Meadow Hall Staff Newsletter

Please welcome to the Meadow Hall family, Ruth Paco, a 4 hour TPT Autism para starting Wednesday. She will be supporting Ms. Blankenship's class.

Thank you to our wonderful ELD teachers and test coordinators as they wrap up the WIDA-ACCESS testing. And a big thank you for all our teachers' flexibility!! Also, thank you to so many staff members who patiently administered Benchmark interims, MAP testing, Eureka district assessment and Dibels over this past month. Although time consuming, the data will help us serve our kids well.

Testing Links:

Daily Winter Testing Schedule

Please see the measurement topics for MP 3: MP3 MTS

Congratulations to Mr. Kullberg, Mr. Johns and all our Chorus and Advanced Instrumental students who gave a wonderful performance last Thursday evening. Very impressive!!

Next Monday, February 13th, we will be celebrating the growth of our students. Teachers, please nominate students that made growth in academics and with our Meadow Hall High-5 pledge.

Click here for the Criteria for Nominations

Click here to add students to the Growth Celebration Nomination Chart

Please complete your nominations by the end of the day on Wednesday, February 8 so we have time to print the certificates. During the assembly, students receiving an award will stand and be recognized. However, the actual certificates will be given to teachers for them to pass out after the assembly.

We’re “throwing snowballs”! Since we can't actually throw snowballs in this 50 degree weather, we are going to get into the winter spirit by passing a decorated “snowball box” from class to class. The targeted audience is the students, so please pass to homeroom classes.

When your class receives the box…

1. Each student may keep one pencil or eraser.
2. Hang up the snowman sign outside of your classroom, so everyone knows your class already received the snowball box.
3. Write a message to another class. It would be best to decide on the message as a class, so the students are involved. The paper will be in your snowball box.
4. Please deliver the box and your message to another class that has yet to receive a snowball!

We want to make sure each class has a chance to receive and give the snowball box. If the box is running low on supplies, let Jennifer Binder know.

Remember, this is for classes (not individual staff members), so it could go to Ms. Hellman’s class or Ms. Blankenship's class (but Ms. Sotelo won’t be getting one because she doesn't have a class).

Linked below are the staffing calendars for this spring. These documents will let you know the timeline for involuntary and voluntary transfers as well as the job fairs and other information.

Teacher Staffing Calendar

Paraeducator Staffing Calendar

As I work this year to improve my practice as an Assistant Principal, I ask that you complete this very short survey. I plan to use this feedback during the second semester. All staff – MCEA and SEIU… please respond😊 If something isn’t applicable to you, simply choose the “not applicable” option.

I know everyone is short on time, so I very much appreciate you taking the time to complete this. Thank you!!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9DR5FZ8

Spring CPD Courses*NEW (share with teachers!!) - Teaching and Learning Mathematics K-2 and 3-5 will be offered again this spring. Classes begin in early February. Teachers will earn three CPD credits for the course. Interested teachers should register in PDO using the following course numbers:

MA-92: Teaching and Learning Mathematics K-2 - #90513

MA-93: Teaching and Learning Mathematics 3-5 - #90514

Kindergarten Math Matters!*NEW - Webinar by Global Math (share with teachers!!) - Tuesday, February 7 at 9 pm EST (1 hour) - This presentation discusses the importance of building a strong math foundation in kindergarten. Participants will discuss strategies, tools and resources that will prepare children for success well beyond kindergarten. So much of what children learn and how they begin to see themselves as mathematicians begins in the early grades and we want to ensure that the experience leads them to a loving relationship with math. Use THIS LINK to register.

Click below for updates and resources:

2022-23 Elementary Social Studies

Resources & Professional Development Opportunities

Meadow Hall will be hosting class Valentine's day parties on Tuesday, February 14th at 2:30pm. (2pm for second grade). Students may choose to exchange Valentine's Day cards, but would need to bring in enough cards for all students in the class. Food is permitted, however, carefully check the allergy list. Teachers can have up to 4 parent volunteers with priority going to families of students with severe allergies.

Join our Meadow Hall PTA as we host a dine out event with the new Creek Lodge Bar & Grill on Tuesday, February 7th. Dine in or call to order pick-up to support our school. They will give 10% of the profits from any sales of their dinner menu during the hours of 5-11pm. This does not include the happy hour or Taco Tuesday menu.

Where: Norbeck Plaza, 5566 Norbeck Rd, Rockville, MD 20853
When: Tuesday, February 7 from 5:00-11:00 p.m.
How: Dine in or order carry out from the dinner menu
Website: https://thecreeklodgebar.com/

Phone: (240) 669-8872

PTA MEETING THIS TUESDAY
After you've enjoyed a yummy dinner at Creek Lodge, come on over to the school for our PTA meeting, Tuesday, February 7, at 7pm. Please join us in-person or on Zoom! Spanish translation will be provided. Our wonderful KAH staff will be providing free childcare for those who come in-person. Looking forward to seeing everyone there!

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

"BOOKS FOR ALL!" BOOK COLLECTION BEGINS MONDAY

The MHES PTA Book Fair Committee is organizing a book drive that starts Monday, February 6 and goes through Monday, February 20. Books that are collected will be used for the following purposes:

• The week before spring break, students will have the opportunity to "shop" for a book to read over spring break. Each child will get to choose a free book, and it will be theirs to keep. Teachers will also have the opportunity to select a few books each to add to their classroom library.
• In our Fall 2023 Book Fair, each child will be able to select a book for free, so that everyone gets a book at the book fair. The books available that the students get to select from will include books purchased with money we have earned at previous book fairs as well as books that are donated in this book drive.

Then join us anytime March 3rd through March 5th at Jersey Mike’s Subs. You can order in the restaurant, over the phone, or through the app to support our school. Gift cards also count towards the fundraiser.

Where: Wintergreen Plaza, 895 - D Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852
When: All day Friday, March 3 through Sunday, March 5
How: Dine in or order carry out
Website: https://www.jerseymikes.com/28017/rockville-md
Phone: (301) 339-8017

Complete AP survey

Finalize plans for Valentine's Day party

Nominate students for the Growth Celebration

Have fun throwing snowballs!!

Tuesday, February 7th - Leadership mtg @ 3:45pm

Tuesday, February 7th - PTA mtg @ 7pm

Monday, February 13th - "Growth Celebrations"

• Grades K-3 will meet from 2-2:30pm
• Grades 4-5 will meet from 2:40-3:10pm

Tuesday, February 14th - Class Valentine's Day Parties

Tuesday, February 21st - Staff mtg @ 3:45pm

Monday, February 27th - make-up pictures and candid shots

Tuesday, February 28th - Equity mtg @ 3:45pm

Friday, March 17th - class photos and 5th grade panoramic

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