Glen Haven Elementary School PTA

This Week and Next:        

• Oct 1-31 – Kids Helping Kids food drive!
• Oct 9 – No school for students and teachers
• Oct 14 – Columbus Day: Open house for parents & guardians (9 am – 11 am)
• Oct 14-18 – Scholastic Book Fair
• Oct 17 – Fall Academic Night (6:30 pm – 8 pm)

Announcements:

• Kids Helping Kids food drive! For the entire month of October, our school will be collecting non-perishable food items to help fight hunger in Montgomery County. Donations go to Manna Food Center. Most needed items include:

• • Grains: instant oatmeal packets (original); brown rice; whole grain pastas
  • Proteins: tuna, salmon, chicken (in water); dry/canned beans (low sodium); natural nut butters
  • Fruits and veggies: canned vegetables (low sodium); canned fruit (in juice); fruit cups
  • Other healthy items: shelf-stable, individual milk boxes; cooking oils and spices; instant formula and baby food
• Scholastic Book Fair: Mark your calendars, Glen Haven families! Our Scholastic Book Fair starts Oct 14 and runs through Oct 18. Come look for books for your family or consider purchasing a book from your students’ class wishlists.  All purchases benefit our school!
• The community is invited to attend “Arrive Alive: A Safe Routes to School Forum,” hosted by the Montgomery County Council of Parent Teacher Associations (MCCPTA) and the Montgomery County Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee (PBTSAC). This free event will be held Saturday October 19 from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm, and will bring together stakeholders determined to ensure the walking and busing routes for students are safe. Sidewalks, cycling paths, bus stop locations, and parent drop-off loops are all important components of keeping kids safe as they walk and ride to school. We welcome parents, students, concerned neighbors, and anyone who wants to walk or ride a bike safely near a Montgomery County school. Community members, parents, students, teachers and Principals, MCPS Departments of Transportation and Curriculum staff, MCPD, staff from the Montgomery County Planning Department, Montgomery County Department of Transportation, Members of the Board of Education, Council members and the County Executive will have an opportunity for direct engagement and feedback.
  • https://www.eventbrite.com/e/arrive-alive-a-forum-for-safe-routes-to-school-in-montgomery-county-md-tickets-72777358037
•  Win an ice cream party and gift cards! It’s time for PTA’s annual class competitions- this year there are TWO!
  • The first is for a class ice cream party– The class with the most PTA members by the end of October will win an ice cream party!
  • The second competition is a parent raffle! This year, we will be doing a raffle for parents/guardians who become PTA members by the end of October! Possible prizes could include gift cards to a local grocery store, Glen Haven merchandise, or gift certificates for Glen Haven after school programs.       Winners will be picked and announced at PTA meetings (no attendance required, though!)
  • Please help your children(s) class(es) win by submitting a membership and encouraging others to do so! Memberships are just $10 and they are not limited to parents: grandparents, other family members, friends, and neighbors can support the school by joining!       Simply complete and return the membership form with payment to your child’s teacher (click https://ghespta.org/2019/09/10/glen-haven-pta-membership-form-2019-2020/)
• We have a great opportunity coming up!  We are excited that the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures dental van will be visiting Glen Haven Elementary School on Thursday, October 24, 2019. The Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures Program, The Junior League, and the Metropolitan Kappa Youth Foundation have formed a partnership to provide free dental screenings and education to children between the ages of 1-12 years old.  Your child will receive free dental screening and will be taught how to brush, floss, and the importance of eating healthy foods and visiting the dentist. Consent forms will be sent home next week. Please return the signed form to Rebecca Willis by Friday, October 18. Thank you!
• Glen Haven Family Movie Night: Be on the lookout for our Fall family Movie Night, date TBD!
• Positive Communication With Your Child. Is it difficult to interact with your child? During this workshop, you will learn strategies to strengthen family communication, explore techniques to understand verbal cues, and establish age appropriate expectations for behavior and consequences. Presented by Parent Assistant Resource (PAR). Recommended for families of elementary, middle, and high school students. Join us Wednesday November 20 for Parent Academy: Positive Communication (GHES Media Center; 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm).

Reminders:

• School Hours are 9:00 am – 3:25 pm (doors open at 8:40).       Please be mindful that instruction for students begins at 9 am. Because we want to assure that students have the entire school day to use for lessons and school work, parents who need to be in the building at or after 9 am will need a guest sticker.

• MCPS provides meals for students with negative account balances through Dine with Dignity program. Launched in November 2018, the Dine with Dignity program allows students with negative account balances to enjoy traditional breakfast and lunch choices at no cost. Families will be asked to pay off, or to contribute within their means when they can, toward the outstanding balance on their student’s lunch account; the Dine with Dignity Fund pays the remainder. Community members who would like to contribute to the Dine with Dignity Fund can donate online at: https://www.mcpsfoundation.org/pages/our-programs/dine-with-dignity-program

Other ways to help out the PTA:

• Help our PTA by purchasing items with the Box Tops for Education logo then clip and send them to school to be collected.  The classroom that submits the most Box Tops each month will celebrate with a popcorn party and an overall winner will get a class pizza party at the end of the school year!
• Sign up for eScrip at escrip.com earn special savings for you and money for the Glen Haven PTA.
• We now have a new way to support your Glen Haven PTA! If you shop on Amazon, use our Amazon Smile link (https://smile.amazon.com/ch/52-6018965) to donate some of the proceeds for your purchase to Glen Haven PTA. You’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate 0.5% of your purchase to the Glen Haven PTA!
• Register your Giant card at https://giantfood.com/school-rewards/.  For each purchase that you make, Giant will donate to Glen Haven Elementary.

Class Dojo:  Please make sure you set up a Class Dojo account for your child.  Your child’s teacher has the information regarding how to set this up or you can click on this link- https://classdojo.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/205417305-Create-a-Parent-Account#web. The school uses Class Dojo for most communications so it is very important for you to have access to your child’s account and check for announcements daily.

Like us on Facebook!  Glen Haven PTA @glenhavenpta (https://www.facebook.com/glenhavenpta/)

Community Events and News:

Story Time at the National Postal Museum. Taking place every Monday, the program includes a book reading and activities for little ones in the museum’s education space. Stay to explore the rest of the museum, which is full of interactive exhibits that all ages can enjoy. Story Time is at 10:30am and repeated at 11am. Admission is free. Check out their calendar: https://postalmuseum.si.edu/visit/calendar.html

Montgomery Parks Programs and Activities – Montgomery County Recreation and Montgomery Parks have hundreds of exciting programs and classes to promote active and healthy lifestyles. For more information, visit ActiveMONTGOMERY (https://apm.activecommunities.com/montgomerycounty).

Local Libraries

(http://host.evanced.info/montgomerycountymd/evanced/eventcalendar)

Silver Spring Library

Special Events:

• Early Learning with the Infants and Toddlers Program(10/07 at 10:30 am)
  • Does your child have difficulty following the activity of a typical storytime? Montgomery County Infants and Toddlers will present a special early learning program for 24 months- 4 years for a very limited group of families. Please register starting September 30th (8pm) for an eight week session. Families will be expected to attend all eight sessions. 5th floor program room.

Ongoing:

• Chess Club (Tuesdays at 3:00 pm)
• Baby Storytime (Tuesdays at 10:30 am and 11:30 am)
• Preschool Story Time(Tuesdays 1:30 pm)
• Pajama Story Time (Tuesdays 6:30 pm)
• Toddler Story Time (Wednesdays at 10:30 am and 11:30 am)
• Lego Weekend Play (Saturdays at 12:30 pm; Sundays at 1 pm)

Wheaton Library

Ongoing:

• • Toddler Storytime (Wednesdays at 10:30 am)
  • Building Block Time (Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:30 am)

Kensington Park Library

Special Events:

• Yoga and Mindfulness for Preschoolers (10/05 at 10:30 am)
  • For ages 2-5 and their families. Bring your own mat or towel as there will only be a limited supply available. Join us for 45 minutes of uninterrupted, tech-free family time in which every single person gets to stretch, move, laugh and relax. This Yoga event is presented by Starlight Family Yoga.
• Yoga and Mindfulness for Elementary Age (10/05 at 11:30 am)
  • For ages 6-10 and their families. Bring your own mat or towel as there will only be a limited supply available. Join us for 45 minutes of uninterrupted, tech-free family time in which every single person gets to stretch, move, laugh and relax. This Yoga event is presented by Starlight Family Yoga.

Ongoing:

• • Pajama Storytime (Mondays at 7 pm)
  • Chess Club (Tuesdays at 6 pm)
  • Storytime for Babies (Wednesdays at 10:30 am)
  • Storytime for Toddlers and Preschoolers (Wednesdays at 11:15 am)
  • Homework Help(Thursdays at 5:30 pm)

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School Information for Parents:

Parent guides to the Elementary school curriculum: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/elementary/guides.aspx

The MCPS Parent Academy – The Parent Academy is designed to inform and empower families as advocates and partners in their children’s education. Workshops provide families useful information that will help them support their children’s academic and social-emotional well-being, as well as helping them to be college and career ready. Sign up for FREE workshops at www.mcpsparentacademy.org

Student safety: As parents and caregivers, we often have questions about student safety. You can find information about how Montgomery County Public Schools approaches student safety at https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/publicinfo/community/school-year-2018-2019/Ensuring-Student-Safety.html

A Look Ahead:

• Oct 25 – 2nd Cup of Coffee- Merienda- Principal’s Book of the Month (8:40 am – 9:40 am)
• Oct 23-31 – Red Ribbon week
• Oct 24 – Bright Smiles, Bright Futures dental van visit!
• Oct 31 – Class PTA membership contest ends!
• November is Military Family month!!
• Nov 5 – Parent Information Session/PTA Meeting (6:30 pm – 8 pm)
• Nov 8 – Early release day for all students (12:55 pm)
• Nov 11 & 12 – Early release days for all students (12:55 pm); Parent-Teacher conferences
• Nov 20 – Parent Academy: Positive Communication (GHES Media Center
• 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm);Report cards distributed
• Nov 22 – 2nd Cup of Coffee- Merienda- Principal’s Book of the Month (8:40 am – 9:40 am)
• Nov 25 – Coat Drive begins!!
• Nov 26 – International Night (6:30 pm – 8 pm)
• Nov 27 – Early release day for all students (12:55 pm)
• Nov 28 & 29 – Thanksgiving; offices and schools closed
• Dec 3 – Parent Information Session/PTA Meeting (6:30 pm – 8 pm)
• Dec 16-20 – PBIS Spirit week
• Dec 20 – 2nd Cup of Coffee- Merienda- Principal’s Book of the Month (8:40 am – 9:40 am); Winter Sing-a-Long (Prek-2nd; 2 pm – 2:45 pm); Winter Wonderland class activities (2:45 pm – 3:15 pm)
• Dec 23-31 – Winter break: No school for students and teachers; Offices closed Dec 24-25
• Jan 1 – New Year’s Day: offices and schools closed
• Jan 7 – Parent Information Session/PTA Meeting (6:30 pm – 8 pm)
• Jan 10 – Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s “Pennies for Patients” kick-off assembly (PreK-2^nd grades 9:30 am – 10 am; 3^rd-5^th grades 10:15 am – 10:45 am)
• Jan 14 – Winter Concert (6:30 pm – 8 pm)
• Jan 20 – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: offices and schools closed
• Jan 24 – Early release day for all students (12:55 pm); 2nd Cup of Coffee- Merienda- Principal’s Book of the Month (8:40 am – 9:40 am)
• Jan 27 – Professional day for teachers; no school for students
• Jan 27-31 – The Great Kindness Challenge
• Feb 4 – Parent Information Session/PTA Meeting (6:30 pm – 8 pm); Report cards distributed
• Feb 7 – Drama Club Carnival!! (6:30 pm – 8:30 pm)
• Feb 17 – President’s Day: offices and schools closed
• Feb 28 – Early release day for all students (12:55 pm); 2nd Cup of Coffee- Merienda- Principal’s Book of the Month (8:40 am – 9:40 am)
• March is the Month of the Military Caregiver!!
• Mar 3 – Parent Information Session/PTA Meeting (6:30 pm – 8 pm)
• Mar 27 – Early release day for all students (12:55 pm); 2nd Cup of Coffee- Merienda- Principal’s Book of the Month (8:40 am – 9:40 am)
• Mar 30-April 3 – College and Career Awareness week!!
• April is the Month of the Military Child!!
• April 2 – Light it Up Blue (Autism awareness)
• April 3 – Career Day (9:15 am – 11:15 am); STEAM Day (1:15 pm – 3:15 pm)
• Apr 6-13 Spring Break: No school for students and teachers; Offices closed April 10 and 13
• April 14 – Parent Information Session/PTA Meeting (6:30 pm – 8 pm); National Assistant Principal’s Day!!
• April 15 – Drama Club parent meeting (7:30 pm – 8 pm); Report cards distributed
• April 22 – Secretaries Day!!
• April 23 – Take your Child to Work day!!
• April 24 – 2nd Cup of Coffee- Merienda- Principal’s Book of the Month (8:40 am – 9:40 am); Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast (9:45 am – 10:45 am)
• April 28 – No school for students and teachers
• April 30 – Spring Academic Night (6:30 pm – 8 pm)
• May is National Military Appreciation Month and Children’s Mental Health Month!!
• May 1 – School Principal’s Day!!
• May 4-8 – Teacher Appreciation Week!!
• May 5 ­- Parent Information Session/PTA Meeting (6:30 pm – 8 pm)
• May 6 – National School Nurse Day!
• May 12 – Spring Concert (6:30 pm – 8 pm)
• May 22 – Drama Club performance (7pm – 8:30 pm)
• May 25 – Memorial Day: Offices and schools closed
• May 29 – Drama Club performance (7pm – 8:30 pm)
• June 2 – PreK-2^nd Field Day; Parent Information Session/PTA Meeting (6:30 pm – 8 pm)
• June 3 – 3-5 Field Day
• June 10 – Pre- K Promotion Celebration (9:30 am – 10:30 am)
• June 11 – Grades 1 & 2 Awards Assembly (2 pm – 3 pm); Grades 3 & 4 Awards Assembly & Picnic (9:30 am – 10:30 am); Grade 5 Promotion (6:30 pm – 8 pm)
• June 12 – Kindergarten Promotion & Picnic (10 am – 11 am)
• June 15 – Last day of school for students!!! Early release day for all students (12:55 pm)
• June 16 – Professional day for teachers
• **June 23 – Report cards mailed home