The Paw Print
Week of March 4, 2019
Updates from Mrs. Murphy
Congratulations
Congratulations to all of our students who participated in the spelling bee! We are very proud of their hard work. A huge congratulations to Ella Rose Datch. As our school spelling bee champion she will represent SLES at the regional bee on March 16th! We are also very happy to recognize our school runner-ups Huy Changvu and Kaylee Tang, our 2nd Grade champion Rania Nega Ali, and our 2nd Grade runner-up Elika Afshar.
Congratulations to all our students who participated in the science fair! Their projects were very impressive! It was clear to see that our budding scientists put lots of time and effort into their very creative projects. We're so glad that the snowy weather did not interfere with this event!
Thank You
A big thank you to Kunjal Bandukwalla for running the spelling bee. Thank you to all the volunteers that supported her: Beth Vu, Geeta De Silva, Rayhana Hassani, Lucy Lin, Rachael Datch and Ana Gabriela Filomeno.
A big thank you to Wendy Schiff for running the science fair. She has been dedicated to this for several years and we are very sad that this is her last one with us!
A big thank you to Cameron Jones and his father, Honorable Henry L. Jones, Jr. Judge Jones shared a book reading with each of our fourth and fifth grade classes. It was a wonderful tribute to Jackie Robinson. In addition to setting this up, Mr. Jones also arranged for a wonderful all-school assembly with an African Drumming Team, Tam Tam Mandingue DMV. We appreciate the PTA's support of this assembly!
Changes in plans and attendance emails
5th Grade Parent Meeting
There will be an informational meeting for parents of 5th graders to review the Family Life & Human Sexuality and Disease Prevention & Control health units on Wednesday, March 6 from 4:30-5:30 in the Media Center. Parents will be able to preview the materials that will be used during these health units. If you are unable to attend the meeting, please contact your child’s homeroom teacher to determine an alternative time the health materials can be made available to review in the main office.
Churchill Cluster Updates
School System Updates
Emergency Weather Make-Up Schedule
Recent inclement weather forced MCPS to close schools on four days. The 2018–2019 MCPS school calendar includes 182 instruction days, two above the minimum required in the state of Maryland. As a result of these closures, MCPS will need to use two designated make-up days to ensure that it meets the State-required number of days. The school year has been extended to June 14, 2019. In addition to June 14, students also will attend school on June 5 which was originally scheduled as a professional day. Any additional school closures for emergency weather will result in the need to use additional make-up days. MCPS will continue to closely monitor for severe weather and provide updates on any impact it may have to the school calendar. For more information on the MCPS school calendar, visit www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org.
Join Us for Discussions on Safety and Security
MCPS and the Montgomery County Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (MCCPTA) are hosting a series of community conversations on safety and security.
The meetings will feature Ed Clarke, chief safety officer for MCPS, and Dr. Christina Conolly, director of MCPS psychological services. They will discuss school safety issues, student mental health concerns, and lockdown with options protocols.
The community meetings will be held:
Thursday, February 21, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Carver Educational Services Center (CESC)
(*in-person, plus live streamed)
850 Hungerford Dr., Rockville, MD 20850
Tuesday, March 5, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Silver Creek Middle School
3701 Saul Road, Kensington, MD 20895
Wednesday, March 13, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Paint Branch High School
14121 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville, MD 20866
Thursday, March 21, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Northwood High School - Cafeteria
919 University Blvd., West Silver Spring, MD 20901
Tuesday, March 26, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Clarksburg High School Cafeteria
22500 Wims Road, Clarksburg, MD 20871
RSVP here: www.mcpsliveevent.org/ and visit www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/security/resources/ for more information on MCPS safety and security.
Board of Education Adopts Fiscal Year 2020 Operating Budget
The Board of Education voted unanimously to adopt a $2.66 billion Operating Budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020. This includes an increase of $65.56 million from FY 2019. The budget will allow MCPS to manage growth, maintain high levels of achievement, and eliminate opportunity gaps. A majority of the $65.56 million spending increase will be used to maintain services for a growing student population; manage increasing operational costs; fund ongoing salaries and benefits; and invest in key areas of work to close opportunity gaps and improve academic excellence for all students. The budget also includes funding for key bodies of work that will strengthen the district’s efforts to improve programs; increase access to strong academic and career opportunities; extend learning; provide language opportunities; focus on physical, social and psychological well-being; hire and retain an effective and diverse workforce; and strengthen operational excellence. To learn more about the Board’s adopted budget, visit www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/press/index.aspx?pagetype=showrelease&id=8287&type=&startYear=&pageNumber=&mode=.
Provide Feedback on Draft MCPS Strategic Plan
The Draft MCPS Strategic Plan for FY 2019–2022 is now available and MCPS is seeking your feedback. This Strategic Plan represents the district’s continued commitment to the five core values that define what it means to be an exceptional school system: Learning, Relationships, Respect, Excellence and Equity. MCPS is committed to educating students so that academic success is not predictable by race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, language proficiency or disability. The plan is centered on six outcomes for MCPS that include:
- Students Ready To Learn;
- Reducing and Eliminating Disparities in Student Learning;
- Students Prepared for College and Career;
- A Safe and Healthy Learning Environment;
- Efficient Operations; and
- Highly Effective Employees.
Aligned to each of the six outcomes are program indicators that are monitored using data to determine the achievement of goals as.
The draft plan can be found at: www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/campaigns/Strategic-Planning-FY19-22/ and includes a feedback form we encourage you to fill out so that you may share your thoughts about the plan.
New Date and Location for Summer Opportunities Fair
Parents can explore a multitude of summer opportunities for school-age children at a fair on March 14. Local and regional providers will be available to talk about summer camps, programs and volunteer activities. Parents can meet program staff, pick up applications, and get information on financial assistance. The fair will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Richard Montgomery High School, 250 Richard Montgomery Drive in Rockville. Register for the fair online at http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/parentacademy/ or call 240-314-4825.
Elementary Immersion Programs
Applications for elementary school language immersion programs in MCPS are now available. The application deadline for the 2019–2020 school year is Friday, April 26, 2019. Elementary school language immersion programs begin in kindergarten and are offered in Chinese, French, and Spanish. For more information about elementary immersion programs and to download the Immersion Interest Form, visit the Special Programs website: www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/immersion. Forms are also available at elementary schools.
Student Transfer Application Season Began February 1
Parents and guardians who wish to request a Change of School Assignment (COSA) for their children from their home school may begin the process during the upcoming transfer season which begins on February 1. All COSA requests must be submitted no later than April 1.
Except for students in the Northeast Consortium (NEC), Downcounty Consortium (DCC), and Middle School Magnet Consortium (MSMC) areas, MCPS students are assigned to a school on the basis of their place of residence or their Individualized Education Program (IEP) and are expected to attend their home school. Assignment changes for students from one school to another are permitted under limited circumstances. For more information, visit www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/transfers.
Honoring Contributions to Special Education
Students and parents/guardians are encouraged to submit nominations to recognize individuals who have contributed to the success and acceptance of students with special needs. The recognitions are being given by the Special Education Committee of the Montgomery County Council of PTAs, Inc. (MCCPTA, Inc.).
Nominations are being accepted in four categories: Staff, Programs, Parents, and Students. Electronic submissions are strongly encouraged. Applications are due by Friday, March 22. Nominations can be submitted by e-mail attachment or in the body of an e-mail message to SpecialEd@mccpta.org. If you are unable to submit an electronic nomination, you may send a completed nomination form and a nominating statement, along with supporting statements, to the MCCPTA, Inc. office: Montgomery County Council of PTAs, Inc., P.O. Box 10754, Rockville, Maryland 20849.
The nomination form can be accessed at the following link: news.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/MCCPTA-2018-2019-Special-Education-Award-Nomination-Form.pdf.
Upcoming County Education Budget Meetings
Parents/guardians and members of the community are invited to join Montgomery County Councilmember Craig Rice, Superintendent of Schools Jack R. Smith, and Montgomery College President DeRionne Pollard at upcoming Education Budget meetings scheduled for February and March. Attendees can find out how budget decisions are made, what the County is doing today to get ready for FY 2020 and beyond, and the opportunities residents have to influence budget decisions.
The meetings will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the following locations:
March 6, Rockville High School, 2100 Baltimore Road in Rockville
March 11, Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, 4301 East-West Highway in Bethesda
March 27, Montgomery College Takoma Park Campus, 7600 Takoma Avenue in Takoma Park (Cultural Arts Center Theater 1)
The county executive will announce his Recommended FY 2019 Operating Budget in March. In April, the County Council will hold public hearings and approve the operating budget at the end of May.
Nominees Sought for Annual Distinguished Service to Public Education Awards
The Montgomery County Board of Education is seeking nominations from the public for its 22nd Annual Awards for Distinguished Service to Public Education. The awards are sponsored by the Board to recognize and show appreciation to individuals (including students), groups and organizations that have made exemplary contributions to public education in Montgomery County. Visit www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/boe/community/awards/ for more information. Completed nomination forms must be received in the Board of Education office by 5:00 p.m. on March 1, 2019.
Important Dates
3/4 - Woodlawn Manor In-School Field Trip for Grades 3-5. Funding has generously been provided by SLES PTA.
3/5 - PTA Meeting
3/6 - Grade 5 Family Life Parent Meeting
3/19 - Grade 5 MISA testing
3/20 - Grade 5 MISA testing
3/21 - Grade 5 MISA testing
3/22 - Grade 5 MISA testing
3/22 - Grade 4 Field Trip to Historic St. Mary's City
3/25 - Kindergarten Professional Development Day, provided by SLES Educational Foundation
3/26 - Grade 1 Professional Development Day, provided by SLES Educational Foundation
3/27 - Grade 2 Professional Development Day, provided by SLES Educational Foundation
Seven Locks Elementary School
Email: Megan_H_Murphy@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/sevenlockses/
Location: 9500 Seven Locks Road, Bethesda, MD, USA
Phone: 240-740-0940
Twitter: @SLESPrincipal