April 1, 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
Lights! Camera!! Action!!!
Excitement abounded among students in Mrs. Doyle’s
and Mrs. Marzano’s first grade classes earlier this
week. Both classes were video-taped as their teachers taught mathematics and science lessons included in the new Elementary Integrated Curriculum
(EIC.) Being selected to help create a training video
for other elementary school teachers and administrators in the county was certainly an honor for our first grade noble knights
and their teachers. All elementary schools will implement the EIC in kindergarten and first grade next year. We, however, will include second grade in our
school’s implementation of the EIC next year. Oh the places we go with our
teaching and learning through the EIC!
We Answered the Call.
Thanks to those staff, students, and families that participated in our recent
fundraiser. Over $800 was collected through donations received. Sponsored
by our S.G.A. and P.T.A., all money donated will support the Red Cross relief efforts in Japan. Our thoughts remain with the Japanese people, some of whom
are extended Strawberry Knoll family members.
Town Hall Meeting Scheduled
We will, once again, meet as a school community and recognize students and classes.
Mark your calendars for Thursday, April 7,
2011 when we will host our Town Hall Meeting in the gym at 1:45 p.m. We look forward
to acknowledging students and classes for
the following: Honor Roll, Character
Counts, Golden Sneaker, Fine Dining, and
Red Knight awards. We also look forward to
honoring three Gaithersburg High School
students, formerly Strawberry Knoll students, and members of the Ladies State
Champion basket ball team, and hearing our
fifth grade chorus perform. A special invitation will be sent to those families of students receiving awards. As always, all parents and community members may attend
our Town Hall Meeting. See you there!
Calling All Volunteers to
Breakfast!
Our school is most fortunate to have
the “berry-best” volunteers. Our volunteers assume numerous responsibilities for which we remain grateful.
Come to the Knoll on any given day and
you will see our volunteers working
with small groups of children, assisting
students in the cafeteria, and always
providing our students with encouraging words. It’s our turn to recognize
our volunteers with a complimentary
breakfast on Monday, April 11, 2011 in
the Media Center at 8:00 a.m. Thanks
for all you do, SKES volunteers!
Traffic Safety Update
Mrs. Reba, PTA co-president, and Mr. Kaplan met with a representative from the Montgomery County Department of Transportation in response to a traffic safety study conducted last month. Observers during last
month’s study noted the vast amount of students driven to school. Members also observed how drivers yielded
to one another upon entering the drop-off circle, and the important roles assumed by staff and patrols in making
sure car riders and pedestrians are safe. As a result of last month’s visit, Strawberry Knoll is now a member of
the county’s Safe Routes to School Program, an initiative that promotes safe and active walking and bicycling to
and from school.
We look forward in the coming school year to more fully implement the program, designed to enhance our children’s health and well-being, ease traffic congestion near our school, improve air-quality, and improve our school
community members’ overall quality of life. Let’s begin this last marking-period to enjoy the warmer weather
and walk our children to school. Just as good readers need good role models, so do our walkers. Practice pedestrian safety. Continue to walk against traffic and always use the crosswalks.
Group Picture/Candid Shots Information
Group pictures were taken on Friday, April 1, 2011. All students who
IMPORTANT DATES
wish to order a class or group picture have until Friday, April 7,
2011 to give their envelopes with money to their teachers or the
main office.
April 15, 2011 is “Literacy Highlights with Noble Knights!”
A time-honored tradition will continue in two weeks with our annual
“Literacy Highlights with Noble
Knights” gathering. This year’s
event will take place at 2:00 p.m.
Our students are already excited to
share their reading and writing accomplishments with you. A special
flyer regarding this month’s event
will go home with students shortly.
Yes, April 15, 2011 is also income
tax day!
Upcoming Dates
Spring Portraits
Tuesday,
4/1—4/8
PTA Book Fair
4/1
Class/Group Pictures
4/7
Report Card Day
1:45 p.m. Town Hall Meeting
April 12, 2011
6:30—7:30 p.m. Pancake Dinner
4/12
Spring Portraits
4/14
6:00 p.m. P.T.A. Meeting
6:30 p.m.—8:00 p.m.
4/15
2:00 p.m. Literacy Highlight
with Noble Knights
4/16—4/25
Spring Break
4/29
Third Grade to
Imagination Stage
5/5
Love You Heart, Love Your Art
Night”
Exercise Our Hearts, and Admire Student Artwork
Some of you may remember a popular Sunday program that aired in the 1960’and 1970’s- The Ed
Sullivan Show. Mr. Sullivan would always begin the evening by letting his audience and television
viewers know, “We have a really big show tonight.” Well, we will have a bigger show planned for
our Strawberry Knoll students and families on Thursday, May 5, 2011 when we host, “Love Your
Heart, Love Your Art Night” starting at 6:30 p.m. As in previous years, students and their families will have the chance to participate in numerous cardiovascular building activities held in the
gym. Families can then cool-down, stroll through the Knoll, and admire student artwork. Every
student will have his/her artwork displayed.
“Love Your Heart “ Program will be in 2 parts:
6:30—7:30 p.m.—Pre K, K, 1st and 2nd grades
7:30—8:30 p.m.—3rd, 4th and 5th grades only.
Pennies for Patients
This week our school joined more than 25,000 schools nationwide in The Leukemia &
Lymphoma Society’s Pennies for Patients program. Donations collected will go towards
helping people who are sick with blood cancers like leukemia. Last year Strawberry
Knoll Elementary raised $1,534.41. We want to surpass this total. With your help we
can!
What Are Your Plans for Spring Break?
We will be on spring break, April 18, 2011 through April 25, 2011. Our staff wishes all of
you a safe and restful break. We look forward to seeing our noble knights upon their return
to school on Tuesday, April 25, 2011.
WELCOME TO LIGHT IT UP BLUE
Check out the night sky on April 1 and 2, 2011. Prominent buildings across North America and
the world — including the Empire State Building in New York City and the CN Tower in Toronto,
Canada — will turn their lights blue to raise autism awareness for autism and commemorate
World Autism Awareness Day on Saturday, April 2, 2011.
We’re aiming to light the world blue all throughout April — city by city, town by town — by taking action to raise autism awareness in our communities.
What you can do to Light It Up Blue
Wear blue clothing or your Autism Speaks puzzle piece, and encourage your coworkers to do the same.
Sign Up http://action.autismspeaks.org/participate/wear-blue-towork-day
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
Light your house up blue by putting blue light bulbs in any outdoor
fixtures. Sign Up http://action.autismspeaks.org/participate/lightyour-house-up-blue
"SKES is a premier school that
strives for knowledge, excellence,
and success.”
SKES Annual Pancake Dinner
When: April 7, 2011
Where: Multipurpose room/cafeteria
Time: 6:30 – 8 PM
Cost: $10 for a family of 4 or $3 per person
children under 4 are free
Menu: Pancakes, fruit salad, yogurt, granola bar,
juices, and water
Remember to visit our Spring Book Fair,
which will be open during this time!
“Our Knights are Filled with Stars” Talent/
Variety Show
Do you like to sing, dance, perform amazing feats,
play an instrument, do something others cannot?
If so, sign up to perform at our SKES PTA
Talent/Variety Show!
Permission slips will be sent home soon & are due April 8th.
Talent/Variety Show to take place on
Friday, May 6, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.
in
the All Purpose Room.
(additional information to follow)