THE CLARKSBURG CHEETAH
Week of
November 9, 2015
THIS WEEK:
Tue., Nov. 10
Grade 3 “Mad Science” Presentation
Wed., Nov. 11
Early Release Day - Students are dismissed at 1:20 p.m.
Thur., Nov. 12
Early Release Day - Students are dismissed at 1:20 p.m.
Fri., Nov. 13
Kindergarten and Grade 1 Field Trip to Clarksburg HS
to watch the fall play, Honk
A LOOK AHEAD:
Fri., Nov. 20
2nd Grade Field Trip to Strathmore Music Center
Heritage Night, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Mon., Nov. 23
Student Make-Up Picture Day
Wed., Nov. 25
Early Release Day – Students are dismissed at 1:20 p.m.
Thur. & Fri., Nov. 26-27
Thanksgiving Holiday – No School
Dear Clarksburg Elementary School Parents/Guardians,
I want to thank the students and parents who joined us for Math Fun Night. We had over 100 students and their
parents come to Clarksburg Elementary School to attend the event and spend quality family time participating in
a variety of math games. Ms. Hillmuth’s class had the highest attendance in Grades K-1, Ms. Gamble’s class had
the highest attendance in Grades 2-3, and Ms. Moyer’s class had the highest attendance in Grades 4-5.
I want to remind you that we have two early release days this week. These days are primarily dedicated to allow
parents to meet with teachers to discuss their student’s progress during the first marking period.
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.
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
Veronika
Hillary
Hillmuth
Amogh
Helena
St. Clair
Avery
Alex
Hoilman
Tyler
Emily
Carpio
Samanyu
Maverick
Chung
Mohamed
Sarah
Gamble
Valentina
Lilah
Ennis
Sofia
Gabby
Walsh
Briana
Emma
Howard
Autumn
Paiton
Moyer
Tristan
Emmy
Dryman
Avery
Karla
Ouska
Abby
Kayla
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Veteran’s Day Celebration
The Rocky Hill Middle School Physical Education and Health department invites all veterans, past and present,
to their annual Veteran’s Day celebration on November 11 at Rocky Hill Middle School. They would be honored
if you would allow them to say “thank you” for your service on your special day. They are also inviting you to
speak with their students (if you would like) about what it means, or meant, to serve our country.
The middle school instructional day begins at 8:15 a.m. and concludes at 12:30 p.m. Rocky Hill Middle School
will begin the day with breakfast for you in the Main Gym at 8:00 a.m. There will be a flag raising ceremony at
approximately 9:00 a.m., book-ended with musical selections by their student musicians. Feel free to stay as long
as you like or just stop by for a donut and coffee!
Please RSVP to [email protected] . The staff at Rocky Hill Middle School hopes to see
all of the community’s brave servicemen and women that day!
Sign Up for the 2015 School-Based Flu Vaccine Clinics
Flu season is upon us. There are simple steps you and your child can take to stay healthy and help prevent the flu,
one of which includes getting a yearly flu vaccine. The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human
Services (DHHS) will conduct free nasal spray flu vaccine clinics (FluMist) in all MCPS elementary schools
during the week of December 14, 2015.
All clinics are free, but registration is required due to limited vaccine supplies. Parents/guardians must sign up
for their child(ren) to receive the flu vaccine by contacting the school health room. Health room staff will send
home the Vaccine Information Statement and parental consent forms only to the families who contact the health
room to set up an appointment. For more information, visit the DHHS website at
http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/flu or call 311.
Opportunity for Public Participation on the Capital Improvements Program
Interim Superintendent Larry Bowers has recommended a $1.72 billion six-year construction plan that focuses
on increasing capacity to serve MCPS’ growing enrollment. Mr. Bowers’ recommendation includes 10 new
classroom additions and one new school, and places a priority on upgrading the district’s aging infrastructure,
including heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. The CIP recommendations also maintain
the timeline for many projects that are already approved in the current CIP (FY 2015-2020).
The Montgomery County Board of Education will review Mr. Bowers’ recommendation and is expected to
approve a CIP request in November. The Board will hold two public hearings on the CIP on Monday, November
9, and Thursday, November 12, where you will have the opportunity to share your thoughts. If you would like to
testify, please contact the Board of Education office at 301-279-3617.
To learn more about the CIP, visit www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/planning/cipmaster.aspx.
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Options, an Online Resource for Parents
The 2015–2016 Options guide is designed to help MCPS families learn about the various programs that are
available in MCPS at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Many of these programs are available to
students regardless of where they live. Each program is designed to provide enriched learning opportunities based
on student interest and motivation. The guide is available online in English, Chinese, French, Korean, Spanish,
and Vietnamese. Visit www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/enrichedinnovative/options/ for more
information.
Forming a Common Agenda for Black Students in Montgomery County
Save the date! MCPS parents and community members are invited to attend the Forming a Common Agenda for
Black Students in Montgomery County educational symposium on Saturday, November 21, 2015. The event will
take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Universities at Shady Grove, located at 9630 Gudelsky Drive in
Rockville. This free event, hosted by the Montgomery County Public Schools African American Student
Achievement Action Group (AASAAG), will provide an opportunity for all stakeholders to collaborate and share
their personal experiences around education; learn of new trends and initiatives to address the student achievement
gap; and develop an action plan to communicate and advocate for African American students. For more
information about the symposium and to RSVP, please contact the MCPS Office of Community Engagement and
Partnerships at 301-279-3074.
Donuts For Dads at MCPS Central Office
Join other dads for donuts on November 11 from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at 850 Hungerford Drive, Rockville, MD
20850. You will hear MCPS staff, members of the NAACP Parent Council, and MCCPTA members discuss a
variety of topics including, but not limited to: The Importance of Father Involvement, The Barriers that Keep
Some Fathers Away from School, and Advocating for Your Child.
Clarksburg High School’s Annual Breakfast with Santa
Clarksburg High School’s Annual Breakfast with Santa will be held on Saturday, December 5, 2015 from 9:00 to
11:00 a.m. Admission will be $5.00 for students and senior citizens and $8.00 for adults. Admission price
includes a pancake breakfast, entertainment, games, music, face painting, and crafts. Pictures with Santa will be
available at an additional cost of $5.00. CASH ONLY!
Parents may visit the Clarksburg High School website:
Http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/clarksburghs/ for further information regarding purchasing
tickets beginning November 1, 2015.
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