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S. Christa McAuliffe Elementary School
Principal’s Newsletter Susie Prin, Principal Intern
Volume 5, No.5 February 2016
Our Vision: A community school where parents and staff work together as partners for the development of
the whole child.
Our Mission: A partnership of parents and staff preparing our children for the future.
We Are McAuliffe. Embracing Equity, Diversity, and Excellence.
The end of January brought a historical snowstorm, the Blizzard of 2016, which provided a week off
of school. Our hope is that you were able to relax and enjoy some extra time with your family. We
missed you and are happy to be back teaching and learning with your children.
January 28, 2016 marked the 30th anniversary of the Challenger Space Shuttle disaster. S. Christa
McAuliffe was one of the astronauts on that flight and for whom our school is named. In a news
release, Christa McAuliffe’s husband shared, “Christa’s goals have been largely accomplished in that
she inspired generations of classroom teachers and students.” He noted how proud she would be.
The staff at McAuliffe is honored to work with you to inspire children to learn and reach for the stars.
The third quarter began on Monday, February 1st. Report Cards were originally scheduled to go
home to parents on Wednesday, February 3rd. However, the school snow closures have delayed this
distribution date to Wednesday, February 10th.
We will have our Celebrate McAuliffe event on Friday, February 5th from 9:15 a.m. to approximately
10:00 a.m. We welcome you to join us.
The PTA event, Pajamas, Pancakes, and Bingo has been rescheduled for Friday, February 12th from
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. and we look forward to seeing you there.
If you have any questions, please contact the school office at 301-353-0910 or me at
[email protected] . I look forward to seeing you soon.
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REMINDERS
Winter Safety Tips
All this snow has provided an opportunity for children to enjoy sledding. Please review the following
safety tips with your child.
Do not go sledding alone. Use the buddy system or go with an adult.
Never sled down a hill headfirst. Sit upright and face forward to avoid a head injury.
Make sure the hill is safe and does not include a street, pond, trees or other dangerous
obstacles.
Staying Healthy During the Winter Months
We want to keep the students and the school operating on a normal schedule and minimize any
disruption to teaching and learning. You can help in our efforts to prevent the spread of flu by:
Knowing the symptoms of flu. These include fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or greater,
cough, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, and feeling very tired.
Keeping children home from school if they are sick. Individuals who have been sick with the
flu should stay home until they have been fever-free for 24 hours.
Reminding your child to wash his/her hands often with soapy water.
Encouraging your child not to share personal items like drinks, food, or utensils.
Telling your child to cover his/her coughs and sneezes with tissues. If they don’t have a
tissue, he/she should cough or sneeze into his/her upper sleeve, not into a hand.
Take Your Family to School Week – Monday, February 8th – Friday, February 12th
Please come have lunch with your child during the week and plan on attending the Pajamas,
Pancakes, and Bingo night on Friday at 6:30 p.m. The PTA Corner with additional information is
included in this newsletter
Valentine’s Day Parties
Valentine’s Day Parties are scheduled for Friday, February 12, 2016 from 2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.
Parents are welcome to join us. Please look for information sent home from the classroom teacher
with your child.
Jump Rope For Heart
This month our school is participating in Jump Rope for Heart for the 4th year in a row. This is a great
service learning program that helps raise money for the American Heart Association, but also helps
our children learn the importance of making heart-healthy choices. The fundraising portion of the
program runs the whole month of February through March 4th. During that time the students may ask
for donations if they decide to, but they are not required to do so. On Thursday, February 25th, during
the school day each grade level will have a designated time to come to the gym to participate in the
Big Jump Event to celebrate all of the money our school raised for the American Heart Association.
Students do not have to participate in the fundraising portion in order to participate in the jump event.
If there are any questions regarding this event, please don’t hesitate to contact Mr. O’Connor via e-
mail (Timothy_L_O’[email protected]) or by calling the school.
THE MCPS Winter Parent Academy
The MCPS Parent Academy is back with an exciting lineup of free workshops for parents! Parent
Academy workshops give parents useful tips and tools to support their children’s success in and out of
school. A wide array of topics will be covered during the winter session, including college and career
planning, helping teens manage stress, literacy, the MCPS operating budget, recognizing child abuse
and neglect, and much more. All of the workshops are free and are held at schools and locations
throughout Montgomery County. Childcare and interpretation services
are provided. To see the schedule of workshops and to register, visit
montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/parentacademy/.
Sesión de Invierno 2016 de la Academia Para Padres
La Academia para Padres de MCPS está de vuelta con una alineación interesante de talleres gratuitos
para los padres! Los talleres de la Academia para Padres dan a los padres consejos útiles y herramientas
para apoyar el éxito de sus hijos dentro y fuera de la escuela. Una amplia gama de temas serán cubiertos
durante la sesión de invierno, incluyendo planificación universitaria y de carrera, ayudando a los
adolescentes a manejar el estrés, alfabetización, el presupuesto operativo de MCPS, reconociendo el
abuso y la negligencia infantil, y mucho más. Todos los talleres son gratuitos y se llevan a cabo en
escuelas y otros lugares alrededor del condado de Montgomery. Se proporcionan servicios de guardería
e interpretación de lenguajes. Para ver el calendario de talleres y para registrarse, visite
montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/parentacademy/
Kids’ College-Spring 2016 Kids’ College is enrichment courses for students in grades 1-10. Courses
are offered after school and on Saturdays on the Germantown and Rockville Campuses. Information
on the variety of courses can be seen on www.montgomerycollege.edu/youth . Or call 240-567-7917
or 240-567- 7264. Programs fill up quickly so you are encouraged to register quickly.
Elementary Foreign Language Immersion ProgramsIf you are interested in having your child
attend an Foreign Language Immersion Program, parents may participate in the immersion lottery
process from February 1 to April 8, 2016. The Elementary Immersion Interest Form and directions
are available on the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) website
www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms/ , at elementary schools, and by calling
the Division of Consortia Choice and Application Program Services (DCCAPS) at 301-592-2040
beginning February 1, 2016.
Library Link—Connecting Students to Adventure, Exploration and Excitement Montgomery County Public Schools is partnering with the Montgomery County Public Libraries to
launch Library Link, a new countywide initiative aimed to ensure every child enrolled in school has
access to a library card. This program is part of the national ConnectED Library Challenge, led by the
Institute of Museum and Library Services, a federal agency supporting libraries. With 21 branches
across Montgomery County, libraries have millions of books, magazines, movies, and more for
children to borrow. Libraries also serve as digital hubs to connect students to Internet resources, and
offer important tools such as test preparation materials, electronic databases, world language materials,
and quiet spaces for children to do homework. You’ll hear more about Library Link in the coming
months.
Library Link-Conectando Estudiantes con la Aventura, Exploración y Emoción
Las Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Montgomery se han asociado con las Bibliotecas Públicas del
Condado de Montgomery para lanzar Library Link, una nueva iniciativa en todo el condado que tiene
como objetivo asegurar que cada niño matriculado en la escuela tenga acceso a una tarjeta de la
biblioteca. Este programa forma parte del desafío nacional Conectados a la Biblioteca, dirigido por el
Instituto de Servicios de Museos y Bibliotecas, una agencia federal de apoyo a las bibliotecas. Con 21
sucursales en todo el Condado de Montgomery, las bibliotecas tienen millones de libros, revistas,
películas, y más para que los niños pidan prestado. Las bibliotecas también sirven como centros
digitales para conectar a los estudiantes a los recursos de Internet, y ofrecen herramientas importantes,
tales como materiales de preparación para evaluaciones, bases de datos electrónicos, materiales de
lenguajes del mundo, y espacios tranquilos para los niños puedan hacer los deberes. Usted escuchará
más sobre Library Link en los próximos meses.
Ways to Keep Informed about Montgomery County Public Schools
Alert MCPS Alert MCPS provides information about major changes in school system operations via text messages
delivered to devices you register, such as cell phones, smart phones, and pagers. Signing up for Alert
MCPS is free, but check with your wireless provider about charges associated with text messages.
Messages are provided in English and Spanish. Parents and staff can also sign up to receive messages
for specific MCPS schools. This service would be used for situations that affect one or a small number
of schools, such as a power outage. Sign up at http://alert.montgomerycountymd.gov/.
Twitter A Twitter account allows you to follow MCPS updates, including emergency messages, on your
computer, cell phone, or mobile device. Go to http://twitter.com/mcps to follow MCPS or to create an
account.
MCPS Website
Changes in school operations due to weather conditions or other emergencies are posted on the MCPS
website at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org. Messages are posted in English and Spanish.
Recorded Information Line
To hear a recorded message about changes in school operations in English and Spanish, call 301-279-
3673.
MCPS TV
Emergency messages, news about MCPS, coverage of Board of Education meetings, and more, are
provided on Comcast Cable Ch. 34, Verizon Ch. 36, and RCN Ch. 89. For more info, visit
www.mcpstv.org.
TV and Radio: Local Stations
Tune in to local TV and radio stations for news about changes in school operations due to weather
conditions or other emergencies.
Dates to Remember
Friday, February 5 Celebrate McAuliffe, 9:15 a.m.
Wednesday, February 10 Report Card Distribution
Thursday, February 11 5th Grade Parent Meeting
Friday, February 12 Valentine Parties 2:15 p.m.
Friday, February 12 Pajamas, Pancakes, and Bingo, 6:30 p.m.
Monday, February 15 Holiday – Schools and Offices Closed
Friday, February 26 International Night 6:30 p.m.
Friday, February 26 Early Release Day dismissal at 12:55 p.m.
~~~~PLEASE CONTINUE READING FOR THE PTA CORNER~~~
February 4, 2016
UPCOMING PTA EVENTS
Come one, come all! Bring the WHOLE FAMILY
On Friday, February 12, 2016 starting at 6:30 PM, PTA will be hosting our
2nd Annual Pancakes and Bingo Family Fun Night.
Tickets will be $5 per person in Advance ($6 per person at the door!)
for a delicious Pancake and Sausage dinner and Bingo.
If you would like to help flip some flapjacks, set up/clean-up, or call
numbers,
please contact Marianna Kasprzak at [email protected] or
(302)750-3293
A flyer will be coming home in Thursday Folders
so that families may order advanced tickets!
Come celebrate our school diversity!
The purpose of International Night is to bring together our families and celebrate
our vast school diversity. You will learn about and share with each other the many
different cultures represented in our school. It is a free event sponsored by the
PTA. It is a great night for learning and having fun!!!
If you are interested in helping with the event, hosting a cultural/country table, or
doing a performance, please e-mail Marianna.kasprzak @gmail.com or return this
with your child and we will contact you.
Unfortunately, due to weather circumstances and
lack of volunteers, The PTA has to cancel Spring
Afterschool Clubs.
Please See the attached flyer for information
about Take your Family to School Week!
Box Tops for Education Box Tops donations have come pouring in. Please continue to send
in your Box Tops. We hope to break last year’s total of $798
raised.
Membership Drive and Volunteers: If you would like to become a PTA member and have not done so
already, please fill out your membership form and send in your
form and dues in an envelope marked with your student’s name
and “Attention: PTA.” While being a member does not obligate
you to volunteer, we hope you will consider helping when you can!
If we all do a little, a lot gets done.
QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, CONCERNS?
As always, feel free to contact anyone on the PTA board.
Marianna Kasprzak
President
om
302-750-3293
Jenny Buchet
Vice President
m
240-366-7094
Tammy Hanna
Treasurer
m
Adam Creuziger
Secretary
m
240-751-7407
\
S. Christa McAuliffe ES
TAKE your family to school!!! Monday, February 8th – Friday, February 12th
McAuliffe is celebrating its wonderful families this whole week! Enjoy time with your student, pack a lunch and join your child for Lunch, party with your Valentine and top it all off with a fun-filled Bingo Night for the Whole Family with 5 games of Bingo, Pancakes & Prizes!!!!
Friday, February 5th “Celebrate McAuliffe” – 9:15 AM(GYM)
Tuesday, February 9th
Grade Lunch
5th 11:40-12:10
3rd 12:20-12:45
Wednesday, February 10th
Grade Lunch
2nd 12:00-12:30
K 12:45-1:15
Thursday, February 11th
Grade Lunch
4th 12:30-1:00
1st 1:00-1:30 Head Start 11:10-11:40
Friday, February 12th Valentine's Day Parties (All Grades) – 2:15PM
Please, no classroom visits except during Valentine's Day Parties.
