FALCON FAMILY NEWS
12/17/24
Principal's Message
As we wrap up 2024, I reflect on all of the staff and parent efforts to continue to improve the learning and growth of all of our students. The joy, kindness, and unwavering support you all bring make our NFES a nurturing home for our students to learn and flourish.
To our parents, I sincerely thank you for trusting us daily and sharing your children’s educational journey. Your involvement and encouragement have an incredible impact, and we are genuinely grateful for your partnership. Your role is not just important but integral to our school community, and your contributions make a significant difference in the lives of our students.
To our dedicated staff, your relentless commitment to the success and well-being of our students is nothing short of inspiring. Your passion and dedication, often unnoticed, shine brightly, even in the busiest of times, reminding us of the profound difference we can make in a child’s life. Your hard work does not go unnoticed, and we appreciate you more than words can express.
As we embrace this season of giving and togetherness, I wish you to find joy, peace, and precious moments with your loved ones. May this holiday season fill you with hope and optimism for the coming year. You deserve it.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Tracy Poquette
Important Dates
Dec. 9th-20th: December to Remember (See spirit days below)
Friday, December 20th- Winter Class Parties (See information below)
Dec. 23rd-Jan. 1- School Closed
Thursday, January 2nd: Pajama Day
Tuesday, January 7: PTA meeting, 5:30 PM
January 8th & 9th: MSDE State Visit
Wednesday, January 8: PTA Restaurant Night at Coal Fire
IMPORTANT REMINDER - Car Rider Pickup
- Please wait until 2:30 to get in the car rider line. When families come early and start the line early, it means a backup on Motter Ave before we even begin dismissal. We really appreciate all the families that have helped with this. If you arrive prior to 2:30, please pull in one of our parking spots in the back of the parking lot.
- Please consider coming closer to 3:05-3:10 for pickup. The line is much shorter at this time and is moving quickly.
- If we do backup on Motter, please do not block any driveways!
We've been trying really hard to get the word out. We've talked to each family personally when they arrive early, we've had our school resource officer monitoring our lot and we have sent several School Messengers out to families. We really appreciate everyone who continues to follow our school policies and procedures. Please remember...if you see one car in line prior to 2:30, this doesn't mean you should be joining the line.
Attendance Matters
North Frederick staff are so proud of our students and families who continue to work hard to establish school and home routines, and keep students engaged in school. Our goal is for 96% attendance each month. Congratulations to 2nd grade for reaching that goal in November. Congratulations to 5th grade for coming very close to our goal.
We’re thrilled to share that our elementary, middle, and high schools are joining forces for an exciting new initiative focused on tackling chronic absenteeism and harnessing the power of data-driven decision making. Our entire feeder pattern is ALL IN for this collaborative effort, working together to ensure every student has the support they need to succeed. Stay tuned for more updates as we roll out strategies designed to make a meaningful impact across all grade levels.
Chronically absent is defined as missing 10 percent or more of school days for the year. At the end of the 180 day school year, 18 absences is considered chronically absent. Wednesday, September 18th marks our 20th day of school. If your child has missed 2 or more days by September 18th, they are technically chronically absent. We understand that some illnesses prevent students from attending school. If your child has missed 2 or more days, there is plenty of time to turn their attendance around by coming to school each day on time.
Tracy Kibler, Principal Thomas Johnson High School
Josh Work, Principal Thomas Johnson Middle School
Tracy Poquette, Principal North Frederick Elementary School
Request for Donations
During the month of December, several NFES staff provide holiday gifts to our families in need. Many of you are asking how you can help! This year, we will be collecting grocery and Amazon gift cards so we can support more families with food over the long winter break and possibly a holiday meal. If you are interesting in donating a gift card, please drop it off in the front office in a sealed envelope labeled "Christina Karszen". Our wonderful secretaries will be sure our care team gets the cards and distributes them to families. We are collecting any denomination from $5-$50. We would need all gift cards by Thursday, December 19th.
How Can You Help Keep NFES Students and Staff Safe?
Please help us keep North Frederick Students and Staff safe by:
- Only enter the school at the front of the building.
- Have your drivers license with you when you arrive at the school.
- Do not let any other parent or visitor in the door when you are buzzed in. Each visitor must be "screened" and approved before being invited in.
- Help us keep students and staff safe when they are outside for recess and PE. Our school property is off limits to dog walkers and trespassers during our school hours.
- Dogs are not allowed on our property during arrival, dismissal and school hours.
NFES Winter Parties
This year's Winter Parties will be held on Friday, December 20, 2024. The party will be held inside your child’s classroom and will involve snacks, crafts and fun! Good NEWS...Almost all of our volunteer slots are filled! We are still looking for two volunteers for Ms. Auteri's class!
As shared in our Family Falcon Newsletter and our team communication, only parents/guardians who are volunteer trained AND signed up on this document may attend the day of the party. Due to space in the classroom, as well as time to properly screen all volunteers, we can only have two extra adults in each classroom. Parents must complete the volunteer training by Dec. 13th. This will be extended to Dec. 18th, but that is the final date so we allow time to be notified of our trained volunteers.
Classroom teachers will be requesting food and/or craft donations. We thank you in advance for your support.
MSDE STATE REVIEW
Expert Review Teams (ERT) are visiting 158 schools in Maryland this year as part of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future legislation, and North Frederick will be receiving a visit on January 8th and 9th. By 2032, all Maryland schools will have received a visit. ERTs are trained educators from across the state who will visit 8-10 classrooms, conduct focus groups, and interview the principal to learn more about math instruction in our school. We look forward to highlighting the strong work of our teachers and students for the Maryland State Department of Education.
On January 9th, the review team will be meeting with four different focus groups: school leaders, teachers, students and parents. We are recruiting parents who would be interested in joining this focus group. Please email Angela.Roland@fcps.org if you are interested or would like more information.
NEW! FCPS Volunteers- REQUIRED to chaperone field trips, volunteer in the classroom or for class parties
The first step of the process is to follow these detailed directions on how to create an account in Unified Talent and then how to complete the two required trainings. After you complete your trainings, you will receive an email with the next steps in the process. Please be aware that the process can take 48-72 hours and MUST BE COMPLETED PRIOR to you volunteering for FCPS.
If you are a current FCPS Employee who is interested in volunteering, you must complete the Volunteer training listed under your Recommended Courses on your Unified Talent Home Page.
Visitors: Individuals attending school events (e.g., awards ceremonies, assemblies) do not need to register as volunteers. Visitors must:
Bring valid identification and complete a Raptor screening each time they enter a school building.
Volunteers: Volunteers are individuals who support and interact with students under staff supervision (e.g., assisting in classrooms, lunchrooms, class parties or chaperoning field trips). Volunteers must:
Complete two (2) required training modules through Unified Talent and register via the Volunteer Center.
The training modules must be completed before registering at the Volunteer Center.
Upon arrival, they must present valid identification and undergo a Raptor screening.
FCPS Staff as Volunteers: FCPS staff volunteering as parents/guardians or community members must:
Register as volunteers.
Complete the mandatory training modules in Unified Talent under "Volunteers in Schools."
Bring their valid identification and undergo a Raptor screening each time they volunteer.
STAY INFORMED
Communication is very important to your child’s success at school and we want to keep you informed of what is going on at North Frederick Elementary School. We do not want you to miss important information.
- FCPS School Messenger
- Twitter: @FCPS_Poquette
- PTA Facebook page: North Frederick Elementary School PTA
- North Frederick Elementary Website: https://edu.fcps.org/nfes/home
NORTH FREDERICK ELEMENTARY
Mrs. Angela Roland: Assistant Principal
Ms. Courtney Fike: Specialized Programs Coordinator
Mrs. Ericka Villatoro-Somarriba: Administrative Secretary
Mrs. Alex Brown: Front Office Secretary
Location: 1010 Fairview Avenue, Frederick, MD, USA
Phone: 227.203.1480