New Market Elementary School

Dear Families,

It is hard to believe that we are in our final quarter of instruction for this school year. Below are some updates and reminders from the front office:

• The last day of school for students is Tuesday, June 16. There will be a 2-hour early dismissal on this day.
• We ask our families to aim for strong attendance for their children and make the most of the final weeks of instruction. Arriving to school on time and remaining for the full day of school matters!
• State testing for grades 3, 4 and 5 will begin the week of April 20. See the section below for specific dates, times and ways to support your child.
• Mark your calendars! The first day of school for students for the 2026 - 2027 school year is Wednesday, August 19.
• As a reminder, you can support at home in a variety of ways. Our Leadership Team created a helpful document titled "NMES Home-School Connection". Click HERE to view. The document has practical ideas to use at home to support your child's attendance and academic progress.

Thank you for your support as we close the 2025-2026 school year!

Steve Lockard, Principal

Karen McGaha, Assistant Principal

FCPS 2026 - 2027 Calendar

• State testing for grades 3, 4 and 5 will occur in April. See state testing schedule section in this newsletter.
• Thursday, April 2: Term 3 report cards issued
• Thursday, April 2: PTA Social at Prospect Pantry from 5-7pm (see details below in the PTA section of the newsletter)
• Friday, April 3 - Friday, April 10: Schools closed for Spring Break
• Tuesday, April 14: Grade 2 field trip to the ESSL
• Friday, April 17: Abilities Awareness Assembly
• Sunday, April 19: Spring Sprucing Event from 9am - 12pm (see details below in the PTA section of the newsletter)

For all attendance related emails or transportation changes, please email nmes.attendance@fcps.org and include your child's teacher. Transportation changes must be made prior to 3:00pm.

Consistent attendance is important for your child's academic and social success in school. MSDE sets the attendance goal at 96%. Below are the attendance percentages for each grade level and for the school overall as of the end of March:

Pre-Kindergarten: 92.7%

Kindergarten: 95.2%

Grade 1: 95.3%

Grade 2: 95.2%

Grade 3: 95.5%

Grade 4: 95.3%

Grade 5: 95.6%

Overall School Attendance Percentage: 95.2%

You can support by sending your healthy child to school each day on time. Instruction promptly begins at 9:00 each morning. You can also support by planning vacations around the FCPS calendar. Thank you!

To support your child with MCAP testing, consider the following:

• Ensure your child’s attendance on testing days - students are most comfortable taking assessments with their classmates

• Prepare a healthy breakfast for your child on testing days

• Write a note of encouragement to your child on testing days and place in their lunchbox

• Leave cell phones, smart watches and/or smart glasses at home on testing days as they are not permitted during testing

• Do not schedule appointments for your child on testing days

Grade 3 MCAP Testing Schedule:

• Tuesday, April 21: Math (one morning session)
• Wednesday, April 22: Math (one morning session)
• Friday, April 24: Math (one morning session and one afternoon session)
• Monday, April 27: ELA (one afternoon session)
• Tuesday, April 28: ELA (one afternoon session)
• Wednesday, April 29: ELA (one afternoon session)
• Thursday, April 30: ELA (one afternoon session)

Grade 4 MCAP Testing Schedule:

• Monday, April 20: ELA (one morning session)
• Tuesday, April 21: ELA (one morning session)
• Wednesday, April 22: ELA (one morning session)
• Friday, April 24: ELA (one morning session)
• Monday, April 27: Math (one afternoon session)
• Tuesday, April 28: Math (one afternoon session)
• Wednesday, April 29: Math (one afternoon session)
• Thursday, April 30: Math (one afternoon session)

Grade 5 MCAP Testing Schedule:

• Monday, April 20: ELA (one afternoon session)
• Tuesday, April 21: ELA (one afternoon session)
• Wednesday, April 22: ELA (one afternoon session)
• Friday, April 24: ELA (one afternoon session)
• Monday, April 27: Math (one morning session)
• Tuesday, April 28: Math (one morning session)
• Wednesday, April 29: Math (one morning session)
• Thursday, April 30: Math (one morning session)

Kindergarten - Grade 5 Enrollment Information

Kindergarten through 5th grade registration is now open for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year. If your child is already enrolled at NMES, you do not need to complete an enrollment, this is for new students. Information regarding registration can be found here. Parents/Guardians will need to register their child online through the PowerSchool online enrollment portal. Initial required documents for registration are:

• Proof of child’s date of birth
• Proof of residency
• List of immunizations

Additional documents that can be submitted at a later date are:

• Documentation of recent physical exam
• Parent photo identification

If your child is currently enrolled at NMES and is transferring to another school for the upcoming school year or if you have any questions regarding enrollment, please reach out to Sarah Main at sarah.main@fcps.org or 227-203-1460.

Pre-Kindergarten Enrollment Information

Applications for all residents of Frederick County are now open for students who will be 3, or 4 years old by September 1, 2026. Information about income eligibility criteria and programs offered can be found here.

Families may apply online via the enrollment portal. Click here for English or click here for Spanish. The required enrollment documentation to include income verification document, proof of residency, and proof of birth date must be uploaded as part of the online enrollment process. Please do not submit until all documents have been included. Applications without this documentation will not be considered.

Should you have additional questions, please contact the Early Childhood Office at 240-586-7735 or PreKEnrollment@fcps.org.

Take time to read the helpful information from Mrs. Carl and Mrs. Blake, our NMES School Counselors. Click HERE to read their newsletter. Highlights from their newsletter include:

• Puppy Drive - Donations needed!
• Career Day for Grades 4 and 5 - Speakers needed!
• Tips for Test Anxiety - check them out!

Thank you to everyone who helped make our recent PTA events a success! Healthy Kids, Healthy Minds Night and Family Art Night were both wonderful events that brought our school community together. We appreciate all the families who attended, as well as the volunteers who helped make these events possible.

PTA Social at Prospect Pantry! April 2, 5pm-7pm

Ever wondered what the PTA actually does… or how to get involved without accidentally signing up for everything? You’re not alone.

Join us for a relaxed, come-as-you-are evening to meet current board members, ask questions, and learn about ways to get involved for the 2026–2027 school year. The PTA helps make so many of the things our kids love possible, from events and programs to those little extras that make NMES feel special. And next year, there will be both board and committee opportunities available.

Not ready to jump into a leadership role? No problem. Committee positions are a great way to get involved, share ideas, and help out in a way that fits your schedule. There’s truly a place for everyone.

And a little bonus… Good Friday is the next day (no school), and Spring Break starts right after. Think of this as your unofficial “ease into break” parents’ night out.

• Food and drinks available for purchase from Prospect Pantry
• Free to attend
• Everyone is welcome

It takes a village, and sometimes that village looks like parents connecting over snacks and good conversation. We’d love to see you there and help you find your place in the PTA.

Spring Sprucing – April 19, 9am-12pm

Join us for Spring Sprucing on Saturday, April 19 as we help clean up and beautify the school grounds. This is a great opportunity for families to volunteer together and help keep our school looking its best. Sign-up HERE!

Staff Appreciation Week – May 4–8

We are currently gearing up for Staff Appreciation Week. The NMES PTA is planning a week full of treats and surprises to celebrate our amazing teachers and staff. If you are interested in helping, donating items, or volunteering, please keep an eye out for a sign-up coming soon. We would love your help making this a special week for our staff!

Final PTA Meeting – May 5

Our final PTA meeting of the school year will be May 5 from 7-8pm in the NMES cafeteria. We hope you will join us as we wrap up the year, vote on new board members, review everything the PTA accomplished, and look ahead to next year.

Thank you for your continued support of the NMES PTA and everything you do to support our students, staff, and school community!

The NMES Lost and Found has many student belongings, including jackets, shirts and sweatshirts. Encourage your child to visit the Lost and Found if an item is missing. Any items remaining will be donated.

From Poetry Month to Arbor Day, there are plenty of reasons to celebrate April! Find out about all the interesting holidays with our optional choice board at https://bit.ly/NMESApril25.

The following students were nominated by their classroom teacher as a "Role Model Monday" nominee. These students demonstrate our Be a Wolf expectations on a regular basis across the school day. These students are recognized on our morning announcements by Dr. Lockard. The students receive a certificate and small prize for being a great Wolf each and every day! Also, the parents receive a Good News Phone Call from Dr. Lockard.

• Charlie Woods, kindergarten student in Mrs. Heller's classroom. Mrs. Heller shared the following about Charlie: "Charlie is a wonderful New Market Wolf. One thing that stands out is the kindness Charlie shows to his classmates. Charlie loves to make gifts for his friends. He starts each day with a big smile on his face and an even bigger “Hello!” He works hard each day and is always ready to learn something new. We love having Charlie in our class!"
• Gabriel Futch, fourth-grade student in Mrs. Martin's classroom. Mrs. Martin shared the following about Gabriel: "Gabriel is a wonderful role model for our school! While she is new to our school this year, she jumped right into our Be a Wolf expectations. She is always a respectful and responsible student, she comes in every day focused and ready to learn, and goes above and beyond to being a kind friend to her classmates. We love having Gabriel as a role model in our class!"
• Skylar Everett, first-grade student in Mrs. Kocher's classroom. Mrs. Kocher shared the following about Skylar: "Skylar arrives every day with a smile on her face and a positive attitude. She is ready to tackle whatever the day may bring with her kind words and responsible work ethic. Skylar works hard in both whole and small groups; always giving her best effort and showing that she is an active listener and learner. Skylar is able to help friends by setting a good example with her ready to learn choices. Way to go Skylar!"
• Greyson Kocher, third-grade student in Mrs. Schaffer's classroom. Mrs. Schaffer shared the following about Greyson: "If you are in need of a role model to demonstrate neat, organized and carefully completed work, Greyson is your guy! All of his assignments are completed with neat handwriting, are well-organized and demonstrate excellent effort. His classwork is frequently shared as a model of “best effort” work. His consistent attention to detail shows that he takes pride in his work and inspires others to do the same. Thank you Greyson for being a role-model in our classroom; helping us all learn to give our very best effort in all of our school work."
• Kat Mullinix, second-grade student in Mrs. Johnson's classroom. Mrs. Johnson shared the following about Kat: "Mr. Rogers used to say, “Look for the helpers”. Kat is an example of a helper. Kat looks for ways to be helpful and takes care of things without being asked. She is always willing to step up and help her classmates as well, and she does it in a kind and caring way. Thank you Kat for always jumping in to offer your help!"

Please email nmes.attendance@fcps.org, along with your child's teacher, with all attendance related matters and dismissal changes.

Join us for our April Walking School Bus on Thursday, April 2nd at 8:15am. The PTA has designated route leaders to help lead the way. Parents/Guardians are responsible to make sure their student(s) arrive at school safely and families are welcome to join us for a morning walk. It's a great way to start the day!

• Brinkley Manor at Wainscot and Marley

• New Market West Park

• Royal Oak Drive near LOUYAA entrance

• North Alley and 1st Alley (*meets at 8:25a)

The April Walking School Bus is sponsored by the NMES PTA. Walking School Bus participants should be on the look out for hidden eggs along their walking route. Eggs will have a prize inside! Please only one egg per participant so everyone can enjoy the fun. Younger siblings are welcome to find an egg too!

And save the date for our May Bike to School event! All NMES families are invited to participate in our Bike to School Day event! Participants will gather at designated neighborhood meet locations at 7:30 am. Our route leaders will go over some safety rules before we depart for the school. Although we will have volunteer route leaders, parents/guardians are responsible to make sure their child(ren) arrives at school safely that morning.

Once at school, all participants are invited to participate in our Bike Rodeo event on the NMES black top from 7:30am until school doors open at 8:30am. Helmets for both children and adults are required for the Bike Rodeo activities. All children will also need to have a completed permission slip on file to participate in the Bike Rodeo. Please click HERE for the permission slip, available on our PTA Website.

Our NMES students will also be competing for the Golden Helmet award! The grade with the highest participation rate in Bike to School Day will claim the prize.

Help make this event possible by volunteering - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409084EAEA72BA5F49-63173894-2026

Dear NMES Families,

We invite you and your family to join us for the 2026 Cindy Alvarado Race Series! The event will take place on Saturday, May 2nd, 2026, beginning at 8:30am. Participants can choose to race a 5K or 1K. Both races will start and end at the NMES Black Top.

We encourage everyone to sign up early! All those registered by April 13th are guaranteed a race shirt, but we will do our best to make sure every participant gets a race shirt. Registration costs $20 per adult and $12 per child. Registration will stay open through race day.

To learn more about the race and to register, please visit: https://newmarketpta.givebacks.com/w/cindyalvarado2026

Proceeds from our Cindy Alvarado Community Run support our PTA budget. The PTA supports NMES by funding classroom materials and supplies, school resources like Bookflix, the Artist in Residence program, and family programs and events throughout the school year.

Get to know Cindy Alvarado…

Cindy Alvarado was a former teacher and administrator at New Market Elementary. She started a 5k event at the school to raise money to provide additional resources and supplies to the students at the school. In her time at NMES, she was a fierce advocate for her students, staff, and the community. Cindy was also well known for her love of running and fitness.

Cindy succumbed to a battle with cancer and passed away in February 2016. In March 2016, teachers and staff at NMES changed the name of the event to honor Cindy. Each year the race brings the community together to remember Cindy's impact on the school and numerous students and families that have benefitted from her advocacy.

Please take a moment to review student and parent expectations for personal mobile devices. Click HERE to review. If your child brings a cell phone to school or wears a smart watch to school, then the personal mobile device must be silenced, out of sight and in "airplane" or "school" mode during the entirety of the school day, including arrival, dismissal and on the school bus. If a parent needs to contact their child, please call the front office at 227-203-1460. We appreciate your ongoing support to keep our students focused on teaching and learning.

When school is in session, you can reach the front office from 8:30 - 4:00 at 227-203-1460.