¡Bienvenidos!¡Bienvenidos!

Rock Creek Forest Elementary Rock Creek Forest Elementary SchoolSchool

Agenda• Welcome and Introductions• A Brief Tour of Rock Creek Forest ES

• An overview of our Immersion Program

• The MCPS immersion Program Application Process

• Questions

Our VisionAt Rock Creek Forest Elementary School, 

we provide all students with the knowledge, skills, and habits that will 

empower them to become leaders in our society. 

Our MissionWe strive to fulfill our vision by: •providing a rigorous instructional program for all children•developing relevant skills for students to compete in a global society•establishing healthy relationships to foster a positive environment for students, staff, and parents in our community.

By the completion of fifth grade in the Spanish Immersion Program students are expected to:

1. Understand, speak, read, listen, and write in Spanish at a high level of proficiency.

2. Perform at a proficient or advanced level on standardized achievement tests.

3. Apply skills and demonstrate knowledge in the content areas of the curriculum in keeping with state standards.

4. Continue their studies in advanced level Spanish courses at the middle school level.

Goals for Our Students

Spanish Immersion Program

• The Spanish Immersion Program follows the MCPS Program of studies at all grade levels.

• Most children in immersion program not only learn the second language, but they achieve skills appropriate to their grade level

Grade Class SizeKindergarten 26 students

1st

27 students2nd

3rd

4th

28 students5th

Class Capacity

AssessmentsStudents in the Spanish Immersion program are evaluated in a variety of ways. Assessment in Spanish:Teacher and team made assessments:•Exit cards•Observations•Quizzes•DRA (Evaluación del desarrollo de la lectura)Assessments in English:Measures of Academic Progress (MAP)-Computer-based-Primary Math (MAP-P), Grades K-2-Math (MAP-M), Grades 3 -5-Reading (MAP – R), Grades 3-5•The Maryland School Assessment (MSA)-Reading and Math, Grades 3 – 5-Science, Grade 5

Language of Instruction

K- Orientation• Kindergarten Orientation: Thursday, May 22nd, 2014

• Application begins February 1 with a deadline of April 4th, 2014. Apply to:

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms/admissions/immersion_news.shtm

Together We Achieve!

Montgomery County Public SchoolsMontgomery County Public SchoolsElementary Immersion ProgramsElementary Immersion Programs

2014-20152014-2015

Montgomery County Public SchoolsMontgomery County Public SchoolsElementary Immersion ProgramsElementary Immersion Programs

2014-20152014-2015

Division of Consortia Choice and Division of Consortia Choice and

Application Program Services (DCCAPS)Application Program Services (DCCAPS)

Facilitating the Outreach and School Assignment Processes for the Consortia, Facilitating the Outreach and School Assignment Processes for the Consortia,

Application, and Elementary Immersion ProgramsApplication, and Elementary Immersion Programs

Elementary Immersion Elementary Immersion Application ProcessApplication Process

Step #1 Complete an Immersion Interest Form Fill in the circle of each program in which you would like your child to participate.

Immersion Interest Form

An Immersion Interest Form must be submitted for every student participating in the immersion process.

Step #2 Immersion forms are run through a computerized lottery process.

Step #3 Immersion school assignment letters are mailed to students’ homes in late April.

Factors which may impact thelottery (school assignment)

process:

– School capacity (space availability)

– Sibling link – Please note that younger siblings of students currently in the immersion program in Grades K-4 have preference to the same immersion program on a space available basis.

– Eligibility – Selection area priority

(based on home address)– Number of applicants

What are some frequently asked questions?

o 1014 students1014 students o 698 of these students applied for a 698 of these students applied for a kindergarten slotkindergarten slot

o Kindergarten:Kindergarten: 286 seats 286 seats o Grades 1- 5: Grades 1- 5: Seats vary from year to year.Seats vary from year to year.

How many students entered the last How many students entered the last lottery year?lottery year?

How many seats were available for all of How many seats were available for all of the immersion programs? the immersion programs?

What are my options if I want to continue this program in middle school?

Montgomery County Public SchoolsElementary Immersion Programs At-A-

Glance

Elementary School (ES)Language

Eligibility/Selection Area Priority

Program Type*Middle School (MS)

Continuation Grades 6–8^^^

Transportation

College Gardens ES1700 Yale PlaceRockville, MD 20850301-279-8470

Chinese Countywide Partial Herbert Hoover Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) provides transportation from central stops for elementary school language immersion students from the areas served by the program.

Transportation may be provided for many of the special programs to and from central stops (usually at MCPS schools) determined by the MCPS Department of Transportation. Stops may be several miles from the student’s home. Parents are responsible for arranging transportation to and from central stops. Bus trips are usually significantly longer than local school transportation and may vary by program or location. It is important to carefully consider transportation options and responsibilities.The continuation of transportation for the 2014–2015 school year for regional and countywide immersion programs is pending budget approval.

Potomac ES 10311 River RoadPotomac, MD 20854301-469-1042

Chinese Local, then countywide Partial Herbert Hoover

Maryvale ES1000 First StreetRockville, MD 20850301-279-4990

French Regional^ Total Gaithersburg MS

Sligo Creek ES500 Schuyler RoadSilver Spring, MD 20910301-562-2722

French Regional^^ Total Silver Spring International MS

Burnt Mills ES11211 Childs StreetSilver Spring, MD 20901 301-649-8192

Spanish Local, then elementary schools that feed into Francis Scott Key MS, then countywide

Partial Silver Spring International MS

Rock Creek Forest ESTemporary location:7000 Radnor Rd.Bethesda, MD 20817301-650-6410

Spanish Countywide Total Silver Spring International MSWestland MS

Rolling Terrace ES705 Bayfield StreetTakoma Park, MD 20912 301-431-7600

Spanish Local, then countywide Partial Silver Spring International MS

* Total immersion programs: The core curriculum (reading, writing, mathematics, social studies, and science) is taught in the second language. Partial immersion programs: A portion of the curriculum is taught in the second language.

^ The following high school clusters: Winston Churchill, Clarksburg, Damascus, Gaithersburg, Richard Montgomery, Northwest, Poolesville, Rockville, Quince Orchard, Seneca Valley, Sherwood, Watkins Mill, Wheaton, Thomas S. Wootton, and the Northeast Consortium–North (Residences north of Fairland and Randolph Roads)  ^^ The following high school clusters: Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Montgomery Blair, Albert Einstein, Walter Johnson, John F. Kennedy, Northwood, Walt Whitman, and the Northeast Consortium–South (Residences south of Fairland and Randolph Roads)

^^^ To participate in a middle school continuation, parents must complete a Change of School Assignment (COSA) form by the April 1, 2013, deadline.

How can I find out more information about the lottery process and programs?

How will I know if my child is How will I know if my child is selected?selected?

Parents will be sent a letter in late April. This letter will include:• The program/s that their child has been invited to and/or• A number indicating their rank order on the waitlist for the

programs that they selected on the Immersion Interest Form.

Visit an immersion open house at each immersionVisit an immersion open house at each immersion program and/orprogram and/orVisit the website:Visit the website: www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms/

Is transportation available?Is transportation available?

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) provides transportation from central stops for elementary school language immersion students for the areas served by the program.

Transportation may be provided for many of the special programs to and from central stops (usually at MCPS schools) determined by the MCPS Department of Transportation.

• Stops may be several miles from the student’s home. • Parents are responsible for arranging transportation to and from central stops.• Bus trips are usually significantly longer than local school transportation and may vary by program or location.• It is important to carefully consider transportation options and responsibilities.

What immersion programs are offered What immersion programs are offered by by

Montgomery County Public Schools Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS)?(MCPS)?

MCPS offers seven elementary foreign languageimmersion programs:

• Two Chinese• Two French• Three Spanish

The two French programs and one of the Spanish programs aretotal immersion. Two of the Spanish programs and both Chinese programs are partial immersion.

In total immersion, all core subjects, including reading/language arts are taught in the target language.

In partial immersion, some core subjects are taught in the target language.

For more information, please call: Division of Consortia Choice and Application Program Services

301-592-2040.

Can my child participate in multiple Can my child participate in multiple lotteries?lotteries?

Can my child continue in a middle schoolCan my child continue in a middle school

immersion program after elementary school?immersion program after elementary school?

Yes, students can continue into the middle school program. Parents must fill out a Change of School Assignment Form (COSA) to make the request.(See chart on slide 5)

Yes, students may participate in one to all seven lotteries.

Proposed TimelineProposed Timeline

• Open Houses – December through March(varies per school)

For more information, visit each immersion school’s website.

• Interest Forms Available February 1, 2014• Interest Form Deadline April 4, 2014• Parent Notification April 2014

For more information, visit each immersion school’s website. www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/

Note: Students may apply to multiple programs.

CONTACT INFORMATIONCONTACT INFORMATION

For more information about the immersion lottery process, contact:

Division of Consortia Choice and Application Program Services (DCCAPS)

Karen Danco 301-592-2053

Laura Rawson 301-592-2060

John Rottiers 301-592-2056

For information about each immersion program, visit www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms

as well as each school’s website

Q&A

• Open to questions