Jan 13, 2017 - Visit www.giantfood.com/aplus and scroll down to the center of the page to ... CUSTOMERS; or, Call the A+
Friday, January 13, 2017
Linda M. Jones, Principal Kimberly A Thompson, Assistant Principal
The Principal’s Message for Stonegate Families Stonegate Elementary School 14811 Notley Road Silver Spring, MD 20905
THE STONEGATE SPLASH A MESSAGE FROM MRS. JONES
Happy New Year “Mission Possible II!” I am proud to be the principal of Stonegate Elementary and excited about what’s to come in the new year. This past year we have seen tremendous growth in all our students, and as we move into the new year we will continue to build on and deepen the skills and strategies they have mastered. With a new year comes a time to reflect on the past and plan for the coming year. As we move into 2017, one of my goals is to continue to strengthen my relationships with families and staff and continue to make personal connections with all my students. I ask that you talk with your children about setting goals this year. Over the next couple of days, have a discussion with your children about what they are looking forward to in the new year—what they want to work on or make better. Ask them if they have set goals for themselves. If they have, ask them what their goals are and how you can support them. If they have not, give them some direction and guidance to help them set at least one goal this year. It could be personal or academic. Remember, small success is better than no success! As we embark on a new year, with new dreams and aspirations, I ask that we all continue to help our students/your children continue to show that their mission is possible and that they are truly the very best! The teachers need your help in making sure students come to school every day ready to work and ready to learn. We know every student is capable of doing dynamic things—we saw it in 2016, so we expect it to continue in 2017. Our theme this year at Stonegate is “Mission Possible II”. We believe that the “Mission” we are charged with as educators is possible. We know that we are doing great things for our students, our families, each other, and everything that we do at Stonegate. On behalf of the Stonegate staff, I wish you and your family a joyful, bright, healthy, prosperous, and happiest new year yet.
OUTDOOR RECESS
Important Dates: Jan. 16 No School - Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Day Jan. 20 No school - Presidential Inauguration Day Jan. 23 5:00
Jan. 25 Town Hall meeting: K -2, 9:20-10:00; Gr. 3-5, 10:1010:50, APR Jan. 26 Second marking period ends Gr. 5 Choral & Instrumental Music Winter Concert, 10:00 & 7:00, gym Jan 27 Professional Day — No School for Students
Temperatures have dropped and it is getting colder with each passing week. Generally, students will go outside for recess when it is 32°F or warmer (wind chill is factored in). Anytime the temperature falls below 32°F, we will stay inside. Please help us by making sure that your students are coming to school with appropriate winter clothing, coats, hats and gloves, as they will be going outside for recess on most days. 1
Staff meeting, 3:45-
STONEGATE SPELLING BEE On January 7, 2017, Stonegate held its annual spelling bee in the APR. There were many participants in grades 2 through 5 who demonstrated their fantastic spelling skills in the bee. We want to thank everyone who participated and our wonderful Stonegate PTA for a great spelling bee! The winners were: Hanan Shoshan-Second Grade
Anya Ottiende-Third Grade Gabriel Amha-Fourth Grade Leilee Duong-Fifth Grade The overall Stonegate winner was Gabriel Amha. 2nd Graders Nathanael Felton Brenna Davis Brook Asfaw Owen Grahl Ruth Zerihun Soniyah Bone Rayna Wofford Julianna Fry Hanan Shoshan Cameron Lang Nahom Isayas David Andoh Shirsha Biswas 3rd Graders Elena Cimmerman Rakan Hassan Sofia Ormol Dilraj Floura Jia Chopra Simone Carter Ruth Amha Mieraf Haile Anya Ottiende Caden Branch Joseph Alito Chloe Cuyun Brieana Hackney Kyle Lakhe Daniel Abodunrin Sophie Grahl
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3rd Grade Continued Ayan Ilias Tyler Le 4th Graders Isabelle Applebaum Jessica Kabik Gabriel Amha Sabrina Isayas Franklin Jean Lizzie Linck Alaya Scott 5th Graders Arya Ormol Sabrina Williams-Ridley Adam Zerihun Kymani Bone Leeyat Asseta Brian Chaponan Ewneet Ephrem Bailey Hackney Molly Lang Leilee Duong Khoi Cao Kris Lakhe Felice Shoshan Nora Abodunrin Ava Bailey Morgan Pitter-Nelson
MARKING PERIOD 2 REPORT CARDS Have You Joined The PTA?
It’s not too late; you can still join the PTA today and become a member of an organization that works for our children at the national, state, and local levels. The PTA is instrumental in planning activities for parents, teachers, and students and serves as an organized voice to the School Board to express our views. Questions? Please contact the Membership Committee Chair Kendra Harris at: stonegatepta.membership @gmail.com
The 2nd marking period ends on Thursday, January 26th. Marking Period 2 Report Cards will be distributed on Wednesday, February 8th. All students will receive a report card. Kindergarten report cards will share information about a student’s progress during the first semester (marking periods 1 and 2). Please visit the following website to learn more about how to read your child’s report card: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/grading/reportcards.aspx Any questions related to grading and reporting can be directed to Stefanie Bollock, Stonegate’s Staff Development Teacher and Grading and Reporting Representative at 301-989-5668 or
[email protected].
GIANT NEWS
Stonegate has the opportunity to earn cash from everyday food shopping.
To participate:
SIGN UP TODAY! MCPS currently communicates emergency or system wide changes through various media, including the MCPS website, MCPS ITV Channel 34, QuickNotes email service, Twitter, a recorded emergency information telephone line, and local media outlets. Alert MCPS adds the ability to communicate via text messages delivered to electronic devices such as cell phones and personal data assistants. This service provides messages in English and Spanish. You can subscribe to Alert MCPS by signing on to the Alert Montgomery website at https:// alert.montgomerycountymd. gov.
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Visit www.giantfood.com/aplus and scroll down to the center of the page to select REGISTER YOUR CARD from the red box on the right marked FOR CUSTOMERS; or, Call the A+ School Rewards Hotline at 1-877-275-2758 for assistance; or,Email the A+ Hotline. Please include the last name associated with your GIANT CARD, your 12-digit GIANT CARD number and our school name and school ID number* of our school (or the name, city and state in which the school is located) to:
[email protected].
EMERGENCY CLOSURE OF SCHOOLS
Yes, it’s time to start thinking about schools closing due to inclement weather conditions. How are the decisions made to close school, delay openings or close early? Closure of Schools: When schools are closed, all school and community activities are canceled, including athletic practices and events. Private day care providers in schools may elect to stay open if the administrative offices are open. In extreme conditions, the administrative offices may be closed.
Delayed Openings: If schools are closed or delayed, the announcement is made no later than 5:00 a.m. (or the night before if possible). Schools may open two hours late, and all operations, including bus transportation, are delayed by two hours from the regular schedule. Stonegate doors would open at 10:40. Early Dismissal: If schools are closing early, the announcements are made by 11:00 a.m. Schools may be closed 2.5 hours early, and all operations affecting dismissal of students, including bus transportation, will be activated 2.5 hours earlier than the regular school closing time. Stonegate would dismiss at 12:55.
PTA NEWS Welcome back from Winter Break! I hope all of our Stonegate families had the opportunity to enjoy some time together and make some memories over the holiday. Our students only have three short weeks remaining until the end of the second quarter. We have an educational and fun filled 3rd quarter beginning at the end of the month. We encourage you to attend the planned activities. Volunteers are also always welcome! Please mark your calendar with these upcoming 3rd quarter PTA events!
2/3/2017
Friday
2/7/2017
Tuesday
2/24/2017
Friday
2/27/2017 3/3/2017
MondayFriday
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Winter Dance & Silent Auction at White Oak Middle School (snow date 2/10/2017
7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
General Membership Meeting
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Family Science Night
Open during school hours.
2/27/20173/12/2017
PTA sponsored Scholastic Book Fair Read-a-thon
3/7/2017
Tuesday
3/10/2017
Friday
4/4/2017
Tuesday
7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
General Membership Meeting
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Science Fair
7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
PTA Family Roundtable
Thanks…
A big thank you to Mollie Weikert for coordinating an amazing cultural arts program last month. Students and staff alike were dancing to the music! Thank you to all of the students that participated in the Spelling Bee on January 7th. Students practiced and studied diligently for many weeks. We are so proud of their hard work and dedication. Congratulations to Gabriel Amha, our overall winner! Thank you to Melissa Labriola and Colleen Kolb-Cimerman for coordinating the Stonegate Spelling Bee. A record number of students participated. Thanks to Linda Morris and Jessica Willis for their work on the yearbook. Look for a pre-order flyer soon!
Looking forward… The Winter Dance and Silent Auction will be held at White Oak Middle School on Friday, February 3, 2017 from
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Put your dancing shoes on and join us on the dance floor! If you have a service or item you would like to donate to the silent auction, please contact Melissa Labriola at
[email protected] We look forward to a great 2017! Please contact me with any suggestions, questions, or concerns at
[email protected].
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Jennifer Willis Stonegate PTA President
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. As we take time to celebrate the accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we keep in our hearts his mission and vision for a world where people come together as one and work towards the common goal of social responsibility and respect for all. Coretta Scott King once said that “The greatest birthday gift my husband could receive is if people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds celebrate the holiday by performing individual acts of kindness through service to others….” She then went on to remind us that his birthday should be viewed not as a day off, but a day on. Reflecting on Dr. King’s life work, we are reminded of how parents and staff come together at Stonegate to serve our most precious gifts, our children. As you begin to think about our approaching extended weekend, please share with your children Dr. King’s dream. Fast Facts About Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Quick Reference to Frequently Called Numbers Child Find (programs for children w/ disabilities) 301-929-2224 West Farm Bus Depot 301-879-1065 Early Childhood Education (Pre K-2nd) 301-230-0691 Food and Nutrition Services 301-840-8170 General Info (MCPS Call Center) 301-309-6277 Hispanic Hotline 301-230-3073 Homework Hotline (Channel 52) 301-279-3234 Weather Info (Late opening/early closings) 301-279-3673
Dr. King was such a good student that he began college at the age of 15. He became an ordained minister at 19.
In 1955, Dr. King was a leader of a bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama. The boycott lasted for more than a year. Black citizens of Montgomery refused to ride the buses until the city changed unfair segregation rules.
On August 28, 1963, Dr. King led the March on Washington. The march’s purpose was to get the government to pass a law to help all Americans have a chance to get a good education and good jobs.
Dr. King and his wife, Coretta, had four children.
In 1964, the U.S. government passed the law Dr. King had worked for. He showed that changes could be accomplished without violence.
Ronald Reagan signed a law making Dr. King’s birthday a federal holiday in 1983. It has been celebrated on the third Monday of January since 1986.
SAVE THE DATE FOR NEON GLOW DANCE! SAVE THE DATE: NEON/GLOW DANCE- Friday, February 3, 2017 Please join the PTA and kids of Stonegate Elementary School for the annual school dance and silent auction!!
Who- Stonegate ES kids and family Where- White Oak Middle School When- Friday, February 3, 2017 (snow date Feb 10, 2017) What- Dance and Silent Auction Why- Shake the winter blues & HAVE FUN 5
STAY HEALTHY SHARKS Core Values
There is a stomach virus that has been affecting many students and staff at Stonegate. PLEASE remember that if your child vomits on a school night or in the morning - keep them home from school. If your child has a fever, they need to be fever free for 24 hours before they return. Stay healthy Sharks—remember to wash your hands often and cover those coughs.
COUNSELOR’S CORNER Mission Statement Stonegate's mission as a caring community is to foster the growth of life -long learners by communicating high expectations and standards through respect, flexibility, and collaboration.
Vision Statement The Stonegate Community will be committed to a multicultural learning environment that motivates and supports all learners to achieve their greatest potential. We will collaborate respectfully to develop a standard of excellence that promotes high expectations for all learners.
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Hi Stonegate Community, I want to share an article with you by Amy Przeworski Ph.D. The article gives tips for helping kids deal with anxiety and stress. It’s a good article with some great tips. I hope you find it helpful. Here is the link: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/dont-worry-mom/201302/12-tips-reduce-yourchilds-stress-and-anxiety In addition here are two great books on the topic of worrying: *Wilma Jean The Worry Machine by Julia Cook (ages 6-11) *Don’t Panic Annika! By Juliet Clare Bell (ages 4-7) Sincerely, Mr. Seward Random fun fact about myself! When I was a kid I loved dinosaurs! I actually drew so many dinosaur pictures that it covered an entire wall of my bedroom!
MCPS OPERATING BUDGET MCPS Operating Budget: Let Your Voice Be Heard Superintendent Jack Smith released his $2.52 billion operating budget recommendation for Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 during a presentation to the Board of Education on December 13. The budget calls for a 2.5 percent increase in spending that will allow the district to manage significant enrollment growth and build the foundation and structure that is needed to ensure that all MCPS students are able to achieve at higher levels. Be sure to share your ideas and views on the importance of funding the MCPS operating budget with our elected Montgomery County officials—the Montgomery County Board of Education, the County Executive, and the Montgomery County Council—through emails, letters, and testimonials. The Board of Education held two public hearings in the auditorium of the Carver Educational Services Center on the budget recommendation: the first was Thursday, January 5; the second was Wednesday, January 11. Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett will be holding forums this month to seek input from residents about the county’s FY 2018 budget priorities. The first two were scheduled for Monday, January 9, and Wednesday, January 11. The County Executive will announce his Recommended FY 2018 Operating Budget on March 15. In April, the County Council will hold public hearings and approve the operating budget at the end of May. There are a variety of ways that you can learn more about the MCPS budget and become involved in the budget process this year, including the Budget 101 website; and an overview of the budget and other documents available on the MCPS budget webpage. Visit the budget webpage at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/budget/ to read more about these resources and how to make your voice heard. Presupuesto Operativo de MCPS: Haga Oír Su Voz El Superintendente Jack Smith publicó su recomendación de $2.52 mil millones para el presupuesto operativo para el Año Fiscal 2018 durante una presentación al Consejo de Educación el pasado 13 de diciembre. El presupuesto solicita un aumento del 2.5 por ciento en gastos que permitirá al distrito escolar manejar el crecimiento significativo de la matrícula y construir la base y la estructura necesarias para garantizar que todos los estudiantes de MCPS puedan rendir a altos niveles. Asegúrese de compartir con nuestros funcionarios electos del Condado de Montgomery sus ideas y opiniones sobre la importancia de financiar el presupuesto operativo de MCPS—el Consejo de Educación del Condado de Montgomery, el Ejecutivo del Condado, y el Concejo del Condado de Montgomery—a través de correos electrónicos, cartas, y testimonios. El Consejo de Educación estará llevando a cabo dos audiencias públicas sobre la recomendación presupuestaria: la primera es el jueves, 5 de enero; la segunda es el miércoles, 11 de enero. Ambas audiencias se realizarán a las 7:00 p.m., en el auditorio de Carver Educational Services Center. El Ejecutivo del Condado, Isiah Leggett, tendrá cinco foros durante este mes para solicitar la opinión de los residentes sobre las prioridades presupuestarias del condado para el Año Fiscal 2018. Los primeros dos están programados para el lunes, 9 de enero, y para el miércoles, 11 de enero. Ambos foros serán de 7:00 a 8:30 p.m. El foro del 9 de enero se llevará a cabo en Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center, ubicado en 4805 Edgemoor Lane, en Bethesda. El foro del 11 de enero se llevará a cabo en Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center, ubicado en 3300 Briggs Chaney Road, en Silver Spring. Los tres foros restantes están programados para el 18, 25, y 30 de enero en distintos lugares del Condado de Montgomery.
El Ejecutivo del Condado anunciará el 15 de marzo su Presupuesto Operativo Recomendado para el Año Fiscal 2018. En abril, el Concejo del Condado llevará a cabo audiencias públicas, y a fines de mayo aprobará el presupuesto operativo. Hay diversas maneras en que usted puede conocer más acerca del presupuesto de MCPS y participar en el proceso presupuestario este año, incluyendo la página de Internet de Presupuesto 101 (Budget 101); y, un resumen del presupuesto y otros documentos disponibles en la página de Internet del Presupuesto de MCPS (MCPS Budget). Visite la página de Internet del Presupuesto ingresando a www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/budget/ para leer más acerca de estos recursos y cómo hacer oír su voz. 7
NUTS AND BOLTS
Attention Parents: We are in need of volunteers for recess and donations of kickballs, jump ropes, and basketballs. Please contact Dr. Thompson at (301) 989-5668 if you are interested in donating equipment or volunteering. Any time you can provide would be appreciated! In addition, we would appreciate any donations of new or gently used but greatly loved games that you may have around your home to use for indoor recess. The students especially enjoy the following games and they are great for indoor recess play: Uno, Yahtzee, Chess, Trouble, Sorry, Connect Four, and Memory. We would also appreciate donations of puzzles and building blocks of any size. Please send your donations to the school office. As always, thank you for your support!
Saturday School is Underway! Saturday School offers tutoring and mentoring in reading/language arts, mathematics, and test-taking skills for students in grades 1-12 that reside in Montgomery County. It takes place Saturday mornings from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at 12 high school centers. There is fast and easy registration online for the 2016/2017 school year. Follow this link to the Saturday School Registration page: http://www.saturdayschool.org/programs/enroll.shtm.
Lost and Found Please label your child’s clothing with their first and last name. We have a large number of lost and found items without labels. Please check the lost and found for any missing items that you may be looking for.
Colder Weather Is Here Please be sure your child is coming to school dressed appropriately for the weather. They should bring a jacket and any other items to ensure they are comfortable and warm at recess (gloves, hat, scarf, etc.). Generally, students will go outside for recess when it is 32°F or warmer (wind chill is factored in this). Anytime the temperature falls below 32°F, we will stay inside.
Homework Hotline Live
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Ask teachers for help Mondays from 6:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m. and Tuesday-Thursdays 4:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. on MCPS TV's Homework Hotline Live (HHL). Watch teachers here as they work with you to solve homework problems. To ask your question: From 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, call 301-279-3234 (STILL THE BEST--talk directly with a teacher). Tweet Us @AskHHL, Text HHL 724-427-5445, send an E-mail to
[email protected], or post a message on the HHL Facebook wall. Homework Hotline Live has been helping students for 30 years. It is a service of Montgomery County (Maryland) Public Schools. In addition to this website, HHL can be viewed in Montgomery County on cable TV (Comcast 34, Verizon FIOS 36, RCN 89).
