Dr. Ronald E. McNair ES Parent News

Seeing so many of you at Back to School Night, at arrival, and at dismissal has been a delight. Thank you for Journeying Through the Dr. McNair Universe to strengthen the partnership with our school. It was great to see so many of you at the Back to School Picnic. We appreciate the PTA and all of the volunteers for all of their efforts.

October is a month that signals that we are solidly in our routines and entrenched in the 2024-2025 school year. Additionally, the month of October provides several opportunities to get involved and be part of the Dr. Ronald E. McNair ES community. Our first PTA meeting of the year will be held on October 1st at 6:30 p.m. Join us to learn about the activities our PTA has planned and to offer suggestions for the board and budget for this school year. During this time, Bar-T will provide childcare. In October, the PTA will also be hosting Trunk or Treat on October 25.

Please remember that the school day is from 9:25 a.m. to 3:50 p.m. We do not have staff on duty prior to 9:05, so we ask that you do not allow your student to come to school before 9:05 a.m. Most importantly, we need your assistance with ensuring that your student is in the building between 9:15 and 9:25. If students are not in their classroom by 9:25 a.m., they are marked tardy. When your student does not feel rushed through the morning routine, it sets the tone for a great day of learning.

As we continue to form habits, we are concerned about our arrival on Steeple Road. For everyone's safety, please use designated crosswalks and sidewalks when approaching the school. If you are walking along the bus loop on Steeple Road, we ask that you do not walk through the bus loop to access the school. You will need to cross over the bus loop entrance and exit to access the sidewalk to the building. While we know it adds time and extra steps, there is no sidewalk in the bus loop, and it becomes a safety concern for our buses entering the school when pedestrians are in the loop. Additionally, please do not cross Steeple Road to access the school in the middle of the road. You will need to walk to the top of the road and use the crosswalk where the crossing guard is located to cross over Steeple Road. Our main concern is the safety of you and our students and we have had a few near misses.

On October 31, all parents are invited to our Halloween parade outside. The parade will start at 2:45 p.m. You are welcome to join us on our field and stand outside the cones to watch all of our students dressed up in their costumes. (An alternative activity will be provided for students who are not permitted to participate in the parade or class parties.)

Please update your volunteer information with MCPS, as there are many upcoming opportunities for parents to volunteer and be in the building. This newsletter contains information on how to have your name added to the approved volunteer list. Please read it carefully, as each parent must complete the steps to be considered a volunteer.

Finally, we have some exciting news to share. We offer congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Mason who are expecting her first child. Mrs. Mason is anticipated to go out on leave at the beginning of December. More details will be provided closer to her expected leave. The Dr. Ronald E. McNair ES family continues to grow!

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email both Mrs. Moses (Sherilyn_R_Moses@mcpsmd.org) and Mrs. Mason (Rebecca_Mason@mcpsmd.org).

Sincerely,

Mrs. Sherry Moses, Principal

&

Mrs. Rebecca Mason, Assistant Principal

The Board of Education has proclaimed Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month. Throughout the month, MCPS schools will be celebrating the unique culture and traditions of students, teachers, staff and community members who trace their roots to Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries in North America, Central America, South America and the Caribbean. Hispanics and Latinos are the fastest growing ethnic group in MCPS, with 34 percent of the student population.

Emergencies can arise at any time. It is important to your child’s safety that we have your current address and current home and work numbers on file.

The school's phone number is 240-740-6830.

The health room's phone number is 240-740-6832.

Sick Student?

We understand that students will be sick and we want to help you. When your child is sick, in addition to informing the classroom teacher, please be sure to inform the main office. The best way to do so is by completing the Student Absence form. We appreciate you keeping your student at home when they are ill.

In partnership with the PTA and Nothing Bundt Cake, we have an exciting reading incentive for our students. With Books and Bundts, the bakery will reward students with a FREE BUNDTLET each month for their commitment to reading 400 minutes a month (10-15 minutes a day or 20 min 5 days/week). To earn a Free Bundlet, students will track their minutes and stop by the bakery with their parent/legal guardian for their sweet treat (redemption once a month).

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is taking an active role in the prevention of child abuse and neglect through early prevention and intervention education.

During October, our school counselor and classroom teachers will be presenting lessons on the topic of child abuse and neglect. The lessons are known as Personal Body Safety Lessons and their purpose is to help students to:

• Develop knowledge, decision-making skills, and behaviors that promote safe living in the home, school, and community;

• Learn skills for self-protection and identifying child abuse and neglect;

• Learn skills for asking for help for self and others and practice reporting to a trusted adult;

and

• Engage in positive and appropriate interactions with peers and adults.

Ensuring Student Safety- Personal Body Safety Lessons Website: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/childabuseandneglect/personal-body-safety-lessons.aspx. This webpage provides an overview of the lesson objectives for each grade level.

Elementary Personal Body Safety Lessons Overview and Resources for Parents: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/childabuseandneglect/Parent%20Elementary%20Personal%20Body%20Safety%20Lessons%20Overview%20and%20Resources.pdf

If you have any questions or concerns about the topics that will be covered, please contact your child’s classroom teacher, or our school counselors, Mrs. Privman and/or Mrs. Lavo.

Background National School Bus Safety Week, which occurs October 21-25, 2024, is a public program designed to educate the public about the importance of school bus safety. Each year schools organize events to bring attention to school bus safety and to recognize the critical role school bus employees play in providing safe transportation to our students. The theme this year is a unique reminder to motorists and students about the dangers that exist outside the school bus, "Driving Safely into the Future."

Bus Safety Reminders & Poster Contest Information

MCPS Rules & Safety About Riding the School Bus Safe Routes to School

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) School Bus Safety

We know your student's birthday is an important day for your family. As a school, we will celebrate your student's birthday by announcing their name on the Dr. McNair Morning Show and asking them to come to the office to pick up a birthday pencil.

• Parents are not allowed to send in party decorations, cupcakes, cake, candy, trinkets, or treat bags to celebrate their student's birthday. Please do not ask your child’s teacher to bend these rules.
• Birthday party invitations may be distributed at the end of the school day under the supervision of the homeroom teacher.
• School staff members are not allowed to give out student addresses or contact information.

If a student’s plans require a change from their normal dismissal (e.g. play date, child care changes), the change must be made in writing to the homeroom teacher and front office. Please state your child’s name, the name of the individual they should be dismissed with, the date the change is occurring and your signature.

In the event of last minute changes to a student’s dismissal plans, please call the main office prior to 3:00 p.m. All students will be dismissed via their normal plan unless we have been notified of a change. Please arrange your child’s transportation home so that it is consistent. It is difficult for a child to remember where they are to go on a particular day if the routine changes daily. Students are not to call home from the school to make after school plans.

Any adults who come to school to pick up a child early will be asked to show documentation to verify identification and ensure student safety.

The front office will have quiet hours between 3:30 and 3:50 where students will not be called down for early dismissal.

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) appreciates the support of the parent and community volunteers who support the essential needs of the schools. Volunteers and partnership agencies are required to complete certain compliance measures in order to volunteer within our school district.

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