October 10, 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/
Strawberry Knoll
News
STRAWBERRY KNOLL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Welcome Home!
Leaves continue to fall outdoors as we write you. The Knoll began its
“Wunderbahr/Workout/Wellness Wednesday” with “Walk Your Child to School
Day.” Those students who participated were welcomed with healthy snacks provided by our P.T.A. Soon after morning announcement staff and students engaged in teaching and learning. In the midst of teaching our Noble Knights new
songs for an upcoming choral concert, challenging them to increase their heart
rates through physical activity and requiring students to share math strategies
with one another, our parent volunteers were assisting with the P.T.A. sponsored “Fall Book Fair.” Currently, our food services staff is almost finished
serving 300 lunches to our students, while our building services staff is ensuring our school maintains its regal look. Regardless of their assigned position,
each of our 125 staff members is a role model for our 605 students. The work
we do is for your children!
We invite you to visit us for our annual “Open House,” next Monday, October 13,
2014. Come and see how our teachers including therapists, and specialists, engage students in their learning. As mentioned in previous newsletters, we as a
staff, are revising and enhancing our teaching of mathematics. If you happen
to visit during your child’s/children’s math class, you will observe the systematic
way in which our teachers transition their math instruction from whole to small
group. During each instructional setting, students practice using new math vocabulary and are required to demonstrate their acquisition of math concepts.
You will also observe how teachers take note of each child’s math progress.
Another important learning we hope you take home with you is our commitment
to developing your child’s/children’s social emotional learning. Thinking And Academic Success Skills (TASS) posters are displayed in every classroom. Students are, throughout the day, directed to review grade-specific TASS skills to
include “collaboration” in all grades and more specifically, “analysis” in kindergarten, first and third grades, “thinking fluently” in second grade, “synthesis” in
fourth grade, and being a “flexible thinker” in fifth grade. Additionally, some
of you may even see our Noble Knights engaged in a classroom guidance lesson.
Given the number of hours our students
spend in school each day during the course
of their educational career, it remains incumbent upon us to provide a safe and nurturing school environment for our students
and a welcoming one to our families and
guests. Though not of school age, we already see future Noble Knights waiting for
their siblings during dismissal, and on occasion walking freely in the Kare-A-Lot Office. Clearly, the children know this is
their school, and as such, a home away
from home. Consider next Monday’s visit
as a welcome home!
E. Frank Kaplan, Proud Principal
Elise M. Burgess, Proud Principal Intern
“Trojan Fest 2014 is Happening Saturday, Nov. 1st!
What IS Trojan Fest? It’s only the best way to spend Homecoming morning alongside many
others in the Gaithersburg Community!!
Saturday, Nov. 1 from 9:00 am to 12:30 p.m., Trojan Fest 2014 will be taking place in the NEW
Gaithersburg High School Bus loop! Several Student Clubs/Activities and Teams will have
GREAT games, face painting, soccer demonstrations, dance lessons, cheers taught by the
cheerleaders, moon bounce, temporary tattoos and more!! Holy Crepes and Kona Ice will also
be selling what they are famous for! There is no charge to enter Trojan Fest! All ages welcome!! And then, stay for the GHS Homecoming game that starts at 1:00 p.m. in the INCREDIBLE John Harvill Stadium!!
Have questions or are you interested in having a 10’x10’ booth for a donation made to the
school? Email Carrie Bohrer, GHS PTSA President and Trojan Fest 2014 Co-Chair for more
information. [email protected]”
Carrie Bohrer
Halloween Parade and Parties Planned
We kindly ask students not to include any costume accessories that resemble weapons. We also ask students not to
dress in costumes that portray violence or are excessively
frightening. Students who intend to participate in this
year’s Halloween Parade are expected to come to school
dressed in their everyday clothes and not in their
Halloween costumes. Students will have ample time before
this month’s parade to dress into their costumes.
If you do not wish for your child to participate in this
year’s Halloween festivities, please contact your child’s
teacher by either email or a handwritten note. An alternate activity will be planned for those students not permitted to participate in the parade and party.
Our annual parade will begin at 2:00 p.m. Due to limited
parking, we suggest you park your vehicles along Strawberry Knoll Road. Students will return to their homerooms
following our school-wide parade. We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, October 31, 2013!
Mana Food Drive
Our “Kids Helping Kids” Mana food drive will kick
off on October 13th and go until October 29th.
Participating children will learn important values
like caring for others in need and being a responsible citizen in their community. The food we collect
will be donated and used to help feed hungry children in Montgomery County. Examples of some most
needed food items include peanut butter, macaroni
and cheese, canned vegetables, canned fruit, rice,
beans, tuna fish, and cereal.
UPCOMING REMINDERS
October 17
State Conference for Teachers –
No School for Staff and Students
October 30
9:00 a.m. PTA Meeting and Principal’s Coffee
2:00 p.m. Halloween Parade/Parties
First Marking Period Ends
October 31
Professional Day for Teachers –
No School for Students
November 4
HOLIDAY – Election Day –
No School for Staff and Students
November 10, 11
12:35 p.m. Early Dismissal Day
Parent/Teacher Conferences
November 20
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. - PTA Fall Festival
November 26
12:35 p.m. Early Release Day for Students and Staff
November 27, 28
HOLIDAY – Thanksgiving
December 2
6:30 p.m. PTA Meeting—Media Center
December 12
7:00 p.m.—9:00 p.m. Movie Night
December 23
2:00 p.m. All-School Sing-A-Long—Gym
December 24, 25, 26 HOLIDAY
December 24—
Winter Break
January 4
Fall Weather Brings Opportunities for Outdoor Fun
Now that the hot summer-like weather is behind us and fall has returned, it is time
to explore outdoor fun with friends and family. Mr. Matesa and Mr. Palmer, our
physical education teachers, suggest our Strawberry Knoll families spend time together jogging, playing soccer, jumping rope, or taking walks and exploring nature.
A good rule of thumb whenever engaging in any activity, including raking leaves, is
to pace oneself “just-right.” Engaging in this fall’s fitness -fun will build endurance
and improve cardio-respiratory system. Our two teachers suggest, “Exercise diligently enough to make you tired, but not fully exhausted!”