Meadow Hall Staff Newsletter

Thursday, March 16 is Game Night and Science Fair!!! We're looking forward to seeing staff and students from 6-7:30pm.

Just a reminder - MCEA unit members will attend back-to-school night and two other activities outside of the contractually agreed upon workday. (MCEA contract) Game Night, Autism Carnival and Family Culture Night are three events coming up and all count towards this requirement.

Please read below about our weather shelter drill coming up on our next early release day!

Wednesday, March 15 is an early release day and therefore no recess. Lunches will be on the following schedule:

4th grade: 10:55-11:25

Kindergarten: 11:00-11:30

2nd and 3rd grade: 11:30-12:05

1st and 5th grade: 12:10-12:40

Dismissal @ 12:55

** As a special treat, Kusshi Sushi will be donating lunch to our staff on March 15th!!

Thank you to PTA for picking up the lunch and delivering it to us at 1pm.

The dates of MISA testing are being changed to Monday, March 13 and Tuesday, March 14 from 9-11:20. 3rd and 4th grade media will be held in class rooms on Monday and Tuesday next week due to MISA. Here is the most up to date (and hopefully FINAL) version of staff being used for Monday and Tuesday’s MISA testing. Please make sure to look over it and plan accordingly for any groups that will not be meeting.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TqpjQL1ZlFSbDqO2RN3i_K9_J-QUV5g3V6EvimaVu30/edit?usp=sharing

Please let Jennifer Binder know if you have any questions!

Practice your Equity skills this month! Check off each activity you do with your students, add the date, and post a picture to Dojo! Turn it in by March 30th for a chance to win prizes. Complete a minimum of 12 boxes to be eligible with Dojo evidence of 4. See the attached...

Paras, you are welcome to join the fun!!

On Wednesday, March 15 at approximately 10:30am we will be practicing a severe weather shelter drill. When we announce the start, please bring your class to sit in the hallway as indicated on the map below. The PDF below is a larger version of that same map. Please review with your class expectations for behavior prior to March 15. thank you!

Teachers, the science fair is rapidly approaching (March 16th). In the past grades K-3 completed a project with their classes, and students in grades 4 and 5 worked on project on their own or in groups of up to 3 people. Mr. Taylor has a limited amount of science boards available at no cost for staff and students. If you or a student needs a board, please let Mr. Taylor know, or go see him in room G-7. If you have any questions about the science fair once again contact Mr. Taylor.

During January and February 2023, the Montgomery County Board of Education (MCBOE) amended one policy and the superintendent of schools adopted or approved for revision six MCPS regulations. These may be of interest to staff and your school community:

• Board Policy ABA, Community Engagement

• MCPS Regulation ACF-RA, Investigation of Title IX Sexual Harassment of MCPS Students

• MCPS Regulation ACG-RA, Reasonable Accommodations and Modifications for Individuals with Disabilities with Regard to Employment, Services, Programs, and Activities

• MCPS Regulation ACI-RA, Investigation of Title IX Sexual Harassment of MCPS Employees

• MCPS Regulation COB-RA, Incident Reporting

• MCPS Regulation GKA-RA, Administrative Complaint

• MCPS Regulation IKC-RA, Grade Point Averages (GPA) and Weighted Grade Point Averages (WGPA)

A description of the changes made to each are available on the summary of changes website.

(Updated) 2022-23 Elementary SS Resources & PD Opportunities

Understanding Antisemitism for Elementary Educators

MCPS is collaborating with the Anti-Defamation League to provide learning on understanding antisemitism and how to respond to it in elementary schools. All staff are welcome. [Flyer]

Dates: March 9, 2023 or March 21, 2023

Time: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Location: Zoom

1 Clock Hour

PDO #: 91677

Annual Arab American Heritage Celebration: Arabic Traditions, Festivals, Foods, & Books

All staff are welcome to this year’s hybrid Arab American heritage celebration. There will be great food, speakers, and free book giveaways! This program is sponsored by the Education Outreach program at the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies and the Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University. [Flyer]

Date: March 16, 2023

Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Locations: Zoom & Gaithersburg High School (101 Education Blvd, Gaithersburg, MD)

2 Clock Hours

PDO #: 91679

An Evening of Appreciation & Ramadan Information Session for MCPS Educators

The Islamic Center of Maryland welcomes all staff to learn about Ramadan while enjoying wonderful food and fellowship. Please see the flyer for the program and attire request. RSVP to daway@icomd.org by March 15. [Flyer]

Date: March 21, 2023

Time: 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM

Location: Islamic Center of Maryland (The new building at the back) 19411 Woodfield Road, Gaithersburg, MD

(New) Learning for Justice (formerly known as Teaching for Tolerance)

The Professional Learning Institutes are low-cost, week-long, immersive, place-based learning experiences that support educators’ capacities to implement social justice education in their practice. They aim to help every educator push back against the status quo and reimagine what’s possible for students, schools and communities in our diverse democracy. Below are some details about the institutes:

I. Critical Practices Professional Learning Institute - June 26-30, 2023 - Jackson, Mississippi

Educators will deeply engage with the four pillars of Critical Practices for Social Justice Education (Curriculum & Instruction, Culture & Climate, Family & Community Engagement, and Leadership) and develop plans to implement these practices in their contexts. Note: Critical Practices for Social Justice Education is currently under revision; the institute will utilize the updated version.

This institute is open to educators from the following states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi.

II. Teaching Hard History: American Slavery Professional Learning Institute - July 17-21, 2023 - Montgomery, Alabama

Educators will deeply engage with the Teaching Hard History: American Slavery framework and accompanying resources to grow their ability to accurately teach the impact and legacy of American slavery.

This institute is open to educators from across the United States, with preference given to those from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi.

More information about the institutes, including how to apply, can be found here:

https://www.learningforjustice.org/professional-development/professional-learning-institutes

In addition, there is an informational call at 5 p.m. CT Tuesday, March 21. We highly encourage interested applicants to attend by registering here.

FAMILY GAME NIGHT - HELP NEEDED!

We are very excited for the school's upcoming Family Game Night on Thursday, March 16, from 6-7:30pm! As the school is getting ready for the fun event, there are some ways that we, as a PTA, can help to make this a success!

First, the school needs donations that can serve as prizes for activities at the event. Prizes can include anything from toys and games to gift cards. Some ideas include: $5 gift card to Five Below, Dollar Tree toys, Uno cards, Outdoor games/equipment, etc. Please drop off these prizes at the main office by Wednesday, March 15.

Second, just a quick reminder to please help support our 5th graders by signing up to volunteer at the Bake Sale or by donating items to be sold. For Bake Sale donations, both baked goods and store-bought items are welcome. Home-baked goods must be individually-wrapped, and an ingredients list must be provided. All donations can be dropped off at the main office from now until Wednesday, March 15. The money raised at the Bake Sale will support our 5th grade promotion and end-of-year celebrations. All families are encouraged to support our 5th graders because one day we will all have a 5th grader to celebrate! Sign up to volunteer and to donate baked items here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f054aaea92aa0fb6-5thgrade1#/

Begin working on SLOs

Review Weather Shelter Drill with students

Promote math/rdg/STEM night

Monday and Tuesday, March 13-14 - MISA Testing

(3rd and 4th grade Media specials held in the classroom)

Tuesday, March 14th - PIE Day; bring a pie to share! :)

Tuesday, March 14th - Staff mtg @ 3:45pm

Wednesday, March 15th - Weather Shelter Drill @ 10:30am; Early Release @ 12:55pm

Thursday, March 16th - Math/Rdg/STEM night @ 6pm

Friday, March 17th - class photos and 5th grade panoramic (Media special in classrooms)

Tuesday, March 21st - Equity PLC mtg @ 3:45pm

Wednesday, March 22nd - Maryland School Survey (grade 5)

Friday, March 24th - Small Things Matter Food Distribution

Friday, March 31st - Professional Day (report cards)

Spring Break!!!

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