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/
Strawberry Knoll News
STRAWBERRY KNOLL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
March 28, 2014
Welcome Mrs. Burgess!
I am pleased to inform you that Strawberry Knoll Elementary has been selected as one of several schools supporting the training of future principals in
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). Mrs. Elise Burgess, currently an
assistant principal at Cannon Road Elementary, has been selected as an MCPS
principal intern for the 2014- 2015 school year. Mrs. Burgess comes with the
highest recommendations as an effective administrator and someone who will
make significant contributions to our school. It is an honor for our school to
be considered as a training site for a future principal.
The primary goal of the principal internship is to prepare candidates to become
highly successful school principals in MCPS. The elementary internship experience is a combination of professional development activities, a practicum experience, and strategic coaching and mentoring.
As the principal intern, Mrs. Burgess will gradually assume responsibility for
many leadership functions in our school. She will also be responsible for leading
meetings and activities typically carried out by the school principal. In addition, she will participate in monthly meetings with other MCPS interns to continue to develop the necessary knowledge and skills to ensure effective implementation of the school initiatives and the MCPS strategic plan.
An important component of the elementary internship is the job-embedded
opportunities for growth. To this end, Mrs. Burgess will complete a practicum
experience when she serves as acting principal during a period of six weeks.
The goal of this activity is to offer an opportunity for the principal intern to
gain the experience required to fulfill the responsibilities of the principalship.
I consider it a great privilege for our school to be selected as a training site
for a future MCPS principal. I am sure that all of you join me in welcoming Mrs.
Burgess as she enhances her/his skills and abilities as an emerging MCPS
principal.
Finally, I want to let you know our Mrs. Ford, assistant principal, will leave the
Knoll at the end of this year. Unlike the last time we had a principal intern,
when we maintained the assistant principal position, the position is vacated and
now replaced by the principal intern. Mrs. Ford has served as our school’s
longest standing assistant principal. We will miss Mrs. Ford and wish her our
best!
E. Frank Kaplan
Proud Principal
Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart
Thank you parents, teachers, and students, who helped, volunteered, participated, and raised donations
to support The American Heart Association. This year’s event was a great success with more students
participating than ever! Four-hundred-thirty Noble Knights participated this year! Two-hundred-two
students donated at least one dollar!!
All students participated in the heart-healthy activities during the fundraising campaign. Equally important, students increased their knowledge about The American Heart Association and how physical
activity can prevent heart disease and stroke. Our students collected donations for “Jump Rope for
Heart” and “Hoops for Heart,” that last year totaled $5,111.13. This year’s donations totaled
$5,000.00. Our top two students raised over $150 each.
Students that collected donations will receive their prizes in late April or May. Remember, we intend
to surpass our goal of student participation, and amount of donations next year. Finally, we will host
our eighth annual “Pie in the Face” fun for our top eight students that raised the most donations. This
year’s event is scheduled for Friday, June 6, 2014.
Thank you for all of your support!
Mr. Matesa and Mr. Palmer
Physical Education Teachers
Upcoming Dates
April 1
April 2
April 3
April 9
April 11
April 12—21
April 24
April 25
April 25– May 2
April 29
May 1, 2
7:00 p.m. PTA Meeting—Mr. Kamins. School Psychologist, Guest Speaker
MSA Science—Grade 5
MSA Science—Grade 5
6:00 p.m.—9:00 p.m. Talent Show– Gym
1:30 p.m. Town Hall Meeting/25th Anniversary Celebration—Gym
Spring Break
7:00 p.m. 25th Anniversary Celebration– Gym
7:45 a.m.—4:30 p.m. 5th Grade to DC Convention
Center
PTA Book Fair– Media Center
6:30 p.m.—8:30 p.m. Pancake Dinner
Kindergarten Orientation
Kindergarten Orientation
2014-2015
Kindergarten Orientation is in the planning stages. Please help us estimate the
number of students who will attend kindergarten at Strawberry Knoll during
the 2014-20145school year.
According to the Maryland State Law, a child must be five years old by September 1, 2014 in order
to enter kindergarten for the 2014-20145school 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, 2014 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 21, 2014. 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 1, and Friday, May 2, 2014 Additional
information will be provided in upcoming newsletters. Please return the bottom portion to the
Strawberry Knoll Elementary School office by Friday, March 21, 2014
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Strawberry Knoll Elementary School 2014-2015 Kindergarten Survey
The following child will be five years old by September 1, 2014.
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.
____________________________________________