Strawberry Knoll News
STRAWBERRY KNOLL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
April 11, 2014
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/
Reflections
It’s a glorious spring morning as I write you. Our day at the Knoll is typical.
Staff began their day with a quick informational session and soon after returned to their classrooms. They take pride in providing students with the
best of learning environments, the norm for Strawberry Knoll Elementary
School. Once again, our Noble Knights are engaged in learning activities. They
always bring a genuine zest for learning and take great pride in being classroom
helpers. Parent volunteers are dispersed throughout the building. We can always count on them to support us. Yes, today’s sunshine typifies the joy we
share in teaching our children and working with you!
I was so proud of those students who performed at this past Wednesday’s
P.T.A. sponsored Talent Show. It is indeed important that we educate the
whole child and as such give children opportunities to spotlight the talents
they bring. This is who we are as a school community!
Your support of our school reflects our partnership with you, a goal established by Dr. Wilhoyte, our school’s first principal and passed to Dr. Weldin,
the Knoll’s second principal. So here you and I are today, partners in your children’s education. Our school community assembled once again to recognize
students at this quarter’s Town Hall Meeting and Silver Anniversary Celebration. Honorees beamed with the most radiant of smiles. Our students rallied
and cheered in recognition of the school’s 25th birthday. We are a family!
Certainly the work our school began in 1988 continues today. Our reputation
remains consistent with our school’s mission statement where all including
staff, students, and families, “Strive for Knowledge, Excellence, and SuccessSKES.” As we embark upon a long awaited spring break, join me as we reflect
upon our school’s many accomplishments. The work we do is always for the
children. Their well-being and your support are important to us. Our team is
hard-working and productive.
Best wishes for a memorable spring break. Safe travels to those of you heading out of town. Remember, school resumes for staff and students on Monday,
April 21, 2014.
E. Frank Kaplan
Proud Principal
“SKES, You are Our Shooting Stars, 25 Years!”
Our Noble Knights shined during Wednesday evening’s P.T.A. sponsored Talent Show. Two songs were quite popular at the show- “Let It Go,” and
“Happy!” We are quite pleased to recognize our performers as follows: Mason, Morgan, Jahbari, Jamila, Julia, Zyira, Hena, Tseday, Andrew, Niharika,
Katya, Rylie, Abbie, Amiyah, Lina, Ghuiya, Tracy, Natalie, Kathy, Charolette,
Obi, Samantha, Claudia, Chandra, Maya, Malia, Diarra, Genesis, Isabella,
Kika, Yulia, Juanita, Barniel, Myra, Ania, Kimberly, Sophia, Ally, Aaron, Isabella, Cassie, Laniyah, Jonathan, Ashley, Sasha, Luel, Maria, Alana, Layla,
Sofia, Patricia, Amari, Van, Corinne, Anna, Esterlyn, Rachael, Brianna, Emily,
Arianna, Anna, Kassedy, Courtney, Caleb., Aaron W., Isabella J., Sophia W.,
Isabella B and Natalie W.
Join us as we congratulate our rising stars and thank Mrs. Brogden for coordinating this year’s Talent Show. We
also acknowledge those parents who assisted Mrs. Brogden. They are Mrs. Thomas, Mrs. Webb and
Mrs. Abzakh. Indeed, talent abounds at the Knoll!
Come to Our Formal 25th Anniversary Celebration, April 24, 2014.
All SKES families are invited to take a walk down Memory Lane on Thursday, April 24, 2014, starting at 7:00 p.m.
in the gym. Our Mrs. O’Leary, retired first grade teacher and most popular guest teacher this year at the Knoll
has worked with staff in creating a first-class celebration. Guests for this month’s evening program will include
the Knoll’s previous principals and former students! Current Noble Knights that wish to attend, must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Strawberry Knoll is the place to be!
Our School Grounds Sing, “Spring!”
We thank Mr. and Mrs. Dubik for coordinating last weekend’s
grounds detail. A group of SKES families donated their Sunday
to make our grounds welcoming as evidenced by the fresh mulch,
colorful pansies, and river rock. We also acknowledge our
Mr. Portillo, Building Service Assistant Manager, for also participating in last Sunday’s effort. The result of everyone’s hard
work sing’s spring at the Knoll!
Ms. Polk Earns Funding for More
Books.
We extend a hearty high-five to
Ms. Polk, fourth grade teacher and
team leader. She recently earned funding at DonorsChoose.org for a classroom
project called, “A Diverse Classroom
Library.” As a result, Ms. Polk received
an array of high-interest level books
for her children to read at their leisure. Congratulations, Ms. Polk!
Fifth Grade Promotion Celebration
Date Changed.
Our students’ last day of school has
been extended to Friday, June 13,
2014. Thus our fifth grade promotion
celebration date has also been changed.
Fifth grade parents, please mark your
calendars for Thursday, June 12, 2014
as our new date for this year’s promotion celebration, starting at 9:30 a.m.
Gaithersburg Book Festival
The Gaithersburg Book Festival is coming soon! On May 17th from 10:00 a.m.—6:00 p.m. the City of Gaithersburg will host some amazing authors for the day. Some of the children’s authors planning to attend include Tom
Angleberger the author of Princess Labelmaker to the Rescue, Fred Bowen, the author of Perfect Game, and
Deborah Heiligman, the author of The Boy Who Loved Math! Rachel Renee Russell the author of the Dork Diaries series will also be there! To learn more information visit the website at: http:/gaithersburg bookfestival.org/
Lost and Found Items Await Owners.
Our Lost and Found rack in the cafeteria is filled with unclaimed coats, jackets, mittens, and other belongings.
If your child is missing an item, please encourage him/her to visit the Lost and Found rack. We want to ensure
all items are reunited with their owners. All unclaimed items from our rack will be donated to charity after
April 25, 2014.
Upcoming Dates
April 12—20
April 24
April 25
April 25– May 2
April 29
May 1, 2
May 5
May 6
May 7
May 16
May 19
May 20
May 21
May 22
May 23
May 26
May 29
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
Class/Group Pictures
7:00 p.m. PTA Meeting and Elections
10:00—10:45 a.m. 3rd, 4th Grade Recorder Concert—Gym
Patrol Picnic
3rd Grade Field Day
9:30 a.m.—1:30 p.m. 5th Grade to Bowl America
9:30 a.m.—1:45 p.m. 2nd Grade to Smithsonian
2nd Grade Field Day
Pre-K, HS, Autism Field Day
6:30—8:00 p.m. Family Field Day
4th and 5th Field Day
1st Grade Field Day—a.m.
Kindergarten Field Day—p.m.
HOLIDAY—Memorial Day
9:30 a.m.—10:15 a.m. 1:45—2:45 p.m. Instrumental Music Concert—
Grades 3,4, 5
7:30—8:30 p.m. Instrumental Music Concert
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 2014-2015 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, 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.
____________________________________________
Operating Budget Request for Next School Year (English and Spanish)
Stay Informed About the MCPS FY 2015 Operating Budget
Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett has released his recommended operating budget for next school
year and is proposing a $77 million increase over this year’s budget. This is about $15 million less than the $2.3
billion operating budget Board of Education had requested. The Montgomery County Council will hold public
hearings on the County Executive’s budget recommendation on April 8, 9, and 10, and this is a chance for parents, staff, students, and community members to share their thoughts with county leaders about how our
schools are funded. Information on registering to speak at a hearing and/or other ways to provide input to the
Council on the budget is available at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/council/.
The Board’s budget request represents a 4 percent increase over the current budget and is just 2.5 percent
above the minimum funding level required by state law. The majority of the increase allows us to provide the
same level of services to a growing number of students. The budget request includes strategic investments
that will help lower class sizes in some high schools, increase the number of counselors and other student support staff, add more technology to schools, and improve services to English Language Learners.
The MCPS website has a series of briefs and videos that provide quick information about the budget that you
can share with friends and family. Visit www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org
and search Operating Budget.
Manténgase Informado Sobre el Presupuesto Operativo de MCPS Para el Año Fiscal 2015
El Ejecutivo del Condado Isiah Legget publicó su recomendación para el Presupuesto Operativo Para el Año
Fiscal 2015 y está proponiendo un aumento de $77 sobre el presupuesto actual. Esta propuesta es $15 millones
menos del presupuesto de $2.3 mil millones solicitado por el Consejo de Educación. El Concejo del Condado de
Montgomery (Montgomery County Council) tendrá audiencias públicas sobre el presupuesto recomendado por el
Ejecutivo del Condado el 8, 9, y 10 de abril. Esta es una oportunidad para que los padres, el personal, los
estudiantes y los miembros de la comunidad compartan sus opiniones con los líderes del condado acerca de cómo
nuestras escuelas son financiadas. Para más información sobre como inscribirse para hablar en una de estas
audiencias y/o las diferentes maneras como ofrecer su opinión a el Consejo referente al presupuesto, visite
www.montgomerycountymd.gov/council/.
El presupuesto representa un aumento del 4 por ciento sobre el presupuesto actual y está 2.5 por ciento sobre
el nivel mínimo de fondos que exige la ley estatal. La mayoría de ese aumento permitirá a MCPS proveer el
mismo nivel de servicios a un número en aumento de estudiantes. El pedido presupuestario incluye inversiones
estratégicas que ayudarán a reducir el tamaño de las clases en algunas escuelas, aumentar el número de
consejeros escolares y otros empleados de apoyo al estudiante, agregar más tecnología a las escuelas, y mejorar
los servicios para estudiantes de inglés como segundo idioma (English Language Learners).
El sitio de internet de MCPS tiene una serie de resúmenes y videos que proporcionan una visión general de la
solicitud de presupuesto los cuales puede compartir con familiares y amigos. Visite
www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org y busque “Operating Budget”.
MCPS GIVE BACKpacks Campaign Under Way
The MCPS GIVE BACKpacks campaign is under way and needs your help to raise funds to purchase backpacks
filled with school supplies for MCPS students in need. Last year, MCPS parents, staff, and community members
generously donated more than $100,000 to the GIVE BACKpacks campaign, and nearly 15,000 students in 41
schools received backpacks filled with school supplies. We’re hoping to serve even more students this year. A
backpack filled with school supplies only costs $10, and donors have the option to sponsor an individual student,
a classroom, a grade level, an entire school, or a cluster of schools. Additional information is available at
www.mcpsgivebackpacks.org or by calling 301-309-MCPS.
La Campaña "GIVE BACKpacks" de MCPS ha Comenzado
La campaña "GIVE BACKpacks" de MCPS ha sido lanzada oficialmente y necesitamos su ayuda para recaudar
fondos para comprar mochilas llenas de útiles escolares para estudiantes necesitados. El año pasado, padres de
familia, empleados, y miembros de la comunidad de MCPS donaron generosamente más de $100,000 a la campaña
"GIVE BACKpacks", y casi 15,000 estudiantes recibieron mochilas llenas de útiles escolares. Esperamos servir a
aún más estudiantes este año. Una donación de $10 proveerá a un estudiante necesitado una mochila nueva, llena
de útiles escolares y usted tiene la opción de donar para un estudiante, un nivel de grado, toda una escuela, o un
grupo de escuelas. Visite www.mcpsgivebackpacks.org o llame al 301-309-MCPS (6277) para más detalles o para
donar.
College Prep Fair to be held May 10
A free College Preparation and Scholarship Fair will be held 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, at the Universities at
Shady Grove, 9630 Gudelsky Drive in Rockville. The fair is intended for students in grades 6–10 and their parents. Attendees will have an opportunity to meet various colleges and universities, learn about financial aid and
scholarship opportunities and attend informative breakout sessions. There also will be a tour of the USG campus. Space is limited, so be sure to register early! Registration can be completed at
www.mcpsparentacademy.org. Call 301-279-3100 for more information.
Feria de Preparación Universitaria a Realizarse el 10 de Mayo
Habrá una Feria Gratuita de Preparación Universitaria y Becas el día sábado, 10 de mayo, de 1:00 a 4:00 p.m., en
Universities at Shady Grove, 9630 Gudelsky Drive, en Rockville. La feria está dirigida a los estudiantes de los
Grados 6–10 y sus padres. Las personas que asistan tendrán la oportunidad de conocer a representantes de
varios colegios universitarios y universidades, aprender acerca de ayuda financiera y oportunidades de becas, y
asistir a sesiones informativas en grupos separados. También se ofrecerá un recorrido por las instalaciones de
USG. El espacio es limitado, se recomienda inscribirse, proceso que se puede completar ingresando a la página
virtual de la Academia Para Padres de MCPS. Comuníquese al 301-279-3100, para más información.
mcpssuper is a television show hosted by Dr. Starr that provides viewers with an in-depth look at the work of
MCPS to engage and educate our students. The latest edition of mcpssuper features a comprehensive look at
the Achieving Collegiate Excellence and Success (ACES) program, whose goal is to provide a seamless pathway
from high school through college completion. ACES is a collaborative program among Montgomery County Public
Schools, Montgomery College, and the Universities at Shady Grove that focuses on identifying and supporting
students who are underrepresented in higher education and those who are the first in their family to attend
college. The program can be seen on MCPS TV (Comcast Ch. 34 and Verizon Ch. 36), and online at
www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/superintendent/mcpssuper/.