Strawberry Knoll News
STRAWBERRY KNOLL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
June 10, 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/
This marks the last week of school for our Noble Knights. Indeed, it’s hard to
imagine our kindergarten students are on their way to first grade, and our fifth
grade students are destined for middle school. Seemingly between kindergarten and fifth grade, our students develop their academic and social skills. Recess affords our students opportunities to listen, share, and follow rules. Elementary school provides us the unique privilege to truly know our students for
half of their school career. Needless to say, this Thursday, June 13, 2013 will
give us reason to pause with pride as we host our annual fifth grade promotion
celebration. Our rising fifth grade students, some of whom I’ve known as infants and many others as toddlers are as children’s author, Dr. Seuss would say,
“ on their way!” Oh the Places You’ll Go! remains one of my favorite books.
Another book many appreciate is The Little Engine That Could. Clearly, the
book’s theme reminds each of us to persevere. How many times have we said to
our children, “You can do it!” “Believe in yourself!” and, “Work hard!” I have
for the past 14 years been fortunate to attend Gaithersburg High School’s
commencement ceremony. This year’s guest speaker, Mrs. Christina Ulrich,
2013-2014 Montgomery County Public Schools Teacher of the Year, and currently a kindergarten teacher at Brookhaven Elementary School captured
everyone’s attention with her keynote address. The daughter of immigrant parents, Mrs. Ulrich, told her story, a journey that reflects the American dream.
She implored upon the Class of 2013 to find their passion and, “dedicate your
10,000 hours.” Mrs. Ulrich went on to say, “Success is not an accident. It re-
quires work and dedication.”
Please join me as we acknowledge those Strawberry Knoll staff that have
demonstrated genuine passion for education and are on their way to new places
and journeys next year. They are as follows: Mr. Bowden, general music teacher, Mrs. Clontz, para-educator, Mr. Hackman, para-educator, Mrs. Hagan, special education paraeducator, Mr. Larson, fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Marzano,
first grade teacher, Mr. Mutton, physical education teacher, Mrs. O’Leary, first
grade teacher, Mrs. Otley, PEP Parent Educator, and Mrs. Riley, fourth grade
teacher. Each of the individuals mentioned contributed to our school’s success
and our students’ learning! We wish these shining stars within the Strawberry
Knoll constellation and our fifth grade class of 2013 our best!”
I also want to commend Mrs. Martin and those who helped with creating this
year’s yearbook. The yearbook cover illustrated by our very own fifth grade
student Adriana is a prelude to the pages contained, filled with pictures and
heart-warming stories, beginning with a tribute to “Miss Karen.” She loved our
school!
Enjoy reading this year’s final edition of “Strawberry Knoll News.” Included is information regarding school supply lists, the coming year’s MCPS school calendar, and equally important the Student Informational Profile we
invite you to complete as we create class groupings for 2013-2014. As you’ll see, we have a busy last week of
school planned for our students and the school community. Although students will be dismissed on the last day
of school this Friday, June 14, 2013 at 12:35 p.m., and most of our staff will begin their summer break next
Tuesday, June 18, 2013, a cadre of us will be here.
Yes, there’s work to be done as we prepare for the coming school year. We invite you to join Mrs. Ford for a
review and revision of our school’s discipline policy on Tuesday, July 16, 2013 starting at 10:00 a.m. here at the
Knoll. We also extend an open invitation for you to participate in two of our three school leadership team meetings planned for Wednesday, July 17, 2013 and Thursday, July 18, 2013, from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. If you
intend to participate in any or all three of the meetings mentioned, please contact Mrs. Anderson. Your input is
appreciated as we prepare for our school’s silver anniversary year!
On behalf of the Strawberry Knoll staff, we wish you a safe summer. Make time to create memories with family
and friends. If you happen to be in the neighborhood stop by and visit us. For those of you destined for points
beyond the Knoll in the coming school year, we know your children will continue to succeed in school. They are
prepared and while here at the Knoll learned the value of taking care of one another. For those of you returning to our school, please note we will host our annual Open House on Friday, August 23, 2013 from
11:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon. We look forward to welcoming our Noble Knights back to school on Monday,
August 26, 2013.
Happy summer!
E. Frank Kaplan
Proud Principal
Come One, Come All!
Can you believe our Mrs. O’Leary and Mrs. Riley are retiring? Oh what will we do?! Join us in the Media Center
on Tuesday, June 11, 2013 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 for our celebration and recognition of these two great educators. Refreshments will be served.
Town Hall Meeting
Our fourth Town Hall Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. in the gym. Students will
be acknowledged for making the Honor Roll. Classes will also be recognized for the Red Knight, Fine Dining,
ESOL Awards and “AMP” (Art, Music, P.E.) awards. Equally important, students from each class will receive
recognition for the “Character Counts!” award. We look forward to seeing our guests and families on Wednesday, June 12, 2013.
Fifth Grade Promotion Celebration
All fifth grade families and friends are invited to attend this year’s promotion celebration on Thursday, June 13,
2013 starting at 9:30 a.m. in the gym. This year’s guest speaker will be Mr. Tarek Aridi, a former Strawberry
Knoll Knight and undergraduate student at the University of Maryland, College Park. Fifth grade students are
asked to dress appropriately for Thursday morning’s program.
We wish to thank our many fifth grade parents that served on this year’s Promotion Celebration Committee. Our
committee members have worked hard to make sure this year’s event is the best!
Financial Obligations
As the school year comes to a close, please help your children locate any textbooks, reading books or library
books or school-owned materials in your homes. Also, please check with Mrs. Cates, the cafeteria manager, to
inquire if your child’s/children’s lunch account may be in the negative. Any financial obligations owed to Strawberry Knoll ES may result in the holding of your child’s report card at the end of June. Please contact your student’s teacher if you have any questions about obligations to the school. Thank you.
Lost and Found
The Lost and Found rack is overflowing. All items not claimed by June 14, 2013 will be donated to a charitable
organization. Our Lost and Found rack is in the cafeteria.
Summer School Registration Is Under Way
Registration for the 2013 high school and elementary summer school programs has begun. Both programs are
open to all resident Montgomery County students, whether or not they are enrolled in MCPS. MCPS high school
students should register through their counselor. Programs will be offered at four locations: John F. Kennedy,
Rockville, Seneca Valley and Springbrook high schools. The first session runs from June 24 to July 12; the second session runs from July 16 to August 2. The elementary school program runs from July 9 to August 2 and will
be offered at Bethesda, Fairland, Germantown, and Rock View elementary schools. Visit
www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/extendedhours/summerschool/ for more information.
Las inscripciones para la Escuela de Verano ya están abiertas
Las inscripciones para los programas de la escuela de verano de educación elemental y secundaria han comenzado.
Ambos programas están abiertos a todos los estudiantes residentes del Condado de Montgomery, ya sea que estén o no inscritos en MCPS. Los estudiantes de secundaria de MCPS deben inscribirse a través de su consejero.
Los programas se ofrecen en cuatro localidades: Escuelas secundarias de John F. Kennedy, Rockville, Seneca
Valley y Springbrook. La primera sesión tendrá lugar a partir del 24 de junio 24 al 12 de julio, la segunda sesión
tendrá lugar del 16 de julio al 2 de agosto. El programa de la escuela primaria va desde el 9 julio al 2 de agosto y
se ofrecerá en las escuelas elementales de Bethesda, Fairland, Germantown y Rock View. Para más información,
Thank you, Mrs. Thomas!
We thank our Mrs. Thomas for serving as an extraordinary long-term substitute teacher for
Mrs. Marzano’s class this year. Clearly, Mrs.
Thomas’ students are prepared for second grade!
You are the “berry best” Mrs. Thomas!
Summer Office Hours Our school will remain open during
the summer for business as usual. If you wish to stop by and
speak with Mr. Kaplan, please call before you visit. Additionally there will be times when the Kare-A-Lot Office staff
may be out of the building.
Summer Mailing
Our Strawberry Knoll ES website will be updated throughout
the summer with important dates and information. We look
forward to seeing you at our annual Sneak Peek Open House
on Friday, August 23, 2013 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00
noon.
Upcoming Dates and Events
June 12
9:30 a.m. Town Hall Meeting
June 13
9:30 a.m. Fifth Grade Promotion Ceremony
June 25
Report Cards Mailed Home
August 23
Open House
August 26
First Day of School for Students
September 19 7:00 p.m. Back-To School Night
Student Informational Profile
As the school year comes to an end, we are in the process of creating class groupings for next year. We use as
much information as possible in the creation of classes. If there is information you would like to share with us as
we form next year’s classes, please complete the Student Information Profile form and have your child return
the form to Mr. Kaplan by Friday, June 14, 2013.
Student Profile
Student’s Name _____________________________
Date __________
Current Homeroom Teacher ____________________
Grade _________
Please comment if applicable
1. Special Needs
2. Learning Environment
3. Other Issues//Concerns