Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Our entire family is adjusting to our eldest child being in kindergarten.
Our first week of kindergarten has come and gone, and we survived! The evening before, we prepared for everything. Little Miss S picked out her clothes for her first day of school. I tried to persuade her toward clothes that coordinated instead of the light pink shirt and teal and black plaid skirt she chose, but she was adamant. There are bigger battles to pick, and it’s her way of expressing herself. Together we labeled and packed up her crayons, scissors and other school supplies. She carefully placed them in her backpack, which we hung by the front door. I even packed her lunch after we had dinner, with Little Miss S’s input. All that needed to be done in the morning was to pack it in her insulated lunch box with ice packs. My husband …
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Banneker Middle School students excited to return; one Hillandale school remained closed due to post-hurricane power outage.
It was a close call Monday morning for Benjamin Banneker Middle School, as to whether or not the doors would open for Montgomery County Public School's first day of school. Monday, Aug. 29 was originally intended to be the first day of school for all county schools. The school was one of 21 in the county left without power in the wake of Hurricane Irene. Seven schools did not open Monday as they were still without power, including Francis Scott Key Middle School in Hillandale. On Sunday evening, Banneker remained in the dark as well, along with many nearby homes and businesses. But overnight, just a few hours before school doors were to open, power was restored—proving even a hurricane's force couldn't stop the first day of school. At the…
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Faculty leaders met in Rockville for a two-day planning session.
Seated at tables, facing a large projection screen, teachers and faculty at White Oak Middle School became students for a day to receive a bit of instruction from their peers. Principal Virginia de los Santos, Assistant Principals James Allrich and Lisa Shorts and about a dozen teacher team leaders met in Rockville on Aug. 15 and Aug. 16 to discuss strategies for the new school year. The goal for the new year is simple: How can the school ensure success for all students in all subjects? Pouring over graphs of test scores and breaking into smaller groups to brainstorm, the group settled on a few over-arching goals for the new year. De los Santos said that one of her goals for the year is to instill a successful mindset in students and …
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Food safety is a serious concern in brown bag lunches.
With less than one week to kindergarten, I’ve been keeping an eye open for lunch box ideas for Little Miss S. Her welcome packet listed the lunch menu for the first week of school and the only thing on it I know she’ll eat is the cheese pizza. Not exactly healthy. I’ve been saving all those parenting magazines with headlines that scream “10 Quick School Lunches” or “Healthy Lunches Your Kid Will Love.” I keep meaning to read the articles, but they pile up on my coffee table until Lil J knocks over a cup of milk and ruins them. It seems that I have more to worry about that what to pack in Little Miss S’s lunch box. Earlier this month, the International Business Times released a study from the University of Texas about children’s brown bag …
Friday, August 19, 2011
Students resume classes on Monday, Aug. 29.
Changes are afoot at Springbrook High School. Students and parents will start the 2011-12 school year with a new principal, Sam Rivera, formerly principal of Benjamin Banneker Middle School in Burtonsville, and 15 new faculty members. Dr. Debra Mugge, principal of Springbrook for two years, left the school to become president of Montgomery County Association of Administrators and Principals in July. The new teachers are: English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Maryland High School Assessment (HSA)/Staff Development Math Science Special Education Technology Other important dates: New student orientation: Thursday, Aug. 25, 7:25 a.m. to 11:10 a.m. First day of classes: Monday, Aug. 29, 7:25 a.m. to 2:10 p.m. Back-to-school …
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
School starts on Monday, Aug. 29.
When students at James Hubert Blake High School return to class on Monday, Aug. 29, 14 new faces will greet them. Most new teachers previously worked with other public schools in Montgomery County, although a couple are new to teaching. The additional teachers are: Arts English Math Physical Education Science Signature Program Coordinator, Arts and Humanities Social Studies Spanish Special Education Other important dates: New student orientation: Thursday, Aug. 25, 7:25 a.m. to 11:10 a.m. New parent orientation: Thursday, Aug. 25, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Blake's back-to-school packet is now available online. It includes a message from the principal, notes from the PTSA, bus schedules and the school calendar, among other information.
Friday, August 12, 2011
School supply donations accepted at various locations.
Come Aug. 29, students of Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) will wave good-bye to summer and begin the 2011-12 school year. The following month, students have two days off of school, as MCPS will close on Sept. 5 to celebrate Labor Day and Sept. 29 to celebrate Rosh Hashanah. In the meantime, the school system is collecting donations of school supplies and backpacks to give to students in need at the annual Back-to-School Fair on Saturday, Aug. 27. Several drop-off locations have been set up to receive the donations. Aug. 10 to 16, Whole Foods Markets: Aug. 11 to 12, Chik-fil-A, Westfield Montgomery Mall, Bethesda Aug. 14 to 20, Westfield Montgomery Mall, Bethesda Aug. 14 to 20, Westfield Wheaton Mall, Wheaton Through Aug. 25, …
