Strawberry Knoll News
STRAWBERRY KNOLL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
February 4, 2014
18820 Strawberry Knoll Road
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20879
E. Frank Kaplan, Principal
Rosemary Ford, Assistant Principal
Web Site Address—http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/
strawberryknolles/
Greetings!
We began our first Monday of the month with two P.T.A. sponsored “Mad Science” assemblies. The children thoroughly enjoyed “Dr. Data’s” experiments. Equally noteworthy, our budding scientists left the day’s assemblies with questions galore. As a former
middle school science teacher, I always encouraged students to explore ideas, test
their hypotheses, and explain why their predictions either succeeded or failed.
Students’ greatest learning came from those few times when what was hypothesized
yielded a different result. Our P.T.A. will once again sponsor its annual Science Fair,
scheduled for Thursday, February 20, 2014, beginning at 7:00 p.m. For additional information about the fair, please contact Mr. Jeff Smiley at [email protected].
Last week’s wintry weather didn’t deter us from hosting two special events. Over 150
Strawberry Knoll families joined us for our first Curriculum/Art “Knight.” The evening
afforded our school community time to gather and participate in curricula-related activities, while at the same time admire student artwork. We intend to keep the artwork
displayed throughout our school.
Thanks to those of you who attended last Friday’s “Town Hall Meeting.” Our students
always take delight in cheering their fellow Noble Knights for the various awards given.
If you happen to have any pictures from Friday’s Town Hall Meeting, that you can email
us, please do so. Guests, particularly those new to the Knoll always enjoy marveling at
pictures that tell our Strawberry Knoll story.
Finally, we make every effort to post inspiring messages on the Emory Grove side of our
school sign along Strawberry Knoll Road. I recently asked students to explain the meaning behind, “Character Requires Courage!” Included in today’s edition of “The Knoll
News,” are three student interpretations of last month’s message.
Best regards,
E. Frank Kaplan
Proud Principal
“Character Requires Courage”
Character requires courage. You have to be brave, especially if someone is not making a
good choice. You must have bravery and tell the person to stop what they are doing.
We must always be trustworthy and hard-working. –Shephard K.
The quote tells me to stand up for what is right. You need to be the person strong
enough to say, “Stop being disrespectful to the teacher.” You have to have courage to
do that. –Anjali S.
You have to stand for your beliefs. Stand up for what is right. Do what is right, especially when some kids are doing wrong. –Andy T.
PreK and Head Start Registration
Prekindergarten and Head Start Registration to Begin March 3
Registration for MCPS prekindergarten and Head Start classes will begin on March 3, 2014, and continue
through the summer. These programs offer a high-quality educational experience for children in order to prepare them with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in kindergarten and beyond. Children must be
four years old on or before September 1, 2014, and families must be income-eligible to apply. For more information about eligibility guidelines, locations, and times of community registrations or required documents to complete an application, call 301-230-0676 or visit www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/earlychildhood/
prek/.
Inscripción Para los Programas de Prekindergarten/Head Start Comienzan el 3 de Marzo
La inscripción para las clases de pre-kindergarten y Head Start de MCPS comenzarán el 3 de marzo de 2014, y
continuará hasta el verano. Estos programas ofrecen una experiencia educativa de alta calidad para los niños con
el fin de prepararlos con los conocimientos y habilidades necesarias para el éxito en kindergarten y más allá. Los
niños deben tener cuatro años de edad
para el 1ro. de septiembre de 2014, y las familias deben tener ingresos elegibles para aplicar. Para obtener más
información acerca de las pautas de elegibilidad, ubicaciones y horarios de los registros de la comunidad o los
documentos necesarios para completar una solicitud, llame al 301-230-0676 o visite
www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/earlychildhood/prek/.
Alert MCPS
Sign Up for AlertMCPS
Sign up for AlertMCPS to receive text messages or emails from MCPS during weather-related emergencies and
other major events that impact school system operations. You can also sign up
to receive alerts specific to your child’s school. AlertMCPS messages are available in both English and Spanish.
Visit http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/emergency/alertmcps.aspx to subscribe.
Suscríbase a AlertMCPS
Inscríbase en AlertMCPS para recibir mensajes de texto o correos electrónicos de MCPS durante las
emergencias relacionadas con el clima y otros eventos importantes que afectan las operaciones del sistema
escolar. También puede inscribirse para recibir alertas específicas de la escuela de su hijo. Los mensajes de
AlertMCPS están disponibles en Inglés y Español. Visite http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/emergency/
alertmcps.aspx para suscribirse.
La Temporada Para la Aplicación Para Transferencia de Estudiantes Inicia el 3 de Febrero
Los padres y guardianes del Condado de Montgomery que deseen solicitar un cambio de asignación de escuela
(COSA) para sus hijos, pueden comenzar el proceso durante la temporada de transferencia, que inicia el 3 de
febrero. Todas las solicitudes de COSA deben presentarse antes del 1ro. de abril de 2014. El proceso de
transferencia se inicia en la escuela local, donde padres y guardianes pueden obtener una copia del folleto de
información que contiene el formulario de COSA, describe el proceso, y provee información útil. A partir de la
primera semana de febrero, el folleto COSA estará disponible en las escuelas y en línea. El folleto estará
disponible en Inglés y Español.
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 February 27, 2014. 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:
WHEN:
DUE:
Pep, Pre-K-------5th ----------4th ------2nd -----K and 1st ----------3rd --------
Wednesday, February 26, 2014-----Thursday, February. 27, 2014------Thursday, February. 27, 2014------Thursday, February 27, 2014------Friday, February 28, 2014 --------Friday, February 28, 2014 ----------
Regular Pep Schedule
9:00a.m. – 10:00a.m.
10:10 – 11:10a.m.
1:00 – 2:00p.m.
9:00a.m – 10:00a.m.
10:50a.m. – 11:50a.m.
-- JRFH and HFH Pledge 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, or
Mr. Palmer, our Physical Education teachers, at 301-840-7112.
Student Transfer Application Season Scheduled from
February 3 through April 1, 2014
ROCKVILLE, Maryland—Montgomery County parents/guardians who wish to request a Change of
School Assignment (COSA) for their children from their home school may begin the process during the upcoming transfer season—February 3 through April 1, 2014.
Except for students in the Northeast Consortium (NEC), Downcounty Consortium (DCC), and Middle School Magnet Consortium (MSMC) areas, students in Montgomery County Public Schools
(MCPS) are assigned to a school on the basis of their place of residence or their Individualized
Education Program (IEP) and are expected to attend their home school. Assignment changes for
students from one school to another are permitted under the following limited circumstances:
ary change, application program acceptance, or consortium choice guidelines
The transfer process begins in the home school, where parents/guardians may request the
Change of School Assignment Information Booklet that contains the COSA form, describes the
process, and provides useful information. Beginning the first week of February 2014, the COSA
booklet will be available in schools and online at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/transfers.
The booklet will be available in both English and Spanish. Exempt programs that do not fall under
the transfer guidelines are listed in the information booklet.
There is a different process to access the elementary language immersion programs. Full information and copies of the Elementary Immersion Interest Forms are available at all elementary
schools and online at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms. Grade 5 students currently enrolled in immersion programs should submit a COSA if they wish to continue in
the immersion program at the middle-school level.
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 www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/schoolchoice.
For more information about the transfer process, parents/guardians are encouraged to contact
the principal at their home school. Non-English speaking students and parents/guardians who may
require assistance may contact ASK MCPS to get the information they need by telephone at 301309-MCPS (6277). Telephone operators who speak English and Spanish are available from 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.
Congratulations, Dr. Handy- Collins!
The Montgomery County Association of Administrators and Principals (MCAAP) is pleased to announce
Dr. Christine Handy-Collins is this year’s recipient of the Dr. Edward Shirley Award of Excellence in Educational
Administration and Supervision. Dr. Handy-Collins is the proud principal of Gaithersburg High School. Congratulations, Dr. Handy-Collins!
Valentine’s Day Parties
Plans are underway for this month’s Valentine’s Day parties scheduled for February 14, 2014 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 requires 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
Upcoming Events
February 7
February 12
February 17
February 19
February 20
February 27
February 28
7:00 p.m. PTA Movie Night—”Despicable Me 2”
10:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m. - Pre K/Head Start Parent Meeting
Presidents’ Day – HOLIDAY—No School
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. - 2nd Grade to Imagination Stage
7:00 p.m. PTA Science Fair
Jump Rope and Hoops for Heart
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – 5th Grade
10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. – 4th Grade
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. – 2nd Grade
12:30 p.m. Early Dismissal Day
Jump Rope and Hoops for Heart
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – K and 1st Grade
10:50 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. – 3rd Grade
Attention All Pre-K/Head Start Parent!
Parent Meeting
Personal Safety/Prevention of Sexual Abuse
February 12, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. —11:00 a.m.
Strawberry Knoll Elementary (Pre-K Class)
Guest Speaker: Lisa Conlon, LCSW-C, Social Worker
Nuha Khalaf, Family Service Worker
Spanish translation will be provided.
Habr traduccion en esponol.