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September Principal Newsletter
September 8, 2023
Welcome Back To School MRES Families!
Principal's Message
Welcome to the 2023 - 2024 school sear! What a terrific start we have had to the school year! Our students are demonstrating such wonderful and positive attitudes towards learning. The classrooms are all abuzz with rich dialog and deep thinking as they face challenges of their new grade level.
The MRES teachers are off to a great start as we collectively work to build productive learning environments that focus on the skills that allow us to utilize critical thinking to move beyond mere repetition. Their work is so vital to assisting the children in developing habits of mind that allow them to persist when they reach sticking points.
The teachers are also working with the students to grow their social skills and develop empathy. This core value will help the children to understand their peers during times of struggle. We will focus on additional core values related to our Mt. Rainier Promise of Respect, Responsibility, and Peace that will help guide the students in decision making and habits of mind.
As always, please do not hesitate contact me (jennifer.till@pgcps.org) or Mr. Hawes, Assistant Principal (tyree.hawes@pgcps.org) should you have any questions or concerns. I look forward to a positive and productive partnership with all families this school year.
Sincerely,
Principal TIll
Mark Your Calendars
September 14th - Back to School Night - 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
September 22nd -
September 25th - No School - Yom Kippur
October 3rd - Principal Q & A - 5:30 pm
- PTO Meeting - 6:00 pm
October 9th - No School for Students - Parent/Teacher Conferences
October 20th - No School For Students - Professional Development Day for Teachers/Staff
October 24th - Math and Reading Night
Ellen Ochoa
Lin-Manuel Miranda
Sonia Sotomayor
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT
Don't miss our annual Back to School Night on September 14, 2023 from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm. This is an opportunity for families to hear from your child's(rens) teacher(s) about what they will learn this school year. Information about grading and attendance will also be shared. Two sessions will be held so that families who have more than one child in different grade-levels can be accommodated. We will start at 6:00 pm in the classrooms with a live introduction from administration and a brief overview of the county goals.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR INSTRUCTIONAL LEAD TEACHER
Welcome back families!
My name is Mr. Horoff and I am the Instructional Lead Teacher (ILT) at Mt. Rainier. My main job here at the school is to support teachers with instruction and pull small groups for students who need extra reading support. I am also the Talented and Gifted Coordinator (TAG), Title 1 Contact for the school, and Professional Development Lead Teacher. I wear many hats at Mt. Rainier and am always available for questions and support.
If you have any questions, please contact me on Class Dojo or my email at: stephen.horoff@pgcps.org.
If you have any specific questions about your child and their academic progress, make sure you contact your child's teacher. Thanks and I'm looking forward to a fantastic year!
Mr. Horoff
Student Rights and Responsibilities
On Friday, September 15th, students will participate in an assembly reviewing the Student Rights and Responsibilities. It is the expectation that all students follow the PGCPS Student Code of Conduct.
Please review the PGCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook with your child. It is essential that the school and home work together to ensure that all students meet the high expectations for behavior established in the PGCPS Student Code of Conduct. This enables students to succeed in school and in the community. Your support is vital in this process.
After you have reviewed the PGCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook and the Student Code of Conduct with your child, please complete the electronic form linked below. Thank you for your partnership and support.
Attendance
Our school hours are 7:45 am to 1:55 pm. Children should arrive at school between 7:20 am and 7:45 am. Children who arrive after 7:45 am will be considered late and marked as such. Breakfast will be available for student pick-up in the cafeteria from 7:20 am to 7:45 am. No child should be left at school before 7:20 am. The school does not provide supervision of children until 7:20 am.
If your child arrives at 7:45 am or later, please walk them into the office and sign them in. They will receive a late pass and will be sent to class with a buddy.
Important Information
School Meals 2023 - 2024
For the 2023 - 2024 school year breakfast and lunch at MRES will be served daily for free to all students. The Department of Food and Nutrition is pleased to announce the expansion of Prince George’s County Public Schools participation in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program for schools and school districts. The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) is a non-pricing meal service option for schools and school districts in low-income areas. Students will still be required to use their 6-digit PIN numbers for meal service. However, meals will be served at no cost to the students.
All children should bring home a Free and Reduced Lunch Application. We are requesting that all our families fill out the application so that we continue to receive Title I and Community School funding and resources including classroom teacher positions.
Instructions:
Fill out one application per family at the following site Apply for Free and Reduced Priced Meals. Remember that is one application per family. If you need assistance completing the application, please contact Mrs.Barrientos at esbarr@pgcps.org.
If you complete a physical copy of the application, return the form to your child’s teacher, main office, or Ms. Barrientos (PEA).
Chromebooks
Students are expected to bring their Chromebook and charger daily to and from school. Their Chromebook should be fully charged and ready to use each day (grade-level applicable).
Arrival, Dismissal, and Transportation
Arrival
Buses will arrive and drop off students at the main entrance
Car riders should follow the direction of the staff and patrols on the front sidewalk
Cones will be placed to direct car flow
Cars should not stop and drop off students until they have pulled up into the labeled “drop off zone”
Students should ONLY exit the vehicle on the right hand side
Cars should not pull around to pass unless directed by a staff member
ALL students will enter through the main entrance doors
In order to remain healthy and safe we ask that parents drop students at the main entrance doors and “Kiss and Wave”
Dismissal
- Dismissal will begin at 1:55 pm.
- Please do not crowd the front landing during PM dismissal. We need this area clear so we can dismiss our bus riders and after care students ensuring they are accounted for - Bus #, After Care Provider. If you are picking up your child (walker) please wait for them on the front sidewalk.
Bus Riders and After Care Students
Dismissed from the cafeteria through the main entrance doors
Walkers/Car Riders
PreK will exit through the rear classroom doors
Kindergarten will exit through the rear classroom doors
1st grade students will exit through the lower level doors
2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th grade students will be dismissed through the main entrance doors
Parents/guardians should wait on the sidewalk in the specific area assigned to the grade-level for walker pick-up
Transportation
Stopfinder Bus App – Available on Google Play and the Apple App Store. Parents/guardians must have an email address on file in SchoolMax in order to be invited to view the students’ bus schedule.
Stopfinder Help/FAQs: https://stopfinder.com/help/
Infofinder – Parents and schools may locate designated, comprehensive bus stops using this site by entering the home address. Information for the 2023 - 2024 school year will be available beginning on Friday, August 18, 2023. Use this link to access Infofinder: https://bit.ly/PGCPSinfoFinderi
(Useful if you do not have a bus assigned before August 28, 2023 or newly enrolled students).
All Pre-K/Kindergarten students will be issued (neon color) safety vests. The PreK/K students must wear them on the bus to and from school to identify them as our youngest students. An adult MUST be present at the bus stop to greet them in the afternoon or they will be returned to the school.
In light of the continued shortage of bus drivers regionally and nationally, we ask for your patience during the first weeks of school. Please update phone numbers, emails and emergency contact info in SchoolMax. To view your bus stop, use our Infofinder tool. Transportation questions can be submitted online. View school routes here.
Make a Difference - Become a School Volunteer
PGCPS’ Volunteer Program provides the opportunity for parents, businesses, and the community to enrich the education of students. Volunteers extend teachers' and staffs' professional skills and assist in the effort to meet the unique needs of each and every student. As a volunteer, you will join thousands of caring people from all walks of life who willingly share their time and talents in our schools in a variety of ways. Volunteers play an important role and are indeed making a difference for students. The complete application and approval process may take up to three weeks to complete.
Step 1 – Apply Online (Annual Requirement)
Volunteers must complete an online volunteer application. All school volunteers must renew their volunteer application every school year. Once approved, your eligibility as an approved volunteer will expire on June 30th of each academic year.
Step 2 – Complete Background Screening Process (One-Time Requirement)
To ensure safe schools for our students, PGCPS requires a fingerprint background check and Child Protective Services (CPS) clearance for each person who will provide volunteer services more than once each school year. These fingerprint background checks and CPS clearances help identify individuals with criminal offenses which may disqualify them from serving as a volunteer. The total fee for these clearances is $62.25 per applicant. If you are the parent/guardian of a student who qualifies for free or reduced meals, this fee is waived. Applicants must bring a copy of their eligibility letter to request a fee waiver. Please note that this is a one-time requirement for all volunteers. If you are a returning volunteer who has completed both the fingerprint background check and CPS clearance, you are not required to complete this step again.
All new volunteer applicants must complete and print this CPS Background Clearance form. The form is a fillable PDF and should be typed. Handwritten forms are not acceptable. Do not sign this form in advance. Please bring the completed form with you to initiate your fingerprint background check and CPS clearance. There are multiple locations at which you can complete your fingerprint background check and CPS clearance.
Step 3 – Complete Mandatory Safety Training Modules (Annual Requirement)
Once you have completed your online volunteer application, you will receive an email with your unique Volunteer Identification Number (VIN). You will receive an email with a link to log in and complete the required training modules via the SafeSchools platform. Your VIN will now be used to track and monitor your completion of all volunteer requirements.
Please take time to review the PGCPS Code of Conduct for Visitors, Families, and Volunteers.
To access student information and grades use School Max - PGCPS SchoolMax Family Portal. Please be sure all of your information is up to date in SchoolMax (home address, phone numbers, email addresses).
Class Dojo and School Communication
In addition to Class Dojo, we will send out announcements through our School Messenger communication system. All of the information for families is gathered through SchoolMax.
As a certified Green School, you will receive information, announcements, and the monthly principal’s newsletter electronically through Class Dojo, School Messenger, and the School Webpage.