Dragon Tales
Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Elementary School
January 8, 2024
Happy New Year! May this year bring new happiness, new goals, and new achievements to our Dr. Mudd School Community.
Let’s embrace 2024 with hope and enthusiasm for a continuous year of growth and achievement in our school community.
We have several exciting events for the remainder of the school year. Look for information in the upcoming newsletters including Science Night, Desserts with Dads, Chick Fil A Night, 100th Day of School, Reading Night including One Book, One Dr. Mudd, Fine Arts Night, Summer Backpack Night, and many more special events.
Reminders
- Students should arrive to school between 8:25 am-8:45 am. Students arriving at 8:46 am are considered tardy and will need to be signed in by a parent/guardian at the main office. In order to enter any CCPS school, you must have your ID.
- Please make sure when dropping your students off in the morning, you are mindful of our drop off procedures. No cars are allowed in the parking lot until after 8:45 am. Only school buses and daycare vans are allowed in the parking lot prior to 8:45 am.
- Students will not be dismissed after 2:45 pm. We request any change in transportation is communicated by 12:00 pm on that day. Make sure to email Ms. Booze dbooze@ccboe.com; Ms. Soderstrom ssoderstrom@ccboe.com and your child's teacher. All requests must be in writing.
- When picking your child up in the afternoon from parent pick up, make sure you have your parent pick up cards that were provided to you at the beginning of the school year. If you have an emergency and have to send another adult to pick your child up, that person must have the parent pick up card/correct identification and you have informed the correct staff members.
- Also, if you come to the school after dismissal, please do not drive in the bus lane. Our final bus arrives around 3:35 pm. You may park on Stone Avenue, but you may not drive in the bus lane.
- If your child is being picked up early from school and a parent or guardian is not picking your child up, we must have in writing that you are giving that person permission to pick your child up from school.
- Dr. Mudd is no longer allowing outside food to be brought in for students to eat for breakfast or lunch.
Dates to Remember
January 10, 2024
- 2-hour Early Dismissal
January 11, 2024
- 3rd Grade (Thorne, Reed, George) Field Trip to the James E. Richmond Science Center
- 4th Grade Field Trip to the James E. Richmond Science Center
January 12, 2024
- 3rd Grade (Neely) Field Trip to James E. Richmond Science Center
- 4th Grade Field Trip to National Aquarium
January 15, 2024
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's Birthday School Closed
January 17, 2024
- ELA i-Ready Grades 1-5
January 18, 2024
- ELA i-Ready Grades 1-5
January 22, 2024
- Semester Break School Closed for Students
January 23, 2024
- Desserts with Dad (time to be determined)
January 24, 2024
- Super Science Night (more information will be coming soon)
January 25, 2024
- Math i-Ready Grades 1-5
January 26, 2024
- Math i-Ready Grades 1-5
January 29, 2024
- Report Cards Posted
Student Support Staff News
Reading News
ONE BOOK, ONE DR. MUDD
It is that time again where we will complete our school-wide reading incentive "With One Book, One Dr. Mudd", we are hopeful that this will reinforce reading instruction, increase parental involvement, and bridge a true community of readers. The book we have chosen for this school year is "The Complete Cookbook For Young Chefs". Your child will receive a copy of the book and a journal to keep track of progress.
Reading Night
We are excited to announce that Reading Night will be held on March 19, 2024 5:00pm-7:00pm
Attention! Tutors are Needed!
If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a Title I Tutor (Reading) for students in K-5, please let me know! This is a flexible position (Monday-Friday) and is designed to assist students with reading difficulties. Please reach out to Stephanie Fletcher, Reading Resource Teacher (ssfletcher@ccboe.com), Principal Parker (pzparker@ccboe.com), or Ms. Soderstrom (ssoderstrom@ccboe.com), Assistant Principal as soon as possible. This is a paid position: if you have 48 college credits ($16 per hour)/ BA or higher ($30 per hour).
Math News
Cool-down
The cool-down task is to be given to students at the end of the lesson. Students are meant to work on the cool-down for about 5 minutes independently and turn it in. The cool-down serves as a brief formative assessment to determine whether students understood the lesson. Students’ responses to the cool-down can be used to make adjustments to further instruction.
The response to student thinking provides guidance on how teachers might make adjustments based on specific student responses to a cool-down. Next day supports, such as providing students access to specific manipulatives or having students discuss their reasoning with a partner, are recommended for cool-down responses that should be addressed while continuing on to the next lesson. Teachers are directed to appropriate prior grade-level support for cool-down responses that may need more attention.
Testing/Gifted News
iReady
We are getting ready to begin iReady testing for grades 1-5. Scholars will take the reading iReady diagnostic on January 17th and 18th and will take the math iReady diagnostic on January 25th and 26th. Please be sure your scholar gets plenty of rest and you work on test taking strategies with them. This includes:
Reading each of the answer choices before selecting a response
Going back in the passage to look for the answer or clues
Summarizing the text as you read (stopping periodically to make sure you understand)
Using key details and what you know
Double checking your answer in math to make sure you get the same answer each time
Using the tools that are available (ruler, counters, underline tool etc.)
Taking your time and reading everything fully
Gifted
Information regarding gifted screening will go home at the end of the year (June 2024). This includes scores and the decision that is made for students who will receive services. Please note that those who are identified in need of services will receive services beginning the 2024-2025 school year.
4th Graders
Information regarding the Maryland Day Essay was sent home in the fall. If you are interested in completing the Maryland Day Essay, please contact Dr. Blue for another copy of the flyer. Essays must be submitted to your classroom teacher so they can be sent to Central Office by Wednesday, January 31, 2024.
Parent Liaison Corner
HAPPY NEW YEAR DR. MUDD STUDENTS & FAMILIES!!
I hope that everyone had a wonderful winter break.
It’s a New Year and I would like to share a few tips for students to have a Healthy New Year.
Students should get 9 hours of sleep daily.
Students should eat plenty of fruits & vegetables with every meal.
There should be two hours or less of screen time after school. Encourage your child to read.
At least one hour of physical activity is recommended.
Drink plenty of water and less sugary beverages.
MARK YOUR CALENDERS FOR THESE IMPORTANT DATES:
JANUARY 10, 2024- is a 2 HOUR EARLY DISMISSAL for students-Students will be dismissed at 1:15 pm.
JANUARY 15, 2024- SCHOOLS CLOSED. ALL CHARLES COUNTY SCHOOLS WILL BE CLOSED FOR STAFF AND STUDENTS IN OBSERVANCE OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING Jr.’s BIRTHDAY.
JANUARY 22, 2024- SCHOOLS CLOSED. ALL CHARLES COUNTY SCHOOLS WILL BE CLOSED FOR STUDENTS FOR A SEMESTER BREAK.
SCHOOL REMINDERS:
SCHOOL STARTS AT 8:45 AM DAILY. STUDENTS MAY ENTER THE SCHOOL BUILDING AT 8:30 AM. STUDENTS SHOULD NOT ARRIVE BEFORE THIS TIME AS THERE IS NO SUPERVISION. WE WANT OUR STUDENTS TO BE SAFE.
STUDENTS ARE CONSIDERED LATE AT 8:46 AM AND MUST BE SIGNED IN BY AN ADULT.
DAILY DISMISSAL IS AT 3:15 PM.
PARENTS CAN SIGN STUDENTS OUT FOR EARLY DISMISSAL UP UNTIL 2:45 PM.
BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR SOME UPCOMING FUN FAMILY EVENTS THIS MONTH!
THERE WILL BE A SUPER SCIENCE FAMILY NIGHT AND A DADVISORY EVENT. NOTICES WILL BE SENT VIA CLASS DOJO, TWITTER AND EMAIL COMMUNICATION.
Character Traits
Grade Level News
Kindergarten News
Happy New Year! We are excited to see what this year will bring! Here are some skills you can work on with your child at home:
Zipping coats, putting on gloves
Tying shoes
Using scissors correctly
Writing last name
If we do not have any inclement weather days, we will be celebrating our 100th day of school on February 2nd. If you would like to decorate a t-shirt with 100 things or dress what you would look like when you are 100 years old. See pictures below:
First Grade News
Hello First Grade Parents,
We are beginning our 5th reading module, Now You See It, Now You Don’t. We will talk about light and dark, and the many sources that light has on our daily life. Here are some more stories you can read at home.
Here are some phonics videos to watch with your child:
Second Grade News
Hello Second Grade Families!
We hope that your winter break has provided time to rest and recharge! Our investigation into numbers continues with the number line! Now that we have experience with features of a number line, we will use it to assist us with making calculations to add and subtract. Students will learn to represent sums and differences on the number line. They begin by representing addition and subtraction with directional arrows. An arrow pointing right represents addition, and an arrow pointing left represents subtraction. For example, the number lines show how students can represent 8 + 4 = 12(top) and 12 - 4 = 8 (bottom) on the number line.
Students will use this understanding to write equations based on number line representations and create the number line representation of a given equation. Students will also use the number line to represent computation strategies based on place value and the properties of addition (for example, adding tens then ones vs. adding ones then tens) as they explain their strategies and compare their strategies with those of their classmates.
In reading, we will be finishing our reading of books that focus on leadership. We will continue to focus on the structure of our writing. We will review text features that are important to understanding our reading in nonfiction texts. Reading at home as well as at school is critical to the growth of our scholars as reading and writing. Are they using strategies to help them with unfamiliar words?
As the winter season is in full swing, please make sure to watch the weather and for students to dress appropriately for school. Continue to monitor the weather as patterns can change. Check to be sure of any inclement weather or potential schedule changes that may occur as a result. If there are any delays, please be sure that students have breakfast prior to school. Breakfast is not served on days where there a delay.
We also have some exciting news! Second grade will be going on a field trip on February 29th to the National Aquarium! Each class will be able to take two chaperones for free. Thank you for your continued effort to help our students grow to be the best they can be!
Ms. Alexander, Ms. Bland, Mrs. Buitrago-Curtis, and Mr. Foster
Third Grade News
Parents please remember:
- Check folders and agenda books daily
- Let the office know by 12:30 of any changes to dismissal
- Breakfast is over at 8:55 so please be on time for school
- Send a water bottle to school for your child
- The weather is changing please make sure we have coats
- Please if you can send in tissues, glue sticks and pencils. We are running low
- Field Trip Jan 11 for George, Reed, Thorne to science center
- Field Trip Jan 12 for Neely to science center
Reading Reminders:
- Your child should be completing the homework packet daily and practicing their spelling words. The spelling words match the phonics skills being taught in class.
- We are starting our unit on teamwork
- Have your child practice writing by writing a letter to a teacher
- If you are able have your child, get on IREADY My Path at home for extra practice.
- Encourage them to read every night for 20 minutes.
Math Reminders:
- We are continuing to work on multiplication facts. Please work at home on facts and skip counting.
- We are starting our unit on division, being able to mulipty is very important
- We will need to review place value
- Have your child work on adding and subtracting using expanded form
- If you are able at home, please have your child get on IREADY My Path for math.
Fourth Grade News
In math, we are continuing Unit 4. We are learning about place value, multiplicative comparison, and comparing multi-digit numbers. This will help us move on to rounding in our upcoming unit.
In reading, we are beginning Module 5. We will be working to determine whether the author’s ideas are supported by facts or opinions, asking questions before, during, and after reading, identifying the text structure of a selection, and recognizing figurative language. Additional information on vocabulary and spelling words will be sent home with students in black Tuesday folders for practice at home. Consider reading with your students to enhance their comprehension strategies as well.
The 4th grade team has two upcoming field trips! We are visiting the Science Center on Thursday, January 11th. We are visiting the National Aquarium on Friday, January 12th. Please make sure to sign and return permission slips as well as scan the QR code to indicate your student’s lunch choice.
As a reminder, winter coats remain in lockers during the school day and are not permitted in classrooms. Students may bring a hoodie or sweatshirt to wear in chilly areas of the building instead.
Feel free to reach out to the team via email/Talking Points, or schedule a phone conference as needed. Happy New Year!
Ms. Butler, Ms. Doss, Mrs. Forbes, Ms. Williams
Fifth Grade News
Happy New Year!
Students are starting Module 5 in reading. They will focus on building their knowledge about our planet and the different things people do to care for the Earth and its living things. Reinforce the topic at home with these vocabulary words contaminate, benevolent, imperil, and endangered.
In Math, students are multiplying multi digit numbers.
Our next field trip will be Thursday, February 22, 2024. Students will be heading to the National Aquarium in Baltimore. If you would like to chaperone this trip, reach out to your child’s homeroom teacher by February 1 since you will need to be cleared and background checked.
Needed Supplies:
Tissue
Hand Sanitizer
Sanitizing Wipes
Erasers
Special Area News
Music
Students will be learning about dynamics in music! Is it loud? Quiet? Or in the middle? Get ready to ask your student(s) in grades Pre-K- 1 about loud and quiet sounds and student(s) in grades 2-5 about Italian music terms!
Art
The Pre-K students are painting winter landscapes using dark and light colors.
The Kindergarten students will paint the nighttime sky using dark and light colors.
The first-grade students will paint landscapes using warm and cool colors.
The 2nd-grade students will draw a wild animal’s face using oil pastels.
The 3rd Grade Students will draw a dinosaur’s face using oil pastels.
The 4th-grade students will create a 3D paper house.
The 5th-grade students will create a 3D tree house.
Science
Science Fair Projects are due Tuesday, January 16th. Please bring your project to the science room, #215. All projects should be labeled on the back with the student's name, grade and homeroom teacher’s name.
Super Science Night will be Wednesday, January 24, 5:30-7:30 pm. Students and parents can enjoy of fun evening of science activities and get a free Chick-fil-a dinner. Don’t forget to reserve your spot with Mrs. Smallwood, our parent liaison.
Library News
December Beanstack Challenge: Reading Wrap Up
Reading Wrap Up ended on New Year’s Eve. 34 of the top readers have earned a free book from Scholastic Book Publishers. Prizes are being given out Friday, January 5th.
Trying Different Genres
Students benefit greatly from experiencing various genres. Students have access to many genres of books from our school library, our school eBook library, school programs such as online access to school reading books and more. The local libraries in Charles County are also a wonderful, free source of reading material.
With all the access to books, please support students in trying different genres. Different genres have the following benefits:
Expanding vocabulary
Developing reading stamina
Gaining a wider range of preferred genres and topics of interest
Increasing knowledge and understanding of the world, people and cultures
Improving writing ability
Students are encouraged to read at least 15 minutes per day. In those minutes, encourage your child to read outside of their comfort zone. It might actually be – comfortable 😊
Book Recommendation: Martin Luther King Jr. Day is on January 15, 2024
This is a great opportunity to read “I Have A Dream.” It’s an illustrated picture book of Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous speech. The illustrator is Kadir Nelson. “I Have a Dream” is a Corretta Scott King Award and Parent’s Choice Silver Honor Award recipient. It is available at Amazon.com for about $12. Also, visit Charles County Public Library at ccplonline.org to borrow it at no cost.