September 12, 2014
18820 Strawberry Knoll Road
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20879
E. Frank Kaplan, Principal
Elise Burgess, Principal Intern
Web Site Address—http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/
strawberryknolles/
Our school improvement plan is a blueprint of how we intend to help our
students become competent and confident learners. As many of you
learned at last month’s Back to School Night, our instructional staff will,
once again, implement Curriculum 2.0, a rigorous curriculum that is
aligned with the Common Core State Standards. It is our obligation, as
educators to “uncover” the curriculum and as such engage students in
their learning. Although last year’s student-reading data reflect gains
made in achieving and surpassing grade-specific expectations, last year’s
student-math data show the need for us to help our students become
more involved in developing math-related skills and concepts. So, what is
our plan of action?
Strawberry Knoll
News
STRAWBERRY KNOLL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Our School Improvement Plan- A Blueprint for Teaching and
Learning
We will, this year, commit to differentiating math instruction. Our
thorough understanding of the math curriculum and systemic collection
of student math data will help us better determine what our students
know and are able to do. Conversely, the data selected and agreed upon
by grade level teams will let us know which of our students require additional time and support provided by the classroom teacher. Our grade
level teams have already used data gleaned from our first week of
school to form guided math groups. Students with similar math competencies are invited to work in small groups with their classroom teachers
daily.
As a community of learners, our staff will engage in a book study,
Putting the Practices into Action Implementing the Common Core
Standards for Mathematical Practice K-8. During the course of our
eight-week book study, staff will learn how to better help our students
develop their application of math reasoning and communication. Staff
will also observe teachers’ classrooms through Instructional Rounds.
Those who participate in Instructional Rounds will record observable behaviors between the classroom teacher and student(s) and collaboration
among students that evidence differentiated instruction.
Gaithersburg cluster principals will be here next Friday, September 19,
2014 for their monthly meeting. Time will be devoted next Friday
afternoon for principals to visit classrooms during math instruction. As
participants in an Instructional Round, our cluster principals will use
their keen observational skills to provide us with meaningful feedback.
The overarching question considered for the upcoming Instructional
Round and future classroom visits scheduled throughout this year is,
“How are we differentiating math instruction to ensure all students become confident and competent mathematicians?” Indeed, math matters
at the Knoll!
We Develop Kids with Character!
Our staff recognizes the need to teach the whole child. We know learning is possible only after our students’ social and emotional needs are
met. Our boys and girls are faced with daily stressful interpersonal,
problem-solving, and conflict resolution situations.
This year our staff will engage our children in “Stop and Think” lessons. The lessons presented come from the “Stop and Think Program,”
a school-wide behavior intervention program. As the program’s title
suggests, lessons are crafted to help students manage their emotions and
demonstrate abilities to make caring and responsible choices. This
quarter’s “Stop and Think” lesson topics are as follows: listening, following directions, asking for help, ignoring distractions, apologizing, dealing with teasing, and accepting consequences.
A hallmark of “Stop and Think” is the holding of class meetings facilitated by our classroom
teachers. Students will practice essential social skills during class meetings in a safe nonjudgmental classroom environment. Our goal is to ensure our Noble Knights learn the importance of demonstrating character. If you would like to learn more about the “Stop and
Think Program,” feel free to contact your child’s teacher or Mr. Romer, school guidance
counselor!
Strawberry Knoll Elementary School's
7th Annual Fun Run, Walk and Picnic
Who:
Students, family members, and staff
are invited to join the SKES PTA and Physical
Education Department for all events.
When: Friday, September 19, 2014 - Rain or Shine!
Arrive at SKES at 5:45 p.m. for official check in.
The run/walk will begin promptly at 6:15 p.m.
The PTA Picnic will last until 8:30 p.m.
Where:
Run/Walk will be a 1.5 mile loop around
Strawberry Knoll Field and Elementary School.
Your PTA will provide: a DJ to keep the kids dancing & a light
snack (chips or fruit
and water.)
Upcoming
Dates and Pack
Events a picnic dinner for your
June
12
9:30
a.m.
Town
Hall Meeting
family or purchase Hot Dogs from the
PTA
until supplies last.
June 13
June 25
August 23
August 26
September 19
9:30 a.m. Fifth Grade Promotion Ceremony
Report Cards Mailed Home
Open House
First Day of School for Students
7:00 p.m. Back-To School Night
Every child must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
MCPS Emergency Information
How to Receive Emergency Information from MCPS
MCPS parents can receive emergency information from the school system in a variety of ways, including MCPS QuickNotes,
Alert MCPS, Twitter, the MCPS website, MCPS TV, and a
recorded telephone information line. Please visit www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/emergency for more information on how
to keep in touch with Montgomery County Public Schools and stay informed in times of emergencies.
Cómo Recibir Información de Emergencia de MCPS
Los padres de estudiantes de MCPS pueden recibir información del sistema escolar en casos de
emergencia de varias maneras incluyendo MCPS QuickNotes, Alert MCPS, Twitter, el sitio de Internet de MCPS, MCPS TV y la línea de información con mensajes grabados. Para más información de
cómo mantenerse en contacto con Montgomery County Public Schools y mantenerse informado durante emergencias
visite www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/emergency.
State of the Schools
Save the Date! MCPS State of the School Event Set for November 11
Superintendent Joshua P. Starr will deliver his third annual State of the Schools address on Tuesday, November 11, at the Music
Center at Strathmore. MCPS parents and community members are invited to join Dr. Starr as he shares his vision for how we can
prepare all students for success in their future. The event also will feature student performances and artwork. Visit the State of the
Schools website at www.mcpsstateoftheschools.org for more information and to RSVP.
¡Reserve la Fecha! Estado de las Escuelas Programado Para el 11 de Noviembre
El Superintendente Joshua P. Starr pronunciara su tercer discurso anual del Estado de las Escuelas el martes, 11 de noviembre, en
el Centro de Música de Strathmore. Los padres y miembros de la comunidad de MCPS están invitados a acompañar al Dr. Starr
mientras comparte su visión sobre cómo podemos preparar a todos los estudiantes para que tengan éxito en su futuro. El evento
también contara con las actuaciones y exhibiciones de arte de los estudiantes. Visite el sitio de internet del estado de las Escuelas
www.mcpsstateoftheschools.org para obtener más información y hacer su reservación.
Parent Academy
Fall 2014 Parent Academy is Under Way!
The MCPS Parent Academy is back with an exciting lineup of free workshops for parents. The 2014 fall session is under way and
includes sessions on positive discipline, study and organizational skills, student service learning, preparing for parent-teacher conferences, special education, cybersafety, and more. All workshops are free and are held at schools and locations
throughout Montgomery County. The schedule of workshops is available at www.mcpsparentacademy.org
¡La Sesión de Otoño 2014de la Academia Para Padres está en marcha!
La Academia para Padres de MCPS está de vuelta con una variedad de talleres gratuitos para los padres. La sesión de otoño 2014
está en marcha e incluye talleres sobre disciplina positiva, el estudio y la capacidad de organización, aprendizaje mediante
servicio estudiantil, preparación para las conferencias de padres y maestros, educación especial, seguridad cibernética, y más.
Todos los talleres son gratuitos y se imparten en las escuelas y otros lugares alrededor del condado de Montgomery. El horario de
los talleres está disponible en www.mcpsparentacademy.org
Comcast Internet Essentials
Internet Essentials Program from Comcast
The Comcast Internet Essentials Program provides discounted Internet service to households with children who are eligible to
receive free and reduced-price meals. While participating in Internet Essentials, customers receive free internet training, a lowcost computer and affordable Internet at $9.95/month. For more information, call 1-855-8-INTERNET or visit
www.internetessentials.com.
Programa Internet Básico (Internet Essentials) de Comcast
El programa Internet Básico de Comcast proporciona servicio de internet con descuento a las familias con niños que son elegibles
para recibir comidas gratis y a precios reducidos. Al participar en Internet Essentials, los clientes reciben capacitación gratuita de
internet, una computadora de bajo costo y servicio de internet asequible de $9.95/mes. Para obtener más información, llame al 1855-8-INTERNET o visiten www.internetessentials.com.
TARGET—Take Charge of Education
Thanks to parents, teachers, school staff,
and other supporters in our community, for
participating in Target’s Take charge of Education program. Every time you shop with
your REDcard, Target donates up to 1% of
your purchase to our school if you designate
Strawberry Knoll ES. Last school year we received a check for over $300.00. Let’s see if
we can make a bigger difference this school
year.
.
https://www-secure.target.com/redcard/
tcoe/home?ref=sr_shorturl_tcoe
Giant Bonus Bucks
A+ School Rewards
Want to earn money
for our school? Earn
A+ School Rewards every time you shop with
your Giant Card.
Register your BONUS CARD,
Our school’s A+ School Rewards ID code is:
00822
September 12, 2014
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Your child will participate in Physical Education (PE) class once a week this year. Please send
your child to school with sneakers or tennis shoes on the day his/her class has PE. We have
already spoken with your child’s class regarding the need for students to wear appropriate
shoes. Students will participate in a variety of athletic skills to include moving, running,
throwing, catching, and other related sport skills. Thus for the children’s safety, we kindly
request our students wear their sneakers or tennis shoes.
Finally, we are thrilled to have a new gymnasium floor. As many of you saw at “Back to School
Night”, the new floor is a welcomed addition. All of us must take responsibility for maintaining our new gym floor by wearing sneakers and leaving all food, drinks, and trash outside of
the gym. Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to having a successful year!
Sincerely,
Mr. Nick Matesa
Physical Education Teacher
Mr. Brian Palmer
Physical Education Teacher
UPCOMING REMINDERS
September 19
September 24
September 25
October 3
October 3 – 10
October 8
October 17
October 30
October 31
November 4
November 10, 11
November 20
November 26
November 27, 28
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Fun Run and
P. T. A. “Welcome Back Picnic”
9:30 a.m. Town Hall Meeting
12:35 p.m. Early Dismissal
Rosh Hashanah
No School for Staff and Students
7:00 p.m. PTA Movie Night
P.T.A. Book Fair – Media Center
Individual Picture Day for Students
National Walk to School Day
State Conference for Teachers –
No School for Staff and Students
9:00 a.m. PTA Meeting and Principal’s Coffee
2:00 p.m. Halloween Parade/Parties
First Marking Period Ends
Professional Day for Teachers –
No School for Students
HOLIDAY – Election Day –
No School for Staff and Students
12:35 p.m. Early Dismissal Day
Parent/Teacher Conferences
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. - PTA Fall Festival
12:35 p.m. Early Release Day for Students and Staff
HOLIDAY – Thanksgiving
Pre-Kindergarten/Head Start Orientation
When:
September 17, 2014
10:00 a.m.—11:30 a.m.
Where:
Strawberry Knoll (PreK Class)




Come and meet the staff working with your child.
Meet other Prekindergarten/Head Start parents.
Learn how you can help your child have a great year in Head Start
Ask questions about the Head Start/Pre-K program.
Presented by Nuha Khalaf-Family Service Worker
A variety of guest speakers will be attending.
Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos Escuelas Públicas del
del Condado de Montgomery Condado de Montgomery
Servicios Escolares
Su cooperación con éste problema común de la niñez puede ayudar a evitar una grave epidemia en la escuela.
Padre de Familia:
La siguiente es una información pertinente acerca de una condición que se encuentra comúnmente en el
prekindergarten y escuela primaria. Los piojos en la cabeza, también llamados Pediculus humanus capitis, son
insectos parasitarios que se encuentran en la cabeza de las personas. Cualquier persona que está en contacto
cercano (especialmente el contacto de cabeza con cabeza) con alguien que tiene piojos está en gran riesgo.
Ocasionalmente, el piojo se puede tener cuando está en contacto cercano con ropa u objetos personales que
pertenecen a la persona que tiene piojos. Higiene o limpieza personal en la casa o en la escuela no tienen nada
que ver con tener piojos en la cabeza.
Esto es lo que usted puede hacer para prevenir los piojos.
ESTE ALERTA A LAS SEÑALES DE PIOJOS: La señal más común es una fuer te picazón en la par te de
atrás de la nuca y en la cabeza. Si usted ve a su hijo/a rascarse en ésas partes, revise la cabeza a ver si tiene
liendres pegadas al pelo. Los huevos se llaman liendres. Las diminutas liendres son blancas amarillentas
grisáceas y se parecen a la forma de una lágrima. La hembra adhiere las liendres al pelo con un pegamento
que hace casi imposible removerlas. Las peinillas, cepillos y champú ordinarios no ayudan a quitarlas.
INSPECCIÓN: Examine el pelo y cuer o cabelludo de todos los miembr os de la familia r egular mente dur ante
el año. La familia incluye mamá, papá, tíos/as y niños que viven en la casa. No se preocupe por las mascotas,
a ellos no les atacan los piojos. Los piojos son pequeños insectos grisáceos sin alas. Un examen minucioso
del pelo y cuero cabelludo puede revelar a veces el piojo adulto, pero es más frecuente ver las liendres.
TRATAMIENTO: Si encuentr a piojos o liendr es a ½ pulgada del cuer o cabelludo, o si su hijo/a ha sido
excluido/a de la escuela debido a los piojos, utilice un tratamiento especial sin receta médica llamado
pediculicida. Use pediculicida de acuerdo a las instrucciones. Luego del tratamiento y secado del cabello,
pueden removerse las liendres con el peine especial. Revise la cabeza cada 2-3 días por 2-3 semanas hasta
que esté seguro que todos los piojos y liendres que están a ½ pulgada del cuero cabelludo han
desaparecido.
LIMPIEZA DEL AMBIENTE: Revise a otr os miembr os de la familia por piojos o liendr es y haga el
tratamiento si es necesario. Lave toda la vestimenta, toallas y ropa de cama que estuvieron con la persona
expuesta a los piojos durante 2 días antes del tratamiento. Use agua muy caliente y ponga en la secadora por
20 minutos. Los artículos que no se pueden lavar (abrigos, sombreros, bufandas, peluches) métalos en una
funda plástica herméticamente cerrada por 10 días. Remoje las peinillas y cepillos del pelo por 1 hora con
alcohol, Lysol o lávelos con agua jabonosa muy caliente. Pase la aspiradora a las alfombras, tapicería,
almohadas, colchones y asientos del carro que hayan sido expuestos a personas con piojos. No use fumigantes
porque pueden ser tóxicos si se inhalan o se absorben a través de la piel.
PREVENCION DE REINFESTACION:
Evite el contacto con otra cabeza lo que es común durante el juego en la escuela y en la casa (actividades
deportivas, parque de juegos, fiestas infantiles, campamentos). No comparta ropa, como gorros, bufandas,
abrigos, uniformes, o lazos. No comparta cepillos, peinillas, toallas. No se acueste en sofás, camas,
almohadas, alfombras, o peluches que han estado en contacto con la persona infestada. Usted debe notificar al
cuarto de enfermería si usted ha encontrado piojos en la cabeza de su hijo/a para implementar medidas
preventivas en la escuela.
Esta información se mantendrá confidencial.
Por favor póngase en contacto con la enfermera si tiene preguntas y/o necesita información adicional a
http://www.cdc.gov/incidod/dpd/parasites/lice/factsht_head_lice.htm.
Montgomery County Department of Montgomery County
Health and Human Services Public Schools
Public Health Services School Health Services
Dear Parent:
The following is pertinent information about a condition found commonly in preschool and elementary-age children.
Head lice, also called Pediculus humanus capitis, are parasitic insects found on the heads of people. Anyone who
comes in close contact (especially head-to-head contact) with someone who has head lice is at greatest risk. Occasionally, head lice may be acquired from contact with clothing or personal items that belong to an infested person. Personal hygiene or cleanliness in the home or school has nothing to do with getting head lice. Here are some ways you can
identify and/or prevent head lice.
BE ALERT FOR THE SIGNS OF HEAD LICE: Signs and symptoms of head lice infestation include a tickling
feeling of something moving in the hair, itching and/or sores caused by scratching on the back of the neck and head. If
you observe your child scratching in this area, check his/her head for lice and nits attached to the hair shafts. The adult
louse is about the size of a sesame seed, has six legs, no wings, and is tan to grayish white. Lice eggs are called nits.
Nits are very small, about the size of a knot in thread, teardrop shaped, hard to see and often confused for dandruff or
hair spray droplets. The female louse attaches the nits to the hair shaft, close to the scalp with a glue-like substance
that makes the nits difficult to remove. Ordinary combing, brushing or shampooing will not remove them.
INSPECT: Examine the hair and scalp of all family member s r egular ly thr oughout the year . This means all
adults and children living in the same house. Pets do not carry human lice. Close inspection of the hair and scalp will
sometimes reveal the adult lice, but you are more likely to see the nits.
TREAT: If lice or nits within ½ inch of the scalp ar e found, or your child has been excluded fr om school because of a lice infestation, use a special over-the-counter medication, called a pediculicide, or a medication prescribed
by your health care provider. Use the medicated treatment exactly according to directions. After the treatment and the
hair is dry, the nits close to the scalp should be removed with a special nit comb. Check the hair every 2 - 3 days for 2
– 3 weeks until you are sure all lice and nits within ½ inch of the scalp are gone.
CLEAN UP THE ENVIRONMENT: Check other household member s for lice and/or nits and tr eat if necessary. Wash all washable clothing and bed linens worn or used by the infested person during the 2 days before treatment. Use hot water and dry laundry using high heat for at least 20 minutes. Clothing and other items that are not
washable (coats, hats, scarves, stuffed animals) may be dry cleaned or stored in sealed plastic bags for two weeks.
Soak combs and brushes for 1 hour in rubbing alcohol, Lysol or wash with hot soap and water. Vacuum the floor and
furniture. Do not use fumigant sprays; they can be toxic if inhaled or absorbed through the skin.
PREVENT A REINFESTATION:
Avoid head-to-head contact which is common during play at school and at home (sports activities, on the playground,
slumber parties, at camp). Do not share clothing, such as hats, scarves, coats, sports uniforms, or hair ribbons/clips.
Do not share combs, brushes, or towels. Do not lie on beds, couches, pillows, carpets, or stuffed animals that have
recently been in contact with an infested person. Y ou are encouraged to notify the health room if you have found a
head lice infestation on your child so that prevention measures can be implemented at school. This information will be
kept confidential.
Please contact your child’s School Community Health Nurse if you have any questions and/or look for additionalinformation at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/lice/factsht_head_lice.htm.
301-840-7112 Mrs. Claudia Leas
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