Rocky's Schoolhouse Scoop
October 15th, 2023
Principal's Message
Dear Fort School Parents,
I hope this message finds you well. As we move further into the fall season, I wanted to express our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support in making the Fort a truly special place to be. The past few weeks have been nothing short of amazing, and it's all thanks to your dedication and continued involvement.
From generous donations to active participation at events like "Coffee with Courtien," and the resounding success of our "Race for Education," it's evident that our Fort School community is thriving. Your commitment to our school's mission and the welfare of our students is truly commendable.
As we continue this journey together, I would like to bring a couple of important reminders to your attention:
Race for Education (10/27): Our Race for Education event is just around the corner on October 27th. If you, your family members, or friends plan to attend and cheer on our runners, we kindly ask you to pre-register. Please refer to the emails you have received for instructions on how to pre-register. Your support at this event is greatly appreciated, and we want to ensure it goes as smoothly as possible.
Fall/Halloween Celebrations (10/31): Halloween, a day of fun and festivities, falls on October 31st. Please note that, due to a half-day schedule, we will not be able to accommodate a community parade this year. Students and staff will participate in a spirit walk during the day. Our dedicated room parents will be joining the fall celebrations, and we encourage all staff and students to embrace the Halloween spirit safely and responsibly.
As we gear up for this festive occasion, we kindly request that all costumes be school-appropriate and sensitive to our diverse school community. We want to ensure a comfortable and respectful environment for all students.
Thank you once again for being an integral part of our Fort Smallwood community. Your enthusiasm and commitment to the well-being and growth of our students make our school an extraordinary place. We look forward to sharing more wonderful moments with you in the coming weeks and months.
If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
Wishing you and your families a safe and joyful Halloween season.
Warm regards,
Molly Courtien
Attendance Updates
I'm delighted to share some fantastic news with you. Our school has made strides in improving attendance compared to this time last year. This accomplishment is a testament to the dedication and commitment of our students and families.
However, our journey is not complete, and we must continue to work together to maintain this positive momentum. Your ongoing support is crucial. Please continue to send your students to school regularly and on time. Every day in the classroom is a day of learning and growth for our students.
📸Snapshots from the Fort📸
🎉FSES Staff Shout OUTS! 🎉
We know our FSES staff is AMAZING- but we want to hear it from you! Please nominate staff members to be recognized on this form : HERE
Early Dismissal Requests
To help streamline our dismissal process and minimize disruptions to classroom instruction, we kindly request that all early dismissals be completed before 1:25 PM. This allows us to maintain a focused learning environment for our students and ensures their educational experience remains uninterrupted.
We understand that there may be exceptional circumstances that require an early dismissal, and we will always try to accommodate those situations. However, please communicate early dismissals to the front office before 1:25 PM.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. Your commitment to this effort is greatly appreciated.
#BEPRESENT - A COMMUNITY/SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP
#BePresent is a community/school partnership designed to increase and improve community relationships within schools. Mentors and volunteers will assist school-based staff and administration with ensuring a safe and orderly school environment by being present during the school day. Mentors and volunteers are invited to have a greater presence in schools as a way to enhance relationships and make school operations safer and more efficient. #BePresent is a community-wide effort that includes:
- Individuals
- Family Members
- Civic and Faith Groups
- Business Leaders
- School Alumni
NOTE: #BePresent Volunteers /Mentors can sign-up to serve in all AACPS schools at all levels
📘 📚Top 10 Tips for Reading with your Child📚📘
Here are the top 10 tips for reading with your child! For more reading activities and family resources, visit the Elementary Reading & Integrated Literacy site at: https://www.aacps.org/Page/1710.
AACPS Math Tutoring
A Peek Ahead...
Tech Assistance?
Resources for Instructional Tech Support are available. If additional assistance is required, please call the Help Desk at 410-222-5135.
Health Room News
Nurse Beth Kirchner can be reached at nurse2112@aacps.org. Our Nurse is assisted by Health Assistant Christina Smith. Medication forms and health orders should be submitted directly to Health Room staff. Please do not send medication or medicated lozenges/Chapstick with your student. Consider taking a moment to visit this website from NIH.gov that talks about healthy tips for returning to school.
Bus Schedules
Bus schedules can be found here: FORT SMALLWOOD BUS LIST
🟠💗🔵FSES Spirit Days🔵💗ðŸŸ
Fort Family Events
Community News
We are a Rubik's cube STEM community organization located in Annapolis, MD. We believe that experiences gained through competitions encourage growth and development in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math for elementary and middle school students. Each year, we sponsor 3 Rubik's cube competitions in Annapolis, MD for children in 4th - 8th grades.
The competition will be on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 2pm - 4pm at the Pip Moyer Recreation Center in Annapolis, MD. Please note that there are 24 slots open for this competition and registration closes in 2 weeks! Thanks again for your continued support!
PTA Corner
I am thrilled to share some exciting news with all of you. Thanks to the incredible efforts and support of our dedicated community, we have successfully met our Race for Education fundraising goal! This is a fantastic achievement, and it is a testament to the spirit of generosity and unity that defines our Fort School community.
I would like to extend a special and heartfelt thank you to Ms. Jackson and our hardworking PTA (Parent-Teacher Association) for their exceptional dedication in spearheading this fundraising initiative. Their tireless efforts, along with the commitment of all our students, parents, and staff, have propelled us to reach and even exceed our goal.
The Race for Education is just around the corner, and we can't wait for the big day! This event promises to be a fun and memorable experience for all involved. Not only does it raise vital funds for our school, but it also promotes physical fitness and a sense of community as we come together to support our students.
Your enthusiasm and active participation make all the difference, and we are deeply grateful for your continued support. We look forward to seeing all of you on race day, where we will celebrate our collective success and, of course, cheer on our amazing students.
Stay tuned for more details about the upcoming Race for Education, and let's make it an unforgettable day!
Interested in joining our PTA? Click HERE