KP EaglenewsKey datesMAY 9Moms & Munchkins, 8:15 a.m. to 9 a.m., all-purpose room.

MAY 15 - 16Kindergarten Orientation/ No school for current kindergarteners

MAY 17Family Fun Day, 4 to 7 pm., KP blacktop & field

MAY 23Italian Field Day, 1 to 3 p.m. (during school)

MAY 26Memorial Day, no school

JUNE 11Fifth Grade Promotion, 1 to 2 p.m., all-purpose room.

JUNE 13Last Day of School, early release at 1 p.m. PTA will provide ice cream for students.

Have a great summer!

A note from the PrincipalDear KP Families,

It is hard to believe that we are coming to the end of another school year. However, it is great to see the progress our students have made, both academically as well as socially. Our school improvement goals this year focused on small group instruction and social emotional learning. KP teachers have done a fantastic job in providing differentiated small group instruction in both reading and math. The implementation of a school-wide positive behavior plan and the incorporation of weekly Second Step social skills instruction has led to a significant drop in office referrals, especially for major behaviors. (See chart below)

As we begin to look forward to next year, there will be some staff changes. Two of our teachers will be retiring, Debbie Blumenthal and Rosemarie Architzel. We will miss them. . . especially on the first day of school when we are here, and they are off playing golf or relaxing at the beach! Though not retiring, Rachel Boarman will not be coming back next year. She is expecting her third child, and she and her husband have decided to move back to St. Mary’s where the cost of living is lower so that she can be a stay home mom.

In order to stay updated on information for the coming school year, check our website regularly as all of the back to school information will be posted there.

– Barbara Liess

A note from the PTA PresidentDear Friends,

As I approach my last few days as your PTA president, I would like to reflect on what we have achieved this year as parents, as a school and as a community.  When we set out to construct our PTA program last summer, we focused on the big things: events, fundraisers, new technology.  But as it turns out, it was the little things that had the biggest impact on me.

I watched with admiration as parents, who had already endured a long day, mustered the strength to turn up at a PTA meetings so they could help shape the environment in which their children would learn. I marveled at the commitment of devoted parent volunteers who

–continued on page 4

Kensington Parkwood Elementary School & PTA newsletter • May/June 2014

1

Counselor’s cornerDear KP Families,

It is hard to believe that this school year is coming to a close. It has been a whirlwind of a year and I have enjoyed every minute of it. We truly have amazing staff, administration, and families at KP and I am proud to be part of such a great school community.I hope you can use part of the summer vacation really nurturing yourselves, building stronger connections with your children, and just soaking up the joy of being a parent that often gets lost in the daily shuffle. Catch a sunset, look at the fireflies, or just take advantage of extra time for family walks. Our area has a multitude of free or low cost activities that are family friendly. A great resource is http://washington.org/article/100-free-things-family-friendly. Try one! Being mindful of these little moments will have a huge impact on your family relationships.As I prepare for summer and plan for next school year, I welcome any and all feedback, or areas of need that I can address that might help strengthen the counseling program here at KP. Please feel free to call or email me anytime. I hope you have a wonderful end of the school year and Happy Summer!– Mrs. Mitchell, School Counselor

Jacklyn_M_Mitchell@mcpsmd.org

2

Supporting math skills in summertimeOur students have worked very hard this year, developing new understandings in math as we implemented the final two grades in Curriculum 2.0, which is aligned with the Common Core State Standards.

Students entering grades 1st and 2nd will receive a summer math calendar of activities to support the retention of new skills. Under the Parent Resource tab on the KP webpage, you will find links that can be used to engage children in learning tasks. All of our students are encouraged to log into Mobymax, an online web-based learning center that can be tailored to your child’s individual needs and interests. You can find the link on the Kensington Parkwood webpage under the Classroom tab. The student login is their 6-digit ID number that can be found on the report card. The password is mobymax. Tasks are available for math, fact fluency, reading, language and vocabulary development. There is a help tab that will link you to the developers and a parent portal that allows you to track progress. Students can earn badges and game time on the site based on their work.

New books to nurture readersDear parents,

Thanks for your support towards building and supporting our purchase of new books for the children. With the current funds, we plan to replenish damaged books, and purchase more informational texts, as well as different genres from other publishers. We particularly love the National Geographic Readers because they are have incredible photographs and high interest facts that inspire and ignite the imagination.  As our school  grows, so does our thirst for more books that will continue to engage the children, and introduce them to new and exciting facets of their world and beyond. 

With summer just around the bend (we hope), please continue to think about different ways to motivate your child to continue their love of reading.  Reading all summer improves skills and prevents summer regression. Be on the lookout for this year’s summer reading incentive ideas!

Best wishes,

–Liz Bikakis, Reading Specialist

Starbucks cards for saleThe KPPTA sells $25 and $10 Starbucks cards and earns 7%  on each card sold. For a limited time we have $15 iTunes cards on hand. Get your KP PTA Starbucks or iTunes cards today and earn some money for your PTA!    They make excellent teacher gifts!Please email Lilli Joncas at lillijoncas@hotmail.com to get your cards - she will have your order available to pick up in the school office or can make arrangements to get them to you directly. Thank you for your order!

3

Family fairMay 17 at KPPlease join us for FAMILY FUN DAY    Saturday, May 17, 4-7 p.m.

For those new to KP, this is a great way to meet and mingle with other KP families at our version of a good old fashioned school fair!

There will be FUN-- Inflatables, Games, the beloved Dunk Tank & the famous Cake Walk.

There will be FOOD-- Armand's Pizza, Guapo's Food Truck, & AJ the Good Humor Man

There will be MUSIC--a DJ, new this year!

WRISTBANDS

Wristbands are $10 and cover all games, inflatables, dunk tank, face painting (no separate charge this year) and popcorn & cotton candy. 

Wristband Pre-Order forms sent home in backpacks. Please make payment payable to "KPES-PTA". 

HELP 

Please sign up (and sign up your kids for SSL hours) to help on Sign Up Genius at . . . www.SignUpGenius.com/go/9040F4EA9A9292-kpfamily

KP addition could be delayed 1 year Construction on additions to both Kensington Parkwood ES and North Bethesda Middle School would be delayed by one year under a proposal the county is considering because of a shortfall of needed funding. Construction on KP’s addition was planned to begin in January 2016, with completion by the start of the school in 2017.

Leaders and representatives from the Montgomery County Council of PTAs and KPES PTA advocated for additional state and county funding to update and expand our county schools by attending BOE and County Council meetings as well as Maryland State legislative meetings throughout the winter. But ultimately, legislation to provide $230.7 million through a state financing bond program did not pass the General Assembly during the 2014 session. They are expected to revisit the bill next session.

At the County Council’s request, MCPS submitted a "scenario" that would cut the budget, but school officials continued to “recommend” the funding plan originally proposed. The council began discussing cuts recommended by its Education Committee this week and is scheduled to take a final vote May 22. The cuts are across the board cuts leading to one-year delays in the following:

* All renovation/expansion projects: elementary and secondary.* All new school and addition projects, except those already in the design or construction phase*  Elimination from the 6-year CIP of four projects in outlying years: Ashbuton ES, Burtonsville ES, Resnick ES, McAuliffe ES. Those would now be TBD.* Reduction of $24.3M in HVAC projects

PTA Treasury updateYour generous donations helped the PTA pay for many worthwhile events and equipment for the school this school year. Some of this year’s expenditures include:

• Recess equipment• Laminating machine• CETA (Changing Education Through the Arts) membership w/ the Kennedy Center• Teacher classroom supply reimbursements• New core curriculum reading books• iPads for use with special needs students• Fifth grade in-house planetarium field trip• Fourth grade "shark tank" economics lesson rewards• Score for KP Players production• Pianist for KP Singers winter concert• Donation to WJ's annual Prom Breakfast• Donation to MCPSs backpack program• Donuts & Dads & Moms & MunchkinsDJ for back to school picnic• Funds towards 5th grade field trip• Omelette chef and lunch for Teacher Appreciation Week• and, most likely to be appreciated by your child's teacher...a Keurig machine for the lounge

4

President’s note, continuedlifted tables, stacked boxes and did everything behind the scenes to ensure that all of our programs went off without a hitch.  I had the privilege of working alongside Ms. Liess, Mrs. Lynam, Mrs. Fioravante and Mrs. El-Hage, and realized that this school is built on the strong foundation of four women who care for our children more than I could have imagined.  I discovered that the schedule our teachers keep isn't 9am-3:30pm, but their dedication to our kids is truly a 24-hour cycle that never ends.

So I suppose this experience has been less about the things, than about the people.  And I would be remiss if I didn't thank those who have been closest to me throughout this year.  The PTA Board is often an anonymous group that toils in the shadows, but I can tell you that you and I have benefited tremendously from these particular parents.  While they are officially volunteers, you'd never know by the time and dedication each one has given to make this year a success. Serving on the Board is often called a thankless job, but today I will break that tradition today and say,  "Thank you!"

While this may not be the time or place for this, I'm a lame duck President so there are no consequences for me!  I want to take a moment to recognize the work of my Vice President, also known as the "puppet master."  For the past 15 years, she has been shouting instructions at me, but in this role, she took this past-time to new levels.  The truth is that we would have achieved next to nothing this year without the constant prodding of Dafna to get things done.  And while I sincerely appreciated her efforts, it will be good to have my wife back next year.

With that, it is time for me to move on.  I thank all of you for the honor of allowing me to serve as your president this year, but in the words of my daughters I can happily say this is is "THE-EE ENN-NND."

– Tony Silberfeld

PTA elects new boardOn Tuesday the PTA elected a new board for the 2014-2015 school year.

Next year’s board members will be:

President: Dafna Silberfeld

Vice President: Cate Watson

Vice President: Stacee Crittenden

Treasurer: Christine Bellotti

Secretary:

Jill Gross

Cluster Reps: Jessica Rosenheimand Elaine Thomas

MCCPTA Delegates:  Herlene Chatha and Erik Lichter

Moms & MunchkinsMoms and other special people can join their kids for a breakfast treat from 8:15 to 9 a.m., Friday, May 9 in the all-purpose room.

Pencil thanksBrownie Troop 3664 thanks the KP community for supporting our pencil drive. We collected over 3,500 pencils for the kids in Kpando, Ghana!

KP PTA thanks to wonderful volunteersMichele Santy & Debbie Attar. Special thanks to our two-term former PTA co-presidents as they move on to other schools next year. During their tenure on the board and beyond, they accomplished a great deal for the school, including work toward an addition to KP, initiating surveys to get parent opinions and feedback, and creating the Eagle Fund in lieu of multiple other fundraisers in response to the input of families. And they have continued to support subsequent PTA boards. “Michele and Debbie are true pillars of the KP community,” incoming PTA President Dafna Silberfeld said. “You will be missed!!”

All 2013-2014 PTA committee chairs and the outgoing 2013-14 board members: Tony Silberfeld, Ellen Saltzman, Ellen Berg, Marianne Oursler, and Tucker Ball.

Science Fair: chair Caroline King Becky Rees, Karen Vincent, Karin Averbeck, Stacey Singer, Nagin Royaee, Ellen Saltzman

Moms & Munchkins: chairs Stacey Singer and Lilli Joncas and all their helpers.

Family Fun Day: chair Karen Schleifer and all volunteers

Staff Appreciation Breakfast: Suzanne Borden, Kathryn Markey, Susan VanHorn. Sheila O'Connell, Michelle Tamaro,Tracy Orndorff, Jennifer Schreiber, Traci Whittier. Marybeth Strachan. Ruby Warren, Ellen Saltzman, Brooks Kenny, Annie Lichter, Kiersten Willis

KindergartenThe weather is beginning to get warm, the flowers are beginning to bloom and our Kindergarteners are truly blooming too! It is amazing to see the progress they have made since the fall. Please check your child’s back-pack for their data notebook. Please talk with your child about all of the progress that they have made. Please send the data notebook back to school, after you review it. May’s homework is a family poster for our Heritage Museum. Please check your child’s backpack for a poster board and information. We are working on the following objectives:

Literacy: Participate in a collaborative conversation - Make a real-life connection to a descriptive word - Identify the main topic based on background knowledge and facts - Write an opinion piece using gathered information about an animal - Develop ideas on a graphic organizer using verbs - Organize and develop ideas for writing a biography

Math: Add (within 10) and compare two sums - Compose and decompose numbers from 11 to 19 into ten and some further ones with objects on a double ten-frame, and record equations to represent work - Identify and describe the attributes of a penny, a nickel, and a dime and sort all coins based on their attributes - Count forward from 10 to determine the value of a dime and some pennies - Count dimes and pennies by tens and ones up to 100

Science: Explain how animals move using descriptive vocabulary - Identify similarities and differences of different types of trees - Identify features that help plants survive in their environment - Identify plants that animals use for their homes - Identify and describe how animals build their homes - Identify plants and animals living in various environments - Identify how birds use their beaks

Social Studies: Identify and describe people in the student’s family - Identify keepsakes, traditions, or skills that make people, members of a family or community unique - Give examples of unique family customs, interests, or experiences that need further research - Choose artifacts to tell stories about how students’ families are unique - Identify skills or customs that make characters in a story unique.

First GradeTime is flying in first grade!

Reading: As readers, we finish up our year by continuing to build our skills when reading both informational texts and those

that are literature. Our informational reading will focus on identifying and discussing reasons an author gives to support points, identifying similarities/differences in content between two texts on the same topic, and describing the connection between two pieces of information in the same text. As we read stories, we will be asking questions about key details in texts, identifying who is telling the story at various points, and comparing/contrasting the experiences of characters. Additionally, we will continue to build our discussion skills by asking clarifying questions as we participate in collaborative conversations. In both literary and information texts, we will be identifying the main idea/central message, retelling using key details, and using context clues to understand unfamiliar words, as well as exploring vocabulary closely related to Science/Social Studies topics.

Science: We will study human actions and solutions that conserve natural resources and protect the environment.

Social Studies: We will be continuing our study of economics. We will be learning about how communities function, how people work to earn money, about markets, and about economic choices people make.

Math: In weeks 4–7 of marking period 4, we reason about shapes and their attributes. In weeks 4 and 5, we distinguish between defining and non-defining attributes of 2- and 3-dimensional shapes. We will draw and compose 2-D and 3-D shapes based on their defining attributes (e.g., all triangles are closed shapes, have 3 sides, and have 3 corners). We will also combine shapes to make new shapes (composite shapes). In weeks 6–7, we will start an introduction to fractions by partitioning circles and rectangles into two and four equal shares. We will talk about equal shares, unequal shares, symmetry, and parts of a whole. In weeks 8–9, we tell and write time in hours and half-hours using analog and digital clocks. We will use 1-handed clocks and geared clocks to build our understanding of telling and writing time.

Writing: In weeks 4-7 of marking period 4, we will continue working on our informative paragraph about electricity by adding an ending sentence, revising our paragraph based on peer suggestions, adding text features, and ending punctuation.  We will also write how-to-books that include materials, temporal “when” words, and steps.  In weeks 7-9, we will write opinion statements and facts to support our opinions. We will then work with peers to add details to strengthen our writing.  Lastly, we will write an opening line to introduce our topic and a closure statement.  

5

Grade & Team Information

Second gradeIt was nice to see so many parents turn out for the Arts Integration Day.  We were really happy that many parents chose to involve themselves with the tableau.  The kids love it when their parents can participate, so thank you.

We have been writing and reading poetry in the beginning of the fourth quarter.  The kids have learned about different types of poetry: acrostic, alliteration, similes, metaphors and others.  They seemed to really enjoy using their creativity to produce poems.

Our butterflies have arrived!   We are thrilled to begin studying the life cycle of a butterfly.  The kids have gotten their caterpillars and are watching them each day.  They are so excited.  We will be caring for our caterpillars until our release party which will take place at some point in May.

Student have also been learning about the three branches of government, as well as government at the state and local level.

In math, we are explaining our thinking using written methods for addition and subtraction within 1000.  Again, and we cannot stress this enough, please practice your math facts with your kids.  There are many who are still struggling.  It would also be helpful to practice addition and subtraction word problems with your kids.  We realize that it might be difficult with the weather getting warmer and people in a wind-down mode for the end of the year, but it’s very important!

Third GradeIt’s hard to believe the end of our Third Grade year is approaching!  We have done some amazing and wonderful things this year, but there is still so much more to be done!  Please continue to practice basic facts flashcards and games using all operations with your children at home.  We have been working hard to apply their knowledge of basic facts to more complicated tasks such as multiple-step word problems, including word problems with unknown variables in all positions.  It has been more difficult if students are not fluent and automatic with their basic facts, including refreshing their memories about addition and subtraction.  Congratulations to all those students who participated in KP Players this year!  You worked so hard and did a really wonderful job!  May 21st

is our rescheduled Field Trip to The Newseum, which we are all very excited about!  Please keep an eye on your child’s backpack or folder for an updated permission slip soon.  Just a reminder, there will be no request for payment as your previous payment was not used. 

Please don’t forget to return the yellow parent input sheets by May 16th.  Your input and insight is a very important part of the articulation process and we want to make sure your perspective is represented in that process.  Finally, a note about summer.  Please continue reading with your child and working in ways to practice basic fact fluency.  Summer can be an academic backslide period for some students and practicing the skills they’ve honed this year is really important in order for them to hit the ground running in the fall!  I’m sure we will see some of you as we finish out our year together, but have a great summer and a great year in fourth grade!

Fourth GradeFourth grade students will be exploring the genre of realistic fiction by reading and listening to the book Shiloh.   Later, they will be developing their research and summarizing skills by reading a number of non-fiction texts and reference materials.  In writing the students will be learning about various natural disasters through research.  They will be learning how to complete effective research.  They will then use their research to build a multi-paragraph essay.  Along the way, we will focus on the importance of topic sentences, appropriate transitions, and conclusions.  For the remainder of the year in Social Studies, the students will be focusing on the U.S. government  and the various roles and responsibilities within each branch of the government.

In science, students are building on their knowledge of matter and applying it to the study of rocks and minerals. They will understand the difference between rocks and minerals, how they are formed and how they relate to mixtures and pure substances.   In math, students are going deeper into geometry and learning about similarities and differences between polygons. They will focus more on triangles, the different types and the relationships the length of the sides have with the size of the angles. They will also master how to estimate the size of an angle and how to precisely measure angles with a protractor.  

6

Grade & Team Information, continued

Fifth GradeFifth grade has a busy end of the year! They are learning a ton and going to be having lots of fun! Be sure to check our web site for calendar of events and lookout for e-mails from the fifth-grade parent committee, which plans events. 

Math 5 students will be studying Measurement and Data.  They will solve multi-step word problems involving conversion of measurement units. They will also explore Geometry, graphing points on a coordinate plain & classifying two-dimensional figures in a hierarchy based on properties.

Math 6 Students will conclude the year with two units: Algebra, Patterns, and Functions and Probability. As part of the Algebra, Patterns, and Functions unit, students will solve one- and two-step equations, evaluate expressions using exponents, and solve expressions using order of operations. In June, they will participate in hands-on learning to solve probability problems.

In Reading/Language Arts students will read and analyze informational text. They will focus on analysis of multiple accounts on the same topic, noting point of view, main idea and key detail.  They will explain relationships among events, ideas, or concepts.

ItalianAnother amazing year is almost over. In the last period the students will study the vocabulary about the family, they will practice several activities and they will build their own family tree. You can find the vocabulary on our website, in the Italian section: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/parkwoodes/classroom/Italian.aspx

Kindergarteners will study the months and the expressions about their birthday. Second grade will complete personal presentations with questions and answers: come ti chiami? (what’s your name?), quanti anni hai? (how old are you?), dove abiti? (where do you live?), cosa fai? (what do you do?), di dove sei? (where are you from?). We will focus on the different nationalities.

Third grade will study sports vocabulary and expressions and be able to say what their favorite sport is (Il mio sport preferito è). Fourth and fifth grades will focus on possessive adjectives introducing their family (Questa è la mia famiglia – This is my family). They will study the body parts, with funny songs and activities.

And don’t forget Italian Field Day on May 23, save the date!

Art

May:

Kindergarten students will look at the water lily paintings by Claude Monet and create a water lily monoprint piece.

First grade students will look at the work of Frank Gehry and create their own building collage inspired by his work.

Second Grade students will look at the work of Louis Comfort Tiffany and then create their own Tiffany-inspired window.

Third Grade students will look at the work of Dale Chihuly. They will then create a mixed media collage inspired by his work.

Fourth Grade will look at the he story quilts by Faith Ringgold and then create their own quilt collage inspired by her work.

Fifth Grade students will examine Hawaiian Tiki masks and then create their own collagraph and print it off.

June:

All students will learn about the art of book making. They will create their own star accordion books that they can use for sketching and writing.

Grade & Team Information, continued

7

MusicAs the year comes to an end, all of the students in 5th grade are completing composition projects using xylophones, voice and other classroom instruments. These songs have been inspired by poems students have either written or chosen. 5th graders will also begin to learn their class promotion song in the next few weeks. In 4th grade, students have been focusing on conducting their classmates in various meters as well as learning dances from cultures around the world. 4th graders will also end the year completing composition projects. 3rd grade students are using their recorders to notate songs on the staff and to achieve classroom ‘recorder karate’ belts. Students in 2nd grade are composing using solfeggio on the musical staff as well as extending their music vocabulary to describe what they hear. Kindergarten and 1st grade students are composing using iconic representations for long/short sounds as well as high/low sounds. They are also improvising with classroom instruments and voices to enhance story books.

The KP Singers have their final spring concert at 7 pm on May 14th at KPES. Students will sing a variety of folk songs from different cultures, singing in 4 languages, incorporating percussion instruments and showcasing games and/or dances to accompany some songs.

The KP Players had their performance of I Need a Vacation on May 1st and 2nd. The show was a huge success and I am very proud of all the students for their hard work!!

Physical EducationGrades K-2: In the primary grades we will be working on the concept of striking with hands, various body parts, and short and long handled implements. We will also be working on cooperation, goal setting as it applies to physical fitness.

Grades 3-5: In the upper grades, we will be working on the concept of striking using long and short handled implements. Activities will include baseball, hockey, and tennis skills. We will also be discussing the FITT principle as it applies to physical fitness.

Grade & Team Information, continued

Do you know the history of the eagle in the case outside the All-purpose Room?

Did you know that the eagle was hand-crafted by KPES alumna and naturalist, artist Diane Ford, a resident of Parkwood? Diane used papier mache' and 8 feet of wire armature to make the bird's life-size frame. Using recycled newsprint and 15 feet of plaster wrap, she let it dry for almost 2 weeks!  After the 'celluclay' papier mache' was applied and then dried, it was sanded and primed for acrylic paint. She went to the National Zoo to sketch and get detail of the live eagles there. She credits her 1974 KP 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Ottenad, for getting her into birds.

The display case was hand built by local wood worker and former KP parent Pieter Boogaerts in his fine cabinetry shop on Howard Avenue.  Look for the plaque inside. Both artisans donated their time and efforts to create this beautiful display!

The eagle was created for the annual Kensington Labor Day Parade during the summer of 2005 and rode in the back of a pick-up truck that September in the parade. It was first housed in the former KP building on Saul then at spent some time at the artist's house until the school moved to Grosvenor Lane, when it took up residence in Mr. K's closet. When we moved back

into the new KP building in January 2006, it was placed in the foyer by the front office. Later, the case was moved to it's current place of honor at the Franklin Street entrance where all walkers are greeted daily by our KP Eagle.

The eagle has come a long way and we hope to see it remain a part of KP for years to come. The next time you walk by the eagle, watch while he tracks you with his eyes......

Soar on!

-Jen Cope

History of KP’s Eagle: Local artists created mascot, case

8