The Eagle’s Eye
Rock Creek Valley Elementary School
5121 Russett Road, Rockville, MD 20853
(301) 460-2195 Fax (301) 460-2196
January 9, 2015
Catherine Jasperse, Principal
Julia Bialeski, Assistant Principal
Principal’s Message
Happy New Year to everyone! The winter break was a welcome opportunity for all of us to
relax and enjoy time with our families; but I was also so happy to see all our students back in
school this week. Each January begins a long season of assessment in MCPS and this year it will
include the new PARCC assessment for all students in grades 3-5 throughout the state of
Maryland. While we do not devote extended periods of instructional time to test preparation for
any specific assessment in school, we do believe that students benefit from opportunities to build
their test taking skills in more general ways both in and out of school. We encourage every
family to help in building these skills through some simple routines for homework such as:
 Establish a specific time and place for your children to complete homework and require
them to remain focused and engaged in completing homework for a given period of time
(without getting up to take a break, go to the bathroom, etc.);
 Have your child engage in sustained reading for an extended period of time, followed by
some discussion that requires your child to explain what they read, or share specific
information with a sibling, etc. If your child is too young to read themselves, the
sustained period of reading could be when you are reading aloud to your child.
 Ask your child “easy” questions and “difficult” questions when you are asking them
about something they are learning in school or something that they experienced outside
of school. Testing often presents children with both simple and more complex questions
and it is important for children to build confidence in making an educated guess,
prediction when answering questions they are not completely sure of.
 When your child has completed their homework, have them explain their answers to
you. For example, have them share with you how they solved a particular math problem
and whether they could think of any alternative way to solve the same problem. The
ability to explain their thinking and work is an increasingly important skill for upcoming
state assessments.
And more important that anything else, reinforce the messages that your child is smart and
capable and that persistence and effort are the more important test taking skills of all!
Counselor’s Corner: January
Hello and Happy New Year! I hope you and your family had a wonderful holiday season and a
pleasant start to 2015.
I would like to take the opportunity this month to tell you about a few events that will be taking
place which may be of interest to your family.
 Tuesday January 13th, there will be a Peacemaker Breakfast for the DECEMBER
peacemakers. The Peacemakers in November were recognized with a clap out so this
event will be to honor the December students only. Parent notices were sent home if your
child has been invited. It will be a fun event!
 PEP, Parent Encouragement Program is offering classes this winter on the following
topics which may be helpful to you as parents and guardians:
Parenting 5 to 12 year olds:
 Why children misbehave, and what works to encourage behavior change

How to use positive discipline to tackle morning hassles, disrespect, media use, school
and homework issues and other concerns

Communicating—both talking and listening—to reduce conflict and invite cooperation

Teaching your children the skills they need for competence, strength and courage
throughout their lives.
Sign up at PEP's website, or call 301-929-8824 or 703-242-8824.
Kensington, at PEP
Mondays | 8 - 10 pm | Jan 12 - March 16 | skips 1/19, 2/16
Thursdays | 9:45 - 11:45 am | Jan 15 - March 5 | childcare available
Thursdays | 7:30 - 9:30 pm | Jan 22 - March 12 | childcare available
Saturdays | 9 am - 2 pm | Jan 24 - Feb 7 | 3 weeks
Washington, DC, at Temple Micah
Wednesdays | 9:45 - 11:45 am | Jan 21 - March 11
 Starting in Quarter 3 I will be offering another lunch group for 1st through 5th graders, it
will start in February and it will be titled “Shining Stars”. The focus of the group will be
on self- esteem building. We will be working on identifying student’s strengths and
interests and building upon them in a fun, interactive way. If you are interested in having
your child participate please contact me at [email protected] or 301460-2195.
Sincerely, Alexandra Kissell
Reminder: If you are dropping your child off late
to school, you need to bring them into the office first to sign them in. They are considered
late at 9:20am.
PTA Fundraiser
Please come out and support the RCV PTA for a night of great food and fundraising at Silver
Diner on Wednesday, January 14th from 5pm to 8pm.
RCV Spaghetti Dinner
Please join us for a family style spaghetti dinner on Tuesday, January 13th. Dinner includes
salad, spaghetti dinner, drinks and dessert. Multiple reservation times available. Registration
forms were sent home earlier this week. If you have any questions or need to register, please
contact Michelle Brami at [email protected]. This event is a 5th grade fundraiser.
Winter Weather: Stay in Touch with MCPS
Winter weather is here. MCPS offers numerous ways for parents to learn about school closures,
delayed openings, and early dismissals due to inclement weather.

AlertMCPS
Receive text messages or emails from MCPS during weather-related emergencies and
other major events that impact school system operations. Parents can also sign up to
receive alerts specific to their child’s school. Subscribe to AlertMCPS at
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/emergency/alertmcps.aspx
 MCPS homepage
www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org
 QuickNotes email news service
Subscribe at http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/quicknotes/subscribe/
 MCPS cable channel
Comcast 34, Verizon 36 or RCN 89
 Recorded information (English and Spanish)
301-279-3673
 Ask MCPS
301-309-6277. Staff take calls from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, in
English and Spanish.
 Twitter
http://twitter.com/mcps
 Local radio and TV stations
Visit http://montgomeryschoolsmd.org/emergency/ for more information.
MCPS Will Follow Contingency Calendar for 2014-2015
If MCPS has to make up instructional days in the 2014–2015 school year due to emergency
closings, MCPS will follow the already approved contingency calendar for the 2014–2015 school
year. MCPS will add days onto the end of the school year, unless a waiver is granted by the
Maryland State Department of Education. MCPS will not open on holidays, reduce spring break
or cancel negotiated professional days.
The contingency plan, indicating when days will be made up if the number of emergency
closings exceeds four days, is as follows. If the school year is disrupted by emergencies and
schools are closed—



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5 days—the school year will be extended by one day to Monday, June 15, 2015;
6 days—the school year will be extended by two days to June 15 and June 16, 2015;
7 days—the school year will be extended by three days to June 15, 16 and 17, 2015;
8 days—the school year will be extended by four days to June 15, 16, 17 and 18, 2015;
and
9 days—the school year will be extended by five days to June 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19, 2015.
You can find the school contingency calendar online at
http://montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/calendars/.
Public Hearings on Proposed Fiscal Year 2016 Budget (English and Spanish)
Public Hearings on Proposed Fiscal Year 2016 Budget
Superintendent Joshua Starr submitted a $2.4 billion Recommended Operating Budget for Fiscal
Year (FY) 2016. Dr. Starr’s recommendation, released on December 9, will allow the district to
continue to manage its enrollment growth, while making strategic investments to narrow
achievement gaps and prepare staff for the future. Visit the MCPS Operating Budget website to
learn more about Dr. Starr’s budget proposal. And don’t miss the chance to share your feedback
and views on the proposed budget at two upcoming public hearings on January 8 and January 15.
Both hearings will be held at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of the Carver Educational Services Center,
850 Hungerford Drive in Rockville. Sign up in advance to speak at one of the hearings.
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/boe/community/participation.aspx
Animal Shelter Donations
Girl Scout Troop 4611 is collecting donations for the Animal Services and Adoption Center of
Montgomery County. Animals in the shelter need a nice warm bed, toys, and food while they
wait to find a permanent home. Donations can be left in the box in the atrium. The shelter
accepts a variety of donations including: food and toys for cats, dogs, rabbits, ferrets and birds,
KONG toys, Temptation cat treats, peanut butter, easy cheese, ping pong balls, new or gently
used t-shirts, blankets and towels. For additional information contact Angie Carey
[email protected] or 301-949-6610.
Girls on the Run Needs Coaches!
We are in need of parent volunteers who would be willing to serve as coaches for a Girls on the
Run Team at RCV. This is a very successful program that supports physical fitness and selfconfidence in girls through participation in a running program. If you are interested in
volunteering your time as a coach, please contact Mrs. Pomponi at
[email protected] for more information.