1
Cold Spring Elementary School
Parent Newsletter
May 2, 2016
Ferocious about Learning
It is finally May, and I am feeling confident that we will have no more snow this year. The
transition from parkas to shorts has been a quick one, but I am loving the warmer
weather. Everything is growing greener by the day, which, of course, is not great news
for allergy sufferers. Hopefully some well-timed rain will keep the pollen at bay, so that
everyone has more fun outside.
I am always astounded by the speed of each school year. In the moment, it never feels
like the time is flying by, but, then I look up and find that it has.
Beginning the week of May 9, our third, fourth, and fifth grade students will participate in
PARCC assessments. PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and
Careers) is the Maryland state assessment tool required by ESSA (Every Student
Succeeds Act), previously known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB). Believe it or not, the
original legislation was entitled the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965
(ESEA). When ESEA was reauthorized as NCLB, yearly testing by standardized state
assessments was required. Maryland first met this requirement by administering the
MSPAP, then MSA, and now PARCC. Is your head spinning yet?
You may remember that last year, the PARCC was given in two parts. Based on feedback
from many parents, students and staff, the assessments were reduced and modified. This
year, the assessments will be given only in May. Please check the calendar at the end of
the newsletter for more information about when your child will be taking PARCC. Try
not to schedule appointments during the testing, because if your child misses a session,
they must make it up at a different time (and miss instruction).
We are continuing to watch out enrollment numbers, but haven’t seen a significant
change for next year as yet. There are houses on the market that will likely sell between
now and the beginning of school. You can help by encouraging any new neighbors with
elementary-aged children to contact the school office so we can plan using the most
correct numbers.
Please check the calendar carefully. There are MANY activities between now and the end
of the year, and I don’t want you to miss any of them. The first highlight of May is the
performance of The Tempest by William Shakespeare. The fifth grade Center Program
students have been preparing for this production for many weeks. You can choose to see
the show either tonight or tomorrow night. The curtain goes up at 7:00 and everyone is
invited to attend.
Kindergarten Orientation
We will get the chance to meet our incoming kindergarten students and parents this
Friday during Kindergarten Orientation. Currently, we have 25 names on the list, but it is
not too late! If you know kindergarten families that we might have missed, please
encourage them to contact the school ASAP.
Cold Spring Elementary Fun Run
This year, The PTA is teaming up with Boosterthon to create a fun run for students on
May 20. A flyer with more details is included in the newsletter. We are excited about the
fundraising possibilities! We are hoping to fund the purchase of a new kiln for the art
2
Cold Spring Elementary School
Parent Newsletter
May 2, 2016
Ferocious about Learning
room and an attachment for our tractor that will allow the blacktop areas to be easily
cleared after snow. You may remember that this year we had several more days of
indoor recess than necessary because of the large amount of snow. We also want to
purchase as many Chromebooks as possible in the hopes of creating a second grade set.
The theme of this year’s fun run is Big World Recess and will highlight children from all
over the world building positive character traits and physical fitness.
End of School Date
It is finally official. The last day of school for students will be Monday, June 20. So, that
means that Friday, June 17 will be a full day of school. Monday, June 20 will be an early
release day. The state waived one day due to the bad weather.
Parent Input Forms
If your child will be returning to Cold Spring next year, we are asking that you take the
time to complete a Parent Input Form. This gives us your perspective on how you child
learns best and how you view his/her strengths and weaknesses. This information is an
important part of the articulation process as we consider class placement for next year.
Please keep in mind that this is not a teacher request form.
From our Nurse:
The summer season will be here very soon and with the recent rain, we can expect
mosquitos to be out in full force. This year it is of special concern as we are seeing
several cases of the Zika virus in the U.S. which is known to be carried by mosquitos.
There are cases of Zika virus already in Maryland, however, all cases are related to travel
to countries already affected by the Zika virus. There are no locally acquired cases of Zika
virus in Maryland. As mosquito season begins, the Montgomery County Health
Department will continue to monitor developments and will communicate information
as needed. Residents can help themselves and the community by getting rid of mosquito
breeding spots. Mosquitoes that spread the Zika virus prefer to breed in small containers
close to residential areas. Eliminate standing water in and around your home. Throw
out or empty and scrub items that hold water such as tires, buckets, flower pots and
planters, toys, pools and birdbaths. Dispose of trash such as plastic bags, bottle caps,
open drink cans or bottles, and other trash items that may hold water. Use air
conditioning when possible and make sure screens on windows and doors do not have
holes. Clean out roof gutters and down-spouts and eliminate folds and tarps, such as
swimming pool covers, grill covers, that may hold water. Drain water trapped in folds of
tarps or covers and arrange so water runs off. To protect against mosquito bites, cover
up with long sleeves and pants and use recommended insect repellent when outside.
These mosquitos that carry the virus are active during the day, so prevention and use of
repellant and long sleeves will be important in reducing transmission and exposure.
Please contact the Health Room if you have any questions.
Fifth Grade Events
3
Cold Spring Elementary School
Parent Newsletter
May 2, 2016
Ferocious about Learning
Although the last day of school has changed, we will keep the original promotion date of
June 14. The Clap Out will also remain on that day. The fifth grade picnic is scheduled
for June 16. Please continue checking for updates from the teachers. We are pulling
together some final field trips for the fifth grade.
So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen
Ms. Nancy VanGrack will be retiring at the end of this year. Ms. VanGrack has taught in
MCPS for 22 years. Ms. VanGrack began her career at Cold Spring Elementary in 1994,
leaving for a time to teach at Wayside, then returning to Cold Spring. Ms. VanGrack has
made a significant contribution to the children and families in the Cold Spring
community.
Middle School Updates
Hoover
Parents of incoming Hoover students are invited to attend a Parent Tea on June 9 from
9:30 – 10:30 in the Hoover Cafeteria. The topic will be creating a smooth transition from
elementary to middle school. Light refreshments will be served.
Frost
Robert Frost will be offering several summer programs:
Support Reading 6/7 Combo: This is a 4-week class for 6th & 7th grade students who
would benefit from reading instruction over the summer. This course focuses reading
comprehension and teaches strategies such as context clues, main idea, inference, and
summarization. The program will run from July 5th to July 29th.
Focus on IM: This is a 3-week class for students enrolled in IM next year who would
benefit from additional math instruction over the summer to maximize their potential in
an above-level mathematics class in the fall. The program will run from July 5th to July
22nd.
Focus on Algebra: This is a 3-week class for students enrolled in Algebra next year who
would benefit from additional math instruction over the summer to maximize their
potential in an above-level mathematics class in the fall. The program will run from July
5th to July 22nd.
For more information or to register, check the Frost website or contact Wendy Salzman
at 301-279-3949.
Calendar of Events
May 2
May 3
Staff Appreciation Week
9:40 – Shakespeare Play (The Tempest)
7:00 pm – Shakespeare Play (The
Tempest)
Staff Appreciation Week
9:40 – Shakespeare Play (The Tempest)
4
Cold Spring Elementary School
Parent Newsletter
May 2, 2016
Ferocious about Learning
May 5
May 6
May 9
May 10
May 11
May 12
May 13
May 16
May 17
May 18
May 19
May 20
May 23
May 24
May 25
7:00 pm – Shakespeare Play (The
Tempest)
Staff Appreciation Week
9:00 – 3:00 – Grade 4 Palmer/Madden
Field Trip to C&O Canal
Staff Appreciation Week
Kindergarten Orientation – No school for
current kindergarten students
AM – PARCC for Fifth Grade
AM – PARCC for Fifth Grade
AM – PARCC for Fifth Grade
1:30 – Pep Rally for Fun Run
AM – PARCC for Fifth Grade
9:30 – 3:00 – Grade 4 Cohen/Galusha
Field Trip to C&O Canal
2:00 – 3:00 – Fun Run Huddles
AM – PARCC for Fifth Grade
2:00 – 3:00 – Fun Run Huddles
PTA Interfaith Works Donation Drive
AM – PARCC for Third Grade
9:30 – 1:30 – Patrol Picnic (Fairgrounds)
2:00 – 3:00 – Fun Run Huddles
AM – PARCC for Third Grade
2:00 – 3:00 – Fun Run Huddles
6:00 – 8:00 – Science Fair
AM – PARCC for Third Grade
2:00 – 3:00 – Fun Run Huddles
AM – PARCC for Third Grade
2:00 – 3:00 – Fun Run Huddles
AM – PARCC for Third Grade
1:30 – Cold Spring Elementary School Fun
Run
AM – PARCC for Fourth Grade
AM – PARCC for Fourth Grade
11:30 – 12:15 – Grade 2 Harvesting and
Salad Party
12:15 – 1:15 – Volunteer Luncheon
1:15 – 2:00 – Grade 2 Harvesting and
Salad Party
2:00 – Instrumental Music Concert (APR)
7:00 – Instrumental Music Concert (APR)
AM – PARCC for Fourth Grade
5
Cold Spring Elementary School
Parent Newsletter
May 2, 2016
Ferocious about Learning
May 26
May 27
AM – PARCC for Fourth Grade
10:00 – 12:00 – Grade 5 Students visit
Cabin John
AM – PARCC for Fourth Grade
2:30 – Birthday Bash for April/May (APR)