You are invited to attend a coffee on campus tomorrow, Wednesday, January 18 at 9:00 AM hosted by Farmland Elementary Principal, Diane Smith. Mrs. Smith will be sharing the School Improvement Plan process and the goals set for Farmland. I hope you can attend!
Please RSVP to Diane Smith <katherine_d_smith@mcpsmd.org> or 301-230-5919.
Dori Morper
PTA President
Presented by MCCPTA and the NAACP Parents Council. How do we maintain consistent, reliable funding for our schools to ensure our students receive the necessary investment? Come participate in a discussion with State and County officials as we explore the issues surrounding the Maintenance of Effort law and both state and county funding for our schools. Printable Flyer
To view the budget: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/budget/
Dec. 8, 2011–Kristin Trible, President of the Montgomery County Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (MCCPTA), reacted today to the proposed FY 2013 Operating Budget announced by Superintendent Joshua P. Starr: “Recognizing the continued fiscal constraints under which we are operating, Dr. Starr’s proposed budget is good for students, employees, and schools, and good for Montgomery County. The proposed budget protects the classroom from further cuts with no reductions to school-based staff.
Our parents appreciate the Superintendent’s focus on optimizing resources for community engagement, meaningful intervention for underachieving students, and professional development. As the demographics in our county continue to change, these priorities are all the more important.
This budget also contains $8.1 million in efficiencies and reductions, on top of the $430 million in reductions made since FY 2009. During this same period of time, student enrollment has increased dramatically, and the percentages of students living at, or near poverty and needing language services have surged to unprecedented levels in our county. The combination of cuts and heightened needs is not sustainable.
Our concern remains that, despite these many challenges, this budget holds the local per pupil funding level at the reduced level set by the Council earlier this year. We hope, next year, to move beyond this low watermark and see effective supports for our students fully funded.
The ultimate goal for our county is to eliminate the predictability of student outcomes by race, ethnicity or socioeconomic factors, and to provide a challenging, 21st century education to each and every child. We appreciate the Superintendent’s measured consideration of existing resources to achieve these goals. As such, MCCPTA supports this budget, and urges the County Executive and County Council to actively embrace and fully fund this budget.”
Contact: Jean Schlesinger, MCCPTA Operating Budget Chair jeanschlesinger@verizon.net or Kristin Trible, MCCPTA President president@mccpta.com
Please join us us for the second Farmland PTA Association meeting of the school year on Tuesday, December 6 in the All-Purpose Room. Karen Belt will be available to share information about Peer 2 Peer Tutors. The business portion of the meeting will begin promptly at 7PM and will be immediately followed by our program for the evening, “The Amazing Bully-Free Wonder Show.” Kids After Hours will provide drop-in care for school-age children during the meeting. Hope to see you there!
Agenda:
www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/parentacademy/
Computer Smart (part 5 of 5) – Monday, November 21 6:30-8:30pm
Explore the MCPS website and online resources, set up an Edline account, and learn about Microsoft Office programs in this beginning-level workshop. Facilitate by an MCPS technology teacher Earle B. Wood Middle School, 14615 Bauer Dr., Rockville 20853
Superintendent’s Book Club – Tuesday, November 29, 2011 7:00-8:30pm
MCPS Superintendent, Dr. Starr is planning three book club events for the 2011-2012 school year, which will give the community an opportunity to learn about his educational philosophy and approach to managing MCPS. He has selected Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck for the first book club event. The first book club event will be held Tuesday, November 29, at the Carver Educational Services Center, 850 Hungerford Drive in Rockville, and will be available live on MCPS TV and online. The event is from 7 to 8:30 p.m and will be conducted in the MCPS TV studio. Staff, parents and the community are invited to participate. The event will be a panel discussion including the author (live via Skype) and audience questions and comments. Dr. Starr looks forward to you joining the conversation. Carver Educational Services Center, 850 Hungerford Drive, Auditorium, Rockville 20850
Curriculum 2.0 Information Night – Thursday, December 1 7:00-8:30pm
Curriculum 2.0 has been developed to create a more exciting learning experience for our students in Grades K-5. Built upon the existing Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) curriculum, Curriculum 2.0 blends reading/language arts and mathematics instruction with lessons in science, social studies, music, art, and physical education in a way that spurs creativity and critical thinking skills. Come learn about the new curriculum at this session. Sligo Creek ES, 500 Schuyler Rd., Silver Spring 20910
Understanding Severe Irritability and Bipolar Disorder in Children & Youth –Thursday, December 1 7:00-8:30pm
Kenneth Towbin, M.D will discuss what parents can do to help a child who is struggling with irritability (severe temper tantrums and rages) and “hyper” behavior (distractible, hyperactive, trouble sleeping), understanding treatment options, and current research in pediatric psychiatry conducted at the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH). Westland MS, 5511 Massachusetts Ave., Bethesda 20816
Click here for the November 2011 Harvest Newsletter. Limited printed copies will be available in the main office and families who have chosen to receive a printed version of “Principally Speaking” will also receive a printed copy of the Farmland PTA Harvest.
The first ever Farmland Elementary School Spelling Bee is coming up soon! Please note that participation is totally voluntary, and there is no registration necessary. If your child is interested to participate, he/she has to come to the Room 151 on the following days and times for their appropriate Grade Level Spelling Bee:
Nov 15 – 3rd grade students - During recess (1:40 – 2:10)
Nov 16 – 4th grade students - During recess (1:10 – 2:10)
Nov 17 – 5th grade students - During recess (1:10 – 1:40)
We will start promptly so please let the students know they have to come to the room on time. All the participating students will receive certificates. Top 10-15 from each grade will advance to the School Level Spelling Bee in January that will reveal School Champion. All practice words for grade as well as school level bees and applicable rules can be found on PTA website: http://www.farmland-pta.org/helpful-links/
Looking forward to our fun and enjoyable Spelling Bee,
Lela Purtskhvanidze, Farmland Spelling Bee Coordinator
lelaleliko@yahoo.com 301-648-3240
Sandeep Khanna, Farmland PTA GT Liaison
The MCPS Board of Education is seeking public comments on Policy ECM, Joint Occupancy of MCPS Facilities, which sets forth the criteria for joint occupancy of MCPS facilities and Policy KGC, Child Care, which affirms the importance of high quality child care and education settings for all children of Montgomery County. It establishes the scope of MCPS’ role in partnering with the child care community in addressing child care needs. To review the draft policies and to submit comments, click here. Public comments may be submitted in writing to the Office of the Superintendent no later than December 29.
Dori Morper, PTA President
The PTA Reflections program is now underway for 2011-2012. This program is designed to enhance a quality arts education by providing an opportunity for students to explore their artistic talents and receive positive recognition for their efforts.
Your child may enter any of the six categories —dance choreography, film production, literature, musical composition, photography, and visual arts. All participants will be recognized and winners in each category will move on to the district level contest.
General Guidelines:
Deadline to the school office is Friday, November 18.
All entries submitted must be original works and must relate to the current year’s Reflections Program theme, “Diversity Means…..”.
Students should enter the Reflections Program in the appropriate division for their grade. The divisions are as follows:
Primary: preschool–grade 2
Intermediate: grades 3–5
For complete rules and entry forms, go to www.ptareflections.org/cs/rules_and_documents
Liz Leverson, PTA Reflections Chair