February 3, 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,
It is hard to believe that the third marking period is upon us. Our students
are continuing to work hard on the Stop and Think Skills of “Listening” and
“Following Directions.” We frequently remind our students about listening to
other’s point of view and follow through on the directions set forth by staff
and community members. My heart was warmed when I walked into the cafeteria to see some 4th grade students creating posters about “Fairness” and
“Responsibility” siting that “Responsibility” ‘is when you help out your family
and your friends’ and “Fairness” ‘is when you let others go before you.’ It’s a
tribute to the work we do as a community that our students are embodying
these values.
Strawberry Knoll
News
STRAWBERRY KNOLL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
As always, I have several pieces of important information for you to explore:
Saturday School
The George B. Thomas Sr. Saturday School offers tutoring and mentoring in
reading/language arts, mathematics, and test-taking skills for students in
grades 1-12. There is a one-time registration fee. If financial assistance is
needed, contact the Saturday School site coordinator. http://
www.saturdayschool.org/ Enrollment form in English and Spanish is attached.
There are several Parent Workshops that are offered on a monthly basis. Below are two of just many opportunities that are available to the parent community.
Homework and Study Skills for Students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9 7:00-8:30 P.M. For some kids studying comes easy, but for many it can be quite a struggle - especially if they are
prone to getting distracted or feel unmotivated. How can we as parents support our students as they are facing the increasing scholastic demands in
school? In this workshop, we will explore how we can help our students find
effective strategies to build solid study habits. We will discuss how we can improve executive functioning skills - the cognitive skills that we need to use to
get organized, keep track of time, start and finish projects, and use our
memory. Facilitated by Children and Adults with Hyperactivity/Deficit Disorder (CHADD).
Silver Spring International Middle School, 313 Wayne Ave., Silver Spring
20910
Mastering Encouragement WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18 7:00-8:30 P.M.
en•cour•age (en kėr ′‫׳‬ij) v.t., 1. To inspire with courage, spirit or confidence, 2.
To stimulate by guidance, approval. Are you looking for alternatives to threats
and bribes? This program will help parents develop positive strategies for
building cooperation and setting limits with respect. Facilitated by YMCA
Youth & Family Services.
Briggs Chaney Middle School, 1901 Rainbow Dr., Silver Spring 20904
Student Transfer Application Season Scheduled from
February 2 through April 1, 2015
ROCKVILLE, Maryland—Montgomery County parents/guardians who wish to request a Change
of School Assignment (COSA) for their children from their home school may begin the
process during the upcoming transfer season—February 2 through April 1, 2015.
Except for students in the Northeast Consortium (NEC), Downcounty Consortium (DCC), and Middle School Magnet Consortium (MSMC) areas, students in Montgomery County Public Schools
(MCPS) are assigned to a school on the basis of their place of residence or their Individualized
Education Program (IEP) and are expected to attend their home school. Assignment changes for
students from one school to another are permitted under the following limited circumstances:
An older sibling attends the requested school in the regular program, absent a boundary
change;
A continuation in a feeder pattern from middle to high school, except when affected by
boundary change, application program acceptance, or consortium choice guidelines;
A documented, unique hardship situation; or
A student selected for an exempt program
The transfer process begins in the home school, where parents/guardians may request the Change
of School Assignment Information Booklet that contains the COSA form, describes the process,
and provides useful information. Beginning the first week of February 2015, the COSA booklet
will be available in schools and online at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/transfers. The booklet will be available in both English and Spanish. Exempt programs that do not fall under the
transfer guidelines are listed in the information booklet.
There is a different process to access elementary language immersion programs. Full information
and copies of the Elementary Immersion Interest Forms are available at all elementary schools
and online at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms. Grade 5 students currently enrolled in immersion programs should submit a COSA if they wish to continue in the immersion program at the middle-school level.
For information about assignments for students residing in the NEC, DCC, or MSMC areas, please
contact the Division of Consortia Choice and Application Program Services at 301-592-2040 or visit the website at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/schoolchoice.
For more information about the transfer process, parents/guardians are encouraged to contact the
principal at their home school. Non-English-speaking students and parents/guardians who may require
assistance may contact ASK MCPS to get the information they need by telephone at 301-309-MCPS
(6277). Telephone operators who speak English and Spanish are available from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.,
Monday through Friday. Parents who speak languages other than English or Spanish who call the
ASK MCPS telephone line and identify their language will have their questions answered through a
telephone interpreter.
Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart
Dear Parent/Guardian:
February 26th and 27th, 2015, our school will be holding our JUMP ROPE FOR HEART and HOOPS FOR HEART
event. The event will take place to raise funds for the American Heart Association. This will help fund potentially lifesaving research into heart disease and stroke, our nation’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers. It will also fund the
development of educational materials that teach the importance of heart health and staying fit. With your donations we earn 3%-5% in gift certificates for “physical education equipment.”
WHEN:
WHEN:
Pep, Pre-K-------2nd ----------K and 1st --------4th -----5th ----------3rd
--------
WHEN:
DUE:
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 p.m.
12:40 – 1:40a.m.
1:50 – 2:50p.m.
9:00a.m – 10:00a.m.
10:55a.m. – 11:55a.m.
-- JRFH 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.
Sincerely,
Mr. Matesa and Mr. Palmer
Physical Education Teachers
UPCOMING REMINDERS
February 2
February 3
February 5
February 6
February 11
February 13
February 16
February 18
February 19
February 20
February 27
3:15 p.m. Family Life Parent Meeting for Fifth Grade Parents
6:30 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
9:30 a.m.—12:30 p.m. Second Grade to Imagination Stage
9:00 a.m.—9:45 a.m.—Bully Plan Assembly—Grades K, 1 and 2—Cafeteria
10:00 a.m.—10:45 a.m.—Bully Plan assembly—grades 3, 4, 5—Cafeteria
2:00 p.m. Valentine’s Day Parties
HOLIDAY—President’s Day
10:00 a.m. PEP Tour
7:00 p.m. —8:30 p.m.—Science Fair
7:00 p.m.—8:00 p.m.—Winter Concert—Instrumental Music and Chorus
12:35 p.m. Early Dismissal