Click the apple to return to the Stone Mill Elementary School Home Page

     The 2009 -2010 school year is Kimberly Williams' ninth year as Principal of Stone Mill Elementary School.  The following is the opening of school letter and information packet for this year.
 Please note that Ms. Williams can be contacted by calling the school, or via email at:

August 2009

 

Dear Stone Mill Parents:

 

It’s hard to believe we are ready to begin another school year!  The Building Services Staff has worked hard on the building, and it is beautiful!  The school has been cleaned and buffed and is ready for you to come back. J

Getting ready for a new school year is so exciting!  Plans are underway for an academically challenging and socially enriching experience for each and every one of our students.  We will continue to support the children in working to their full potential during class, lunch, and recess through our emphasis on the Stone Mill Expectations and through the Pillars of Character in our Character Counts! Program.   All members of the staff at Stone Mill will be working closely with the children to assist them in becoming exemplary students and citizens.

I look forward to seeing all of you again and meeting the new members of our community. 

The entire staff is looking forward to a wonderful year of working in partnership with you.  We encourage all parents to take an active role in the school and to communicate regularly with the staff at Stone Mill.  We will still be using our wonderful, automated, phone communication system where we call families about important events at Stone Mill.  So, if you get a recorded message from Stone Mill, please stay on the line to hear the updates. J 

After a short greeting from our Assistant Principal, Joyce Budman, important informational items about the opening and operation of school for the upcoming year will follow.  Please read carefully as there have been changes made since last year.  Should you have any questions, please contact the office at (301) 279-4975.

 

Sincerely,

Kimberly A. Williams

                                                                        Principal

 

 

 

Dear Stone Mill Elementary School Family,

 

I am so excited to continue as a part of the learning community at Stone Mill Elementary School!  Stone Mill is a very special place, and I am so glad to be here for another wonderful year.  I know that this year will bring great learning and much enjoyment to our children.  I look forward to seeing the children striving each day to meet and exceed their goals.

 

 

Sincerely,

Joyce P. Budman

Assistant Principal

 

 

OPEN HOUSE ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2009

The annual Open House for K – 5 students and parents will be on Friday, August 28, 2009 from 2:00 –3:00 p.m. 

 

Grade K-5 students                2:00 – 3:00 P.M.

AM PreK (PEP)                     1:45 – 2:15 P.M.

PM PreK (PEP)                      2:30 – 3:00 P.M.

 

The Open House is a time for students to see the school, meet their teachers, find their new classrooms, and meet some of their classmates.  Teachers will be available to greet students, but will not be discussing programs.  A formal presentation on curriculum for all classes will occur at our Back-to-School Night, Tuesday, September 8, 2009, at 7:00 P.M. immediately following the PTA meeting at 6:30.  (The PTA meeting will be in the All-Purpose Room and the classroom presentations in the individual classrooms). The grade 3-5 presentations will be from 7:00-7:45 and the PreK-2 presentations will be from 7:50-8:30. 

 

KINDERGARTEN PARENT INFORMATION MEETING-Friday, Aug. 28th

We will be holding a short (11:30-12:00) informational parent meeting for parents new to Kindergarten.  We will be discussing name tags, first week information, etc., and children do not need to attend. This meeting is just for parents.

 

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) require that parents of children who have been accepted as part of the Early Entrance to Kindergarten attend an additional meeting to learn the expectations for the year.  Please plan to stay an additional 15 minutes (12:00-12:15) with our Kindergarten Teachers. 

 

CLASS ASSIGNMENTS

This year we will be posting class assignments on our home page.  The children will be listed by first name and last initial.  You will be able to see the entire class when you visit the site!  The classes will be posted by 4 pm on Thursday, August 27th.   If you don’t have access to a computer, you can either visit the public library or call the school office beginning Thursday at 4.  Our web address is: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/stonemilles/

 

ENROLLMENT

Summer is a busy time at Stone Mill as we continue to enroll new students and say goodbye to children who are moving.  If you have new neighbors who have not yet enrolled their child(ren), please encourage them to come by the school office as soon as possible. 

 

LUNCH PROGRAM

School lunch menus are sent home in monthly bulletins, are published in local newspapers and are available on the web.  Free and/or reduced price meals (FARMS) are available for eligible children.  Eligibility guidelines will be sent home the first week of school.  Families who qualify for FARMS should complete the pre-printed application form and return it to the school office.  You must re-apply for FARMS every school year.

 

The first day of school is an especially busy day in the lunchroom.  If your child plans to buy lunch on the first day of school and/or anytime during the first week, it is best to submit money prior to the first day.  With over 600 children in the school, we need for the children to move through the line without having to deal with cash at the register or hundereds of checks handed in on the first morning of school.  As lunch begins for us within one and a half hours of the student day, we have little time to process so many checks and payments.  PLEASE PAY IN ADVANCE OF THE FIRST DAY.  Please include the student’s full name, grade and student’s PIN number (if known) on your check.

 

See the attached “Cafeteria News” regarding the computerized cash register system (SNAP) and further updates.  You may make deposits to your child’s account on Wednesday, August 26 – 8:00 A.M. –12:00 P.M.  The menu for the first week of school is listed below.  Grilled Cheese pocket continues to be a daily third choice.  The meal prices this year have been increased since last year.  They are as follows:

 

            Student lunch - $    2.50                       Breakfast - $  1.30

Reduced Lunch Price -       0.40           Reduced breakfast        0.30

            Student milk -         0.60

 

Monday 8/31

Tuesday 9/1

Wednesday 9/2

Thursday 9/3

Friday 9/4

 

 Chicken Nuggets+

w/ Sweet Potato Fries

OR

Gardenburger®^

w/ Corn

 

 

 Personal Pizza

Cheese^ , Veggie^ or Pepperoni*

OR

Hamburger

w/ Baked Beans

 

 

 Chicken Patty+

w/ Oven Baked Tater Tots

OR

Cheese Dippers^

w/ Salsa

 

 

 Whole Grain Pancakes

w/ Sausage Patty*

OR

Grilled Cheese Sandwich^

w/ Oven Baked Tater Tots

 

 

 Pizza Wedge w/ WG Crust

Cheese^, Veggie^ or Pepperoni*

OR

Turkey Frank+

w/ French Fries

 

 

 

Nut and Seed Free Table -   This year we will again be having a “Nut/Seed Free” table in the cafeteria.  Children who have life-threatening allergies to peanuts, tree nuts and/or seeds will be able to sit at this table daily.  The children can have non-allergic friends sit with them at the table, but the friends’ lunches must be peanut, nut and seed free for that day.  Should your child have an allergy and you would prefer your child to sit with his/her class, simply send a note to the office letting us know.

 

TRANSPORTATION

There have been some changes with transportation so that budget dollars can be provided for classrooms.  Bus routes have changed since last year, so please look carefully at the attached schedule.  Children who live within 1.1 miles from the school and have a safe walking route to the school do not receive bus transportation.  Children who are enrolled under a “Change of School Assignment” do not receive bus transportation.  MCPS does not permit children who are “walkers” to instead go to a nearby bus stop and take that bus to school.  MCPS also does not allow children to cross a street in order to board a bus.  For example, the first stop on bus route #5309 is listed as, “10416 Darnestown Road – RSO.”  RSO stands for right side only.  Children who live on the opposite side of the street are not to cross the road in order to receive bus transportation.  We have had some difficulty with too many children riding buses to avoid walking, and MCPS Transportation is considering distributing bus passes to those children assigned to each bus.  Any child needing to ride a non-assigned bus in order to visit a friend after school for a play date will need a written note from home that will have to be approved and signed in our main office once it is determined that a seat is available. 

 

Parents who drive their children to school can begin dropping them off starting at 8:55 A.M.  NO adult supervision will be present prior to 8:55.  It is essential that children be safe in the front lot, so please drop your child off on the sidewalk between the orange cones.  Children should NOT be discharged in the lot.  They should only be discharged onto the sidewalk at the car circle. We do not want children to have to walk among moving vehicles.  Please remember that we have two lanes in the car circle: one for dropping children off and one for leaving the lot.  After your child is dropped off safely onto the curb, please pull into the outside lane so that other cars can move up and we can unload as many children as possible.  For the safety of the children please NEVER move the barrels at the end of the lanes.  We need to keep traffic flowing in a predictable and safe pattern.  Finally, all children are to be safely transported as above.  Stopping, dropping up or picking up children on the side street, Quietwood Drive, is not allowed. Please obey all traffic signs posted on school grounds and the surrounding area.

 

KINDERGARTEN TRANSPORTATION

With full-day Kindergarten, no special transportation is provided for our Kindergarten students. However, safety patrols will be on duty to assist walking children in crossing intersections.  All children, including Kindergarten students, who live in areas where bus transportation is regularly provided, may ride the buses (see above).  Walkers should walk with peers, and very young children should find an older, school-aged buddy to walk with.

 

Since the transportation of students is a very complex operation for the first few weeks of school, I encourage you to wait with your child for the bus to arrive, to be at the designated stop when the bus returns, and to allow ample waiting time until the schedule has been refined. 

 

LETTER TO STUDENTS

Please share the attached letter with your child.

 

SCHOOL HOURS

The Stone Mill instructional day officially begins at 9:15 A.M.  Children will be permitted to enter the building and move to their classrooms at the 9:05 A.M. bell.  If your child is a walker, please assist him/her in planning what time to leave so that he/she arrives between 9:05 and 9:10.  If you drive your child or your child takes a bus to school, he/she will be permitted to enter the building as early as 9:05.  Should a bus or walker arrive slightly earlier, the children will be asked to wait in grade level lines at the front door until the prescribed time.  There is no adult supervision earlier than 8:55, so please have your walkers arrive on time rather than early.  Children being driven to school can begin to arrive at 8:55.  The car circle is pretty empty between 8:55 and 9:05.  All students entering after 9:15 A.M. will need to be signed in by a parent or guardian. 

 

SCHOOL BEGINS MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2009.

 


 

The regular school hours are as follows:

 

9:05     -           Students enter classrooms.

 

9:15    -           Instruction begins.

 

11:00 – 2:00    Lunch/recess (Each class has one hour for lunch and recess).

 

3:25                 Walkers and car circle dismissed.

 

3:30                 Bus riders dismissed.

 

PEP HOURS

PEP Classic                              9:00-11:30 and 1:00-3:30

PEP, INC                                9:00-12:00 and 12:30-3:30

Beginnings Program                  9:00 - 2:00 P.M.

 

EARLY DISMISSAL DAYS

All K-5 students will be dismissed at 12:55 P.M. after lunch. 

 

IMMUNIZATIONS

If we do not have a copy of your child’s immunizations, please bring the information to school as soon as possible.  Students in grades K-5 are required to have two measles immunizations.

 

SWINE FLU/H1N1 UPDATE

All schools in Montgomery County have been required to develop action plans in the event it is necessary to close school because of the H1N1 virus.  During the week of August 24th you will be receiving a Connect-Ed message from MCPS central office staff informing you of the existence of H1N1 school plans and the importance of providing schools with updated telephone numbers.  We will be sharing our plan with you in our newsletter and at Back to School night.  Please know that it is important to keep in mind that there will be considerable reliance on technology and effective communication to keep the instructional program intact in the event the health department closes our school.  Therefore, it is also very important that you provide us with accurate email addresses so that teachers are able to communicate with you effectively and efficiently.  Each teacher will be asking you to send him/her an email so that he/she has your correct email address and can add it to a classroom and then principal’s distribution list.  If you do not have access to email at home or at work, please let the teacher know.  In addition, as in previous years, you will be receiving the yellow, “Student Emergency Information” form.  When you receive this, please be sure to check that your telephone numbers are correct when you return the form to the school.  It is the home number on this form that the Connect-Ed phone system calls to provide you with updated information. 

 

SICK CHILDREN – PLEASE KEEP THEM HOME

Considering the paragraph above about the H1N1 virus, it is our goal at Stone Mill to keep our school open and our children healthy.  Should your child(ren) have fever and/or vomiting, sore throat or cough, PLEASE keep him/her/them home and consult with your doctor.  It is NOT acceptable to give your child(ren) Tylenol, Motrin, Advil, or any other fever reducer in the morning and send the child to school for the day.  As a working parent myself, I truly understand how difficult it can be to miss work to stay home with a sick child.  As an educator, I also understand the importance of children coming to school in order to keep up with the rigorous curriculum.  All that being said, it will help your child and the entire school for sick children to stay at home until they are fever and vomit free for a full 24 hours.  By keeping your sick children home you are helping to keep our school open for everyone.  Thanks in advance for your help!

 

FUNDING UPDATE  

Our Community Superintendent, Dr. Sherry Liebes, wanted to ensure that all families in the cluster receive the following message. She asked us to include it in our summer mailing so that families would know what was happening during this budget year.   “As these tight budget times continue, we appreciate the funding and support the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) has received from the County Council. We recognize that it is imperative to use our resources in the most efficient and effective manner.  MCPS staffing allocations are based on projected enrollment. We certainly hope that at the beginning of the school year our actual enrollment matches the projected enrollment. Unfortunately, as a result of this current fiscal situation, it may become necessary for staffing changes to occur in some schools if enrollment comes in below projection and doesn't justify the staffing that was allocated.  If there is a need to make an adjustment in staffing based on actual enrollment, I will do my best to minimize the impact of these necessary adjustments. I will keep you informed and alert you of any changes that may occur at our school.”

 

That being said, should you know anyone who has moved into our area and has yet to enroll, please encourage them to do so immediately.  Lower numbers in our classrooms could result in a reduction to our teaching staff. 

 

STAFF UPDATE

We have some exciting changes on our staff.   In our PEP program, Ms. Kathy Clarke has moved to open the new elementary school in Clarksburg, and taking her place for morning PEP, INC. will be Ms. Carolyn Donovan.  Mrs. Donovan is an experienced PEP teacher coming to us most recently from Brookhaven.  She amazed me with her skills, enthusiasm, and knowledge!  Working with her will be Ms. Wendy D’Rozario taking Ms. Jeanie Hansen’s place.  We wish Mrs. Hansen well in her retirement!  Mrs. D’Rozario has been working for Academy Child Development Center at Cold Spring and will be a fantastic addition to that class.   Moving from second grade to Kindergarten is

Mrs. Leinson – we added a Kindergarten class; from first grade to second is Ms. Foy – we lost a first grade class; from third grade to fifth is Ms. Pollinger – Mr. Warner moved to be closer to home and we lost a third grade spot; from Special Education to ESOL is Mrs. Thompson (Liz) – our special education allocation was reduced. Our Speech Pathologist, Mrs. Cowart, welcomed a baby boy last school year, so will only be with us part time for this school year.  Joining her is Ms. Emily Lascari.  Ms. Lascari has had wonderful clinical and private school experiences after graduating with her Master’s Degree from the University of Maryland two years ago.  Ms. Lascari will be working in conjunction with Mrs. Simon with our PEP children and Mrs. Cowart will continue to work with our school-aged kiddies. In our music department, Ms. Borsum has moved with her family to Chicago, and we welcome Mr. Chris Allen from Whitman H.S.  Some of you may have been introduced to him last year at our spring concert.  After supervising Ms. Borsum when she was a beginning teacher and bringing Whitman students to excellence, there is nothing he can’t do!  At the time of this letter, I am still interviewing for a part time general music teacher as Ms. Siegel has received a full time position.  In our support staff, Mrs. Kuldell and Mr. Hancock, both paraeducators, have moved to other positions.  We are very excited to welcome Ms. Leslie Callaway to Stone Mill in support of our children!  Mrs. Callaway has been working for MCPS in the Gifted and Talented Office and comes to us with so much to offer our children!  Finally, we have the exciting news portion of our staff changes!  Congratulations to Mrs. Singer who delivered healthy, baby twin boys July 23rd – Aaron and Caleb! She will be returning to us in mid-October, with Ms. Sally Alkon substituting in the interim. As I am writing,

Mrs. Wolfe still awaits the delivery of her second son.  She is due to have him in late August.  Ms. Joanne Zinsmeister (Mrs. “Z”) will be her substitute until she returns from leave at the beginning of November.  But, you will see Mrs. Wolfe at the different school events (Back to School night, etc).

 

PATROL UPDATE AND BELT PICK-UP

Once again, we will not be assigning patrols at intersections beyond where the crossing guard can see the children.  There will be no patrols present at the intersections farther from the school down Stonebridge View Drive.  As always, parents should please advise their children on safe crossing techniques and the importance of walking to school in groups.

 

Patrols may pick up their belts from Mrs. LaDuca (Fifth grade teacher and our Patrol Sponsor) during the open house.  Mrs. LaDuca’s classroom is #38, located in the fifth grade hallway, upstairs.  

 

PTA INFORMATION

We need you in the PTA so if you have not yet joined, please do so now!  The parents of PTA are such an amazing support to our school and our children, and your membership and involvement are needed to keep the school strong.  Please mark your calendars with the following important dates:

Meet and Greet—After you drop your child (ren) off at school on the very first  day, please join our PTA for friendship and  treats!  The time to see returning friends and meet new ones will be from 9:05-10:00 in the all-purpose room on August 31, 2009.   (No peeking in the classrooms, though!  J)

PTA meeting -- September 8, 2009, 6:30-7:00 pm in the APR

Back to School Picnic (Pizza and DJ) – September 4, 2009, 6:00-8:00 pm on the back field

 

SEE YOU SOON!

We look forward to working with you and your child (ren) this coming school year.  We are very excited about getting to know each and every one of you personally.  We hope to see everyone at the Open House on Friday, August 28, 2009.  Enjoy the rest of your summer!

 

 

           

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

August 2009

 

Dear Stone Mill Student,

 

I hope you are ready for another (or maybe your first) exciting year at Stone Mill!   My own son, Jack, will be entering fourth grade this year, so the start of school is doubly exciting for me!!  J

 

I’m sure you have been doing great things to stretch your mind and your body this summer.   I’ve had a very busy and fun summer and hope you have too.  Please make sure you see me when you get back here and let me know all about the wonderful things you have done! 

 

I hope you have been enjoying summer as much as I have been.  I have been reading daily and listening to books on disc in my car.  I have read a number of books about other countries and have enjoyed learning about people of different cultures and the history of different places!  This summer I took a cruise from New York City to St. John, New Brunswick and Halifax, Nova Scotia in Canada.  It was so interesting to see the whales, dolphins and seals out in the open seas!  I also learned about those who perished on the Titanic and how the people of Halifax helped out during that tragedy.  People in St. John don’t have air conditioning as it’s seldom warm enough to need it.  I hope you have had an opportunity to travel, learn and explore this summer too!

 

Stone Mill has been somewhat quiet this summer without you.  We have some new teachers and staff members who can’t wait to see you in person, as I’ve told them so many amazing things about the children at Stone Mill.  And as always, Mr. Jake,

Mr. Steve and the building services crew have worked really hard to make the school extra beautiful for your return.  

 

Have Mom or Dad help you look on our website on Thursday, August 27th , to see your new class, and I look forward to seeing you at the Open House on August 28th. 

 

Enjoy the rest of your summer, and I will see you soon!

 

                                                                        Sincerely,

 

 

                                                                        Ms. Williams

                                                                        Principal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kindergarten Parent Meeting

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Uncertain about what to expect for your new Kindergartener?  Wondering about transportation?  Then this is the meeting for you!

 

Parents of Kindergarten students are invited to attend a brief meeting to discuss Kindergarten expectations and transportation.  This is an opportunity for parents to have their questions answered; children should not attend.  The meeting will be held on Friday, August 28th at 11:30 P.M. -12:00 P.M. in the all-purpose room.

 

Parents of children admitted Early Entrance to Kindergarten will need to attend a second meeting immediately following the regular Kindergarten Parent meeting.