Stonegate Greetings
Weekly Newsletter
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Week of November 19, 2023
Monday 11/20:
Early Release for Grade K-5 and LFI; No School for Pre-K & PEP
Native American Heritage Month
Tuesday, 11/21:
Early Release for Grade K-5 and LFI; No School for Pre-K & PEP
Native American Heritage Month
Wednesday, 11/22:
No School
Thursday, 11/23:
No School; Happy Thanksgiving!
Friday, 11/24:
No School
Upcoming Dates
November-January 15: Grade 5 Papa John’s Pizza Card Fundraiser
Wednesday, November 29: Grade 3 Trip to Imagination Stage: A Year with Frog and Toad
December 5: PTA Meeting (in-person)
December 25-January 2: No School, Winter Break
January
January 15: No School
January 29: No School
See the MCPS Yearlong Calendar
Principal’s Message
Dear Stonegate Elementary Caregivers and Families,
As we approach the holiday season, I want to take a moment to express my sincere wishes for you and your loved ones. I hope this time is filled with joy, warmth, and cherished moments. In reflecting on the incredible community we have at Stonegate Elementary, I am truly grateful for the caring staff and the support of each family. Your dedication to creating a nurturing environment for our students is invaluable.
It brings me immense joy to spend time with the students in their classrooms, witnessing their growth, enthusiasm, and the sense of community that permeates our school. Your involvement and commitment contribute greatly to the positive atmosphere at Stonegate, making it a special place for our students to learn and thrive.
I also wanted to update you on the status of the school field. Unfortunately, due to ongoing issues with grading, the field will be closed for several months. While we are actively working to address these concerns, it is uncertain when the field will be available for use. We remain hopeful that it will be accessible at some point during this school year, but there is a possibility that it may remain closed through the remainder of the academic year.
We understand the significance of the field for various activities, and we appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to resolve the situation. Thank you for your continued support and for being an integral part of the Stonegate Elementary family. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and looking forward to a positive and productive school year ahead.
With gratitude,
Linda M. Jones
Principal, Stonegate Elementary
Papa John's Fundraiser
For $15 you can purchase a Papa John's pizza card that allows you to buy one pizza and get one pizza free. Valid for carryout orders only and it provides unlimited use for a year - through 12/31/24.
The 5th grade classes are hosting this opportunity to raise funds for their promotion and end of the year activities. The class receives $10 for every card sold.
Parent Teacher Conferences are underway!
This November, we are scheduling parent-teacher conferences so you can talk with your child's teacher about their growth and progress. Please be sure to sign up for a conference. The conferences can be in-person, virtual, or over the phone for your convenience.
Contact your child’s homeroom teacher if you have not yet signed up for a conference.
MCAP Results- Spring 2023
Good Evening Stonegate Families with Students in Grades 4 and 5,
This message is to let you know that your child’s Individual Score Report(s) for the Spring 2023 Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) English Language Arts and/or Math assessments have been delivered to the Post Office. In addition to the school reports, you will receive a guide to assist you in understanding your student’s score on the assessments. Please allow at least one week for delivery from receipt of this message. If you have any questions about your student’s ELA and/or Math scores, please contact Crystal Semitekolos, School Testing Coordinator, for any questions.
We need your pictures!!
Please send us your Multicultural Night, Field Trip, Open House, Halloween or other class event pictures for possible use in Stonegate’s yearbook. Use this link to upload images: https://images.jostens.com/0DHkYRkGRGW2eMGcaDqH0YA
To ensure high quality printing in the yearbook, please provide only high resolution images. Images can be uploaded in JPEG, TIFF, or PNG file format.
Yearbooks will go on sale in Spring and arrive in early June.
Native American Heritage Month
Every year in November, Native American Heritage Month is celebrated to honor the remarkable Native Americans who have contributed a lot to improve the character of the nation, and to call attention to the culture, traditions, and achievements of the nation's original inhabitants and of their descendants. This month allows us to spread awareness about tribes or to educate people about the various challenges faced by the Native Americans in the past and today. Throughout this month, we commit to keep on supporting the remaining Native American tribes and let the world know about their sacrifices.
Your Remind Settings
Adjust your account settings for Remind!
You can add/remove email addresses and phone numbers at www.remind.com. Choose “Sign up” and enter your phone number. Your account as an MCPS parent will come up and will allow you to edit your communication settings.
If you would like to add a phone to receive Remind text messages from the school, text @436ch8 to the number 81010
Counselor’s Corner
Student Well-Being at Stonegate Elementary
Each school has staff supporting students and families’ well-being. We are focused on student attendance, family resources, academic growth, and more.
Please click below to meet the members of the Well-being team for Stonegate Elementary.
Wellbeing Support at Stonegate Elementary 09.09.23.pdf
School Attendance
ALL IN! BE PRESENT. BE PREPARED. BE ENGAGED.
Regular school attendance is essential for student success. When attendance improves, the student's academic prospects and chance of graduation improves.
Virtual Rainbow Club
The Virtual Rainbow Club is open to all MCPS students in grades K-5. It is led by MCPS staff and HS students. Dates and additional information can be found in the link Virtual Rainbow Club.
Toys at Stonegate ES
At Stonegate, toys are only allowed when:
The class has earned an incentive
The toy is not a distraction from learning
The teacher and parent have an understanding about the toy.
Spirit Days-when students can bring in their stuffed animals
Toys should NOT be at outdoor recess or in the cafeteria. Students may misplace or lose toys. This rule also applies to trading cards, like Pokemon cards.
Stonegate is not responsible for missing or lost toys. Toys can be confiscated by the teacher or administration if the toy distracts from learning after staff reminders.
November Lunch Menu
There are different menus for Pre-K, Elementary, Middle School, and High School.
The November Menu for School Meals here:
Lost and Found
The Lost and Found is overflowing with hoodies , jackets, and winter coats. We know that your child will need their items back in this cold weather and before the Thansgiving holiday
Please take a few moments and add your children’s names to jackets, water bottles, and lunch boxes.
Upcoming Field Trips
We are learning every day in school and on field trips! Here is a list of planned and upcoming field trips. This list will continue to grow as additional trips are planned and more details are finalized. We want to thank our PTA for sponsoring several trips so our students can enjoy them for free!
Permission slips are coming home with students. Please check your student’s folder and return the permission slip.
For field trip payments, we encourage online payments at https://mcpsmd.schoolcashonline.com/ School Cash Online is MCPS’ online payment system. Cash or checks payable to Stonegate Elementary are also accepted, but for safety and security purposes, online payments are preferred.
Students will not be denied the opportunity to attend a trip due to financial hardship. If you need to make special arrangements to cover the cost of the trip, please contact your child’s teacher via email or note.
PTA News
PTA Meeting on December 5
Mark your calendars for the next PTA meeting on Tuesday, December 5 at 6:30 - 7:30 pm. The meeting will be held in the APR and Global will be providing childcare during the meeting. Please RSVP if you plan to attend to provide an estimate for planning. The meeting agenda will be provided as we get closer to the meeting date. If you have any questions or comments, please contact StonegatePTAPres@gmail.com.
Caregivers are welcome to help during Lunch and Recess
Please sign up for any available dates/times you can volunteer using the Sign-up Genius.
Before volunteering, all volunteers must complete the MCPS Volunteer Training Module on Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect. Please bring a copy of your certificate or send to Anita_B_Knuth@mcpsmd.org or
Franny_S_Wooler@mcpsmd.org See Stonegate’s Volunteer Handbook here.
Clothing To Cash Recycling Program
Clothing to Cash® is a program that collects new and used clothing, shoes, sheets, towels, and all textiles and pays the school for every pound collected. As your child is outgrowing clothes, don’t throw those clothes away, give clothes a second life by donating them to Stonegate.
This recycling program is a win-win! It’s free and convenient for families and also serves as an ongoing fundraiser that serves our students and school community.
The program is operated entirely OUTSIDE and is located in the school parking lot, where students, parents, staff, and the community can drop off items throughout the year. They have state-of-the-art photo quantity sensors installed in each bin that report 3 times daily allowing the company to schedule service as needed. They empty the collection bin, weigh the contents to determine our school earnings, and pay our school each month. Every donation helps. If each family donates just one kitchen-size trash bag, we will earn $1000- $2000 yearly.
Stonegate families, relatives, neighbors, and staff are all encouraged to participate!
SchoolCash Online - For Field Trips and Classroom Activities
Activate your account today! With your account, you will receive an email each time there is a new activity fee added for your child(ren).
One-Pager - Parent Registration Instructions - 2022 - Montgomery
Apply for Free and Reduced Price Meals
Apply now for Free Meals at https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application
Interested families must reapply each school year. It takes 15 minutes!
What you will need to provide during the application process:
The names and incomes of every member of your household
The school, grade, and birthdate of every student in your household
Your social security number and electronic signature
(Optional) A valid email address or phone number for district communication about the status of the application.
Apply once per school year.
ParentVUE
ParentVue is a central online location for students and their parents, guardians, or other authorized adults to access MCPS student information. Parents/caregivers who do not have an account created will receive a letter from MCPS with instructions and access codes for activation.
Here is a ParentView quick guide and directions for activating your account. If you need an activation letter or assistance, please contact the office.
Here is the MCPS Parent Tech Support Website:
https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/parents/tech-info-support
Stonegate Elementary School
Stonegate Elementary School
14811 Notley Road
Silver Spring, MD 20905
Main Office: 240- 740-7430
Arrival 8:40-9:00 a.m.
Dismissal 3:25 p.m.
All walkers will exit through the front doors. We ask that caregivers please greet your students behind the cones away from the front entrance of the double doors.
Picking up early?
If you need to pick your child up early, please do so before 3 p.m. The main office cannot accommodate parent pick-ups after 3:00 p.m.
Principal: Linda_M_Jones@mcpsmd.org
Twitter: @StonegatePrin
Assistant Principal: Franny_S_Wooler@mcpsmd.org
Twitter: @FrannyWooler
Visit us on the web at: www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/stonegatees/