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Stonegate Greetings
Weekly Newsletter
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Week of October 15, 2023
Monday 10/16:
SGA Manna Food Drive
Tuesday, 10/17:
Grade K Field Trip - Clark Elioak’s Farm
SGA Manna Food Drive
Sky’s The Limit Dance, K-2
Wednesday, 10/18:
Wear Pink!
Grade 1 Field Trip - Green Meadows Farm
SGA Manna Food Drive
PTA Restaurant Night - Bear Brick Oven Pizza from 4 - 9 pm
Thursday, 10/19:
LFI Field Trip to Butler’s Orchard
SGA Manna Food Drive
Sky’s The Limit Dance 3-5
Library Pumpkin Contest - Drop off begins
Friday, 10/20:
SGA Manna Food Drive
Spirit Day Wear Stonegate T Shirts
LFI Community Outing
Library Pumpkin Contest - Drop off
Upcoming Dates
October 23-27: Red Ribbon Week
October 25: No School for PreK only
October 26: Grade 5 Field Trip - Strathmore Music Center
October 30 - November 3: Mental Health Awareness Week
October 31: Halloween Parade, Class Parties, and Harvest Festival 2-3:15 pm
November
November 1: Grading and Planning for the end of term; No School for all students
November 1-15: Square 1 Art Fundraiser
November 15-January 15: Grade 5 Papa John’s Pizza Card Fundraiser
November 2: Grade 2 Field Trip - Sharp’s at Waterford Farms
November 2: Grade 5 Field Trip - Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
November 3: SGA Pumpkins and Plaid Dance 6:30-8:30 pm (New Date)
November 9: PTA Multicultural Night
November 15: Grade 2 Field Trip Strathmore Music Center
November 16: Student Picture Makeup Day 9-11 am
November 20-21: Early Release Day, Pre K-5, LFI. No school for PEP only
November 22-24: No School for all students, Thanksgiving Holiday
December
December 25-January 2: No School, Winter Break
Principal’s Message
Dear Stonegate Families and Caregivers,
We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your continuous support and involvement in our school community. We couldn't be more thrilled about the "1-2-3 Andres!" assembly, which marked a phenomenal conclusion to Hispanic Heritage Month. The energy, cultural pride, and educational value it brought to our students was truly inspiring.
I would like to emphasize the importance of participating in the Student Government's Food Drive with Manna Food Center. By contributing non-perishable foods, we're not only nourishing bodies but also strengthening bonds within our community. Manna is fighting hunger, feeding hope, and helping our neighbors get back on their feet. This small act of kindness can make a world of difference to our neighbors in need. If every one of our Stonegate families participated in the Food Drive, our donation would make a huge impact.
This month, we are coming together to raise awareness for Breast Cancer. Let's show our unity by wearing pink every Wednesday to demonstrate our solidarity with those affected by this disease.
Once again, thank you for your unwavering support. Together, we can make a positive impact on the lives of those around us.
Warmly,
Linda M. Jones
Principal, Stonegate Elementary
Halloween and the Harvest Festival at Stonegate on October 31st
At Stonegate, we have two parties on Oct 31. Both parties occur from 2:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Halloween Party:
Students can wear costumes and participate in a Halloween Parade
Costume rules: No blood, no weapons. Characters from Horror Films are not permitted, including Freddy Krueger, Ghostface, the Joker, Pennywise the clown, Michael Myers and Jason.
The Parade will occur on the field beside the school
Students return to classrooms to enjoy a Halloween Party
Grade Levels and classroom teachers will communicate more details about your child’s Halloween Party
Harvest Party
At the same time, we have a Fall Harvest Party.
Students will enjoy crafts and activities centered around fall, pumpkins and candy!
WIll your student attend the Harvest Party? Click Here
Emergency Preparedness at Stonegate
Every MCPS school completes practice drills for what to do in an emergency. By practicing, we ensure all staff and students know how to respond in an emergency.
In the next two weeks, Stonegate will conduct drills for
Evacuate (Fire Drill): we practice getting out of the building safely and quickly
Shelter: we practice what to do if there were a public safety concern in the neighborhood.
Lockdown: We practice our response to imminent danger in the school or on campus.
Shelter and Lockdown drills are announced in advance to teachers and students. For fire drills, most are announced and some may be unannounced.
You can read and review this Emergency Preparedness Brochure for families(.pdf)
English | 中文 | Français | 한국어 | Español | Việt Nam
How to Receive Emergency Information for MCPS Schools
Use this link to find all the ways you can connect with MCPS to receive emergency operational information from the school system.
PTA Restaurant Night on Wednesday, October 18th
Need a mid-week break from cooking? Join us at Bear Brick Oven Pizza on Wednesday, October 18 from 4 - 9 pm for Restaurant Night. Mention the "Stonegate PTA" when ordering dinner, and the PTA will receive a 15% donation of all Stonegate orders to support our programs and activities.
PTA Membership Drive ends soon… Join today!
This is the last week of our annual Membership Drive, which has been extended to Sunday, October 22! Joining the PTA helps increase the resources to support our students and staff by providing activities like the Back-To-School picnic, cultural assemblies, gym resources, teacher mini-grants, and more! Membership also helps build a stronger school community and foster positive community engagement opportunities.
We have almost reached this year’s goal, and we need your help to cross the finish line. Please take a few minutes to join online today. Encourage your family, friends, and neighbors to support our Stonegate Sharks! The Membership Drive adds a bit of fun and friendly competition to see which class will reach the highest percentage of PTA members. There will be a grand prize winner and grade level winners, too. Your student’s class could win a pizza or popsicle party!
Who's in the lead… check-out the current leader board:
- Kindergarten: Nguyen at 80%
- Fourth grade: Congress at 79%
- Third grade: Grammar at 73%
- Fifth grade: Moon at 68%
- Second grade: Dantzler at 66%
- First grade: McKnight at 52%
- Pre-K: Williams at 5%
Pumpkins and Plaid *NEW DATE*
The Stonegate Elementary Student Government Association is sponsoring the “Pumpkins and Plaid”
NEW DATE: Friday, November 3 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Suggestion donation: $3 per person or a Non-Perishable food item
Apply for Free and Reduced Price Meals
Apply now for Free Meals at
https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application
All interested families must reapply each school year. Apply once per school year. It takes 15 minutes!
What you will need to provide during the application process:
The names and incomes of every member of your household
The school, grade, and birthdate of every student in your household
Your social security number and electronic signature
(Optional) A valid email address or phone number for district communication about the status of the application.
Personal Body Safety Lessons
During November and early December, our school counselor and classroom teachers will be presenting lessons on the topic of child abuse and neglect. The lessons are known as Personal Body Safety Lessons
Please see this message about the upcoming social-emotional lessons on personal body safety. All classrooms will be receiving these lessons beginning in November.
SchoolCash Online - For Field Trips and Classroom Activities
Register for SchoolCash Online today
It’s fast, easy & free
Activate an account today so you will be notified via email and pay for your child(ren)’s school activity fees online.
One-Pager - Parent Registration Instructions - 2022 - Montgomery
October Lunch Menu
See the October Menu for School Meals here:
Chilly Weather & Lost and Found
Students should dress appropriately for the weather as we play outside for recess most days.
We encourage students to bring a labeled jacket or sweater as they may feel cold in different spaces in the building
Label your students Jacket, Water Bottles, and Hoodies
The Lost and found is filling with hoodies and jackets.
To help eliminate our lost and found, Stonegate is partnering with Mabel’s Labels to offer products to label water bottles, jackets, lunch boxes, etc. Proceeds will benefit our 5th Grade Promotion celebrations. Go to campaigns.mabelslabels.com
Upcoming Field Trips
Permission slips are coming home with students. Please check your student’s folder and return the permission slip.
We encourage online payments at https://mcpsmd.schoolcashonline.com/
School Cash Online is MCPS’ online payment system. Cash or checks payable to Stonegate Elementary accepted but Online payments preferred for safety and security purposes.
Students will not be denied the opportunity to attend a trip due to financial hardship. If you need to make special arrangements to cover the cost of the trip, please contact your child’s teacher via email or note.
Counselor’s Corner- Mental Health Awareness Week
Mental Health Awareness Week is open to students, parents/guardians, and Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) staff to learn about resources that schools and families may access or to which referrals may be made to support students’ physical, social, and psychological well-being. We hope you will support this important effort by MCPS to raise awareness and discussions about our students’ mental health and wellness.
Important Dates
The live Waymaking special on student mental health forum will be held on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at Richard Montgomery High School, from 6:30–8:00 p.m.
The virtual resource fair and expert panel will be held on Saturday, November 4, 2023, from 12:00–1:30 p.m.
Links
For additional information visit the Mental Health Awareness Week website
Stonegate ES Counseling Website
https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/stonegate-counseling/home
The Holiday Giving Project of Montgomery County
The Holiday Giving Project (HGP) of Montgomery County has provided Thanksgiving meals and December holiday assistance to families in need for over 30 years. If you and your family are in need and would like to be referred to possibly receive assistance for the holiday season and your children attend Stonegate, please complete the following referral form. Resources are limited: please apply only if you and your family are truly in need. While a referral is not a guarantee of assistance, the Project helps as many families in need as donations allow. The information is required to make a referral to The Holiday Giving Project.
To be referred for assistance, you must complete the form by Friday, October 20th, 2023 to be considered for services.
When To Keep Your Child Home from School
Cold and flu season is upon us! When your child is sick, they should stay home and not attend school. This is necessary for your child, and in the best interests of other children and staff in the classroom at school.
What Are Important Signs of Illness?
Temperature of more than 100 ºF orally
Nausea or vomiting
Stomachache
Diarrhea
Pale or flushed face
Headache
Persistent cough
Earache
Thick yellowish discharge from nose
Sore throat
Rash or infection of the skin
Red or pink eyes
Loss of energy or decrease in activity
What Should I Do If My Child Has Any of These Signs?
If your child has any of these symptoms when it is time for school, it is best that they stay home. Most childhood illnesses are over soon and there is no cause for worry. But, if the symptoms are severe or persist for more than 24 hours, you should contact your private source of medical care.
Children sometimes use illness as an excuse to miss school. On the other hand, some children force themselves to go to school even though they are sick. There may be times that your child does not show signs of the above-noted symptoms but may be ill. It is up to you to be alert to your children's health and to decide when it is best to send them to school.
When Should My Child Return to School After An Illness?
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that individuals stay home at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.8 degrees Celsius) or signs of a fever (chills, feeling very warm, flushed appearance or sweating) without the use of fever-reducing medicine.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/school/guidance.htm
Generally, your child may return to school when there is no longer a sign of illness. However, there may be times when it is necessary for your child to see your source of medical care before returning to school. Please call your school nurse if you have any questions regarding a specific condition.
What Will Happen If My Child Becomes Ill at School?
If your child complains of being sick or does not look well after they reach school, we will contact you. Therefore, it is important that you provide the school with up-to-date information and phone numbers to call in case it is necessary to contact you.
From: COVID-19 Update
Remind Communication at Stonegate
We are excited to announce the launch of our new communication platform, "Remind"! This innovative tool is designed to streamline our connection with you. Caregivers will receive information as text messages. These texts can be translated with your family’s language. Read them, reply back to them and save the Remind number into your Contacts area with a name you choose (i.e. Ms. Parker) so that when messages from your child's teachers and school administrators are delivered to your mobile phone, they appear more familiar to you.
With "Remind," you can expect:
Instant Updates: Receive important announcements, event reminders, and urgent notifications directly to your mobile device or email in real-time.
Easily message teachers and staff, and even reply to messages, all within the secure and user-friendly platform.
Customized Settings: Tailor your notification preferences to suit your schedule and communication preferences, ensuring you receive updates in a way that works best for you.
Multi-language Support: "Remind" offers translation capabilities, ensuring that all families can access and understand important information, regardless of language barriers.
Getting started with "Remind" is quick and easy. Caregivers should receive texts without having to download an app or join a class.
If you prefer to receive your messages using the Remind App, or to change your preferences, please see the Parent Quick Guide Here: Remind Quick Guide for Parents.pdf
Clothing To Cash Recycling Program
Clothing to Cash® is a program that collects New and Used Clothing, Shoes, Sheets, Towels, (all Textiles) and pays the school 10 cents for every pound collected. The program is operated entirely OUTSIDE and is be 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 to prevent overflow and allows the company to schedule service as needed (no other companies use this technology). They empty the collection bin, weigh the contents to determine our school earnings and pays our school monthly. The average school (500 - 1000 students) will earn $1000- $2000 yearly if each student would donate just one 13-gallon kitchen size trash bag yearly!! Add in parents, siblings, relatives, neighbors, and staff and Stonegate’s earnings could really increase.
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
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/