‖ National research shows that chronically absent kindergarteners demonstrated lower academic performance than their peers once they got to first
grade. For many low-income children, the poor performance persisted through fifth grade. A long-term
study in Baltimore showed that many chronically absent sixth graders later dropped out of high school. In
Chicago, poor attendance in ninth grade was a better predictor of dropping out than eighth grade test
scores. When too many students miss too much school, the classroom rhythm/pace starts to affect the entire class, as teachers repeat material to help children catch up. When state funding is linked to attendance,
these absences mean schools get less money. So the reality of absences is that it does not only affect the
student but the entire school community. So do your part and ensure that your child is at school each and
every day!
Health Room Request
The health room is in need of pants to lend students who need a change of clothes during the school
day. If your child has outgrown some pants, please consider donating them to our health room. We need
a variety of sizes to fit all of our students. Pants with elastic waists are especially good, since they fit a variety of kids.
Also, if your child comes home wearing borrowed clothes, please wash them and return the clothes to the
health room. Thank you. Leslie Beiter, School Health Room Aide
Homework Hotline is Here to Help
The Homework Hotline Live is here to help. Go to AskHHL.org or call 301-279-3234 to get extra help
after school. That’s AskHHL.org and 301-279-3234. Watch Homework Hotline Live at AskHHL.org or
on cable TV, every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 4 to 6 p.m.
Hispanic Hotline
The Hispanic hotline is a bilingual telephone service
for parents to find out information regarding their
child’s education. The hotline provides resources for
parents to contact school staff, understand school related issues and receive information regarding county
services. The Hispanic hotline provides 24 hour answering service and a bilingual staff member from
8:30-4:30, Monday through Friday. The phone number is 301-230-3073. Try it today!
Línea de hispanos
La línea directa hispana es un servicio telefónico bilingüe para los padres, para recabar información sobre
la educación de sus hijos. La línea directa provee recursos para los padres para contactar con personal de
la escuela, comprender las cuestiones relacionadas con
la escuela y recibir información sobre los servicios del
condado. La línea hispana ofrece servicio las 24 horas
y responder a un miembro del personal bilingüe de
08:30-04:30, de lunes a viernes. El número de teléfono
es 301-230-3073. Pruébelo hoy!
Professional Day for Teachers
Monday, November 1, 2010
No School for Students
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
No School for Students and Staff
Election Day
IMPORTANT DATES
November 1
Professional Day for Teachers–
No School for Students
November 2
HOLIDAY—Election Day
November 3
7:00 p.m. PTA Meeting
November 10
Individual Picture Day
November 11, 12 12:35 p.m. Early Dismissal Day
Parent/Teacher Conferences
November 12
PTA Fall Festival 6:30—8:30 p.m.
November 24
12:35 p.m. Early Dismissal Day
November 25, 26 HOLIDAY—Thanksgiving
Seven Keys to College Readiness- Online
The Internet allows us to retrieve a wealth of information. A website you want to save as your favorite is www.mcps7keys.
We’ve included the website page to bring to your immediate attention all the site offers. As you will see, videos highlighting
each of the seven keys are included. The site is an invaluable resource, and excellent springboard for future conversation
Montgomery County Public Schools - Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation
Board Policy JHF: Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation
MCPS Regulation JHF: Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation
The Montgomery County Board of Education is committed to:
 Creating an environment that is free of bullying, harassment, or intimidation so that schools are safe
places in which to learn
 Prohibiting verbal, physical, or written (including electronic) bullying, harassment, or intimidation
of any person on school property, on school buses, or at school-sponsored functions
 Prohibiting reprisals or retaliation against individuals who report acts of bullying, harassment, or
intimidation, or who are victims, witnesses, or others with reliable information
Definition:
Bullying, harassment, or intimidation means intentional conduct, including verbal, physical, or written conduct, or an intentional electronic communication*, that creates a hostile educational environment by substantially interfering with a student’s educational benefits, opportunities, or performance, or with a student’s physical or psychological well-being and is
 Motivated by an actual or perceived personal characteristic including race, national origin, marital
status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ancestry, physical attributes, socioeconomic
status, or physical or mental ability or disability
 Threatening or seriously intimidating
 Occurs on school property, at a school activity or event, or a school bus
 Substantially disrupts the orderly operation of a school
* ―Electronic communication‖ means a communication transmitted by means of an electronic device, including a telephone, cellular phone, computer or pager
What is Strawberry Knoll ES Doing to Prevent and Respond to Incidences of Bullying?
Bullying, harassment, or intimidation are serious and will not be tolerated at our school. The following is a
list of prevention strategies and programs that are in place at the Knoll:
 Sustaining positive relationships and interactions with all students
 Supervision in all areas of the school building throughout the school day
 Prompt, fair, and consistent enforcement of school and classroom rules
 Stop and Think Social Skills Program – teaches social skills to all students
 School-wide Behavior Policy – clear and defined behavior expectations with opportunities for rewards and recognition for positive behavior
 Classroom guidance lessons – teaches students to identify bullying behaviors and strategies for
dealing with unwanted behaviors
 Individualized behavior plans – for students in need of additional behavioral support
Reporting Bullying Incidents
If your child reports incidences of bullying…
Talk with your child – learn the details (who/what/where/when)
 Talk with the classroom teacher – the teacher may be able to resolve the issue
 Contact our school counselor, Mrs. Williams – she works with students to help them deal with feelings and discuss strategies for avoiding bullying situations
 Contact our principal, Mr. Kaplan or our assistant principal, Mrs. Ford
 File a report of bullying, harassment, or intimidation
Any student, parent, or close adult relative, or staff member may report an act of bullying, harassment, or intimidation, using MCPS Form 230-35: Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation
Reporting Form. These forms are available at Strawberry Knoll in the main office, health
room, media center, the counselor’s office, Strawberry Knoll’s webpage http://
www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/strawberryknolles/
or on the web http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/forms/230-35.shtm.