Gator Parent Newsletter
September 8, 2023
Thank you to all of the families who attended the virtual parent meeting on the Code of Student Conduct. We met with each grade level over the course of the past 2 weeks explaining the Code of Conduct, Being Respectful, Responsible, and Relentless, as well as the progressive discipline.
Our students did a tremendous job during the presentations and I know that collectively we will have a fantastic year as we work to ensure every student meets their fullest potential.
If you have any questions or feedback regarding the Code of Student Conduct, please contact troy.barnes@fcps.org.
Safety is our number 1 priority! We will be practicing most of our drills for the upcoming school year during School Safety Week (September 26th - September 29th). During each of our drills a sign will be posted on the front door. Until the drill is over we will not be able to answer phone calls or respond to guests at the door. Please review each of the emergency procedures with your child as we will do the same in the classroom.
Hold: Clear the hallways and remain in the room or area until "All Clear" is announced.
Secure: Get inside. Lock outside doors.
Lockdown: Locks, lights, out of sight.....doesn't end until administration unlocks each door.
Evacuate: Leave the building
Reverse Evacuation: Return to the building
Shelter in Place: Hazard/Safety, get into classrooms, shut off outside air flow
Severe Weather: Seek shelter immediately in halls away from glass and flying debris potential, crouch and cover heads
Drop, Cover and Hold: Drop to the ground, take cover, grab onto something sturdy, when shaking stops exit building
Avoid, Deny and Defend: We practice an age appropriate response. This is NOT scenario based but a discussion with students on if there is an avoid, deny (we do not teach defend) then we follow the procedures for a lockdown. Wait to admin comes to the room and then exit. We do discuss the possibility of putting furniture in front of the door.
Tuesday, September 12th.....6:00pm PTA Meeting
Friday, September 22nd........3.5 Hour Early Dismissal Day (Dismissal begins at 12:00pm w/lunch and breakfast served)
Monday, September 25th......No School
Tuesday, September 26th......Safety Week Begins (most of drills held this week)
Wednesday, October 4th........Amber Meadows community event (more details coming via One Call)
Friday, October 6th..................United Way 10:00 - 3:00 Volunteers
Monday, October 9th...............Cloverhill, Willow Brook, and surrounding area community event (more details coming via One Call)
Tuesday, October 10th............Harlem Wizards visit MoES
Wednesday, October 11th.......Parent Teacher Conferences, 4 hours late (lunch served), Open beginning at 12:30pm
Thursday, October 12th...........Parent Teacher Conferences, 4 hours late (lunch served), Open beginning at 12:30pm
Friday, October 13th.................Parent Teacher Conferences, 3.5 hour early dismissal (lunch and breakfast served), Dismissal beginning at 12:00pm
Friday, October 20th.................No School
Thursday, October 26th............End of 1st Quarter, Family Event (SIP and Social from 5:30 - 7:00pm more information coming soon)
Friday, October 27th..................No School
Come out and support Mr. Fowlkes and Mr. Barnes as we take on the Harlem Wizards.
Proceeds from the game benefit:
1) The Boys and Girls Club of Frederick
2) City Youth Matrix
3) i9 Sports Association Chapter 437
4) Sleep in Heavenly Peace
5) I Believe in Me
Game: Saturday, November 11th 6:00 - 8:00pm
Here is the link to purchase tickets https://pretix.eu/harlemwizards/frederickmd11-11-23-06-00pm/ . This game will sell out like it did last year. There will only be 60 courtside tickets sold but there will be plenty of reserved and general seating. Here is a link to the event page on Facebook https://fb.me/e/33vDPjzve
We believe every child deserves the right supplies to succeed, and food is an essential school supply. It's not just about textbooks and pencils; it's about nourishing young minds and bodies on weekdays and weekends. That's where Blessings in a Backpack comes in. They feed children on the weekend right here in our school that would otherwise go hungry.
How can you help? Learn more about Blessings in a Backpack by visiting their website. Every donation of time or money will go towards providing weekend nourishment to local kids, ensuring they have the fuel they need to learn, grow, and thrive. https://frederick.blessingsinabackpack.org/
We are committed to getting students to school every day that they are healthy enough to do so. Mr. Fowlkes, our Community Coordinator, is here to support. We are Striving for 5: No more than 5 absences in a year.
If your child is out sick, a parent note or doctor note is required for the absence to be lawful. Any absences over 10 days will require a doctor's note for each absence. In the event you are planning a vacation, approval from troy.barnes@fcps.org is required for it to count as a vacation day. Let's make daily school attendance a habit.
The staff at MoES are excited to welcome you to a new school year filled with opportunities to learn and engage!
Getting into the habit of daily attendance is more important than ever. It helps to:
● reduce stress
● make it easier to connect with friends and teachers
● support learning
● Please call us if you need help with attendance. Latroy Fowlkes, 240-236-1400.
We are working to make our school environment a place where everyone can be safe, healthy and learning. We will do our best to listen and partner with you so that our children have a successful year. Do not hesitate to reach out to me with questions or concerns. All attendance notes can be sent via email to moes.attendance@fcps.org.
Please make sure we have your correct email and the best phone numbers where we can reach you.
We are looking for volunteers. You can help from home, in the building, after school, and in so many ways. Your time is valuable and the impact you will have on our students will be tremendous. If you are interested in volunteering please complete the volunteer form linked here. Mr. Fowlkes will be working to connect volunteers to our building.
Thank you to all of the families who attended our Block Party and completing the CHIC cards. In addition, if you have already completed the Student Emergency online information (sent via FCPS on student first day) we THANK YOU!
If you haven't completed the form, please do so as soon as possible. We need all forms completed by September 30th. A paper copy and follow-up phone call will come to those who we are still awaiting forms from.
A few reminders:
1) All families who pick up their child from school have been issued a rearview mirror label for their child. Only families with this in their car will be permitted to pick up a student. If you do not have one, we will have you pull in the middle and check the emergency card to verify receipt of the student.
2) Avoid picking your child up from school after 3:15pm. Dismissal is busy and this prevents us from getting students out of the building in an orderly fashion.
3) If you are changing dismissal for your child, please contact the front office 240-236-1400 by 2:45pm. This helps to ensure each student gets to the right location.
Please be on the lookout for the following documents in your child's Thursday folders: Right to Know and a brochure explaining what Title I is. In Addition, please click here to learn more information about our Curriculum and Standards.
