Galway Chronicle

The Galway Pledge : We pledge to respect one

another, to be trustworthy and fair. We will care about each other, and be good citizens. Above all else, I will take responsibility for my actions, in a quest to build a better you…and a better me.

Volume 6 Issue 9 February 19, 2016

Dr. Dorothea Fuller, Principal

Nichola Wallen, Assistant Principal

Our Vision: Galway Elementary School will empower students

to be valued, productive members of a global society.

Principally Speaking: Thoughts on Cyber Bullying

Technology and youth seem destined for each other; they are both young, fast paced,

and ever changing. Technology has been eagerly embraced by young people and has led

to expanding knowledge, social networks, and vocabulary. The benefits include the

ability to interact with others across the United States and throughout the world on a

regular basis as well as increasing their knowledge on a wide variety of topics. How-

ever, the recent explosion in technology does not come without possible risks. Children

can use electronic media to embarrass, harass, or threaten their peers. Because children

are reluctant to share bullying for fear of having their internet and/or cellular phone

privileges revoked, we must develop solutions to prevent or address bullying that do not

punish the child. Here are some helpful hints to support our families and protect all of

our children:

What Is Cyber Bullying?

Pretending to be someone else online with a malicious intent to "prank" someone

Spreading lies or rumors about someone

Tricking someone into revealing personal information or sending personal photos

Sending or forwarding malicious texts or emails

Posting pictures of someone without their permission

Threatening to physically harm someone or their family How Students can Prevent and Stop Cyber Bullying

Block all communication from the bully

Delete messages without opening and reading

Talk with a friend or a trusted adult about the bullying taking place

Report the bullying communication to the Internet Service Provider or email pro-vider

Refuse to forward or pass on bullying texts or emails

Tell the bully to stop; Talk to parents

Never share your passwords with anyone except your parents

Never meet someone from online face-to-face

Never post personal information about yourself online (i.e. - birthday, phone num-ber, the school you attend, etc.).

Parent Tips

Be aware of what children are doing online. Keep the computer screen where you can see it while your child is on it

Learn about the social networking sites that your child uses

Know your child's password to all social networking sites “You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it’s right.” Rosa Parks

UPCOMING EVENTS

Galway Chronicle 9

UPCOMING EVENTS February 22 -Kaiser Permanente Book Distribution Grade 2 -Chiptole Mexican Grill Fundraiser 5:00-8:00 pm February 23 Instructional Rounds February 24 -Third Grade FT-National Museum of American History -HardWork Café February 25 Fifth Grade Field Trip-US Capitol February 26 Early Release February 29 Black Saga Competition

February 29-March 4 Read Across America Spirit Week Monday-”All the Places You Can Go” Tuesday-Crazy Hat Day Wednesday-Green Eggs...Reader’s Oath Thursday-Look like Seuss-Dress in Black Friday-Wacky Day March 2 Blake Children’s Theater– Grades 1 & 2 March 3 Family Math Night 6:30-8:00 pm March 4 Progress Reports Go Home March 7 -PTA Meeting-College Savings Options 6:30-8:00 Childcare Provided Pennies for Patients March 7-18

2nd Annual Black Saga-African American Competition Bowl

On February 29, at 9:45 am, students in grades 4 and 5 will compete in the Annual African

American Competition Bowl. The competition elevates the contributions of African Americans

in America in science, technology, business, entertainment and sports. This was a favorite event

with Galway students last year. 4th and 5th grade students interested in participating in the competition re-

ceived study packets from Ms. Curtis and began preparation last week. Due to the large number of students

showing interest, an elimination round will be held on February 22. We welcome parents of students partici-

pating to join us at 9:45 am for the competition.

Planning For Next School Year

We will send home a request for information about your child’s school plans for the 2016-2017 school year

and optional student information profile form. Please return these forms by the designated date. These forms

assist us with projecting the number of students who will be attending. Thank you in advance for your sup-

port.

Planes Para El Siguiente Año Escolar Se enviara a su casa una solicitud de información a cerca de los planes de sus hijos para el año escolar

20162017 y una forma opcional para profile. Por favor regrese estas formas en la fecha especificada. Estas

formas nos ayudan a estimar el numero de estudiantes que asistirán a la escuela. Muchas gracias de antemano

por su apoyo.

Galway Chronicle 9

Kindergarten Registration And Orientation – April 27-29 Kindergarten Orientation at Galway is just around the corner. If you have a child or

know of neighbors and friends who have children that are eligible to enter kindergar-

ten next fall at Galway Elementary, please contact the school to request a registration

packet and to schedule a Kindergarten Orientation appointment.

See important information and dates below:

Who: Children who will be five years old on or before September 1, 2016

Children who will be five years of age between September 2 and October

15, 2016 are considered

Early Entrance Candidates

· Parents of Early Entrance candidates must submit Montgomery County Public Schools

Form 271-6: Application for Early Entrance – Kindergarten Program

When: Wednesday , April 27, 2016; 9:30 a.m. -3:30 pm

Thursday April 28, 2016; 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Friday April 29, 2014; 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Where: Galway Elementary Kindergarten Classrooms

Time: Kindergarten Orientation appointment blocks are 60 minutes in length. If your child is an Early

Entrance Candidate, your child will stay for an additional hour for testing.

There will be no school for kindergarten students during Kindergarten Orientation.

SECOND GRADE GT SCREENING PARENT INPUT FORMS

Our school is in the process of gathering information about students to plan instruction for the upcoming school year,

including screening for gifted and talented identification. The process gathers information from a variety of sources,

including parents, staff, a cognitive assessment and student performance. You have the opportunity to observe your

child in a different setting and may notice special skills or qualities that may or may not be evident in the classroom.

School staff wants to consider information you can provide to plan your child’s instructional program. You will re-

ceive the Parent Input Form in the mail during the week of February 29, 2016. Please return the completed form to

school within one week of receiving it. Our school staff will use this information in planning your child’s instructional

program and class placement for the 2016–2017 school year. With the parent input, school staff will also consider the

nitive assessment in December. The five subtests of the assessment are: sequencing, analogical reasoning, quantita-

tive reasoning, verbal reasoning–words, and verbal reasoning–context. In June, you will receive a letter from our

school indicating instructional recommendations for the third grade year and your child’s performance on the assess-

ments listed above. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Julie Kelly at 301-595-2930.

SEGUNDO GRADO GT PROYECCIÓN PADRE ENTRADA FORMAS

Nuestra escuela está en el proceso de reunir información sobre los estudiantes a fin de planificar la instrucción para el

ciclo escolar entrante, incluyendo la evaluación de elegibilidad para identificación de estudiantes con alto potencial y

talento. El proceso reúne información de distintas fuentes, incluyendo de los padres, del personal, del rendimiento

estudiantil, y de una evaluación cognitiva. Ustedes tienen la oportunidad de observar a su hijo/a en un entorno difer-

ente, y pueden notar habilidades o cualidades especiales que podrían no ser evidentes en el aula. Para planificar el pro-

grama de enseñanza de su hijo/a, el personal escolar desea poder tomar en cuenta la información que ustedes suminis-

tren. Ustedes recibirán por correo el Formulario de Opinión de los Padres (Parent Input Form) durante la semana del

29 de febrero, 2016. Por favor completen y devuelvan el formulario a la escuela dentro de un lapso de una semana

siguiente a haberlo recibido. Nuestro personal escolar usará esta información para planear el programa de enseñanza de

su hijo/a y su ubicación en una clase en el ciclo escolar 2016–2017. Junto con la opinión de los padres, el personal

Cognitiva InView™ o Los estudiantes completaron la evaluación cognitiva InView™ en diciembre. Las cinco sub-

pruebas de la evaluación son: secuenciación, razonamiento analógico, razonamiento cuantitativo, razonamiento verbal

–palabras y razonamiento verbal–contexto. En junio, ustedes recibirán una carta de nuestra escuela indicando las re-

comendaciones de instrucción para el Grado 3 y el rendimiento de su hijo/a en las evaluaciones mencionadas anterior-

mente. Si tienen cualquier pregunta, por favor comuníquense con Ms. Julie Kelly al 301-595-2930.

Board of Education Conditionally Appoints Dr. Jack R. Smith as Superintendent

The Montgomery County Board of Education has identified a finalist for the position of superintendent of schools—

Dr. Jack R. Smith, who is currently the interim state superintendent of Maryland schools and former superintendent of

schools in Calvert County. Dr. Smith has more than 30 years of experience as an educator and administrator.

Community engagement was a crucial part of the search for the superintendent of schools. Dr. Smith met with a com-

munity panel of Montgomery County stakeholders to provide feedback to Board members and help them arrive at a

decision on the appropriate candidate. In the coming weeks, a contingent of the Board will be in touch with stake-

holders and Dr. Smith’s colleagues. Based on the outcome of this feedback, contract negotiations, and obtaining state

approval, the Board plans to hire Dr. Smith as the next superintendent of MCPS effective July 1, 2016. A series of

public meetings will be scheduled in the near future for parents and the community to meet Dr. Smith.

Galway Chronicle 9

Join us for Family Math Night At Galway Elementary School!

Thursday March 3, 2016 at 6:30-8:00 PM Join the teachers at Galway to….

Learn new games you can play at home

Listen to stories that incorporate math

Go on a scavenger hunt

Use your estimation skills to win a prize

Test your luck and win a math board game to take home

Have fun!

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Prizes

Estimation Jars

New Games

Math Stories Scavenger

Hunts