testing season continues ssage · 2012-04-23 · >parent r.a.p.s. flyer >kindergarten...

Dear McAuliffe Families,

Happy Spring everyone! I hope everyone enjoyed a well-deserved and relaxing

Spring break. My family and I really enjoyed our down time and each other’s

company. Believe it or not, we are in the home stretch of the 2011-2012 school

year. With only 9 weeks of school left, we are hoping to have a strong finish to

the school year. The Maryland School Assessment in Reading and Math are

over and went very well. The fifth graders will tackle the Science MSAs during

the last two weeks of April. Our students were prepared and we look for the test

and we are looking forward to the results. Mrs. Coates

From the Principal’s Desk

Testing Season Continues As I previously mentioned, our 5th graders have on additional state assess-

ment this school year which is the Maryland School Assessment in Science.

This year our fifth graders will take the assessment online in the computer

lab, which will be different from years past. Also coming up this month is

Terra Nova 2 testing for our second graders. Our second graders will also

complete the Global Screening process this month when they take the Ra-

ven and the Inview tests. This process is used to recognize students whose

abilities warrant a need for enriched and accelerated instruction. Please see

the schedule below for the remaining testing dates for the school year.

Please remember to help your child get to school on time. They need to be

well rested and have eaten a good, healthy breakfast. As a reminder, here

are some practical ways you can help ensure your child’s success on the

test. Make sure your child reads for 20 minutes every night, work with

them on test taking strategies such as reading directions carefully, eliminat-

ing wrong choices in multiple choice problems, and reading for infor-

mation.

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Volume 1, Issue 9

April 23, 2012

CHRISTA MCAULIFFE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

12500 Wisteria Drive

Germantown, MD 20874

(301)353-0910

Wanda Coates, Principal

[email protected]

Allison Peterson, Assistant Principal

Newsletter attachments:

>Parent R.A.P.S. flyer

>Kindergarten Orientation re-

minder

Assessment Dates Grade Tested

Inview testing April 10 Grade 2

Raven testing TBD Grade 2

Terra Nova 2 April 16,17, 18 Grade 2

MSA Science April 24-29 Grade 5

LEADER’S LUNCH

We held our third Leader’s Lunch on March 28th. It was great to see so many happy and smiling faces!

Many students earned the BIG Respect ticket and had their names entered into the drawing for the leaders’

lunch, however, only a certain number of students were randomly selected to participate. The following

students earned our big RESPECT ticket and had their names drawn to participate in the lunch:

Kindergarten First Grade Second Grade

Memphis Seonarain Manas Tankala Apryl Jankowski

Taylor Thompson Jadelyn Desrosiers Connie Coreas

Amiyah Hawkins Alek Escobar Shawn Nelson

Sommer Folan Froylan Hernandez Narineh Tekeyan

Victoria Stokeman Caroline Quiroga Omar Mbenga

Wayne Tabb Joshua Hodge Danazia Hill

Third Grade Fourth Grade Fifth Grade

Fernando Rosales Alpha Machanzi Tanya Vasquez

Maya Herman Tiani Williams Jose Barahona

Sofia Castiblanco Malick Keita Sindi Villatoro

Giselle Badoo Andrea Robles Claudia Diaz

Maya Herman Jeffrey Umansor Andrew Deener

Anissa Milbourne Johan Mendosa Iyana Wheeless

Sarai Zelaya

Congratulations students! Keep up the good work in being respectful, responsible, and showing team

Work.

School News and Notes

V OLU ME 1, ISS UE 9

CHORUS MEETS THE WIZARDS

Congratulations to our outstanding 5th grade selected chorus student who recently performed at the Wash-

ington Wizards basketball game. Our chorus was audtioned and selected to sing the National Anthem and

their performance was stellar! Thanks Mrs. Monroe for your hard work in preparing the students for the

performance. The students who performed were as follows:

Aisha Webster Alex Sray LaShea Dunston Alia Collazo

Alexis Drakeford Jonathan Lare Avinash Ali Courtney Minor

Joshua Bradshaw Brandon Taylor Sebastian Sandoval Jazmine Solano

Breezy Lachance Hannah Perez Jalen Toombs Corey Gibson

Corrance Stokes Payton Jacobs Giovanni Ergueta Tyshawn Johnson

Andrew Deener Jasmine Combs Deandre Jules Ayana Perry

Kevin Monroe, Jr. Cassie Laffman Chrysta Asare Shannon Mandalou

Nicholas Martinelli Zachary Cason

Karin Cakir was also a part of the selected group, but was sick the night of the performance. We missed

you Karin.


COURTYARD CLEAN UP

Thank you to all the families and staff who came out Saturday, Aril 21st to help with the sprucing up of

the courtyard. The fresh coat of paint, weeding, mulching, and planting of new plants really paid off.

Please stop and take a look of the improved courtyard when you get a chance. Thank you PTA for organ-

izing this event!

FEASIBILITY STUDY MEETINGS UPDATE

As you know, Christa McAuliffe is under consideration for a possible classroom addition in the coming

years and we are a part of a feasibility study. A series of meetings will be taking place over the next few

months that will give you the opportunity to give your input on what your vision of a school addition

might look like. The purpose of the study is to develop conceptual design option for the proposed school

project. More information can be found on the attached flyer. The meetings will be help both after school

and in the evening. The last planning meeting has taken place and you will be able to meet the architects

and see the final design plan as it is presented at the next PTA meeting on May 2. They will show all 3

options and let you know which option is most preferred and will be presented to the Board of Education.

Superintendent Forums Remaining This Year

Superintendent of Schools Joshua Starr will be holding four forums this spring, each focusing on a specif-

ic topic—English Language Learners (March 12 at Kennedy HS), Gifted Education (March 22 at Magrud-

er HS), Special Education (April 16 at Seneca Valley HS), and Social and Emotional Learning (May 10 at

Whitman HS). Each forum will be held from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. and will provide an opportunity for parents,

staff, and the community to hear about the latest trends and research, find out what’s happening in our

schools, and share their thoughts and ideas with Dr. Starr, guest panelists, and other participants. Interpre-

tation and childcare will be available. Additional information is available at

www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org or by calling 301-309-MCPS (6277).


http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org

2012-2013 SCHOOL CALENDAR

The school calendar for the 2012-2013 school year is now available online. You can access this calendar elec-

tronically from the following webpage: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/calendars/future/. Please

review this calendar and begin planning for your vacations based on the school calendar.

2012 REGIONAL ELEMENTARY SUMMER SCHOOL

The 2012 Elementary Regional Summer School pamphlets have arrived. These pamphlets provide information

about several summer courses offered to students who have completed grades K-5. The elementary school

courses include classes in math, reading, art and computer skills. Pamphlets will be available to par-

ents/students through our main office. You can also receive more information by visiting the following MCPS

web site: www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/extendedhours/summerschool/. Registration began

April 10, 2012. The absolute deadline for registration is June 15. The first day of Summer School for ele-

mentary students is July 5, 2012.

The sites for the Regional Summer School Program are selected based upon serving all students and the de-

mographics of the majority of registrants for the programs. These sites are subject to change prior to the start of

the summer program. Please check the above-mentioned web site periodically for any changes to the program.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Flower Hill Elementary School

18425 Flower Hill Way

Gaithersburg, MD 20879

Galway Elementary School

12612 Galway Drive

Silver Spring, MD 20904

Maryvale Elementary School

1000 First Street 5811

Rockville, MD 20850

Somerset Elementary School

5811 Warwick Place

Chevy Chase, MD 20815



From the Reading Room

Battle of the Books:

Congratulations to all the participants of Battle of the Books. The third battle took place the week of Febru-

ary 13. The teams are doing a great job and the placements of teams are:

First Place: The Hawks

Second Place: Golden Readers

Third Place: Reading Worms

Fourth Place: Lightening

Fifth Place: Red Dragons

Sixth Place: Cookie Monsters

Seventh Place: Titans

Eighth Place: Cutie Pies

Ninth Place: Shooting Stars

Keep reading participants. You still have two rounds to go and it is anyone’s game. All books can be

checked out in the school library. The next battle will take place the week after spring break. Remember the

top team in June will battle against the teachers at a school wide assembly.

Book It:

March will be the last month to turn in Book It Calendars. Students will receive a coupon for a personal

pan pizza when they read 20 minutes every night. The class with the most participation for the year will

receive a pizza party! The best way to improve your child’s reading ability is to READ. Please encourage

your child to read for 20 minutes every night.

Helpful Tip:

Report cards will be coming out soon and you might have a question about your child’s reading level. The

chart below tells you the level your child should be reading at by the end of the third quarter. Please see the

attached document to give you further information about these levels.

What Does My Child’s Reading Level Mean?

Please find below reading level targets by grade level. These are proficiency levels for the end of quarter 3.

Kindergarten Level 2 – 3 (B or C)

First Grade Level 12 – 15 (H – I)

Second Grade Level L

Third Grade Level O

Fourth Grade Level S - T

Fifth Grade Level V - W

Parent Information

KINDERGARTEN ORIENTATION

Please help us more accurately predict the number of students who will attend kindergarten at Christa McAuliffe

Elementary during the 2012-2013 school year and help us prepare for Kindergarten Orientation.

According to Maryland State Law, a child must be five years old by September 1, 2012 in order to enter kinder-

garten for the 2012-2013 school year. A birth certificate or birth registration form, hospital certificate, baptismal

certificate, or passport may be used to verify a child's date of birth; one of these documents must be presented on

the day you register. Maryland State regulations require all children in kindergarten through grade six to have pri-

mary immunizations against DPT, Polio, and Rubella (German Measles). A certificate of immunization is re-

quired for acceptance into school. To verify residency, you must bring a current property tax bill or a current rent-

al lease.

If you have a child who will be entering kindergarten next fall, please complete the attached form and return it to

the school office by Friday, March 16. Please also call our school secretary, Mrs. Jody Price at (301)353-0910

to schedule an appointment time to register your child at school. You should have received a flyer in Thursday’s

folder about the registration process.

NO SCHOOL FOR KINDERGARTNERS

Students who are currently enrolled in kindergarten will be excused from school on May 3 and May 4, so our

kindergarten staff and specialists will be available to conduct our Kindergarten Orientation for incoming kin-

dergartners (2012-2013).

PARENT SUPPORT GROUP INFORMATION

See below about a new support group for parents and primary caregivers who have children with emotional,

behavioral or mental health challenges beginning April 15.

LOCATION:

Montgomery County Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health

Colesville Professional Building

13321 New Hampshire Avenue, Terrace B

Silver Spring, MD 20904

Note: Use the Terrace entrance located on the side of the building near the Bank of America to get to the

Montgomery County Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health office. Parking is available on the

side near the gas station and in the back of the building. Do not park in the Bank of America lot.

DATES: Third Sunday of Every Month TIME: 1:30 – 3:30 pm

Families will join a supportive community of parents and other primary caregivers who have transition-age youth and young adults with emotional, behavioral or mental health challenges. They will have a safe place where they can discuss their challenges, find support, explore their needs, and learn about resources.

Parent Information



School Calendar

April

2-9 NO SCHOOL; Spring Break

12 Report Cards go home

16-20 Terra Nova 2 Testing for Grade 2

23-27 Book Fair

ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS’ WEEK

25 Math and Science Night

26 Take Your Child to Work Day

MAY

S. CHRISTA MCAULIFFE

ELEMENTARY

Our Vision: A community school where

parents and staff work together as partners

for the development of the whole child.

Our Mission: A partnership of parents and

staff preparing our children for the future.

Visit us on the web!

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/mcauliffees

SAFETY FIRST!

One of the first things I noticed at this school was the very dangerous entry and exit we have to our school.

Two weeks ago, one of our parents and substitutes in the building was nearly seriously injured by a car

coming up the down exit during dismissal. I have been working to try to get some directional lines painted

or something that will help everyone know the way the traffic should flow when you enter and exit the

school. In the meantime, please SLOW DOWN and pay attention! The entry to our school is also the exit

to our school. Two-way traffic does flow at the entry. PLEASE slow down when coming up our hill or

going down it, and through our parking lot, especially at arrival and dismissal time. Your child's safe-

ty is our first priority!

STUDENT TRANSFER APPLICATION SEASON BEGAN FEBRUARY 1

Montgomery County parents who wish to request a Change of School Assignment (COSA) for their chil-

dren from their home school may begin the process during the upcoming transfer season—February 1

through April 1, 2012.

Except for students in the Northeast Consortium (NEC), Downcounty Consortium (DCC), and Middle

School Magnet Consortium (MSMC) areas, students in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) are

assigned to a school on the basis of their place of residence or their Individualized Education Program

(IEP) and are expected to attend their home school. Assignment changes for students from one school to

another are permitted under the following limited circumstances:

· An older sibling attends the requested school in the regular program, absent a boundary change

· A continuation in a feeder pattern from middle to high school, except when affected by boundary changes

· A documented hardship situation

· A student selected for an exempt program

· A family moves within Montgomery County, preference to remain in the original school will be consid-

ered to complete the current school year only.

The transfer process begins in the home school, where parents may request the Change of School Assign-

ment Information Booklet that contains the COSA form, describes the process and provides useful infor-

mation. Beginning the first week of February, the COSA booklets will be available in schools and online at

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/transfers/. The booklet will be available in both English and

Spanish. Exempt programs that do not fall under the transfer guidelines are listed in the information book-

let.

For more information about the transfer process, please contact us and we’ll be happy to answer any ques-

tions you may have. Non-English speaking students and parents who may require assistance may contact

ASK MCPS to get the information they need by telephone at 301-309-MCPS (6277). Telephone operators

who speak English and Spanish are available 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Parents who

speak languages other than English or Spanish who call the ASK MCPS telephone line and identify their

language will have their questions answered through a telephone interpreter.

V OLU ME 1, ISS UE 9 Page 8

School Calendar

April

2-9 NO SCHOOL; Spring Break

12 Report Cards go home

16-20 Terra Nova 2 Testing for Grade 2

24-29 Science MSA testing

23-27 Book Fair

Week of 4/23 ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS’ WEEK

25 Math and Science Night

26 Take Your Child to Work Day

May

2 PTA Meeting and elections

2&3 Kindergarten Orientation

4 Class pictures

Week of 5/7 Staff Appreciation Week

18 Patrol Picnic

International Night

23 Volunteer Tea

5th grade musical

28 Holiday; No School

30 Vocelli Pizza Night

S. CHRISTA MCAULIFFE

Our Vision: A community school where

parents and staff work together as partners

for the development of the whole child.

Our Mission: A partnership of parents and

staff preparing our children for the future.

Visit us on the web!

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/mcauliffees

testing season continues ssage · 2012-04-23 · >parent r.a.p.s. flyer >kindergarten...

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