NewsletterGarrett Park Elementary Schoolark ES

MARCH 2010

March 2010Mon. 3/1 Rescheduled 3rd grade recorder concertTues. 3/2 PTA Meeting Tilden ConcertThur. 3/4 1st grade trip to Imagination StageThur. 3/11 PTA fundraiser at Annie SezSun. 3/14 Daylight savings Fri. 3/19 PTA Silent AuctionTues. 3/23 Musical Theater Production, 2:00 and 7:00 pmWed, 3/24 Last day of teacher- sponsored clubsFri. 3/26 3rd marking period ends Mon. 3/29–Tues. 4/6 Spring Break No schoolApril 2010Wed. 4/7 School resumesThur.-Fri. 4/15-16 Kindergarten Orientation

Let It Snow, Let It Snow...

The week of February 6 brought us record-levels of snow. Here are some photos to remember the event.(Clockwise, our school; Strathmore avenue; and a group of students enjoying a snow day!)

We are currently looking for par-ents who are interested in becoming Board Members for our 2010–2011 PTA Board. The Board includes a variety of positions, such as Presi-dent, VP Fundraising, VP Member-ship, Treasurer, Secretary, etc. This is a great opportunity to help make decisions about how the PTA operates and what activities the PTA sponsors at the school.

This coming year will be particu-larly exciting as the PTA Board will be faced with navigating our way through the holding school and with anticipating the construction of our new school. Please contact Molly Shuck if you are interested in more information about these exciting opportunities atmollyshuck@comcast.net.

The PTA Needs You!

There will be no school for kinder-garten students on Thursday, April 15th and Friday, April 16th, 2010 due to kindergarten orientation.

MSA Testing for grades 3–5 will take place in the weeks of March 8–17. See the message from the Principal on page 3 for the schedule. MSA make-ups will be scheduled on March 18–23.

From Our Principal...

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The past month was a very exciting one. Our third grade students finally were able to perform a num-ber of wonderful pieces at their recorder concert, our Little Feet dancers demonstrated their cheerleading skills at a Walter Johnson basketball game, and many students showcased their performing skills at Interna-tional Night while their parents shared their cooking skills. Special thanks to Jean Horan and Hillary Sloate for co-chairing International Night. It was truly an amazing evening for the Garrett Park community to celebrate the richness in our diversity. Thank you to all parents who helped with the event from sponsoring a table, cooking, sharing artifacts from their countries, wearing traditional clothing and helping with the set-up/clean-up. Thank you also to the PTA for sponsor-ing the Unified Jazz Ensemble who performed at an assembly for all students.

Spring break starts Monday, March 29 and ends Tues-day, April 6. Students should report back to school on Wednesday, April 7.

Modernization/Last Day of School UpdateAs of the writing of this newsletter, the school system has not yet determined whether or not the last day of school will be extended. Currently, the last day of school is Wednesday, June 16 and is a half day of school. Schools that are modernized have a tendency of ending school one day early. Our modernization remains on schedule. We are waiting to hear from central office when the last day of school will be for MCPS students and then for Garrett Park E.S. stu-dents, specifically. I have been told that I will have a response to this question at the end of this month. Current plans have us moving out of our building by the July 4th weekend. We will need parents to help tape up boxes and to help with packing and will send parents details as to what you can help with as we get closer to the end of the school year.

Many plans are underway to help students say good-bye to our current building. Mrs. Young, our art

teacher, is having all students in each grade create a quilt that will be displayed in the new building. Teachers will also plan a last day of school assembly and will host a “Clap Out” for all students in addition to the traditional Clap Out that we conduct for grade 5 students. The PTA, GPES Foundation and I are also working on plans. More details to come.

5th Grade Promotion Ceremony—Please Save the Date!The 5th Grade promotion ceremony will be held in the gym at Tilden Middle School on Monday, June 14, 2010 at 7:30 pm. More details will follow.

Kindergarten Orientation—No School for Current Kin-dergarten Students!There will be no school on Thursday, April 15 and Friday, April 16 for current Kindergarten students. Orientation for incoming Kindergarten students is scheduled for Thursday, April 15 and Friday, April 16. All students, who will be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2010, are eligible to attend Kindergarten during the 2010–2011 school year. If you have a child who will be eligible, please call our office at 301-929-2170 to schedule your orientation slot. If you have a neighbor who is not currently a Garrett Park parent and has a Kindergarten-aged child, please ask him/her to call the school to register their child. Kindergarten attendance is mandatory. If you have a child who is eligible, but do not wish your child to attend Kinder-garten, an enrollment waiver form must be completed. These forms are available in the main office.

Spring 2010 Testing—Please Save the Dates!Mid-March begins our state testing season. The Mary-land School Assessment (MSA) is an annual state test of reading, math, and science. Students in grades 3, 4, and 5 will be assessed in reading and math. Only grade 5 students will be assessed in science. These tests meet the federal mandates under the No Child Left Behind Act that all schools will show continuous improve-ment each year with the goal of 100% proficiency by 2014.

Dear Parents/Guardians:

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Elaine Chang-BaxterGPES Principal

MSA measures how well students have learned the math, reading, and science skills outlined in the Maryland Content Standards. The state provides content standards for students in pre-K through grade 12. These standards outline the objectives students need to know and be able to do for each grade level.For more detailed information about the MSA, please visit the Maryland State Department of Education website:http://www.mdk12.org/parents/index.html.

Students in grade 2 will be taking the Terra Nova –Second Edition (TN/2). The TN/2 is a multiple-choice test that assesses skills in reading/language arts and mathematics concepts and computation. The test is administered to all second grade students in Mont-gomery County Public Schools.

In grades 2, 3, 4, and 5, the teachers are providing the instructional experiences that strengthen understand-ing and enhance student learning. As we approach the testing season, teachers have also been creating simu-lated test sessions that give students practice with the format, processes, procedures, and rigors of the tests.

Our goal is to help students feel more confident and comfortable during the tests. Teachers are providing a balance between valuable instructional time and test practice to help students beat the test-taking jitters.

Listed below are the dates of the MSA and TN/2 tests for each grade:MSA Reading—Grades 3 & 4, March 8 & 9MSA Reading—Grade 5, March 10 & 11MSA Mathematics—Grades 3 & 4, March 12 & 15MSA Mathematics—Grade 5, March 16 & 17MSA Science—Grade 5, May 5 & 6TN/2—Grade 2, April 26–April 30

We encourage families to schedule vacations and appointments around these dates. There are make-up dates when students are ill or absent for unavoidable reasons; however, the window is time limited.

Enjoy Spring Break!

Third Grade Recorder Concert was a Blast!On March 1, 2010 our Third Grade, under the direction of our music teacher, Mr. Joe Smith, provided us with a fantastic concert. Many thanks to Mr. Smith and our talented students for all their hard work in orchestrating this amazing concert.

VALENTINE’SPARTIES

FUN

First I’d like to thank our amazing International Night team, led by Jean Horan and Hillary Sloate. What a great event!!

Next, I need to solicit volunteers for the Silent Auc-tion. A team of hard-working parents have been solic-iting donations from area restaurants and merchants, and now we need a team to work at the auction on Friday, March 19. We will need a few parents to help with setup and then a few parents to work the auction in shifts throughout the night. Please let me know if you can help out.

We will be trying a new fundraiser over the next month or so called Art to Remember. Ms. Young will have all of the children create a piece of artwork that then be made available for parents to purchase. You will get to preview the finished product before pur-chasing anything, and I think you will really like the items they have to offer.

Next I want to discuss the PTA’s fundraising plans for the 2010-2011 school year. Fundraising is important, and it is how we are able to provide assistance to our teachers and cultural opportunities for our students throughout the year, among other things. Many fund-raising companies ask us to plan for next year now, so I’d love some feedback about what you like and don’t like about fundraising. As I told you before, our

fundraising philosophy is to do a number of fundrais-ers throughout the year so that none are so expensive as to be out of reach for our families. Did you like the citrus sale? Do you miss Sally Foster? Would you like us to have more restaurant nights? Think about these questions and look for a survey to come home in the next couple of weeks.

Finally, I want to thank everyone who generously responded to my email plea for furniture and cash donations for a GPES family in need. After helping the family out, the PTA has funds left for families that may need help in the future. If you would like to donate to this important PTA fund, you may send in a check and be sure to designate it for “needy families.”

Have a great month!

Angie Melton angiemelton@alumni.nd.edu

From Our PTA President...

After playing an exciting game of BINGO on March 19th, please join us in the media center from 7:00–9:00 pm for our SILENT AUCTION. For those of you who have never attended before, a silent auction means there are sign-up sheets next to each item description where you write your name and bid amount. The bidders continue higher and higher as the night goes on in increments of $2–$20 depending on the full price value of the item. The last person to bid before the auction closes is the winner and is responsible for buying the item. We have many wonderful items ranging from a dozen cupcakes at Georgetown Cupcake (Bethesda) to dinner for two at Jaleo (including a bottle of wine and gratuity) to a three month membership at the YMCA Bethesda (value $470). And every year there are special contributions from teachers and staff, as well. We also have Redskins tickets, giftcards to a variety of restaurants and a birthday party for up to 16 kids at DYNAMITE Gymnastics! We welcome any items that the Garrett Park Elementary community would like to donate or solicit from busi-nesses you frequent. Please put anything you collect or donate in the “Silent Auction” box in the copy room. For more information about donations, please contact Kelly Opipari at kopipari@verizon.net or Krista Reilly at pkncgg@comcast.net.

Silent Auction and Bingo Night Is Coming on March 19!!!

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KEEP SENDING YOUR BOX TOPS!!!

Thank you to all the families who sent in Box Tops for Education labels. Garrett Park Elementary gets TEN CENTS for each Box Top you contribute. So far, the school has earned $350.50.

The school also makes money when families register with grocery stores. Since September the school has raised the following amounts:Harris Teeter—$180.87 (34 families are registered)Giant—$287.00 (34 families are registered)Safeway—$160 (238 families are registered).

If you haven’t already signed up, please do so next time you are in the store or sign up through each store website. Just imagine how much money could be earned for our Garrett Park students if all families registered!

Mark your calendars for the evening of Thursday, March 11, 6:00–9:00 pm.

We have planned an evening of discount shopping with the opportunity to mingle with friends.(It doesn’t get better than that!)

Annie Sez will provide finger food and beverages and the best part is that15% of all sales that evening will be donated to the GPES PTA.

Annie Sez is conveniently located next to Trader Joe’s in Rockville.

A postcard invitation will be sent home in your child’s backpackcloser to the event date. Parents will have to bring the invitation

with them for GPES to get credit for their purchases.

Kids Come Through for UNICEF In a year when all charities need a boost, 106 GPES students went Trick-or-Treating for UNICEF at Halloween. The coins and crum-pled bills in their signature orange boxes added up to an impres-sive $803.59, with donations coming in through Thanksgiving!

Holiday cheers go to the staff at Chevy Chase Bank’s White Flint branch, who graciously kept the coin counter running to the end, and to the staff at Expressions at White Flint, who gave us extra boxes when our supply ran short.

All funds have been sent to UNICEF for classroom supplies, emer-gency rations, and medical treatment for children around the world (for more information, visit www.unicefusa.org).

Thanks to campaign coordinator Leona Hiraoka, and to fifth grader Miya Sluchansky and GPES alumna Kima Sluchansky for clean-ing out the boxes and hauling money bags to the bank. And thanks to the great GPES staff, who distributed all those orange boxes and shepherded the donations to the collection points.

More Cultural Arts

The PTA sponsored a performance of the Unified Jazz Ensemble on February 4th. The students were able to listen to several toe tapping examples of Jazz music performed by a local professional performance group. They learned about some of the instruments used in Jazz music and how each of those instru-ments has a job within the ensemble to create the full sound we hear in this American art form.

It was great to hear the upbeat music filling the main hallway at school. Thanks to our teachers and adminis-trators for always making time in the busy school day to support cultural arts programs for our students.

Snow and limited on-street parking didn’t stop fami-lies from attending the annual International Night on Saturday, February 20th. In addition to many return-ing countries, new participants Bulgaria, Palestine and Uzbekistan were featured at this event. In total, 27 countries shared wonderful foods and crafts from around the world and 12 cultural acts (totaling 60 stu-dents) capped off the evening. Bravo all!

Special thanks go to Principal Elaine Chang-Baxter, Vice Principal Wanda Means-Harris and PTA Presi-dent Angie Melton for their continued support with this event. Families, thank you for dressing your chil-dren in their colorful costumes. Close to 100 children participated in the parade.

If you would like a DVD keepsake of the evening, please submit a $15.00 check to the GPES Main of-fice, made out to Suzanne Hickey (please include both your student’s name/teacher’s name).

The following individuals deserve extra thanks for the critical role(s) they played in making International Night a success:

• Office staff Janet Georgatsos and Sally Brogan for their continual advice and assistance with prepar-ing correspondence; Mary Moyer for great lamination.• Mr. Smith, who set-up and oversaw the sound system.• Mrs. Hickey, who captured the cultural perfor-mance on videotape.• Mr. Massenburg and Mr. Robey, who put in extra hours to assist with setup and cleanup.• Mrs. Rodgers, who created International Night 25 years ago as a way to showcase our international students. Thanks, Mrs. Rodgers!• Mrs. Lambrix who shared her experience, wel-comed families and facilitated the parade.• Liliam Eguino and Sarah Sorenson, who directed several Latin-American dances and created colorful stage decorations.• Decorations committee members, Milagros Laurente, Naciye Sagmanligil and Lumpoange Thom-

as, who created an international look and feel in the school.• Set up/clean up committee volunteers, Jean Abels, Carol Alderson, Art Bennett, Nicole Calhoun, Liz Cohen, Dawn and John Watkins-Chow, Celia Hayes, Skip Sheehan, Melvin and Lumpoange Thom-as and Tim Sloate. • Cultural Performance volunteers, Cheryl Ot-tenritter, who made the music happen and Tim Sloate, who pulled a great curtain!• Welcome desk volunteers, Susan Chai, Norma Hughes, Mee Knystautas and Naciye Sagmanligil.• Mrs. Perley and Norma Hughes, who provided great advice and created the parade flags.• David Yoon, who created the Cultural Perfor-mance program with a groovy Olympics theme!• Mrs. Paz Regan, the ultimate stage manager who kept things flowing throughout the event. • Sophie Yarborough, for arranging for water donations.• Lesley O’Malley, who created the student passports; Mandy Driscoll, Anda Plavnieks and the IN committee members who turned them into books.• The following teachers, who allowed us to use their classrooms: Ms. S, Ms. Howard, Ms. Wells, Mrs. Hardwick, Ms. Reily, Mrs. Palmer, Ms. Rucker, Ms. Ziegler and Mrs. Perley.• Grant Peacock, who captured key moments on camera. Please see the PTA bulletin board to view all his pictures.

Next year brings exciting changes as International Night moves with GPES to its new location. Hillary Sloate, Cultural Program Chair, will “graduate” with daughter, Rosemary, to Tilden Middle School. Natalie Grande will be the 2011 Cultural Program Chair along with Jean Horan, who will continue with the Heritage portion of the evening. If you would like to join the International Night committee, please contact Jean at philpub1@aol.com. See you next year!

Hillary Sloate and Jean HoranInternational Night Organizers

INTERNATIONAL NIGHT 2010

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INTERNATIONAL NIGHT 2010

Garrett Park Elementary School                       

Counselor’s Corner – March 

Shana Schnaue 

Counseling Program

This month, the character value “honesty” will be the focus. Students will be able to define what this character value means to them, and how they can use it in their everyday lives. Students will look at their own lives to self reflect on how they are honest, who do they depend on to be honest, how important it is to them that others be honest, and then how they feel and react when people are not honest with them. Students will also be able to reflect upon how they feel and act when they are not honest themselves.

In order to help students reflect upon honesty they will use books to identify honest and dishonest situations, use story maps to help students identify different situations, create short skits and have the opportunity to act them out, as well as whole class discussions. Each class will also have the chance to identify what honesty means to them. Their definitions will be posted on my bulletin board which is located outside of the APR, on the stage side. Small counseling groups have begun. If you are interested in having your child participate in a group, please let me know.

What You Should Know Students in grades 2 – 5 will begin

standardized tests in March. Many students become increasingly stressed out due to these tests. It is important for everyone who interacts with your child to help him/her manage the stress he/she faces during the testing season.

To help your child prepare for a test, help

them get to bed on time the week prior to and during the tests. This way, he/she will be well rested. Make sure your child eats a good breakfast; he/she arrives to school on time, and is prepared with all of his/her materials.

If your child complains of feeling

stressed, help him/her to de-stress! Listening to music, reading, writing, drawing, exercise, talking to an adult, playing with a pet, deep breathing, visualization, muscle relaxation, sports, free time, bubble baths, squeeze balls, sleep, positive self talk and even his/her favorite food can help your child relax when he/she is feeling overwhelmed.

Calling All Career Day Speakers Back by popular demand is Career Day! Garrett Park students loved it so much, that it will be held again this year! Career Day this year will be held May 21, 2010 in the afternoon. I am always looking for speakers for Career Day. If you are interested, please let me know. Thank you!

Please feel free to contact me either by phone or email if you have any concerns regarding your child. I can be reached by telephone at (301) 929 2170 or email at Shana_A_Schnaue@mcpsmd.org

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Garrett Park’s Spelling Bee, held Thursday, February 5, 2010, turned into a true endurance contest. The twenty-three tension-filled rounds seemed to last long enough to clear a blizzard-covered driveway! This finalist round was held after class rounds for grades 3, 4, and 5 held semifinal rounds to choose the top 3 grade level spellers. The finalists for grade three were Christopher Barrett, Hank Roll, and Jett Ponce. The finalists for grade four were Carmen Profit, Sandia Sheehan, and Courtney Shuck. The finalists for grade five were Hannah Kotz, Miya Sluchansky and Sophia Tilkin. The first runner up of the 2010 Bee was Miya Sluchansky and the winner was Hannah Kotz.

Hannah’s winning word was “affiliation”. Hannah will participate in the regional championship to be held March 13, 2010, in Bethesda. Champions of the Regional Spelling Bees held all over the United States will participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee to be held June 2–4, 2010 in Washington, D.C. The spelling bee is open to students in grades 3–8 from registered schools and home schools. Congratulations to all our spelling bee participants and finalists. We wish Hannah Kotz good luck in the regionals espe-cially as she will be up against eighth graders!

Marge Stembel and Don Vogel

Spelling Bee

Student Transfer Application Season

Montgomery County parents who wish to requesta Change of School Assignment (COSA) for theirchildren from their home school may begin the pro-cess during the upcoming transfer season, February 1, 2010–April 1, 2010. The transfer process begins in the home school where parents may request a COSA form and the Change of School Assignment Informa-tion booklet that describes the process and provides useful information. For more information, please contact the Division of Consortia Choice and Appli-cation Program Services at 301-592-2040.

Wanted: Used Printer Ink Cartridges!

Want an easy way to earn money for our school? All you need to do is send your used printer ink cartridges to GPES with your child. We will send them on to be recycled and will receive $1.00 for each one! All sizes and shapes are wanted so consider asking your family and friends, even your employer, to save them for us.

Help our environment and GPES at the same time. We collect all year long, including the summer!

Montgomery County Public Schools operates seven immersion schools in which Chinese, French or Span-ish programs are offered. The schools offering these programs are Burnt Mills, College Gardens, Maryvale, Potomac, Rock Creek Forest, Rolling Terrace and Sligo Creek elementary schools. These schools offer either total or partial immersion programs. Total im-mersion means all core classes are taught in that lan-guage and partial immersion means two core classes are taught in the language. Applications for these programs is based on a lottery system.

This year, the immersion lottery process application dates are February 1 to April 23, 2010. Parents may participate in the immersion lottery process by using the Elementary Immersion Interest Form. The form

and directions will be available on the Montgomery County Public Schools’ (MCPS) website at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/special-programs, at the elementary schools, and by calling the Division of Consortia Choice and Application Program Services (DCCAPS) at 301-592-2040 be-ginning on February 1, 2010. Completed immersion interest forms can be returned by U.S. mail to DCCA-PS, Spring Mill Field Office, 11721 Kemp Mill Road, Silver Spring, Maryland 20902, hand carried, or faxed to 301-649-8155 by April 23, 2010. DCCAPS will mail student selection notifications to parents in May of 2010. Please note that the continuation of transpor-tation for the 2010–2011 school year for regional and countywide immersion programs is pending budget approval.

Foreing Language Immersion Programs

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YMCA Youth & Family Services Parenting Programs Spring 2010

Check out these great classes coming up in March and April. Most of them are free.

Parenting as a TeamIs divide and conquer a favorite strategy in your fam-ily? Most couples find that raising children brings up areas of conflict.This workshop will address recog-nizing these differences, looking at the roots of these different viewpoints and coming up with a cooperative plan so that you can present a united front.

Wednesday, March 3, 7:00 –9:00 pm. Free. Donations appreciated. Potomac Library, 10101 Glenolden Dr., Potomac

Mastering the Art of EncouragementAre you looking for alternatives to threats and bribes? This program will help parents develop positive strate-gies for building cooperation and setting limits with respect.

Monday, March 8, 7:00 –9:00 pm. Free. Donations appreciated. Silver Spring Library, 8901 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring

Helping Kids Deal with AngerAnger is good for identifying problems but not good for solving them. This workshop with address ways parents can help their children recognize early warn-ing signs and develop strategies for dealing with their anger in a positive way.

Wednesday, March 17, 7:00–9:00 pm. Free. Donations appreciated. Bethesda Library, 7400 Arlington Rd., Bethesda

Getting Up and Out (and other scheduling torments)This parenting workshop will explore simple tech-niques for adding structure to your family’s day around the issues of getting up and out, homework, chores, dinner and bedtime.

Monday, March 22, 7:00–9:00 pm. Free. Donations appreciated. Davis Library, 6400 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda

Parenting ChildrenParents will learn to identify the purposes of a child’s misbehavior and develop effective discipline and encouragement strategies for positively redirecting these behaviors. Skills include: Developing effective consequences, structuring choices, and ending power struggles.

Required text, available first night: $20; class fee: $30.Tuesdays, April 13–May 18, 7:00–8:30 pm. YMCA Ayrlawn Program Center, 5650 Oakmont Ave., Bethesda

Parenting Teens A down-to-earth and practical way to meet the chal-lenges of raising teenagers. The group discussion format teaches skills to help improve parent/teen rela-tions; develop teen self-esteem and self-reliance; and promote responsible teen behavior at home, school and in the community.

Required text, available first night: $20; class fee: $30.Thursdays, April 15–May 20, 7:00–8:30 pm. United Church of Christ, 9525 Colesville Road, Silver Spring

SUBURBAN HOSPITAL Seminar When Kids Don’t Try with Emory Luce BaldwinMany parents and professionals are keenly frustrated and disappointed when they know that their children can do it, but they don’t even try! Fortunately, there are proven ways to encourage a child or teen to make more of an effort. Emory Luce Baldwin, LCMFT, will share the most effective strategies for encourag-ing children. She will also help you understand why reminders, cajoling, rewards, and punishments can actually reduce a child’s own motivation for success.

$15/person, $25/couple. Fee Waivers available. Thursday, April 22, 7:00–9:00 pm.Suburban Hospital Auditorium: 8600 Old Georgetown Road, BethesdaRegistration for this workshop only: 301-896-3939, option 2 or email soc@suburbanhospital.org

Fill out the form below & join today!

P TA M E M B E R S H I P F O R M

Name of youngest child in the school

Grade Teacher

Name of first parent/guardian member ______________________________________________________ $ 15.00

Name of second parent/guardian member ___________________________________________________ $ 15.00

Total amount due $ ______

Additional Tax deductible donation to GPES PTA $ ______

Total Amount Enclosed $ ______

Phone# ___________________________________ e-mail address _____________________________

Please make checks payable to Garrett Park PTA. Return payment with this form to your child’s teacher in an envelope labeled “PTA Membership.” Thank you!

COFFEE AND CONVERSATION

The Montgomery County Public School’s Office of Communications and Family Outreach invites parents and community members to drop in for coffee and conversation at the Department of Family and Community Partner-ships, 850 Hungerford Drive, Suite 50, Rock-ville, Maryland 20850 on April 17, 2010, between 10:00 am and 12:00 pm. Bring your questions, find out about programs and services in the school sys-tem, and take home great tips on how to help chil-dren succeed in school.

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT—JOIN THE SCHOOL’S PTA

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