From the Principal’s Desk January 2019 · Here are the directions to create a book review in the Destiny computer search ... The CultureGrams Online Data base combines unlimited

From the Principal’s Desk

Calendar of Events

2 School Reopens 4 Spirit Day 9 SIT3:45 PM 16 Coffee w/Counselor 9:15 AM 21 School Closed MLK Birthday observed 22 PTA Meeting 6:00-7:00 PM 25 Peacemaker House Party 25 3-Hour Early Dismissal / 2nd Marking Period Ends

1 Spirit Day 7 Distribution of Report Cards 12 Jump Rope for Heart 3:45-5:00 PM 18 School Closed President’s Day observed 22 Celebrating Differences Day AM 27 Coffee w/Counselor 9:15-10:00 AM

January 2019

RODGERS FORGE CHRONICLES

Rodgers Forge Elementary School empowers students to be lifelong learners and globally competitive citizens.

Dear Rodgers Forge Families,

Happy New Year! I hope that 2019 brings all Rodgers Forge families good health and much

happiness. I know new and exciting things lie ahead in the New Year!

The midpoint of the 2018-2019 school year is quickly approaching, as January 25th marks the end of

the second marking period. All students will receive their report cards on Thursday, February

7th. As we move into the second half of the year, please continue to monitor your children’s

academic progress on BCPSOne, check red folders, and reinforce positive behavior. We have been

so pleased with how receptive students have been to our Peacemaker Houses Program. We can

really see the benefits from the relationships students are making with different teachers and

students in their color-houses as they engage in more in-depth conversations surrounding virtues!

I would like to thank The Rodgers Forge Community Association for their generous donation of

$324 to the Lois Berman Library (eighteen is a significant spiritual number in the Jewish faith. $18

x 18 = $324). The Community Association shared that they were honored to contribute to Miss

Lois’s legacy. As you know, Ms. Lois was a beloved Rodgers Forge staff member and volunteer that

dedicated the past five years to our students. A dedicated space in our RFES Library will enable

her to be fondly remembered. If you wish to donate kindly contact the front office.

With winter upon us, please take time to review the emergency closing form with your child so

that he/she knows what to do when school closes early. Please call the front office to update the

form if directions for your child change during the school year. The classroom teacher, as well as

the office staff, maintains a copy as a reference during early closings or emergencies. Your

assistance in keeping our information up-to-date is important and truly appreciated. When the BCPS

officials make closing decisions, they will be announced on local television and radio stations, as well

as the BCPS website, http://www.bcps.org. We request that parents avoid calling the school during

an early closing, except for emergency situations. Please be reassured that if a child is unsure

about what to do when changes occur, we will contact you or an individual listed on the school

emergency contact form. If school closes early, all after school activities are cancelled. This

includes clubs, special programs, and Parks and Recreation activities. Hot Spots is also CLOSED.

We can’t wait for the next Team BCPS Day! Students, teachers, families, and supporters of Team

BCPS are encouraged to show their pride by wearing BLUE on Thursday, January 10th. #bcpsblue

Missy Fanshaw

Principal

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PAGE 4 RODGERS FORGE CHRONICLES

VOLUM E 1 , ISSUE 1

In the month of December, the following students and staff members were recognized for

demonstrating virtues.

Sam Denney Krissia Vigil Chavez Vicki Zeng

Madeline Gordon Emily Hogg Jamil Bishop

Raylan Derti Martin Matino Isla Dillon

Ocean Furlow Charles Rotenberry Zane Ender

Liam Henry John Stump-Coale Antonio Kingston

Declan Hong Lauren Kaustel Caroline Quinn

Oliver Long Daphne Lily Sydney Tucker

Colette Luczak Jackson Kasten All school workers

Joanna Magruder Leonardo Lenzo Mr. Houk

Ani Mumford John Pyzik Addison Murphy

Alex Palmer Warren Zavin Josephine Schroeder

Ryan Buick Abigail Murray

Vivienne Randall Mimi Hall

Theme for January Lessons January lessons will focus on character. Our virtue of the month for January will be kindness.

Coffee With The Counselor

Our next Coffee with the Counselor will be on January 16, 2019 in the morning. We will be

discussing attention and ways to strengthen attention including mindfulness. Please look for a

sign-up genius to go home next week.

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Peacemaker House Meeting Dates

January 25 @ 9:15

February 14 @ 2:00

March 11 @ 9:15

April 5 @ 9:15

May 22 @ 2:00

June 13 @ 9:15

Appreciating Differences Day

Once again will be hosting an Appreciating Differences Day on February 22, 2019 in the

morning, where we will celebrate the unique and special qualities of each individual. We will

be looking for speakers to speak on a variety of topics such as working with the deaf, working

with the blind, Autism, physical challenges, assistive technology etc. - any topic to celebrate

an individual’s special abilities. If you are a parent, volunteer, or work in an applicable

occupation where you would be willing to share your knowledge, please consider being a

speaker on this day. Likewise, if you have a friend or family member who would be willing to

speak on this day, we would love to have them share their knowledge. If you have any

questions, feel free to contact me at [email protected] . If you would like to be a presenter

on this day, please complete the attached tear off form and return to Mrs. Ludwig.


VOLUM E 1 , ISSUE 1

We Need YOU!!! For the

Rodgers Forge Elementary School

Appreciating Differences Day 2019

We are planning an Appreciating Differences Day for our school on the morning of

Friday, February 22nd from 9:30-10:45. Our purpose for the event is to share information

on the qualities that make each of us unique and special with our students. We plan to have a

variety of speakers talk to the students about their careers or personal experiences with

different populations of individuals so that students become more aware of our similarities and

differences.

If you and/or your employer (or someone you know) are interested in presenting on this

day please complete the portion below and return to Mrs. Ludwig by Friday, February 1.

We are hoping for each presenter to present to 2 different classes/grades for thirty minutes

each session. This will be dependent on the number of speakers. The number of speakers will

need to be confirmed by the first full week in February so a schedule can be developed prior to

the week of the event. We would love for YOU to join us and share your knowledge and

experience on this special day. THANK YOU!

Name of Presenter:

Type of Career/Presentation Topic:

Child’s Name: Teacher:

Presenter’s Contact Information:

Email: Phone:

Please return to Mrs. Ludwig by Friday, February 1

PAGE 7 RODGERS FORGE CH RONI CLES VOLUM E 1 , ISSUE 1

Happy New Year! Library Highlights for January

Welcome back and HAPPY NEW YEAR! Exciting things will be happening this

“year” in library. Please “check out” what’s happening!

We have lots of great E-Books! E-Books are a book that students can read

right on a computer or tablet. Here’s how you can check out ebooks from

home:

Follett Shelf eBooks

1. From the BCPShome page www.bcps.org, select Students.

2. Click the words “Digital Content”

3. Click Destiny

4. Select Rodgers Forge Elementary.

5. Login (link in upper right corner of screen.)

6. Students must use their BCPS User Name and Internal Password (Sent home earlier

this year)


7. Click on “See All” to see the ebooks that are available!

8. Now you can preview, checkout, and return eBooks!

Book Reviews!

Here are the directions to

create a book review in the

Destiny computer search

system.






BCPS Database Spotlight Have you ever searched for an online resource that has accurate facts, photos,

biographies, maps, video, and more about foreign countries, as well as about the

U.S.A.? Well, search no more; CultureGrams is the tool you need!!! The CultureGrams Online Database combines unlimited printing rights, and anytime

access to the World, Kids, States, and Provinces editions, photo and slideshow galleries,

videos, interviews, recipes, famous people biographies, and graphs and tables. The

engaging, colorful interface is fun and easy to navigate, whether users are reading

reports, exploring maps and flags, or using the convenient search feature. Special

features of this database include: - a photo gallery - maps and flags

- themed slideshows - video gallery

- graphing tool (makes comparison graphs and tables) - data tables

- ability for student generated graphs and tables - over 1,000 recipes

- famous people biographies

To visit these sites, just visit the BCPS One Digital Content Link after logging into

BCPS One!


It’s a very exciting time in the Rodgers Forge Library, as

students will be helping to determine the 2019 Black-Eyed

Susan Award Winners! The Black-Eyed Susan Book Award is

a children’s choice award for the state of Maryland. Each

year since 1992, the Black-Eyed Susan Book Award has

been given to authors and/or illustrators of outstanding

books chosen for the award by Maryland students. The

award seeks to promote literacy and lifelong reading habits

by encouraging students to read quality, contemporary

literature.

Students will be sharing the books in class and evaluating

the books based on literature criteria.

Happy January!!!


Physical Education News……

On February 12, 2019 from 3:45 pm-5:00pm, our students will jump into the fight against heart disease and stroke with Kids Heart Challenge which used to be named Jump Rope for Heart. The program will be run very similar to years past, but many schools focused on only jump roping to get your heart health. Not here at R.F.E.S., if you have attended our event in past years, you will know that it is a big celebration with a variety of activities to get our heart healthy!

Look for more information to be sent home the week of January 21, 2019!

Tennis Shoes for P.E Class and Recess!! As the winter weather and temperatures approach, many students enjoy wearing boots to school.

On when outdoor recess is possible and/or P.E. class is scheduled, please send a pair of tennis

shoes for your child(ren) to change into for these activities to keep them safe while participating.

5TH Grade Ballroom Dancing

February 11th-15th

During the week of February 11- February 15th, our 5th grade students will be participating in a

very special and exciting program, “5th Grade Ballroom Stars.” Ms. Abby Stone, a professional

ballroom dancer, will be at Rodgers Forge to teach our 5th grade students a variety of dances

including the Merengue, Tango, Swing, and Cha-Cha. This program aligns with the Physical

Education curriculum and will count towards each students Physical Education grade.

All of 5th grade will attend the dance program each day during special area time. Students will

receive 4 lessons then on Friday, February 15th there will be a culminating event for parents to

attend and participate with the entire 5th grade that will begin approximately at 9:10 AM in the

R.F.E.S Gym


VOLUM E 1 , ISSUE 1

Happy New Year, Rodgers Forge! May 2019 bring you happiness, prosperity and good health. May it

not bring you the flu.

If you’ve ever had the flu, you know how terrible it can make you feel.

How does the flu spread?

The flu virus spreads through the air when a person who has the virus sneezes, coughs, or speaks.

The flu can sometimes be passed on through objects that someone with the virus touched, or sneezed

or coughed on. When a healthy person touches these contaminated items and then touches his or her

mouth or nose, the virus can enter their system.

Flu epidemics often start in schools, and then move quickly through a community as students spread the

virus to family members and other people around them.

How do you know if you have the flu?

Flu symptoms appear anywhere from 1 to 4 days after a person has been exposed to the virus. The

main symptoms of flu are:

• Headache

• Sore throat

• Fever

• Chills

• Muscle aches

• Stuffy nose

• Dry cough

Someone with the flu may have a very high fever- up to 104 degrees is not uncommon. They generally

feel achy and extremely tired, and may lose their appetites.

Staying home as soon as you notice flu symptoms is the best way to stop the scourge from spreading.

It’s also the best thing for the person afflicted: resting may help you recover faster.

People who have the flu should stay home until at least 24 hours after their fever has gone away on

its own—without the use of fever-reducing medications.

Thank you for remembering to notify me of your children’s absences.

It remains my privilege to be your children’s nurse.

Gail Shapira, RN

410-296-2437

[email protected]


Instrumental Music

Our fourth graders are continuing with the brass family. During the month of January,

we will be exploring the trombone, French horn, and tuba while continuing to have hands

on experience with the trumpet.

Our fifth graders continue to improve their skills. In order to prepare for the spring

concert, students should be practicing between 20-30 minutes 3 or 4 times a week to

build up their endurance. We will be playing much more music and it will require that

they do not get tired.

During January, we will begin to get our first music to be played in the spring concert.

Mrs. Few



Documents

From the Principal’s Desk January 2019 · Here are the directions to create a book review in the Destiny computer search ... The CultureGrams Online Data base combines unlimited