July 2015
Hello PCES families,
On behalf of the Pine Crest Staff, I want to welcome you to the 2015-2016 school year. We want to extend a warm welcome to all of our new students and families. We look forward to getting to know our rising 3 rd grade students from Montgomery Knolls, our incoming Highly Gifted Center students from various schools across the Down County and other “new to PCES” students. Our school family is wonderful and I know you will love it here! Our Pine Crest students excel academically and we look forward to sharing our results with you as a part of our continuous improvement process.
Instruction will focus on providing students with differentiated instruction that is challenging and exciting aligned with our new state standards. In Reading/Language Arts, we will continue to implement our Junior Great Books and William and Mary programs throughout the school year. We will also ensure that all of our students are receiving math instruction that meets their individual needs and provides acceleration and enrichment either within the homeroom classroom or through additional math sections. As always, we will carefully and consistently analyze student progress and ensure all students are demonstrating growth.
There are exciting changes at school. We have some new faces in new places. Please join me in welcoming our new staff members,
Jessica Boynton (3 rd Grade), Olivia Marques (4 th grade) and be sure to say hello to familiar faces you see who may be in new grade levels.
In addition to our new staff members this year, I am pleased to inform you that our school has been selected as one of several schools supporting the training of future MCPS principals. Ms. Cheryl Booker, who was currently an assistant principal at
Montgomery Knolls ES, has been selected as a Principal Intern here at Pine Crest ES. Ms. Booker will gradually assume the role of the principal at a variety of school functions. She will also be responsible for leading meetings and activities typically carried out by the school principal. In addition, she will participate in monthly meetings with other MCPS interns to continue to develop the necessary knowledge and skills to become a school principal. I consider it a great privilege for our school to be selected for the opportunity to train a future MCPS principal. I am sure that all of you join me in supporting Ms. Booker as she enhances her skills and abilities as an MCPS administrator .
Third Grade
Jessica Boynton
Fourth Grade
Jess Bain (UMD student intern)
Fifth Grade
Jackie Albaugh
Patricia FitzGerald
Lisa Harris ( UMD student intern )
Alex Oestreich
Kelly Ransier ( UMD student intern )
Carol Barbieri (UMD student intern)
Marlo Brown (UMD student intern)
Katie Logue ( UMD student intern)
Olivia Marques
Donna Neal ( UMD student intern )
Mina Park
Debbie Chinn
Jeannie Merrill (UMD student intern)
Erika Rule
Carmen Vigil ( UMD student intern )
Lesley Wagner

Getting Ready for School
 ANNUAL SNEAK PEEK OPEN HOUSE will be held Friday, August 28, 2015 between 2:30-3:45 pm. This will give students and parents an opportunity to visit their new classrooms and meet their teachers prior to the first day of school. All class lists will be posted on the door immediately following our Sneak Peek for those who are unable to attend.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL FAIR: Plan to kick off the 2015-2016 school year at the MCPS Back-to-School Fair on Saturday, August 29,
from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Carver Educational Services Center, 850 Hungerford Drive, Rockville. The fair is a great way for families to learn about school system programs and services while enjoying entertainment, children's activities, backpack giveaways, and more. Free transportation will be provided from 12 locations throughout the county. Visit www.mcpsbacktoschoolfair.org
over the summer for updates.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL is Monday, August 31, 2015. NEW SCHOOL HOURS ARE 9:25 a.m.–3:50 p.m. All students will enter the building at 9:10am and proceed to homeroom for school wide breakfast. Staff will be available to assist students with the transition to school/classroom on the first day of school.
 BUS SCHEDULE showing a list of stops and times for pick-up is enclosed. Any questions regarding transportation should be directed to our Transportation Cluster Manager in the Division of Transportation, Robin Painter, at (301) 879-1060.
Start of School

BUS COLOR ASSIGNMENTS will be distributed to students as they leave the bus upon arrival at school. School staff will verify that all children know how to get home during the school day.
 WEATHER REMINDER: The weather might still be hot, even in September. Parents, please ensure that students dress appropriately for recess as well as for the cooler classroom. A water bottle is recommended.

CAFETERIA/SCHOOL MEALS PROGRAM: o Lunch: The cost of lunch is $2.55 and .60 cents for milk. The reduced price eligible student’s meal for lunch is .40 cents. o Breakfast: Breakfast is free to all students. o Free and Reduced Lunch: Applications for free/reduced meals will be sent home during the first week of school. A new application must be completed for any family requesting assistance this school year. PLEASE COMPLETE THE
NEW APPLICATION AND RETURN IT TO SCHOOL IMMEDIATELY or New This Year – meal benefit applications can be completed online at mcpsmd.heartlandapps.com. o FIRST DAY MENU: BBQ chicken drummies or Philly Steak ‘N Cheese with seasoned potatoes. o Dietary Restrictions: Wholesome and nutritious meals are offered daily in our cafeteria. A variety of items are offered to meet each student’s needs and preferences. Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a student may be entitled to receive menu substitutions or texture modifications under the school lunch program. This entitlement occurs when a doctor determines that a student has a disability which substantially limits one or more major life activities. A signed statement from the student’s doctor must verify the existence of the student’s disabling condition and an indication that the disability restricts the student’s diet. If the disability prevents the student from eating the regular school meals, the doctor must indicate the substitution that should be provided to the student. If you believe your child needs substitutions because of a disability, please contact this office.
Throughout the School Year
 BACK-TO-SCHOOL PARENT NIGHT will be held on Wednesday, September 16, from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Child care will be available for children between the ages of 5 and 11 through our day care provider at a nominal fee ($5 per family).
However, students are not encouraged to attend as this is a “parent to teacher” event.

BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL CARE will be available this year at Pine Crest for the MKES/PCES community. This service will be provided by KidsCo. Day care will be available before and after school with a start time and end time of 6:30.
Opportunities for flexible scheduling and drop-in day care are also available. For more information, please call 301-740-
9600 or email Bradley Norwood Bnorwood@kidscoonline.com
.

CELL PHONES Elementary students are not permitted to possess or use cell phones on MCPS school campuses during the instructional day. Written communication between parent, student and principal is required to request a waiver to the policy each year.

MEDICATION is administered only from the health room. No medication will be administered in school without the parent's or guardian's written permission and a physician's statement. Medical forms are available in the school office or health room and are required for each episode of illness and for each medication ordered.

Paperwork

STUDENT PICK-UP: Once students have arrived at school, they will only be released to individuals on their emergency forms. The person picking up the child should bring picture identification with them to the school office in order for your child to be released. Note: Students must be picked up by 3:20 for p.m. dismissal or after 3:50 p.m. as the school engages in a whole school dismissal procedure.

FIRST DAY INFORMATION: On the first day of school, your child will bring home a packet of very important information provided by the school system and your school. Please take the time to look over this packet. It will contain information that needs to be completed and returned including: o EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION for all children attending PCES.
 Note: If information should change during the school year, particularly emergency numbers, please call the school office so that we can update the information. o FREE AND REDUCED MEALS APPLICATION – Remember, if your child was eligible for free or reduced price meals last school year, you must apply again this year to maintain eligibility. o STUDENT DIRECTORY INFORMATION – parents can decide what directory information they want released to our school community.
Dates At A Glance
August:
 28

29

31
Sneak Peek 2:30-3:45pm
Back to School Fair
First Day of School
September:
 7
 16

14

23
No School/ Holiday
Back-to-School Parent Night (7:00 p.m.)
No School
No School
October:
 12 Open House (9:30 - 12:00 p.m.)

16 No school – MSEA Conference Day

23 – 31 Red Ribbon Week
Lastly, as we work together during the 2015-2016 school year, we know we will continue the academic excellence, collaboration, and climate of mutual respect that are the hallmarks of Pine Crest Elementary School. Please know that we are here to support you and your child in any way we can.
Thank you for your commitment to your child's education and we look forward to seeing you in the very near future!
Sincerely,
Cynthia Houston
Cynthia Houston
Principal
Cheryl Booker
Cheryl Booker
Principal Intern