Meadow Hall Staff Newsletter
Week of January 2
Week of January 2-6
Happy New Year, Meadow Hall Family!
Welcome back from what I hope was a very relaxing break! We're excited to see students and staff in the building and looking forward to ending our first semester strong.
We have several opportunities below, so be sure to read more about...
- Girls on the Run coach
- Teacher Device Showcase
- School Sustainability Team Leader Stipend
- Maryland Green School Certification/Recertification Coordinator Stipend
Girls on the Run
If you are interested in leading Girls on the Run this spring, let Ilana know! We can have more than one "coach". Read below for more information:
Girls on the Run is an afterschool youth development program for girls in 3rd-5th grade. Our mission is to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum that creatively integrates movement. Through thought-provoking discussion and fun activities, Girls on the Run uplifts and empowers girls in our community and prepares them to become the leaders of tomorrow.
Our next season begins the week of March 12th. For a more detailed look at what our program offers please click HERE.
Teacher Device Choice and Showcase
Teacher devices will be a new and important part of the refresh cycle starting in Summer 2024.
As you may know, MCEA staff received chromebooks during the pandemic and then received laptops during the 2021 school year.
In order to inform future purchases and align new technologies with unique classroom needs, the Department of Digital Innovation is hosting a Device Showcase for MCEA staff.
This showcase will provide MCEA staff with the ability to test different devices and share input on what devices and features are most important to them as they think about effective instruction using technology.
Device Showcase Details (Flyer) :
Date: Friday, January 6, 2023
Time: 9-11AM; 1-3PM; 3-5PM (MCEA staff pick one window to attend)
Each school will receive one substitute day to be used for teacher coverage so that teachers may attend. The sub day should be shared by two staff members so that one can attend during the morning session and one can attend in the afternoon.
Staff who do not require a substitute may attend the showcase during any window.
Staff wanting to attend the showcase between 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM will be paid a stipend of $20.
You may submit the names of the two MCEA staff requiring ½ day substitute coverage by having your Principal submit the RSVP form no later than January 4th. Teachers must arrange their own sub coverage. Subs will be paid by the Department of Digital Innovation.Let Desmond and Ilana know if you are interested in attending!
Let Desmond and Ilana know if you are interested in attending!
Maryland Green School - Stipends for MCEA and/or SEIU
***Let Desmond and Ilana know if you are interested in one of the stipends listed below
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide information about stipends that are available to staff leading sustainability programs and to increase participation in the Maryland Green School (MDGS) certification program. These stipends are new this year and replaces the incentive awards that were previously awarded to a limited number of schools. The change is to acknowledge the admirable efforts of staff at all schools who are leading sustainability at their schools systemwide. In accordance with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) practices, both Montgomery County Education Association and Service Employees International Union Local 500 members are eligible for these stipends.
Background
The MCPS Board of Education unanimously adopted a transformative sustainability policy on June 28, 2022, Policy ECA, Sustainability. This Policy commits the school district to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2027 and 100 percent by 2035, in alignment with the County’s Climate Action Plan. This policy enhances environmental sustainability in every aspect of MCPS, including increasing the number of certified MDGS, building retrofits, climate change education students receive in the classroom, and actions occupants can take in their building to support mitigating the effects of climate change. Schools are required to submit their annual Sustainability Action Plan each fall, previously named the School Energy and Recycling Plan (SERT).
Stipends Available
- School Sustainability Team Leader Stipend: This stipend is for a school-based Sustainability Team Leader (previously SERT Leader) to organize and lead a sustainability team at each school. This leader is responsible for ensuring that the school conducts various activities to highlight the importance of environmental sustainability actions. The stipend is $250, available to one staff member per school
- Maryland Green School Certification/Recertification Coordinator Stipend: This stipend is for the school-based MDGS coordinators at each school who successfully complete the school's application for Maryland Green School initial certification or cyclical recertification. The stipend is $250, available to one staff member per school in the year the certification/recertification is achieved.
PTA News
The PTA Staff Appreciation Committee is planning an Amazon Wishlist promotion, where you are able to create wishlists for your classroom and then we will share it with the parents to hopefully get some things that you need. We would love to be able to help you get everything you need for your classrooms! This can be done in several different ways:
- Create your individual Amazon wishlist for your particular classroom's needs
- Team up with your grade level to make one wishlist that covers needs for the entire grade
- For those who do not lead a classroom, you may still have needs, so we recommend getting together with other staff who do similar jobs and create one based on those needs. Some examples: A Front Office Wishlist, A Staff Lounge Wishlist, An Indoor/Outdoor Recess Wishlist, An ESOL Wishlist, A Facilities Wishlist
So log on to smile.amazon.com, (hopefully you have it set already to support our PTA!), make your wishlist, and send the link to Whitney Swain (whitneyswain@gmail.com). If you need help creating a wishlist, check out the following link:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GHCGC7B7SQ222YMD
A few other items to note:
- You may want to consider making a registry instead of a wishlist, as people can contribute smaller amounts of money to a registry, rather than a wishlist, where they need to purchase a full item.
- If you have already made a wishlist, perhaps consider updating it to add new items or small amounts in gift cards so all parents have an opportunity to donate to your classroom if they wish.
Again, please send all wishlists to Whitney Swain at whitneyswain@gmail.com. We will begin promoting this the weekend of January 14, so please complete them before then.
PTA mtg is Tuesday, January 3rd; 7-8pm
In-Person: Meet in the Media Center
Online Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88420918867?pwd=NnhFUWV2RWhjQlRTSEpOU1EraHhNdz09
Meeting ID: 884 2091 8867; Passcode: MHESPTA
To Do Items
Complete your PTA wishlist!
Let Ilana know if you wish to be a part of the opportunities listed above
Calendar Items
Tuesday, January 3rd - PTA mtg @ 7pm
Tuesday, January 10th - Leadership Team mtg @ 3:45pm
Monday, January 16th - No School (MLK day)
Tuesday, January 17th - Staff mtg @ 3:45pm
Tuesday, January 24th - Equity PLC @ 3:45pm
Thursday, January 26th - last day of MP2
Friday, January 27th - Professional Day (grading)
