Strawberry Knoll News
STRAWBERRY KNOLL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
March 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/
Paint Branch Grandma Visits Strawberry Knoll
A Croatian-American woman, known to
Paint Branch students and staff as, “Paint
Branch Grandma,” spoke to our fourth
grade students about immigration. Our
noble knights and their teachers listened
as Grandma told what pushed her at the
age of 13 and her family from the former
Yugoslavia, and what later pulled her and
her husband to America. Grandma explained how due to World War II, she, her
family and several others from her city of
Osijek secretly boarded an empty train
car and travelled to Budapest Hungary.
Paint Branch Grandma realized her life had
forever changed. World War II ended.
Little did she know upon ultimately finding
refuge in a camp for displaced people in Kapfenberg, Austria, that she would
fall in love, get married and journey to America!
Students learned the many reasons why Mr. and Mrs. Frank Kaplan came to
America. Dad and Mom wanted my sisters and me to have a better life. This
is why each day, I take great pride in reminding our students to work hard, do
their best, and remain empathetic towards others. Paint Branch Grandma’s
story remains real for a number of our Strawberry Knoll families today. Imagine how I felt last Friday morning when five students, along with a staff member, joined Mom and me in the “newsroom” and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
Paint Branch Grandma enjoyed her visit and seemingly made an impression upon
many students. Our 45-minute ride back to Burtonsville passed quickly. We
didn’t even listen to the radio. Instead, Mom spoke and I listened. “I’m really
proud. Your staff and students are like family. Ma-golly, it was just like being
at Paint Branch. I tell you!” Mom mentioned as we pulled into her driveway.
She’s right!
E. Frank Kaplan
Proud Principal
We are ready for the Maryland School Assessment (MSA)
Our school will join other public elementary schools in the state as third, fourth, and fifth
grade students take the MSA. Testing begins on Monday, March 4, 2013 and continues
through March 15, 2013. Sample MSA tasks are available for your review at http://
mdk12.org/assessments/k_8/index_c.html. We are ready for the MSA!
Fourth Grade Hosts African American Wax Museum
Fourth grade students and staff hosted their annual African American Wax Museum
this past Wednesday. Fourth grade students read biographies about famous African
Americans in preparation for Wednesday’s event. Students dressed as the individuals
they researched and presented facts about their lives. Visitors learned about such
famous people as President Barrack and First Lady Michelle Obama, Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr., Dr. Condoleezza Rice, Dr. Thurgood Marshall, Ms. Rosa Parks, Ms. Harriet Tubman, Ms. Beyonce Knowles, Mr. Freddy Adu, and many others. Visitors were amazed at
how well the students portrayed the individuals researched. Guests enjoyed the songs
our fourth grade students sang directed by Mrs. Kahan. We acknowledge Mrs. Doherty,
Mrs. Owen, Mrs. Riley, and their students for their hard work!
P.T.A. Science Fair- Another Great Success!
Seventy-five young scientists participated in last month’s P.T.A. sponsored Science Fair.
Guests had a chance to see and actually participate in an array of unique and exciting experiments! Our P.T.A. thanks the many Strawberry Knoll families and friends that joined us. A
special thank you goes to the Smiley family for all of their hard work in coordinating what has
become a popular event. The P.T.A. looks forward to hosting the Science Fair for years to
An “Until We Meet Again” (not goodbye) Message from Mr. Romer:
As I begin my time substituting at Goshen Elementary, I would like to say thank you to the wonderful
Strawberry Knoll family. It has been an honor to substitute at the Knoll for these last few months.
It’s been my pleasure to be both your school counselor and art teacher.
As your school counselor, I’ve had the opportunity to teach lessons, work in small counseling groups,
help with individual student issues, and much more! I enjoyed watching so many students demonstrate
good character traits, specifically relating to caring and perseverance. I’ve also enjoyed watching how
involved Strawberry Knoll has been with donating shoes with our shoebox recycling fundraiser. Students have filled many boxes and recognize how important it is to donate un-used items to those in
need. We will continue our involvement in this great cause throughout the year.
Thank you for the memories and see you soon!
Upcoming Dates and Events
March
March
March
March
March
6, 2013
14, 2013
15, 2013
20, 2013
22, 2013
7:00 p.m. PTA Meeting
10:00 a.m. Autism Parent Tour
7:00 p.m. PTA “Snow Ball Dance”
6:30—8:30 p.m. Talent Show—Gym
Third Marking Period Ends
2:00 p.m. Literacy Highlights
Kindergarten Orientation
2013-2014
Kindergarten Orientation is in the planning stages. Please help us estimate the
number of students who will attend kindergarten at Strawberry Knoll during
the 2013-2014 school year.
According to the Maryland State Law, a child must be five years old by September 1, 2013 in order
to enter kindergarten for the 2013-2014 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 April 29, 2013 and complete an enrollment waiver. If you have a child who will enter kindergarten this fall, please complete the form below, and return it to the school office by Friday, March
22, 2013. Also, if you have a neighbor or friend who has a child of kindergarten age for fall 2013,
please pass this information sheet to them.
Kindergarten Orientation is scheduled for Thursday, May 2, and Friday, May 3, 2013. Additional
information will be provided in upcoming newsletters. Please return the bottom portion to the
Strawberry Knoll Elementary School office by Friday, March 22, 2013.
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Strawberry Knoll Elementary School 2013-2014 Kindergarten Survey
The following child will be five years old by September 1, 2013.
Child’s Name: ___________________________ Date of Birth: __________
Parent’s/Guardian’s Name: _______________________________________
Home Address: ________________________________________________
________________________________________________
Home Phone: __________________________________________________
In order to expedite your receiving forms for Kindergarten Orientation, can the orientation
packet be sent home with an older child in your family?
Yes _____ Name of Student: ____________________________________
No _____ Please mail the packet to my home address.
No _____
Please email the packet to my email address.
____________________________________________
Community Meeting on the Strategic Plan
MCPS is hosting a Community Meeting on the Strategic Plan on Tuesday, March 5, 2013from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
in the auditorium at the Carver Educational Services Center, 850 Hungerford Drive in Rockville. Members of
the community are invited to share their thoughts and recommendations on the Strategic Plan, Our Call to Action: Pursuit of Excellence, and how MCPS can help students
develop the skills they need to thrive in the 21st century.
2013 Parent Engagement Survey
The administration of the 2013 Parent Engagement Survey begins March 1, 2013 and goes through May 24,
2013. This survey focuses on parents’ perceptions of their children’s school and education. Information from
the survey will help administrators and staff better understand parents’ engagement in their children’s education and may be used to improve connections between school and families. A random sample of families at all
grade levels in each school will be asked to participate in the survey. A Connect-Ed call from the superintendent about the survey will be sent to those families that have been selected to participate.
Community Dialogue on Academic Success—the African American Student
The MCPS Office of Community Engagement and Partnerships will hold its first Community Dialogue on Academic Success on Saturday, March 2, 2013. The event will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the People’s
Community Baptist Church, 31 Norwood Road in Silver Spring. This event is the first of several activities that
have been planned to engage the MCPS community in efforts to increase and support student performance and
narrow the achievement gap. The event is free and open to parents, staff, students, and community members
who want to work together to help African American students prepare for college and the workforce. Additional information and an online registration form can be found at
www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/familycommunity/minoritystudentdialogue/.
Community Days with Superintendent Starr
Superintendent Starr will hold his next Community Day event on Monday, March 11, 2013 in the Northeast Consortium and Sherwood cluster. A flyer with information in six languages will be sent to schools in those clusters
by Thursday, February 28, and should be sent home with all students. The evening Town Hall meeting will be
held at James Hubert Blake High School.
Visit www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/superintendent/community-days/ for more information.
Montgomery College
Workforce Development & Continuing Education
YOUTH PROGRAMS
REGISTER ARE NOW OPEN!!
SUMMER 2013 YOUTH PROGRAMS
Courses for students in grades K - 12 held on all three campuses, Germantown, Rockville and Takoma Park/Silver Spring. There are over 200 exciting full- and half-day
courses that cover a wide range of topics, like art, music, science, math, writing, sports,
robotics, study skills, engineering, woodworking, cooking, debate, technology, and so
much more. The summer program runs for a nine-week period from June 17 – August
16, 2013. So, if you are interested in doing something really different and fun this summer, REGISTER NOW online, by fax, by mail, or come to the Rockville Campus, Campus Center, Room 220. Classes fill quickly, so register right away!!
WE REALLY HAVE IT ALL!!!
For registration information, access our website at
http://cms.montgomerycollege.edu/wdce/youthsummerbrochure.html
or contact
YOUTH PROGRAMS office
at 240-567-7264 or 240-567-7917.