January 12, 2015
18820 Strawberry Knoll Road
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20879
E. Frank Kaplan, Principal
Elise Burgess, Principal Intern
School Number: 301-840-7112 , Fax Number: 301-840-7114
Web Site Address—http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/
strawberryknolles/
Dear Strawberry Knoll Community,
As the second marking period comes to a close, many wonderful things are unfolding at Strawberry Knoll! We have begun a Staff Read Aloud page on our
school website. You can locate the Read Aloud page at:
https://sites.google.com/a/mcpsmd.net/skes-staff-read-aloud/
Strawberry Knoll
News
STRAWBERRY KNOLL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
The webpage highlights several teachers and professional staff reading aloud
their books of choice. Please check out the page and read the book with your
child as we read it aloud on the page. Thank you to Mrs. Schoenfelder, Mrs.
Forman, Mrs. Philbin, Mrs. Rizza, and Mrs. Ado for reading to our students via
this page.
Additionally, we have a wonderful math website that is up to date with several
applications that are useful for student exploration and equipped with tools to
aid in homework assignments. You may often hear your children talk about the
manipulatives they are using during math instruction at school. Some of the
manipulatives used in math are highlighted at the site: Pattern Blocks, Hundred Charts, Fraction/Cuisenaire Rods, and a list of math manipulatives that
are used by grade level.
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/strawberryknolles/specials/
staffdevelopment/resources/VirtualManip.aspx
Curriculum and Arts Night will be held on January 14, 2015. It will be held
from 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. This is an extraordinary evening to see both your
child’s art work and to participate in activities that they engage in during
instruction at school. Mrs. Ringer and Mrs. Harris, our wonderful Art
teachers, have highlighted student art work throughout our learning hallways.
We hope you will join us for this lovely evening!
Our next PTA meeting will be on February 3, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. in the Media
Center. Myself, our Reading Specialist, Mrs. Forman, and our Staff Development Teacher, Mrs. Schoenfelder will be presenting information on Curriculum
2.0 and the important elements to understand as a parent community. Please
join us for the information session, as well as, participate in our PTA meeting.
We would like to congratulate our students who participated in the
Gaithersburg/Gazette Newspaper MLK Essay Contest. While the contest was
open to all Gaithersburg schools, two of the three winners were from Strawberry Knoll! We are so very proud of Samantha Halling and Deepak Menon,
both 4th graders at the Knoll. They will be honored at the City’s Mayor and
Council Meeting on January 20, 2015!!
I would again like to thank the Strawberry Knoll community for being so supportive during my full take over as Acting Principal from January 5th through
the end of February. It is a joy to serve the students, staff, and community
of the Knoll! Please don’t hesitate to communicate with me if you have any
questions or comments.
Many thanks,
Mrs. Elise M. Burgess
Principal Intern
Preventing the Flu: Good Health Habits Can Help Stop Germs
The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year, but
good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often can help stop the spread of germs and
prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu. There also are flu antiviral drugs(http://www.cdc.gov/flu/antivirals/
whatyoushould.htm) that can be used to treat and prevent the flu.
1. Avoid close contact.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them
from getting sick too.
2. Stay home when you are sick.
If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
3. Cover your mouth and nose.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
4. Clean your hands.
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcoholbased hand rub.
5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his
or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
6. Practice other good health habits.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be
physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
Youth Cruiser SmarTrip Cards
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation, Division of Transit Services, continues its Kids Ride
Free program in 2015. The Kids Ride Free program provides free rides on county Ride On buses and certain
Metrobus routes within Montgomery County on weekdays from 2:00–8:00 p.m. for students age 18 and under who
are county residents.
The program operates year-round. Students should show their Youth Cruiser SmarTrip Card when boarding buses. School photo identification cards—used in the past—are replaced by the Youth Cruiser SmarTrip Card starting January 1, 2015. SmarTrip cards can be purchased for $2 from some schools, all Montgomery County libraries, TRiPS stores, and the Treasury Division office. The list of locations is included on the Kids Ride Free
webpage at http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dot-transit/kidsridefree/index.html. Please tweet the following message to your students and include the attached image if you can. This is a great value to families.
Youth Cruiser SmarTrip Cards for residents up to 18: Get them ASAP at some schools, all MC libraries, &
TRiPS stores. http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dot-transit/kidsridefree/index.html
American Heart Association’s “Jump Rope For Heart” and “Hoops for Heart”
February is heart healthy month. During this month students in grades pre-k through the third will be jump rope
individually and in small groups. Also, to further get their hearts pumping fourth and fifth grade students will
develop skills for dribbling, passing, and shooting the basketball. All students will prepare for the American
Heart Association’s “Jump Rope For Heart” and “Hoops for Heart” fundraisers. Our school’s participation in this
service program helps in the fight against our nation’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers – cardiovascular diseases and
stroke.
The money Strawberry Knoll raises will help people in our community learn how to avoid heart disease and live
longer, healthier lives. The school will also qualify for gift certificates for physical education equipment. Students will receive thank-you gifts based on the amount they collect. There is no obligation for the students to
participate. Donations should be returned by the week of February 26, 2015. We ask that students not go door
-to-door or ask strangers, but friends or family members for donations. Contributions can be made by check to
the American Heart Association or online. Students can go online to wwwamericanheart.org/jump or
www.americanheart.org/hoops to register and create a web page with the tools online.
WHEN:
WHEN:
WHEN:
DUE:
Pep, Pre-K-------2nd ----------K and 1st --------4th -----5th ----------3rd
--------
Wednesday, Feb 25, 2015-----Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015------Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015------Thursday, Feb 26, 2015------Friday, Feb 27, 2015 --------Friday, Feb 27, 2015 ----------
Regular Pep, Pre-K Schedule
9:00a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
12:40 – 1:40 p.m.
1:50 – 2:50 p.m.
9:00a.m – 10:00 a.m.
10:55a.m. – 11:55 a.m.
RFH and HFH envelope and permission slip must be returned BEFORE “event day.”
Signed permission slips must be returned by Wednesday, February 18 th for your child to be
eligible for door prize drawings! START COLLECTING NOW!!!!!
PLEASE try and raise money online by creating a website for your child. This reduces the amount of counting, and students can receive prizes by visiting www.heart.org/hoops or www.heart.org/jump. Any contribution is
greatly appreciated. CONVERT CASH to Checks to be made payable to the American Heart Association. If you
have any questions about our event or if you are willing to volunteer please contact Mr. Matesa or
Mr. Palmer--Physical Education Teachers, at 301-840-7112.
UPCOMING REMINDERS
January 14
January 16
January 19
January 20
January 22
January 23
January 26
January 29
January 30
February 2
February 3
February 5
February 6
6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Curriculum Night/Art Night
Second Marking Period Ends
Martin Luther King Jr. Day – HOLIDAY
Professional Day for Teachers – No School from Students
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. American Heart Association Assembly – Gym
6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Snow Ball Dance – All-Purpose Room
10:00 a.m. Chorus and Instrumental Music Assembly
7:00 p.m. Chorus and Instrumental Evening Performance
Report Cards Home
1:15 p.m. FDA Healthy Eating Activity for Grade 2
3:15 p.m. Family Life Parent Meeting for Fifth Grade Parents
6:00 p.m. P.T.A. Meeting
10:00 a.m. Town Hall Meeting—Gym
2:10 p.m. FDA Healthy Eating Activity for Grade 2
6:30 p.m. International Night– All-purpose Room