![page background](https://cdn.smore.com/u/backgrounds/custom_bg-64e92af678a29964a0917347-6b9c98b80c05.jpg)
Stonegate Greetings
Weekly Newsletter
![Stonegate Greetings Weekly Newsletter](https://cdn.smore.com/u/ae61/67d2dc4964dfae48727afdc0d8eae261.jpg)
Translate this newsletter using the "Translate" button at the top of this page.
Traduzca este boletín usando el botón "Translate" en la parte superior de esta página.
Dịch bản tin này bằng nút "Translate" ở đầu trang này.
Traduza este boletim informativo usando o botão "Translate" no topo desta página.
Monday 1/8:
Grade 5 Field Trip to National Building Museum
3rd Grade MAP-M Testing
Tuesday 1/9:
Sky’s The Limit Dance, Grades K-2
4th and 5th Grade MAP-R Testing
Wednesday, 1/10:
Papa John's Pizza Card Fundraiser online through 1/15
Thursday, 1/11:
Sky’s The Limit Dance, Grades 3-5
3rd Grade MAP-R Testing
Friday, 1/12:
LFI Community Outing 10 am -1:30 pm
4th and 5th Grade MAP-M Testing
Upcoming Dates
January 15: Holiday- All MCPS Schools closed; No School for all students
January 16: 2nd Grade MAP-P Testing
January 18: 1st Grade MAP-P Testing
January 18: Middle School Curriculum Night 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. at Farquhar Middle School for families of Gr 5 students who will attend Farquhar MS
January 19: Kindergarten MAP-P Testing
January 25: Winter Concert Stonegate Chorus and Instrumental Music
January 29: No School for all students
February 6: PTA Meeting
February 16: Grade 1 Field Trip to Imagination Stage
February 19: Presidents' Day—Schools and offices closed
February 22: No School for PEP (Ms. Tyler’s class) and Prekindergarten (Mrs. Williams’ class) only
March 1: Early release day for students; No school for Ms. Tyler’s PEP classes
March 25- April 1: Spring Break
April 10: No School for all students
April 22: No School for all students
See the MCPS Yearlong Calendar
Principal’s Message
Dear Stonegate Elementary Caregivers and Families,
On Jan 15, MCPS schools are closed in remembrance of Dr. King’s birthday. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is not only a time for reflection on the legacy of the iconic civil rights leader but also a day of service and community engagement. Recognized as a national day of service, MLK Day encourages individuals across the United States to honor Dr. King's commitment to social justice by actively contributing to their communities. People participate in various service projects, volunteering their time and skills to address pressing issues, promote equality, and make a positive impact. Whether it's participating in community cleanups, organizing food drives, or volunteering at local organizations, MLK Day serves as a powerful reminder that each person has the ability to contribute to the betterment of society and carry forward Dr. King's vision of a more just and compassionate world. Through acts of service, individuals come together to build stronger, more connected communities, embodying the spirit of unity and equality that Dr. King championed throughout his life.
This month, each class is participating in activities that honor and remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Warmly,
Linda M. Jones
Principal, Stonegate Elementary
Dressing for Cold Weather
Students should dress warmly every day.
Students regularly go outside for Recess for 30-35 minutes each day.
Students are outside during Arrival and Dismissal each day.
Some emergencies or drills require students to stand outside the building.
Some parts of the building feel cold. We continue to work on classroom temperatures every day.
We encourage students to wear long clothes and avoid bare legs.
Label coats, hats, and gloves.
Career Day 2024
Winter MAP testing begins Monday, January 8th.
All elementary school students in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) take the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessments during the fall, winter, and spring to measure student growth and achievement.
Kindergarten through second grade students take MAP-P, the primary math assessment.
Third through fifth graders take both MAP-R (reading) and MAP-M (math).
Attendance - Please make sure your child is on time to school and try to make an effort to avoid appointments if possible so your child doesn’t miss their class’s testing date.
Sleep and Breakfast - Please make sure your child gets a good night's sleep and eats a healthy breakfast the day of testing.
MCPS uses results from the MAP assessments to monitor each student’s progress throughout the school year as well as progress from one school year to the next. Teachers and school staff utilize the MAP scores to inform instruction, personalize the learning as well as to measure the performance and growth of students. MAP scores are one data point of many that teachers utilize to inform teaching and learning on a whole class, small group and individual basis.
If your child receives accommodations through 504, English Learner (EL) Plan, or an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP), your school case manager will work with the school test coordinator to arrange for the administration of the accommodations for MAP testing.
As an overview to understand the MAP assessment, an overview of how MAP works, what it measures, and common questions you may access this resource from the NWEA website, the creator of the MAP assessment.
Please see the calendar below for your child’s testing date(s). If you have any questions, please let your child’s teacher know.
*Only Testing related to the MAP testing is on this calendar.
ACCESS for ELLs Testing for students in English Language Development in Grades K-5
Emergent Multilingual Learners (previously called "ESOL" students) will participate in the annual ACCESS for ELLs assessment beginning this week. Students will take a reading, listening, speaking and writing subtest. This assessment will monitor students' progress in acquiring academic English.
Parent Resources:
Middle School Curriculum Night- for incoming 6th graders at Farquhar Middle School
Farquhar Middle School is excited to invite the incoming 6th grade parents to their annual Middle School Curriculum Night. This event is an excellent opportunity to meet with the 6th grade team, gain insight into content specialists’ recommendations for success in middle school and hear students’ perspective about their experience at Farquhar.
This event will take place in the Farquhar M.S. cafeteria on Thursday, January 18th from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. We hope to see you there!
Please email Amy Councilman, Assistant Principal at Farquhar, if you have any questions regarding this event at Amy_L_Councilman@mcpsmd.org
Emergency Closures or Delays at Stonegate Elementary and MCPS
MCPS Operating Status and Color Codes for Stonegate:
Green: Normal Operations
Yellow: Two Hour Delay
Blue: Early Dismissal
Orange: Schools Closed/Offices Open
Red: School System is Closed (Schools closed/Offices closed)
Purple: Virtual Learning Day
What does it mean for us at Stonegate?
1. Green: Normal Operations
All schools and offices are open on time.
2. Yellow: Two Hour Delay
Grades K-5 start at 10:40 a.m. and dismiss at the typical time.
Mrs. Williams' Pre-K class also starts at 10:40 a.m. and dismisses at the standard time.
Morning busses arrive at each stop 2 hours later than they normally would
Global Childcare will communicate about their hours and availability.
Ms. Tyler's AM PEP class is canceled. Ms. Tyler's PM PEP class starts at 12:50 p.m.
Parent meetings before 11:00 a.m., including IEP meetings, are canceled
Field Trips are canceled
When schools are delayed, the announcement is made no later than 5:00 a.m. (or the night before if possible).
3. Blue: Early Dismissal
K-5 and LFI start at the normal time and dismiss at 12:55 p.m.
Ms. Tyler's AM PEP class occurs as is normally scheduled. Ms. Tyler's PM PEP class is canceled.
Evening Activities may be canceled.
Global Childcare will communicate about their hours and availability.
When schools are closing early for emergency conditions, the announcement is made by 11:00 a.m.
4. Orange: Schools Closed/Offices Open
Classes are canceled for all students in MCPS, every grade.
Teachers and Paraeducators do not come to school
The office and school have limited staff available on site.
Parent meetings, including IEP meetings, are canceled.
Global Childcare will communicate about their hours and availability.
5. Red: School System is Closed (Schools closed/Offices closed)
Classes are canceled for all students in MCPS, every grade.
The office and schools have no one on site.
Parent meetings, including IEP meetings, are canceled.
Global Childcare is closed.
6. Purple: Virtual Learning Day
More information is coming. See the site aboout Code Purple here: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/emergency/virtual-learning/
January 2024 Lunch Menu
There are different menus for Pre-K, Elementary, Middle School, and High School.
The January Menu for MCPS school meals is here:
Apply now for Free Meals at https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application
Interested families must reapply each school year. It takes 15 minutes!
Maryland State Report Card
The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has released the 2023 Maryland Report Card for all schools in the state of Maryland. Our school’s Maryland Report Card can be found at this link https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/Graphs/#/ReportCards/ReportCardSchool/1/E/1/15/0316/0
The Maryland Report Card is designed to evaluate school success in several ways, measuring state test results in English Language Arts/Literacy and math; postsecondary readiness; progress of English learners in achieving English language proficiency; graduation rate; and students with access to and earning credit for a well-rounded curriculum.
Below are a few resources to help you understand the Maryland Report Card:
While the Maryland Report Card does provide important information about our schools, it provides a limited view into the progress of our more than 161,000 students. To better understand how our schools are serving all of our students, MCPS has developed the Equity Accountability Model that provides a more detailed and focused report of school success. The Equity Accountability Model uses multiple and frequent measures of students’ progress to determine if a school is meeting the needs of ALL students, with a special emphasis on reducing and eliminating disparities in student achievement.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have additional questions.
Sincerely,
Linda M. Jones
PTA - Stay Connected!
The next PTA meeting will be Tuesday, February 6 at 8 pm. The meeting will be held via Zoom. More details will be provided prior to the meeting.
Stonegate Spirit Wear Store
Need some new Stonegate gear, check-out the Stonegate On-Demand Store for your new spirit we
Papa John's Pizza- Buy one, Get one for a YEAR!
For $15 you can purchase a Papa John's pizza card that allows you to buy one pizza and get one pizza free for a YEAR!
Valid for carryout orders only and it provides unlimited use for a year - through 12/31/24.
- The 5th grade classes are hosting this opportunity to raise funds for their promotion and end of the year activities. The class receives $10 for every card sold. Thank you 5th grade parent Mrs. Kelly for organizing.
- Order and pay electronically at: PayPal to Natalie_M_Kelly@mcpsmd.org OR Venmo to @Nataliemariekelly
- **If paying electronically be sure to include your student's name and teacher so that the cards can be delivered!
Clothing To Cash Recycling Program
Clothing to Cash® is a program that collects new and used clothing, shoes, sheets, towels, and all textiles and pays the school for every pound collected. As your child is outgrowing clothes, don’t throw those clothes away, give clothes a second life by donating them to Stonegate.
This recycling program is a win-win! It’s free and convenient for families and also serves as an ongoing fundraiser that serves our students and school community.
The program is operated entirely OUTSIDE and is located in the school parking lot, where students, parents, staff, and the community can drop off items throughout the year. They have state-of-the-art photo quantity sensors installed in each bin that report 3 times daily allowing the company to schedule service as needed. They empty the collection bin, weigh the contents to determine our school earnings, and pay our school each month. Every donation helps. If each family donates just one kitchen-size trash bag, we will earn $1000- $2000 yearly.
Stonegate families, relatives, neighbors, and staff are all encouraged to participate!
ParentVUE
ParentVue is a central online location for students and their parents, guardians, or other authorized adults to access MCPS student information. Parents/caregivers who do not have an account created will receive a letter from MCPS with instructions and access codes for activation.
Here is a ParentView quick guide and directions for activating your account. If you need an activation letter or assistance, please contact the office.
Here is the MCPS Parent Tech Support Website:
https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/parents/tech-info-support
Your Remind Settings
Adjust your account settings for Remind!
You can add/remove email addresses and phone numbers at www.remind.com. Choose “Sign up” and enter your phone number. Your account as an MCPS parent will come up and will allow you to edit your communication settings.
If you would like to add a phone to receive Remind text messages from the school, text @436ch8 to the number 81010
SchoolCash Online - For Field Trips and Classroom Activities
Activate your account today! With your account, you will receive an email each time there is a new activity fee added for your child(ren).
One-Pager - Parent Registration Instructions - 2022 - Montgomery
Stonegate Elementary School
Stonegate Elementary School
14811 Notley Road
Silver Spring, MD 20905
Main Office: 240- 740-7430
Arrival 8:40-9:00 a.m.
Dismissal 3:25 p.m.
All walkers will exit through the front doors. We ask that caregivers please greet your students behind the cones away from the front entrance of the double doors.
Picking up early?
If you need to pick your child up early, please do so before 3 p.m. The main office cannot accommodate parent pick-ups after 3:00 p.m.
Principal: Linda_M_Jones@mcpsmd.org
Twitter: @StonegatePrin
Assistant Principal: Franny_S_Wooler@mcpsmd.org
Twitter: @FrannyWooler
Visit us on the web at: www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/stonegatees/