sherilyn “sherry” moses, principal january 2019 · week of each month. you may access the...
TRANSCRIPT
Dear Families,
It is hard to believe 2019 is already upon us. January is a month filled with goal setting through New Year’s resolutions! The month of January also allows for a reenergized focus on using multiple data points to ensure our students are making educational progress. Now is a great time to celebrate what has been achieved and refocus on what still needs to be accomplished. In order to meet the goals set, it is important for students to attend school regularly and be on time. According to Maryland State Department of Education, a student is considered chronically absent when they miss 10% or more (18+days) of the entire school year. At McNair, we mark students tardy if they are not in the building when the bell rings at 9:25. For optimal performance in school, students should be in the building by 9:20 to allow them five minutes to prepare for their day.
As the colder weather and possibility of more snow are upon us, we wanted to remind you of the ways to stay informed. Information about school operations is announced publicly as soon as possible on area radio and television stations, Montgomery County Public Schools Cable TV, Outlook, on the Internet at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org, and on a recorded telephone message at 301-279-3673. Emergency e-mail announcements are available by signing up for MCPS QuickNotes on the school system’s home page. If schools are closed or delayed, the announcement is made no later than 5:00 a.m. (or the night before if possible). If schools are closing early, the announcement is made by 11:00 a.m. Please make sure you have a plan for delayed openings and early closings. All students should be prepared each day for outdoor recess by wearing hats, scarves, mittens or gloves, and boots, if needed. Normally, students go outside if the temperature is 32 degrees or above, including wind chill, and the blacktop areas are clear of ice and snow. Please remember to label your child’s clothing for easy return.
Finally, I wish all of you a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2019! This will be another year filled with success through the hard work and dedication to each student. The mission statement for Ronald McNair ES states: We, the staff of Ronald McNair, are dedicated to inspire all students to reach their fullest potential. We will work collaboratively to provide the most effective instruction and support for all members of our school community in a safe and secure environment. The hard work is the responsibility of everyone – teachers, students, staff, families, and administrators. It takes all of us working together to make our students’ success a reality!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Sherilyn “Sherry” Moses Principal
The first page and
calendar from the
Principal’s Newsletter is
sent home during the first
week of each month. You
may access the newsletter
in its entirety on the
school’s webpage at
http://www.montgomerys
choolsmd.org/schools/ron
aldmcnares/ or by coming
in to the front office..
STUDENTS
RETURN TO
SCHOOL, JAN. 2
MARTIN LUTHER
KING JR DAY, NO
SCHOOL JAN. 21
CLUB PICTURES
TAKEN, JAN. 23,
ALL DAY
S. T. E. M. NIGHT
JAN. 24, 7:00
P.M.
EARLY RELEASE
DAY, JAN. 25,
STUDENTS
DISMISSED AT
1:20
PROFESSIONAL
DAY, JAN. 28, NO
SCHOOL FOR
STUDENTS
Sherilyn “Sherry” Moses, Principal January 2019 Amanda E. Dali, Assistant Principal
BELL TIMES
Our important school times are as follows:
9:00 a.m. – students eating breakfast at school are
allowed in the building
9:05 a.m. – Students are allowed on school grounds
(adult supervision begins)
9:15 a.m. – bell rings to admit students to class
9:25 a.m. – tardy bell rings (students must be in their
seats before this time)
3:50 p.m. – dismissal begins**
**This also means that middle and high school
students who come to pick up siblings at McNair will
be waiting for 45 minutes or more until our
dismissal. Please remind your middle and high school
students that our students are still learning during that
time. We ask that they are quiet while waiting outside
the school and stay off of the play equipment. We also
need to remind them to take care of their needs before
leaving their school, as they will not be allowed to enter
our building.
IMPORTANT ITEMS
Emergencies can arise at any time. It is important to
your child’s safety that we have your current address
and current home and work numbers on file. If you
have not already done so, please remember to sign and
return all important forms that were sent home on the
first day of school.
Please label all of your student’s personal items with
their name (especially lunch boxes and jackets.)
Remember to check our Lost & Found rack outside the
front office periodically for missing items.
Parents should keep children at home when an illness is
suspected, a communicable disease has been diagnosed
or lice nits have been found. The child must bring a
note from home upon his/her return. After five
consecutive days of absence, a physician’s note is
required. Parents will receive an attendance call for
students who are absent without notice.
SECURITY SYSTEM
All doors to the building, including the main entrance,
are locked between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
If you need to enter the building during that time, please
come to the main door by the bus loop and follow the
directions to be admitted.
All visitors wishing to gain access to the building
beyond the main office, will be required to have a
photo identification. Your photo ID will be scanned into
our Visitor Management System and you will receive a
visitor’s badge. This badge must be worn at all times
when in the school. Any, and every, time you are entering
McNair your photo ID will be required to gain access
beyond the main office, including coming to visit your
child(ren) during their lunch time.
TARDY BELL
Students who arrive at 9:25 a.m. or later are tardy.
All students who are tardy must have an ADULT sign
them in at the office and receive a pass to enter the
classroom. Please do not drop your child off, if they are
late, without walking him/her into the office. We would
like to remind parents that they must sign their
child(ren) in at the office if they are not in their
classroom by 9:25 a.m.
SAFE ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL
If you drive your child to or from school, you know the
importance of following the posted signs and the traffic
flow. In addition, if you are walking your child to
school, you are a model for your child. Please
remember to cross at the cross walks and follow the
directions of the staff. The biggest safety issues in the
morning are parents and children crossing the roads
not at the crosswalks, and parents and students walking
into our bus lane. Both of these issues are easily solved
by crossing only at crosswalks and listening to the
directions of staff on duty.
The biggest safety issue in the afternoon is parents
parking illegally. Please don’t park on Eternity Court
or where the signs are posted along Eternity Road.
Finally, children cannot walk through the parking lot at
any time without an adult.
I have included a link for Back to School Safety Tips. I
hope you will read and follow so that we can be safe
coming and going from school:
http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcfrs-
info/news/2013/08252013.html
WINTER HAS ARRIVED Now that the cold weather has arrived, students need to
be prepared to be outside for recess but, also be in warm
classrooms. Please remember to dress your child for the
changing temperatures. Layering clothing works best. A
shirt with a sweater over top is great for the classroom
and then, he/she can add a heavy coat for recess. Please
remember to label EVERYTHING with your child’s name.
That way, as they shed their layers, we can make sure the
items make their way back to the correct children.
WINTER WEATHER INFORMATION
Winter weather emergencies, such as snow and ice, may
cause disruptions in school operations, including the
closure of school, a delayed opening, or an early
dismissal. Information about school operations is
announced publicly as soon as possible on area radio and
television stations, Montgomery County Public Schools
Cable TV, Outlook, on the Internet at
www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org, and on a recorded
telephone message at 301-279-3673. Emergency e-mail
announcements are available by signing up for MCPS
Quicknotes on the school system’s home page. If schools
are closed or delayed, the announcement is made no
later than 5:00 a.m. (or the night before if possible). If
schools are closing early, the announcement is made by
11:00 a.m. Please make sure you have a plan for delayed
openings and early closings.
CLUB PICTURES
Club pictures will be taken on Wednesday, Jan. 23rd. Each
of the following clubs/groups will take a group picture
for the yearbook:
Patrols, 5th Grade Chorus, 4th Grade Chorus,
Beginning Band, Advanced Band, Beginning
Strings, Advanced Strings, SERT Patrols, Group
Piano, SGA, Coding Club, Young Rembrandts,
Girls on the Run, Life Zone, Chess Club, Yoga Club,
i9 Sports, Avanti Sports, Club SciKidz, and
Chinese Immersion
Look for an order form to come home a couple of days
before the picture day.
KIDS HEART CHALLENGE (formally known as Jump
Rope for Heart)
Parents, it’s time for your child to show heart! Before
winter break, all students brought home a packet of
information about the Kids Heart Challenge. On January
4, every student will attend an assembly to learn about
this great cause! It’s your child’s chance to be a Heart
Hero by learning about heart health, spreading the word
and raising funds to save other children. If you would
like to donate, please have your child register at
http://www2.heart.org/site/TR?fr_id=3997&pg=co
mpany&company_id=179232 so they can take one of
the three challenges and email family and friends to ask
for donations. Your child will earn a glow-in-the-dark
wristband just for registering online. When they get
donations, they will receive Echo, Finn and a clasp.
There’s also an app titled “Kids Heart Challenge” where
you can keep track of special rewards and donations on
the go! From February 11-15, all students will
participate in a special Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course
during their regularly scheduled Physical Education class
as the culminating event! Students may start donating
now and all donations are due by February 15, 2019. All
students who raise $150 before the kickoff on January 4,
will be recognized at the assembly and receive Finn, one
of our Heart Heroes plush characters! Thank you for
supporting the physical and emotional well-being of our
students and the American Heart Association.
FIELD TRIPS
There are no field trips this month.
As with all field trips, please make sure you return the
permission slip and field trip fee by the deadline.
CENTER FOR ENRICHED STUDIES PROCESS
Information regarding the Center for Enriched Studies
(formerly the Center for the Highly Gifted) was mailed
directly to all parents of Grade 3 students in Montgomery
County Public Schools (MCPS) the week of December
10th. All Grade 3 students in our school will be centrally
reviewed for potential candidacy for the CES rather than
parents submitting an application. MCPS offers both
regional and local programs. All Grade 3 students will be
considered for a regional CES program, which is based
on their address, unless they attend a school that houses
a local program.
Schools that currently house a regional program include: Lucy V. Barnsley, Chevy Chase, Clearspring, Cold Spring, Charles Drew, Fox Chapel, Mill Creek Towne, Oak View and Pine Crest elementary schools.
Schools that currently house a local program include: Rachel Carson, Piney Branch, Spark Matsunaga, and Stonegate elementary schools.
Students who demonstrate an overall above average
academic profile will be considered for one of the seats
in the CES. You will be notified in early February as to
whether your child will be considered for CES. Upon
notification, you will have the option of requesting or
declining CES testing. Testing will occur in February
2019, at your child’s school, with the selection results
occurring in late March.
There will be a parent information meeting about the
CES on January 23, 2019, at 6:30 p.m. at:
Richard Montgomery High School 250 Richard Montgomery Drive Rockville, MD 20850
The meeting also will be live streamed on the MCPS
homepage and will be posted on the MCPS website.
VOLUNTEERING
All volunteers must complete online training on the
prevention, recognition, and reporting of child abuse and
neglect. Volunteers may access the training,
“Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect: for
Volunteers and Contractors,” by visiting training found at
www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/childabuseandneglect.
If you completed this training last year, you do NOT need
to take the training again. The training is valid for three
years!
ONLINE SCHOOL PAYMENTS
Would you like to be able to pay for your child’s field
trips online via your debit or credit card? Well, you can
do that! On the front page of McNair’s website is a link to
Online School Payments. Look for your child’s field
trip, make sure you have the correct teacher and follow
the prompts to make your payment. It’s super-easy and
you don’t have to worry about sending in cash or a check.
Please remember to still send in your child’s permission
slip. If you have any questions on how to use the Online
School Payment system, please call the school at 301-
353-0854.
PTA INFORMATION
STEM NIGHT – All students in
grades K-5 are invited to
participate in the 3rd Annual
Ronald McNair STEM Expo! The goal is for students to
have a fun and safe experience conducting an experiment
or researching the answer to a Science, Technology,
Engineering, or Math problem. Please note that work will
be done at home. Students can pick any project they are
interested in and can pursue the project on their own or
in teams. Students will showcase their completed
projects with a display during the STEM Expo on
Thursday, Jan. 24th, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. This will be an
Expo, not a competition! For ideas and inspirations, see
examples at:
www.sciencemadesimple.com/projects.html or
www.all-science-fair-
projects.com/school.discoveryeducation.com/scienc
efaircentral/
Look for registration forms to come home soon with all
students. Extra forms will be available in the main office.
MCPS NEWS
BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS
In order to ensure a safe, productive, and positive
learning environment, Montgomery County Public
Schools (MCPS) publishes two documents that help
students, parents, and staff and understand school rules
and regulations; the expectations for student conduct;
and the possible consequences for violating the rules.
A Student’s Guide to Rights and Responsibilities is an
overview of the rights and responsibilities students
enjoy in MCPS and a summary of the laws and
regulations that affect students.
The MCPS Code of Conduct provides an overview of
discipline procedures and protocols and the range of
consequences students could face for violating various
policies, regulations, and rules. The guide also discusses
the MCPS philosophy to discipline and defines the
various disciplinary responses.
Both booklets came home with students the first week of
school. Additionally, all students have met with Mrs.
Moses, Ms. Dali, Mrs. Privman, and Mrs. O’Malley to go
over behavior expectations. Parents and guardians are
encouraged to review these document with their
child(ren) so that our students understand their rights
and responsibilities and the district’s expectations for
student conduct. If you have questions, please feel free to
contact the school at 301-353-0854.
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 six
languages: English, Spanish, French, Korean, Chinese,
and Vietnamese. Visit www.mcpsquicknotes.org to
subscribe.
ALERT MCPS
Alert MCPS allows you to receive text messages or e-mail
from the school system during weather-related
emergencies and other major events that impact school
system operations. Signing up for Alert MCPS is free, but
please check with your wireless provider about charges
associated with text messages. Sign up at
http://alert.montgomerycountymd.gov.
WHAT DOES YOUR SCHOOL OF THE FUTURE LOOK LIKE?
The physical classroom and school environment affects teaching and learning and MCPS wants to know how students use those spaces on a daily basis. Students in all grade levels are invited to participate in a survey for them to share their feedback. Parents/guardians of elementary students are encouraged to talk with their children about their learning environments and help them complete this survey: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSerCMOXTGuVCeThRki6Dz7I4m2eVha_A5Ba_MSNmiurPUkv-w/viewform. Middle and high school students may share their feedback here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfAH--vClE-36XnLccMmss3MaB0GPtMRF1u3nBujsxaewr4Dg/viewform. MCPS will collect survey results through the beginning of January and the information will be used to support continuous improvement of its educational facilities. After results have been collected, students will have the opportunity to participate in a contest to envision the future of schools and help influence future design. More information about the contest will be provided in the coming weeks. Educational Services Center, 850 Hungerford Drive in Rockville. The Board will approve a CIP amendment request on November 27. The request will then be submitted to the Montgomery County Executive and the Montgomery County Council for consideration. For more information on the hearings and to sign up to speak, visit the Board of Education website.
COMMENT SOUGHT ON FOUR BOARD OF EDUCATION POLICIES The Montgomery County Board of Education is seeking
comment from parents and members of the community on
four policies—Policy BBB, Ethics; Policy BFA, Policysetting;
Policy IGK, Career and Technology Education; and Policy
KEA, Political Campaigns and Political Materials. Visit
www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/policy/polic
y-for-public-comment.aspx to read the draft policies and to
offer comment.
Public comments on Policy KEA, Civic Engagement, Political Campaigns, and Political Materials are due by Sunday, December 16. Comments on Policy BBB, Ethics; Policy BFA, Policysetting; and Policy IGK, Career and Technology Education must be submitted by January 13, 2019.
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE WORKSHOP SET FOR DECEMBER 4 Parents/guardians and community members are invited to attend a workshop on Tuesday, December 4 at Neelsville Middle School from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. to learn more about the district’s restorative justice vision and how this social justice platform allows students to actively engage and problem-solve physical, psychological, social, and disciplinary issues that affect their lives and the community at large. Please contact 240-740-3951 for more information about the first of three parent workshops this school year. SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT WORKSHOPS SET FOR DECEMBER 5 MCPS is holding special education workshops for parents and guardians to learn more about the Individualized Education Program (IEP) documents and process. The workshops will be held from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 5, in three locations—
Gaithersburg High School, 101 Education Boulevard in Gaithersburg
Northwood High School, 919 University Boulevard West in Silver Spring
Paint Branch High School, 14121 Old Columbia Pike in Burtonsville
Interpretation services are available on request. For more information, call 240-740-3884. COMMUNITY FORUM—MEASURING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP The Montgomery County African-American Student
Achievement Action Group is hosting a community forum
on Wednesday, December 5, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at
Argyle Middle School. MCPS parents, guardians, students,
and staff are invited to attend to learn more about the
district’s efforts to close the achievement gap; learn about
the new Maryland State Report Card and what it means
for MCPS students; and hear from newly elected County
councilmembers and Board of Education members. To
register for the event, visit
www.eventbrite.com/e/aasaag-community-forum-
tickets-3635919132.
MCPS STUDENTS TO HOLD USED CAR AND COMPUTER SALE Students in the Montgomery County Students Automotive Trades Foundation (ATF) and Information Technology Foundation (ITF) will be selling used cars and computers that they have refurbished on Saturday, December 8, at Gaithersburg High School, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. A list of available cars for purchase is available at: www.cars2purchase.org/. For information on the computers that will be sold, call 240-740-2050. The cars and computers are refurbished and reconditioned by the students as part of their classroom and lab studies. The sales provide students with the opportunity to practice their sales skills, earn Student Service Learning hours, and develop a deeper appreciation for community involvement. Members of the community are welcome to donate vehicles to the program. Vehicles may be donated at any of the automotive programs located at Damascus, Gaithersburg, Seneca Valley high schools or Thomas Edison High School of Technology. Donations may be tax deductible. MCPS FOUNDATION LAUNCHES DINE WITH DIGNITY CAMPAIGN The Montgomery County Public Schools Educational Foundation launched the Dine with Dignity Campaign October 29 to raise awareness and funds in support of preserving student dignity in the lunchroom. Last year in MCPS, 34,000 traditional school lunches were exchanged for alternative meals and provided to students who did not qualify for the free lunch program and whose lunch account balances were negative $10 or more. The alternative meal identified the students to their peers as not having money for lunch, increasing the possibility for the student’s embarrassment. In response, the Foundation created a fund to help the district settle unpaid lunch balances and to allow students with negative account balances to enjoy traditional lunch choices. Families are still asked to pay off, or to contribute within their means, toward the outstanding balance on their student's lunch account; the Dine with Dignity Fund pays the remainder. To raise awareness about this special childhood hunger issue and awareness about the campaign, The Foundation enlisted help from Starbucks and now through December 2, messages about the Dine with Dignity campaign will be on coffeehouse tables and condiment bars in 46
Montgomery County Starbucks’ locations. Learn more and donate today at www.mcpsfoundation.org/dine206. WINTER COAT DRIVE UNDER WAY The Prekindergarten/Head Start Programs is seeking donations to provide students with new winter coats. They are collecting coats for boys and girls in sizes 5, 6, and 7, along with other winter wear, such as hats and gloves. Monetary donations are welcome. Donations can be sent to Rocking Horse Road Center, 4910 Macon Road, Room 141, Rockville, Maryland 20852. For more information, contact Lisa Conlon at 240-740-4530. HOMEWORK HOTLINE LIVE CELEBRATING 33RD SEASON Need homework help? Then call Homework Hotline Live. With HHL, you get free after-school homework help from MCPS teachers. You can call the live TV show at 301-279-3234 or send a question online via text or e-mail. When school is in session, watch teachers answer your homework questions live on MCPS-TV from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. You can also get online help from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Monday through Thursday. Go to www.AskHHL.org for more info and to download the free HHL app! If you call in and correctly answer a BrainTeaser question, you could win an HHL 8GB Flashdrive! Tune in to see the HHL Mathema-Chicken pluck out some math questions.
HHL General Info:
o Telephone: 301-279-3234 o Text: 724-427-5445 o Live TV show on Comcast 33, Verizon 35,
RCN 88 o www.AskHHL.org
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday/ Sunday
1 2 3 4 5/6
NEW YEAR’S DAY HOLIDAY
NO SCHOOL BAR-T CLOSED
Students return to school 1:20 Patrol Meeting
4:15 Basketball 4:15 Chinese Immersion
Begins
Kids Heart Challenge Kickoff Assemblies
9:45-10:15 Gr 3-5 10:25-10:55 PreK – 2
NO CHESS CLUB
7 8 9 10 11 12/13
Mobile Science Lab at McNair Thru 1/14
4:15 Chinese Immersion 8:40 – 9:10 SERT Meeting 4:15 Basketball Ends
4:15 Chinese Immersion
NO CHESS CLUB
14 15 16 17 18 19/20
4:15 Young Rembrandts Begins
4:15 Chinese Immersion
4:15 Yoga Begins 8:10 Coding Session II Begins
4:15 Chinese Immersion 4:15 i9 Sports Begins
4:15 Chess Club
21 22 23 24 25 26/27
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DAY
HOLIDAY
4:15 Young Rembrandts
4:15 Chinese Immersion
Club Pictures 8:30 Building Tour for New Families (by appointment
only) 4:15 Yoga
6:30 Center for Enriched Studies Parent Meeting at Richard Montgomery HS
8:10 Coding 4:15 Chinese Immersion
4:15 i9 Sports 6:30-8:00 KMS Incoming Gr
6 Parent Meeting 7:00-9:00 S.T.E.M. Night
EARLY RELEASE DAY STUDENTS DISMISSED AT
1:20 2nd Marking Period Ends
28 29 30 31
PROFESSIONAL DAY NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
3rd Marking Period Begins 4:15 Young Rembrandts 4:15 Chinese Immersion
4:15 Yoga 8:10 Coding Grade Level Newsletters sent
home 1:20 Patrol Meeting
4:15 Chinese Immersion 4:15 i9 Sports