The TIGER Times

Dear Lewistown Families,

I hope this edition of the Tiger Times greets you with sunshine and summer wishes! We have been very busy beautifying and cleaning our school building the past few weeks.

We have begun our preparations for the 2023- 2024 school year at Lewistown Elementary School. We have been closely monitoring our school enrollment and are finding ourselves in a unique enrollment situation for the next year. We are finding that there is not sufficient enrollment in Grade 1 and Grade 2 to warrant a staffing allocation of an additional teacher. When these situations occur, Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) utilizes a multi-grade classroom model to lower student to teacher ratios across grade levels. For example, if there are ten students in Grade 1 and ten students in Grade 2 and only one teacher allocated per staffing formulas, these two grade levels will be combined for one class of 20 students.

Because Lewistown Elementary School has a situation like this in Grades 1 and 2 in 2023-24, we are planning for implementation of a multi-grade classroom next year. We are planning for one multi-grade classroom for Grades 1 and 2 and one Grade 2 classroom. Lewistown Elementary School has implemented successful multi-grade classrooms in the past and we are prepared to do so for the next coming year!

Our staff is working closely with FCPS curriculum teams to ensure that our students thrive in this learning environment next year. We will be monitoring enrollment over the next month and updating families in the beginning of August on classroom placements.

We are committed to:

• Delivering a rigorous, high quality curriculum and instruction aligned to grade level standards and beyond

• Using high quality instructional materials that are approved districtwide, specific to each grade level

• Ensuring that your child progresses successfully and is prepared for the next grade level

• Providing opportunities for enrichment and acceleration

• Meeting the unique needs of every student

• Utilizing additional staff in the classroom where needed

• Communicating regularly and frequently with you

• Creating opportunities for lunch, recess, and other school experiences with grade level peers

• Ensuring that the following year, there is a smooth transition to the next grade level and no standards, content, or reading will be repeated.

Please be looking for school communication via FOF, on our school website and Lewistown PTA Facebook Page regarding summer updates. If you have not received a placement letter by the 2nd week of August, please reach out to the front office!

Please save the date! We are hosting Back to School Night on Tuesday, August 22, 3:45- 4:45 and we look forward to welcoming you to your child’s classroom at that time!

Yours in education,

Ms. Belinda Fockler

Proud Principal of Lewistown Elementary School

@FCPSBFockler

3s and 4s Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten registration is happening NOW!

Please complete your student's registration as soon as possible!

Here is important information regarding registration: https://www.fcps.org/ece

Unfortunately, our PTA only has 1 officer for the 2023- 2024 school year. In order for our Lewistown PTA to continue, we need volunteers to serve as PTA officers.

Next Meeting: Thursday, August 3rd at 9:00am,

Lewistown Media Center

PTA events this past year:

* Fall Carnival

*Candy Bingo

*Holiday Shop

*Sweetheart Dinner

*Lucky Dance

*Staff appreciation

*School supplies for students

*Classroom supplies for teachers

The summer is the ideal time for the PTA and Lewistown staff to plan events for the school year. If we do not have officers, our PTA will not be able to plan offer support to students, families and staff this year.

Please email our PTA officer: Nicky French to volunteer! We would hate to lose our PTA this year! Email: nickyfrench1125@yahoo.com

Happy Summer!

Here are a few ideas to keep your student engaged with reading and writing this summer.

Investigate your public library’s summer reading program. In addition to the Summer Challenge for students, Frederick County Public Libraries offer many fun and engaging programs during the summer like STEM activities, and LIVE animal and magic shows.

Read, Explore, Learn

Start with a Book offers 24 high interest topics for children to dive into and explore. Each topic is matched with a suggested list of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and graphic novels. They’ve also included topic-related activities, ideas for writing, educational apps, and websites for inquisitive kids — to build background knowledge and deepen summer learning. Pictured below is an example of one of the 24 topics from the website. www.startwithabook.org

Looking for more?

Check out Reading Rockets summer reading page for ideas galore! https://www.readingrockets.org/reading-topics/summer-reading

Are you looking for a way for your student to practice their math skills this summer? Below, you will find two great resources to support your student!

iReady My Path: Students in grades K-5 used iReady this school year. My Path is a personalized path of lessons specific to the skills that your student needs additional practice with. Students will also be able to access learning games for additional practice. This flyer provides more information, as well as directions for how to access iReady My Path from home.

Students will have access to iReady until July 27!

FCPS Elementary Math Website: This website was created to inform families about the current math concepts being explored and practiced at each grade level. The purpose is to provide resources to help you support your child at home with his or her math learning. Each grade level page includes links to each unit that was covered this year. You will find a unit summary outlining what skills were covered during the unit, activities that you can do at home with your student, as well as instructional videos that you can use as review with your student or for yourself to understand the strategy being taught in class. Click HERE to access the FCPS Elementary Math Website!

We look forward to welcoming back our students to a fresh, new start on what promises to be a great year ahead!

2023- 2024 School Supply List

Mark your calendars:

Tuesday, August 22 - OPEN HOUSE, 3:45- 4:45 pm

Wednesday August 23- First Day of School for Students

You will find updated information on our website: Lewistown Elementary School

The Lewistown Elementary School Learning Community will strive to promote academic success in order to reach our full potential and strengthen our future. Everyone’s unique qualities will be celebrated and valued, and together we will Learn, Excel, and Succeed!

To report child's absence: LEW.Attendance@fcps.org

Mrs. Belinda Fockler- Principal

Ms. Adrienne Mayonado - Special Education Coordinator

Ms. Kari Shipe- Secretary

Ms. Joan Mussleman- School Counselor

Email: belinda.fockler@fcps.org
Website: https://education.fcps.org/les/home
Location: 11119 Hessong Bridge Road Thurmont, MD 21788
Phone: 240-236-3750
Twitter: @LESFCPS