![page background](https://cdn.smore.com/u/backgrounds/custom_bg-64e92af678a29964a0917347-6b9c98b80c05.jpg)
Stonegate Greetings
Weekly Newsletter
![Stonegate Greetings Weekly Newsletter](https://cdn.smore.com/u/ae61/67d2dc4964dfae48727afdc0d8eae261.jpg)
Translate this newsletter using the "Translate" button at the top of this page.
Traduzca este boletín usando el botón "Translate" en la parte superior de esta página.
Dịch bản tin này bằng nút "Translate" ở đầu trang này.
Traduza este boletim informativo usando o botão "Translate" no topo desta página.
Week of March 4, 2024
Monday 3/4
PTA Read-A-Thon Fundraiser ENDS TODAY
Tuesday, 3/5
Sky’s The Limit Dance, Grades K-2
Grade K Field Trip Croydon Creek
Grade 5 Field Trip to Sherwood High School for Rock ‘n’ Roll Revival Musical
PTA Meeting (virtual)
Wednesday, 3/6
Thursday, 3/7
5th Grade MISA (State Science Assessment)
- Ms. Smith and Ms. Whitlock Grade 3 Field Trip to Croydon Creek Nature Center
- Sky’s The Limit Dance, Grades 3-5
Friday, 3/8
5th Grade MISA (State Science Assessment)
Ms. Grammer and Ms. Rem Grade 3 Field Trip to Croydon Creek Nature Center
Spirit Day- Wear Stonegate T Shirts
Upcoming Dates
March 11: Grade 2 Field Trip to Kid Museum
March 14: PreK Field Trip to Imagination Stage
March 14: Grades 3 and 5 Field Trip to Springbrook High School for Addams Family Musical
March 14: Math & Reading Night 6:00-7:30 p.m.
March 15: Grade 1 Field Trip Robinson Nature Center
March 19: Grade 4 Field Trip to Historic St. Mary’s City
March 19: 5th Grade Maryland State School Survey
March 25- April 1: Spring Break, No School
April 2: Grade 4 Field Trip to Skate Zone
April 4, 5, 8, 9: Grade 5 State Testing MCAP ELA
April 8-12: Literary Festival
April 10: No School for all students
April 11, 12, 15, 16: Grades 3 and 4 State Testing MCAP ELA
April 17: Spring student portraits and Class Photos
April 19: Career Day
April 22: School Closed for all students; Asynchronous (At-Home) Learning Day
April 25: Take Your Child to Work Day
Principal’s Message
Dear Stonegate Elementary Caregivers and Families,
Thank you to each and every one of you for joining us at our Black History Night event this past Thursday. Your presence and support made the evening truly special. We were absolutely blown away by the incredible performances showcased by nearly 500 students. It was a testament to the talent and dedication within our school community.
Black History Night holds a unique significance for us. It's a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the diversity and richness of our student body, and to shine a spotlight on the achievements and contributions of Black individuals throughout history.
Events like these remind us of the importance of honoring and learning from the past, while also celebrating the present and looking towards a more inclusive future. Thank you once again for being a part of this memorable evening.
In today’s greetings, you will see important information about:
School Survey for all Families
Read-A-Thon ends Monday!
2024 Stonegate Yearbook
MISA Testing for Grade 5
Math and Reading Night on 3/14
Let me Run & Girls on the Run
March Lunch Menu
Field Trips … and more!
Warmly,
Linda M. Jones
Principal, Stonegate Elementary
Survey for Stonegate Families
We need your input!
Please click on this link and select Stonegate Elementary.
https://parentsurvey.mcpsmd.org/
The survey only takes about 10 minutes. It allows caregivers to provide feedback about academics, safety, communication, diversity, and the social environment at school.
Instructions for completing the survey
English / Español / 中文 / Français / Português /한국어 / Tiếng Việt / አማርኛ
We would like ALL families to participate, PreK through 5th grade!
Stonegate Read-A-Thon is EXTENDED!
We are so proud of our students joining the Read-A-Thon! Our school is currently reading more than ever during our Read-A-Thon. So far, our students have read over 71,000 minutes!
This is the last weekend for our Stonegate Sharks to read and log minutes.
Don’t forget to log all the minutes by Monday.
PTA Updates
The next PTA meeting will be held virtually on Tuesday, March 5. The meeting agenda will include updates from the board officers and chairs, the school administration team, and updates on Spring testing.
PTA membership is year-round, and it's not too late to join. There are many PTA activities and events to plan, coordinate, and support to help our students reach their full potential. Visit the Stonegate PTA website to learn more about the PTA and become a member.
Check-out the Stonegate On-Demand Store for new spirit wear. All orders will be shipped directly to your address.
State Science Testing (MISA) for 5th Grade this week 3/7 and 3/8
On Thursday, March 7 and Friday, March 8, students in Grade 5 will take a Maryland State Science test, called MISA. The Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (MISA) is administered to all students in fifth grade, eighth grade, and high school. The MISA is aligned to the Maryland Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The NGSS integrate three dimensions necessary to understand science. The dimensions are the Science and Engineering Practices, the Crosscutting Concepts, and the Disciplinary Core Ideas.
Attendance
Students need to be at school, on time every day of testing. If your child is late to school, they will not be able to participate in testing that day. Making-up the assessments due to a student being absent or late will cause significant loss of instructional time. Please do everything you can to make sure your child is at school, on time every day of testing.
Sleep and Breakfast - Please make sure your child gets a good night's sleep and eats a healthy breakfast on testing days.
Electronics - Students are prohibited from having electronics such as phones, airpods, and smart watches. They must be off and in their backpacks, or left at home on test days.
Test Taking Strategies:
Below are some simple test-taking strategies that may help your child show their best on the test. 🙂
Spring Testing at Stonegate
This spring, Stonegate students will participate in state and/or district wide testing. Students in grades 3-5 will participate in the Maryland state assessments known as MCAP (Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program). Students in grades K-5 will participate in our district wide MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) testing. If you would like to hear more about these assessments, please attend the March PTA meeting on Tuesday, March 5. Crystal Semitekolos, our Staff Development Teacher and one of our Testing Coordinators, will be presenting on spring testing. Here is the slideshow if you’d like to preview the information about Spring Testing: Spring Testing Slideshow
Practice Tests (ELA & Math):
3-5th grade students will be participating in practice MCAP testing with their teachers, but it is encouraged to practice with the format of the test and the types of questions at home, too! You can access the practice tests by visiting the link here: Practice Tests
Spring MAP Testing
The Measures of Academic Progress (also known as MAP) testing window overlaps with the MCAP testing window. Please take note of the testing dates for your child below and make every effort for them to be present on testing day in order to not miss instructional time for testing makeups. Thank you!
March Lunch Menu
The March Menu for School Meals:
K-5 March Menu
English | español | français | 中文 | Portuguese | 한국어 | tiếng Việt | አማርኛ
Pre-K March Menu
English | español | français | 中文 | Portuguese | 한국어 | tiếng Việt | አማርኛ
Apply now for Free Meals at https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application
Interested families must reapply each school year. It takes 15 minutes!
Stonegate Yearbook 2024
Pre order your Stonegate Yearbook now! Yearbooks are being sold online at Josten’s for $25 (includes tax). Please use this link: https://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A09866687
Place your order before 4/26/24. Yearbooks will be shipped to the school the first week of June for delivery to students.
Math and Reading Night on Thursday, March 14
Come to Stonegate Thursday, March 14th at 6:00-7:30pm for Math and Reading Night. Free pizza will be provided by the PTA from 6-6:30. Games beginning at 6:30pm.
We will have math games, reading games, and free gently used books to take home. If you have books at home you are ready to pass on, bring them to add to the Book Swap! We hope to see you there!
Fliers went home last week. Please return the flier to your chil'ds teacher to let us know if you will join us!
Let Me Run is Coming to Stonegate
Exciting news! This Spring, Stonegate will offer Let Me Run, a unique and empowering program for our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade boys. Let Me Run uses the power of running to teach life skills, foster personal development, and create a sense of community. The program will meet twice a week for 7 weeks and is designed to keep your boys active while inspiring them to develop resilience, confidence, and a sense of accomplishment.
The Stonegate Let Me Run Team is open to 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade boys and meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:45-5:00, beginning on March 19, 2024. The season ends with a celebratory 5k race on Saturday, May 11, 2024.
Registration opens on Monday, March 4, 2024. To register, visit www.letmerun.org and search for the Stonegate team. Any questions? Contact Tarnicka Congress or Michelle Martin at michellem@letmerun.org
Girls on the Run
"Girls on the Run (GOTR) is coming to Stonegate ES!
GOTR is a physical activity-based positive youth development program for girls in 3rd-8th grade. The program teaches life skills through dynamic interactive lessons and running games. The goal of the program is to unleash confidence through accomplishment while establishing a lifetime appreciation of health and fitness
Starting the week of March 10, 2024, the team will meet every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:45-5:00 p.m. The program culminates in a celebratory 5K, at the Westfield Mall in Bethesda, at the end of the season! The standard program fee is $187.50 and includes 20 lessons/practices, a t-shirt, a water bottle, entry into the 5K, a 5K medal, and more.
The fee reduction approval process is included in the online program registration. Simply answer the financial aid questions during registration, and the computer will determine your eligibility and adjust the fee accordingly. Registration is now open at https://www.girlsontherunofmoco.org/
Business Sponsorship for Fun Run and Field Day T Shirts
Stonegate is so excited to launch our new T Shirt Sponsorship program! Through this program, we will be able to provide T Shirts for EVERY student and staff in our school. These shirts will be worn during our Boosterthon Fun Run on May 7th and on Field Day on June 3rd–and many days in between!
We are hoping to partner with local businesses to help sponsor these shirts. Your business logo or name will be displayed on the back of the shirt, and will be worn by over 550 students and 100 staff in our school.
If you know of, or are part of a business that would be interested in becoming a Stonegate Shirt Sponsor, please send your name, phone number, and business logo in Png, jpeg, ai., eps format to email address Anita_B_Knuth@mcpsmd.org by Friday March 8, 2024. Payments can be made using SCO online or checks payable to Stonegate ES and mail to Stonegate Elementary, 14811 Notley Road, Silver Spring MD 20905.
All donations are tax deductible. Thank you for supporting our school!
Partnership bundles options:
BRONZE NAME AD ($250)
- Name on back of Community Partner Shirt
- Recognition on School website and social media
- 15% Custom Apparel discount from Booster Spirit Wear
- One Community Partner Shirt
SILVER - REGULAR AD ($500)
- Medium ad on the back of Community Partner Shirt
- Sponsor logo placed on School website and social media
- 15% Custom Apparel discount from Booster Spirit Wear
- One Community Partner Shirt
GOLD - PREMIUM AD ($750)
- Large ad on the back of Community Partner Shirt
- Sponsor logo placed on School website and social media
- 15% Custom Apparel discount from Booster Spirit Wear
- One Community Partner Shirt
PLATINUM - SLEEVE AD ($1000)
- Ad on the sleeve of Community Partner Shirt
- Sponsor logo placed on School website and social media
- 15% Custom Apparel discount from Booster Spirit Wear
- One Community Partner Shirt
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.
SchoolCash Online
Pay for field trips online! 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
MCPS Withdrawal Policy for 2023- 2024 School Year
Regular school attendance is a major predictor of academic success
Set routines to establish good attendance patterns
Notify the school when their child is going to be absent on any given day
Provide a written note or physician’s certificate for absences or tardiness within 3 days of the students return to school
Plan vacations or trips around the school calendar to avoid unnecessary absences.
Doors open at 8:40 am for students to begin arrival. Students should arrive at school before 8:55 a.m. each day. This allows the students time to hang their belongings and get to their classrooms. When students arrive after 9:00 a.m. they miss important announcements and important time with their teachers. Please arrive on time!
If a student is absent 10 consecutive days they will be withdrawn.
MCPS will require schools to complete the following forms: MCPS Student Permanent Withdrawal, regardless of student age and the MCPS Educational Interview for Withdrawal Prevention. Then the forms will be filed in the student’s cumulative folder.
April 22- Asynchronous Learning Day
Monday, April 22 is now an “Asynchronous learning day” for all students. Students will engage in learning experiences and complete work asynchronously.
Asynchronous learning allows for flexibility for students to complete assignments with or without the use of technology. Additional time for students to complete assignments is granted for challenges or unforeseen circumstances.
Schools will share more details about their asynchronous virtual instruction plans with students and families in mid-March, including directions on how to access resources and additional services.
Montgomery County Food Distribution
Click on the link below for information about food assistance resources in Montgomery County.
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/get-help/food.html
Resources for Practice, Prep, and Review
Dear Families,
There are many amazing things happening during the school day to support the learning of our students! At times, some students need some extra support to master new learning. MCPS has gathered resources that are free or low cost to families. These resources directly align with our curriculum used to teach our students each day.
Spring cleaning? Don’t forget to Donate!
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.
Stonegate families, relatives, neighbors, and staff are all encouraged to participate!
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
Your Remind Settings
Stonegate ES is communicating through Remind, which sends texts to parents. If you aren’t receiving the messages or you would like to add additional contacts, you can add or remove email addresses and phone numbers.
Adjust your account settings for Remind 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.
Add a phone number for a caregiver:
Do you need an older sibling, a grandparent or other caregiver to receive text messages from the school? Add an additional phone to receive school wide Remind text messages by using that phone to text @436ch8 to the number 81010.
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/