Eagle Eye - AACPS Home

Eagle Eye
Maryland City Elementary School
Principal’s Message
February 2013
Parents and Guardians,
It is important that you encourage your child to maintain an academic focus as instructional rigor increases during the second marking period. Set goals at home with your
child to arrive on time (8:00 AM-Breakfast ) and to be well rested for the learning challenges each day! All students that arrive after 8:10 AM are marked tardy. Be On Time! :)
Continuing the Challenge
It is our goal to continue to prepare students for the MSA (Maryland School Assessment)
and the third marking period by increasing rigorous opportunities for all learners. Classroom teachers are analyzing results from recent math and reading Benchmark Assessments to re-teach skills and extend learning opportunities for our scholars.
You can help! Encourage your child to read each night and ask your child questions using
the 5Ws (Who, What, When, Where, and Why) to see if they understand what was read.
Also, continue to practice math fact strategies and review math skills taught using the
math textbook site at www.pearson.com website. The reading textbook series can be
accessed using http://connected.mcgraw-hill.com . Each student has used these websites during the instructional day.
Campfire Reading and Math Night
A MCES Family Event
On Thursday, February 7 at 6:00 pm, all families of MCES students are invited to come
and learn about supporting children with math and reading games. Please return the
RSVP so activities and materials can be prepared for the evening. Our staff gives this
event a 5 star marshmallow rating!!! You don’t want to miss this event.
Maryland School Assessment (MSA), March 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th
The MSA is a state assessment given to students in grades 3-5 to assess student progress
in reading and math. Please be sure not to schedule any appointments for your children on these dates. The results of the assessments will be provided to parents during
the summer or fall of the next school year. Science MSA will be administered on April
8th and 9th and the 15th through the 18th for our 5th grade students.
Karen Soneira, Principal
P.S.
How are you helping your child become college & workforce ready?
Maryland City Elementary
Website
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You can learn more about our school
and access the MCES
calendar on our school website.
Go to aacps.org
School Links/Elementary Schools/MCES
Class Picture
Day
Tuesday, Feb. 12
Uniforms Required
Reach for the Stars, Together We Can Make a Difference!
Boxtops for Education
Class competition
begins for the most
box tops collected!
February 1-11
Joe Corbi Pizza Fundraiser for Math (Pickup on Feb. 28, 2:305:00 PM)
February 5
8:30 AM-1:00 PM
First Day for Pre-K
Applications for the
2013-2014 school year
February 6
6:30 PM– PTA Meeting, Media Center
February 7
Campfire Night
Math and Reading
Night, 6:00 PM-All
Families Invited
February 8
Report Cards
Distributed
February 12
Class Picture Day
(Uniform Required)
February 12
Otis Spunkmeyer
Cookie Dough Pickup, 2:35-5:30 PM
February 18
Presidents’ DaySchool Closed
February 28
STEM Night-Science
Fair Information Night
INCLEMENT WEATHER
INFORMATION
Keep the following information
handy for quick reference:
410-222-5000
410-222-5110 www.aacps.org
Parents and Visitors
Please remember all visitors must enter through the main entrance of the school and report directly to the office before going to any areas of the school building or grounds. Please remember to always bring your license with you for the office to scan in the Raptor system. A badge
must be worn at all times while you are on the school premises. We will ask what your ‘purpose
for visiting the building’ is if we don’t recognize you when you arrive.
If you are picking your child up early from school (for example, a medical or dental appointment), you must have your ID with you for the office to sign out your child. Your name must appear on the child’s emergency form for the child to be released to you. If your name is not on
the form we will have to call the parent for confirmation. Thank you for all of your cooperation
in providing a safe and orderly environment for your children and our staff.
Math Textbook Website
www.pearson.com
Please provide time each week for your child
to access the Pearson Envision website to practice mathematics at home.
Your scholar uses this math website during instruction in the computer lab at school. Please
send a note to your child’s teacher if you need
the log-on and password to access this site.
Parents will be able to preview the math textbook and review skills that students learned at school and find additional
supports to reinforce these skills. There are math games to challenge all
levels of mathematicians!
New Contact Information
Winter brings about many changes. If you have a new phone number or
address, please request a new Emergency Card from our school office. It is
important that we have your most up to date phone number should there
be an emergency. If you have added another adult that can
pick-up your child from school, please let us know. We will also
continue to update our automated phone systems. Thank
you! Our school office number is 301-725-4526.
Page 2
Eagle Eye
PBIS News
Positive Behavior Intervention Support
We would appreciate your support of our PBIS school initiatives at home!
Here are ways you can follow-up with our school 3 Rs. (Respectful, Responsible, Ready to Learn)
 Acknowledge your child when they show examples of the 3 Rs at home.
 Ask your child, “What did you do today at school to show RESPECT to other
students? Your teachers?
 Remind your child about the importance of “staying on their path” towards
begin college and workforce ready.
 Provide daily responsibilities for your child. Do they have some chores to
help support the routines of daily family life. (Examples include: setting the
table, clearing the dishes, feeding the pets, carrying the laundry to-from the
washer, and our favorite...taking out the trash!)
During the month of February we will focus on FAIRNESS! Each
month our scholars are encouraged to demonstrate good character. (TRRFCC-Trustworthy, Respect, Responsible, Fairness, Caring, Citizenship)
Patient First Book Donation
Maryland City Elementary School recently got a surprise from the local
Patient First as a business member from the healthcare’s Laurel location provided $1,000
to purchase math books that teachers will use to support daily lessons in the classroom –
making their generous contribution to increase our math success. Patient First shows its
commitment to support education and literacy with programs like this. Other schools in
the Meade area also received a similar contribution for literacy materials to support academic instruction. Please be sure to mention your appreciated if you are a member of the
Patient First site here in Laurel.
Page 3
Eagle Eye
From the Counselor’s Corner
Dear Parents,
The beginning of a new marking period is the perfect time to review basic study and test taking skills. Below are
some ideas to use with your child in these areas.
Study Skills: What’s the difference between a successful student and one who is not so successful? According to
experts, it may be the study skills they have learned.
1. Set goals. Before starting any homework or study session, your child should set goals. Have him/her ask themselves, “What is the most important thing I need to learn as a result of doing this assignment/study session?”
2. Prioritize assignments. With your help, have your child decide which assignment is the most hard/time consuming and begin with that assignment first. That way, the work gets easier as they go along.
3. Ask questions. Successful students make up questions as they read. Instead of just taking in information, they
think about the questions the text is answering. By asking questions and writing them down, your child will have a
better understanding of what they are reading.
Test Taking Skills: Tests can cause anxiety for students and parents alike. Helping your child figure out exactly
what to study can boost his/her confidence and comprehension.
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Ask your child what he/she thinks will be on the test. What main points did the teacher repeat in class or write
on the board. What did he/she say to remember? Was a study guide provided? If so, use it.
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Look for possible test content. Help your child pick out key points in his notes and homework assignment.
Have him/her review words and sentences in boldface type in the textbook. Examine pictures, tables, etc. hunt for
key phrases like “three reasons for…” and “the purpose of…” Also, remind him/her to check out the questions at
the end of the chapter.
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Turn main points into quiz questions. Have your child change the text heading “Causes of the Civil War” to
“What are the causes of the Civil War?” He/she should review previous tests for the types of questions the teacher
has previously asked.
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Select a variety of problems from recent homework assignment and quizzes if your child is studying for a math
test.
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Read spelling words aloud as your child writes them down.
Have your child use vocabulary words (from all subjects) in sentences.
As always, I am available to assist you or your child in any way.
Sincerely,
Ms. Deist
School Counselor, 301-725-4256
Page 4
Eagle Eye
READING NEWS!
Technology Connections
For Treasures Reading
http://connected.mcgraw-hill.com
Your child can have online access to grade level materials!
 Student Anthology
 Leveled Readers
 Games
 Review Activities
Each student has his/her own username and password. The classroom teacher will set this up and send the information home. Students and parents may log on at anytime, anywhere.
Tip: The username and password is the same.
Username: Capital T followed by your child’s lunch number.
MCES
Page 5
January 2013
Recommended budget continues Journey To Greatness
By Kevin M. Maxwell, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
When I arrived in 2006, I made
very clear that our school system had
every ingredient necessary to become
the best school system in Maryland
and one of the best in the nation. Six
years later, I firmly believe we remain
on that Journey to Greatness and I am
immensely proud of the role we play
in making this a great county.
We are creating the leaders of
tomorrow through partnerships that
continue to create and implement
rigorous, relevant, and evolving
curricula to provide students with the
knowledge and skills business owners
and managers seek.
Our work is not easy, and it is
not inexpensive. We have, however,
invested our dollars wisely, and made
the most of our modest allocations
during the lean economy we have
endured in recent years.
Using the federal E-Rate program,
for instance, we have obtained $6
million worth of technology for just
over $500,000. Our negotiation of
a new three-year prescription drug
contract earlier this year will cut our
costs by nearly $11 million. And,
using the county-installed fiber-optic
ring and cable Business Class Internet
service, we have sliced Internet access
costs for schools by nearly 75 percent
over the last five years.
We will continue to take advantage
of such opportunities, but we
must change the mindset that our
county should only provide the bare
Countywide CAC meetings
The Countywide Citzen Advisory
Committee will meet at 7 p.m. on
the following dates: Feb. 4; March 4;
April 2; May 6; and June 3.
All meetings will be held in
the Board Room at the Parham
Building, located at 2644 Riva Road
in Annapolis, and are open to the
public.
minimum level of funding, as has
been the case in recent years.
The $1.01 billion operating budget
I have recommended to the Board
of Education represents a 3 percent
increase over our current budget,
the smallest requested one-year
percentage increase in 17 years.
There is more than $16 million
set aside for negotiations regarding
compensation increases for our more
than 10,000 employees, who have
shouldered more than their fair share
of the burden during the economic
recession. I commend the County
Council for its action to provide
increases for some of its workers.
They have also shared in the burden
of economic squeezes, and they
unquestionably deserve their increases
– as do all other county employees.
So, too, do our employees, who
have done incredible work in the face
of increased enrollments and rising
state standards. We simply must
support them, because they are the
pillars of our successes.
My recommendation also includes
$4.5 million for increases in healthcare costs, an amount that would
have been more than $15 million
had we not been able to negotiate a
new prescription drug contract and
restructure our health-care plan.
I am also requesting $3.2 million
to open the new Phoenix Academy,
which will offer special education
and alternative education services and
decrease our need for costly out-ofcounty nonpublic school placements.
Also included is $1.1 million to cover
20 teachers and teaching assistants to
address the increasingly diverse needs
of our special education students.
There is also funding to lease
studio space for students in our
growing high school Performing and
Visual Arts program, add the Primary
Years Programme at two more
elementary schools, open our first
middle school STEM magnet, and
enhance the highly successful AVID
program at Corkran Middle School.
The $240 million recommended
capital budget funds renovation
projects at 10 schools, including the
completion of construction at Point
Pleasant Elementary School and the
Phoenix Academy. It also includes
construction funding for projects at
Annapolis, Crofton, Mills-Parole,
West Annapolis, Benfield, Lothian,
and Rolling Knolls elementary
schools, as well as Severna Park High
School.
This budget request also contains
feasibility study and design funding
for Manor View, High Point, George
Cromwell, Jessup, and Arnold
elementary schools; $11 million for
additions to accommodate full-day
kindergarten and prekindergarten
programs; and $9 million for open
space classroom enclosures.
There will be a lot of discussion
before June, when the County Council
must adopt a final budget for our
school system. I urge everyone to stay
involved, to voice an opinion, and to
stand up for our schools. A complete
budget timeline, including dates of
public hearings, can be found on our
website, www.aacps.org.
On The Calendar
Feb. 6: Hispanic Education Forum - Meade Cluster,
Meade Middle School, 5:45 to 8:15 p.m.
Feb. 12: PTA Reflections reception, 7 p.m.,
Parham Building
Feb. 13: Professional Development for staff;
Two-hour early dismissal for all students; Schools
closed for p.m. pre-kindergarten and E.C.I.
Feb. 18: Presidents Day; all schools and offices
closed.
Enero 2013
El presupuesto escolar continúa su Viaje a la Grandeza
Por Kevin M. Maxwell, Ph.D.
Superintendente de Escuelas
Cuando llegué en el 2006 dejé
en claro que nuestro sistema escolar
tenía todos los ingredientes necesarios
para convertirse en el mejor sistema
escolar de Maryland y uno de los mejores
de la nación. Seis años después, creo
firmemente que continuamos en ese Viaje
a la Grandeza y estoy inmensamente
orgulloso del papel que desempeñamos en
hacer de éste un gran condado.
Estamos creando los líderes del
mañana a través de asociaciones que
continúan implementando y estableciendo
un plan de estudios riguroso, relevante
y evolucionado, para proporcionar a
los estudiantes los conocimientos y
habilidades que buscan los empresarios y
gerentes de negocios.
Nuestro trabajo no es fácil y
no es barato. Sin embargo, hemos
invertido sabiamente nuestros dólares y
aprovechado al máximo nuestras modestas
asignaciones durante la magra economía
que hemos sufrido en los últimos años.
Al usar el programa federal E-Rate,
por ejemplo, hemos obtenido $6 millones
de dólares en tecnología por un poco
más de $500,000. Nuestra negociación,
a principios de este año, de un nuevo
contrato de tres años de medicamentos con
receta, reducirá nuestros costos en cerca
de $11 millones. Además, utilizando el
servicio de anillo y cable de fibra óptica
“Business Class Internet”, hemos reducido
en casi 75 por ciento los costos de acceso
al Internet para las escuelas durante los
últimos cinco años.
Vamos a seguir aprovechando estas
oportunidades pero debemos cambiar la
mentalidad de que nuestro condado sólo
debe proporcionar el nivel mínimo de
Reuniones CAC del condado
El Comité de Ciudadanos
Asesores del Condado ser reunirá
a las 7 p.m. en las siguientes fechas:
Febrero 4; Marzo 4; Abril 2; Mayo 6; y
Junio 3.
Todas las reuniones serán en la
Sala de Directorio del edificio Parham,
ubicado en el 2644 Riva Road en
Annapolis, y son abiertos al público.
financiación como ha venido ocurriendo
en los últimos años.
El presupuesto operativo de $1.01
billones que he recomendado a la Junta de
Educación representa un aumento del 3
por ciento de nuestro presupuesto actual;
este ha sido el aumento porcentual de un
año más pequeño que se ha solicitado en
los últimos 17 años.
Hay más de $16 millones de dólares
reservados para las negociaciones relativas
a los incrementos de compensación para
nuestros más de 10,000 empleados,
quienes han asumido más que su parte
justa de la carga durante la recesión
económica. Felicito al Consejo del
Condado por su acción al proporcionar
aumentos para algunos de sus empleados.
Ellos también han compartido la
carga de la estrechez económica e
incuestionablemente también merecen
sus aumentos– al igual que todos los
empleados del condado.
Así, también nuestros empleados,
quienes han hecho un trabajo increíble
frente a un aumento de matrículas y de los
estándares a nivel del estado. Simplemente
debemos apoyarlos porque ellos son los
pilares de nuestro éxito.
Mi recomendación también incluye
$4.5 millones para sufragar el aumento
de los costos de atención en salud, una
cantidad que habría sido de más de $15
millones si no hubiéramos sido capaces de
negociar un contrato de recetas médicas y
reestructurar nuestro plan de salud.
También estoy solicitando $3.2
millones para abrir la nueva Academia
Phoenix, la cual ofrecerá educación
especial y servicios de educación
alternativa, y reducir de esta forma
nuestra necesidad de posiciones costosas
provenientes de escuelas privadas fuera
del condado. También se incluye $1.1
millones de dólares para cubrir el costo
de 20 maestros y auxiliares de maestros
para cubrir las necesidades cada vez
más diversas de nuestros estudiantes de
educación especial.
También hay fondos para rentar un
espacio –estudio para los estudiantes
de secundaria de nuestro programa en
crecimiento de las Artes Escénicas y
Visuales, agregar el Programa de los Años
Primarios en otras dos escuelas primarias,
abrir nuestra primera escuela imán
intermedia STEM y mejorar el exitoso
programa AVID en la Escuela Intermedia
Corkran.
Se han recomendado $240 millones
del presupuesto capital para proyectos
de renovación en 10 escuelas, los cuales
incluyen la finalización de la construcción
de la Escuela Primaria Point Pleasant y de
la Academia Phoenix. También incluye
fondos para los proyectos de construcción
de las escuelas primarias Annapolis,
Crofton, Mills-Parole, West Annapolis,
Benfield, Lothian, y Rolling Knolls así
como la escuela secundaria Severna Park.
Esta solicitud de presupuesto también
contiene estudios de factibilidad y diseño
para la financiación de las escuelas
primarias Manor View, High Point,
George Cromwell, Jessup, y Arnold; $11
millones para agregar programas de día
completo de pre kínder y kínder y $9
millones para poner paredes en aulas de
espacios abiertos.
Habrá mucha discusión antes de Junio
cuando el Consejo del Condado deba
aprobar un presupuesto final para nuestro
sistema escolar. Insto a todos a participar,
a expresar su opinión y a defender a
nuestras escuelas. Un cronograma del
presupuesto completo, incluyendo las
fechas de las audiencias públicas, se puede
encontrar en nuestra página web www.
aacps.org.
Feb. 6: Foro de Educación Hispano - Área de Meade,
Escuelas Intermedia Meade, 5:45-8:15 p.m.
Feb. 12: Recepción de reflexiones de la PTA, 7 p.m.,
Edificio Parham
Feb 13: Día de Desarrollo Profesional para el personal;
Salida dos horas más temprano para todos los
estudiantes; Las escuelas estarán cerradas para el prekínder de la tarde y el programa E.C.I.
Feb. 18: Día de los Presidentes; todas las escuelas y
oficinas estarán cerradas.
Parent Link
Connecting You and Your Child to Information on Our Journey to Greatness
To be the truly great school system we want to be, we need to
continue to develop partnerships with our parents. Children need
to see that parents value education and are willing and able to be
involved in helping them realize their potential.
- Dr. Kevin M. Maxwell
Understanding the
Common Core
State Standards
Information Night for K-12 Families
February 7, 2013, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Old Mill High School Auditorium
The Common Core State Standards for proficiency in
English/language arts and mathematics for grades K-12
were developed by governors and state commissioners
of education from 48 states, 2 territories, and the
District of Columbia.
The standards, developed in collaboration with
teachers, school administrators, and educational
experts, establish clear and consistent goals for
learning. Common Core State Standards define the
knowledge and skills students should master within
their K-12 academic careers so they will graduate from
high school able to succeed in credit-bearing college
courses and in workforce training programs.
These new standards also mean new standardized
assessments to measure student progress. The first of
these exams will be administered during the 2014-2015
school year.
Please come to the
Common Core Information Night
to learn more.
For Maryland State Department of Education online
publications about The Common Core Standards, visit:
www.marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/programs/ccss
February 2013
What’s GoinG on
February 18th is Presidents Day!
Explore History with Your Children
Schools are closed to commemorate the birthdays of
Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. It is the
perfect time to make history meaningful for the whole
family.
 Visit the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC.
 Visit George Washington’s home, Mt. Vernon,
Virginia (just 14 miles south of DC).
 Read together. These books are available at Anne
Arundel County Public Libraries:
Abraham Lincoln by Jane Schott, 2002 .
The Emancipation Proclamation: the abolition
of slavery by Janet Riehecky, 2002.
President George Washington by Adler,
David A. Wallner, John C, 2005.
Presidents’ Day by Amy Margaret, 2002.

Volunteer of the Month
January 2013
Jackie Knox
Broadneck Elementary School
… for generously sharing her passion for music
with the students of Broadneck Elementary, as
accompanist for their countless musical
performances.
To nominate outstanding volunteers for the AACPS
Volunteer of the Month Award, email [email protected]
Office of School & Family Partnerships AACPS TV Programs:
Comcast and Broadstripe Channel 96, & Verizon Channel 36.
Parent Connection, Parents’ Corner, World View
Nuestra Comunidad (Our Community),and
¡Charlemos Juntos! (Let’s Chat)
Published by:
The Office of School & Family Partnerships
410-222-5414; [email protected]
Parent Link
Conectándolo a usted y a su hijo a la información en su camino a la grandeza
Para que verdaderamente seamos el gran sistema escolar que deseamos ser,
necesitamos seguir desarrollando relaciones con nuestros padres. Los niños
necesitan ver que los padres valoran la educación y que están dispuestos y son
capaces de involucrarse en ella, ayudando a sus hijos a desarrollar todo su
potencial. - Dr. Kevin M. Maxwell
Entendiendo los
Febrero 2013
¿QUÉ ESTÁ PASANDO?
Estándares Básicos Comunes
¡Febrero 18 es el Día de los Presidentes!
del Estado
Las escuelas estarán cerradas para conmemorar el
cumpleaños de Abraham Lincoln y George
Washington. Es el momento perfecto para hacer de la
historia algo significativo para toda la familia.
 Visite el Lincoln Memorial en Washington, DC.
 Visite la casa de George Washington en Mt.
Vernon, Virginia (a sólo 14 millas al sur de DC).
 Lean juntos. Los siguientes libros están
disponibles en las Bibliotecas Públicas del
Condado de Anne Arundel:
Abraham Lincoln por Jane Schott, 2002.
Noche de Información para Familias con
estudiantes de Kínder hasta grado 12
Febrero 7 de 2013 de 6:30 a 8:30 pm
Auditorio de la Escuela Old Mill High
Los Estándares Básicos Comunes del Estado para
competencias de la lengua y literatura inglesa y las
matemáticas desde los grados kínder hasta el 12, fueron
desarrollados por gobernadores y comisionados de
educación del estado de 48 estados, 2 territorios y el
Distrito de Columbia.
Los estándares, desarrollados en colaboración con
maestros, administradores escolares y expertos en
educación, establecen metas de aprendizaje claras y
consistentes. Los Estándares Básicos Comunes del
Estado definen los conocimientos y habilidades que los
estudiantes desde kínder a grado 12 deben dominar en
el transcurso de su educación con el fin de que se
gradúen de la preparatoria y sean exitosos en los cursos
universitarios con créditos y en los programas de
entrenamiento laboral.
Estos nuevos estándares también significan
nuevas evaluaciones para medir el progreso del
estudiante. Los primeros exámenes de este tipo serán
administrados en el año escolar 2014-2015.
Por favor venga a la Noche de
Información para obtener más
detalles.
Para ver publicaciones sobre Los Estándares Básicos
Comunes del estado del Departamento de Educación de
Maryland visite:
www.marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/programs/ccss
Explore la Historia con sus Hijos
The Emancipation Proclamation: the abolition
of slavery por Janet Riehecky, 2002.
President George Washington por Adler,
David A. Wallner, John C, 2005.
Presidents’ Day por Amy Margaret, 2002.

Voluntario del Mes
Enero 2013
Jackie Knox
Escuela Primaria Broadneck
… por compartir generosamente su pasión por
la música con los estudiantes de la Escuela
Primaria Broadneck y por ser acompañante
en las innumerables presentaciones musicales.
Para nominar a voluntarios sobresalientes al Premio
Voluntario del Mes de AACPS envíe un correo electrónico a
[email protected]
Programas de TV de la Oficina de Relaciones entre la Escuela
y la Familia de AACPS: Comcast y Broadstripe Canal 96,
Verizon Canal 36.
Parent Connection, Parents’ Corner, World View
Nuestra Comunidad y ¡Charlemos Juntos!
Publicado por:
La Oficina de Relaciones entre la Escuela y la Familia
410-222-5414; [email protected]