Stonegate Greetings
Weekly Newsletter
Stay tuned for Emergency Weather Alerts that can adjust our Planned Schedule!
Due to the inclement weather and snow day announced by MCPS, Stonegate has postponed Map M (math) testing for grades 3-5. It was scheduled for Tuesday 1/7. It will now be administered on Thursday 1/9.
Monday, January 6
NO SCHOOL - Emergency Closure- All MCPS Schools and Offices Closed
Global Childcare at Stonegate CLOSED
Tuesday, January 7
After school Sky’s the Limit Dance Gr K-2
ACCESS Testing for ELLs (each day in January)
Wednesday, January 8
Thursday, January 9
Map M testing (Math) 9:15-11:15 Grades 3 and 4
Map M testing (Math) 10:00-12:00 Grade 5
After School Avanti Basketball
After School Sky’s the Limit Dance Gr 3-5
Friday, January 10
LFI Community Outing
Dear Stonegate Families and Caregivers,
We’ve had a fantastic start to the new year! Over the past two days, we held a Town Hall meeting with students to review our three school agreements:
- Care for Self
- Care for Others
- Care for the Environment
These agreements guide our school community in creating a positive and respectful environment, and we encourage students to reflect on how they can put these into practice every day.
As we prepare for the upcoming snowstorm, please note that MCPS has announced all schools will be closed tomorrow. We hope students can enjoy some time outdoors, but please remind them to dress appropriately for the weather, including wearing warm coats, hats, gloves, and boots. Staying safe and warm is our top priority!
Due to the closure, we will also need to adjust our MAP Assessment schedule. We will share updated details soon—thank you for your understanding and flexibility.
Stay safe, enjoy the snow, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to school soon!
Stay warm, Stay safe,
Linda M. Jones
Principal
Emergent Multilingual Learners (EMLs/previously ESOL) will participate in the annual ACCESS for ELLs assessment beginning January 8th. English Language Development (ELD) teachers will administer four subtests to each student: reading, listening, speaking and writing. This assessment will measure students' English language proficiency.
If your child plans to be away longer than two consecutive days between January 8th - March 1st, please email Nadia Silva at Nadia_Silva@mcpsmd.org. We want to make sure that all EMLs are in school each day, so that they can complete all four assessments.
Parent Resources:
What is ACCESS for ELLs? (English)
- Que es ACCESS for ELLs? (Spanish)
Due to the inclement weather and snow day announced by MCPS, Stonegate has postponed Map M (math) testing for grades 3-5. It was scheduled for Tuesday 1/7. Students in Grades 3-5 are now be scheduled to take the MAP-Math test on Thursday, 1/9
Background: All elementary school students in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) take the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessments during the fall, winter, and spring to measure student growth and achievement.
MCPS uses results from the MAP assessments to monitor each student’s progress throughout the school year as well as progress from one school year to the next. Teachers and school staff utilize the MAP scores to inform instruction, personalize the learning as well as to measure the performance and growth of students. MAP scores are one data point of many that teachers utilize to inform teaching and learning on a whole class, small group and individual basis.
As an overview to understand the MAP assessment, an overview of how MAP works, what it measures, and common questions you may access this resource from the NWEA website, the creator of the MAP assessment.
We are excited to announce our Stonegate Annual Career Day, and we would love for you to participate! We are inviting parents and family members to share their careers with our students in fun and interactive ways. This special event will give students the chance to learn about different careers and the many possibilities for their futures.
I am happy to announce that Career Day will be Friday, April 25th, 2025!
Please click the link below to fill out the sign up form.
https://forms.gle/6eR5UjFWkRycTrey5
Return the form by February 7th, 2025 to ensure we have time to organize the event.
Please note that regrettably we will not be able to select everyone that is interested as we have limited openings for presenters. We are so grateful for your support and look forward to an exciting Career Day with your involvement!
Warm regards,
Kedon George, School Counselor
Please reach out at Kedon_F_George2@mcpsmd.org or 240-740-7340
KIND BAGS
Our KIND weekend bag deliveries are well underway. If you have not received a bag, please do not forget to reach out to our Counselor to let him know via Email at Kedon_F_George2@mcpsmd.org or via Remind.
Fifth Grade Giving Campaign
If you are not interested in grabbing or gifting a digital dozen, but would still like to help our fifth graders have an amazing end of year party and promotion go here to donate: https://givebutter.com/rv8lIj
As winter temperatures settle in, we want to remind you to bundle up for arrival and dismissal times. The mornings this week in Silver Spring are expected to be very cold, with "real-feel" temperatures even lower due to wind chill.
Additionally, please remember that students play outside for recess as long as the temperature is above 32°F, so it’s important for them to be dressed appropriately to stay warm and comfortable.
Please ensure your child comes to school with a warm coat and any other cold-weather accessories like gloves, mittens, hats and scarves. Students should not be arriving at school in T shirts and light hoodies. Students know this expectation
Thank you for helping us keep our students safe and warm while they enjoy their day!
And, as always, add your child's name to all items!
Makeup/Retake Day images are now viewable online.
This year has been full of photo opportunities! You may have pictures from a party, a field trip, or other fun event! Families and staff can use this Josten’s link to upload photos from field trips, class parties, class projects, assemblies, etc. for possible inclusion in the yearbook.
Yearbook Link to submit photos:
https://images.jostens.com/0UttG7hxhZq-7MutrNwsZcg
For Grade 5 families - Dropbox: Please submit a photo of your student when they were younger, such as kindergarten, to include in the flashback section of the yearbook.
https://www.dropbox.com/request/wmCXiOLgHsm1x956egJM
Makeup/Retake Day images are now viewable online.
Please visit: vosphoto.com/uc
use your student ID when prompted for the online code.
For questions regarding school pictures
please email: underclass@vosphoto.com
Here is the 24-25 School Calendar
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org//siteassets/district/calendar/2024/2024-calendar.pdf
Jan 14 - Gr 5 Chipotle Restaurant Night 5-9 pm 13501 CONNECTICUT AVE, ASPEN HILL, MD, 20906
Jan 16 - Science Night 6-7:30 pm
Jan 17 - Kindergarten Field Trip to Main Event in Columbia, MD 9:40-2:10
Jan 20 - MLK HOLIDAY - No School
Jan 23 - Winter Instrumental Music & Chorus 5:30-6:30 pm
Jan 27 - Grade 1 Field Trip Imagination Stage 9:40 - 12:30 pm
Jan 29 - NO SCHOOL, Teacher Professional Day
Feb 3 - (NEW DATE) Yearbook Club photos 9:15-11:15 am
Feb 4 - PTA Membership Meeting virtual 8:00 pm
Feb 7 - Gr 3 Field Trip to Maryland Science Center 9:40-2:10
Feb 13 - PTA Restaurant Night Vocelli
Feb 14 - Valentine’s Parties 2-3 pm
Feb 17 - President’s Day Holiday - NO SCHOOL
Feb 21 - Grade 4 Field Trip Arts on Stage “Lift Every Voice” 10:30 am -2 pm
Feb 24- Mar 14 PTA Read A Thon
Feb 25 - PEP and Prek only No School for Teacher Professional Day
Feb 27 - Black History Celebration - at Paint Branch High School
Feb 28- Early Release dismissal at 12:55, No School for PEP
Mar 3-5 - Hearing and Vision Screening
Mar 4 - PTA Membership Meeting virtual 8:00 pm
Mar 11 - Gr 5 Chick Fil A Restaurant Night
Mar 13- Reading Night
Mar 27 - Spring Student Portraits
Mar 28 - Gr 5 Career Day Wax Museum 2-3 pm
Apr 7 -11 - Literary Festival
Apr 9 Rescreening for Hearing and Vision
Apr 14 - 21 - Spring Break, No School
Apr 24 - Take Your Child to Work Day
Apr 25 - Career Day
Apr 28 - Grade 5 Panoramic Photo 2-3 pm
May 1 - LFI Field Trip Clark's Elioak Farm 9:40 - 2:10 pm
May 1 - Grade 5 Social Studies Showcase - Inventions/Wax Museum 12:30-3
May 5-9 - Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week
May 6 - PTA Membership Meeting virtual 8:00 pm
May 13 - Fun Run
May 15 - Spring Chorus and Instrumental Music Concert 5:30-6:30 pm
May 23 - PTA Carnival
May 26 - Holiday, No School
May 30 - Field Day
Jun 5 - SGA Talent Show
Jun 6 - No School
Jun 9 - Grade 5 End of Year Party
Jun 11 - Grade 5 Promotion, location TBD
Jun 12 - Grade 5 Clap Out 2:45
Jun 13 - Last day of School, Early Release, dismissal 12:55 pm
All volunteers WILL need to check-in and check-out of the main office and scan their driver’s license/identification cards through the Visitor Management System (VMS). Once the volunteer clears the VMS, they must be badged (the VMS creates a sticker badge) and remain under supervision of an MCPS professional while with students.
Link to Volunteer Expectations Video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tpdZrX8MRqYutpNhA3siVOajmRnxlYPa/view?usp=sharing
Lunch in MCPS
The Division of Food and Nutrition Services (DFNS) has made it easier to view school menus. MCPS students, parents and community members can now view school menus with MealViewer, providing increased access to:
School-specific menu offerings with photos.
Nutritional information for each meal.
The top nine allergens (milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, wheat and sesame), helping you make informed choices based on your child’s dietary needs.
MealViewer can be accessed on a computer browser, through the MealViewer app on Android and iPhone, or using any browser on a smartphone. No sign-in or passwords are required to view menus. It is also possible (but not required) to rate food items, star favorite items, use a nutrition calculator and create a profile. Check out your school’s menu today. Learn more in this video (English) and (en Español).
Visit the Division of Food & Nutrition Services website for how-to videos, quick tips and additional resources.
Students in Maryland who qualify for reduced-price meals will not be charged for meals! Apply right away. One application covers the entire HOUSEHOLD. Translations in other languages are available through the online application.
Apply now at www.MySchoolApps.com
Here is a video about how to apply:
English Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJUapGLarBo
Video en Español: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsdCrtCIFJc&t=4s
Clothing to Cash® is a program that collects New and Used Clothing, Shoes, Sheets, and Towels, (all Textiles) and pays the school 10 cents for every pound collected. The program is operated entirely OUTSIDE and will be 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 to prevent overflow and allow the company to schedule service as needed (no other companies use this technology). They empty the collection bin, weigh the contents to determine our school earnings, and pay our school monthly.
The average school (500 - 1000 students) will earn $1000- $2000 yearly if each student would donate just one 13-gallon kitchen-size bag of textile mate! Add in parents, siblings, relatives, neighbors, and staff, and Stonegate’s earnings could really increase.