Marlton Elementary School Newsletter

March 31, 2008

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

 

Important Dates

4/8 Math MSA Gr. 3- 6

3/31 Report Cards Distributed

4/9 Math MSA Gr. 3 – 6

4/1 – TOMORROW – Reading Logs Due

4/11 First in Math celebration

4/1 Reading MSA Gr. 3 - 6

4/18   Smile Dentist

4/2 Reading MSA Gr. 3 - 6

4/29  Red Cross Blood Drive

 

Dear Parents,

            The Maryland School Assessment in reading is scheduled for Tuesday 4/1 and Wednesday 4/2, and the math assessment is scheduled for Tuesday 4/8 and Wednesday 4/9.  The assessment will begin at 8:00 a.m.   Therefore, it is very important that every child arrives at school on time.  They must have a good breakfast in order to sustain and energize themselves throughout the 90 -120 minute assessment.  If your child has focused on instruction, completed class and homework, they are prepared for the assessment.  However, we ask that you continue during these last weeks to drill multiplication facts.  The assessment is timed and minutes are lost as students draw pictures to help them solve a multiplication fact.  The assessments ask higher order questions and multi-step question.  Students must think about what the question is asking. With selected response questions, students must read all four choices and return to the text to choose the correct answer.  Similarly, they must read the BCR question carefully and return to the text to show support for their answer (sample assessments are located on www.mdk12.org). A careful and thoughtful approach to the reading and math questions will aid in their success.  Be positive and encourage them to use what they know throughout the assessments.

 

Report Cards – The third quarter report card was distributed today.  Review the grades with your child and talk about the increases and decreases in performance.  Work with your child to make a plan to raise their achievement during the fourth quarter.  There are three easy steps to raise achievement:  carefully complete all class work, thoughtfully complete all homework and prepare in advance for all tests.  Students must begin studying for a test at least three days before the assessment.  Please help your child by reviewing their work and quizzing them as they prepare for tests.  If you have not had a conference with your teacher, please contact the teacher to discuss plans for improvement during the fourth quarter (301) 952-7780.

 

April is Math Month – Attached to the newsletter is a calendar of math activities for you and your child to complete at home!  We use math daily and it is important for students to make the connection between the text book and applications in the real world.  This month show your child how often you use math on a daily basis.

 

First in Math – Students are encouraged to visit the First in Math internet site to complete complex math exercises.  Students are challenged to earn 3,000 stickers by April 10.  Our newcomers are challenged to earn 2, 200 by April 10.  They will celebrate with a special treat on April 11 with the principal.

 

Pre-K Registration & Kindergarten began today!   Registration Requirements

You must submit the following documents before you can register

   1. STUDENTS BORN: SEPT. 2, 2003----SEPT. 1, 2004

   2. Child must reside within the school boundary

   3. Proof of Residency- Deed or current Lease/Rental

       agreement with signature page signed by both tenant and landlord.

   4. Birth Certificate (must show Parent’s name)

   5. Updated Immunization Record

   6. Two current Proofs of income for each job (2-pay stubs or 2007 1040 income tax

        statement).  If unemployed then last filed income tax statement must be brought in at time of registration. 

NOT HAVING ANY INCOME DOES NOT QUALIFY YOUR CHILD FOR PRE-KINDERGARTEN. YOU MUST PROVIDE THE LAST FILED INCOME TAX STATEMENT. INCOME WILL BE BASED ON YOUR LAST FILED INCOME TAX STATEMENT.

***Registration has begun for our Pre-k Program. Acceptance into this program is not automatic and it’s based on income eligibility. Children of over-income families will be placed on a waiting list until October 1st. Children of over-income families will be enrolled on a space available basis if enrollment is under 20 children.

 

Online Prepayment for Student Lunches – Too often a child does not have lunch money on their account and must receive a cheese sandwich for their lunch. 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.  The price of lunches for the remainder of the school year is: $1.75 X   53 days =  $92.75.  The price for breakfast for the remainder of the school year is: $ .40 X 53 days = $21.20.       

 

Christmas in April – Thank you for encouraging your child to become involved in community service.  Over 90 students participated in this special activity.  After completing tasks at home and “banking” the money earned, students bought various cleaning supplies for the volunteers to use when they renovate and clean the homes of needy elderly people in our County.   We appreciate their service work!

 

NURSE NOTES

-    The Smiling Dentists are coming to Marlton on Friday, April 18th.  If you have sent in a permission slip for your child to see the Dentist, please make sure your child is in school that day.  If the Smiling Dentists mailed you a form, that form needs to be filled out and/or signed.  Mrs. Bishop can hold that form for you.  If the form is not sent in for the appointment, your child will not be seen by the Dentist.

-     There will be a Red Cross Blood Drive at Marlton, Tuesday, April 29, 3-7 p.m.  If you are interested in donating blood, please call Mrs. Bishop at 301 952-0602 to schedule an appointment.

 

Bridge at Marlton Elementary – 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 was been established that playing bridge increases critical thinking skills.  The class will begin at 2:00 p.m. and end at 4:00 p.m. 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

 

Big Screen Microscopes – We have about 15 student big screen microscopes, rarely used that we are going to give away.  If you would like one for your child, send in a note to the office by Friday, April 4 and we will put their name in the drawing.

 

Marlboro Boys & Girls ClubIt’s time to sign up for Babe Ruth T-ball/rookie leagues.  To sign up or learn more about the league, contact Mr. Bossett, 301-655-5910 or Ms. Ann, 202-215-9119.  Practice begins on March 31.  The season lasts from 5/10 to 6/21.

 

Howard B. Owens Science Center – “Journeys to the Stars” will be presented on April 11 at 7:30 p.m. In this production, you will imagine that you are on a tour of the ancient archaeological ruins of Tiwanaku, Bolivia.  You expect to travel out of the country, but out of the galaxy?!  In the spirit of science fiction programs, their staff will take you live on an imaginary journey through the stars, using the skies of mythical cultures to help fine the way. The audience will play an active role in solving the mysteries of the skies!

 

Partners for Success Parent Center

Mon. 4-3

10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Basics of Special Education, Judy Hoyer Family Learning Ctr.

Wed. 4-16

6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Understanding Special Education, The ARC of P.G. County

Thurs. 4-17

10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Basics of Special Education, Judy Hoyer Family Learning Ctr.

Wed. 4-30

10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Basics of Special Education, Judy Hoyer Family Learning Ctr.

For additional information or to register: contact the Parent Center 301-431-5675 or 301-431-6235.

 

Next Newsletter – April 14, 2008