FALCON FAMILY NEWS
10.4.24
We have a new phone number! Our new front office number is: 227.203.1480!
MESSAGE FROM MRS. POQUETTE & MRS. ROLAND
Fall is here, and that brings cooler temperatures along with it.
- Please remember to dress your student(s) in layers.
- If you need to make a change to the way your child is going home, please email Alex Brown alexandra.brown@fcps.org and Ericka Somarriba (ericka.villatoro@fcps.org). This dynamic duo is always here ready to help, but in the event one is out, we want to be certain we get the message to your child and their teacher. If it's a last minute change, we would prefer you call the school. We are unable to make any transportation changes after 2:20.
- Parent/Teacher Conferences are almost here! Attending your child’s conference is critical. You will be informed of your child’s progress and how you can support their educational success.
Thank you again for helping us deliver excellence in education to Every Student Every Day at North Frederick Elementary.
Students in grades K-5 have a 30 minute block embedded in their schedule each day. This is an additional block in the student day where they receive small group personalized learning based on formative assessment data. Students are strategically grouped based on what they need! During this time, students are receiving enrichment, reteaching and/or opportunities to apply new learning. Don't forget to ask about your child's WIN block during parent teacher conferences.
Adjusted Schedule For Conferences
This week the FCPS calendar outlines two early dismissals-
- Monday, October 7th -4 hour late arrival
- Tuesday, October 8th -4 hour late arrival
- Wednesday, October 9th- 3.5 Hour early dismissal
Monday & Tuesday: NFES Students Arrive between 11:50-12:15 (4 hours late)
Wednesday: NFES Students Dismiss at 11:17 (3.5 hours early)
***Car Riders can be picked up between 11:17-11:45
Important Dates
Monday, October 7th- Wear Blue for Bully Prevention
October 7th-9th- Parent Teacher Conferences & PTA Book fair (School Schedule Above)
Wednesday, October 16th- Wear Orange for Unity Day
Thursday, October 17th- School Spirit Day
Friday, October 18th- No School
Wednesday, October 23rd- PTA Trunk or Treat
Thursday, October 24th- School Picture Day
Friday, October 25th- Students Dismiss 2 hours early
Water Bottles
We allow and encourage students access to water bottles throughout the day. Please help us by:
- labeling your child's water bottle
- sending the water bottle filled with water only each morning
- letting us know if your child needs a water bottle so we can provide one to them
We only allow water in the classroom during the day because of spills/clean up and protecting materials.
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 September and for 3rd-5th grade coming very close!
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
NFES School Hours
Students will arrive between 7:50 AM-8:15 AM
Instruction starts at 8:20 AM (Students who arrive after 8:20 will be marked late.)
Dismissal will begin at 2:50 PM
Lost and Found
Our lost and found, located in our cafeteria, is growing by the day with water bottles, lunch boxes, and jackets. If your child is missing an item, please have them check our lost and found. Parents, feel free to check the lost and found when you visit NFES for parent teacher conferences. At the end of each marking period, we will empty our lost and found by donating items to a local charity. For the first marking period, our lost and found will be emptied on October 24th.
School Meals
Please use this link to locate FCPS School Meal Information
FCPS has a new parent portal for School Meals: https://linqconnect.com/
- Use Linq Connect to apply for Free and Reduced Meals
- Use Linq Connect to add money on your child's lunch account
- View student meal transactions
- View lunch Menu
- Set low-balance notifications
*If you want to limit your child's account to just lunches or one snack a day/week, please send a written note in with your child.
Electronic Meal Benefits Applications for the 2024-2025 school year are now active at LINQ Connect. Families can apply for free or reduced price meal benefits all year long. All students at all Frederick County Public Schools can apply for free or reduced-price meal benefits.
Before the start of each school year, we remind families that they can apply for free or reduced-priced meal benefits. Benefits from the previous school year will expire on October 3, 2024 and the child will go to a "paid" status on October 4, 2024. We encourage families who feel they qualify, or families who are not sure if they qualify, to fill out an online free and reduced meal benefit application. Families can access the confidential application at LINQ Connect. To see income eligibility guidelines see our Press Release. For any questions, visit the Free and Reduced Meals FAQs, email FNS at food.service@fcps.org, or call 240-586-8152.
NEW! FCPS Volunteers- REQUIRED to chaperone field trips
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.
NFES 23.24 PTA
President – Alicia Graves
Vice President –Lauren Herbster
Secretary – Amelia Saris
Treasurer – Ryan Trout
PTA Information
Save the Dates
● October 7: Conference Week Dinner for NFES Staff (Sign up below)
● October 7-9: Scholastic Book Fair (Volunteer below)
● October 23: Trunk-or-Treat (Volunteer below)
● October 29: Chipotle PTA Fundraiser – Wormans Mill
The Scholastic Book Fair is Next Week!
The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to NFES next week! This is a perfect chance for your kids to discover new favorite books while supporting our school. A huge thank you to all the members of our PTA community who have signed up to volunteer.
Book Fair Dates:
- Monday, October 7th - 3:30-7pm
Tuesday, October 8th - 3:30-7pm
Wednesday, October 9th - 1-5pm
Why Visit the Book Fair?
Find awesome new books for every reading level and interest.
Stock up on fun accessories, posters, and more!
RSVP for Trunk or Treat!
Get ready for our Annual Trunk-or-Treat on Wednesday, October 23rd, 6-7pm in the NFES parking lot! Wear your costume, collect goodies car-to-car, and snap spooky photos with friends. Enjoy the school chorus and grab food from local food trucks.
RSVP Required:
Students: RSVP by Oct. 16th
Trunk Hosts (limited space): Sign up here
Volunteers Needed: Sign up here
Reminders:
NFES families only; no drop-offs
Older siblings must be accompanied and behave appropriately.
Cars cannot move during the event; park on surrounding streets without blocking driveways.
Announcing the PTA School Directory Initiative!
We are excited to introduce the North Frederick Elementary School Directory initiative, designed by the PTA to help families to connect outside of school. This digital directory will be free to all current PTA members and include info to make it easier to build our school community.
Participation is completely optional, and the directory will be available only through the NFES PTA to help students connect outside of school - for personal use only.
Key Information:
Submit Your Info by: November 1st
Digital access will be sent to all current PTA members by Thanksgiving break.
To submit your information here:
Support NFES at Chipotle October 29th!
Mark your calendars for October 29th from 5-9 PM and join us for a delicious way to support our school! Head over to Chipotle in Wormans Mill and a portion of your purchase will go directly to the NFES PTA, helping us fund important programs and events for our students.
How to participate:
In-store: Show the digital flier (linked below) at checkout.
Online orders (pickup only): Use promo code Q82EA7Q during checkout to make sure your order counts.
Every burrito counts! Thank you for being a part of our community! 🌮
Classroom Contest Membership Winner!
Congrats to Mrs. Hott’s 4th graders who won the PTA membership classroom contest. Their class has the most PTA memberships and as a prize, will get to duct-tape Principal Poquette to the wall on Tuesday, October 8th. Stay tuned for the funny pictures!
PTA Membership: Please Join If You Have Not Yet Done So!
Not a member yet? It’s not too late, and there are plenty of reasons to sign up! Families who join the PTA will receive exclusive access to the student directories this fall. Plus, members can participate in the 2nd-5th Grade Spring Play for free!
For our teachers, PTA membership comes with a $75 reimbursement for classroom needs and free candy to hand out at Trunk-or-Treat.
Our next PTA meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 5th at 5:30pm. It will be virtually only. A Google Meet link will be sent to all members via email. You can also find up-to-date meeting links and info on our Facebook page and Instagram.
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