Ruth Ann Monroe Primary

On behalf of the staff, I welcome all students and families to another exciting school year. I hope that everyone enjoyed a relaxing summer! I know that the students are ready and eager to start learning! All of our staff have been working throughout the summer in many different ways to prepare for the start of an outstanding and productive numeracy with exposure to digital learning. Our goal is to teach for understanding so that students can transfer and apply that understanding in to everyday, real world life experiences and start on the path to College and Career Readiness!

I am exited to announce that along with supporting the academic needs of all students, we will focus on enriching the social/emotional growth of all students using a program called Second Step.

We will "Step Towards Success" by following our new motto -

Be Safe, Be Respectful, and Be Responsible.

I encourage you to fully participate and be an active member of our school community by communicating regularly with your child's teacher, attending school events, volunteering at school or from home and joining our PTA.

Thank you for sharing your child with us! Please feel free to reach out to me with your questions and suggestions!

Kathy Forrest - Principal

Stephanie Straw - Assistant Principal

September 5: First Day of School

• Kindergarten Staggered Opening (last names beginning with A-L only)

September 6:

• Kindergarten Staggered Opening (last names beginning with M-Z only)

September 7:

• All kindergarten students attend
• Pre-K Staggered Opening (last names starting with A-L only)

September 8:

• Pre-K Staggered Opening (last names starting with M-Z only)
• Grandparent's Day 9:30 - 3:30 (lunch will not be available to visitors)

September 22: Fall Pictures

September 28: Campus Wide Safety Wellness Night 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Please note that all WCPS schools have or will have the addition of a security window in the front entrance area that will eliminate the need for visitors to physically enter the front office depending upon the purpose of their visit. For example, if you are dropping off a backpack, lunchbox, notes, library book, etc., you may drop those off at the window.

Additionally, procedures for dropping off and picking up students will change as it will no longer be necessary for parents to enter and/or wait in the front office. Always remember your Photo ID when dropping off or picking up a student.

Communication between home and school is the key to success!

Ways to keep the lines of communication open include:

Checking your child's folder daily for notes, fliers, school information, and community events

• Sending notes to school in your child's folder; calling the school office (301-766-8668) and leaving a message for a staff member; emailing a staff member
• Setting up Class DoJo - an instant messaging account (information provided by your child's teacher)
• Setting up your ParentVue account - allows you to view attendance, grade book and access report card each marking period.
• Please keep parent, guardian, and emergency contact phone numbers current so that we may reach you in the event of an emergency.

Important Email Addresses:

Kathy Forrest - Principal - ForreKat@wcps.k12.md.us

Stephanie Straw - Assistant Principal - StrawSte@wcps.k12.md.us

Lauren Boerstler - Secretary - BoersLau@wcps.k12.md.us

Amy Moats - Attendance Secretary - Moatsamy@wcps.k12.md.us

Website: wcpsmd.com
Location: 1311 Yale Drive, Hagerstown, MD, United States
Phone: 301-766-8668
Facebook: facebook.com/RuthAnnMonroePrimarySchool
Twitter: @RAMPSwcpsmd

Arrival:

Our doors open for students at 8:45 a.m. Students are expected to be in his/her classroom when the bell rings at 9:15 a.m. Any student that has not entered the building by the 9:15 a.m. bell is considered tardy and must be accompanied into the building by a parent/guardian to sign the student in at the security window using their photo id.

Dismissal:

Dismissal procedures begin in the building at 3:35 p.m. daily. At that time, students who are car riders will be escorted by a staff member to the appropriate vehicle. Parents/Relatives are asked to wait patiently in their vehicles in the line that begins forming at the furthest left loop (as you are facing the school) on the school grounds. Parents please do not exit your vehicle to assist students!

Students riding buses are called to board buses as the buses arrive on our campus.

In the event that there is any change to your child's normal dismissal, a written note must be provided by the parent/guardian.

Phone requests for alternative dismissals will not be accepted!

Riding the bus is a privilege and one that we encourage all families to utilize. Students are required to ride the bus to which they are assigned. School staff and bus drivers are not authorized to accept a note from a parent requesting that their child/ren ride a bus other than the one he/she is assigned.

All Pre-K and K students MUST have a parent present at the bus stop daily or the student will be returned to school. A parent or emergency contact must then pick the student up at Ruth Ann Monroe Primary.

Bus information for dop off an dpick up times may be found on the WCPS website in the parent section by clicking on the 'Bus Routes' link

http://wcpsmd.com/transportation/bus-routes

We are pleased to share that Ruth Ann Monroe is a Title I school. Title I is a federal program that provides financial assistance to local school systems and schools with a high percentage of Free and Reduced Meal (FARM) rates. Funds received from the state may provide additional academic support and learning opportunities to help low-achieving children master challenging curricula and meet state standards in core academic subjects. Title I funds support extra instruction in reading and mathematics, additional teachers, materials for instruction, as well as after-school and summer programs to extend and reinforce the regular school curriculum.

For more information about Title I services, please contact our School Family Liaison, Cindy Hinkle at 301-766-8677.

We are pleased to announce that Ruth Ann Monroe will continue to participate in Maryland Meals for Achievement Program. This means that ALL students are eligible to receive FREE breakfast AND lunch at school. There will be no need to set up a lunch account or send lunch money to school as any student may participate in breakfast and/or lunch. Monthly menus are available on the WCPS website http://wcps.nutrislice.com/.

Students may also choose to bring lunch from home as they wish.