Eagles' News from the Lake
Dear Lakewood Families,
Hello January and Happy New Year! I hope that 2025 is off to a wonderful start for each of you. As we step into this new year together, I look forward to continuing our partnership in creating a nurturing, inclusive environment where our scholars can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. I’m excited for the promise of what we can achieve together in 2025.
Tomorrow, 6 January 2025, all schools and offices will be closed--It is a Code Red Day. MCPS made this decision based on forecasts of imminent snowfall that could significantly impact safety and transportation. All activities, field trips, and programs in schools are canceled, including athletic practices and events. Childcare programs and community use activities are also canceled, and there will be no virtual learning available during this closure (please see the updated color code system for this school year below).
MCPS prioritizes the safety of students, bus drivers, and the entire community, and making this announcement early allows families and staff time to prepare. Please consider signing up for MCPS alerts to stay informed and weather-aware as decisions about Tuesday, January 7th, will be shared when more information becomes available.
Thank you for your understanding and flexibility as we navigate this winter weather together.
Wishing you all a safe, restful, and joyful snow day!
Warm regards,
Dr. Kelly
#ForTheScholars
#OneBandOneSound
Upcoming School & Community Events January & February 2025
January 2025
1/7: PTA Meeting~7:00 pm Virtual
1/10: PTA Pizza Bingo Night~6:30 to 8:30 pm (Lakewood’s All Purpose Room)
1/20: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
1/29: No School for Scholars-Grading & Reporting Day
1/30: Marking Period 3 (MP3) Begins
February 2025
2/6: Report Card Distribution
2/14: Class Valentine's Day Celebrations (more details to come)
2/17: No School-Holiday
2/28: Early Release Day--Scholars dismissed at 12:55 pm
We hope this message finds you well. We wanted to share information about the upcoming Winter MAP and DIBELS testing, which will take place after the winter break and conclude by 28 January 2025.
Grades K-2: Scholars will take the MAP Primary (MAP P) and DIBELS assessments.
Grades 3-5: Scholars will take the MAP Reading (MAP R) and Math (MAP M) assessments to evaluate their progress in these subjects.
Your child’s homeroom teacher will provide specific testing dates and details.
Additionally, our Emergent Multilingual Learners will participate in the WIDA ACCESS testing to measure English language proficiency. This testing will run throughout January and close on 18 February 2025, starting on or around 8 January 2025. The makeup window is 19 February 2025 thru 4 March 2025.
For more information about the WIDA ACCESS test, click here.
Thank you for your continued support of our scholars. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
Dear Lakewood Community,
It is with immense pride and excitement that we announce Lakewood Elementary has officially become an internationally recognized Best Buddies Chapter! While we have been operating unofficially for the past six years, this certification marks a significant milestone in our commitment to fostering inclusivity and building a stronger, more united school community.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our awesome school counselor, Mrs. Alicia Gottesman, for her tireless efforts and unwavering dedication to ensuring this program’s success. Her commitment has been instrumental in helping us achieve international certification and in the everyday success of the Best Buddies program at Lakewood.
Best Buddies provides a unique and impactful way to promote awareness, integrate students with disabilities and their peers, and nurture genuine friendships across all abilities. The program’s ultimate goal is to create opportunities for students with and without disabilities to learn, play, and grow together. By educating our younger scholars about disabilities, we foster an environment of mutual understanding and respect that benefits all members of our school community.
Lakewood Elementary is now part of an exclusive group, as there is only one other Best Buddies chapter at the elementary level in Montgomery County and just five in the entire state of Maryland. Our chapter is the largest at the elementary level, boasting over 90 members! We are especially proud that some of the current participants in Frost Middle School and Wootton High School’s Best Buddies chapters began their journey right here at Lakewood.
Please join us in recognizing and celebrating our Lakewood Best Buddies for their commitment, dedication, and compassion. Together, they are creating a legacy of inclusion and kindness that will undoubtedly shape more inclusive communities in the future.
“Lakewood Elementary: Where ALL Play as One.”
As the temperatures drop, we want to remind families that scholars will have outdoor recess whenever weather permits. Please ensure your child comes to school dressed appropriately for winter weather, including coats, hats, and any other necessary cold-weather gear.
If your child is missing any winter items, don’t forget to check our Lost and Found! It’s a great time to reclaim any lost coats, hats, or other belongings.
Fresh air and outdoor play are essential for our scholars’ well-being, even in the colder months.
Thank you for helping them stay warm and ready to enjoy their time outside!
Effective December 4, 2024, MCPS will be disabling and collecting older Acer model Chromebooks because they have reached end-of-life and should no longer be in use.
The models being retired include the Acer C720, C740, C738, and C771.
These Acer devices are currently being used in limited settings, including for home use and to run kiosks or signage in schools.
Students currently using one of the listed Acer Chromebook models should return their device to Mrs. McCaffrey in the Media Center.
Students who need a device for home use can submit a request for a new device by completing the Home Use form.
To avoid a disruption in access to a device while at home, students should complete the form prior to devices being disabled on December 4, 2024.
Please take a moment to update your child’s emergency contact information in Synergy-ParentVue. This is essential for both daily operations and in case of emergencies. Below are key points to remember:
Ensure all emergency contacts are current in Synergy, including parents and caregivers.
All individuals listed as contacts must have a valid ID when picking up scholars.
During a Parent-Child Reunification (PCR) process in the event of an emergency, we will only release scholars to individuals on the contact list with proper identification.
Keeping this information up-to-date is crucial to ensuring the safety and smooth dismissal of scholars, both in routine and emergency situations. Thank you for your attention and cooperation-much appreciated!
We've noticed an increase in the use of smartwatches during the school day. Per MCPS policy, shared in our Lakewood Elementary Community Playbook, smartwatches are considered personal mobile devices and should not be on or have mobile services activated during school hours. Scholars are not permitted to make calls during the school day nor should photos be taken from personal mobile devices. Thank you for your support in helping us maintain a focused learning environment!
The Restorative Approaches Unit has created a resources hub for parents and caretakers. The hub is located in a canvas classroom. Please click the link to enroll. We hope you find the resources helpful. At Lakewood, we implement Zones of Regulations and Community Building Circles daily throughout the learning day.
MCPS is implementing the use of the Remind app for schools. Communication, such as text messages, email or phone calls can be selected in a preferred language. Lakewood ES is up and running! Be sure to download the app today!
Parents
Letter for Parents
Click on the button below to access the new Meal Viewer for Lakewood
Additionally, to learn more about the MySchoolBucks online payment system, which helps you manage your child’s meal account.
Please donate your gently used clothing and shoes. You will see the yellow bin near our entrance to the parking lot. This is a positive way to contribute to the environment and community. Partnering with Planet Aid makes it all so easy! Lakewood earns 10 cents per pound and will use this money for scholars and staff. Planet Aid accepts clothing, shoes, and other textiles (for example, bedding, towels, and curtains). This means that there is no need to separate items based on their condition. Even items that are stained, torn, or frayed can be recycled, so drop off your worn-out items, too! The only articles of clothing we cannot accept are those that are dirty, wet, or moldy.Thank you in advance.
Dr. Kelly, Principal
Yours in Partnership.
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/lakewoodes/
Location: 2534 Lindley Terrace, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
Phone: 240.740.5750
Twitter: @PrincipalLES5