March 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 Families!
Strawberry Knoll
News
STRAWBERRY KNOLL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
I am pleased to be back home at the Knoll. My experience at
Leleck Elementary School at Broad Acres as guest principal was
quite rewarding. Over 700 students attend the school which is
located in Silver Spring, Maryland. As a majority of families at
Leleck ES at Broad Acres are Spanish-speaking, I welcomed the
chance to communicate in Spanish. Although I transplanted myself at another school and certainly kept busy, my heart remained
with our Strawberry Knoll community.
As I had anticipated, Mrs. Burgess did a fabulous job during her
take-over period. Mrs. Goldberg, guest principal from Potomac
Elementary School had nothing but great comments regarding
Mrs. Burgess’s leadership skills and her ability to connect with
staff, students, and parents. Having Mrs. Burgess has been good
for our school and most rewarding for me. Mrs. Burgess will host
her last professional development meeting later this month. This
meeting will also serve as her final evaluation and as such begin
the next phase of Mrs. Burgess’s professional career. This means
Mrs. Burgess will begin interviewing for elementary school principal positions as they become available. I know you join me in acknowledging our Mrs. Burgess for her dedication to us at the
Knoll. Fortunately, Mrs. Burgess will remain with us for the remainder of this school year!
So, despite the weather-related delayed openings and cancellations of school, we forge ahead with our instructional program.
This is the time of year when we see our students making great
gains in their learning. We also notice how our students become
more confident and truly understand the importance of making
good choices and taking care of one another. Yes, to you, our
fifth grade families, your children have already begun the process
of becoming middle school students.
In closing, I want to thank you for keeping in touch with us. It is
important we maintain the family atmosphere we have created for
our children. Spending time at Leleck Elementary School at Broad
Acres confirmed how important schools are to their communities.
Our schools reflect what is best about Montgomery County Public
Schools and our commitment to working in partnership with you.
Most sincerely,
E. Frank Kaplan
Principal
Kindergarten Orientation 2015 - 2016
Kindergarten Orientation is in the planning stages. Please help us estimate
the number of students who will attend kindergarten at Strawberry Knoll
during the 2015-2016 school year.
According to the Maryland State Law, a child must be five years old by
September 1, 2015 in order to enter kindergarten for the 2015-2016
school year. Kindergarten attendance is compulsory. Parents who do not
plan for their children to attend kindergarten at the Knoll will need to contact Mr. Kaplan after April 30, 2015 and complete an enrollment waiver. If
you have a child who will be entering kindergarten this fall, please complete
the form below, and return it to the school office by Friday, March 27,
2015. Also, if you have a neighbor or friend who has a child of kindergarten
age for fall 2015, please pass this information sheet to them.
Kindergarten Orientation is scheduled for Thursday, May 7, and Friday,
May 8, 2015. Additional information will be provided in upcoming newsletters. Please return the bottom portion to the Strawberry Knoll Elementary
School office by Friday, March 21, 2015.
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Strawberry Knoll Elementary School 2015-2016 Kindergarten Survey
The following child will be five years old by September 1, 2015.
Child’s Name: ___________________________ Date of Birth: __________
Parent’s/Guardian’s Name: _______________________________________
Home Address: ________________________________________________
________________________________________________
Home Phone: __________________________________________________
In order to expedite receiving forms for Kindergarten Orientation, can the orientation packet be sent home with an older child in your family?
Yes _____ Name of Student: ____________________________________
No _____ Please mail the packet to my home address.
No _____ Please email the packet to my email address.
____________________________________
Lost and Found Items Await Owners
Our Lost and Found Rack located outside the Gym is filled with unclaimed coats, jackets, mittens, and other belongings. If your child is missing an item, please encourage
him/her to visit the Lost and Round rack. We want to ensure all items are reunited
with their owners. All unclaimed items from our rack will be donated to charity after
April 10, 2015.
P.T.A. Science Fair—Another Great Success!
Approximately, sixty young scientists participated in last month’s P.T.A. sponsored Science
Fair. Guests had a chance to see and actually participate in an array of unique and exciting
experiments! Our P.T.A. thanks the many Strawberry Knoll families and friends that joined
us. A special thank you goes to Mr. Smiley for all his hard work in coordinating what has
become a popular annual event. The P.T.A. looks forward to hosting next year’s event.
UPCOMING REMINDERS
March 9
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. - Grade 3 ELA
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon - Grade 4 ELA
March 10
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. - Grade 4 Math
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon - Grade 5 Math
March 12
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. - Grade 3 Math
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon - Grade 5 Math
March 13
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. - Grade 4 Math
March 16
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. - Grade 3 Math
March 16
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Elise’s Team Meeting
March 18
Class Pictures
10:00 a.m. PEP Tour
March 26
7:00 p.m.—9:00 p.m. Talent Show
Third Marking Period Ends
March 27
PARCC PBA Closes
Professional Day – No School for Students
April 2
10:00 a.m. Town Hall Meeting—Gym
April 3—10 Spring Break—No School for Students and Teachers
April 14
Report Cards Home
April 27—30 P.T.A. Book Fair