Clearspring Howl

We had a great week welcoming back our huskies. Thank you for making sure they are ready for school each day, checking folders and communicating when needed.

Parents and Guardians of students in grades 1-5 are invited to join us for Back to School Night on Thursday, September 4th. This evening is focused on parents/guardians connecting with teachers, learning about their student's classrooms, curriculums and expectations. Teachers will "present" the same information three times throughout the night at 6:00, 6:30 and 7:00 followed by time for questions and exploring the school and classrooms.

• You can send in a check, cash or add money to your student's cafeteria account at myschoolbucks.com.

It is important for the school to have accurate emergency information for all of our students. Please make sure everything on this form is accurate. You can also make any updates in your ParentVUE account. If you have done so, please just make note on the form and send back.

Great news! We are excited to share that our Focused Instructional Time (FIT) program will begin next week for students in grades 2–5.

On Wednesday and Thursday, students will meet with their assigned FIT staff member. These initial sessions will help students practice transitioning and engage in activities designed to build connections. During FIT, the entire grade level will shift, and each student will work with a staff member who will provide targeted instruction to strengthen literacy skills. Our goal is to ensure that all students develop the tools they need to perform at or above grade-level standards.

The week of September 8th, families will receive a formal letter with more details about their child’s FIT group and instructional focus.

If you have any questions, please reach out to our Reading Specialist, Mrs. Del Balzo, at erin_e_delbalzo@mcpsmd.org.

We look forward to implementing this important component of our school year to best support your child’s growth and success.

We are starting our instrumental music classes and your child is invited to join us!

All 4th and 5th grade students are invited to join our program.

**Returning 5th grade must re-register.

Mrs. Dahlin will meet with your child in the next few weeks to determine what instrument will work for your child. Once that process is complete, you will receive information on how to get an instrument. Please do not get an instrument until you hear from Mrs. Dahlin.

Please register your child in the online form below or the paper version - not both. Your child has received the paper copy in their backpacks, but it is linked below for your convenience.

Here is an online registration option:

https://forms.gle/A7KM7pnGJpx7w8vB7

Here is the paper copy your child received:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UpofmTQIlMHHXdrlagRbokgFz_U3sw1NEGST35sWzAo/edit?usp=sharing

Here is a slide presentation with lots of information on the program:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1MbF2eSUFpIlbjCHgczMEguX0mAwYolfjDamOmvvgEow/edit?usp=sharing

Please email our instrumental teacher with any questions you have.

Mrs. Dahlin alaina_k_dahlin@mcpsmd.org

Steps to Complete for MCPS Volunteers

1. Volunteer Form

   Complete the MCPS Parent/Guardian and Community Volunteer Form. These forms serve as an introduction of yourself, your interests and availability in volunteering, and some important reminders about volunteers in schools.

2. Online Training

   Complete the mandatory online Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect Training. This training is required for any volunteer who regularly supports schools, chaperones a field trip, etc. and is available in multiple languages. When the course is completed, a report is created to serve as proof of satisfying the training requirement.

3. Contact School

   Contact the school(s) where you wish to serve and provide them with a copy of the following:

   • Appropriate MCPS Parent/Guardian and Community Volunteer Form
   • Your online course grade sheet that will show 100% for completing the online Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect Training.

FREE AND REDUCED-PRICE MEALS SYSTEM (FARMS) APPLICATIONS Apply online NOW so students receive free meals on the first day of school! Households meeting identified federal income standards are eligible for free school meals. MCPS encourages all families who may be eligible, to apply. To receive this benefit, a new FARMS application must be completed every school year. Please submit the online FARMS application through www.MySchoolApps.com. Students not newly qualified for free meals will be charged the following meal prices. Only one application is needed for all students in a household.

Meal prices: Breakfast—$1.30; Lunch—$2.55 (Elementary), $2.80 (Middle and High) Students who qualify for reduced-price meals will receive meals at no charge!

Students use their MCPS ID number when receiving a meal, so confidentiality is maintained and no child is overtly identified as receiving free or reduced-price meals. Funds can continue to be added to student meal accounts at no charge by bringing cash or checks directly to the school cafeteria managers. There will be an increase in the transaction fee from $1.95 to $2.49 per transaction associated when adding funds to student meal accounts using the online My School Bucks software. For more information and How-To videos, visit the Division of Food and Nutrition Services (DFNS) website: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/foodand-nutrition/meal-payments/#FARMS MORE INFO HOW TO VIDEOS

Below is information regarding pertinent information about Lice, the signs to look out for and how to treat it.

WHAT: Girls on the Run is a transformational physical activity-based positive youth development program. We teach life skills through dynamic, interactive lessons and running games. The program aims to unleash confidence through accomplishment while establishing a lifetime appreciation of health and fitness. Completing a 5K on November 23rd gives them a tangible opportunity to apply everything they have learned. Each participant receives a program t-shirt, water bottle, entry to the GOTR 5K, and a finisher medal.

WHO: The program is open to girls in 3rd-5th grade.

WHERE: Clearspring Elementary School 9930 Moyer Road Damascus, MD 20872

WHEN: Tuesday and Wednesday 3:30 - 4:45pm

The team will meet twice per week for eight weeks, starting the week of September 28th and ending on November 23rd.

COST: $210.00

FINANCIAL AID: The online registration process includes the fee reduction approval process. Simply answer the financial aid questions during registration, and the computer will determine your eligibility and adjust the fee accordingly.

HOW: Register here to sign up by October 2nd. Space is limited.

QUESTIONS? Visit www.girlsontherunofmoco.org or call 301-881-3801 for more information.

These materials are neither sponsored nor endorsed

September 16 - Jimmie Cone Spirit Night 5pm-10pm

October 6-10 - Book Fair

October 14 - Q1 PTA MEETING

October 26 - Trunk or Treat