Forest Knolls Mustang Message

Email: Jennifer_Taylor-Cox@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/forestknollses
Location: 10830 Eastwood Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20901, USA
Phone: 240-740-1640

Parents/Caregivers are invited to attend the Forest Knolls ES Open House on Monday, November 11th from 9:00-11:00 AM. This is a time for you to visit your child’s class to see a glimpse of a typical morning in school. Other than soft greetings and affirmation signals (such as a wave, smile, thumbs up), there is minimal parent/child or parent/teacher interaction during the visit, unless specifically initiated by the teacher. You are invited to observe your child’s engagement and learning within the classroom environment. In order to maximize the experience for all participants, we ask parents/caregivers to limit their individual classroom visits to 30-45 minutes. Parents/caregivers must sign-in and pick-up a Visitor Sticker upon arrival. We are unable to accommodate younger children in classrooms. We encourage families with babies or toddlers to work together to create an opportunity to visit classrooms. We invite you to complete the Forest Knolls Open House November 2024 Survey by November 18, 2024. We look forward to seeing you!

The Book Fair is here! Click here for the Fair website and setting up e-wallet. Families are invited to shop the fair with their child after school (see schedule below). Check for your teacher’s classroom wishlist at the fair and help support students’ love of reading.

Fair proceeds will support the school library and also be used to purchase a book for every student who wishes to buy one, regardless of financial ability. Please reach out to Media Specialist Rachel Burroughs (Rachel_burroughs@mcpsmd.org) if you need a book voucher for your student. Volunteers welcome – sign up here!

Book Fair Schedule

Mon. November 11, 9:00-11:00 AM: Adults are invited to preview the fair during Monday’s Open House. No sales at this time.

Tues. November 12, 3:30-5:30 PM: Families invited to shop at the fair.

Wed. November 13, 3:30-5:30 PM: Families invited to shop at the fair.

Thurs. November 14, 5:00-7:00 PM: Families invited to shop at the fair. FINAL NIGHT

You have access to your child's Marking Period 1 Interim Report and MAP Reports from the Fall administration in ParentVUE. Both reports can be found in the Documents section. Interim reports reflect a snapshot of student progress based on the first half of the marking period. MAP assessments are given 3 times a year; the 2nd administration window is 12/16-1/28. If you need help locating the information, please contact our Staff Development Teacher, Ms. Jackie Martins.

The next Latino Parent Coffee is November 20, 2024 at 9:00-10:00 in Room 48.

Mrs. Veronica Gonzalez, Forest Knolls Parent Community Coordinator, will share family resources throughout the year. Please contact Mrs. Gonzalez with questions, needs, or ideas at 240-740-4620 (office), 240-550-3254 (cell), veronica_gonzalez@mcpsmd.org (email).

Caring Matters Virtual Family Nights Grief Support for the Whole Family

Q: Teacher wish lists for book fair, will there be any this year?

A: Yes. Wish lists will be available at the Book Fair or you can email Ms. Rachel Burroughs.

Q: Any way we can know the spirit week dates in early December? Thanks!

A. Yes. Winter Break Spirit Week is December 16-20. Details will follow.

Q: Is Learning Lab a FKES initiative or MCPS initiative?

A: Learning Lab is targeted instruction to further meet the unique needs of each learner in every classroom. It is a time of reinforcement, support, and/or enrichment. Learning Lab is not mandated by MCPS, but many schools have found success with it. Some schools call it Focused/Flexible Instructional Time (FIT) or What I Need (WIN) time.

Q: Per learning labs - my child says all she does is play on the computer while her friends who have the home room teacher for English and math get called into small group work. Can you talk about how learning labs work for students who aren’t in the subject matter classes of the home room?

A: Everyone participates in the Learning Lab. It could be direct instruction from a staff member or independent work for the student. If you have specific questions about your child’s Learning Lab experience, please ask the teacher.

Q: Who makes up the ILT at FKES?

A: The stellar Instructional Leadership Team (ILT) at Forest Knolls is comprised of grade level team leaders, Elected Faculty Representative (EFR), Elected Support Representative (ESR), School Counselor, School Psychologist, Academic Support/Focus Teacher, Staff Development Teacher (SDT), Reading Specialist (RS), Assistant Principal, and Principal.

Q: Would it be helpful to seek out/would the school be able to accept donations of tablets/iPads to support classrooms who requested these mini-grants?

A: It is difficult to utilize donated technology due to the need for support to properly install, maintain, operate, and secure the donated technology.

Q: In terms of restorative practices, what support are teachers given when there are problem students who repeatedly disrupt class and the restorative practices aren’t working?

A: Forest Knolls ES follows MCPS guidance in the use of Restorative Approaches and the implementation of the Student Code of Conduct. Administration collaborates with teachers, students, and parents to find successful strategies and interventions. Our priorities include ensuring a safe, positive, and productive learning environment for every student.

Q: You mentioned there was no correlation between EML Hispanic students and Hispanic students who took classes in English when it came to the chronic absenteeism data. Can you share the correlation/overlap with FARMS students?

A: To clarify, we shared that regardless of current Emergent Multilingual Learner (EML) status, when the data was analyzed through the lens of race/ethnicity, our Hispanic students were not meeting proficiency to the level of the other ethnic groups and therefore, they are our focus group for our SIP. When you look at the Socioeconomic Status (SES) of the students in our focus group, Hispanic students who have not yet met proficiency in English Language Arts (ELA) measures, Math measures, or both, most but not all of these students receive Free And Reduced-price Meals (FARMS).

Q: Would like more information about the strategy to meet SMARTIE goals with Hispanic students in SIP and how PTA can collaborate.

A: Our talented staff members are dedicated to the increase of student achievement and growth. We participate in meaningful professional development. We analyze data, monitor progress, share strategies, and support one another as we continue to focus on improvement. We invite our PTA to continue to support school improvement by fostering a positive school environment, supporting teachers through mini-grants and appreciation, offering celebrations of diversity and community building events, and advocating for student/family needs.

Q: While 1/3 of 1/3 isn’t a lot of teachers, by standard survey metrics it is representative of the whole. You shared that 1/3 of the teachers don’t feel positive about coming to school. How does this compare to MCPS schools as a whole? How does this compare to other elementary schools with similar demographics to FKES? Is this the main question asked about staff morale? What other positive or concerning data points did the climate survey show?

A: While the number of staff not feeling positive about coming to work is small, each staff member is important. We are implementing internal staff appreciation and recognition strategies. Administration is collaboratively working with elected faculty and support representatives to uncover details and develop solutions. We are firmly committed to a positive school environment. For specific survey questions and school comparisons, please see the MCPS School Summary Data.

Q: Was there a date that we should hear about parent/teacher conference set up by the teacher?

A: Information will be coming home this week.