Meadow Hall Staff Newsletter

Lots of important updates in this week's newsletter! There are stipends available, opportunities to have input in the new upcoming Reading curriculum and a chance to check out new technology!

We hope everyone is able to enjoy these last few days before break and spend time next week relaxing! Thank you for all your dedicated, hard work this year and wishing you a special 2023!

Reminders:

Pizza (Peppermints, Pretzels, and a few other Ps) with the Principal:

Mr. Mackall is scheduling 20-minute 1 on 1 chats (virtual or In Person) with all MCEA staff at MHES starting in December and will meet through January. The purpose of the meetings is to provide transparency for the next steps and plans for the FY23-24 school year. He will ask for feedback on the year thus far and discuss his vision for us as a school and where he plans to go for the remainder of the year and beyond. This is his effort to provide open and transparent communication about where he envisions MHES as we begin to plan for the FY24 school year. All staff (even if you do not plan to be here next year) are asked to meet with him as your feedback is important.

Here is the link: Pizza, Pretzels and More with the Principal Sign Up Doc

We are asking for teachers to count the number of chromebooks and chargers they currently have in their chromebook cart and log the number in this document. We will be asking for more chromebooks and chargers, but need an accurate count. Chromebook Count

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.

ELA RFP Stakeholder Reviewers: School-based Staff

"As shared at the Elementary PLC last week, we are asking each school to nominate several staff to be considered to be a part of the Stakeholder Review Committee This committee is made up of school based leaders and teachers, community groups, and central office staff. The committee will review some materials virtually and will have the opportunity to review physical materials (texts, workbooks, teacher guides) at CESC from Jan 9-20. While ALL staff will have an opportunity to review materials digitally, a representative group of over 100 members will also review things in person."

Please let Desmond and Ilana know if you are interested and we can nominate you! Nominations are due by December 21st, so let us know right away.

Future Reading Specialists Workshop- NEW

In an effort to support the literacy-loving and highly motivated teachers that are interested in exploring the possibility of becoming a reading specialist in MCPS, the ELA Curriculum Department is hosting a series of virtual informational sessions in the upcoming months. Please share this opportunity with teachers that might be interested in participating. Flyer to Share

Teachers may register for the series of 1 hour learning sessions through PDO Course #91458

• Session 1- Understanding the Position: February 1, 2023

• Session 2- Qualifications & Resume Building: March 8, 2023

• Session 3- Expectations of MCPS Reading Specialists: April 26, 2023

• Session 4- Next Steps in Your Reading Specialist Journey: May 10, 2023

LETRS Training for Educators - UPDATE (Registration OPEN!)

We are extremely excited to announce that we are in the process of scheduling new LETRS for Educators. All sessions will take place on Saturdays beginning in January. If you have teachers that are interested in participating please share the information below. These will be the last cohorts for the 2022-2023 school year. Deadline to register is Tuesday, January 3, 2023.

MCPS LETRS for Educators Interest Information

PDO Course # 91410

Attached is memo for next year's school calendar:

The week of January 9, 2023 warehouse personnel will begin delivering Marking Period 3 and 4 elementary science kits. Fifth grade classes will receive a cardboard box of consumable materials, “Astronomy and Plant Growth”. This cardboard box is to be used with the plastic flip-top box “Durable Materials Kit”, (DMK) delivered at the beginning of the school year. Attached is our Year-At-A-Glance, it outlines kit rotation dates and the kits that will be delivered for each grade level.

Teachers: If you notice students are regularly absent, please take a moment to reach out to the family through a phone call, email or dojo. Please log the contact in Synergy. We follow-up on attendance through our Well-Being Team meeting that occurs every Monday.

• 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!

OCIP has opened ten new cohorts for LETRs training. We are asking that all staff K-3, HSM, and ELL teachers consider taking this training. This training supports the Structured Literacy Reading that we are currently implementing. We encourage grades 4-5 teachers to consider this training as well. The training will be held on Saturdays and do provide $20/hour stipends for teachers who take the training. The courses are 4 virtual sessions beginning in January and another 4 sessions that will be offered in the summer/fall. The purpose of this training is to provide the foundation for why structured literacy is important. I have started the Administrators course, and I can tell you that it has been eye-opening. If you have questions, please see Desmond. In order to sign up, please see course #91410.

***Let Desmond and Ilana know if you are interested in one of the stipends listed below

Summary

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.

HABIT BURGER SPIRIT NIGHT FUNDRAISER

Join the Meadow Hall PTA for our next fundraiser dine out event at the Habit Grill on Tuesday, December 20 from 4-8pm. Located in Wintergreen Plaza, the Habit Grill will donate 20% of sales from this event to benefit our organization. Simply present the printed flyer or show the offer on your smartphone to the cashier upon ordering. Or order online or via the app and let the team know when you pick up the order and the amount will be added to the fundraiser.

"HOW TO MAKE MY DAY" SURVEY RESULTS ARE IN!

Thank you PTA for putting together this document of our staff member's favorite things! If you aren't on the list, let me know and I'll send you the survey link so we can update this document.

Make my Day - Form

Make My Day - Results

Communicate with your committee to set up potential dates for your events and choose a committee "lead" to communicate with Admin.

MCEA members - sign up for a time to chat with Mr. Mackall - Pizza, Pretzels and More with the Principal Sign Up Doc

All Staff - Secret Staffer gift exchange, sign-up here!

All Staff - MHES Bake-Off!! Please sign up here by Thursday, December 15 if you plan on baking or judging.

All Homeroom Teachers - Please count the number of chromebooks and chargers in your cart and log it here: Chromebook Count

Tuesday, December 20

• in lieu of staff mtg - please complete the reflection on our PD so far (Jennifer Binder will email directly)

***Winter Break: December 23rd - January 2nd

Email: Ilana_N_Simhon@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/meadowhalles/
Location: 951 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD, USA
Phone: 240-740-5260