THE CLARKSBURG CHEETAH
Week of
September 14, 2015
THIS WEEK:
Mon., Sept. 14
Tues., Sept. 15
No School for Students and Teachers.
Back to School Night at 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Instrumental Music Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the Media Center
A LOOK AHEAD:
Wed., Sept. 23
No School for Students and Teachers
Important Message to Parents: Please make sure you have contacted the main office prior to
3:30 pm if you have any changes to how your student is going home. Please no last minute
changes for pick-up or bus changes.
Dear Clarksburg Elementary School Parents/Guardians,
The school year is off to a very exciting start. I am so proud to be the principal of such a wonderful
school. The Clarksburg Elementary School staff continues to focus our energy on teaching the
curriculum while presenting students with the creative and critical thinking challenges that will
provide them with the skills necessary to successfully achieve their academic pursuits and navigate
the 21st century workplace. Relationships between students and staff have been established,
expectations have been set high, and outstanding teaching and learning are occurring in each
classroom, every day.
In our quest to make that leap from being a good school to being a great school and to eliminate any
mediocre teaching practices from our culture, there is a palpable excitement from our dedicated staff.
We will continue to build on the momentum generated during the first two weeks of school to create
a learning environment in which all students will be successful.
I look forward to seeing everybody at our Back to School Night on Tuesday, September 15. The
event starts promptly at 7:00 in the All Purpose Room. Please see the additional information below
to learn about more of the exciting things that we are doing and the Montgomery County Public
School system is offering. Contact the office if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Carl Bencal
Principal
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Golden PEM (Persistence, Effort and Motivation) Awards
This year, part of our School Improvement Plan focus is on helping students to increase their levels
of persistence, effort, and motivation in relation to their learning. To highlight students’ achievement
in this area, each week, two students from every class will be awarded The Golden PEM Award.
Teachers will choose the Golden PEM Award winners based on the students’ consistent performance
throughout the week related to their persistence, effort, and motivation in the classroom setting.
Recipients of the award will take home a Golden PEM Certificate as well as have their names listed
in the Principal’s Weekly Parent Bulletin.
Teacher
Student
Student
Hammack
Nicole
Ethan
Hillmuth
Ceinwyn
James
St. Clair
Maya
Jack
Hoilman
Kate
Svanik
Carpio
Lucy
Samuel
Chung
Aaron
Emely
Gamble
Michelle
Kelsey
Ennis
Kyra
Owen
Walsh
Skylar
Deondre
Howard
Anna
Charlotte
Moyer
Sneha
Kevin
Dryman
Vinice
Ronny
Ouska
Abhi
Magy
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Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation
Most students get along with each other and can work things out without resorting to bullying.
However, bullying affects some children in elementary, middle, and high school. Bullying occurs
when a student is repeatedly harmed, psychologically and/or physically, by another student or group
of students. Bullying may present itself in different forms, such as, name calling, making threats,
taking or damaging personal belongings, and/or inappropriate physical contact.
At Clarksburg Elementary School, every effort is made to ensure that students feel safe at school.
Bullying is not tolerated. Any victim, parent or guardian of a student victim, or school staff member
who wishes to report an instance of bullying, harassment, or intimidation should contact the school
for assistance or complete MCPS Form 230-35, Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation Reporting
Form, and return it to Mr. Bencal. Please contact your child’s teacher, our counselor, Ms. Enstrom,
or Mr. Bencal if you have concerns or questions about bullying or the safety of your child.
Comments Sought on Grading and Calendar Policies
The Board of Education has tentatively approved revisions to Policy IKA—Grading and Reporting.
The Board also has endorsed the interim superintendent of schools’ plan to replace two-hour semester
final exams in high school courses with quarterly marking period assessments. This would require a
change to the way that final semester grades are calculated for high school courses and parents,
students, and staff are asked to provide feedback on four different grading options. To provide
feedback on the policy and grading options, visit the MCPS website at
www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org, search “assessment strategy.” Feedback is due by October 19.
The Board also has tentatively approved Policy IDA—School Year Calendar. This is a new policy
that will guide procedures to develop, adopt, and disseminate a school year calendar. Policy IDA will
ensure that the MCPS calendar meets the educational and operational needs of the district and
complies with all relevant state and federal laws. To learn more about Policy IDA and provide
feedback, visit the MCPS website and search “policies”. Comments are due by October 9.
MCPS Launches New, User-Friendly Calendar Tool
MCPS has launched a new, user-friendly online calendar tool for families. The tool is customizable
and users can “build their own calendar” based on select categories and what interests them most.
The calendar can be displayed by month or up to 12 months at a time. Users can choose to see the
days that schools are open and closed, Board of Education meeting information, fine arts events,
cultural and religious holidays, and more, such as Parent Academy workshops. The calendar can be
viewed as a list or in a calendar template; it can also be printed or downloaded to a computer or mobile
device in iCal format. Access it from the MCPS home page or at
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/calendar/.
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Guidelines for Respecting Religious Diversity
MCPS has developed a new guide that answers many of the frequently asked questions about the
accommodation of students’ religious beliefs and practices in school and during school-sponsored
activities. The publication, Guidelines for Respecting Religious Diversity, was developed in
collaboration with the Montgomery County Executive’s Faith Community Working Group and other
stakeholders to provide clear information for students, families, staff, and the community. MCPS is
committed to promoting respect and appreciation for the religions, beliefs, and customs of its diverse
student population. The publication has been translated in eight languages—Spanish, Chinese,
French, Vietnamese, Korean, Amharic, Farsi, and Arabic, and is available at
www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/religiousdiversity/.
Strengthening Communications with Spanish-speaking Families
MCPS has launched new multimedia tools that will enable Spanish-speaking families to more easily
engage with schools and the district. The new resources include a redesigned website; a mobile app;
and a Facebook page, all in Spanish. The redesigned website features new content as well as an
expanded amount of information that had previously been available only in English. A new series of
videos—Consejos para Padres—provides helpful tips for parents delivered by Spanish-speaking
MCPS staff members. Other video highlights include Momentos Informativos, which provide news
and information about MCPS, and Guia para Padres, videos that help parents understand and navigate
the school system. The videos will be available on the website and on MCPS TV, as well as on social
media sites, including YouTube, the MCPSEspanol Twitter feed, and the new Spanish Facebook page
(www.facebook.com/mcpsespanol). The videos also will be available on the new Spanish mobile app,
which can be downloaded from the Apple store and Google Play. For more information,
visit www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/es/.
Sign-up for MCPS QuickNotes
MCPS QuickNotes is a free e-mail service that provides subscribers with important news and
information about MCPS programs and activities, plus emergency information. MCPS QuickNotes is
offered in seven languages: English, Spanish, French, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Amharic.
Visit www.mcpsquicknotes.org to subscribe.
Fall 2015 Parent Academy is Under Way!
The MCPS Parent Academy is back with an exciting lineup of free workshops for parents. The 2015
fall session is under way and includes sessions on choosing the right college, teen substance abuse,
religious diversity, special education, cybersafety, and more. All workshops are free and are held at
schools and locations throughout Montgomery County. The schedule of workshops is available at
www.mcpsparentacademy.org
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The SAT is Changing
The College Board has made significant changes to the PSAT/NMSQT and SAT in an effort to better
align the tests with high school curricula and the skills necessary for college and career readiness.
The revised PSAT/NMSQT will launch in October 2015 and the SAT in March 2016. The redesign
affects the way the test is structured, administered, timed and scored. MCPS has been working closely
with the College Board, principals, school staff, and other partners to ensure that schools are prepared
for these changes. The College Board has launched a partnership with the Khan Academy to provide
free, personalized SAT practice for all students. Students can set up free accounts on Khan Academy’s
website where they will have access to—
 four official full-length practice tests, plus study and test-taking tips;
 thousands of practice questions, video lessons and hints;
 diagnostic quizzes to pinpoint areas for practice; and
 feedback from instructors.
For more information, visit www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/highschool/.
New Season of Homework Hotline Live!
Homework Hotline Live! (HHL) is back for its 30th season, offering students in grades K–12 free
homework assistance from MCPS teachers. Students can contact HHL teachers from 4:30–6:00 p.m.
on the phone or 4:30–9:30 p.m. online on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and 6:00-9:30 p.m.
online on Mondays.
Students can ask questions by:
 Making a phone call to 301-279-3234
 Visiting the HHL website (AskHHL.org)
 Sending a text message to 724-427-5445
 Sending an email ([email protected])
 Posting a message to Facebook (facebook.com/AskHHL)
 Sending a tweet to @AskHHL
 Posting to Instagram (AskHHL)
Homework Hotline Live! can be viewed on MCPS-TV (Comcast 34, Verizon 36, RCN 89) and on the
Web at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/itv/hhl/
Enroll Your Child in PreK!
MCPS offers a free, half-day prekindergarten program in schools throughout the county for incomeeligible families. This program gives children the skills and knowledge they need to be ready for
kindergarten. Spaces are still available for the 2015-2016 program. Children must be 4 years old and
families must be income-eligible to apply. Prekindergarten students attend daily classes Monday
through Friday, in the morning or afternoon. Enroll your child today! Call 301-230-0676 to begin the
enrollment process.
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Montgomery County Department of
Health and Human Services
Public Health Services
School Health Services
Montgomery County
Public Schools
Dear Parent:
The following is pertinent information about a condition found commonly in preschool and elementary-age
children. Head lice, also called Pediculus humanus capitis, are parasitic insects found on the heads of people.
Anyone who comes in close contact (especially head-to-head contact) with someone who has head lice is at
greatest risk. Occasionally, head lice may be acquired from contact with clothing or personal items that belong
to an infested person. Personal hygiene or cleanliness in the home or school has nothing to do with getting
head lice. Here are some ways you can identify and/or prevent head lice.
BE ALERT FOR THE SIGNS OF HEAD LICE: Signs and symptoms of head lice infestation include a
tickling feeling of something moving in the hair, itching and/or sores caused by scratching on the back of the
neck and head. If you observe your child scratching in this area, check his/her head for lice and nits attached
to the hair shafts. The adult louse is about the size of a sesame seed, has six legs, no wings, and is tan to grayish
white. Lice eggs are called nits. Nits are very small, about the size of a knot in thread, teardrop shaped, hard to
see and often confused for dandruff or hair spray droplets. The female louse attaches the nits to the hair shaft,
close to the scalp with a glue-like substance that makes the nits difficult to remove. Ordinary combing, brushing
or shampooing will not remove them.
INSPECT: Examine the hair and scalp of all family members regularly throughout the year. This means all
adults and children living in the same house. Pets do not carry human lice. Close inspection of the hair and
scalp will sometimes reveal the adult lice, but you are more likely to see the nits.
TREAT: If lice or nits within ½ inch of the scalp are found, or your child has been excluded from school
because of a lice infestation, use a special over-the-counter medication, called a pediculicide, or a medication
prescribed by your health care provider. Use the medicated treatment exactly according to directions. After the
treatment and the hair is dry, the nits close to the scalp should be removed with a special nit comb. Check the
hair every 2 - 3 days for 2 – 3 weeks until you are sure all lice and nits within ½ inch of the scalp are gone.
CLEAN THE ENVIRONMENT: Check other household members for lice and/or nits and treat if necessary.
Wash all washable clothing and bed linens worn or used by the infested person during the 2 days before
treatment. Use hot water and dry laundry using high heat for at least 20 minutes. Clothing and other items that
are not washable (coats, hats, scarves, stuffed animals) may be dry cleaned or stored in sealed plastic bags for
two weeks. Soak combs and brushes for 1 hour in rubbing alcohol, Lysol or wash with hot soap and water.
Vacuum the floor and furniture. Do not use fumigant sprays; they can be toxic if inhaled or absorbed through
the skin.
PREVENT A REINFESTATION:
Avoid head-to-head contact which is common during play at school and at home (sports activities, on the
playground, slumber parties, at camp). Do not share clothing, such as hats, scarves, coats, sports uniforms, or
hair ribbons/clips. Do not share combs, brushes, or towels. Do not lie on beds, couches, pillows, carpets, or
stuffed animals that have recently been in contact with an infested person. You are encouraged to notify the
health room if you have found a head lice infestation on your child so that prevention measures can be
implemented at school. This information will be kept confidential.
Please contact your child’s School Community Health Nurse if you have any questions and/or look for
additional information at
http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/index.html
http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/gen_info/faqs.html
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