Meadow Hall Staff Newsletter
Week of April 1
April 1 -5
Welcome Back! We hope you had a relaxing break and ready to finish up the third quarter.
Please welcome Robert Twyman, our new Building Service Manager! He joins us starting Tuesday, April 2nd and brings with him experience and leadership.
Also, please welcome Jocelyn Chan, our long-term substitute for the newly established first grade classroom. She will be establishing the new first grade class to alleviate the large class sizes in grade one.
Wednesday, April 3 is Paraprofessional Appreciation Day! Thank you to all our para-educators for all your hard work everyday. We couldn't do it without you!!
Solar Eclipse - April 8
The partial eclipse will be from 2-4:30 with peak at 3:20. The School System Medical Officer is sharing that schools should not have students outside during this time, except to dismiss. So, no extra recess or outside activities after 2pm on April 8th so we limit the chance of students looking directly at the eclipse. Linked below is information and potential acitivies from the science office.
Testing
It's that time of year! MCAP testing begins April 8th and MAP testing begins May 6.
FY24 Spring Testing Dates – check to see the dates for each test
Teacher/Locations for MCAP – check to see who is testing and which locations are being used
Upcoming Events
We will be hosting Town Hall meetings on Friday, April 5th in the APR. This is a time for administration and staff to reset expectations as we enter the last quarter of the school year.
- Grades K/1 @ 9:05-9:40
- Grades 2/3 @ 9:50-10:30
- Grades 4/5 @ 2:30-3:10
Growth and Achievement Award Assemblies will be held on Thursday, April 25th in the APR. Sheldon Mizelle will be sharing more information regarding the awards. Similar to last quarter, we will have families in attendance and offer a zoom link to watch the awards.
- Grades K/1 @ 9:05-9:40
- Grades 2/3 @ 9:50-10:30
- Grades 4/5 @ 2:30-3:10
Mad Science In School event will take place on May 7, 9 and 10 in Portable 1. A schedule and more details will be coming out soon. Each class will have approximately one hour for this event.
Studying Skillful Teacher
Studying Skillful Teaching 1 (SST1) supports teachers in improving student achievement by examining beliefs about teaching and building a repertoire of instructional strategies to matching students learning needs. The class is highly recommended as coursework for all teachers and those in teacher-level positions. All administrative and teacher-level staff are eligible to take this course. Since all courses will be held entirely outside of the duty day, successful participants will have the option to earn three CPD credits, three graduate credits, or 45 clock hours that can be used towards the renewal of an advanced professional certificate. This class will include both in-person and asynchronous sessions.
Studying Skillful Teaching 1 - course number 50218
Registration is open to those in administrator and teacher-level positions, including counselors and media specialists.
Section 374- Three full days in the summer and six Tuesday evenings in the fall: July 22, 24, and 26; September 17 and 24; October 1, 15 and 22; November 12
Section 375- Two full days in the summer and four full days on Saturdays in the fall: August 5 and 6; September 14; October 19 and 26; November 16
MSDE Licensure
Teachers - see the attached memo regarding MSDE Licensure regulations going into effect and that transitioning to the new license will happen at the renewal of the current certificate. No action is required prior to the time of renewal.
Nutrition Requirements
Food purchased with instructional materials funds must comply with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) “Smart Snacks” and other Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) nutritional standards. In addition, staff are discouraged from using food-related incentives for students. When food items are offered during the instructional day, schools must plan for the safety of individuals with food allergies.
See the attached Memo
PTA News
PTA meeting - Tuesday, April 2nd @ 7pm
In person in the Media Center or virtually on zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88059335160?pwd=0lIvST7doagUBugyRb...
Meeting ID: 880 5933 5160
Passcode: 108147
PTA is eager to accept your receipts for reimbursements and to receive any mini-grants you would like to be granted between now and the end of the school year. See the forms attached below!
To Do Items
Complete Quarter 3 grades and finalize report cards by April 10
Calendar Items
Tuesday, April 2
- PTA mtg @ 7pm
Friday, April 5
- Town Halls
Tuesday, April 9
- Leadership mtg @ 3:45pm
Wednesday, April 10
- Professional Day; Report Cards
Tuesday, April 16
- Grade 3 Field Trip
- Staff mtg @ 3:45pm
Thursday, April 18
- Grade 4 Field Trip
- Report Card Distribution
Monday, April 22
- Professional Day
- Students engage in Asynchronous learning
Tuesday, April 23
- Equity PLC @ 3:45
Thursday, April 25
- Growth and Achievement Assemblies
Monday, May 6
- Patrol Picnic
May 6 -10
- Staff Appreciation Week
May 15-17
- mini-Scholastic Book Fair
Thursday, May 16
- Family Culture Night
Wednesday, May 22
- Field Day
Thursday, May 30
- Grade 3 Field Trip
- Grade 5 Field Trip
