Gator Parent Newsletter
January 2024
Gator Families
It is hard to believe but we are now entering into the 2nd half of the school year. I am so proud of the work that our students are doing day in and day out. We are celebrating a lot of academic growth made by individual students, setting goals for continued success, and our students are respectful, responsible, and relentless. None of this could be done without a strong home-school partnership. I am beyond grateful for all of our Gator families as we continue to work in ensuring every student is learning and successful.
I want to thank everyone who took time to complete the various surveys throughout the first semester. Mr. Fowlkes will be leading some focus groups in the next couple of months to dig deeper into the responses. The Needs Assessment and the Fowlkes' Focus Groups will be instrumental in ensuring the programming, resources, and supports we provide align with the needs of our community. It is exciting work that will make our entire school community better. In addition, thank you to those families who completed the FCPS survey. We have received the data from the county and are busy identifying our strengths and areas for growth. I am looking forward to working with you on sharing this information and ensuring that our school is the very best. Stay tuned for details on opportunities to share and reflect with both Mr. Fowlkes and myself.
We recently had MSDE (Maryland State Department of Education) and FCPS out for two visits. The first visit was a Ways and Means meeting. This group of delegates and state representatives determine budget priorities in their upcoming sessions. The visit provided them with insights into Community Schools, Judy Centers, and Full-Day Pre K. The second visit was by the MSDE English and Language Arts Department and FCPS Curriculum department. MoES was selected because FCPS had some of the highest gap gains on state assessments within Maryland, Monocacy ES was selected because we had some of the largest gap gains in FCPS. Let that sink in!!!! Some of the largest gap gains in Maryland!!!! I am so proud of our amazing staff and students for the work done every day to ensure the needs of every student is being met. We aren't there yet. But we are getting there. Our students deserve our best and that is what we will give them.
Once again, thank you for your support. It takes a village and our kids are worth it! Together we will continue to help every student shine at Monocacy.
Sincerely,
Troy Barnes
Principal
Closing and delay decisions involve careful evaluation of a variety of factors in a short time period. Whenever possible, decisions are made by 5 a.m. for morning closings and delays, with communications shared by 5:30 a.m.
We always make the decision as soon as we are sure of the weather and travel conditions. Sometimes, that can make an inclement weather decision possible the night before, but the unpredictable nature of East Coast Winter Weather precludes us from always doing so.
FCPS notifies about 20 local and regional TV and radio stations plus our own media outlets about systemwide school delays and closings. It is not possible to guarantee that the news media will announce this information promptly or accurately. For the fastest, most reliable information, check the following:
Social Media: FCPS on Twitter and FCPS on Facebook (usually posted via FindOutFirst)
Email/Text Messages: FindOutFirst email and emergency-only text messages (published the same time as the Facebook and Twitter notices)
FCPS TV: Comcast Channel 18 (Frederick area)
In order to minimize additional days at the end of the school year, and to keep students connected to learning, FCPS has introduced Learning @ Home Days (los Días de Apprendizaje en Casa) as a potential alternative to traditional snow days. On days when we know well in advance that inclement weather will hamper travel and cause significant disruptions, FCPS can choose to use a Learning @ Home Day. Providing advance notice gives schools an opportunity to ensure all students have the materials they need to access learning. Schools will also ensure directions are provided for accessing assignments and receiving optional academic support as needed.
Assignments can be completed on your family's schedule with academic support available via phone and Google Meet. Assignments will be available with or without the use of technology. If power outages or other circumstances prevent students from completing their assignments , additional time for assignment completion will be provided. Attendance will be recorded by logging into Schoology or submitting assignments upon return to school. All secondary students have a chromebook assigned to them for their use in instruction. Grades three to five students will be issued a Chromebook to take home when virtual instruction days are called by the system. Communication will be sent by your child's school with additional details and schedules specific to your school.
When Learning @ Home Days are implemented, an additional day will not be added on to the end of the school year. This makes our end-of-year schedule far more predictable and it keeps students connected to learning during the winter months.
We would not implement a Learning @ Home Day if we believe weather conditions could allow the potential of a school day to take place. Our community will receive notice of the possibility of a Learning @ Home Day implementation at least one day prior to an anticipated storm.
On the day prior to a virtual instruction day, Food and Nutrition Services will provide breakfast and lunch to take home for the Learning @ Home Day for eligible students.
Window of State Assessments:
WiDA--> English Language Learner Assessment
- January 8th - 19th: Kindergarten
- January 22nd - 26th: 1st and 5th
- January 29th - February 2nd: 2nd and 4th
- February 5th - 9th: 3rd
- February 12th - 15th: 4th
MiSA--> March 4th - March 7th--> 5th Grade Science State Test
MCAP ELA and Math--> 3rd, 4th and 5th grades--> April 15th - May 23rd (more details on specific dates for each grade level and content area will be shared in the next Parent Newsletter)
January
January 16th: No School, Teacher Work Day
January 17th: No School, Teacher PL Day
January 18th: Science Assembly for Students and MoES Knows SEL 5:30 - 7:00pm
February
February 2nd: 6:00 - 8:30 PTA Movie Night
February 9th: Award's Ceremony for Quarter 2 (9:20 K/1, 10:40 4/5, and 1:30 2/3)
February 14th: PTA Treats for Staff
February 16th: Mid Term, 2 Hour Early Dismissal, and Re-Kickoff of Gator Fundraiser PTA
February 19th: No School
February 22nd: Interims Out (any student in jeopardy of receiving a C, D, E or NI on their report card)
February 22nd: Math Night 5:30 - 7:00pm
February 23rd: Grade 5 Outdoor School Field Trip
February 26th: Grade 5 Outdoor School Field Trip
February 29th: Assembly Laser Show: 9:45 - 10:30 PK - 2nd and 10:50 - 11:50 3rd - 5th
March
March 4th - March 7th: MiSA Grade 5 Science Test
March 8th: PTA Gator Fundraiser Celebration (Limo Lunch w/Barnes, Ice Cream and Dance Party)
March 10th: Move clocks ahead 1 hour
March 21st: End of Quarter 3 and Picture Day
March 22nd: No School--Teacher Work Day
FCPS Firearm Statement
This statement must be shared with our community at the beginning of the year and middle of the year:
“It is unlawful for students to possess or use any weapon on school property. Students who have or use a weapon on school property will be suspended from school, and the police will be notified of the incident. A weapon is any object designed to harm another physically or an object which is used in a way that can physically harm another. This school is committed to providing each of you with a safe environment, and we will do all we can to carry out that responsibility including, if necessary, conducting searches of student lockers.”
We are committed to getting students to school every day that they are healthy enough to do so. Mr. Fowlkes, our Community Coordinator, is here to support. We are Striving for 5: No more than 5 absences in a year.
If your child is out sick, a parent note or doctor note is required for the absence to be lawful. Any absences over 10 days will require a doctor's note for each absence. In the event you are planning a vacation, approval from troy.barnes@fcps.org is required for it to count as a vacation day. Let's make daily school attendance a habit.
The staff at MoES are excited to welcome you to a new school year filled with opportunities to learn and engage!
Getting into the habit of daily attendance is more important than ever. It helps to:
● reduce stress
● make it easier to connect with friends and teachers
● support learning
● Please call us if you need help with attendance. Latroy Fowlkes, 240-236-1400.
We are working to make our school environment a place where everyone can be safe, healthy and learning. We will do our best to listen and partner with you so that our children have a successful year. Do not hesitate to reach out to me with questions or concerns. All attendance notes can be sent via email to moes.attendance@fcps.org.
Please make sure we have your correct email and the best phone numbers where we can reach you.
Morning Drop Off
–Begins at 8:30am, when the bell rings.
–Drop off before 8:59 am or pull to the front office for a late slip (students need to be in class by 9:00 am). Drop off on the sidewalk only.
–We are encouraging the independence of our students so please help them learn to unbuckle their car seats when pulled up to the sidewalk. If you need assistance with unbuckling your child, please turn on your flashers, stay in your car, and staff will help to safely get your child out. This will save time and speed up our process as parents won’t leave their car, unbuckle, return to car, etc.
–Please do not pull in the middle and park unless directed by staff. Students who are car riders must be dropped off in the line and exit their car on the sidewalk. This ensures a SAFE process for all of our students.
–If you need to enter a building, you will need to come through the front of the building.
Afternoon Pick Up
–Dismissal Begins at 3:25 pm from the gym
–Students will be dismissed from the gym to a designated number on the sidewalk. This is based on your location in line. Students and cars will need to pull to that spot and be loaded from the sidewalk.
–If your child is running late, you will be asked to pull into the middle and then directed by staff to rejoin the line to exit the parking lot.
–We are staggering car rider dismissal to decrease the number of students in the gym at one time (3:25 PK, K and early arrivals) (3:27pm all other car riders). This will help to expedite our process and decrease the large number of students needing supervision at one time.
