Dr. Ronald E. McNair ES Parent News

As we welcome 2025, it is hard to believe another year is upon us. January is a month filled with goal-setting and resetting! This week, our teachers will welcome students back to re-establish classroom expectations, rules, and routines while continuing to build on the strong relationships already established.

January also offers an opportunity to reenergize our focus on using multiple data points to ensure students are making meaningful academic progress. It is a time to celebrate achievements and refocus on areas that need further attention. To meet our goals, consistent attendance is essential. According to the Maryland State Department of Education, a student is considered chronically absent if they miss 10% or more of the school year. Currently, 18% of our students fall into this category. At Dr. Ronald E. McNair Elementary School, students are marked tardy if they are not in their classroom by 9:25 AM. At present, 7% of our students are chronically tardy. For optimal performance, students should arrive by 9:20 AM, giving them five minutes to prepare for their day.

January is also a month of progress checks on student growth. As students set goals based on their results, here are some tips to help them succeed:

• Get plenty of sleep: Aim for at least 8 hours each night.
• Attend school regularly and on time.
• Read, read, read!
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle: Eat nutritious meals and exercise daily to nurture both body and mind.
• Practice kindness: Follow the Golden Rule by treating others as you wish to be treated.
• Time + Effort = Achievement: Encourage your student to carefully complete assignments, ask questions when tasks are challenging, persevere even when the work is difficult, and eliminate “can’t” from their vocabulary.

Remember, the Dr. McNair ES motto is: Work hard and be nice!

We would also like to take a moment to thank Mrs. Oglesby for her invaluable support of the Dr. McNair community during Mrs. Mason’s maternity leave. Mrs. Oglesby has been an amazing addition to our team, and we are deeply grateful for her commitment to our school. She will continue to support us through February when Mrs. Mason returns as assistant principal.

Finally, we wish you all a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2025! Together, we will continue to achieve success through the hard work and dedication of every member of our school community. At Dr. Ronald E. McNair ES, our mission and vision guide our work: We empower students to grow into compassionate, independent, life-long learners. Respect, communication, and relationships form the foundation of our efforts. This mission can only be accomplished through collaboration among teachers, students, staff, families, and administrators. Together, we can make student success a reality. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email both Mrs. Moses (Sherilyn_R_Moses@mcpsmd.org) and Mrs. Oglesby (Jerri_B_Oglesby@mcpsmd.orgg).

Sincerely,

Mrs. Sherry Moses, Principal

&

Mrs. Jerri Oglesby, Acting Assistant Principal

As you are aware, baby Mason arrived earlier than scheduled and Mrs. Oglesby has been supporting our school while Mrs. Mason enjoys being a new mom. Please read below for a brief introduction from Mrs. Oglesby.

My name is Jerri Oglesby (Mrs. O.) a retired teacher/principal from MCPS, I am absolutely loving my time here at Dr. Ronald E. McNair Elementary School. The staff and children are wonderful. Each day I learn a little more about them and love the time I have to work with them in their classrooms, at lunch and recess. When I am not at school, I love spending time with my family which is my husband Mr. O, my two sons Jake and Nathan, my grandson Preston and of course my little fur baby Roxie. I love reading, taking long walks on the trails or in the woods near my house, and traveling. Mr. O and I love baseball, and I spend a lot of time between March and October watching my favorite team, the Baltimore Orioles, play not only in Camden Yards, but also on the road. I am looking forward to continuing to get to know the children and supporting their learning during my time at Dr. McNair.

Emergencies can arise at any time. It is important to your child’s safety that we have your current address and current home and work numbers on file.

The school's phone number is 240-740-6830.

The health room's phone number is 240-740-6832.

Sick Student?

We understand that students will be sick and we want to help you. When your child is sick, in addition to informing the classroom teacher, please be sure to inform the main office. The best way to do so is by completing the Student Absence form. We appreciate you keeping your student at home when they are ill.

Dates: January 6-8, 2025

Where: The Gym

Time: Afterschool

(Parents do not attend auditions.)

All students who attended the Talent Show information meeting in December signed up for a January after-school audition slot. Your students should have received a letter from Mrs. Taylor with their audition date and other information. Your student should be prepared with their performance material on their designated day. If you have questions, please see Mrs. Margaret Taylor or email her at Margaret_E_Taylor@mcpsmd.org. (or) Margaret.E.Taylor@mcpsmd.net

Please note: If the forecasted snow arrives as anticipated, updated audition dates and information will be provided.

The Dr. Ronald E. McNair school spelling bee will be upon us soon. All students in grades 3-5 will be participating in their classroom spelling bees sometime between Jan.6th through the 17th. Each class will name a spelling bee champion who will go on to participate in the school-wide spelling bee taking place in February. All families in grades 3-5 should have received the spelling bee word list to practice directly from classroom teachers, but it can also be found below. Please reach out to your student's homeroom teacher with any questions.

The PTA will host the S.T.E.M. Expo on Friday, January 24th.

If a student’s plans require a change from their normal dismissal (e.g. play date, child care changes), the change must be made in writing to the homeroom teacher and front office. Please state your child’s name, the name of the individual they should be dismissed with, the date the change is occurring and your signature.

In the event of last minute changes to a student’s dismissal plans, please call the main office prior to 3:00 p.m. All students will be dismissed via their normal plan unless we have been notified of a change. Please arrange your child’s transportation home so that it is consistent. It is difficult for a child to remember where they are to go on a particular day if the routine changes daily. Students are not to call home from the school to make after school plans.

Any adults who come to school to pick up a child early will be asked to show documentation to verify identification and ensure student safety.

The front office will have quiet hours between 3:30 and 3:50 where students will not be called down for early dismissal.

ALERT MONTGOMERY

Alert Montgomery is the official emergency communications service for Montgomery County, MD. During a major crisis, emergency, or severe weather event, Montgomery County officials can send event updates, warnings, and instructions directly to you on any of your devices.

Signing up for Alert Montgomery is free, but please check with your wireless provider about charges associated with text messages. Sign up at http://alert.montgomerycountymd.gov.

WINTER WEATHER INFORMATION

Winter weather emergencies, such as snow and ice, may cause disruptions in school operations, including the closure of school, a delayed opening, or an early dismissal. Information about school operations is announced publicly as soon as possible on area radio and television stations, Montgomery County Public Schools Cable TV, Outlook, and on the Internet at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org. Emergency e-mail announcements are available by signing up for MCPS Quicknotes on the school system’s home page. If schools are closed or delayed, the announcement is made no later than 5:00 a.m. (or the night before if possible). If schools are closing early, the announcement is made by 11:00 a.m. Please make sure you have a plan for delayed openings and early closings.

MCPS offers numerous ways for parents to learn about school closures, delayed openings, and early dismissals due to inclement weather.

• Remind Updates from the school

• AlertMCPS: Subscribe to AlertMCPS
• Receive text messages or emails from MCPS during weather-related emergencies and other major events that impact school system operations. Parents can also sign up to receive alerts specific to their child’s school.

• MCPS homepage: www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org
  

• MCPS cable channels: Comcast 34, Verizon Fios 36 or RCN 89
  

• Recorded information: 301-279-3673
  

• Ask MCPS: 240-740-3000
• Staff takes calls from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, in English and Spanish.
  

• Social Media:
  
• • MCPS on X (formerly Twitter)
  • MCPS on Facebook
  • MCPS on Instagram

• Local radio and TV stations
• Please make sure emergency contact information on file at your child’s school is up to date.

Learn more about how weather decisions are made and how to receive information about any changes.

Now that the cold weather has arrived, students need to be prepared to be outside for recess and in warm classrooms. Please remember to dress your child for the changing temperatures. Layering clothing works best, as the mornings will be very cool with warmer afternoons. A shirt with a sweater over top is great for the classroom, and then they can add a heavy coat for recess.

All students should be prepared by wearing hats, scarves, mittens or gloves, and boots, if needed. The time outdoors is important for energy release which helps with concentration for afternoon instruction. Normally, students go outside if the temperature is 32 degrees or above, including wind chill, and the blacktop areas are clear of ice and snow.

Please remember to label EVERYTHING with your child’s name. That way, as they shed their layers, we can make sure the items make their way back to the correct children.

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) appreciates the support of the parent and community volunteers who support the essential needs of the schools. Volunteers and partnership agencies are required to complete certain compliance measures in order to volunteer within our school district.

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In partnership with the PTA and Nothing Bundt Cake, we have an exciting reading incentive for our students. With Books and Bundts, the bakery will reward students with a FREE BUNDTLET each month for their commitment to reading 400 minutes a month (10-15 minutes a day or 20 min 5 days/week). To earn a Free Bundlet, students will track their minutes and stop by the bakery with their parent/legal guardian for their sweet treat (redemption once a month).