Parent Conferences will begin this month. Your child’s teacher will communicate with you about scheduling parent/ teacher conferences. November 25 & November 26 are two MCPS designated days, but teachers may arrange additional dates to accommodate student class size and parent schedules. Conferences can be held in person or virtually. We’re excited to share that all 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th-grade students will participate in student-led parent conferences again.

Student-led conferences are when students facilitate the conference with their parents and teacher to discuss their academic progress. They set goals to meet academic milestones and identify how parents can assist them in meeting the student's goals. Students will share a portfolio containing reading, writing, and math schoolwork. This work will represent artifacts of student work samples collected throughout the marking period. Student-led conferences allow students to reflect on their work and their role as a learner. Student-led conferences also enhance student verbal communication and critical thinking skills, increase student responsibility and autonomy about their learning, and strengthen our open and transparent communication with parents about learning. We look forward to your participation in this process.

Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your conference:

Before the conference

• Ask your child how he/she feels about school.
• Ask your child if there is anything that he/she wants you to talk about.
• Tell your child that you and the teacher are meeting to help her/him.
• Make a list of topics you want to talk about or questions.

During the conference

• Be on time (or early) for the meeting.
• Ask the most important questions first.
• Ask for explanations of anything you don't understand.
• Ask your child's teacher for ways that you can help your child at home.

After the conference

• Talk about the conference with your child.
• Talk about the positive points and be direct about problems.
• Tell your child about any plans you and the teacher created.
• Keep in touch with the teacher during the school year.

On August 3, 1990, President of the United States George H. W. Bush declared the month of November as National American Indian Heritage Month, also referred to as Native American Heritage Month. The bill read in part that "The President has authorized and requested to call upon Federal, State and local Governments, groups and organizations and the people of the United States to observe such month with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities".

This commemorative month aims to provide a platform for Native people in the United States of America to share their culture, traditions, music, crafts, dance, and ways and concepts of life. This gives Native people the opportunity to express to their community, both city, county and state officials their concerns and solutions for building bridges of understanding and friendship in their local area.

To date, there are 574 federally recognized tribes and 324 Native American reservations, recognized tribes across the U.S. National Native American Heritage Month is celebrated with community gatherings and festivals and government and educational activities.

Fall weather is here! This means cool mornings and warm afternoons. Students may take off the jackets and sweaters worn to school while playing at recess. Please label all outside clothing in case students misplace items which makes it easier for students to identify them in the lost and found.

Families can request a Chromebook to use at home if your child's school using the cart method. Please complete these forms and the Chromebook will be delivered to your child at school.

Congratulations to Ms. Sol and Ms. Zipp's classes! Their classes will receive a prize for turning in the most Community School Family Surveys of any class in the school by the prize deadline of October 24. Please note that we are still accepting surveys.

Galway Community School Family Survey

Parents and caregivers, we'd appreciate your assistance in determining how we can better support your child(ren) and your family at Galway Elementary. By completing this 11-question survey, you’ll help us identify resources that may be beneficial to students and families in the Galway school community. Rest assured, your responses will remain confidential.

Printed versions of the survey were also sent home. We ask that you complete only one version: either the digital OR the printed version.

Link to Digital Survey: https://forms.gle/q3RBnd1L5UcWC7xLA

Also, be sure to check out our Galway Community School site for community resources and events https://bit.ly/GalwayElementaryCommunitySchool

Please contact me should you have any questions or concerns. Initiatives highlighted this month are:

Health Fair: Free Physician Consults

When: November 9, 2024, from 10:00 am- 1:00 pm

Where: 51 Mannakee Street, Rockville, MD 20850

Farm Share Mobile Market

FarmShare Mobile Market: https://www.communityfarmshare.org/mobile-markets

What: Fresh produce at a very low price. FarmShare accepts EBT.

Where: East County Recreation Center, 3310 Gateshead Manor Way, Silver Spring, MD 20904

When: Fridays 4:00pm-6:00pm

PEP Family Resiliency Program:

What: A FREE 8-week program for MCPS parents and care providers who want to learn strategies to better support your children and teens. Attend 5 or more sessions to receive a $50 gift card

Learn English this Winter

What: FREE English language classes this Winter

Where: Zoom

When: January 2025

Registration: Begins Dec 1, 2024

Placement Test Open Now: https://forms.office.com/g/vhR8Vjr9Xz

Fatherhood Initiative Program: https://hocmc.org/extra/720-fatherhood-initiative-program.html

Promotional Video: Why should you join the Fatherhood Program?

Ms. Ware

Community School Liaison

Galway Elementary School

Email: Meghan_Ware@mcpsmd.org

Office: 240-740-0140

Cell: 227-216-9237 call or text

X (formerly twitter): @GalwayCSL

November 15

Native American Literacy Day

November 18

5th Grade FT-Paint Branch High School

4th Grade FT-Blake High School

November 21

Grab & Go Food Distribution 5:00 pm

November 22

2nd Grade FT-Strathmore

November 25

School Dismissal-1:20

Parent-Teacher Conferences

November 26

School Dismissal-1:20 pm

Parent-Teacher Conferences

November 27-November 29

School Closed-Thanksgiving

CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSET CHALLENGE

CLOTHES FOR CASH

Clothes for Cash is a fundraiser that supports classroom libraries. Support the school by bringing your discarded clothes to the white clothes bin. Donate your clothes to the school by placing them in the white bin near the soccer field when you clean out your closets.