Meadow Hall Staff Newsletter
Week of March 18
March 18-22
Classroom Visits
The Office of Shared Accountability, with the assistance of OCIP, is conducting a study on the implementation of Structured Literacy for the 2023-2024 school year. This study involves collecting data through classroom observations of 3rd-5th grades.
In the upcoming weeks, excluding spring break, our staff will visit your school to observe English Language Arts lessons. There's no need for any preparation on your part or by the teachers for these observations. We aim to evaluate the program, not individual teachers or students, so we won't provide personal feedback. This ensures that the observations are solely focused on implementation.
A classroom will be selected randomly from each grade for observation. Our observers will contact the respective teachers to inform them of the observation date. If the proposed date doesn’t work, teachers can request an alternative date from the observer.
Our school has also been randomly selected as a site for data collection as part of the Eureka Math Evaluation project. The purpose of this data collection to understand how Eureka Math lessons are implemented in different grade levels and settings. Three teachers have been selected and notified.
Internal Dashboards
See the attached memo regarding two new internal dashboards.
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
Spring Book Fair
The "Spring Book Fair" is a time for kids to come and get a free book prior to spring break. There is nothing for sale, but just a way to promote reading. Books are being set up by grade level clusters. If you did not already sign up, I added your name to the list, linked below.
Grade K and 1 - Monday, March 18 AM
Grades 4 and 5 - Monday, March 18 PM
Grade 2 and 3 - Tuesday, March 19 AM (grade 3 please sign up for the early slots and grade 2 sign up for after specials)
Autism - you may sign up with the grade level or simply bring a couple kids at a time any time between the posted hours.
Wish Lists - DUE Friday, MARCH 22!!
Need some items to work with students or for your classroom? Create your Amazon wish list for items that you may need for your classroom or to work with students. Link the Amazon wish list to your name or your overall heading/department on this google doc. For some of the “departments” – you can either create a joint wish list or if you prefer, edit the document to list individuals.
The PTA will use this to send out to families and for staff appreciation week! If you created one last year, it is still linked, but you may want to update it.
PTA News
This spring, the Meadow Hall PTA has teamed up with educational non-profit Big Learning to offer FREE after school science classes for grades 2-5!
Our 2nd graders will learn about robotics and coding, using the KIBO robotic system to learn computer coding, logic, and loops. Our 3rd-5th graders will learn about robotics using the Lego® Spike Essential system to build machines and vehicles, and programming their creations using Scratch. The science begins after school on April 12, 3:35-4:35 p.m., and runs for eight (8) Fridays, ending on May 31. THIS CLASS IS FREE, courtesy of the Maryland State Department of Education with support from Big Learning.
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
Link your Amazon Wish List
Prepare Asynchronous materials for 4/22
Calendar Items
Tuesday, March 19
- Equity mtg @ 3:45pm
Thursday, March 21
- Field Trip:1st grade Imagination Stage
Friday, March 22
- Amazon Wish List due
March 23 - April 1
- Spring Break!
