The Cougar Connection
Principal News & Notes January 2024 Issue
Happy New Year!
Welcoming 2024
Happy New Year Cold Spring Cougars! We are feeling hopeful and inspired as we welcome 2024.
I want to take a moment to celebrate two amazing accomplishments for Cold Spring as we closed out the 2023 school year. The first, already shared broadly, is our 5-Star school status as indicated by the MSDE School Report Card. We are so very proud of the work that has taken place since returning to school from COVID. Our students, staff, and community have truly worked together to not only implement rigorous and quality instruction, but also create a school and community culture where students can thrive. Thank you for being a part of this journey and we look forward to continuing to grow and improve in 2024.
Second, we received the esteemed honor of being named the #1 elementary school in the state of Maryland according to the U.S. News & World Report rankings. Although there are a number of Montgomery County elementary schools listed, we are thrilled to be at the top. Congratulations, Cougars!
As we welcome 2024, we will continue to strive for excellence! Our school leadership team has engaged in the identification of literacy and mathematics goals, as well as areas of growth for school culture and well-being. Our academic goals are tied to state and county benchmarks for MAP testing and we will look to increase individual student growth, with a specific focus on students with disabilities. Our school culture and well-being goals are related to cultivating sense of belonging and ensuring all students have a trusted adult in the building. I have full confidence these goals will be achieved as we work together, to become better, for the student in front of us.
Monthly Calendar
Cold Spring Elementary School Website
Cold Spring Elementary Phone Number: 240-740-4390
January 1st - 2nd - No School, Winter Break
January 4th - Green Team Field Trip to Natural History Museum
January 5th - House Color Day - Let's see some spirit!
January 9th - PTA Meeting, 7pm
January 11th - MAP Testing (K - 3rd Grade)
January 15th - No School
January 17th - MAP Testing (Grade 5)
January 18th - MAP Testing (Grades 3- 4)
January 19th - Cold Spring Spelling Bee
January 22nd - MAP Testing (Grades 4-5)
January 23rd - Grade 4 Field Trip to Baltimore Museum of Industry
January 26th - Principal Coffee Topic: "A Day in the Life", House Celebration, End of Marking Period 2
January 29th - Professional Day, No School for Students
A Warm Welcome To...
Additions to our Cold Spring Family
I am please to introduce Ms. Brenda Antar to our Cold Spring community. Ms. Antar will serve as our new Assistant Night Manager. Ms. Antar has been a building service worker at Flower Valley Elementary School and Goshen Elementary School. We are eager to support her in this new leadership role and bring her expertise and eye for detail to our tiny, but mighty school.
It is also my great pleasure to introduce Ms. Carol Friedman to you. Ms. Friedman will be our new Administrative Secretary. Ms. Friedman comes to us from Kensington Parkwood Elementary, where we worked together closely and she served as the Administrative Secretary for the past five years. Prior to that she was an attendance secretary. Knowing both the attendance and administrative role is a huge asset in a small school. Please give her a warm Cold Spring welcome as she transitions to our school on January 8th.
PAWS for Partnership
Feedback Needed
Thank you for coming out to our re-imagined PAWS for Partnership event. We were thrilled to see so many guardians participate and attend. We need your feedback! Please take a brief couple minutes to complete the survey linked below. This feedback allows us to better serve you!
MSDE Expert Review Team & Site Visit
Cold Spring will participate in the MSDE Comprehensive School Review on March 20th and March 21st. More information to come as we prepare for this important evaluation.
Attention 5th Grade Families
Middle School Information
Cold Spring will engage in articulation with our middle school partners in the coming months. All feeder middle schools will visit Cold Spring and share important information with our students. Below are some key topics and dates for you to know:
- Middle School Counselor Visits to Cold Spring (Students Only)
- Cabin John: Ms. Pamela Pun, 1/16/24 at 2:00pm
- Frost: Ms. Fara Dillon, 1/16/24 at 1:00pm
- Hoover: Ms. Aafia Talib, 1/16/24 at 2:00pm
- Parent Information Nights
- Cabin John: 1/18/24, Cabin John cafeteria, 7:00pm
- Frost: 1/10/24, Virtual (see Frost website for link), 6:00pm
- Hoover: 1/16/24, Hoover cafeteria, 5:30 Special Education meeting, 6:00pm
- 6th Grade Registration (students will work on in school)
- Cabin John: google form due by 1/26/24
- Frost: google form due by 1/24/24
- Hoover: To be determined
- Student Visit to Middle School (during student day)
- Cabin John: 5/23/24
Ms. Felsher on Leave
Ms. Felsher, our school counselor, will be on medical leave the month of January. She will return in early February. We have hired Ms. Paula Reible as her long-term substitute. Ms. Reible will continue teaching monthly counseling lessons to students and will support recess during her time with us. Anything of a sensitive nature or any support you, your child, or your family may need, please reach out to Mr. Legarreta or myself.
Cold Weather Reminder
Winter is Here
With cold temperatures knocking at our door we will be monitoring weather daily to make informed decisions on outdoor recess. We do not have a school policy on when we go outside and when we stay in, however, we will look at the "feels like" temperature in the colder months. If it is below 32 degrees, we will be indoors. We also reach out to our cluster schools to align as best as possible.
We ask all parents to send students with jackets, hats, and gloves so they can stay warm as we head out in cold temperatures. Recess is 40 minutes and many students may not be cold at the beginning, but by the end are. Thank you for your help!
Also, please stay alert for any school closings or delayed school openings. You can click button below to see our schedule on these days.
Spotlight on Specials- What Happens in Music, Art, Media, & PE?
Lost & Found Items
Cold Spring Elementary School
Email: Natalie_M_Hambrecht@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/coldspringes/
Location: 9201 Falls Chapel Way, Potomac, MD, USA
Phone: 240-740-4390
Twitter: @NHambrecht