Strawberry Knoll News
STRAWBERRY KNOLL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
June 6, 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/
Another Chapter Ends.
It’s hard to believe this is our final edition of The Knoll News. These past 10 months
have been filled with unexpected world events, national/local affairs, and ever-changing
weather conditions. None the less, we here at 18820 Strawberry Knoll Road, continued
our journey with you. Our students have worked hard this year and progressed with
their learning and making good choices. Over 75 percent of this year’s second grade
students are reading at or above grade-level. This is promising news as the school system expects all third grade students to read at or above grade level by the end of their
third grade year. Current third grade reading data show 85 percent of our students are
at or above grade level.
Mathematics remained an instructional focus for us, particularly as our primary grade
teachers ensured students developed a sound basis with their understanding of number
concepts. Our intermediate grade teachers coached students in developing their problem solving skills. All of our students, kindergarten through fifth grade recently participated in a math survey developed by our leadership team. Interestingly, 88 percent of
our students responded that they are “sometimes” or “never” afraid of solving math
word problems. This is good news. We will, this summer compare/contrast the math
student survey information with staff to determine where/how we need to enhance our
math instruction. We will seek your input as well upon our students’ return to school in
August.
We certainly showcased our students’ creativity and their many talents, some of which
are spotlighted in our 2013-2014 Strawberry Knoll Yearbook. Thanks to those parent
volunteers who assisted Mrs. Wendy Martin in arranging this year’s “SKES family album.”
Always in partnership with P.T.A., we helped our students maintain their love of reading.
Each Noble Knight was provided a free-book, thanks to our P.T.A.’s generosity. This past
Tuesday’s book give-away came as a welcome gift for our newest student, who also was
quite impressed to know each Strawberry Knoll student receives a complimentary breakfast daily.
Next week marks the last week of our 25th chapter. We know the children are excited.
Thank you in advance for maintaining your children’s regular routines to include bedtime.
We want to make sure our children are well-rested so they can enjoy the many celebrations we have planned. It is with bittersweet sadness we say good-bye to our fifth
grade students and those families that will not return when school resumes. My goodness, it has been our pleasure to serve your children!
Finally, take time to read with your children this summer. Help them explore the world
in which they live. As always, encourage your children to eat nutritious meals and exercise regularly. We look forward to seeing our returning families and those new to the
Knoll at our annual Open House on Friday, August 22, 2014 at 11:00 a.m.
Happy Summer!
What are your Summer Plans?
Our school, once again, will serve as a summer school site for the Pre-School Education Program (PEP.) It’s always a pleasure PEP staff and students here during the summer. So while they are here, our gym floor will be
replaced with a new traditional wood floor. Clearly, our physical education teachers, Mr. Matesa and Mr. Palmer
are quite excited about this summer’s project that will commence the end of this month and be completed by
the end of July.
Contractors are expected to reconfigure the entrance by the student drop-off/pick-up circle. A glass partition
will be built to guide guests to our main office lovingly known as the Kare-A-Lot Office. This will enable us to
better secure our building, and as always welcome our guests!
There’s more! As many of you already know, Mrs. Elise Burgess will serve as our Principal-Intern. Staff has
already met Mrs. Burgess as have those of you who attended this past Tuesday evening’s P.T.A. meeting.
Mrs. Burgess will work in collaboration with Mr. Kaplan along with the school leadership team throughout this
summer. Most importantly, Mrs. Burgess will devote her time this summer getting to better know the school
staff, students, and community. If you happen to be in the neighborhood these next two months, feel free to
stop by and visit us. Mrs. Burgess looks forward to meeting you and the children!
2014-2015 Homeroom Organizational Plan
Can you believe our first day of school for the next year is Monday, August 25, 2014? Based upon projected
student enrollment, the coming year’s classroom teacher assignments are as follows:
Kindergarten
First Grade
Mrs. Cyrus
Mrs. Ado, Team Leader
Mrs. Gagnon
Ms. Griffin.
Ms. Lehrer
Mrs. McGuire
Mrs. Serafini
Mrs. Rix
Mr. Smith, Team Leader
Mrs. Thomas
Ms. Thomas
Second Grade
Ms. Abernethy, Team Leader
Mr. Henry
Mrs. Kitts
Mrs. Owen
Mrs. Wiles
Third Grade
Mrs. Doyle
Mrs. Jorden
Mrs. Parker, Team Leader
Mrs. Philbin
Fourth Grade
Mrs. Murphy
Ms. Polk, Team Leader
Mrs. Rizza
Fifth Grade
Mrs. Dolan
Mrs. Row, Team Leader
Mrs. Shafie
If you recently moved from our attendance area and wish for your child to remain at the Knoll, please contact
Mr. Kaplan. It is critical that our enrollment figures are accurate.
Town Hall Meeting
Our fourth Town Hall Meeting is scheduled for
Wednesday, June 11, 2014 at 9:15 a.m. in the
gym. Students will be acknowledged. 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 11, 2014.
Fifth Grade Promotion Celebration
All fifth grade families and friends are invited
to attend this year’s promotion celebration on
Thursday, June 12, 2014 starting at 9:30 a.m.
in the gym. This year’s guest speaker will be Mrs. Ellen Harris.
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!
Mrs. Ford Moves to Cresthaven ES.
I have enjoyed my eight years at the Knoll getting to
know the students and their families. It is a wonderful
and very supportive community. I’ll never forget my
years at the Knoll and I appreciated the opportunity to
have worked with such a
great staff and families.
I will serve as assistant
principal at Cresthaven
Elementary School next
year. Take care and have
a relaxing summer.
Rosemary G. Ford
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 22, 2014 from 11:00 a.m.
to 12:00 noon.
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 our 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 13, 2014 will be donated to a charitable
organization. Our Lost and Found rack is in the cafeteria.
Upcoming Dates and Events
June 11
9:15 a.m. Town Hall Meeting
June 12
9:30 a.m. Fifth Grade Promotion Ceremony
June 22
Report Cards Mailed Home
August 22 Open House
August 25 First Day of School for Students
August 27 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 13, 2014.
Student Profile
Student’s Name _____________________________
Date __________
Current Homeroom Teacher ____________________
Grade _________
Please comment if applicable
1. Special Needs
2. Learning Environment
3. Other Issues//Concerns