Potential Virtual Instruction During Future Snow Days (Code Purple)
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) continues to improve its process for informing the community when weather requires an operational status change and if any closure might justify a shift to virtual instruction. Our six operational status options are detailed in our Emergency Information. It is important that students experience as few learning disruptions as possible. For that reason, MCPS will consider a transition to virtual learning when schools are closed due to inclement weather utilizing the following guidelines. These are days when the district would otherwise determine that a system closure would be needed for safety reasons.
On inclement weather days, there are various options for the school system’s operating status, including closure and virtual. If the decision is Code Purple then we will move to Virtual Learning.
Transitioning to virtual learning is considered when:
- The impacting event is predictable
- The impacting event is part of a multi-day scenario (blizzard etc.), or
- Prior preparation and communication with families, students, and staff has taken place
More information can be found at the following link: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/emergency/virtual-learning/
Sherwood Code Purple Information
In the event of a code purple day(s), Sherwood Elementary School will run a 2-hour delay schedule.
- The school day would run from 11:25am-3:55pm.
- A visual schedule and zoom links would be sent to all families and posted online.
- A schoolwide lunch break will occur from 12:00pm-12:30pm to align with other cluster schools.
- Chromebooks will be sent home to all K-5 students the day before any code purple day.
Requesting Chromebooks or Mi-Fi Devices
Students, parents, and MCPS staff can use this form to request a home use Chromebook for MCPS students who do not have access to a personal or home device and are attending a school, and grade level, returning to a classroom Chromebook cart model. When a request for a device is fulfilled, it will be pre-assigned in the inventory system, and the device will be delivered to the school for distribution to the student. The home use device is to be kept at home. Requesting the device implies consent of use in accordance with MCPS policy (IGT-RA) and acknowledgement that the Chromebook, software, and issued peripherals are owned by MCPS.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdDNdqO31soXKLffjcEzgVQ9C2Z2koPm6ifKm7-K77e44ZhAg/viewform
Los estudiantes, los padres y el personal de MCPS pueden usar este formulario para solicitar un Chromebook de uso doméstico para los estudiantes de MCPS que no tengan acceso a un dispositivo personal o doméstico y vienen asistiendo a una escuela y nivel de grado, volviendo a un modelo de carro de Chromebooks del salón de clases. Cuando se completa una solicitud de un dispositivo, se se asignará con anticipación en el sistema de inventario y el dispositivo se entregará a la escuela para que se distribuya al estudiante. El dispositivo de uso en el hogar deberá mantenerse en el hogar. Solicitar el dispositivo implica el consentimiento de su uso, de acuerdo con la política de MCPS (IGT-RA), y el reconocimiento de que el Chromebook, el software y los periféricos emitidos son de propiedad de MCPS.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdDNdqO31soXKLffjcEzgVQ9C2Z2koPm6ifKm7-K77e44ZhAg/viewform
Please contact Mr. Jefferson directly to request a Mi-Fi device for home use to connect to the internet.
Additional Resources Supporting English Language Arts
Please see the collection of resources to support elementary English language arts development.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-LKHjzJpG6jEfWYoxgdCRcRrNb5QrADBlaxyYleg9ig/edit?usp=sharing
Tell MCPS What You Think
Share Your Input on the Community Engagement Officer (CEO) Program
Take this five-minute survey to share your feedback on the MCPS and Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) Community Engagement Officer (CEO) program. CEOs are sworn officers from MCPD who work directly with our schools. Your input will play a vital role in making informed recommendations to the superintendent and Board of Education as we work to review existing programs and improve systemwide safety and security. The CEO program survey will be open until Friday, Feb. 9.
Inclement Weather Communication and Makeup Days
Please provide your feedback on communication around inclement weather that may impact school operations. We would also like to hear your preferences on how MCPS approaches inclement weather makeup days.
Tell Us What You Think About Our Food
The Division of Food and Nutrition Services (DFNS) is still collecting feedback on what you want to see more of on school menus. Please take a few minutes to fill out this survey and give us your input. Survey results will directly impact menu development.
Coming Soon: MCPS to Launch a Bus Tracking App
MCPS will be launching a self-service bus app for families this semester. The tracking app will allow users to receive live updates on where their student’s bus is, provide important two-way communication capability and enhance safety for students while they wait for and ride the bus.
The MCPS Department of Transportation is currently in a pilot phase with families and students at 10 schools. More information will be shared in the coming weeks as we prepare for the full launch across the district.
Winter 2024 Parent Academy TO GO Workshops Now Available
Take advantage of virtual Parent Academy sessions this winter to stay informed and empowered as a partner and advocate for your student’s education. Parent Academy TO GO workshops provide families with useful information and resources to support their children's academic and emotional well-being, as well as help them to be college and career ready.
Upcoming sessions and topics this month:
Managing Morning Mayhem and Bedtime Battles
Jan. 17, 6-7 p.m.
Online Safety Tips for Kids and Teens
Jan. 24, 6-7 p.m.
Visit the parent academy website for a full schedule and to register.
PTA Updates
PTA General Body Meeting - Please join us on Tuesday, February 6th at 6:30pm for a General Body meeting! We will begin with a brief PTA business meeting followed by two speakers: A financial advisor who will discuss 529 savings plans, and an attorney who will discuss child protection planning from emergency contacts to legal documents. Light refreshments will be served. Please sign up if you are planning to attend: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSemkWv32j9kiVRILGjlTWVjZhtjWazNL0XX54th0hxXLLow8Q/viewform
Multicultural/International Night - Join us on Friday, February 23, from 6-7:30 PM! Learn about the many cultural traditions that make up our diverse school community and share your own! Sign up by February 16 and enjoy cultural displays, delicious food and drinks, activities, student performances and PRIZES. Families are welcome to host a showcase table, contribute a favorite food, perform, or simply join in an enriching night. All Sherwood students and families are welcome at this free event! Sign up to volunteer or RSVP here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4FAEAE2EA0F8C34-47054013-sesmulticultural#/
Pre-order your 2023-2024 Yearbook! All orders received on or BEFORE February 29, 2024 are $25.00; orders received on/after March 1, 2024 are $28.00. Order today and guarantee your child a yearbook. We only order a few extra yearbooks over the number of pre-sold orders. It will be a collection on the best candid photos, group photos, individual portraits of all students and faculty and pictures of all your special friends having fun while they learn. Order here: https://sherwoodelem.memberhub.com/store/items/882128
Teacher and Staff Favorites and Wishlists - Interested in showing our amazing Sherwood staff how much you appreciate them? We now have staff favorites and classroom wish lists available for you to view online! https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1q88VagFCFKP3vVJjqGuj2WQelWTh-FBZ7tmoAZctLXU/edit?fbclid=IwAR3t_NWfsww_q5RIR9Qhd7Iy7BuJ5mozBNuxTnV5bdZFKvrEHGcBerBeMfM#slide=id.g27dff308c6d_0_75
Please consider joining the PTA! Your membership helps the students in our school, assists toward school-wide events, supports our school faculty, and helps improve our school facility. Your membership is greatly appreciated! You can join by scanning the QR code below, or by visiting https://sherwoodelem.memberhub.com/store/items/709844.
Winter Season and Health Reminders
As we move into the winter weather season, MCPS aims to ensure you are kept up-to-date with timely and accurate information about weather-related delays, closures and early dismissals.
MCPS has six operational status options, which are reported by easy-to-understand, color-coded messages on the main page of the MCPS website, and this information is linked to each school website. Read more.
Health Guidance for Staying Home When Sick: Staying home when sick is important to keep our school community healthy. But how sick is too sick to go to school? Check out this guide from the National Association for School Nurses to help determine when.
Reporting Attendance and Main Office Updates
Please use the link below to report absences to the main office. Parents and caregivers may also email teachers to provide updates as needed.
https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/sherwoodes/absence/
Main office secretaries and contact information:
Administrative Secretary - Louise Rampersaud louise_j_rampersaud@mcpsmd.org
Attendance Secretary - Christina Sierra christina_m_sierra@mcpsmd.org
Arrival and Carpool Safety
Some general reminders to help everything work safely and efficiently.
- Please pull all the way up to the end of the carpool lane to allow as many cars as possible to pick up or drop off at once.
- When entering the driveway, please be patient and take turns with cars turning from the left and the right. Please be extra careful turning left onto route 108 when exiting the parking lot.
- When crossing the crosswalk, please wait for the hand signals from staff that the carpool lane is safe to cross.
- Please do not enter the bus loop lane during arrival or dismissal.
- During the day, please do not park in the bus loop from 11:30am-12:30pm due to bus pickups.
- Please do not block any of the lanes.
- After 9:25, students need to be signed in at the main office by a parent or caregiver.
2024-2025 School Year Calendar
MCPS has approved the calendar for the 2024-2025 school year. Please use the link below to access the traditional school year calendar for next year.
Looking for Parent Volunteers for Lunch, Recess, and the Shark Supercenter
For those who have been trained, the two Sign Up Genius's (one for lunch/ recess and the other for Shark Supercenter) have been updated with January dates.
If you haven't taken the training, please sign up for the MyMCPS Classroom Course here: https://mcpsmd.instructure.com/enroll/36HMFY
If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Vaughn-Smith at matthew_d_vaughn-smith@mcpsmd.org
Afterschool Programs at Sherwood Elementary
Please see the list below of afterschool activities currently offered at Sherwood Elementary School by external vendors. Sherwood ES and the Sherwood PTA do not directly run the clubs. Parent volunteers help coordinate the activities and are present during after school activity days to assist with logistics and attendance. If you are interested in volunteering to support afterschool activities, please email Mr. Jefferson at: jason_a_jefferson@mcpsmd.org
SES FALL 2023 AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITY SCHEDULE
*Any scholarship/ financial assistance opportunities you would need to reach out to the company directly.
Tuesday
Indoor Soccer: 4-5pm
Company: Little Stars Soccer
January 9- February 27
$160
Grades K-2
Registration link:
Thursday
Indoor Soccer: 4-5pm
Company: Little Stars Soccer
January 11-February 29
$160
Grades 3-5
Registration link:
Friday
Daily Schedule including Recess and Lunch
Please see the schedule below for daily times for recess and lunch by grade level and program.
This year, recess is before lunch to encourage students to eat a full healthy lunch. Recess and lunch have also been expanded by 5 minutes to give students a full 30 minutes after transitioning from different locations.
During the recess blocks where grades 1 and 2, or grades 3 and 4 are together, students will rotate between the playgrounds, blacktop, and field areas throughout the week.
Transportation Information
Phone: 240-740-2606
Email: Gregory_R_Walker@mcpsmd.org
Cafeteria Updates and Purchasing School Meals
Overview
Free Meals are No Longer Available for ALL Students, due to the end of Federal USDA waivers.
Meal Prices for School Year 2023-2024:
Breakfast for All Schools: $1.30
Elementary Lunch: $2.55
MySchoolBucks is an optional service for parents to view recent purchases and make prepayments to your child’s cafeteria account for breakfast, lunch and a la carte meals via the Internet with a credit/debit card. This service is offered as a convenience for interested families. By creating a secure online account, parents can manage their child’s account.
MySchoolBucks instructions:
English | español | 中文 | français | tiếng Việt | 한국어 | አማርኛ
Free and Reduced Meals
Students may qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on household size and income.
They may also qualify if they are receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), or Medicaid benefits.
Families may apply for meal benefits by completing an Application for Free and Reduced-price Meals for the current school year.
Students who qualify for reduced-price meals will eat for free!
Apply online for free and reduced meals at MySchoolApps.com (translations available on the website) Click here for an English video tutorial.
Special Meal Plans
Does your child require a special meal plan, related to a medical condition or food allergy? You must complete the Special Dietary Needs Form and email it to DFNSOffice@mcpsmd.org. You can access the form in English | español | français | 中文 | Portuguese | 한국어 | tiếng Việt | አማርኛ
Website: http://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/food-and-nutrition/meal-payments/#FARMS
Saturday School
Saturday School provides academic tutoring and instruction with certified
teachers in a nurturing and supportive environment. The program is
aligned with the Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) curriculum.
This support is offered every Saturday.
MCPS students Grades K through 12 may attend after registering for
Saturday School for $85 per year ($40 for students who receive FARMS).
Website: saturdayschool.org
Health Room Information
Health room staff plan to be available beginning August 23, 2023. Forms may be submitted over the summer by:
a) Emailing to Lisa Rocco, Health Room Tech at lisa_j_rocco@mcpsmd.org
b) Fax: 301-924-3294
c) Mail: 1401 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Sandy Spring, MD 20860
d) Drop off to the health room beginning August 23, 2023
Please Note: - Health room staff will NOT be monitoring health forms sent to the nurse's email and/or school over the summer; forms will be reviewed when health staff return in August 2023.Commonly Used Forms Included Below:
Medication Authorization Form,
Running Calendar
CALENDAR- NEW INFO IN BOLD
January
1/23 - Winter Concert at Sherwood ES
1/29 - No School for Students - Professional Day
February
2/15 - No School for Students and Teachers - President's Day
March
3/1 - Early Release Day for Students
3/25-3/29 - Spring Break
April
4/1 - No School for Students and Teachers
4/10 - No School for Students - Professional Day
4/22 - No School for Students - Professional Day
May
5/14 - No School for Students and Teachers - Primary Election Day
5/27 - No School for Students and Teachers - Memorial Day
June
6/13 - Early Release - Last Day of School