March 18, 2011
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/
Strawberry Knoll News
STRAWBERRY KNOLL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Relief Effort Underway for Japan
Our school community has answered the call to help the people of
Japan through this month’s fundraiser. Sponsored by our SGA and
PTA, all money collected will support the Red Cross relief efforts
in Japan. Students were given a flyer earlier this week regarding
this month’s fundraiser. Our thoughts remain with the Japanese people, some of
whom are extended family members of our Strawberry Knoll families.
Congratulations, MSA Test-takers!
We commend our third, fourth, and fifth grade students for their stellar attendance, and hard work during this month’s MSA. As you know, the MSA is a state
test students in third through eighth grade take to demonstrate their proficiency
in reading, mathematics, and for students in fifth through eighth grade science.
We are confident this month’s results, scheduled to be released in the summer, will
reflect our staffs’ and students’ commitment to academic excellence. We also wish
to thank our PTA for providing our test-takers with juice and light morning snacks
each day of testing!
Way to Go, Lady Trojans!
We are proud of the Gaithersburg Lady Trojans for their recent
basketball victory and recognition as Division 4A state champions!
Their 58-38 win over Henry A. Wise High School, Prince George’s
County, brought home Gaithersburg High School’s first-ever girls
basketball state championship. Among those members of this year’s championship
team are Strawberry Knoll graduates as follows: Michelle Winters, Jackie Johnson,
and Famatta Ajavon. We look forward to inviting these three ladies to the Knoll for
a future Town Hall meeting. Indeed, Gaithersburg’s success remains our success!
2011-2012 Staffing Update
Yes, we’re in the planning stages for next school year! As you may have heard, positions within MCPS schools were either reduced or cut due to the fiscal challenge we
face. The unfortunate news is that some of our special education instructional assistants’ hours were reduced by an hour each, as was our instructional data analyst’s
and focus teacher’s by an hour as well. Our media assistant’s hours were reduced by
half for the coming school year. Additionally, one of our para-educator’s positions
was eliminated.
We were, however, provided an increase of one hour for lunch/recess. Our allocations for art, music, and physical education were increased. Additionally, in response to projected enrollment increase, we were allocated an additional classroom
teacher position. We will continue to work with the Office of School Performance
(OSP) to ensure we are adequately staffed and able to maintain our school’s quality
instructional program for the 2011-2012 school year.
Preliminary Staffing Allocation Update
We received our preliminary FY 2012 staffing allocations last week. Kindergarten and grades 1—5 teacher allocations
are based on revised enrollment projections. Based on these projections our preliminary 2011—2012 Homeroom Organizational Plan is as follows:
Kindergarten:
5 classes
Third Grade:
4 classes
First Grade:
5 classes
Fourth Grade:
3 classes
Fifth Grade:
3 classes
Second Grade: 5 classes
We will continue to monitor the next year’s enrollment of students.
Book Fair
Pancake
Open for business!
Book Fair
Dinner
Located in the Media Center
Open Friday April 1 - Friday April 8, 2011
Friday, April 7, 2011
Hours of Operation
Friday, March 19th
Monday, March 22nd
Tuesday, March 23rd
Wednesday, March 24th
Thursday, March 25th
Friday, March 26th
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
9:00 AM - 4:00PM
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM**
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
For more information or to volunteer contact
Francine Baker at [email protected]
6:30—7:30 p.m.
All-Purpose Room
Mission Statement
“We are a caring, hardworking community of
learners and leaders who motivate and encourage
each other to set and meet high expectations.”
Vision Statement
"SKES is a premier school that strives for
knowledge, excellence, and success.”
Mark Your
Spring Portraits
Calendars
Tuesday,
Class/Group
Pictures
April 12, 2011
IMPORTANT DATES
Upcoming Dates
3/30
End of Third Marking Period
3/31
No School for Students
Friday,
April 1, 2011
Professional Day for Teachers
4/1—4/8
PTA Book Fair
4/1
Class/Group Pictures
4/7
6:00—7:30 p.m. Pancake Dinner
and
4/12
Spring Portraits
4/16—4/25
Spring Break
4/29
Third Grade to Imagination
Stage
Welcome, Chinese Visitors
Strawberry Knoll staff and students welcomed a delegation from the Chinese Ministry of Education earlier this
week. The 12-member team was quite impressed with what they saw. They were most complimentary of the
Knoll’s nurturing atmosphere. Students were eager to speak with our guests, as were staff. Our guests were surprised to learn elementary school teachers are required to teach the entire grade level curriculum including
mathematics and science. Teachers in China specialize in a specific content area, and as such teach multiple
grades in their subject-trained area. Our visitors were also “wowed” by the number of materials we have in our
math lab and books available in our bookroom. Needless to say, the delegation took fond memories of the Knoll
back with them to China.
Beginnings of Capital Project Underway
The Knoll may have a new look beginning the 2017-2018 school year! Based upon projected
increase in student enrollment and demands for space, our school has been approved to be
considered for classroom additions. Mr. Kaplan met with Ms. Adrienne Karamihas, capital
budget manager to discuss the upcoming planning and construction process. Ms. Karamihas
will meet with staff later this month to explain what this venture will entail. We will seek
community input in developing a blue-print that will not only more adequately meet our
school’s instructional program needs in terms of classroom design and space availability, but
to also determine how we can reconfigure the main office to better welcome guests that
come into our building. How exciting!
Kindergarten Orientation
Kindergarten Orientation is in the planning stages. Please help us estimate the
number of students who will attend kindergarten at Strawberry Knoll during the 20112012 school year.
According to the Maryland State Law, a child must be five years old by September 1, 2011
in order to enter kindergarten for the 2011- 2012 school year. Kindergarten attendance is
compulsory. Parents who do not plan for their children to attend kindergarten at the Knoll
will need to contact Mr. Kaplan after May 1, 2011 and complete an enrollment waiver.
If you have a child who will be entering kindergarten this fall, please complete the form
below, and return it to the school office. Also, if you have a neighbor or friend who has a
child of kindergarten age for fall 2011, please pass this information sheet to them.
Kindergarten Orientation is scheduled for Thursday, May 5, 2011 and Friday, May 6,
2011. Additional information will be provided in upcoming newsletters.
Please return the bottom portion to the Strawberry Knoll Elementary School office.
************************************************************************
Strawberry Knoll Elementary School Kindergarten Survey
2011 - 2012
The following child will be five years old by September 1, 2011.
Child's Name: ______________________________________
Child's Date of Birth: ___________________
Parent's/Guardian’s Name: ___________________________________________
Home Address: ________________________________________________
________________________________________________
Home Phone: ____________________________
In order to expedite your receiving forms for Kindergarten Orientation,
orientation packet be sent home with an older child in your family?
can the