Meadow Hall Staff Newsletter
Week of August 29
First Week of School!
We are so excited to welcome you to our first week of the 2022-2023 school year! Each week you will find a Staff Newsletter on Meadow Hall Private. They will also be linked on the Staff Website under the tab "staff newsletter" so you may refer back to them at any time. The newsletter will have many reminders and updates each week - so please read and ask for clarification at any time!
Focus on Relationships Building & Ease into Instruction
Staff members are encouraged to focus on relationship building and school structures for the week. We want to reiterate that it is okay to ease into instruction. Teams are encouraged to back map from the 1st assessment deadline to ensure they have the time needed to provide students with multiple and varied opportunities to demonstrate understanding of content.
Color Printer
Staff is able to log into the Media center computer and print directly to that color printer.
Curriculum Study
Curriculum study will begin in week 2 of school. Teams are encouraged to meet with Ms. Binder, Ms. Kepler, and Ms. Bartee to discuss the capture documents to ensure that "Must Do's" are captured in during this planning time.
Fire Drill
We will have a fire drill on Thursday between 1:20-1:30 pm. Please take time to walk students through the process so they are aware and prepared for the drill.
Birthdays
Families can bring closed packages or store bought goods to eat at lunch time only. Classes with allergies should have families share a list of “okay” foods to share.
Classroom Agreements
Teachers are encouraged to use week one to establish classroom agreements that focus on our Meadow Hall Pledge. We ask that all classroom agreements are posted in the classroom.
Enjoy this week with students - they are the WHY of our work.
- Desmond and Ilana
Grading and Reporting Updates
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) grading policies and procedures are outlined in and specific guidance is provided in the 2022-2023 Elementary Grading and Reporting Resources document. Based on stakeholder input, key philosophical and procedural tenets for 2022–2023 include:
- Teachers are expected to enter grades regularly throughout the marking period rather than waiting until progress checks or report cards are due.
- Students should receive ongoing feedback on growth and progress throughout the marking period.
- Prompt entering of grades helps parents and guardians be partners in their student’s success.
- ParentVue is a tool for families to monitor student progress and should provide assignment information to support progress report and report card grades.
- Reading and Writing will not have Interim grades for Marking Period 1 (no grades during the Foundation/Review and Routines days)
Learning Skills – a revised Learning Skills Equitable Practices document assists teachers in determining appropriate learning skill grades for students. The revisions reflect an equity-centered and trauma-informed approach to reporting Learning Skills.
Measurement Topics – some content areas have revised measurement topics, including in which marking period they are to be reported. Science measurement topics have expanded from one topic to four. All measurement topics may be reviewed and found in Comprehensive List Measurement Topics 2022–2023.
Back-to-School Night
BSN Agenda
6:30-6:40 - Admin Welcome in APR
6:45-7:15 - Presentation 1
7:20-7:50 - Presentation 2
** if teams are doing a group presentation as a grade level, there still must be time for parents to visit their child's classroom
To Do Items
Preservice Feedback Form
Please remember to fill out our feedback survey on pre-service this week.
https://forms.gle/YJGssBm9pYiG7AWw8
How to Make My Day
All staff, please complete the "how to make my day" google from so fellow staff members, the PTA and parents know how to spoil you!
Click here for How to Make my Day Form
Test Security Training
The Meadow Hall Canvas course (myMCPS classroom) has the FY23 Test Security video published. All staff members involved with testing will need to watch the test security video, print the nondisclosure agreement at the end and sign it and give to our SDT, Mrs. Binder. Kindergarten teachers and anyone helping to proctor the KRA must complete this prior to the start of KRA testing.
Calendars
Please make sure you have access to the following calendars. By clicking on the link for each calendar, it should be added to your Google Calendar list and therefore you’ll be able to see the important events:
Master Calendar: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=bWNwc21kLm5ldF9iM2w2a2hwMnRxZzY1ZW9hZG8xaDFicGIzb0Bncm91cC5jYWxlbmRhci5nb29nbGUuY29t
Testing Calendar: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=bWNwc21kLm5ldF9uODlzZmZsMDBjZW05ZzFmdWRpamp2c29hOEBncm91cC5jYWxlbmRhci5nb29nbGUuY29t
SPED Calendar: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=bWNwc21kLm5ldF9saDFwNThlbXRmNGQxNmY3czdzYmRtaHNjZ0Bncm91cC5jYWxlbmRhci5nb29nbGUuY29t
Health Awareness Trainings
- ALL SCHOOL STAFF MEMBERS must view the presentation, PDO course number 90358 Level 1: Introduction to Anaphylaxis by Friday, September 23, 2022.
- ALL MCPS STAFF MEMBERS must complete Professional Development Online (PDO) course number 90319, Level 1: Overview of Diabetes 2021-2022, by Friday, September 23, 2022.
- ALL SCHOOL STAFF MEMBERS must view the presentation, PDO Course Number 89456 Opioid Awareness and Response 2022–2023, by Friday, September 23, 2022.
- Bloodborne Pathogens - https://mcps-md.safeschools.com/login (log in with Outlook username) ** required
Science Updates
Elementary grading and reporting for science has changed for this year to encompass 4 measurement topics. A screencast will be available next week with more guidance on the new grading and reporting.
- The MP 1 Naming Conventions document is available on the myMCPS science curriculum classroom under the resources tab
- This document includes the Science and Engineering Practice for each lesson, a rubric for assessment, and the corresponding measurement topic
PTA News
JOIN THE PTA
Why join the PTA? Among the many, many good reasons, it basically boils down to being a great way to benefit students, the school, and yourself! And for those of you who have been members in past years, don’t forget to renew your membership. Memberships are $8 for staff. If you are a PTA member, classroom teachers, paras and specialists may be reimbursed up to $50!
We have two options to join the PTA this year:
* Join online at https://www.mhespta.org/membership/join-the-pta
* Join with cash/check by printing out the membership form and mailing/dropping off at our membership coordinator, Megan Coate’s house at 406 Reading Avenue. Paper membership forms will also be sent home with your children once school begins.
FIRST PTA MEETING FOR 2022-2023
Please join us in-person or online for the first PTA meeting of the 2022-2023 school year! Come learn about the many ways that our PTA helps the community connect to the staff and students of Meadow Hall and how you can get involved! Meeting details:
Tuesday, August 30, 7:00 p.m.
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
After this first PTA meeting, future meetings will take place on the first Tuesday of every month, starting in October.
Calendar Items
- Leadership Team mtg - 3:45-5:00pm
- PTA mtg - 7-8pm (hybrid)
Thursday, September 1st
- Firedrill 1:20-1:30pm
Monday, September 5th
- No School
Tuesday, September 6th
- Back To School Night - 6-8pm
Wednesday, September 14th
- Early Release - 12:55pm (no recess)
