Marlton Elementary School Newsletter

October 15, 2007

http://www.pgcps.pg.k12.md.us/~marlton/

Important Dates	10/22-26 PTA Book Fair
10/15 PreK-Gr. 8 Discussion Mtg. 7:00 p.m.	10/22 & 23 Camp Schmidt – grade 5
10/16 Donuts for Dad 7:00 – 7: 45 a.m.	10/22 Regional Parent Workshop 7:00 p.m.
10/17 End First Quarter	10/23 Blood Drive 3:00 – 7:30 p.m.
10/18 No School – grading & planning	10/26 Report cards released
10/19 No School – MSTA convention	10/26 PTA Skate Night 7:00 – 9:00

Dear Parents,

The first quarter ends on Wednesday, October 17. The students in grades 3 – 6 completed the benchmark assessments in reading and math. You will be informed of your child’s results as soon as the assessments are scored. As we begin the second quarter, focus your attention on your child’s completion of their homework. We ask that you examine class assignments with them and ask them to explain the work. This will enable them to show their understanding of the activity. The lessons are rigorous and students need to review their work nightly. This will reinforce the learning and help the students prepare for the next day’s lesson and future assessments.

Community Forum PreK-Grade 8 proposed program – Please join Dr. Deasy’s representatives at a special community forum on Monday, 10/15, 7:00 p.m. at Dr. Henry Wise, Jr. High School in Upper Marlboro. Community members are encouraged to share suggestions for next steps in the process. The 90 minute format will include a 30 minute presentation of the PreK-Grade 8 concept, 30 minutes for small working groups and 30 minutes for total group sharing of suggestions.

Donuts for Dad – Fathers and students are invited to participate in the annual Donuts for Dad activity on Tuesday, 10/16, from 7:00 a.m. to 7: 45 a.m. in the multipurpose room. This is a wonderful way to start the day with your child and your school neighbors.

Regional Parent Workshop – Join the Regional Specialists for a parent workshop on Monday, 10/22, 7:00 p.m. at James Madison Middle School. The specialists will highlight the concepts to be taught during the second quarter.

Safety – For many years, we have asked parents to drive to the lower parking lot in the morning to discharge their children. We do not want parents to stop on Old Colony Drive. There is considerable traffic and we are concerned about the safety of the children. Recently, two parents brought concerns to the office explaining that a child got out of a car and ran across the street in front of their vehicle. Also, when parents stop on Old Colony Drive, it disrupts the flow of traffic and delays the buses from reaching the driveway. For the safety of the children, we ask that every parent drive to the lower parking lot. This extra two minutes of your time will keep the children safe. Thank you in advance for your thoughtfulness.

Book Fair – The PTA will sponsor a book fair between October 22 and 26. In addition to the day time shopping, the book fair will be open on Wednesday and Friday evenings 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Many volunteers are needed to organize a successful and smooth operating book fair. The class that has the most volunteer parents will receive a cupcake party. Contact Aricka Hawkins, 301-466-4304 or Kathy Yorkshire, 301-254-1443, to volunteer your time or email the PTA at marltonpta@yahoo.com

PTA Skate Night – October 26 – Parents and children are invited to participate in our first skate night in the Marlton multipurpose room and gym. The children look forward to this special activity. Music will accompany the skating and food is available for purchase. Parents are required to stay. Join us from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Blood Drive – Nurse Sandy Bishop has arranged for an American Red Cross sponsored Blood Drive on Tuesday, Oct. 23 from 3:00 – 7:30 p.m. in the multipurpose room. Last year, our school was recognized for having the largest participation from an elementary school! Send a note to Nurse Bishop confirming your participation and your child will receive a wrist band emphasizing the importance of giving blood.

Lunch time drinks – Please do not send soda to school with your child. There are many foil pack or box drinks available and the cafeteria sells milk and juice. The soda cans have the ability to spray when opened. They also attract bees in the outside trash cans.

First in Math – Congratulations to the following that earned 900 or more stickers in the First in Math, Challenge 24 activity. They celebrated by having lunch with the principal and a special treat. William Shaw, Michaela Scott, Marcellus Major, Ishmail Harris, McKenzie Wilson, Dazha Austin, Joseph Lagnese, Whitney Hall, Steven Newman, Devon Francis, Devin Barksdale, Mia Rhinehart, Korey Brown and Corey Dorsey.

Build-a-Book -You are invited to bring your child to our Build-a-Book family event. This event will take place in the cafeteria on Wednesday, October 24th from 5:30 to 7:00pm.

Build-a-Book Party is a totally tested, totally fun in-school event where children and their families together turn a blank Klutz book and some simple craft materials into a priceless family treasure. It's a celebration of literacy, arts and crafts, and family togetherness. Using a glue stick and craft materials plus a blank wire-o bound Klutz book, families create a book (and a memory) they’ll keep forever!

Please RSVP no later than Friday, October 19th so that we can arrange to have enough Build-a-Book kits. You may RSVP via email to marltonpta@yahoo.com or by calling the book fair coordinators: (301) 466-4304 (Aricka) or (301) 254-1443 (Kathy). This is a great family activity that’s fun, easy, and rewarding, and develops a love of reading that can last a lifetime!

Parent Workshops – The following workshops are available, at no charge.

Tuesday, 10/16	10:00-11:30 am	Basics of Spec. Education Judy Hoyer Family Learning Center
Wednesday, 10/17	6:00 -8:00 p.m.	Understanding ADD and ADHD Judy Hoyer Family Learning Center
Thursday, 10/25	10:00 – 11:30 a.m.	Basics of Spec. Education Judy Hoyer Family Learning Center
Wednesday, 10/31	6:00 – 8:00 p.m.	Homework Helpers Surrattsville/Clinton Public Library

The Judy Hoyer Family Learning Center is located at 8908 Riggs Road, Adelphi, MD 20783. The Surratts/Clinton Library is located at 9400 Piscataway Road, Clinton, MD.

Chess Club – All are invited to learn how to play chess at the Upper Marlboro Library on the first and third Thursdays at 5:30 p.m.

Attendance/Tardy Arrival – Students with less than two absences or two tardy days during the first quarter will be recognized on Friday, October 26. The second quarter begins on Monday, Oct. 22. Monitor your child’s attendance and on time arrivals in order for them to be recognized at the end of the second quarter!

Story Book Character Parade – On October 31, students can participate in the Parade of Story Book Characters. To participate the children must read a book, write a book report (or similar activity assigned by the grade level), and dress as a character from the book. No weapons may accompany the costume. The parade will begin at 12:50 p.m.

McDonald’s Night – Thank you to the 65 families and 15 teachers that participated in the McDonald’s Night on Oct. 9. A fun time was had by all!

Next Newsletter – October 29, 2007