The Greencastle Gazette
Dear Greencastle Elementary Community,
Here are two important announcements for this week, starting with Open House. Please read this message in its entirety.
1. Open House Monday, November 11th - During Open House, you are invited to meet your administrators and listen to a brief presentation about our school improvement plan and how we are addressing chronic absenteeism. In addition, this is a great time to learn how to complete the MCPS requirements to volunteer at the Castle (e.g., classroom, lunch, recess.)
If you plan to attend Open House you must wear a visitor’s badge in the building and the portables. There will be a greeting table in the front entrance where your registration will be verified and caregivers will be given a visitor badge that must be visible on you during your time in the building and portables. Complete the registration link: Open House Registration Link.
We will have chairs set up in each classroom. Please remember that you will be in the classroom as an observer. If you are interested in engaging in a more in-depth conversation with your child’s teacher, contact them to set up a parent conference for a later date and time. Remember parent conferences are being held during the month of November.
2. Grades 2 & 3 Gifted and Talented Virtual Parent Meeting, November 13 @6:30 p.m. We are hosting a virtual parent meeting to discuss enrichment opportunities at Greencastle and the gifted and talented identification process. See the information below to access the virtual parent meeting:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/6260602038?pwd=PBRUPE5FGvAVLrnCrso2ekUuTbXvWy.1
Meeting ID: 626 060 2038
Passcode: Castle24
3. NEW TOOL ALERT - Communicating a Change in Dismissal: If you have a change in how your student(s) will dismiss from school for the day, week, or any length of time, please communicate the change using the Greencastle Attendance Note. This will ensure the main office, teachers, and administration are aware of the adjustment in how your student is dismissing from school. This is very important because safety is paramount. We appreciate your assistance and cooperation.
I hope you had a great weekend and we look forward to seeing you on Monday, November 11th promptly at 9:00 a.m. (door opens at 8:40 a.m.)
Mrs. Dean
Principal
This Week
Monday, November 11: Greencastle ES Open House @ 9:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. REGISTER HERE
Wednesday, November 13: Report Cards Distributed; and, Gifted & Talented Virtual Parent Meeting (Grades 2-3) @ 6:30 p.m.
Upcoming Dates
Tuesday, November 19: Grades 3 & 5 Green and Gold Celebration @ 9:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Wednesday, November 20: Grade 4 Green and Gold Celebration @ 9:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Thursday, November 21: Grades 1 & 2 Green and Gold Celebration @ 9:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Monday, November 25: Early Release Day; Parent -Teacher Conferences
Tuesday, November 26: Early Release Day; Parent -Teacher Conferences
Wednesday, November 27 - Friday, November 29: Thanksgiving Break; Schools and Offices Closed
The Castle will be open on Monday, November 11th! Families, you are invited to join your student(s) in the building and interact with them in the classroom during our Open House. Come. We encourage you to visit and shadow your student for the morning. Here is our agenda for Open House.
9:15 a.m. - Welcome & School Improvement Plan Presentation (Multipurpose Room)
9:45 a.m. - Visit your student(s) classroom
12:00 p.m. - Open House Concludes
Please complete the registration form to attend.
By the end of the 2024-2025 school year, the percentage of Greencastle students who are chronically absent will decrease from 32% to 27%.
As of Friday, November 8th, Greencastle Elementary's current percentage is 22.48% (MCPS is 14.40%.) We increased by 1.62% since last week. Help us to continue to meet and exceed our goal by decreasing the number of students chronically absent.
Hello Knight Community!
This month, we won’t have a General PTA Meeting.
Chipotle Fundraiser Night
Mark your calendar for Wednesday, November 13th, from 4-8pm at Chipotle in Briggs Chaney Market Place (13801 Outlet Dr., Silver Spring, MD 20904). Since this location is walk-up/drive-thru only, online ordering is required. Be sure to use our special code JYEN8P4 at checkout so the PTA receives credit for your order! Funds raised will support student incentives and our new Student Ambassador Program. We appreciate your support!
Next General Meeting
Our next General PTA Meeting will be on Tuesday, December 3rd, at 6:30pm. This will be a hybrid meeting, though we encourage everyone to attend in person if possible. We’ll have a special guest, and the Book Fair will be open from 3:30-6:00pm.
Book Fair Volunteers Needed
We’re looking for volunteers for the upcoming Book Fair! Volunteers will receive a discount on their purchases. Sign up via our Sign Up Genius. If you haven’t completed the mandatory volunteer training, please do so at least one week before your volunteer date.
Membership Update
We’re at 96 members—almost at our goal of 100! It’s never too late to join and support the PTA.
Check out our newsletter that went home to families this past Friday for more updates. Thank you for your continued support!