THE CLARKSBURG CHEETAH
Week of
September 21, 2015
THIS WEEK:
Wed., Sept. 23
No School for Students and Teachers
A LOOK AHEAD:
Wed., Sept. 30
Volunteer Orientation and Training in the All Purpose Room, 10:30 a.m.
Fri., Oct. 2
Early Release Day - Student are dismissed at 1:20 p.m.
Important Message to Parents: Please make sure you have contacted the main office prior to
3:30 p.m. if you have any changes to how your student is going home. Students will not be called
down to the office after 3:40 p.m. for dismissal. Thank you for your help and understanding.
Dear Clarksburg Elementary School Parents/Guardians,
I cannot believe that we are entering our last full week of September. We have already done so much,
but have so much more to do! Routines have been established and all students are receiving small
group, differentiated instruction. It is wonderful to see so many parent volunteers assisting staff
throughout day. We have such a terrific community.
I want to thank so many of you for attending Back-to-School Night, and for joining and supporting
the Clarksburg Elementary School Parent/Teacher Association (PTA). This organization helps
provide us the resources necessary to make the jump from being a good school to being a great one.
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
Cameron
Hilary
Hillmuth
Claire
Logan
St. Clair
Mohana
Clyde
Hoilman
Silvia
Cyrus
Carpio
Hannah
Michael
Chung
Arthur
Elizabeth
Gamble
Sambhav
Gianluca
Ennis
Tristan
Bella
Walsh
Maddie
Eleanor
Howard
Hridaya
Soham
Moyer
Cieran
Rushi
Dryman
Immanuel
Ryan
Ouska
Devi
Elijah
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Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) Assessments
MAP assessments are administered in the fall and the spring. Students in Grades 1-2 take the MAPP assessment in the fall. MAP-P is a nationally normed math assessment based on the common core.
Students in Grades 3-5 take the MAP-R (Reading) and MAP-M (Math) assessments. They too are
nationally normed and based on the common core. Your student’s fall scores can be shared with you
at Parent/Teacher Conferences in November. These assessments help us to program effectively for
your student. The results do not affect grades. There is nothing that you or your child need to do to
prepare for these assessments. The assessments are administered on the computer and typically take
between 30 and 45 minutes to complete.
Variation from Normal After-School Routines/Plans
Any variation from your child’s daily dismissal routine requires a note from home addressed to the
teacher. Please do not e-mail teachers regarding schedule changes during the instructional
day. Teachers often do not have the opportunity to check e-mail while supervising students and we
cannot ensure that your message will be received. When emergencies arise, please call the office to
report a change in dismissal plans. Please be sure your child knows how he/she will be getting home
at the end of the day.
Early Release Day
On Friday, October 2, we will have our first early release day. On early release days, we have a
modified lunch schedule with no recess. Students in Kindergarten, Grade 4, and Grade 5 will have
lunch from 11:45-12:15. Students in Grades 1-3 will have lunch from 12:30-1:00. All students will
be dismissed at 1:20.
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