The LuxLetter
A Publication of the Luxmanor PTA
What’s Up
This Month
March 7
PTA Meeting
7:00 p. m.
March 7 – 11
Eat A Rainbow Week
March 11
Cultural Arts Assembly
March 15 - 16
Used Book Fair
March 18
International Night
7:00 p.m. – 8:30p.m.
March 23
Marking Period Ends
March 24
No School
Professional Day
March 25 - 31
No School
Spring Break
March 2016 Issue
From the PTA President
Well, February was a short month, but we managed to fill it with fun PTA
events! Looking towards March, we will have another short school
month with PTA events almost every week, and our kids will be busy
with MSA testing and finishing up the third grading period before they
head off for Spring Break.
Looking back at February, we kicked-off the month with a PTA Meeting
on Tuesday, February 2nd. The well-attended meeting began with a
program featuring a very informative presentation by our very own
Luxmanor parent and PTA member, Beth Ciangiulli, on Raising “I Can”
Kids.
That first week ended with our Annual Red & White Dance on Friday,
February 5th, which was another great event for Luxmanor. Chair
Robyn Rogers put together a night to remember for our Luxmanor
families. The kids, and some of the moms and dads, boogied down to
the great tunes from the DJ. The PTA hosted a Bake Sale that night so
that everyone could keep their energy up while they were dancing the
night away. Debra Cohen and Lesley Potash and their volunteers did
another fabulous job of keeping our tummies happy! Our Spirit Wear
Chair, Kate Proger, was also on hand with a table showing off some of
the new Luxmanor Spirit Wear that is available to order to help our kids
show off their school spirit!
The next week, on Friday, February 12th, our children celebrated
Valentine’s Day in their classrooms with parties planned by their Room
Parents. The PTA provided heart shaped doughnuts and water bottles
for the parties. All of the children seemed to be having a great time
doing crafts, playing games and exchanging valentine cards with their
friends.
The following week, on Friday, February 19th, there were about 170
Luxmanorites having a fabulous evening at our reinvigorated Family Fun
Night. If you were anywhere near the building you would have heard the
excited shrieks of “BINGO!” from kids and parents alike! Debbie Berger
and her committee did an outstanding job of bringing back what was
once a great Luxmanor tradition, and I believe it will be again!
The final week of the month included two days of the 2016 Luxmanor
Geography Bowls for the 3rd, 4th and 5th graders on February 23rd and
24th. Sharon Plotnick and Michelle Raynes and their crew worked for
weeks to get all the packets graded and to test the kids to select the
competitors for each class and it all came down to the final event for
each of the grades to show their stuff in geography. This was Sharon
and Michelle’s last year chairing this event, as they are both “graduating”
from Luxmanor this year with their youngest children that are in 5th
grade, so if you would like to keep the Geography Bowls going at
Luxmanor by chairing or co-chairing the committee next year, please let
us know.
…
The LuxLetter, Page 2
The LuxLetter
Published monthly
during the school
year by the
Luxmanor PTA
***
Principal
Ryan Forkert
Assistant Principal
David Nguyen
PTA President
Debby Orsak
PTA PresidentElect
Marcie Peters
Newsletter Editor
Meta N Awuah-Offei
Submissions
Deadline
The 20th of every
month.
E-mail submissions to
[email protected]
Or place in the
LuxLetter box in the
School Office.
All submissions are
welcome!
March 2016
(continued from previous page)
March will be another short month for school, but another busy month for
the PTA. We start off with a special PTA Meeting on Monday, March 7 th
at 7:00 pm in the Media Center to discuss the Walter Johnson (WJ)
Cluster Overcrowding Roundtable that is being conducted by MCPS with
participants from all of the schools in the WJ Cluster. The two
representatives for Luxmanor are Nermine Demopoulos and myself.
We have just started meeting with the group and we will be bringing
some of the approaches that have been discussed to address
overcrowding at the secondary school levels to this meeting to get
feedback from our school community to take back to the roundtable
group.
The second week of March will be our second Eat a Rainbow Week of
the year. The kids enjoyed it so much last year, that our Health & Safety
Chairs, Cynthia King and Wendy Hookman-Vassa, are planning to
have two this year! An informational flyer will be coming home with the
kids to explain how it all works. This is an opportunity for our kids to try
new fruits and vegetables from the different colors of the rainbow. We’re
helping them to make good food choices and get a complete range of
nutrients while making it fun!
We will end the second week with another fabulous assembly
coordinated by our Cultural Arts Chair, Kate Bradshaw. This assembly
on Friday, March 11th, will feature the University of Maryland Gymkana
Troupe in action-packed acrobatic circus performances and promoting
an anti-drug message to students.
Next, we will have our Annual Used Book Fair on Tuesday and
Wednesday, March 15th and 16th. It’s a great way to clean up your
bookshelves and it is always so wonderful to see how happy the kids are
when they can buy so many books for so little money. Sutton Ragheb
and her team of 5th grade volunteers are organizing to get ready for the
sale, so please make sure to send your child to school with a little money
on the sale dates.
We will be having our Annual International Night on Friday, March 18th.
Our Diversity Chair, Nermine Demopoulos, is planning a wonderful
night full of fun, colorful crafts, exotic treats and a celebration of cultures
from all parts of the globe. This is a wonderful opportunity to share your
cultural roots with your children’s community. A flyer was sent home in
the backpacks with more information on how you can be a part of this
great night.
***
Luxmanor
Elementary School
6201 Tilden Lane
Rockville, MD 20852
PHONE:
301-230-5914
FAX:
301-230-5917
http://www.montgomery
schoolsmd.org/schools/l
uxmanores/index.aspx
March ends with Spring Break. We return to school in April to begin our
fourth and final quarter of the school year. Our PTA events in April start
with a visit from Pop Quiz for a math and science assembly, again
coordinated by Kate Bradshaw, on Thursday, April 7th as part of
Luxmanor’s STEM Day. Pop Quiz brings the excitement of a game show
to the school by challenging the students’ knowledge of Math and
Science concepts. Student contestants will encounter challenges
involving crazy props and each challenge reviews mathematical theory
or scientific facts in a way that they will remember long after the show!
Then, in the evening of Thursday, April 7th at 7:00 pm in the Media
Center, the PTA will host it’s second special meeting regarding the WJ
Roundtable that is addressing the overcrowding in the schools of the WJ
Cluster.
…
The LuxLetter, Page 3
March 2016
(continued from previous page)
Also in April, we will be hosting our 13th Annual Silent Auction and Dinner with a new twist. This year, we
will be hosting the event at the school. It will still be a very fun parents only event, but it will be alcoholfree. Committee co-chairs, Lindsey Bragin and Nicole D’Isa, have been working with their committee to
make this another awesome event for our school. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year and there are
already some FABULOUS donations that have come in. Be on the lookout for invitations coming home in
the backpacks!
We are also getting ready to put on the ever-popular Luxmanor Variety Show on Friday, April 29th. Marc
Israel has been working very hard and creatively on this year’s event, and information and permission
slips will be coming home in the backpacks soon.
One final note, the PTA Board is seeking volunteers to be a part of the very important PTA Nominating
Committee. This committee will be responsible for selecting the candidates that will be on the slate for
next year’s PTA Board. If you are interested in being a candidate for the Nominating Committee, and you
meet the following criteria; current PTA member, not a current PTA Board Member, and will be returning
to the school next year with an enrolled student at Luxmanor ES, please let me know.
I hope you all stay warm as we head out of winter and that the winds die down as we head into spring.
Debby Orsak, PTA President
-x-
Special PTA Meeting to
Discuss the Walter Johnson (WJ) Cluster Roundtable
Monday, March 7, 2016
7:00 p.m.
Luxmanor ES Media Center
Come hear our representatives give you a run down on the WJ Cluster Overcrowding
Roundtable that is being conducted by MCPS with participants from all of the schools
in the Cluster.
There will be free childcare provided by the YMCA Luxmanor Y Before/AfterCare
Program for Luxmanor students.
The LuxLetter, Page 4
March 2016
THE 2016 GEOGRAPHY BOWL WAS A HUGE SUCCESS!
This year’s 3rd and 4th grade Geography Bowls were held on February 23rd. The 5th grade
Geography Bowl was held on February 24th. Many students and parents came to watch the
teams compete. The competition in all grades was very close, and all the teams did a
fabulous job!
**THE TEAMS**
THIRD GRADE
Mrs. Cooper: Jordan Silverstein, Joshua Singer, Abby Kee, Mane Torosyan, and Tae Joon Kim
Mrs. Cohen: Rodrigo Palacios-Thomas, Seyun Park, Sam McKinney, Heerah Jayakumar and Sophie
Amalyan
Mrs. Bailey: Misha Kojanov, Julian Lewis, Mayuri Koka-Johnson, Aadi Gannavaram and Sonya Anderson
FOURTH GRADE
Ms. Segal: Jacob Peters, Irene Sanchez Burgueo, Karthik Pidathala, Natalya Krouse, and Haden Rogers
Ms. Whitt: Nora Hill, Jennifer Moon, Viktoria Koch-Paiz, Daniela Mendoza Chavez and Ava Guzzone
Mr. Fairchild: Maddy Moses, Jack Darby, Devin Pradhan, Isaac Yebio and Aaron Sandberg
FIFTH GRADE
Mrs. Connolly: Bryan Cuellar, Eleanor Mieremet, Riya Pradhan, Andrew Plotnick and Jackie Ragheb
Mrs. Elias: Keon Abasi, Christie Pandiangan, Milan Olascoaga, Dylan Schmidt and Valeria Morales
Mr. Lakner: Hayden Raynes, Lammai Nguyen, Jeremiah Morkre, Jacob Oshinsky and Juan Suarez Anzorena
**THE WINNING TEAMS**
Third Grade – Mrs. Cooper’s class
Fourth Grade – Ms. Whitt’s class
Fifth Grade – Mrs. Connolly’s class
The winning teams received extra prizes and their classes will have a party to celebrate!
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU to the parent and teacher volunteers who helped with this event.
Thank you to Lori Scherr, Yolanda McKinney, Lesley Potash, Andy Darby, Rebecca Rudich, Joanne Kee,
Stacey Cooperman and Mr. Fairchild. The Geography Bowls would not have been a success if it wasn’t for all
of you!
Thank you!
Sharon Plotnick and Michelle Raynes
Geography Bowl co-chairs
-x-
The LuxLetter, Page 5
March 2016
It was so much fun the first time,
Luxmanor will celebrate Eat a Rainbow Week AGAIN
March 7-11 2016
EAT A RAINBOW!
Rainbows are fascinating and beautiful - not just in the sky, but also on the dining table!
When we encourage kids to "eat a rainbow" we’re helping them to make good choices and get a
complete range of nutrients without having to think too much about it.
Each day of the week, we’ll assign a color for kids to eat that day. A flyer will come home
prior to the event with the specific color/day assignments. Everyone who participates will receive
a brightly colored bracelet and anyone who has five bands on Friday will be entered in a raffle
for a prize. The real potential prize is better lifelong health.
What does it mean to eat a rainbow?
• Choosing a variety of different-colored whole foods throughout the day and week.
• The more naturally occurring colors on your plate at each meal or snack, the better.
• It does not mean making a rainbow with artificially colored foods (gummy snacks,
soda, popsicles, etc.)
Why eat a rainbow?
Consuming different color foods play a role in ensuring you are getting enough essential
nutrients, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, and more. Eating this way can help to protect
against many potential body ailments and chronic diseases such as illnesses like the flu, cancers, digestive issues, declining vision, loss of bone density, and can even help with weight
management. Besides, your mood will most likely be lifted when your plate is full of a variety of
visually appealing bright colors versus covered in a dull, white, and plain blandness. Brighten up
your plate and you will brighten up your health!
The LuxLetter, Page 6
March 2016
The LuxLetter, Page 7
March 2016
-x-
The Silent Auction Is Coming – April 15, 2016 at
Luxmanor Elementary School
WHAT: Our school’s biggest Fundraiser of the year, also a great social event for all
Luxmanor Parents.
NEED: We need the support of all Parents and the community to secure donations.
The PTA is actively seeking donations for local goods and services to ensure that the event is a
success!
EXAMPLES of items needed include but are not limited to: restaurants, sporting events,
sporting paraphernalia, weekend getaways/trips, tours, fitness or beauty services, children
activities or classes.
(Please see attached form for details concerning your donations)
Monetary donations are welcome as well!
Please contact: Lindsey at [email protected] or Nicole at [email protected] to help out.
Thank you!
The LuxLetter, Page 8
March 2016
Luxmanor Elementary School
Donation Form
Luxmanor Elementary School
6201 Tilden Lane
Rockville, MD 20852
2016 PTA Silent Auction
________________________________wishes to donate the
following item(s) to the Luxmanor PTA Silent Auction held on April 15,
2016.
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
The donation is approximately $______
For your records, the Luxmanor’s PTA tax identification number is 521675297. We are a 501(c)3 organization certified by the Internal
Revenue Service.
Thank you very much for your support of the children and families in
our community.
Sincerely,
The 2016 Silent Auction Committee
Below please provide the name and address to which a certification
letter demonstrating the value of your donation should be sent.
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
The LuxLetter, Page 9
March 2016
Friday, March 18, 2016
(please note date change)
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
We need families to represent booths for their country!
Most families simply dress up and bring ethnic foods!!!
You can also contribute by bringing crafts, posters, artifacts…
You can even perform a traditional dance, song or just show off a folk costume.
To participate, please fill in the form by March 1 and email it to
Co-Chair: Yoko Komatsuzaki [email protected]
PLEASE PUT “INTERNATIONAL NIGHT” IN THE TITLE
Family(s) and Name(s): __________________________________________________________
Country: ______________________________________________________________________
Phone:_________________________ E-mail:_________________________________________
____ Food _____OTHER Please specify below:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
The LuxLetter, Page 10
March 2016
FEBRUARY NOTES FROM YOUR COUNSELOR
Gloria Silverberg
How can you effectively use discipline with your children?
When our children are frustrated or angry, they may experience a behavioral meltdown. Many of us
respond by yelling, threatening and perpetuating the anger cycle. Without effective strategies, you
may use fear and intimidation to get your children to behave.
Discipline is something you do for your children, not to them. Discipline should demonstrate love
because you are putting your child’s long-term growth ahead of your convenience. It takes emotional
strength and self-discipline to teach your children through appropriate consequences to their
misbehaviors.
Are you trying too hard to make your child happy, and now he feels entitled. If a parent is too anxious
and emotionally dependent that you can’t say “no” and disappoint your child, you are denying your
child the opportunity to struggle and even fail, which are the building blocks to competence,
confidence, motivation and happiness.
Choose specific consequences that will help your child practice skills and behaviors that need
improvement. An example is if your child misuses their technology privilege, then you take the
privilege of playing video games, or having a cellphone away until they earn it back.
Ask yourself what motivates your child? Then try to explore with him his interests to motivate him to
be the best he can be.
What is bullying?
Bullying is when someone harms others on purpose.
When bullying occurs, the person who is bullied has a hard time defending himself, as there is an
imbalance of power.
The harmful effects of bullying are repeated and severe.
Why do some children bully others?





Wanting to be in control or feel powerful.
Wanting attention from others.
Poor adult supervision.
Adult acceptance of bullying.
Prejudice.
If you suspect your child is being bullied:







Do not blame the child.
Do not use the word tattletale.
Do not tell the child to ignore it.
Do not tell the child to retaliate.
Do not expect the child to work it out alone.
Do not allow mediation if the child is reluctant.
Do not demand apologies.
SGA News:
Thank you to all that have contributed to our Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Pennies for Patients Drive! It is not
too late to contribute, if you have not at http://nca.sy.llsevent.org/LuxmanorElementarySchool.
-x-
The LuxLetter, Page 11
March 2016
The LuxLetter, Page 12
March 2016
The LuxLetter, Page 13
March 2016
LUXMANOR PTA 2015-2016
Executive Board Officers
Office
President
President Elect
Vice President
Recording Secretary
Corresponding Secretary
Treasurer
MCCPTA Delegates
(2)
Diversity Chair
Office Holder
Debby Orsak
Marcie Peters
Lori Scherr
Debbie Berger
Ilene Steinberg
Rachel Singer
Wendy HookmanVassa
Rebecca Rudich
Nermine Demopoulos
Phone
301-770-2289
301-770-4346
301-230-1435
301-793-0711
301-564-5111
301-564-6267
301-564-6044
Email
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Chair/s
Debra Cohen
Lesley Potash
Stacey Moses
Nermine
Demopoulos
Debby Orsak
Wendy Rhein
Kate Bradshaw
Barbara McGolrick
Bruce Dincin
Robyn Rogers
Phone
301-530-6334
301-468-2922
240-753-0033
240-888-9789
Email
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
301-770-2289
404-290-1751
301-230-5914
301-230-5914
301-530-6120
301-770-5668
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Debbie Berger
Ryan Forkert
Sharon Plotnick
Michelle Raynes
Cynthia King
Wendy HookmanVassa
Nermine
Demopoulos
Yoko Komatsuzaki
Sheila Franks
Robert Oshinsky
Barbara McGolrick
301-793-0711
301-230-5914
301-897-7395
301-816-0676
301-828-6205
301-564-6044
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
301-564-1963 [email protected]
240-888-9789 [email protected]
Committee Chairs
Committee
Bake Sales
Calendar
Cluster Representative
Community Outreach
Cultural Arts
Directory
FAB Dads
Family Disco Night/Red &
White Dance
Family Fun Night
Fifth Grade Events
Geography
Bowl
Health & Safety
International Night
Kindergarten Orientation
Listserv Moderator
Luxbucks
240-888-9789 [email protected]
301-589-8902
301-231-7677
301-493-6018
301-230-5914
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
The LuxLetter, Page 14
March 2016
Luxletter
Membership
New Book Fairs
Open House Popsicle Party
Room Parent Coordinator
School Supply Kits
Science Fair
Silent Auction
Spirit Wear
Square One Art
Teacher Appreciation
UNICEF Drive
Used Book Fair
Variety Show
Webmaster
Meta N Awuah-Offei
Debbie Corwin
Stacey Cooperman
Sangita Pradhan
Sheri Weiss
Runaka Anderson
Debby Orsak
Cynthia King
Ashlei Lowery
Lindsey Bragin
Nicole D’Isa
Kate Proger
Runaka Anderson
Beth Bobb
Karen Greenfeld
Wendy Rhein
Sutton Ragheb
Marc Israel
Amy Kleponis
916-213-5337
301-881-4097
301-255-0032
301-984-4171
301-881-2633
240-543-4531
301-770-2289
301-828-6205
210-323-2243
240-393-5855
240-328-8009
301-881-3909
240-543-4531
301-468-8940
301-881-8234
404-290-1751
301-770-4034
301-806-7043
301-230-5914
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Please let the Chairs know if you would like to help with their committee by calling
or emailing them directly.
Thank you.
******************************************
The Luxmanor Website
http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/luxmanores
The Luxmanor Website is not only very informative, but also includes links to
numerous educational sites, many of which have fun and educational computer
games for kids. The Website is updated regularly. Be sure to check it out and
add it to your bookmarked sites.
Announcements
Luxbucks
The LuxLetter, Page 15
March 2016
The LuxLetter, Page 16
March 2016
2015-2016 Luxmanor PTA
School Calendar
2015
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
28
31
Open House, 2:00 - 2:45 p.m.
Popsicle Party, 2:45 p.m.
First Day of School
3
7
8
11
14
16
16
17
22
23
28-30
30
Back to School Night, 7:00 p.m.
No School - Labor Day
PTA Meeting & Volunteer Fair, 7:30 p.m.
Back to School Picnic, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
No School – Rosh Hashanah
Parents Meet & Greet Breakfast
Silver Diner “Run the Diner” Night
ESOL Back to School Night, 7:00 p.m.
Room Parent Orientation, 9:30 a.m.
No School – Yom Kippur
New Book Fair
Teacher Read Aloud
1-2
2
7
9
12
16
23
28
30
30
New Book Fair
Early Dismissal, 12:55 p.m.
International Walk to School Day
Fall School Picture Day
MCPS Open House & PTA Bake Sale
No School, MSEA Convention
FAB Dads Breakfast, 7:45 a.m.
California Tortilla/Baskin Robbins Night
Halloween Parties and Parade, 2:00 p.m.
1st Marking Period Ends
2
11
No School, Professional Day
Early Dismissal, 12:55 p.m. - Parent
Conferences, Report Cards Distributed
Early Dismissal, 12:55 p.m. - Parent
Conferences, Report Cards Distributed
Early Dismissal, 12:55 p.m., Thanksgiving
Holiday
No School - Thanksgiving Day
No School – Thanksgiving Vacation
12
25
26
27
Dec.
2016
Jan.
1
14
18
22
25
28
No School – Winter Break
Science Fair, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
No School - Martin Luther King Day
2nd Marking Period Ends
No School – Professional Day
Science Fair (Snow Date), 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Feb.
2
3
5
12
15
23-24
26
PTA Meeting, 7:30 p.m.
Report Cards Distributed
Red & White Dance, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Valentine’s Day Parties, 2:15 p.m.
No School – Presidents’ Day
Geography Bowl
Early Dismissal, 12:55 p.m.
Mar.
7-11
15-16
18
23
24
25-31
Eat a Rainbow Week
Used Book Fair
International Night, 7-8:30 p.m.
3rd Marking Period Ends
No School – Professional Day
No School – Spring Break
Apr.
1
14
14
15
18
20
25
26
27
28
29
No School – Spring Break
Report Cards Distributed
Variety Show Act Approval, 3:30 p.m.
Silent Auction, 7:30 p.m.
Variety Show Rehearsal, 3:30 p.m.
Variety Show Rehearsal, 3:30 p.m.
Variety Show Rehearsal, 3:30 p.m.
No School, Primary Elections
Variety Show Rehearsal, 3:30 p.m.
Variety Show Dress Rehearsal, 3:30 p.m.
Variety Show, 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
May
3
4
10
11-13
18
22
30
PTA Meeting, 7:30 p.m.
Staff Appreciation Luncheon
5th Grade Class Picture, 1:45 p.m.
2-for-1 Book Fair
Silver Diner “Run the Diner” Night
Spring Fun Fair, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
No School - Memorial Day
June
7
16
PTA General Meeting/Elections, 7:30 p.m.
5th Grade Promotion Ceremony, Clap Out
and Party
Early Dismissal, 12:55 p.m. - Last Day of
School
Report Cards Mailed
1
PTA Meeting
10
Staff Appreciation Luncheon
24-31 No School – Winter Break
17
27