January 14, 2008
http://www.pgcps.pg.k12.md.us/~marlton/
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Important Dates |
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1/14 First in Math Challenge Deadline 2000 stickers |
1/21 Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Schools Closed |
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1/15 First in Math Newcomers Challenge Deadline 1,100 stickers |
1/22 Science Benchmark Testing - Grade 5 |
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1/15 & 16 SRI Testing Grades 2 – 6 |
1/24 Instrumental & Vocal Music Program 7:00 p.m. |
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1/17 Principal for the Day |
2/4 – 2/26 Pennies
for |
Dear Parents,
Report cards were distributed last week. We hope you have taken the time to review the grades with your child. It is important to recognize and praise your child for improvements made from the first quarter. It is also important to discuss ways to improve grades. Make sure your child completes all of their class work to the best of their ability. When responding to comprehension questions in reading or content areas, the responses should be thorough and include details from the text. In math, all work should be shown and answers labeled. Students must prepare for assessments several days in advance. Materials should be reread, vocabulary drilled on flashcards and math problems reworked to check themselves. In the content areas, important information is often typed in bold print. Students can show their understanding of these concepts by explaining them to you. Preparing for tests is hard work and students should spend time with the preparations. You also received a letter explaining the second quarter benchmark scores. Our goal is to help every child raise their achievement level. We want to eliminate achievement at the basic level. During this third quarter, help and encourage your child to raise their achievement level by actively participating in class, asking questions to clarify information, completing all class work and homework assignments, review their tests and papers and make corrections to increase their understanding, read nightly and prepare for all assessments. With school and parents working together to assist, encourage and praise their efforts, students can raise their achievement.
Federal Impact Aid Survey Cards - Blue Federal Impact Aid Survey Cards were distributed to the students last week. It is extremely important that we complete and return every card. If you have not completed and returned the blue card, please do so tomorrow. If the card is lost, call the office and we will send home another card. (301) 952-7780.
Inclement Weather - In the event of inclement weather, check the following items to learn about weather-related closings, delayed openings, and early dismissals:
Ÿ The school system’s Web site (www.pgcps.org) and cable television stations (channel 96, Comcast, and channel 38 Verizon) are updated as soon as decisions are made.
Ÿ Local television and radio stations, and newspapers are notified
Ÿ The public can call 301-952-6000 and select option 1 (bulletin board) to hear weather related announcements
Ÿ The web site www.schoolsout.com is contacted to email its subscribers of the change in schedules
Ÿ PGCPS sends email messages directly to all employees.
Parents are urged to discuss specific plans with children in advance of the next weather event that alters the normal school day and transportation schedule. Each child needs to know what to do in case of school cancellations, delays and early dismissals.
First in Math - Twelve students joined the principal for a “round” lunch today because they earned 2,000 stickers on the First in Math internet site. They enjoyed pizza and talked about the strategies used to complete the problem solving activities. Congratulations to William Shaw (4,640), Corey Dorsey (4,518), Mia Rhinehart (2,556), Joseph Lagnese (2,395), Marcellus Majors, Devon Francis, Joseph Butler, Dazha Austin, Michaela Scott, Leah Glascoe, Brian Williams, and Jerome Brown. On Tuesday newcomers to the First in Math site, that accrue 1,100 stickers, will join the principal for lunch. We hope lots of children in grades 3 - 6 accept the challenge to raise their math achievement by completing the activities on the site.
Scholastic
Principal for the Day - The Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Education join together and invite community members to become “principal’s for the day.” Our guest principal will visit classrooms and meet our students on January 17.
Instrumental & Vocal Music Program - Mark your calendars for Jan. 24, 7:00 p.m. Students in grades
K - 2 will sing many beautiful and lively selections. The band is practicing various selections for your enjoyment. It will be an entertaining evening.
Attendance - On Jan. 7, 260 students enjoyed the unseasonably warm weather with extra recess. During the second quarter they were absent 2 or less days and were tardy 2 or less times. Stress the importance of daily attendance with your child and make sure your child is always on time for school. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. and instruction begins promptly at 7:45 a.m.
Uniforms - We need large size uniform pants and shirts for those occasions when a student tears their uniform or slips during recess and gets dirty or wet. If you have “gently worn” uniforms, sizes 12, 14, 16, 18, or XL, please donate them to our school. Ms. Scales, parent liaison, will make them available to students in need.
Nurse Notes
- Mobile Dentists/Smile Programs
will be coming to our school on April 18, 2008.
A flyer and application form was sent home in
the report card envelope. This program
will set up a mini-dental office in our school.
They can provide dental examinations, cleanings, fluoride treatments,
x-rays and sealants for children who return completed forms. If you would like your child to participate
in this program please send the permission slips back
to school by the end of January. The
permission slips need to be processed before the Mobile Dentists arrive at our
school. No child is
ever turned away from
-Mark your calendars and start saving your coins. Marlton’s annual coin drive for Pennies for Patients will be February 4-26, 2008 (extra days will be allowed due to 2 days schools will be closed in February). Whose class will win the pizza party this year? Parents can take containers to work to collect money for their class coin count! Any questions call Mrs. Bishop at 301 952-0602.
Chess
Club - The Upper Marlboro Library
will hold it’s Chess Club Meeting on Thursday, Jan.
17th, from 5:30-7:00 p.m. Hope to see everyone there!
Math Help - There is math help available for when your child is having difficulty with their homework or wants to clarify a question. Turn your TV to channel 38, Verizon, or channel 96, Comcast, for Count on Us, Mondays and Wednesdays or Math Homework Hotline Show for elementary students from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Call 301-772-0080 or cou@pgcps.org for more information.
Birthday Parties - We love to celebrate the children’s birthdays but it is important to remember that our most important responsibility is instruction. Therefore, if your child wants to celebrate with their classmates at school, parents may send in cupcakes and a foil pack or box juice drink. These are easy to distribute. The children will enjoy these treats during their lunch. Balloons and all other food items should be saved for their home party.
Counselor’s Corner - Please review these five ways to help your child get along with their classmates or friends:
1. Be available any time your child wants to talk over problems concerning relationships with others.
2. Explain that if two people can’t work something out, they should ask a third person to mediate.
3. Role-play situations so your child learns how to solve problems that may come up with others.
4. Create opportunities for caring, such as letting your child help bake cookies to welcome newcomers to the neighborhood.
5. Tell your child to report any bullying or harassment he or she witnesses at school.
Remember to teach by example. Encourage your child to treat others the way you want to be treated.
Next Newsletter - January 28, 2008