School Improvement Planning Meeting Wednesday at 8:15am
Parents are invited to join our school improvement planning meeting this upcoming Wednesday, March 13 at 8:15am. We will be reviewing school wide math and literacy data to discuss growth from this past fall through this winter.
Parents may attend in person or join via zoom. Parents are asked to complete the following RSVP if they plan to attend.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfi6asWb1PuUvB32XiaEI74UYUdyE9dbyg7PN_QQYdjs3TRrw/viewform
Sherwood Kindergarten Orientation
Please use the link below to get started with Kindergarten registration. Registration will open on March 18, 2024. Parents can register online or contact the school directly to set up a time to complete enrollment at Sherwood Elementary School.
Information about opportunities for incoming families to visit the school, classrooms, and meet teachers will be communicated later this spring.
Directions for Online Registration
Please contact Ms. Christina Sierra at christina_m_sierra@mcpsmd.org or call the school main office at 240-740-0960.
School Spring Testing
Students in grades 3-5 will be taking state tests (MCAP) in math and literacy starting in April.
Specific information about testing dates and updates are included in the linked document below.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EzP8qKciFXbZwYoLg352OWYdVAlpmsxBQ4hKEcBfKAI/edit?usp=sharing
MCPS Climate Survey
Your family's input is crucial in shaping the future of our school community, and we invite you to participate in our Family Survey.
This survey aims to gather valuable insights into your experiences and opinions regarding various aspects of our school district. Your honest feedback will help us understand what's working well and identify areas where we can improve to create a more supportive and engaging learning environment for all students.
Participating in this survey is easy, and it will only take a few minutes of your time. Your responses are completely confidential, and the information you provide will be used solely for the purpose of enhancing our educational programs and services. The survey opens February 12, 2024 and closes March 15, 2024.
To access the survey, please click on the link provided below:
https://parentsurvey.mcpsmd.org/
We appreciate your commitment to our school community and value the unique perspectives each family brings. Together, we can continue to build a positive and thriving educational environment.
National Reading Month - March Book Madness
We are celebrating National Reading Month by having a March Book Madness. Our students are listening to recordings of SES teachers reading a selection of 16 popular picture books throughout the month and voting on their class favorites. We will reveal our school's favorite book on Friday, April 5th.
We're also having an All-School Reading Time at the end of the day on Monday, March 4th. The PTA generously purchased a new book for every child in the school and the teachers will be passing them out during that time.
April 22 Shifts to Asynchronous Learning Day for All Students
Monday, April 22 is now an asynchronous learning day and will be used as a make-up instructional day for students. Students will be sent home with assignments to complete independently.
Asynchronous learning describes educational activities and assignments that engage students in learning without live instruction or use of technology. Students must complete assignments to count towards their attendance for the day. Additional time for students to complete assignments will be granted for any challenges or unforeseen circumstances.
Schools will share more details about their asynchronous virtual instruction plans with students and families in mid-March, including directions on how to access resources and additional services.
Maryland State Department of Education Survey for 5th Graders
State law requires that all public schools in Maryland survey students about school climate. The purpose of the survey is to gain valuable information about the quality and character of each school’s learning environment so that schools can promote a climate that supports student learning.
Students will take the Maryland School Survey during regular school hours on March 18th. The survey will ask students about topics such as student engagement, interactions with adults and with other students in the school, the school environment, bullying, and safety. The survey will not ask about a student’s personal experiences, and students will not be asked to provide any information that might violate their privacy.
Additional information can be found at the following link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JvgwPr-4AZgZHTfSmVl1u4ndJc39JLyKJWmmnOw1P24/edit?usp=sharing
Community Wellness Fair at Farquhar Middle School
March 12th, 5:30pm-7:00pm
Come prepared to engage in activities and resources focused on physical and mental well-being including yoga, pickleball,personal training, anxiety, depression, addressing overall mental health while balancing the influence of social media, and more!
Advanced Chorus Fundraiser
Please help our Advanced Chorus compete at Hershey Park this June! We are fundraising to offset bus and competition fees through a t-shirt fundraiser. See the link below to order yours now!
PTA Updates
Glow Run - This years Glow Run will be hosted by the PTA on Friday, April 12th from 5:30-8pm! The main event will be a fun run (starting at 6pm for PEP/K/1st grade, and 6:30 for 2nd-5th grades); we will also have a DJ, fundraising opportunities, food trucks, and of course lots of glowing fun! Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Register here for the race; if you want a Glow Run shirt, you must sign up by March 15th, but regular registration is available until the event date: https://app.memberhub.gives/sherwoodesglowrun/Campaign/Details
April Restaurant Night at El Andariego - Save the date for our next Restaurant Night at El Andariego on April 17th! More details to come soon!
STEM Fair - Does your student like to ask why? Do they love making potions, or trying to understand how things work? Do they love to build robots out of old scraps!? Then this is the event you’ve been waiting for! Join us for the SES STEM Fair on Thursday, May 2nd, 2024, from 6-8pm. Please register HERE and include student name, grade, and poster title to receive your free trifold poster board. Poster Boards will be available for collection from the school as soon as your registration is confirmed. The deadline for poster titles is Monday, April 22. In addition, we are also looking for members of our community who would like to host a STEM-related table at our event; you can sign up at the above link. If you have something exciting to share with our students, we need you!!
Advanced Chorus Fundraiser - Please help our Advanced Chorus compete at Hershey Park! They are fundraising to offset bus and competition fees through a t-shirt fundraiser. See the link below to order yours now, or follow the link to make a donation without having to purchase a shirt! https://www.customink.com/fundraising/sherwood-es-music-department?utm_campaign=desktop-post-launch-v3&utm_content=sherwood-es-music-department&utm_medium=social&utm_source=copy-link
Pre-order your 2023-2024 Yearbook, and submit photos/Love Lines! This year's yearbook will be a collection of the best candid photos, group photos, individual portraits of all students and faculty and pictures of all your student's special friends having fun while they learn. You still have time to both contribute and pre-order a copy!
- Photos from school and PTA events can be uploaded here until March 22nd: https://yearbooks.classic-photo.com/SherwoodES/home3/PhotoPost.jsp?ID=MC98IDZRPBTS
- LoveLines (a short written message of support for a student) can be purchased and customized here until March 22nd: https://sherwoodelem.memberhub.com/store/items/882125
- Yearbooks can be pre-ordered for $28.00 until April 26th. Order today and guarantee your child a yearbook! We only order a few extra yearbooks over the number of pre-sold orders. Order here: https://sherwoodelem.memberhub.com/store/items/882128
Teacher and Staff Favorites and Wishlists - Interested in showing our amazing Sherwood staff how much you appreciate them? We now have staff favorites and classroom wish lists available for you to view online! https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1q88VagFCFKP3vVJjqGuj2WQelWTh-FBZ7tmoAZctLXU/edit?fbclid=IwAR3t_NWfsww_q5RIR9Qhd7Iy7BuJ5mozBNuxTnV5bdZFKvrEHGcBerBeMfM#slide=id.g27dff308c6d_0_75
Please consider joining the PTA! Your membership helps the students in our school, assists toward school-wide events, supports our school faculty, and helps improve our school facility. Your membership is greatly appreciated! You can join by scanning the QR code below, or by visiting https://sherwoodelem.memberhub.com/store/items/709844.
Requesting Chromebooks or Mi-Fi Devices
Students, parents, and MCPS staff can use this form to request a home use Chromebook for MCPS students who do not have access to a personal or home device and are attending a school, and grade level, returning to a classroom Chromebook cart model. When a request for a device is fulfilled, it will be pre-assigned in the inventory system, and the device will be delivered to the school for distribution to the student. The home use device is to be kept at home. Requesting the device implies consent of use in accordance with MCPS policy (IGT-RA) and acknowledgement that the Chromebook, software, and issued peripherals are owned by MCPS.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdDNdqO31soXKLffjcEzgVQ9C2Z2koPm6ifKm7-K77e44ZhAg/viewform
Los estudiantes, los padres y el personal de MCPS pueden usar este formulario para solicitar un Chromebook de uso doméstico para los estudiantes de MCPS que no tengan acceso a un dispositivo personal o doméstico y vienen asistiendo a una escuela y nivel de grado, volviendo a un modelo de carro de Chromebooks del salón de clases. Cuando se completa una solicitud de un dispositivo, se se asignará con anticipación en el sistema de inventario y el dispositivo se entregará a la escuela para que se distribuya al estudiante. El dispositivo de uso en el hogar deberá mantenerse en el hogar. Solicitar el dispositivo implica el consentimiento de su uso, de acuerdo con la política de MCPS (IGT-RA), y el reconocimiento de que el Chromebook, el software y los periféricos emitidos son de propiedad de MCPS.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdDNdqO31soXKLffjcEzgVQ9C2Z2koPm6ifKm7-K77e44ZhAg/viewform
Please contact Mr. Jefferson directly to request a Mi-Fi device for home use to connect to the internet.
Winter Season and Health Reminders
As we move into the winter weather season, MCPS aims to ensure you are kept up-to-date with timely and accurate information about weather-related delays, closures and early dismissals.
MCPS has six operational status options, which are reported by easy-to-understand, color-coded messages on the main page of the MCPS website, and this information is linked to each school website. Read more.
Health Guidance for Staying Home When Sick: Staying home when sick is important to keep our school community healthy. But how sick is too sick to go to school? Check out this guide from the National Association for School Nurses to help determine when.
Reporting Attendance and Main Office Updates
Please use the link below to report absences to the main office. Parents and caregivers may also email teachers to provide updates as needed.
https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/sherwoodes/absence/
Main office secretaries and contact information:
Administrative Secretary - Louise Rampersaud louise_j_rampersaud@mcpsmd.org
Attendance Secretary - Christina Sierra christina_m_sierra@mcpsmd.org
Arrival and Carpool Safety
Some general reminders to help everything work safely and efficiently.
- Please pull all the way up to the end of the carpool lane to allow as many cars as possible to pick up or drop off at once.
- When entering the driveway, please be patient and take turns with cars turning from the left and the right. Please be extra careful turning left onto route 108 when exiting the parking lot.
- When crossing the crosswalk, please wait for the hand signals from staff that the carpool lane is safe to cross.
- Please do not enter the bus loop lane during arrival or dismissal.
- During the day, please do not park in the bus loop from 11:30am-12:30pm due to bus pickups.
- Please do not block any of the lanes.
- After 9:25, students need to be signed in at the main office by a parent or caregiver.
2024-2025 School Year Calendar
MCPS has approved the calendar for the 2024-2025 school year. Please use the link below to access the traditional school year calendar for next year.
Looking for Parent Volunteers for Lunch, Recess, and the Shark Supercenter
For those who have been trained, the two Sign Up Genius's (one for lunch/ recess and the other for Shark Supercenter) have been updated with January dates.
If you haven't taken the training, please sign up for the MyMCPS Classroom Course here: https://mcpsmd.instructure.com/enroll/36HMFY
If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Vaughn-Smith at matthew_d_vaughn-smith@mcpsmd.org
Daily Schedule including Recess and Lunch
Please see the schedule below for daily times for recess and lunch by grade level and program.
This year, recess is before lunch to encourage students to eat a full healthy lunch. Recess and lunch have also been expanded by 5 minutes to give students a full 30 minutes after transitioning from different locations.
During the recess blocks where grades 1 and 2, or grades 3 and 4 are together, students will rotate between the playgrounds, blacktop, and field areas throughout the week.
Transportation Information
Phone: 240-740-2606
Email: Gregory_R_Walker@mcpsmd.org
Cafeteria Updates and Purchasing School Meals
Overview
Free Meals are No Longer Available for ALL Students, due to the end of Federal USDA waivers.
Meal Prices for School Year 2023-2024:
Breakfast for All Schools: $1.30
Elementary Lunch: $2.55
MySchoolBucks is an optional service for parents to view recent purchases and make prepayments to your child’s cafeteria account for breakfast, lunch and a la carte meals via the Internet with a credit/debit card. This service is offered as a convenience for interested families. By creating a secure online account, parents can manage their child’s account.
MySchoolBucks instructions:
English | español | 中文 | français | tiếng Việt | 한국어 | አማርኛ
Free and Reduced Meals
Students may qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on household size and income.
They may also qualify if they are receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), or Medicaid benefits.
Families may apply for meal benefits by completing an Application for Free and Reduced-price Meals for the current school year.
Students who qualify for reduced-price meals will eat for free!
Apply online for free and reduced meals at MySchoolApps.com (translations available on the website) Click here for an English video tutorial.
Special Meal Plans
Does your child require a special meal plan, related to a medical condition or food allergy? You must complete the Special Dietary Needs Form and email it to DFNSOffice@mcpsmd.org. You can access the form in English | español | français | 中文 | Portuguese | 한국어 | tiếng Việt | አማርኛ
Website: http://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/food-and-nutrition/meal-payments/#FARMS
Saturday School
Saturday School provides academic tutoring and instruction with certified
teachers in a nurturing and supportive environment. The program is
aligned with the Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) curriculum.
This support is offered every Saturday.
MCPS students Grades K through 12 may attend after registering for
Saturday School for $85 per year ($40 for students who receive FARMS).
Website: saturdayschool.org
Health Room Information
Health room staff plan to be available beginning August 23, 2023. Forms may be submitted over the summer by:
a) Emailing to Lisa Rocco, Health Room Tech at lisa_j_rocco@mcpsmd.org
b) Fax: 301-924-3294
c) Mail: 1401 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Sandy Spring, MD 20860
d) Drop off to the health room beginning August 23, 2023
Please Note: - Health room staff will NOT be monitoring health forms sent to the nurse's email and/or school over the summer; forms will be reviewed when health staff return in August 2023.Commonly Used Forms Included Below:
Medication Authorization Form,
Running Calendar
CALENDAR- NEW INFO IN BOLD
March
3/1 - Early Release Day for Students
3/25-3/29 - Spring Break
April
4/1 - No School for Students and Teachers
4/10 - No School for Students - Professional Day
4/22 - No School for Students - Professional Day
May
5/14 - No School for Students and Teachers - Primary Election Day
5/27 - No School for Students and Teachers - Memorial Day
June
6/13 - Early Release - Last Day of School