Marlton Elementary School Newsletter

February 25, 2008

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

 

 

Important Dates

 

2/25 Grades 1 & 3 Tag Naglieri Test

2/29 Skate Night  7-9

2/26 Special Learning Walk

3/3 Dr. Deasy Visits Marlton

2/27 Pennies for Patients Drive Ends

3/4 Academic Fair 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

2/28 Jump Rope for Heart Gr. 1-3

3/7 Muffins for Mom 7:00 a.m.

2/29 Jump Rope for Heart Gr. 4-6

3/7 Read Across America Celebration

 

Dear Parents,

            An important part of our character education program is community service.  Children need to learn that a part of building character is helping others.  We want students to understand that we are a school family and we encourage them to support and assist each other in the classroom.  Last year, we formed a partnership with Christmas in April.  The Christmas in April program repairs homes of needy families in Prince George’s County.  They presented our school with a beautiful plaque honoring our participation. Again, we will assist them by donating cleaning items to help them with their task.  Please read the attached information and encourage your child to perform tasks at home to earn money for the various cleaning products.  Working together we can watch the children develop a caring enthusiasm for community service.

 

Pennies for Patients – The Pennies for Patients Drive ends on Wednesday 2/27.  All money is donated to the Leukemia/Lymphoma Foundation.  There are still chocolate roses available for sale, $1.00.  So far, we have raised $1,794.91!


Special Learning Walk – On Tuesday, Marlton Elementary will sponsor a special Learning Walk.  Eight principals and representatives from the regional office will visit our school and briefly observe in four classrooms.  They will observe the lesson, examine classroom displays and ask students to explain what they are learning.  This activity is part of a year-long staff development program focused on the Principles of Learning.  Our visitors will look for evidence of clear expectations in the classrooms.

 

Jump Rope for Heart –  Jump Rope for Heart is a very special community service program to raise funds for the American Heart Association.  We’re joining the fight against cardiovascular disease and stroke.  Marlton raised over $5,000 last year and our goal this year is $6,000!  The event will take place on Feb. 28 and 29 from 8:15 – 10:15. Several parents have volunteered to help but we still need many more helpers on both of these days to make the event a success.  Please call to volunteer 301-952-7780.

 

Dr. Deasy Visit – We are pleased to announced that Dr. John Deasy, Superintendent, will visit our school on March 3 to kick off Read Across America.

 

Academic Fair – The teachers are busy preparing displays of student work for our annual academic fair on Tuesday, March 3 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.  All parents and guests are invited to tour the fair to see work completed by your child and all other grade levels. There will be a small silent auction with many of your children’s favorites available for silent bid from 6:30 – 8:00 P.M..  Perhaps your child will want you to bid on Principal for the day, lunch with the principal or several other fun activities.  In addition, the PTA will sponsor a Marlton Family Business Expo.  Business owners within our community can spread the word about their services. There is a $20 registration fee and the registration deadline is Feb. 27.  Contact Marltonpta@yahoo.com for more information.  Please join us for a fun evening!

 

Muffins for Mom – All moms are invited to join their child for our morning activity, Muffins for Mom.  On Friday, March 7, join us in the multipurpose room from 7:00 – 7:45 a.m.  It’s a wonderful time to enjoy a continental breakfast with your child and our school community.

 

Read Across America – We will celebrate Dr. Seuss Day/Read Across America on Friday, March 7.  Parent, relatives and neighbors are invited to read to classrooms.  You can select from many of our wonderful books in the media center.  We need lots of readers to make this a special day.  Call Ms. Reed or your child’s teacher to volunteer.

 

First in Math – On Feb. 19, 27 students joined the principal for lunch and enjoyed a special treat for reaching the sticker goal in First in Math.  Seven students reached the goal of 2,500 stickers: William Shaw (4,914 stickers), Corey Dorsey (4,580), Mia Rhinehart (3,303), Joseph Lagnese (3,048), Joseph Butler (2,582), Ruben Levell (2,537) and Devon Francis (2,508).  Seven more students reached the newcomers goal of 1,800 stickers: Stephen Parks-Anderson, Devin Barksdale, Dazha Austin, Brian Williams, Leah Glascoe, Michaela Scott and Marcellas Major.  We also invited the 12 students that had earned the most stickers during the week prior to the event.  We continue to encourage everyone to visit the internet site to enhance their problem solving skills.

 

Reading Incentive – Every month, students are asked to read nightly, complete their reading log and reach the goal set by the grade level.  During the month of January, 76% of our students reached their goal.  The three kindergarten classes (Mrs. Gallihugh, Miss Norris, and Miss Hartman) and Ms. Hemby’s second grade classroom had 100% of their students reach their goal and turn in their logs.  Sadly, there were four classrooms with 50% or less of the students turning in their logs.  We cannot stress enough the importance of daily reading.  To become a good reader with strong comprehension skills, a student must read regularly and discuss the story.  Talk to your child about the importance of fulfilling this reading requirement.

 

Bridge at Marlton Elementary School – Beginning April 25, 2008 and continuing on the Friday’s listed below after school, Mrs. Bley and two of her bridge-playing friends will introduce interested 4th, 5th and 6th graders to the game of bridge. The following three links provide information for you to review.

 

It has been established that playing bridge increases critical thinking skills. The class will begin at 2 PM and end at 4 PM on April 25, May 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30. Parents must make arrangements to pick up their child(ren) by 4:15. If you are interested in having your child participate in this activity please email Mrs. Bley at Martha.Bley@pgcps.org Put your child’s name and grade + Bridge Friday in the subject line.

 

http://www.bridgeiscool.com/

http://www.acbl.org/documentlibrary/news/statisticallyspeaking.pdf

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/02/16/sunday/main3840748.shtml

 

Contextual Learning Environment – Information on how to apply and obtain an application is posted on the Prince George’s County Public Schools website, www.pgcps.org.  Completed lottery applications will be accepted on or before the close of business (5:00 p.m.) on March 12, 2008, at the following address:  Office of Enrichment and Specialty Programs, Room 201-1, 1420 School Lane, Upper Marlboro, MD  20772.   Faxed applications will not be accepted.

 

Online Prepayment for Student Lunches – As noted in the last newsletter, parents can pre-pay for children’s meals online!  Use your bank debit card, Visa, Discover or MasterCard to pre-pay for your children’s meals.  You are encouraged to pre-purchase meals for at least one month at a time, and to pre-pay at least two days prior to your child’s meal account being depleted.

 

Partners for Success Parent Workshops

Wed. March 5

6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Next Steps 2008: The Transition

The Arc of PG County

Tues. March 11

10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Basics of Special Education

Judy Hoyer Family Learning Ctr.

Tues. March 11

6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Let’s Keep Talking: Communication

Strategies for Home and School

Judy Hoyer Family Learning Ctr.

Wed. March 19

6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Overview of Assistive Tech.

Edgar Allen Poe

To register or gain additional information, call 301-431-5675 or 301-431-6235.

 

Next Newsletter – March 11, 2008