November 11, 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/
Students Strive for Knowledge, Excellence and Success!
We are pleased to announce 131 of our third, fourth and fifth grade students made the Honor Roll this past
marking period. Clearly, these students worked hard for this esteemed recognition. Congratulations to our third,
fourth, and fifth grade honor roll students for the first marking period.
Strawberry Knoll News
STRAWBERRY KNOLL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
THIRD GRADE
Mia
Patrick
Todd
Makala
Morgan
Xaven
Jason
Elissa
Roberto
Teddy
Owen
Sarah
Rachel
Jeremiah
Kaley
Mason
Genesis
Caden
Rabiah
Udodi
Mary
Antonio
Nuelle
Neal
Gelber
Benita
Jaida
Aaliyah
Anna
Gabriel
Jacquelyn
Bryan
Immanuel
Anieska
Samatrai
Ana
Sierra
Patricia
Hope
Daishalyn
Savannah
Jordan
Srinithi
Corinne
Indi
Jamila
Johannes
Aguiar
Bennett
Benowitz
Blackwell
Brogden
Burnell
Carcamo-Linares
Charles
Chavarria
Chavez
Cochran
Cooper
Franklin
Graham
Hamilton
Hardy
Hernandez
Higgins
Hydara
Ifeanyi-Agboifo
James
Johnson
Johnson
Khosravian
Lemus
Manga
Medina
Mejia
Melgarejo
Merilos
Nguyen
Ortiz
Page
Perez-Ruiz
Piam
Rapalo
Romero
Rosemond
Rwaga
Satcher
Sill
Smith
Srinivas
Tampil
Telfer
Thomas
Tsigea
FOURTH GRADE
Michael Ange-Ouattara
Jasmin
Baker
Honorio Barcia
Christian Baula
Ashna
Bhatia
Coronado Bolanos
Paris
Bowers
Eric
Brodie
Brian
Burstein
Bethany Cameron
Camila
Castro
Nataliya Chepurnova
Angel
Cyrus
Karl
Didavi
Maria
Duk Ramirez
Leslie
Espinoza
Francis
Feliciano
Grace
Harvey
Aurora
Holbert
Quran
Hyman
Alexandra Lam
Karina
Loc
Thanh
Mac
Zhory
May
Brooke
Nduka-Anya
Katie
Nguyen
Shakeela Nyakoojo
Natasha Oberoi
Adriana Ortiz Valle
William Patasse
Andrew Pauly
Ethan
Pena
Alexis
Perez-Ruiz
Christopher Reba
Adrian
Redwan
Mahelate Solomon
Fatihah Ullah
Leyli
Valladares
Jenai
Wiggins
FIFTH GRADE
Omar
Abarca
Nicole
Aguilar
Nana-Afua Agyepong
Kevin
Allison
Fiorella
Alvarez
Julio
Ayamel
Chynna Brodie
Isabel
Camacho
Steven
Camacho
Kayla
Currie
Christian Del Cid
Kimberly Dixon
Audrey
Dubik
Melanie Firestone
Christyan Flores
Timothy Franklin
Richard Garcia
Erick
Garciamejia
Nikole
Grandez
Tracy
Haddad
Ali
Haider
Reid
Halling
Briana
Harmell
Mara
Higgins
Eric
Hoang
Aiman
Hydara
Yasmine Jemli
Brandon Joaquin
Tamir
Johnson
David
Jordan
Nathan
Karter
Beza
Ketema
Theresa Kumazah
Arman-Ul-Haq Kushwaha
Trenton Le
Erika
Loc
Regina
Malakar
Tana
Martin
Gustavo Martinez Duare
Gerardo Melendez
Juan
Molina
Sibani
Nachadalingam
Alyssa
Nieves
Logan
Nocket
Shamim Nyakoojo
Christian Olaya
John
Padilla
Emily
Powell
FIFTH GRADE
Shawn
Dixon
Armando
Chamila
Elmer
Fatima
Alexander
Deja
Marcell
Jehlani
Bryan
Powell
Red Elk
Sanchez
Sedara
Segovia
Shabbir
Sheidu
Snowden
Spencer
Thomas
Williams
Mathematics at the Knoll
How well is your child doing in mathematics? Many of you had a chance during this past week’s parent-teacher
conference to hear how your child is progressing. We certainly want for you to keep track of your child’s
math progress throughout the remainder of this year. If your child is in third, fourth, or fifth grade, you can
expect to receive a letter before the beginning of each math unit letting you know what your child will learn.
Contained in the letter are useful tips including websites you can access as you become familiar with the concepts covered and assist your child with homework. As you learned, we keep score of your child’s math skill
development and concept attainment by reviewing his/her classwork and homework, engaging your student in
math-talk and expanding his/her math vocabulary, and also by administering formative assessments. All kindergarten through fifth grade teachers give formative assessments. The formative assessments are like
small quizzes. The formative assessment results provide teachers with quick snapshots that when analyzed
are used to modify instruction and re-teach in a flexible, fluent fashion.
Additionally, each third through fifth grade student upon completing a math unit receives a math unit assessment print-out. All assessment print-outs contain a sample assessment report. The sample assessment report
provides examples of unit assessment items. As those of you who have children in kindergarten through second grade know, their teachers are implementing Curriculum 2.0. Although parent communication tools are
not yet available, our primary grade teachers talked to parents about this year’s math at Back to School Night
and most recently during this past week’s conferences.
Remember, no question is too small to ask when it comes to your child’s learning. If you need clarification with
the formative assessment information sent home with your child, contact his/her teacher. For additional information regarding the elementary school math curriculum, feel free to contact our school’s staff development teacher, Mrs. Schoenfelder.
Students Attend Town Hall Meeting
We were pleased to hold our first town hall meeting this morning. Our gym truly took on the look and feel of
celebratory community get together, and rightly so! Guests’ cameras clicked and applause echoed in the gym
as students were recognized for making the Honor Roll. Classes were also acknowledged for being recipients
of the Red Knight, Fine Dining, and ―AMP‖ (Art-music-P.E.) awards. We look forward to hosting our next Town
Hall Meeting on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 in the gym at 2:00 p.m.
“Knoll News” Takes a Break
Our next edition of the ―Knoll News‖ will be available on-line December 9, 2011. Needless to say, we’re
pleased to provide you with this publication, and appreciate the number of visits current and future
Strawberry Knoll families make to our homepage!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Students will attend a half day of school on Wednesday, November 23, 2011 and be dismissed at 12:35 p.m.
We already know some of our SKES families will beat the holiday rush before then. Our staff wishes you all
the best as you gather with family and friends. We have much to give thanks when it comes to our school.
Most importantly, we thank you for entrusting the education and care of your children to us.
Safe travels to each and all. We look forward to our
students’ return on Monday, November 28, 2011.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Mrs. Forman is “Calling All Readers and Writers!”
During the next few months, students will be participate in two very important reading
and writing activities. First, students in grades 2-5 will have the opportunity to take
part in SoMIRAC’s Young Authors Contest by writing an original poem or short story. All
entries must be original work and are due to Mrs. Forman, our reading specialist, by
Wednesday, December 14, 2011. Please see the attached flyer for more details.
Students are also invited to Reach for a Million Minutes of Reading! Beginning on Monday, November 14, 2011,
students at the Knoll will keep track of the amount of time they spend reading at home. Our goal is to reach a
million minutes by March. 2012! Classes will keep track of their total number of minutes on a graph outside of
their classrooms. A school-wide graph of minutes will be displayed outside of the main office. Students may
read comic books, magazines, picture books, newspapers, chapter books, etc. Don’t forget, independent reading
minutes also include time when books are read to students by a parent or other adult. In correlation with
Reaching For a Million Minutes of Reading, Mrs. Forman, has added two incentives to encourage our students to
read independently. You may have noticed information that came home this week regarding a program called,
Read to Succeed. This exciting and rewarding program encourages independent reading. All students in grades
K-5 who read for six hours at home between now and Tuesday, February 28, 2011 will be awarded a free ticket
for Six Flags America. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to earn a free
Frederick Keys baseball ticket by reading four books over the course of two months during January and February. Are you ready to start reading? Please contact Mrs. Forman,
Reading Specialist, with any questions.
SoMIRAC’s 2011-2012
Young Authors Contest
Grades 2-5
Who: Students in Grades 2-5
What: Write a Poem or Short Story
 Entries must be original work
 All entries with no less than 12 point font using New Times Roman or Comic Sans font
 Short story entry may range from a minimum of 2
paragraphs to no more than (3) typed pages
 Poem entry will consist of a single poem, any style or length
 Entries must not include graphics
 Include a completed “Cover Sheet” signed by the student
author and sponsoring teacher
Additional details and Guidelines contact your Local Reading Council
Young Authors Contest Chairperson.
Dear Parents and Guardians:
Winter weather emergencies, such as snow and ice, may cause disruptions in school operations, including the closure of school, a delayed opening, or an early dismissal. This letter
provides information about the procedures used when such disruptions occur. Information
also is provided about the weather contingency plan that would add student instructional days to the end of the
scheduled school year if schools are closed for more than four days due to excessive weather emergencies.
Closure of School
When schools are closed system-wide, all instructional programs and extracurricular activities in schools are
canceled. Private day care providers in school buildings may elect to stay open if the schools are closed but the
administrative offices are open. In extreme conditions, administrative offices also may be closed. If this occurs, private day care programs located in school buildings are closed as well.
Delayed Opening
A delayed opening means that schools open two hours later than scheduled. All buses operate on the same delayed schedule and, therefore, the pick-up times are two hours later than normal. When elementary schools
open on a delayed schedule, the following programs are canceled: morning sessions of half-day Head Start, prekindergarten, and other specialized programs or field trips scheduled before 10:30 a.m. (e.g., the Thomas Edison High School of Technology morning session). Activities that begin after 10:30 a.m. will be held as scheduled. Afternoon sessions of prekindergarten begin at the regular time. Full-day Head Start follows the same
schedule as other full-day programs. Parents should continue to check for radio, television, or Web announcements in the event a decision to delay the opening of schools is reconsidered and a decision to close schools for
the day is made (by 7:00 a.m.).
Early Dismissal
An early dismissal means that schools will close 2.5 hours earlier than scheduled. All buses operate on that
same early schedule and, therefore, drop-off times are 2.5 hours earlier than normal. When elementary
schools close early, afternoon pre-kindergarten and other early childhood programs are canceled, as well as any
special programs or field trips scheduled after 10:30 a.m. Morning prekindergarten and morning half-day Head
Start students will be dismissed at 10:30 a.m. Full-day Head Start classes will dismiss with regular kindergarten through Grade 5 students.
Public Announcements
Information about school operations is announced publicly as soon as possible on area radio and television stations, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Cable TV (Comcast Channel 34, Verizon FIOS Channel 36, RCN
Channel 89), Outlook, on the Internet at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org, and on a recorded telephone message
at 301-279-3673. Emergency e-mail announcements are available by signing up for MCPS QuickNotes on the
school system’s home page. If schools are closed or delayed, the announcement is made no later than
5:00 a.m. (or the night before if possible). If schools are closing early, the announcement is made by 11:00 a.m.
Ejemplo de Carta Para los Directores
Estimados Señores Padres/Guardianes:
Las emergencias por mal tiempo durante el invierno, como ser cuando cae nieve o
hielo, pueden causar alteraciones en las actividades escolares, incluyendo el
cierre de escuelas, demoras en el inicio de la jornada escolar o cierre de las escuelas antes de su
horario habitual. Esta carta proporciona información acerca de los procedimientos que se deben
seguir en casos como los anteriormente mencionados. También proporciona información sobre el
plan de emergencia por inclemencias del tiempo, el cual sumaría días adicionales de instrucción al
final del ciclo escolar regular, en caso que las escuelas deban cerrar por más de cuatro días a
causa de una cantidad excesiva de días de emergencia debido a tiempo inclemente.
Cierre de Escuela
Cuando las escuelas del sistema escolar deben permanecer cerradas, todos los programas de enseñanza y las actividades extracurriculares en establecimientos escolares se cancelan. Las guarderías privadas en establecimientos escolares pueden optar por permanecer abiertas si hay cierre de escuelas, siempre y cuando las oficinas administrativas se mantengan abiertas. En casos extremos, podría ser que las oficinas administrativas también
deban permanecer cerradas. Si eso ocurriese, las guarderías privadas que operan en establecimientos escolares
también deberán cerrar.
Demora en el Inicio de la Jornada Escolar
Una demora en el inicio de la jornada escolar significa que las escuelas abrirán dos horas después de su horario
habitual. Todos los autobuses escolares observarán ese mismo cambio de horario y por lo tanto recogerán a los
estudiantes en sus paradas regulares dos horas más tarde del horario habitual. Cuando las escuelas elementales
abren más tarde de lo habitual, los siguientes programas quedan cancelados por ese día: las sesiones de la mañana de Head Start de media jornada, prekindergarten y otros programas especializados o excursiones escolares
programadas para antes de las 10:30 a.m. (por ejemplo, la sesión de la mañana en Thomas Edison High School
of Technology). Las actividades que comienzan después de las 10:30 a.m., se realizan según lo programado.
Las sesiones de prekindergarten de la tarde comienzan en su horario habitual. Las clases de jornada completa de
Head Start mantienen el mismo horario que los demás programas de jornada completa. Los padres deberán estar
atentos continuamente a los anuncios que se transmiten por radio, televisión y a través del Internet, en caso de
que sea necesario modificar la decisión de abrir las escuelas más tarde y en cambio se deba decidir cerrar las escuelas por todo el día. De ser así, se anunciará la decisión a las 7:00 a.m.
Cierre Antes del Horario Habitual
Cerrar las escuelas temprano significa que las clases finalizan dos horas y media antes de su horario habitual.
Todos los autobuses escolares observarán ese mismo cambio de horario y por lo tanto dejarán a los estudiantes
en sus paradas regulares dos horas y media más temprano del horario habitual. Cuando las escuelas elementales
cierran temprano, los programas de prekindergarten y otros programas para los niños más pequeños quedan cancelados por ese día, como así también cualquier otro programa especial o excursiones escolares programadas
para después de las 10:30 a.m. Los estudiantes de la sesión de la mañana de prekindergarten y de la sesión de la
mañana de Head Start de media jornada se retirarán de la escuela a la misma hora que los estudiantes que cursan
desde kindergarten regular hasta el Grado 5.
Prekindergarten/Head Start
Parent Meeting
“Child health and Nutrition”
We look forward to answering your questions about your child’s health and nutrition as well
as how to obtain access to medical care.
When: November 17, 2011
10:00—11:30 a.m.
Where: Strawberry Knoll (Pre-K Classroom)
Presented by: Ms. Heidi Blaine, Pre-K/Head Start
Nurse and Ms. Nuha Khalaf, Family Service Worker
Spanish translation will be provided.
Upcoming Dates
November 16
November 17
November 22
November 23
November 24, 25
November 30
December 6
December 8
December 8, 9
December 15
December 20
December 23
Dec. 24— Jan. 2
11:10 a.m.—1:50 p.m. 2nd Grade to Strathmore Hall
7:00—8:30 p.m. P.T.A Fall Festival
Head Start to Shady Grove Adventist Hospital
12:35 p.m. Early Release Day
HOLIDAY – Thanksgiving
10:00 a.m. Makeup Picture Day
7:00 p.m. P.T.A. Meeting
7:00—8:00 p.m. Winter Chorus Concert
Hearing and Vision Screening
1:45—2:45 p.m. Instrumental Music Concert
7:30—8:30 p.m. Instrumental Music Concert
2:00—2:45 p.m. Chorus Assembly—Grs. 3,4 and 5
2:00 p.m. Holiday Sing-a-long
Winter Break
Special Point of Interest:
Si usted quiere tener las noticias del
Knoll en espanol por favor llame
Senora Stevens 301-840-7112.