Piney Ridge Elementary School
March 2017 Newsletter
Dear Families,
I wanted you to be aware that our state testing for third to fifth graders will soon be happening.
All students will be tested in ELA and Mathematics using the PARCC assessment, an online,
interactive way for students to display their mastery of Maryland College and Career Readiness
Standards as they progress through school. The online testing will replace paper and pencil tests
and will enable teachers and parents to monitor student progress at multiple points in a more
timely and efficient manner. Rather than multiple choice tests, the PARCC assessment requires
students to show conceptual and critical thinking rather than rote memory tasks. While there is no
way to study for the assessment, attendance at school is the best preparation. Our staff has
embraced the new standards, and our baseline performance on the PARCC assessment will give
everyone information about where the strengths and needs of our students and our building lie.
Teachers have taken students to the computer lab to become familiar with the format of the
assessment as well as how to use the interactive tools. Below is a chart of the amount of testing
at each grade level as well as ways you can help your child succeed on the test.
Subject
Mathematics
ELA
PARCC Testing Schedule
Grade
# of Sessions
Grades 3-5
4
Grades 3-5
3
Total Testing Time
240 minutes
255 minutes
Help Your CHILD ACE the PARCC Assessment
Purpose: Be sure to talk about the purpose of the assessment with your child. The PARCC
Assessment is a test designed to test students understanding of the Maryland College and
Career Readiness Standards and compare our students’ performance with schools across
the state and nation.
In School on time: Having your child at school on time helps them prepare for their day and
take the test with their peers.
Nervousness: Let your child know it is ok to feel nervous when taking a test, but to take
deep breaths and try to relax so they can do their best.
Eat Breakfast: Food is fuel for the brain. Giving your child a nutritious breakfast helps them
function at their best and gives them energy.
Your Expectations: Tell your child to do their best on the test to show what they know.
Routines: Keeping routines consistent at home help your child feel comfortable so they can
do their best.
Interest: Be sure to ask your child how they think they did on the test when they get
home. This shows that the test is important to you.
Dress Comfortably: Let your child dress comfortably so they can be relaxed during the
long test sessions.
Good Night’s Rest: Getting a good night’s rest will help your child think clearly and be alert
during the test.
Encouragement: Encourage your child to listen to the directions, read each passage and
question carefully, read all answer choices, and check their work.
If you have any questions or concerns related to the PARCC Assessment, please let Mr.
Hastings or myself know. By working together, we can “Build the Future”!
Sincerely,
Craig Dunkleberger
Principal
Greg Raeder
Asst. Principal
6315 Freedom Ave
Sykesville, MD 21784
(410) 751-3535
(410) 795-9022
(410) 751-3539 FAX
www.carrollk12.org/pre
SCHOOL HOURS
9:15 – 3:45 pm
OUR VISION
To inspire a
community of caring
independent
individuals who
positively impact our
changing world
NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION
The Carroll county Public Schools
(CCPS) is firmly committed to
creating equal employment and
educations opportunities for all
persons with regard to its
employment practices and in the
provision of services, programs, and
activities.
The CCPS does not discriminate on
the basis of age, color, genetic
information, marital status, mental or
physical disability, ancestry or
national origin, race, religion, sex, or
sexual orientation. The CCPS
provides non-discriminatory access
to school facilities in accordance
with its policies and regulations
regarding the community use of
schools (including, but not limited to,
the Boy Scouts).
The following person has been
designated to handle inquiries
regarding the non-discrimination
policies:
Gregory J. Bricca
Director of Research and
Accountability
125 North Court Street
Westminster, Maryland 21157
410-751-3068
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
1
5
12
Daylight Savings
Time Begins
2:00am
19
6
13
20
7
14
21
Thursday
2
PTA Mtg.
7:00pm
8
B.O.E. Mtg
4:00
9
Spring
Picture
Day
15
16
22
23
2017-2018
Kindergarten
Registration
week
27
3
Science Fair
7:00pm
Spirit Day –
Dress like a
Storybook
Character
10
28
29
30
Saturday
4
11
2hr 45min Early
Dismissal
17
Happy St.
Patty’s Day
Spirit Day –
Dress Up
24
3rd Grade
Musical
9:30am and
7:00pm
Spirit Day – Dress
like the Maryland
Flag
First Day of
Spring
26
Friday
31
18
25
PINEY RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION NOTIFICATION
Registration for Kindergarten is scheduled for the week of March 20 – 24, 2017 between
the hours of 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 1:00- 3:00 p.m. We will also be available the evening
of Tuesday, March 21 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Kindergarten is mandatory in the State
of Maryland. Your child must be five years of age by September 1, 2017. If you have a
child, or know a neighbor, relative, or friend that may have a child entering
Kindergarten for the 2017-2018 school year, please be sure you/they send in the form
below to receive a registration packet. See directions below for completing the
registration form online.
Parents are required to provide:
Proof of Birth – birth certificate, hospital certificate, baptismal certificate, birth registration, or
passport/visa
Verification of residence – signed lease agreement, signed settlement statement, recent utility
bill (land line phone bill only), tax bill, mortgage statement/bill, or deed (must show service
address).
It would be most helpful if you could provide the school with a copy of your child’s
current immunizations or any completed health forms at this time.
The official enrollment packet with required medical forms needed for your child to enter
school will be available on March 6, 2017. Packets may be picked up during school hours or
sent home with a student.


Request for Preliminary Kindergarten Packet
Child’s Name______________________________________________ Date of
Birth____________________
Parent/Guardian
Name_____________________________________________________________________
Complete
Address_____________________________________________________________________
____
Telephone Number____________________________
(home)___________________________(cell)
May Send Information Home With:
Name of Child or
Neighbor___________________________________Teacher_________________________
To complete the Enrollment Form online:
Go to www.carrollk12.org
Click “Enrolling a Student” (on left side of home page)
Scroll down until you see “Enrollment Form”
Complete and print the enrollment form but do not sign it
Nurses Notes
National Poison Prevention week is March 19-25. The Maryland Poison Center provides
emergency assessment of poison exposures, treatment recommendations, education and
prevention. The Maryland Poison Center is the first place to call in the event of a suspected
poisoning.
What you need to know about
Poison proofing
Each year, thousands of children and adults in Maryland experience
potentially toxic exposures to common household products such
as medicines, insect sprays, cleaners, paints, garden products, car products and personal care
products. The Maryland Poison Center, a division of the University Of Maryland School Of
Pharmacy, is a 24-hour telephone service available to help if a poison-ing occurs in your home.
Many of these poisonings can be prevented.
Here are some ideas to poison-proof your home and keep you and your children safe:
Read and follow directions on the label before using drugs and household products.
Store all drugs, poisons and harmful household products out of the sight and reach of children;
preferably in a locked cabinet.
Keep all household products and drugs in their original containers. Never put chemicals or
cleaning products in empty food or drink containers.
Always ask for medicine in child-resistant containers (safety-lock tops), but remember that these
are not child-proof. Given enough time, children can often open safety caps.
Don’t take medicine in front of children and never tell children that medicine is candy.
Remove poisonous plants from the house and yard. Know the names of plants in and around
your home.
Teach small children never to touch or put anything in their mouth unless they ask a grown-up.
Put medicines away in their proper place after each dose even if it will be given again in a few
hours.
Never mix household cleaning products together.
Keep the poison center phone number on or near your phone. Pro-gram the number in your cell
phone...you can reach a poison center anywhere in the US by dialing 1-800-222-1222.
Counselors
Corner
These are our February Students of the Month who exhibit the character traits of Respect, Responsibility, and
Resiliency every day!
Piney Ridge Elementary School Named State School of
Character
Piney Ridge Elementary School has been named a State Character School by Character.org. Only 5
schools in Maryland and 80 in the nation received this designation. This program recognizes schools that
demonstrate a dedicated focus on character development that has a true positive effect on academic
achievement, student behavior, and school climate.
Piney Ridge Elementary School places a focus on students having a “growth” mindset of positivity and
learning. School counselor Christina Snively presents character focus lessons to all students in grades K5 each month, and students also participate in small group work.
At Piney Ridge Elementary School, the character traits of Respect, Responsibility, and Resilience and the
behaviors associated with these traits are the foundation of the “PAWsitive Behavior” Program – which
stands for Perform Respectfully, Act Responsibly, Work Resiliently. Students take the “Piney Pledge”
promising to practice the three traits.
Students in grades K-5 earn “PAW Bucks” to recognize these behaviors. “PAW Bucks” can be cashed in
for various prizes and privileges, and students can pool their rewards for a class activity such as a 30minute movie, helping students in other classrooms, or providing peer tutoring.
A Student of the Month award program was implemented this year. Teachers may select one student
from their class who has lived up to the core value traits. The students receive an award necklace, a
certificate, and a guest spot on the school TV station, and have their picture prominently displayed in the
lobby showcase.
Piney Ridge Elementary School is now among those being considered for recognition at the national
level. The National School of Character winners will be announced in May.