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 I
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Parent Workshop: “Tea with the Principal,” September 6, 2012 from 8:00-8:30AM
Back to School Night – September 13, 2012
School Family Council – September 13, 2012
Child First Begins – October 2, 2012
Progress Reports – October 5, 2012
Beginning of the Year Assessments – September 4-24, 2012
SCHOOL GOALS:
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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:
The 2012 school year is off to a great start. We have a lot of new parents and students, a new curriculum and a School Community
Resource Liaison. The CRES enrollment has increased this year by forty plus students. This affords us the opportunity to embrace
new families and to share our teachers and resources. It also requires our current families to reach out to members to support them
if possible. The Baltimore City Schools has received a waiver, which changes The No Child Left Behind requirements which have
been implemented for several years. Please read the letter and fact sheet to learn more about the status of education for 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!
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.
PARENT INFORMATION PACKETS:
Parent Information Packets were distributed to students during the first week of school. The packets included:
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The Baltimore City Code of Conduct Books
Free and Reduced Meal Applications
Dentist Applications
Media Forms
School Related Information
FREE AND REDUCED MEAL APPLICATIONS:
Applications must be updated annually. Parents may return the applications to school or complete the on-line version of the
application at https://mealapp.bcps.k12.md.us. Computers are available at school to assist you.
IMMUNIZATIONS:
Student immunizations must be current. Any student without updated immunizations will be excluded from school on September
12, 2012 until the appropriate documentation is made available to the school.
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. Custody information must also be
provided.
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.
NEW STAFF TO CRES:
We want to welcome our new staff to Calvin Rodwell; Ms. Anita Heath – Librarian/Support staff, Ms. Zenobia McLaughlin – 1st grade
teacher, and Mrs. Gwendolyn Unoko – School Community Resource Liaison.
Mrs. Unoko, our community resource liaison will reach out to you to help support our school. Feel free to let us know the types of
workshops needed to help you support our students. We need parents for the following:
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Patrolling during dismissal and morning entry, Playground Monitors
Parent Ambassadors
Gardeners to assist with weeding the gardens.
Small repairs around the school, Bulletin Boards, Painting,
Classroom Tutors, Cafeteria Helpers
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:
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.
SOMETHING TO BRAG ABOUT:
Our parents and community volunteers stepped up to the plate to help us prepare for the opening of the New Year and are still
staying the course. We want to thank the following volunteers: John Carter, Vanessa Griffin, Tashia Bagwell, Gregory Conaway,
Katria Conaway, and Gary Griffin. We also want to thank our parent volunteers who are with us every day; Mr. Pickett, Mrs.
Stackhouse, Mrs. Tilghman, Mrs. Sampson, Mrs. Madden and Mrs. Reppert, Mrs. Mason, Mrs. Snypes and Mrs. Watkins.
Congratulations to CRES students and Mr. Musa for the healthy garden on our premises this year. Culinary students used some of
the vegetables to prepare meals during the summer program. We are looking forward to the fall and winter crop.
CALVIN M. RODWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
“A Proud Title I School”
And
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