Sherilyn R. Moses, Principal Randy Aleshevich, Principal Intern

August 2019

Dear Ronald McNair Families,

Welcome to the 2019 – 2020 school year at Dr. Ronald E. McNair Elementary School. This school year marks the school’s 29th opening. It has been a busy summer preparing for another successful year. As we enter the 2019 – 2020 school year, we welcome Mr. Randy Aleshevich, to our staff as principal intern. Principal interns are experienced administrators who are selected to begin a year of preparation for the principalship. The principal internship is designed to provide Mr. Aleshevich with a gradual takeover of principal responsibilities towards the middle of the school year and eventually serve as the principal from January 2 through February 14 while Mrs. Moses is placed on a special assignment at Gaithersburg Middle School. The opportunity to serve as a trainer is a professional opportunity that I am pleased to accept, and I believe that our school and community will provide an excellent environment to prepare a future principal. Please take a minute to read Mr. Aleshevich’s introductory letter to our school community. There will be many opportunities to meet Mr. Aleshevich throughout the school year.

We are excited to share that Dr. Ronald McNair ES will be implementing the new mathematics curriculum beginning this school year. Students in kindergarten through 5th grade will be instructed using the Eureka Math curriculum. For information about Eureka Math, please visit the MCPS Curriculum Implementation page at https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/curriculum-implementation.aspx. As we continue to prepare students for the 21st century, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) continues to provide students with technological resources. Students in kindergarten will have access to 3 IPad Mini carts. Unlike in grades 2 through 5, this is not a designation of one machine per student; instead each room will have 10 IPad minis to enhance literacy and math instruction in the classrooms. Finally, the most important update for the upcoming school year is related to security. During the school year, MCPS installed additional cameras at the school. The main office staff can now view the video feed from all of the cameras. It’s hard to imagine it has only been a month and a half since the end of the school year.

At Ronald McNair ES, we believe positive family partnerships are key to our students’ success. Together, teachers, students, and parents/guardians, make a strong RMES family. Each family plays a vital role in helping to create the positive atmosphere that supports the success of our school. We appreciate your support as your child enters the classroom to learn and grow throughout the year. Our goal continues to be to provide the highest quality educational program for your student. As we are committed to the success of your student, this year’s staff theme is based on the movie, Toy Story. To be exact: We are taking our students to “infinity and beyond”! As we look forward to the new school year, we encourage you to get to know your child’s teacher, read to/with your child on a regular basis, journal with your child, and become an active member of the PTA.

Throughout the year, we look forward to meeting the new, and reconnecting with returning, community members. We encourage families to get to know each other so they can build new friendships and support each other as the need arises. Staff members are listed in your packet by teams. New staff members are highlighted with a star. We look forward to introducing them to you. We hope you and your children have enjoyed the summer months and have had an opportunity to rest, relax, and recharge for the upcoming school year. Always feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have. We look forward to working with each of you throughout the school year!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Sherilyn “Sherry” Moses Mr. Randy Aleshevich Principal Principal Intern

Please continue reading for information on Ronald McNair ES rules and procedures.

Dear Ronald McNair Students, Staff and Families: It is with great pleasure that I introduce myself to you as the new principal intern at Ronald McNair Elementary School. I am looking forward to learning your names and getting to know each of you throughout the school year. I am most excited to work together with the McNair school staff to ensure the best possible educational experience for each child. I have been in education since 1998, where I began my career as a pre-kindergarten teacher. I have taught several primary (pre-k,1) and intermediate grades (3,4,5) at the elementary school level, been an instructor in the graduate school of education at Loyola University, in Maryland, and for eight years I worked in assessment and accountability for Baltimore County Public Schools and Montgomery County Public Schools. I spent my last four years as the assistant principal for the Rachel Carson Elementary School community in Gaithersburg, and I am currently embarking on my principal internship at Ronald McNair. My diverse experiences have truly solidified my belief that building strong relationships is the key to learning. I believe we must learn about each other's different cultures and celebrate our diversity, because the fostering of multiple perspectives can help us solve some of our most challenging issues. These beliefs have helped me foster the relationships and partnerships necessary to meet with success with each challenge faced. I look forward to learning about all of you and building new relationships as we begin our learning journey together. You place tremendous trust in us when you send your children to Ronald McNair. Please know that I place great value in the quality of each child’s education. I want the same for your children that I want for my own Miranda (11) and Oliver (6). I believe every child deserves an education where ALL staff:

Exhibit genuine love and compassion for students. Have a growth mindset and believe ALL students are talented and capable of learning. They don't

apply predetermined labels to a student's academic potential. Address each student's academic, social and emotional well-being. Encourage each student to develop independence and to take responsibility for their own learning. Support students’ efforts to gain an understanding of the world and how to function comfortably within

it. Help students establish personal values as a foundation for being a globally minded person who

respects different cultures and perspectives. This summer, I have already had the pleasure of meeting a few staff members and some families. Thank you for such a warm welcome to the McNair community, I eagerly look forward to seeing and working with you each day. I hope that you are enjoying a restful and relaxing summer. Let’s have an incredible school year! Respectfully,

Randy C. Aleshevich Principal Intern

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE SUBJECT 2 School Supplies

New Family Welcome Class Assignments

3 Open House School Hours Student Attendance and Absences

4 First Day Procedures Important Dates for Marking Period 1 September Calendar Link

5 Early Release Days

6 Cafeteria Information SNAP/Cafeteria Information Link

7 Menu for the First Week of School Food Sources from Outside of School

8 Safe Arrivals and Dismissals Procedures

9 Dismissal Plan

10 Bus Transportation Procedure for a Change in the Way a Student Goes Home

11 Parents in the School Messages during the school day How to Contact Staff

12 Delivery of Articles to Students Student Birthdays Medication at School Prescribed Medication Form Link

13 Principal and Grade Level Newsletter Information Behavior Expectations Cell Phone Agreement Form Link Dress Code

14 Homework

15 Staff Roster

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SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Students will not be asked to pay for, or provide, textbooks, supplementary readers (such as anthologies, atlases, or workbooks), most materials for instruction, audiovisual aids, stationery items not commonly found in the home and required for the student to demonstrate mastery of course objectives, or building or office materials needed to operate schools. Students may be asked to pay for materials of instruction that primarily fit into the three following categories:

Component parts of a product that will become student property (example: sculpting clay). Materials of instruction, or items of personal use, that become the property of the student (example:

recorder). Items eaten by the student as a part of the course (example: bread baking ingredients).

Students are still expected to bring individual organizational tools and personal supplies from home. In addition, there are student fees which are not course-related, but local school decisions made by the principal in collaboration with the school and parent leadership. These may include fees for class snacks, special grade-level assemblies, etc. There also may be fees related to field trips, but these will be shared each time there is a trip and not in advance as a school fee. We are committed to providing all students, regardless of their economic circumstances, with full access to the instructional program. If you need assistance for any requested expense, or with providing the organizational tools and personal supplies, please contact your child’s teacher, our counselor, our assistant principal, or principal. Parent donations of items that enhance the classroom experience are still welcomed. They are not required donations and no student will be expected to provide these items, but if you care to contribute, it will be appreciated.

Class supply lists and donation requests can be found on the Ronald McNair ES website at

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/ronaldmcnaires/

NEW FAMILY WELCOME MEETING

We welcome all new families of students in kindergarten through grade 5 to meet in the cafeteria on Friday, August 30th from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. to learn about our school.

CLASSROOM ASSIGNMENTS Your child(ren) will receive a postcard from their teacher during the week of August 26th to welcome them back to school. If you have not received your card by August 29th, please call the office at 301-353-0854. In addition, there will be staff at multiple entrances to the building during Open House with the classroom assignments for the 2019-2020 school year to assist you.

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OPEN HOUSE FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES

We will hold our popular ‘Welcome to School!’ Open House where students can meet their teachers and find their classrooms before school begins. What: Open House

Who: For families and students in Grades K-5 Why: Meet and visit briefly with their new teacher

When: Friday, August 30 Time: 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

The Dr. Ronald E. McNair ES Open House is a great opportunity for your family to become familiar with the staff and meet new friends at Ronald McNair. Parents may find additional parking on the streets or in the Leaman Park parking lot located on Eternity Road. On this day, parents of students who walk to school may want to help them practice the route they will be taking to and from school. As you arrive at McNair, please follow arrival/line up directions. During your visit, cafeteria staff will be on site for you to deposit money into your child's lunch account. Please be sure to stop in the cafeteria before you leave the building. The PTA will have a table set up where you will have an opportunity to join the PTA. A welcome letter from the Dr. Ronald E. McNair ES PTA Board is included in this letter.

***NEW THIS YEAR- A one-time family waiver must be completed by anyone participating at a PTA event. Think the Back to School Picnic. The waiver is included for completion and submission at

Open House or the first week of school.*** SCHOOL HOURS

McNair’s student hours are from 9:25 a.m. to 3:50 p.m. each regular school day. PreKindergarten and Kindergarten sessions are full day and follow the same school hours. The hours for ½ day early release are from 9:25 a.m. to 1:20 p.m.

McNair’s office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day.

STUDENT ATTENDANCE:

If your child is going to be absent or late for school, please call our absence line at 301-353-8266 to notify us. Absences:

Parents should keep children at home when illness is suspected, a communicable disease has been diagnosed, or lice nits have been found. The child must bring a note from home upon his/her return. After five consecutive days of absence, a physician’s note is required. Parents will receive an attendance call for students who are absent without notice. Tardies:

Students who are not in their classroom by 9:25 a.m. are tardy. All students who are tardy must enter with an ADULT, who will sign them in at the office and receive a pass to enter the classroom. Please do not drop your child off if they are late without walking him/her into the office. PARENTS MUST WALK THEIR CHILD INTO THE SCHOOL, AFTER GAINING ACCESS THROUGH OUR SECURITY SYSTEM AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE, TO SIGN THEIR CHILD IN IF HE/SHE ARRIVES AT 9:25 A.M. OR LATER.

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Recording attendance:

Attendance in Montgomery County Public Schools is recorded in accordance with the Maryland Student Records System Manual by the Maryland State Department of Education. Students will be recorded as AM Absent if they arrive at school more than two hours late.

Students will be recorded as PM Absent if they leave school more than two hours early.

Students will be recorded as either AM Absent or PM Absent if they are absent from school for more than two hours, but less than four hours during the school day.

Students will be recorded as Full-Day Absent if they are present for less than two hours of the school day.

Students will be recorded as Full-Day Present if they are present for more than four hours of the school day.

OFFICIAL RECORD ARRIVES LEAVES DURING FIRST 2

HOURS OF DAY MORE THAN 2

HOURS AFTER

START OF DAY

MORE THAN 2

HOURS BEFORE

END OF DAY

DURING LAST 2

HOURS OF DAY FOR MORE THAN 2

HOURS DURING

DAY

A.M. ABSENT X X TARDY X

P.M. ABSENT X X EARLY DISMISSAL X

FIRST DAY PROCEDURES

Our staff members will be available on the first day of school and throughout the first week to help students find their way. On the first day, students should line up outside the school in their designated location. Staff members will be on site to greet students and there will be signs to direct you to your child’s classroom lineup location. All classes line up outside the school starting at 9:05 a.m. daily. CALENDAR: IMPORTANT DATES THROUGH THE FIRST MARKING PERIOD:

Link to McNair’s September 2019 Calendar

September 3 First Day of School. It will be a full day of school (9:25 a.m. – 3:50 p.m.) PreK home visits take place this week

September 9 PreK Staggered Opening Begins

September 10 Back-to-School Night (Grades K-5) 6:30-8:10 p.m.

September 13 First Flyer Distribution Date September 19 Fall Student Pictures Taken Beginning at 9:30 a.m.

September 20 PTA Back to School Picnic 5:30-8:00 p.m.

September 24 New Parent Mixer 6:30-7:30 p.m. September 30 No School for students and staff

October 1 PTA General Membership Meeting 6:00 p.m. & PTA Ice Cream Social 7:00 p.m. PTA Direct Donation Fundraiser Begins

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October 2 National Walk to School Day October 4 EARLY RELEASE DAY – STUDENTS DISMISSED 1:20 PM

October 9 No School for Students and Staff

October 10 Interims Go Home PTA Movie Night 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

October 11 PTA Direct Donation Fundraiser Ends October 14 MCPS Open House – McNair sessions: 9:40-11:00 a.m. / 2:30 – 3:45 p.m.

October 16 PTA K.I.S.S. Breakfast for PK & K 8:45-9:15 a.m.

October 17 PTA K.I.S.S. Breakfast for Grade 1 8:45 – 9:15 a.m. October 18 PTA K.I.S.S. Breakfast for Grade 2 8:45-9:15 a.m. Gr. 4 to the MoCo Agricultural Center 9:40 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

October 19 Fall Cleanup Day 8:00 a.m.

October 24 NO PREK CLASS (PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY)

October 31 Halloween Parade 2:30 p.m. Halloween Parties 2:45 p.m. (Pre-arranged parent volunteers only – no siblings) November 3 Daylight Savings Time Ends – Set clocks back 1 hour

November 8 1st Marking Period Ends EARLY RELEASE DAY – STUDENTS DISMISSED AT 1:20p.m. 2ND Flyer Distribution Day

EARLY RELEASE DAYS

TIME OF EARLY RELEASE IS 1:20 PM.

Listed below are the 2019-2020 Early Release Days:

Oct. 4 - Early Release K-12; Interims

Nov. 8 – Early Release K-12; Grading/Planning

Nov. 11 – Early Release K-12; Conferences

Nov. 12 – Early Release K-12; Conferences

Nov. 27 – Early Release K-12; Day before Thanksgiving

Jan. 24 – Early Release K-12; Grading/Planning

Feb. 28 – Early Release K-12; Interims

Mar. 27 – Early Release K-12; Grading / Planning

June 15 – Early Release; Last Day of School

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CAFETERIA INFORMATION

Link to MCPS Cafeteria Information – http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/foodserv/menus/cafemenus.aspx

Breakfast

Breakfast is served in the McNair cafeteria from 9:00-9:20 a.m. The cost of breakfast is $1.30. Breakfast is an option that is available to all McNair students and can be utilized on a drop-in basis. Those students who are eligible for free/reduced meals are entitled to a free breakfast. Please see the link above for more information. Lunch

The 2019-2020 lunch prices remain the same as last year. The cost of full price lunch will be $2.55. Milk purchased by itself is 60¢. Only students in grades 3-5 are permitted to purchase snacks from the cafeteria. The cost of

snacks varies by item. To buy lunch, a student must have money in their account or cash in hand. We understand children, at times, forget their lunch money. Children who forget lunch, or are short money, can still receive a school lunch. Parents will receive written communication regarding their children's lunch account when the balance becomes low.

We also ask parents to please notify the school cafeteria and nurse regarding any food restrictions.

Free and Reduced Meals

Free/Reduced lunch applications will come home with all families on the first day of school. Please fill out the application and return it to the office to determine if your child is eligible for free/reduced meal prices. If your child qualifies for reduced lunch, the cost is 30¢ and also qualifies him/her for free breakfast. Students who were eligible for Free and Reduced Meals during the 2019-2020 school year are eligible to receive free or reduced-priced meals until October 15, 2019. In order to ensure no disruption to free/reduced eligibility for the complete 2019-2020 school year, applications must be submitted by September 27, 2019. If you do not resubmit a form for the 2019-2020 school year, your child will be charged for lunch starting October 16, 2019. This process allows eligible students to maintain benefits while the applications are being processed for this year. Once the 2019-2020 applications are processed, that eligibility determination carries through the school year or until another application is processed.

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MENU FOR THE FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL:

(WG = Whole Grain)

Food Sources from Outside the School The Division of Licensure and Regulatory Services of the Montgomery County Health Department is concerned about food prepared in the home and brought to schools to be served. These concerns, in view of increased incidences of salmonella contamination, deal primarily with egg and poultry products, but also focus on food products that are highly susceptible to spoilage, such as meats, fish, rice, potatoes, and food preparations containing eggs, dairy products, mayonnaise, and similar ingredients. In order to address these concerns and be sensitive to the dietary or medical restrictions of the youngsters in our school, all classroom parties must consist of store bought items only. If you have a question about a food item for a school event, please contact your child’s teacher or the main office. Safe Arrivals & Dismissals Procedures: (SEE ATTACHED MAPS)

ARRIVAL

Students are not supervised outside prior to 9:05 a.m. and should not arrive before that time unless they are purchasing breakfast in our cafeteria. If a student is dropped off before 9:05 a.m., you will be called and asked to come and get him/her, as adequate supervision is not available before that time.

Students buying breakfast may enter the building at 9:00 a.m. or as soon as their bus arrives and proceed to the cafeteria. All other students will be admitted into the building at 9:15 a.m. when the bell rings.

Students arriving between 9:05 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. must line up outside with their grade level in the appropriate location (see page 8). On rainy mornings, or days with temperatures below 32 degrees, students will be admitted into the building at 9:05 a.m. for indoor line-up. They will line up outside of their classrooms until the bell rings at 9:15 a.m.

The first bell rings at 9:15 a.m. and the tardy bell rings at 9:25 a.m.

It is strongly encouraged that students enter the building at 9:15 a.m. to be in their seats by 9:20 a.m. Instruction begins at 9:25 a.m.

OR Cheese Pocket

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Students arriving at 9:25 a.m., or later, are considered tardy. If your child is tardy, please do not drop them off. They must be accompanied to the main office and signed in by a responsible adult.

CARS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE BUS LANE AND SHOULD NOT BE PARKED IN THE BUS LANE AT ANY TIME.

Car Rider Arrival:

1) School Parking Lot: Enter the school parking lot and drive to the drop-off location along the sidewalk.

o Please be courteous and pull your car all the way to the end of the sidewalk so the line can move quickly.

o Parents, DO NOT get out of your car.

o Have students prepared to exit the car (backpacks on, lunch bag in hand, any other objects needed in hand) so when you pull next to the sidewalk they are ready to exit the car quickly.

o Students should exit the car on the passenger side. Parents must follow the directions of the staff and leave as soon as their children are on the sidewalk.

o Consider making a right out of the parking lot onto Eternity Road to assist with easing the traffic flow into school.

2) Parking is not allowed on the Steeple Road side of the school. Students should use the crosswalk with the Crossing Guard to cross Steeple Road and walk to their line. Please do not walk or send your child across any street, including Steeple Road or the bus lanes, unless they are in the crosswalk.

3) PLEASE DO NOT PARK IN THE HANDICAPPED SPACES UNLESS YOU HAVE A PERMIT (YOU WILL BE TICKETED AND THERE IS A $250.00 FINE)

4) CARS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE BUS LANE AND SHOULD NOT BE PARKED IN THE BUS LANE.

All students who arrive at 9:25 a.m., or later, must have an ADULT sign them in at the office and receive a pass to enter the classroom. PARENTS MUST WALK THEIR CHILD INTO THE SCHOOL AFTER GAINING ACCESS THROUGH OUR SECURITY SYSTEM AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE. Arrival Line-Up Locations: Students in pre-kindergarten and kindergarten will line up by the main entrance/bus loading zone

doors.

Students in grade 1 will line up on along the building entering through the side door by the flag pole.

Students in grade 2 will line up starting at the flag pole wrapping around the building towards the front

entrance.

Students in grade 3 will line up along the building starting to the right of the door with the stained glass

windows.

Students in grade 4 will line up along the building starting to the left of the door with the stained glass

windows.

Students in grades 4 and 5 will line up on the blacktop by the portables.

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All car riders must exit from their vehicle on the sidewalk and proceed to their arrival line-up location. Do

not drop students off at other points for a shorter walk to their arrival line-up location.

DISMISSAL PLAN

The bell for dismissal rings at 3:50 p.m.

Before the first day of school, please let your child’s teacher know how he/she will get home each day. Once again, please remember to bring the postcard to Open House, indicating how your child will go home from school.

If you need to pick up your child early from school, we ask you to do so before 3:30 p.m. Students will not be called to the office for early dismissal after 3:30 p.m. unless there is an emergency.

Car Rider Dismissal:

Car riders will be dismissed to the blacktop by the portables. Parents of car riders should park in the Leaman Park lot on Eternity Road. Do not park in posted NO PARKING areas on Eternity Road.

Parent pickup is not allowed in our main lot and cars should not enter the lot between 3:40 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Parents who pull into our main lot and park along the curb will be asked to move.

After parking in the Leaman parking lot, parents should walk to the end of the lot to wait for their children or go to the blacktop to meet them. A staff member will wait with students by the orange pole next to the blacktop, which is visible from the Leaman Park lot.

o If a car rider is not picked up by 4:00 p.m., he or she will be escorted to the main office to call his/her parents.

All drivers must observe traffic and parking signs, including posted No Parking areas on Eternity Road.

Walkers:

PreKindergarten and Kindergarten walkers must be signed out from their assigned locations.

Walkers in 1st through 5th grade are dismissed, intermittently, by grade level onto the blacktop by the gym. Parents who are picking up walkers should meet them there.

Older siblings of walkers must exit by their designated door and meet younger siblings at a prearranged spot.

During dismissal times, ball throwing, ball kicking, and other sports activities should not occur. Bikes and scooters should not be ridden until you have reached the perimeter of the school.

Students may not cross the McNair parking lot without adult supervision.

All walkers must cross with the crossing guard at Hopkins Road and Steeple Road or with a staff member at Leaman Park or Eternity Ct. and Eternity Road. We also ask that students who live beyond the Hopkins Road and Father Hurley intersection PLEASE cross with the crossing guard.

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BUS TRANSPORTATION

Bus Route Information

Bus information from the Transportation Office is linked above. Please carefully read the letter from the Division of Transportation and the route schedule for McNair Elementary. Be sure you and your child know your child’s assigned route number and bus color. As a general rule, children should be at their bus stop ten minutes before and remain there at least 10 minutes after the time the bus is scheduled to arrive. If the bus does not arrive within this time and the child has no other way of getting to school, please call the school office. You may also contact Clarksburg Transportation at 301-353-0955. Only students who live more than one mile from the school, as determined by MCPS, are permitted to ride the county school buses. Bus safety rules and proper behavior will be reviewed with the students by staff. Students who violate bus rules may have bus riding privileges denied temporarily or permanently. Please note that parents are responsible for supervising their own children at the bus stop in the morning. Patrols are not responsible for supervising students at the bus stop in the morning. Students who do not regularly ride the bus may occasionally have the need to do so. In order to receive permission to ride the bus that day, a student must have a written note from a parent to the child's homeroom teacher. BUS DROP-OFF To ensure your child’s safe return from school on the bus, please meet him/her at the bus stop. We must stress the importance of a parent, or other responsible adult, being at the stop to receive the child or making other arrangements for your child to get from the stop to home safely. In the event you or your designee are running late or are otherwise unable to get to the bus stop, you should have a contingency plan. According to the Department of Transportation, bus operators will let all children off at the bus stop, including pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students, even if there is no adult there to greet the child. When the bus pulls up and many students get off, there is no one-to-one matching of students to parents. Please understand that safe student transportation is a joint responsibility. Please remind your child to look for you before leaving the bus. Any problems with the bus itself, the driver, or the bus stops should be directed to the Division of Transportation (301-353-0955). Parents should have contingency plans for early closings and late openings. Children should know where to go and whom to call if they are unable to get to school by bus as usual. PROCEDURE FOR A CHANGE IN THE WAY A STUDENT GOES HOME:

If a student’s plans require a change from their normal dismissal (e.g. play date, child care changes), the change must be made in writing to the homeroom teacher and front office. Please state your child’s name, the name of the individual they should be dismissed with, the date the change is occurring and your signature. In the event of last minute changes to a student’s dismissal plans, please call the main office prior to 3:00 p.m. All students will be dismissed via their normal plan unless we have been notified of a change.

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Please arrange your child’s transportation home so that it is consistent. It is difficult for a child to remember where they are to go on a particular day if the routine changes daily. Students are not to call home from the school to make after school plans.

Any adults who come to school to pick up a child early will be asked to show documentation to verify identification and ensure student safety.

PARENTS IN THE SCHOOL:

We encourage you to volunteer! However, parents are not allowed to escort their children to class in the morning, nor come to the classrooms in the afternoon to pick up their student. All visitors will be required to use our main entrance to the building and check in at the office during the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. All visitors to the building must present a picture ID, which will be entered into our visitor management system. For the safety and security of all individuals, we need to be aware of the presence and location of all visitors in the building. Any individuals without a badge will be asked to report to the office to sign in and receive a badge. All volunteers must complete a Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect online training through MCPS and submit their completion certificate prior to interacting with any MCPS student. Please use this link to complete the trainings: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/childabuseandneglect/reportingchildabuse/index.html. Please help us keep all students in our school safe by following this important procedure!

MESSAGES DURING THE SCHOOL DAY

Please do not call and ask to speak to your child during the school day or come to the office to have your child called from the classroom so you may speak to him/her. Children will not be interrupted during instructional time. Kindly leave a message for your child with the office staff before 3:00 p.m. and someone will deliver the message. CONTACTING STAFF

Teachers and staff members will be happy to answer your questions and/or meet with you regarding any concerns you may have. In order to maximize instructional time, teachers will only be available to speak by telephone before or after the student day. Calls for teachers should be made between 8:50 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. and 3:55 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. However, the most effective way of reaching a teacher is through email. All McNair staff members’ email addresses are on the McNair website. Feel free to call the main office if you cannot locate an email address. Staff members will make every effort to return calls/emails within 24 hours from when they are received. If you would like to schedule a meeting/conference with a teacher, please contact him/her directly via email. If you need to schedule a meeting with the principal or assistant principal, please call the Administrative Secretary at 301-353-0854.

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DELIVERY OF ITEMS TO STUDENTS:

If parents need to deliver an item such as lunch, instrument, or backpack to a student, the item(s) should be left in the office and we will make sure your child receives it in a timely manner. We will not interrupt your child’s classroom for deliveries. Additionally, we will not interrupt your child’s learning for a parent phone call. BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS:

Students' birthdays are NOT celebrated at school. Additionally, food cannot be brought to the classroom or cafeteria (e.g. cupcakes, cake, candy)

o Birthday party invitations may be distributed at the end of the school day under the supervision of the homeroom teacher.

o School staff members are not allowed to give out student addresses or contact information.

o We celebrate each child’s birthday by announcing their name on the Morning Show and asking them to come to the office to pick up a birthday pencil.

MEDICATION AT SCHOOL:

It is often necessary for students to receive medication during the school day. In order to accommodate this need, we ask that you read the following guidelines: The school is prohibited by law from administering medications to students without the parents’ or

guardians’ written authorization AND a physician's statement.

Students are not permitted to give themselves any medication.

If your child requires short-term medication that must be taken during school hours, you should arrange to come to school to administer it.

For long-term medication, ask the office for a copy of MCPS FORM 525-13 which outlines the procedures to be followed. Parents and physicians give authorization for school personnel to administer medication via this form. A parent must bring the medication to the school, properly labeled by a pharmacist (medication bottle must be labeled to coincide with physician's medication order). The first day's dosage of any new prescription must be given at home.

Under no circumstances will either the health tech or school personnel administer a medication brought to school by the child without form 525-13 being on file.

Medical form link: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/forms/pdf/525-13.pdf

All physicians’ orders for medications given in school will be reviewed by the public health nurse and the school medical advisor. Healthy students are expected to attend school every day. Your child is required to stay home if he/she is running a fever (100.4 degrees or higher). He/she must be fever free for 24 hours, without medication, before returning to school. Runny noses, common tummy aches and allergies usually do not require a student to miss a day of school. If your child does become ill at school, he/she will be sent to the health room and our Health Technician will assess the illness. The Health Technician will call parents of students who present with fever, vomiting, extreme pain, and/or head injuries. Together, you will determine if your child needs to leave school. If that is the case, we ask that you pick your child up immediately.

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PRINCIPAL AND GRADE LEVEL NEWSLETTER INFORMATION:

A school newsletter and grade level newsletters will come home once a month with important information. Please check your child’s backpack. They are also available at the Ronald McNair ES website:

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/ronaldmcnaires/ BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS:

The Ronald McNair Discipline policy will be sent home with your child on the first day of school. The policy will also be posted on our web page. Please read and review the expectations with your child and sign and return the yellow cover sheet to the school. Please note students are NOT to bring real or play weapons to school under ANY conditions, including Halloween. Knives are not allowed, even plastic ones, in a student’s lunch. The state law, as well as Montgomery County Public Schools, prohibits these items on school grounds. RESTRICTED ITEMS: Students are NOT allowed to bring: toys, Pokémon cards, balls, skateboards, electronic items, cell phones (without principal’s permission), valuables, spinners, and trinkets of any kind. Additionally, if a student rides their bike to school it must be secured with a proper lock. The school is not responsible for lost or stolen items. As of June 2017, Montgomery County Public Schools has updated their policy around student use of cell phones and other Personal Mobile Devices (PMDs) at school. Montgomery County Public Schools regulation Personal Mobile Devices notes that “Students may possess PMDs on MCPS property and at MCPS-sponsored activities; however, students may not turn on/use PMDs until the end of the student day with the following exceptions:” It further notes that “students riding to or from school or school-sponsored activities on MCPS or commercially chartered buses may use PMDs as long as such use does not impact the safe operation of the bus and is compliant with this and other related MCPS regulations.” If you would like to send your child to Dr. Ronald E. McNair ES with a PMD, we are asking for you to fill out the form by clicking on the following link for the Cell Phone Permission Request. Students found to have a cell phone/PMD without an approved form on file, will have their phone confiscated until the end of the day. DRESS CODE:

At Dr. Ronald E. McNair Elementary, we want our students to always dress for success. We request our students dress modestly and appropriately for the school environment. Therefore, we have implemented the following dress code:

Students will wear: o clothing that is appropriate for the weather o sneakers on days when they have PE class o clothing that is appropriate for their scheduled activities (e.g. art days, field trips, etc.)

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Students may NOT wear:

o shorts or skirts that are too short (a good measurement is to place your arms at your side to make sure the skirt or shorts reach the end of your fingertips)

o shirts with spaghetti straps or shirts that show their stomach o flip flops on days when they are scheduled for PE class o hats in the building* o bandanas o clothing that allows their undergarments to be seen o clothing that displays inappropriate language, messages or pictures

Students who are found in violation of our Dress for Success guidelines will be required to call their parent for a change of clothing. Encourage your child to show his/her spirit and wear red, white and blue or McNair Wear on Fridays. * Hats, caps, hoodies, and bandanas are not to be worn in the school/classrooms. Students may wear them to school, but should remove them once they have entered the building. Hats, head dresses, and caps are only permitted for religious or medical reasons and special activities such as spirit week, skits, etc. HOMEWORK:

Homework is one of the many learning activities in which students engage; its purposes should be to: 1. Extend learning and/or provide practice in applying concepts initially presented in the classroom 2. Provide opportunities for independent work 3. Strengthen concept and skill development 4. Develop initiative, responsibility, self-direction and organizational skills

Homework expectations will be explained to parents at Back-to-School Night. Students in grades 3-5 will have preprinted assignment books.

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2019-2020 ROSTER (New staff members are marked with an *)

PRINCIPAL ………………………………….............................................. Sherilyn “Sherry” Moses PRINCIPAL INTERN .......................……………………........................ Randy Aleshevich * ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY ....................…………………............ Sherrin Patterson ATTENDANCE SECRETARY ....................................…………………… Marla Lynch BUILDING MANAGER ..........………………………............................... David O. Bishop, Jr. NIGHT WORK LEADER ..................................………………………….. Arniko Niraula BUILDING SERVICE WORKERS ....................................……………… Angel Alvarado

Kit Ballou Willie Johnson Ana Romero *

FOOD SERVICES MANAGER .................................……………………… Crystal Liao Food Services Assistant Regina Williams PRE-KINDERGARTEN......................……………………………………… Lynn Cavanaugh Para Educator Nancy Flowers Para Educator Melissa Kelder KINDERGARTEN........................................……………………………….. Sarah Crone (Thomas)

Beth Dobson Monica Kohout Dara Langone

Lori Weyrauch FIRST ............................................………………………………………..... Lisa Blackwood

Megan Brewbaker Holly Henderson

Claire Keleher Heather Ledford SECOND ..................................................………………………………… Lauren Burr

Wendy Chalmers Katie Kelly

Lisa Kirkland (Wolf) Mike Wills

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THIRD ...................................................………………………………….. James Abbinanti

Melissa Bickley Christine Collins Michele Currie

Lisa Frye Stacey Shorter FOURTH ...............................................………………………………….… Nikolle Bullock

Sara Feeney Kiarah Guice Raegan Hilbrecht

Channing Newman Laura Shull FIFTH ….............................................……………………………………… Ed Barger Rachel Barrios

Kirsten Finn Kerri Hogan Kristen Maloney

SPECIAL EDUCATION………...................................…………………… Mercedes (Anna) Barbosa Laura Bissonette Stacy Blume

Trisha Santmier TBD*

PHYSICAL EDUCATION ........................………………………………. Jessica Rogers

Juan Aznar Lori Leber ART ...................................................………………………………………… Theresa Winkler-Romeo Heather Ovenshire MUSIC ..................................................……………………………………… Ava Archer Lisa McPhee INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC .....................................……………………… Joseph McIntyre STAFF DEVELOPMENT.......................................………………………. Rachel Orgel READING SPECIALIST...............................................…………………… Jessica Bradbard READING INITIATIVE......................................………………………….. Debbie Baisey ACADEMIC SUPPORT ………………………………………………………. Lindsay Lowe Angela DeJulis

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COUNSELOR ...................................................………………………….. Marissa Privman Nicole O’Malley ESOL .....................................................…………………………………. Natalie Charbonneau Ann Corkery TBD SPEECH ..............................................…………………………………… Shannon Parnell Kate Lamiman * MEDIA SPECIALIST ......................................……………………………. Melissa Hurley MEDIA ASSISTANT .........................................………………………….. Terri Baston PARAEDUCATORS…………………………………………………….……. Olly Bogan Cristina Carbonell

Amy DeHennis * Abbey Minnick

Laura Mosquera Christine Schwartz Margaret Taylor

CAFETERIA/RECESS AIDES……………………………………….…… Noura Ayechi

Joyce Dunbar Christina Montgomery Paula Romero

SCHOOL NURSE .............................................………………………….. Alexandra Rosen HEALTH ROOM TECHNICIAN .................................……………………. Wendy Wininger * PUPIL PERSONNEL WORKER................................……………………… Jerry Logan SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST......................................……………………... Patricia Parker

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PTA Information

19

PTA Waiver

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Calendar

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday/Sunday

2 3 4 5 6 7/8 LABOR DAY HOLIDAY – NO SCHOOL

Bar-T Closed

First Day of School

PreK home visits this

week

NWHS Back to School

Night

Grandparents

Day (8th)

9 10 11 12 13 14/15

PreK staggered opening

this week

6:30-8:10 Back to School

Night (K-5)

6:30-8:30 Kingsview MS

Back to School Night

1st Flyer Distribution Date

16 17 18 19 20 21/22

Fall Student Pictures

Taken

5:30-8:00 Back to School

Picnic

23 24 25 26 27 28/29

Autumn Begins

6:30 PTA New Parent

Mixer

Back to School Picnic Rain

Date

30 OCT 1 OCT 2 OCT 3 OCT 4 OCT 5/6

NO SCHOOL FOR

STUDENTS &

TEACHERS

PTA Direct Donation

Fundraiser Begins

6:00 PTA General

Membership Meeting

7:00 PTA Ice Cream Social

National Walk to School

Day

EARLY RELEASE DAY STUDENTS

DISMISSED @

1:20 P.M.

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Arrival and Dismissal Maps

22

23

24

SNAP Letter – English and Spanish

25

26

Bus Route Information

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28

29

30

31

32

33

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Cell Phone Agreement

CELL PHONE AGREEMENT

As of June 2017, Montgomery County Public Schools has updated their policy around student use of cell phones

and other Personal Mobile Devices (PMDs) at school. Montgomery County Public Schools regulation Personal

Mobile Devices notes that “Students may possess PMDs on MCPS property and at MCPS-sponsored activities;

however, students may not turn on/use PMDs until the end of the student day with the following exceptions:” It

further notes that “students riding to or from school or school-sponsored activities on MCPS or commercially

chartered buses may use PMDs as long as such use does not impact the safe operation of the bus and is compliant

with this and other related MCPS regulations.” A full copy of the new MCPS can be found here:

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/policy/pdf/cogra.pdf

If you would like to send your child to Ronald McNair ES with a PMD, we are asking for you to fill out

the form below to acknowledge you and your child have read the MCPS Policy and understand the

expectations for the use of the PMD and any subsequent disciplinary actions which may occur if the

policy is not followed.

According to the policy, in order to bring a PMD to school the following conditions apply:

Cell phones must be turned off (not just on vibrate) and placed in the child’s backpack once they are on

school property.

The cell phone may be turned on once the student is out of the school building in the afternoon and on

his/her way home.

If the cell phone rings during class or is outside of the student’s backpack during the school day without

explicit permission from the classroom teacher:

o First offense: Cell phone will be taken away, turned in to the office and returned to student at the

end of the day.

o Second offense: Cell phone will be taken away and parent will be required to pick it up from the

main office.

o Third offense: The privilege of carrying a cell phone will be revoked.

PMDs may only be used for instructional purposes when the teacher has given permission for their

usage and in Grade 3, 4, and 5 only.

o If using the PMD for instructional purposes, no students will change or delete files belonging to

others.

In accordance with the Student Code of Conduct in MCPS, information may not be communicated using

a PMD if it: violates the privacy of others, jeopardizes the health or safety of students, is obscene or

libelous, causes disruption of school activities, plagiarizes the work of others, or is a commercial

advertisement.

Dr. Ronald E. McNair Elementary School is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged cell phones.

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CELL PHONE AGREEMENT

Please read this form and the regulation carefully. Discuss the cell phone rules with your child before you and

your child sign below.

2019-2020 School year

Child’s Name______________________________Teacher__________________________________________

I, ________________________________________________, have read the June 2017 MCPS

Personal Mobile Devices regulation and have had a discussion about the expectations for the use of a

PMD with my child. I understand that if my child is not following the policy as written, appropriate

disciplinary actions may occur which may result in his/her inability to have a PMD on school grounds.

_____ (Parent’s Initials)

I, ________________________________________________, had a discussion about the expectations

for the use of a PMD with my parent and I understand that if I am not following the policy as written,

appropriate disciplinary actions may occur which may result in my inability to have a PMD on school

grounds. _____ (Student’s Initials)

My child and I understand the cell phone must be turned off and remain in my child’s backpack during

the school day. I understand the school has no liability for my child’s cell phone during the school day.

We have read and understand the rules listed above.

Parent signature_______________________________________ Date_______________

Student signature______________________________________ Date_______________

(Print Parent’s Name)

(Print Student’s Name)