College Gardens Elementary School
October 2008 Albert P. DuPont, Ed.D., Principal
Stacey F. Jones, Assistant Principal
Dear Parents,
It has been a fantastic first month of school! As I walk through the building observing teaching and learning, I am impressed everyday with the excellent staff and students here at College Gardens. The new classes for students with autism are enjoying a successful start. This it truly an amazing school!
It was wonderful meeting many of you at our Back-to-School nights. I spoke with many of you during the evening and heard many positive things about our staff and the school. If you were unable to attend, please be sure to contact your children’s teacher to set up a parent conference where you can discuss your individual child with the teacher.
To continue the collaborative efforts, I encourage you to become involved in the many opportunities you have to participate in your children’s education. Some of the many opportunities include coming to the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meetings, Principal Chats, and volunteering in classrooms. We need you! We need your perspectives. It is the only way that we can make a difference in every child’s education. We are doing it – but we need you to continue it. All of us take pride in listening to your feedback and adjusting the instructional program, if needed. So, I look forward to our continuing conversations.
I look forward to a productive school year as we continue to work together to ensure that all students “Dare to be IB.”
Sincerely,
Albert P. DuPont, Ed.D.
Principal
Got Attitude?
College Gardens is exploding with the International Baccalaureate attitudes. Beyond the t-shirts, stickers, and ice cream treats, our students are building the foundation to become life long learners. The Primary Years Programme focuses on the development of personal attitudes towards people, environment, and learning. These attitudes help students reflect on and develop their own set of values.
Our students are very excited to share how they feel their PYP attitudes are exploding.
Student Name |
Grade Level |
PYP Attitude Stickers |
Tyree |
Head Start |
Received a sticker for showing the PYP attitude, cooperation. He was working in a group and helped other students without being asked. |
Christina |
Kindergarten |
“I got my sticker for showing commitment to the school rules in the hallway.” |
Thomas |
First Grade |
“I got an attitude sticker for showing respect in the cafeteria. I was quiet when we were all asked to get quiet.” |
Nick |
Second Grade |
“I showed the attitude respect in the classroom when I was following the rules in my group.” |
Joanna |
Third Grade |
“I showed empathy when I was helping another student who does not know how to speak English.” |
Reed |
Fourth Grade |
“I showed commitment to the classroom routines when I helped Mrs. Matuskey.” |
Elizabeth |
Fifth Grade |
They all showed enthusiasm and commitment when they came in during recess to finish a writing assignment. |
Join us on Monday, October 6, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. to learn more about our Chinese Literacy Program. Zhu Ding will be on hand to discuss the new initiatives to increase language use. We will share instructional schedules as well as materials used from Better Chinese. This informational night will give you a glimpse of how we are continuing to develop the Chinese Immersion program to strengthen student achievement. Please note that the location has changed from the original poster. We will meet in the Media Center at 6:00 p.m. We look forward to having you join us for the first information night this year.
Halloween Parties
Friday, October 31,2008
Costumes:
Please do not send your children to school dressed in their costumes. At 1:30, parents and volunteers can be on hand to help children get dressed. Please note that any costume accessories with pointy or sharp edges or simulate dangerous weapons will not be allowed in school. We are requesting that items which may cause harm be left at home. These include such items as toy swords, pitchforks, guns, knives, etc. Any that are brought to school will need to be picked up by parents at the end of the day.
Parade:
At 2:00, we will call classes down by grade level starting with 5th grade. The students will exit the building through the front doors. They will proceed around the building to the left, around the school following the sidewalk, and back down the field around the playground. Students will re-enter the building through the front doors and back to their classrooms. Parents may line up along the perimeter of the school to view the parade.
Rain Plan:
At 2:00, we will call classes down to the front office area and proceed walking around the building on the first floor, and then back to their classrooms. Parents may line up along the perimeter of the hallway to view the parade.
Party:
At 2:30, once back into the rooms the room parents will have organized games and snacks prepared for the party.
Dismissal:
At 3:00, parties will end, and students will begin cleaning and preparing for dismissal. Any decorations that have been used should be taken down and discarded.
Parents who prefer that their children not participate in the costume parade and/or party, should contact their classroom teacher. Students who do not participate will go to the media center to work on class work.
Tardies and Absences
The following recordings in attendance are being implemented in accordance with the Maryland Student Records System Manual, by the Maryland State Department of Education.
Early Dismissal
An early dismissal means that schools will close 2.5 hours earlier than scheduled. College Gardens will close at 1:00 p.m. All buses operate on that same early schedule and, therefore, drop-off times are 2.5 hours earlier than normal. Head Start students will be dismissed at 10:30 a.m.
Ride by the Rules
Ride by the Rules is a safety campaign to insure safe bus activity. Nearly 100,000 students ride an MCPS school bus every day and MCPS school buses travel more that 100,000 miles a day. As with all of our safety initiatives, this is a “team effort.” Please help us foster safe and positive behavior at the bus stop and on the bus by reminding your children about being respectful, responsible and safe. Students should stand at the bus stop, no running, climbing trees or fences, and be sure to remain on the sidewalk. When the bus arrives they should line up single file so no one gets hurt trying to board the bus.
While on the bus, there is to be no eating or drinking. All students are to be seated properly, keeping hands, feet, and head inside the bus at all times. Remember, for the safety of all students on the bus, these rules are to be followed. Riding the bus is a privilege and we do not want to have to revoke anyone’s privilege for not observing safety regulations and standards.
At the bus stop, students are expected to:
On the bus, students are expected to:
On returning home, students are expected to:
At all times, students may not:
Large objects that cannot be held on a student's lap, such as some musical instruments, class projects, etc., should not be transported on the bus. Parents should make other arrangements to transport such items to and from school.
Bus operators and attendants may assign specific seats to students.
The bus operator notifies the principal of details pertaining to a disciplinary problem with a student on the school bus. A bus operator may return a student to the school, or call the police, if the student poses a serious threat to the safety and health of other riders.
Students who violate the behavior and safety rules may have bus-riding privileges denied temporarily or permanently by the school principal in accordance with the following procedures:
In addition, students may be suspended from school as a result of misconduct on buses or receive lengthy bus riding suspensions for serious infractions.
Counselor’s News
Thank You, Magruder's
A very special THANK YOU to Magruder's Grocery for donating half of our ice cream that we use as rewards for our Attitude Explosion Program. Magruder’s agreed to donate the ice cream for the 2008-2009 school year. We reward the ice cream to twelve students every Monday who have received Got Attitude? stickers throughout that previous week by way of a drawing.
Red Ribbon Week
Red Ribbon Week is our annual drug awareness week and it will take place on October 27-31. We have many exciting activities planned for the students such as: spirit week, a poster contest, red ribbon bracelets, announcements, and more. During spirit week the students are encouraged to participate with the following themes.
More information about spirit week will go home the third week of October.
Red Ribbon Poster Contest
Students are invited to enter a drug awareness poster contest. Each child that turns in a poster will receive a drug free pencil. The theme this year is "Shoot for the Stars, Don't do Drugs." Students are encouraged to draw a picture of what they want to do when they grow up. More information about the poster contest will come home the second week of October.
Emergency Parent Reunification
In September, we requested you fill out an emergency authorization for release of student. It is important that you include a neighbor or friend on this sheet in the event that you cannot be contacted. This information is not used on a daily basis but only in a true emergency. If you have not yet returned this form, another copy will be sent home with your child. Please return this information as soon as possible.
Please Note
Fifth Grade Parents Interested in the Middle School Magnet Consortium (MSMC) or Highly Gifted Centers (HGC)
If you have a fifth grader that is interested in going to a Magnet Consortium or a Highly Gifted Center next year instead of Julius West Middle School please attend the following parent sessions.
More information for the MSMC can be found after Oct. 3rd at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/msmagnet. More information, applications, testing sites, and test preparation books for the HGC can be found online at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms/ If you have any questions please call the program's office at 301-592-2040.
If you need a hard copy of the application or preparation book because you are not able to access it online please call Mrs. Scott, the school counselor, at 301-279-8470. You should have already recieved information on all of these programs in the mail. The deadline for all applications and choice forms is November 14 for all programs.
The George B. Thomas, Sr. Learning Academy, Inc. Saturday School Program Enrolling for 2008-09 School Year
Give your child a jump-start on school by enrolling in the George B. Thomas, Sr. Learning Academy, Inc. (GBTLA) Saturday School Program!The Learning Academy is a tutoring and mentoring program that enhances the academic performance and achievement of Montgomery County students in grades 1 through 12. This program helps children reach their academic potential through small group support in reading, mathematics, and test-taking skills.
This year, an additional half-hour of instructional support is being added to every tutoring session. The program runs from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday mornings. During this time, certified teachers and volunteer tutors work with students in the areas of reading, language arts, mathematics, and learning/studying strategies. Secondary students also have access to computer labs to assist them in researching information for assignments and learning valuable technology skills.
The GBTLA is open to all students who desire to improve or enhance their academic growth and achievement. Centers are located in twelve high schools throughout the County. Students can enroll at any of the twelve centers, however, students typically enroll at the center that is in their home school cluster – in this case, the Rockville High School Center.
Once enrolled, students must meet high academic and behavioral expectations, including regular attendance. They are required to share quarterly report cards with tutors, who use the information to plan tutoring activities and monitor student progress.
Registration and Opening Day information is below and the GBTLA encourages parents to register their students at the beginning of the year. However, if students aren’t able to enroll at this time, parents may enroll them at any time throughout the year by coming to one of the centers listed above on any Saturday morning. Parents must complete a registration form (including student ID number), pay a $20 registration fee, and provide a copy of their child(ren)’s most recent report card. Registration forms are available in the main office of all cluster schools and online at www.gbtlearningacademy.org. If you have questions about the program, please call the GBTLA’s main office at 301.320.6545.
2008 GBTLA Opening Day
Date: October 4, 2008
Student and Parent Orientation: 8:30 to 9:45 a.m.
Registration: 9:45 to 11:30 a.m.
Location: All Learning Academy Centers
LEARNING ACADEMY CENTERS
Sherwood High School
Springbrook High School
Paint Branch High School
John F. Kennedy High School
Northwest High School
Montgomery Blair High School
Gaithersburg High School
Wheaton High School
Albert Einstein High School
Watkins Mill High School
Col. Zadok Magruder High School
Rockville High School
When sending in a check for your child’s lunch account, please include the following information:
All free and reduced lunch applications are due to the school by Wednesday, October 8.
A la Carte items upon now available upon request:
1. Pearl organic soy milk – $1.00
2. Orange juice-4 oz. -$.50
3. Small bottle of water – $.50
Special Events
College Gardens Elementary School in coordination with Montgomery County Government, we will be sponsoring an International “Walk to School Day”, Wednesday, October 8. We will gather at various locations and walk to school together in groups called “walking school buses.” We do not have the police as escorts this year; therefore, parents are encouraged to walk with their children for safety reasons.
On Monday, October 13, 2008 Montgomery County Public Schools is having the annual parent visitation day. We look forward to seeing many parents between 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. observing our instructional program in action. Visitors are asked to enter the building through the front door, sign in, and obtain a visitor badge prior to proceeding to the classroom. Unfortunately, we do not have the space or supervision for younger brothers and sisters on this day. Therefore, siblings should not attend. We will be following our normal schedule so this will be a time for quiet observation in the classrooms. Thank you for your cooperation.
Montgomery College Workforce Development & Continuing Education Youth Programs is offering enrichment courses for students in grades 1-12. Courses cover a variety of topics, including art, reading, writing, technology and much more. Classes begin in October 8, 2008. Register through the website at www.montgomerycollege.edu/youth or call 240-567-7917.
Art Explosion
Montgomery College Workforce Development & Continuing Education Youth Programs is offering a special one-day art enrichment program for students in grades 2, 3, and 4. Register through the website at www.montgomerycollege.edu/youth or call 240-567-7917. Registration ends Friday, October 17, 2008
Donations Needed
Got Sheets?
CGES staff are looking for full-sized, fitted bed sheets. These full-sized sheets will be used to cover and protect the new interactive white boards. Please send the sheets to the front office in care of Mrs. Boorstein.
Dates to Remember
October
2 Grandparents Day
6 Kindergarten to Sharps Farm
CI Parent Information Night 6:00 p.m.
7 PTA meeting with Principal Chat 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Grade 1 to Croyden Creek Nature Center
PTA lunch grades 5 and Head Start
8 Walk your Child to School day
9 No School – Yom Kippur
10 Grade 1 to Croyden Creek Nature Center
11 Rededication of CGES 10:30 a.m. - noon
13 Open House for parents – Columbus Day
13-15 PTA Family Portrait Night
16 Grade 3 to Baltimore Museum of Industry
Grade 5 to Philly
17 No School – MSTA Conference
19 Dar Cars Fun Run
27-31 Red Ribbon Week
28 Picture Make-up day
31 End of First Marking Period
Halloween Parade – 2 p.m.