The Greencastle Gazette
Dear Greencastle Families,
As I end my first two weeks, I wanted to express my appreciation to parents, staff, and students for welcoming me to the Castle. I am settling in, getting comfortable, and enjoying getting to know your children. I am looking forward to the next few weeks working with our students.
Just a few reminders for the days ahead:
Picture day is Monday and Tuesday (weather permitting). Students should put on their smiles for the camera as a memory of their days at the Castle.
Friday, February 14th is Valentine's Day.
Kudos and a big thank you to Ms. Michelle McNeal and her expert decorating of the halls commemorating Black History Month. The halls are full of famous people, quotes, and inspirational messages for our students. Please stop by to view this marvelous work during the month of February. Announcements are made each day in recognition of this month.
We at the Castle are committed to ensuring the safety of all our students and staff. We appreciate your assistance through conversation with your student(s) around walking in the halls, appropriate behavior in the building, and seeking out an adult when they do not feel safe. We are going through some difficult times right now, and each one can help one during times like these. We are here to help.
Respectfully,
Ronnie Mathewson, Acting Principal
Amplify Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) is a language arts program for Grades PreK–5 that combines a multi-sensory approach to phonics with rich texts carefully sequenced to build content knowledge—so that students learn to read and read to learn at the same time.
Every day in Grades PreK–2, students complete one full lesson that builds foundational reading skills, as well as one full lesson that builds background knowledge. In Grades 3–5, students start to master the skills of reading, further opening up their worlds.
MCPS Curriculum Overviews (Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 5)
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/english/es
Family Resources --> A Letter from Ms. Cofield, Greencastle ES Reading Specialist
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x0KZPFjwDUzczz_dSVqL4OPc3J_oxsLvTzzgFnyBkb8/edit?usp=sharing
Family Mathematics Support Center
MCPS schools and families building mathematics proficiency for all through:
- A better understanding of the curriculum.
- Building a deeper understanding of concepts, skills and practices.
- Providing additional support and practice opportunities for parents and students.
Elementary domains of mathematics learning include:
- Counting and Cardinality (PreKindergarten and Kindergarten only)
- Operations and Algebraic Thinking (PreK-5)
- Number and Operations in Base Ten (K-5)
- Number and Operations: Fractions (3-5)
- Geometry (PreK-5)
- Measurement and Data (PreK-5)
Visit this link for additional support for math help at home (Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 5)
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/math-support/
Greencastle ES Breakfast and Lunch Monthly Menus: https://schools.mealviewer.com/school/GreencastleES
By the end of the 2024-2025 school year, the percentage of Greencastle students who are chronically absent will decrease from 32% to 27%.
We increased 1.5% this week. We want to continue to work to get this number to continue to decline so that it is closer to the average for MCPS which is 17.84%. We can do it, Greencastle! Help us to continue to meet and exceed our goal by decreasing the number of students chronically absent.
Click on the link below from Attendance Works that outlines the Health Guidance for Attending School when your student is not feeling well.
