CALVIN M. RODWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL #256 “A Proud Title I School” 3501 Hillsdale Road, Baltimore Maryland 21207 Mary L. Booker, Principal ~ Danette Murrill, Assistant Principal NEWSLETTER: Volume 4 DATES TO REMEMBER: City Schools Reopen: January 2, 2013 CRES Spelling Bee: January 11, 2013 End of 2nd Quarter: January 15, 2013 School Family Council: January 18, 2013 Schools Closed Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday – January 21, 2013 Schools Closed - Professional Development for teachers: January 22-23, 2013 Parent Workshop: “Tea with the Principal,” XXX Parent Engagement Meeting: January 25, 2013 SCHOOL GOALS: To meet or exceed State Standards (AMO) in reading, math and science by increasing student achievement levels in all areas. To meet or exceed State Attendance Standards for students at all grade levels. To increase Parental Involvement and establish an organized parent group. MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL: XXX PARTNERSHIPS: XXX Annual CRES Spelling Bee: We want to “CONGRATULATE,” Tatiyana Campbell and Hamdan Shaikh for placing first and second place in our Annual Spelling Bee. Tatiyana and Hamdan will go on to compete in the City Wide Spelling Bee on March 16, 2013 at Towson University. Kudos, to all of our students who participated in the Spelling Bee. We know that Tatiyana and Hamdan will make us proud! Take 10 Saturday Program: Selected students in grades 3-5 are participating in 10 Saturday Sessions in preparation for the Maryland School Assessment in March. A Taste of Calvin Rodwell: We want to thank Chef Connie, the Culinary Team and all who participated in making our annual Tasting Event a success. All who attended were treated to culinary delights from CRES students and professional chefs from Baltimore area. Online Web Instruction: Our students receive on-line instruction support for reading and math through programs such as; First in Math, Kids College and ST Math. Students can access all of these programs from home if internet service is available. Parents, you have the right to request information regarding the professional qualifications of the teachers and paraprofessionals who work with your children. STUDENT ATTENDANCE: School begins at 7:45 AM daily and dismisses at 2:25 PM, except for scheduled early release days. Breakfast students can enter the cafeteria by 7:20 AM. Breakfast students will line-up on the playground by 7:45 AM. In the event of weather related closings, check WBAL TV. School Personnel will send Parent Link messages to homes via phone. Students are expected to remain in school the entire day. Early dismissal should be kept to a minimum and requested during emergencies. Classroom interruptions must be avoided at all cost. No students will be called to the office from 1:45-2:25 PM. Please send a note to your child’s homeroom teacher if your child is absent, late, or requesting an early dismissal. Parent or guardian must present ID when requesting an early release. All early releases must be submitted to central office daily. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. VOLUNTEERS: We welcome parent volunteers and participation. Please be reminded that we want to afford students all opportunities to learn. If you visit the classroom, please monitor the volume of your voice and prevent any distractions or interruptions. (For example: “Yelling across the classroom to get your child’s attention). All visitors and volunteers must sign in at the office when entering the school. Student safety is a priority at CRES! We are looking for volunteers to help with snow removal during inclement weather. EMERGENCY CONTACTS: The school personnel must maintain updated parent information to help during emergency situations; early dismissal, student sick, child left, or is unable to get home. Please complete and send an emergency contact form and a school health card as soon as possible. Updated addresses and phone numbers are needed to help us communicate with you. STUDENT INFORMATION AND RECORDS: Parents must maintain two proofs of residency on file at all times. School personnel may not update information in data base without the appropriate documentation. The data base sends out school information to the most recent phone numbers available on file. Stay connected! Update your information if you move or change phone numbers. SCHOOL UNIFORMS: CRES is a uniform school. Our colors are tan or khaki, burgundy and white. Students are expected to wear uniforms 5 days a week, Monday thru Friday; except on scheduled dress down days. The school environment is positively affected when our students are focused on learning. SCHOOL GROUNDS: Parents are requested to keep students safety in mind during arrival and dismissal time. It is very busy and congested on Hillsdale and Liberty Heights Avenue. Please drop off your children and keep traffic moving or pick-up your child in a safe manner and keep moving. Teachers teach pedestrian safety and we need parental support to reinforce this on our busy traffic corridors. HEALTH: Parents as you know, “It’s That Time of Year” where we are all susceptible to cold and flu viruses. Please encourage your children to use the following precautionary tips: Prevent the spread of germs by covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of the tissue after use. Wash hands often with soap and water. Avoid close contact with sick people and try not to touch your eyes, nose and mouth. Signs and symptoms of flu can include: fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aching, headaches, chills and fatigue. People may also experience vomiting and diarrhea. If your child has those symptoms please seek medical advice before sending them to school. We will make sure that any missed work will be completed upon your child’s return. Medication can only be dispersed if a doctor’s order has been received by the health suite or school personnel. Please update information as soon as possible if your child will need to take medication during the school day. Pedestrian Safety – Parents please remind your child or children to use pedestrian safety rules when crossing streets, while traveling to and from school. Parents, you have the right to request information regarding the professional qualifications of the teachers and paraprofessionals who work with your children.