End of Year Newsletter
New Market Elementary
Message from Administration
Dear NMES Families,
Our End of Year Newsletter is full of helpful information, including ways to support your child over the summer with academics and optional activities for fun. You will also find important dates for the 2024 - 2025 school year and information about staffing and teacher assignments. Be sure to read each section of the newsletter so you are informed.
We are closely monitoring our enrollment for the 2024 - 2025 school year. Our tentative staffing plan is outlined in this newsletter but if we need to make adjustments based on enrollment then we will notify the community.
Should you need to contact the school over the summer, be sure to note the phone number change (see information below in this newsletter). It is always best to call ahead to schedule. The school will not be open the weeks of June 17 and July 29 as these are weeks designated by the county for planning and preparation.
There are 74 days from the end of this school year to the start of next year to enjoy the small moments and to make some great memories with families and friends. Enjoy!
Dr. Lockard - Principal
Mrs. McGaha - Assistant Principal
As a reminder, our NMES Vision and Mission statements are linked below for your reference.
Click HERE to read the vision statement.
Click HERE to read the mission statement.
2024 - 2025 Beginning of School Year Important Dates
- Wednesday, August 7: Parents receive an email from Schoology informing class/teacher assignments
- Monday, August 19: NMES Open House from 2:30 - 3:30
- Wednesday, August 21: First day of school for FCPS ( PreK and Kindergarten staggered start schedule will be shared in August)
- Tuesday, September 3: Back to School Night for primary students (PreK - 2) from 6:00 - 7:30pm (adult only event)
- Wednesday, September 4: Back to School Night for intermediate students (3 - 5) from 6:00- 7:30pm (adult only event)
- Tuesday, September 10: Fall Picture Day
NMES Phone Information
Beginning on July 1, 2024, New Market Elementary's phone number will be changing as all of FCPS transitions to a new telecommunications system.
New Market Elementary's new phone number for the main office will be 227-203-1460.
During the transition this summer, school staff are prepared to answer any questions that you may have about the change. We can be reached on our main line at 240-236-1300.
2024 - 2025 NMES Enrollment
Pre-Kindergarten through 5th grade registration is open for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. Information regarding registration can be found here. Parents/Guardians will need to register their child online through the PowerSchool online enrollment portal.
If your child is currently enrolled at NMES and is transferring to another school for the upcoming school year or if you have any questions regarding enrollment, please reach out to Sarah Main at sarah.main@fcps.org or 240-236-1300.
Media Center Information about Summer Reading
Summer Checkout
Couldn't make it to our evening event to checkout summer reading books? No problem! Students in grades K-4 all received an orange permission slip to borrow books for summer reading. Fill it out and have students bring it back to the media center during the week of June 3rd-7th to get books! All borrowed books can be returned to the media center at the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year.
Summer Reading Contests
Beat summer slide by helping your child read at least 20 minutes each day! You can make it fun by participating in reading contests from FCPL, CCPL and Barnes and Noble! Check out our summer reading website at https://edu.fcps.org/nmes/summer-reading!
Summer Math with iReady
Hello NMES families,
Our students at New Market Elementary School have made so much progress in math this year and we are very proud of them. To continue this growth during the summer, we invite students in grades K-5 to continue using the iReady Math Program by accessing each individual math student’s “My Path”. The goal is to have students access the program between 30-50 minutes per week. You can keep track of your child’s weekly minutes on this recording sheet. Please sign the recording sheet and have your child bring it back to their teacher next fall for 10 Howlers to start off the new school year! If you have any questions, you may email Rob Purgason, NMES Math Specialist at robert.purgason@fcps.org. Here is the link explaining how to access the program: NMES iReady Flyer.
Have a great and “mathy” summer!
Rob Purgason, NMES Math Specialist
Stop the Summer Reading Loss
Read All SUMMER!
“Summer Slide” is a term used to describe the decline in reading achievement that many children experience from being away from school. Research shows that the amount of time children spend reading for fun is a key predictor of academic achievement. Reading is like playing an instrument – it is a skill that continues to improve with practice. Studies have proven that reading just four appropriate books over the summer can help maintain reading skills; reading more books can even lead to improvement. Check out this article Reducing the Summer Slide for some great tips!
Please encourage your child to read this summer! Don’t forget that kids no matter the age, love to cuddle up and listen to a good book too! Here are some resources to help beat the “Summer Slide” and keep your child reading all summer long!
Start with a Book is full of engaging ideas for parents and caregivers to keep kids reading all summer long!
K-5 Activity Calendar | RIF.org Explore seasonal reading activities for every day of the month. Click on each entry to discover printable resources.
Happy summer reading!
Angie Tortolani
Literacy Specialist
Optional Choice Board for June
Don't forget to keep learning over the summer! Our optional June Choice Board will help you learn about a wide variety of items celebrated in June! Check it out at https://bit.ly/NMESJune24Board.
2024 - 2025 Class Groupings
Tentative classroom groupings will be determined for the 2024 - 2025 school year but will not be finalized until late July. All NMES teachers are excellent and each teacher has a unique skillset. Through the grouping process, classroom teachers, specialists and administration collaborate to make thoughtful classroom placements based on multiple data points. While we value parent input and are always willing to listen, we do not accept specific teacher requests and cannot guarantee a particular teacher. We appreciate your support and understanding!
2024 - 2025 Teacher Assignments
Incoming Kindergarten students will receive a teacher assignment letter via the mail. The letter will include teacher assignment, staggered start date information and other important information for your kindergarten child. The letters will be sent during the first week of August.
For rising first through fifth grade students, families will receive teacher assignment information through a Schoology email. On August 7, systemic emails from Schoology will be sent to primary and secondary guardians with the student schedules included. Teacher assignments/names will be on each Schoology course. This will be how you are made aware of your child's homeroom teacher.
2024 - 2025 NMES Staffing
New Faces at NMES:
Mrs. Carrie Houghton: Mrs. Houghton will join the NMES staff as our second Pre-Kindergarten teacher at NMES. Carrie has many years of experience teaching as a general education teacher and as a Media Specialist. Mrs. Houghton is excited to expand our Pre-Kindergarten program at NMES.
Mrs. Eileen Thuman: Mrs. Thuman will join the NMES staff as a second-grade teacher. Eileen has over 30+ years of experience with FCPS and is excited to get to know the NMES staff, students, parents and community.
Ms. Jasmine Macker: Ms. Macker will join the NMES staff as a fifth-grade teacher. Jasmine is graduating from Townson University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Special Education. Ms. Macker is a Linganore High School graduate and is excited to return to the Linganore Feeder Pattern as a classroom teacher.
Mrs. Erika Pillai: Mrs. Pillai will join the NMES staff as our second Pre-Kindergarten Instructional Assistant. Erika will work with Mrs. Houghton in our second Pre-Kindergarten class.
Retirement Announcements at NMES:
Mrs. Laura Noffsinger is retiring at the end of this school year. Congratulations to Laura on her wonderful career at NMES! She will be dearly missed. Mrs. Noffsinger is excited to begin the next phase in her life which will include lots of snuggles with her grandson.
Mr. Brian Hinkley is retiring from FCPS at the end of this school year. Brian has served in FCPS for over 30 years. It will be a challenge for the system to find an Instrumental Music teacher to replace Brian. We wish Brian all the best in his retirement and new endeavors.
Transfer Announcements at NMES:
Mr. Brice Simpson, part-time music teacher at NMES, has accepted a teaching position in his hometown in Allegany County. We wish Brice all the best in his new position!
Mrs. Carol Evich, part-time reading intervention teacher, has accepted a transfer to Thurmont Elementary.
Mrs. Erin McCullough, part-time math intervention teacher, has also accepted a transfer to Thurmont Elementary.
Both Mrs. Evich and Mrs. McCullough served at NMES in grant funded positions and these positions have been transferred to other FCPS schools. We wish Mrs. Evich and Mrs. McCullough all the best in their new school!
Tentative 2024 - 2025 NMES Staff (Enrollment will be closely monitored over the summer. If staffing assignments change then we will notify parents/guardians in August.)
Pre-Kindergarten: Mrs. Vogel & Mrs. Houghton
Kindergarten: Mrs. Heller, Mrs. Bender, Mrs. White, Mrs. DeVan
First Grade: Mrs. Kocher, Mrs. Lethbridge (Mrs. McWilliams will serve as long-term substitute for quarter 1 during Mrs. Lethbridge's maternity leave), Mrs. Dwyer
Second Grade: Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Ruch, Mrs. Shuman, Mrs. Thuman
Third Grade: Ms. Goldstein, Mrs. Rawlett, Mrs. Imboden, Mrs. Schaffer
Fourth Grade: Mrs. Woozley, Mrs. Henry, Mrs. Kueberth, Ms. Johnson
Fifth Grade: Ms. Cooley, Mrs. Hardy, Mrs. Trakas, Ms. Macker
Front Office: Dr. Lockard, Mrs. McGaha, Ms. Wilks, Ms. Main
Custodians: Mr. Frazier, Ms. Martin, Ms. Abarca, Mr. Cromwell, Mr. Horner
Guidance: Mrs. Carl and Mrs. Blake
Specials: Mrs. Ewen, Mrs. Reynolds, Mrs. Anspach, Mrs. D'Onofrio, Mrs. Woods, Mr. Simpson, Mrs. Siderius
Special Education: Mrs. Matthews, Mrs. Vidt, Mr. Bannister, Mrs. Schwartzman
Special Education Instructional Assistants: Mrs. Reifer, Mrs. Harris, Mr. Farley, Mrs. Bonenberger, Mrs. Myers, Mrs. Johnson
Instructional Assistants: Ms. Anderson (PK at NMES)), Mrs. Pillai (PK at NMES)
Mrs. Thurston, Mrs. Noblick
Specialists/Intervention Team: Mrs. Tortolani, Mr. Purgason, Mrs. Knight
User Support Specialist: Ms. Esslinger
Instrumental Music: Mr. Berry and TBA
New Program at NMES for 2024 - 2025
DELTA Classroom:
DELTA (Developing Educational Life Tools for Achievement) is a program in Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS). This program serves general education students in grades kindergarten through second grade. The purpose is to reach students that would benefit from short-term interventions in social/emotional regulation and behavioral support. DELTA teachers provide lessons and support in the DELTA classroom as well as opportunities for guided application back within the general education environment with adult assistance.
DELTA students receive targeted support in social, emotional and behavioral areas of self-regulation. This program serves students at New Market Elementary School and students from other elementary schools in the surrounding area. The team of DELTA educators consists of a classroom teacher, a behavior support specialist and instructional assistants.
Within a structured setting of 6-8 classmates, students receive grade level instruction while learning and practicing self-regulation strategies. Students receive consistent opportunities to apply skills within a typical classroom, with support from DELTA staff. Our goal is for students to apply learned skills independently and transition back to general education classrooms.
If you have any questions regarding the DELTA Program please reach out to administration.
FCPS Honors Chorus
This year, fifth graders Audrey Merrbach, Andrew Remsch, and Olivia Siderius auditioned for and were selected to participate in Frederick County’s 37th annual Elementary Honors Chorus. They represented New Market ES with not only their beautiful singing talents, but with great Wolf character! Rehearsals occurred each week from mid-February through the end of April, both at home and at school. These were in addition to our school’s regular chorus rehearsals. They learned and sang challenging choral music in English, French, German, and Swahili. Two intense rehearsals and a fantastic concert took place at the Weinberg Center for the Arts with the guest conductor and other selected students from all over Frederick County. We are so proud of Audrey, Andrew, and Olivia’s dedication and wonderful singing talents!
Role Model Monday Nominees for May
The following students were nominated by their classroom teacher as a "Role Model Monday" nominee. These students demonstrate our Be a Wolf expectations on a regular basis across the school day. These students are recognized on our morning announcements by Dr. Lockard. The students receive a certificate and small prize for being a great Wolf each and every day! Also, the parents receive a Good News Phone Call from Dr. Lockard.
- Ayla Rian, first-grade student, in Mrs. Bender's classroom. Mrs. Bender shared the following about Ayla: "Ayla is a very caring, helpful and kind friend to all. Ayla always tries her best even when the work is challenging. Ayla is a great example of what it means to be a Wolf!"
- Lilly Pannell, fourth-grade student, in Mrs. Kueberth's classroom. Mrs. Kueberth shared the following about Lilly: " Lilly is the perfect example of what a NMES wolf is! She is responsible and respectful and is always ready to learn. Lilly works very hard to do and be her personal best every single day! I am very proud of LIlly!"
NMES Attendance
For all attendance related emails or transportation changes, please email nmes.attendance@fcps.org and include your child's teacher. Transportation changes must be made prior to 3:00pm.
Consistent attendance is important for your child's academic and social success in school. MSDE sets the attendance goal at 96%. Below are the attendance percentages for each grade level and for the school overall as of the end of May:
Pre-Kindergarten: 93.1%
Kindergarten: 94.6%
Grade 1: 94.8%
Grade 2: 94.5%
Grade 3: 95.1%
Grade 4: 94.9%
Grade 5: 95.0%
Overall School Attendance Percentage: 94.8%
You can support by sending your healthy child to school each day on time. Instruction promptly begins at 9:00 each morning. You can also support by planning vacations around the FCPS calendar. Thank you!
Click HERE to view the FCPS calendar for 2023 - 2024.
Click HERE to view the FCPS calendar for 2024 - 2025.