Strawberry Knoll News
STRAWBERRY KNOLL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
February 1, 2013
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/
We Are a Community of Learners.
Learning is a process for both students and us adults. At times respect for process is lost as we scurry to meet deadlines and create
what we believe to be the best product. Needless to say, I cringe
when I hear educators speak about the need to “cover the curriculum.”
Indeed, we are obligated to provide our children with the best education, they deserve no less. However, I have always encouraged our
staff to “uncover the curriculum” for our noble knights. Doing so enables us to tailor lessons more attuned to students’ learning styles.
Teachers demonstrate greater creativity as they engage students in
dance, drama, music, and all that technology offers!
Last month the school’s leadership team, Instructional Council, and I
discussed how we could further empower our teachers. Equally important, we pondered the question as to how we could foster social
emotional learning among our students. As a result of these conversations, we found ourselves ready to become a Professional Learning
Community( PLC.)
A PLC functions as a team whose members are committed to collective
inquiry. Stakeholders are results oriented and as such, interested in
improving student learning. Research shows the correlation between
professional development and implementation of best practices with
school climate and student learning. The beauty of the PLC concept is
staff continuously examine practices that when refined, lead to better
achievement results for students.
Please join me as we acknowledge grade-level teams and departments
for their embracing of the PLC philosophy. Members of our PLC’s meet
every other Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. We have included
for your review our grade-level/department PLC goals. Feel free to
contact me should you have any questions about our PLC quest. Happy
February!
E. Frank Kaplan
Proud Principal
Welcome New Staff
 Mrs. Maureen Lon, Special Education Paraeducator working with our PEP Beginnings class. Mrs. Lon
comes to us from College Gardens ES where she worked as a Special Education Paraeducator with
the Autism Program.
 Mrs. Evelyn Fritz, Special Education Paraeducator working with our PEP INC class. Mrs. Fritz
comes to us from Rosemont ESwhere she worked as a Special Education Paraeducator.
Welcome Back Mrs. Williams!
We welcome Mrs. Carla Williams, school counselor, on her return to the Knoll, February 4, 2013
Mrs. Williams was on maternity leave with the birth of her new baby boy, Asher.
Thanks Mr. Romer
We thank Mr. Romer for serving as our long-term substitute guidance counselor while Mrs. Williams
was on leave. Mr. Romer will return to the Knoll on Monday, February 4, 2013 as a long-term substitute Art Teacher for Mrs. Ringer.
Farewell Mrs. Clontz
We wish Mrs. Ginny Clontz much happiness in her retirement. Mrs. Clontz has worked at Strawberry
Knoll Elementary for 11 years as a paraeducator and Head Start aide.
Mark Your Calendars
Please mark your calendars for this year’s Maryland State Assessment (MSA.) Third, fourth, and fifth
grade students will take the MSA March 4, 2013 through March 19, 2013. We kindly ask you not
schedule any dental/appointments/family vacations during the school day. It’s critical all children come
to school on time, ready do their best! If you have any questions about the MSA contact Mrs. Ford,
assistant principal.
Valentine’s Day Parties
Plans will soon be underway for this month’s Valentine’s Day parties scheduled for February 14, 2013 at
2:00 p.m. If you plan to send in Valentine’s Day cards and/or goodies for the festivities, please remember to have something for every child in the class. MCPS recommends all food/candy items NOT be
homemade. Store-bought items provide teachers with a list of ingredients for students with special
dietary needs/allergies. It also ensures proper packaging and handling to avoid food-borne illness.
Your cooperation is most appreciated! If your child does not celebrate the holiday, please inform your
child’s teacher. Alternative activities will be planned during party time.
Upcoming Dates and Events
February 4
February 8
February 13
February 14
February 15
February 18
February 21
February 22
February 28
February 29
7:00—8:30 p.m. 5th Grade Parent Night at Gaithersburg Middle School
7:00 p.m.
PTA Movie Night
10:00 – 10:50 a.m. – Science Assembly – Gym – Grades K-2
1:00 – 1:50 p.m. - Science Assembly – Gym – Grades 3 - 5
2:00 p.m. Valentine’s Day Parties
10:00 a.m. Autism Parent Tour
HOLIDAY – President’s Day
7:00 – 9:00 p.m. PTA Science Fair
12:35 p.m. Early Dismissal
Jump Rope for Heart
9:00 – 10:00 a.m. – 4th grade
2:00 – 2:50 p.m. – 3rd grade
Jump Rope for Heart
9:00 – 10: 00 a.m. – 5th grade
10:05 – 11:00 a.m. – 2nd grade
Exercise Your Heart
February is heart healthy month. During this month students in grades pre-k through the third will be jump rope
individually and in small groups. Also, to further get their hearts pumping fourth and fifth grade students will
develop skills for dribbling, passing, and shooting the basketball. All students will prepare for the American
Heart Association’s “Jump Rope For Heart” and “Hoops for Heart” fundraisers. Our school’s participation in this
service program helps in the fight against our nation’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers – cardiovascular diseases and
stroke.
The money Strawberry Knoll raises will help people in our community learn how to avoid heart disease and live
longer, healthier lives. The school will also qualify for gift certificates for physical education equipment. Students will receive thank-you gifts based on the amount they collect. There is no obligation for the students to
participate. Donations should be returned by the week of Feb 28th to March 1st. We ask that students not go
door-to-door or ask strangers, but friends or family members for donations. Contributions can be made by check
to the American Heart Association or online. Students can go online to www.americanheart.org/jump or
www.americanheart.org/hoops to register and create a web page with the tools online.
WHEN:
WHEN:
DUE:
4th ----------3rd ------Pre-k, Pep-----5th----------2nd -------K -----------1st ---------- JRFH and HFH Pledge
Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013------- 9:00a.m. – 10:00a.m.
Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013------- 2:00 – 2:50p.m.
Thursday, Feb 28, 2013------regular Pep schedule
Friday, March 1, 2013 --------- 9:00a.m – 10:00a.m.
Friday, March 1, 2013 ---------- 10:05a.m. – 11:00a.m.
Friday, March 1, 2013---------- 12:30 – 1:25p.m.
Friday, March 1, 2013-------2:00 – 2:50p.m.
envelopes and money must be returned by “event day.”
We ask that children do not go door-to- door or ask strangers for donations. PLEASE also SIGN
****PERMISSION SLIP AND PUT INSIDE ENVELOPE. START COLLECTING NOW!!!!!
Any contribution is greatly appreciated. Cash is welcome and checks should be made payable to the American
Heart Association. You may also raise money on line by creating a website for your child by visiting
www.heart.org/hoops or www.heart.org/jump .
If you have any questions about our event or if you are willing to volunteer please contact Mr. Matesa,
Mr. Palmer, or Mr. Mutton--Physical Education Teachers, at 301-840-7112.
Sincerely,
Mr. Matesa, Mr. Palmer, and Mr. Mutton
Physical Education Teachers
Student Transfer Application Season Scheduled From February 1 through April 1, 2013
Montgomery County parents who wish to request a change in school assignment for their children
from their home school may begin the process during the current transfer season, which will be
held from February 1 through April 1, 2013.
Except for students in the Northeast Consortium (NEC), Downcounty Consortium (DCC), and Middle
School Magnet Consortium (MSMC) areas, students in the Montgomery County Public Schools
(MCPS) are assigned to a school on the basis of their place of residence or their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and are expected to attend their home school. Assignment changes of students
from one school to another are permitted under the following limited circumstances:
·
An older sibling in the requested school
·
A continuation in a feeder pattern from middle to high school, except when affected by
boundary changes
·
A documented hardship situation
The transfer process begins in the home school, where parents may request an assignment change
form and the Change of School Assignment Information Booklet that describes the process and
provides useful information. Assignment change forms, which are contained in the information
booklets, will be available in schools beginning the first week of February and on the school system
Web site at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org shortly thereafter. The booklet will be available in
both English and Spanish. Special programs that do not fall under the transfer guidelines are listed
in the information booklet. Should there be more requests for language immersion programs than
space available, a random, computer generated lottery will be conducted. Every effort will be made
to notify parents of the assignment decision by May 15, 2013.
For information about assignments for students residing in the NEC, DCC, or MSMC areas, please
contact the Division of Consortia Choice and Application Program Services at 301-592-2040 or visit
the website at http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/schoolchoice.
For more information about the transfer process, parents are asked to contact the principal at
their home school. Non-English speaking students and parents who may require assistance may contact ASK MCPS to get the information they need by telephone at 301-309-MCPS
(6277). Telephone operators who speak English and Spanish are available 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.,
Monday through Friday. Parents who speak languages other than English or Spanish who call the
ASK MCPS telephone line and identify their language will have their questions answered through a
telephone interpreter.
Score with PLC Goals
Our grade level teams and departments are committed to working as Professional Learning Communities (PLC’s.)
As mentioned in today’s feature article, our PLC’s have identified goals related to Literacy or Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics (STEAM.) This semester’s goals are as follows:
Kindergarten, First Grade, Arts Team: Increase student engagement through use of technology.
Second Grade: Increase student ability to explain their reasoning when solving math word problems.
Third Grade: Increase student use of technology tools to research information.
Fourth Grade: Increase student comprehension skills through use of close reading strategies.
Fifth Grade: Increase basic Microsoft Word Skills among students.
ESOL: Increase student language acquisition through co-teaching and plug-in teaching models.
PEP, Pre-Kindergarten, Autism: Increase student receptive letter identification.
Special Education: Increase student proficiency with use of the Kurzweil electronic reader.
The goals above are based upon what teams and departments already know about students learning skills and
concept attainment. Additionally this semester’s goals are fluid and as such subject for revision based upon students’ varied needs. We intend to score with our PLC goals!
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 a www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org, and on a recorded telephone message at 301-279-3673. Emergency announcements are available by signing up for
MCPS QuickNotes and Alert MCPS text and e-mail notifications on the school
system’s home page. If schools are closed or delayed, the announcement is made
no later than 6:00 a.m. (or the night before if possible). If schools are closing
early, the announcement is made by 11:00 a.m. Please make sure you have a plan
in
place for your child/children when schools announce delayed opening and/or
early release days due to
Annuncios Públicos
Información acerca de las operaciones escolares se anuncia públicamente cuanto antes posible, a
través de las estaciones de radio y televisión, por Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) TV por
Cable (Canal 34 de Comcast, Canal 36 de Verizon FIOS, Canal 89 de RCN), Outlook, por Internet ingresando a
www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org y por mensaje telefónico grabado, llamando al teléfono 301-279-3673.
Los anuncios de emergencia se pueden recibir por correo electrónico suscribiéndose al boletín informative QuickNotes de MCPS y a través del servicio de mensajes de texto y correo electrónico Alert
MCPS (Alerta MCPS). Si las escuelas deben permanecer cerradas, o si se demora el inicio de la jornada
escolar, el anuncio se difunde a más tardar a las 6:00 a.m. (o la noche anterior, si fuese posible). Si las
escuelas deben cerrar temprano,el anuncio se difunde a más tardar a las 11:00 a.m.