March 4, 2011
From the Desk of Mrs. Myers,
As we enter the month of March, it becomes “Testing Season” at Annapolis Elementary School. Please be sure
to avoid scheduling doctor’s appointments during this time. Students should come to school well rested each
day for testing!
MSA Testing
Several weeks during the month of March, students in grades 3, 4, and 5 will be taking the Maryland School
Assessment (MSA). The test will be administered each morning for approximately 90 minutes. The test
measures individual student performance, as well as school performance in the areas of reading and math.
Students in the fifth grade will also take the Science MSA in April.
MSA Reading
Grades 3 - 5
MSA Mathematics
Grades 3 – 5
MSA Science
Grades 5
LAS Links, ELL Students
only
March 8th and 9th
March 15th and 16th
April 7th
March 30th – April 15th
Building Security
Please remember that when you enter the building, you need to come to the office to get a pass. This even
includes parents who enter the building to drop off their children. Thank you for helping us to follow this Anne
Arundel County Schools’ Policy.
Tasting of the Yellow’s and Orange’s
I would like to extend a thank you to the “Wellness Committee” and P.T.A. for organizing and supporting the
most recent event to encourage our children to eat healthy fruits and vegetables. It was a very exciting lunch!
Sincerely,
Sue Myers
Principal
Anne Arundel County Public Schools Non-Discrimination Statement
The Anne Arundel County Public School System does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, national origin, religion,
disability, sexual orientation, or familial status in matters affecting employment or in providing access to programs. Questions
regarding non-discrimination should be directed to Mr. Leslie N. Stanton, Specialist in Human Relations, Anne Arundel County
Public Schools, 2644 Riva Road, Annapolis, MD 21401; telephone 410-222-5318; TDD 410-222-5500.
Celebration!
Congratulations to these students who achieved Principal’s Honor Roll
for the Second Marking Period
Chloe Banua
William Clore IV
Lauren de Leon
John Emery
Angel Ilazzara
Linda Marcano
Kayli Martin
MaKenzie Mori
Fredy Salmoran
Michael Stafford
Teresa Sweeney
Congratulations to these students who achieved Honor Roll for the Second Marking Period
Cesar Andez-Hernandez
William Avis
Lucia Breidenbach
Albert Buell
Veronica Camp
Ahman Carter
Alexander Clore
Mia Cregan
Jody Downs
De’Zha Gilreath
Nicolas Hanford-Garcia
Seamus Healey
Gabriella Ilazzara
Gabrielle Keeve
Evelynn Kreunen
Alyssa Loe
Maximilian Lucas
Kayla Martin
Olivia Martin
Joshua McAlearney
Hailey McCullers
Noah McCullers
Jordin McManus
Quandre Mullins
Jordan Reese
Derrick Robinson
Luis Rodrigues-Andersen
Daeshawn Rogers
Brianna Sheets
Jacob Smith
Ivy-Rae Stabile
Hugh Stelzig
Clare Sweeney
Averyanna Vinson
Earia Wainwright
Damarjai Weekly
Maurisha Weems
Immanuel Wilson
Congratulations to these students with Perfect Attendance for the Second Marking Period
Trevor Adkins
Albert Buell
John Buell
Isaiah Camp
Veronica Camp
Shamierah Chase
Alexander Clore
Frederick Clore
William Clore IV
Rian Cully
John Emery
Charde’ Evans
Kevin Fernandez
De’Zha Gilreath
Ki’Psalm Green
Estephanie Guevara-Hernandez
Mariana Guevara-Hernandez
Nicolas Hanford-Garcia
Arick House
Monica Hudson
Angel Ilarraza
Gabriella Ilarraza
Gabrielle Keeve
Evelynn Kreunen
Rebekah Kreunen
John Lucas
Maximilian Lucas
Linda Marcano
Kady Marcotte
Max Marquardt
Hailey McCullers
Noah McCullers
Simone McCullers
Myra Quizhpi
Derrick Robinson
Fredy Salmoran
Harry Salmoran
IvyRae Stabile
Hugh Stelzig
Title I Math News
Kelly Herold, Title I Math
Annapolis Elementary held its annual school-based 24 Game Competition in February. Students in the third
through fifth grades used their knowledge of basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts to
assemble groups of 4 numbers to equal 24. This competition was paid for with Title I funds. Each student that
participated received a tie-dye 24 game bracelet for all of their hard work. Medals were awarded to the first,
second, and third place winners in each grade level. The first place winner also received a 24 game t-shirt.
All of the students did a great job showing good sportsmanship and did an excellent job of demonstrating their
mastery of their math facts. We all look forward to next year’s competition!
Congratulations to the following students who placed:
1st
Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
Third Grade
Chloe Banua
Quandre Mullins
Noah McCullers
Fourth Grade
Hugh Stelizig
De’Zha Gilreath
Hailey McCullers
Fifth Grade
Lauren deLeon
Deonta Smith
Damarjai Weekly
**Honorable Mention: Mia Cregan from 3rd grade. **
Annapolis Elementary accepts the Anne Arundel county Public School’s family involvement policy and has aligned its school-level parent
involvement plan accordingly. As parents and educators, we share the responsibility of shaping the future and have many of the same goals for our
children. We want all of our children to learn in a safe environment and to grow to realize their full potential. Setting clear expectations for all of us
is the first step in achieving these goals.
Title I News
Elaine Czarnecki and Christina Laukaitis, Title I Reading
Kindergarten will be having another reading event on March 17 from 1:30 pm 2:30 pm, and parents are invited to attend!
Reading is Fundamental (RIF) and Title I will be providing a free book for each
child as part of the celebration. We will have a guest reader in each classroom, and
children will make a craft related to St. Patrick’s Day. Please plan to attend, assist
with the craft, and join in the fun! We really appreciated all of the parents who
helped with the RIF event in February, and we hope to see you again this month!
Our Watch D.O.G.S. celebration will be on March 22 at 6:00 pm! This will be an opportunity to thank everyone
who has participated this year, and also a time to learn more about the Watch D.O.G.S. program at Annapolis
Elementary. All dads, granddads, uncles, etc., are invited to attend!
Please “Hold the Date” for Reading Night on April 5! We are excited to host Joe Romano who will be
presenting his amazing show, “Reading: The Magic is Real!” Dinner will be served at 6:00 pm and the show
will start at 7:00 pm. It’s sure to be a fun evening for the entire family; look for a RSVP invitation to come
home later this month!
School Clubs will begin on April 28, right after Spring Break. Look for details in the April newsletter!
Music News
Bonnie Sallet
In the month of March we start a new unit, "Tone Color/Timbre." We will also be finishing up with Recorder
Karate with the 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. If you get a chance, walk past the music room hallway and see the belt
levels your children have earned. The 5th graders who have earned all their belts, up to BLACK, will receive a
certificate saying they have completed Recorder Karate.
In the Tone Color/Timbre unit students will discover the many sounds of instruments, voices, machines,
environment and nature from around the world. They will listen to and eventually identify the different sounds
as an assessment at the end of the unit. The 2nd grade will do a few fun experiments with vibration in this unit.
The 5th grade students are working hard on their spring concert material every Friday morning from 9:00 a.m. to
10:00 a.m.
Counselor’s Corner
Andrea Beckman
CAREER DAY
We are still looking for volunteers to present at Annapolis Elementary School’s Annual Career Day on Friday,
April 15, 2011. Career Day provides ways to expose students to a host of positive career role models, tie
academic skills to people who actually use them, and involve parents and the community in the school. If you
or anyone you know may be interested in participating, please complete and return the attached form by
Friday, March 25. Please let me know if you have any additional questions and I look forward to the possibility
of having you join us for this special event!
TESTING STRATEGIES:
As we approach MSA testing, 3rd -5th grade students have been reviewing testing strategies to calm any testday jitters. Ask them about deep breathing and muscle relaxation exercises that we’ve practiced and try them
together. Let them know how much you believe in them – those positive thoughts can take them a long way!!
MIDDLE SCHOOL REGISTRATION IS HERE!
This month, our 5th grade students will be visited by 6th grade school counselors from Annapolis and Bates
Middle Schools. While we will be going over the course selection process in school, please talk to your child
about elective “encore” courses that you think will be the best fit for them. Please feel free to contact me or
the 6th grade counselor at your child’s middle school with any questions or concerns!
Bates Middle School Parent/Student Information Nights:


Monday March 28th 6pm -7pm: Info night for incoming LIBERAL ARTS students only (course selection,
leveling, basic middle school info, etc.)
Thursday April 14th 6-8pm: Info night for incoming PVA students only (course selection, leveling, and
other PVA related info)
COMMUNITY RESOURCE UPDATES:
Anne Arundel County Asperger Support Group
Wednesday, March 16, 2011 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Location: St. Martin in the Field Church, 375 Benfield Blvd., Severna Park, MD
Support Group meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. (during the school year).
For more information, please contact Sue Hayward at 410-544-6661. Check website for information concerning guest
speakers, resources and links at www.aacaps.org
CHADD of Anne Arundel County (Children and Adults with ADHD)
Taking Charge of Your Anger: Parenting and School Strategies for Children and Adolescents
Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Severna Park United Methodist Church, 731 Benfield Road, Rm. 203, Severna Park, MD
Parents will learn to identify when anger becomes a problem and how to employ practical and powerful ideas/ strategies
to intervene directly. Dr. Nay’s six step program of anger management (from his book, Taking Charge of Anger) is the basis
for the ideas that will be presented. CHADD meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month with a Guest
Speaker at 7:00 p.m. to 9:20 p.m. (September- June). Please see website www.aacochadd.org for additional information
including adult and parent support groups. For help and further information, please leave a message for volunteer staff on
410-721-2468, and they will return your call.
Annapolis Elementary School’s Annual
Career Day
Friday, April 15th, 2011
9:30am - 2:45pm
Presenter Application
Yes!
I am interested in volunteering to be a presenter for Career Day.
1. Name______________________________________________________________________
2. I can be contacted at (c)______________________________; (h)______________________;
(w)_______________________________ ; or (fax)___________________________
3. E- mail address:______________________________________________________________.
4. The career/ job to be presented will be ___________________________________________.
5. I will need equipment for my presentation:
TV___
VCR/DVD Player____
Document Camera____
Computer Projector____
Other (please list)________________________________.
6. My child’s name is (if applicable) _______________________________________________.
7. My child’s classroom teacher is (if applicable) _____________________________________.
8. Which grade level(s) do you prefer to present to?
Pre-K___ K___ 1st___ 2nd___ 3rd___ 4th___ 5th___
9. I am available to present a ½ hour presentation during the following time(s) – (please select as many slots as
you are available and you will be contacted with your schedule before career day)*:
9:30-10:00 ________ 11:15-11:45 _______ 1:00-1:30 ________
10:05-10:35________ 11:50-12:20 _______ 1:35-2:05 ________
10:40-11:10 _______ 12:25-12:55 _______ 2:10-2:40 ________
*Please note: Students will attend their regularly scheduled lunch, recess, and cultural arts classes.
A light breakfast and catered lunch will be provided for all participants.
We truly appreciate your contribution to our students’ education!
Please return to Andrea Beckman, School Counselor
Phone: 410-222-1600 Fax to 410-222-1601
Email ambeckman@aacps.org
Please respond no later than Friday, March 25th, 2011.
Pre-K recently celebrated our 100th day of school. We
thought about what we would do with 100 dollars…
Samaya would buy a dog.
Hadaijha would buy a girl kitty cat and name her Daisy.
Iyhona would go to Disney World with her uncle and take the black headphones to listen to movies.
Reagan would ride a pony.
Ella would get a kitty and a dog and name them Ella and Brayden.
Micah would buy a blue dog.
Adriana would buy a baby doll, a purple wig, a piggy nose, and a mailbox.
Jeremy would buy a book.
Carlos would buy food – apples to be specific AND… Spiderman.
Alorah would buy 100 things like bubblegum, Power Rangers, dresses, candy, trashcans, TV’s, pictures,
alphabet letters, tables, and chairs…
Syniah would buy a dollar store museum AND a dinosaur. I said dinosaur.
Aniya would buy EVERYTHING!
Moriah is still thinking about the fact that she was holding 100 dollars.
First Grade News
Mrs. Cregan and Mrs. Flavell
First grade has just finished up their unit on Journeys. Students researched different states and countries around
the world. Students also learned about the Presidents of the United States, George Washington and Abraham
Lincoln. Ask your child what would they do if they were President?
First Grade will begin the next unit, “Keep Trying.” We are discussing the importance of never giving up on
our goals. The students are eager to share how they persevere in school and at home. Please encourage them to
talk to you about how they continue to try their best in every way!
In Math, we will be learning about money and measurement. Encourage your child to count loose change
around the house and then save it to purchase something. We will continue to review addition and subtraction
facts as well. In Science we will discuss how different items move.
It is hard to believe that we are leading into the end of our third marking period! It is very important that your
child reads 15- 20 minutes each day and practice math facts.
Your children are wonderful! Thanks for your support!
Second Grade News
Ms. Moran
On March 2, the second grade class celebrated a very important children author’s birthday! We participated in a
country-wide celebration of Dr. Seuss by reading many of his books throughout the week. We also listened to
funny songs with lyrics written by him, including an interactive one called, “The No Laugh Race”. In this game,
“The laugher is the loser…” Your second grader can teach you how to play!
We also wrote rhymes just like Dr. Seuss.
Wayne wrote:
My hat is like a cat,
my hat is like a bat,
my hat is like a mat,
my hat is like a cat and a hat.
My hat is on my lap,
but what do you think about that?
Harry wrote:
I had a hat
that turned into a mat
that turned into a cat that was fat.
it was chatting,
then turned into a bat
that I played in baseball.
Students in second grade also created an ad for their favorite Dr. Seuss book.
Autumn persuades everyone to, “Get One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish! It is a great book and it rhymes
too. Good for your little ones and Pre-K’ers too. You should read it. It is a good book! Buy it!”
We also had lots of fun playing the traditional birthday games, “Pin the eggs on the green ham!” and “Green
Eggs and Ham Tick-Tac-Toe”. Our class followed a written recipe to make “Cat in the Hat Cake”, which we
ate after singing to Dr. Seuss. It was a wonderful Read Across America day!
P.T.A. News
Thanks so much to all the parents, Lauren Taylor and Tuty Hanford Garcia especially, with excellent help from
Cameron Caswell, BobbiJo Clore, Molly Buell, Meagan Howell, Kay Adair, Lori Lyons, and Mr. Acosta, Ms.
Naeema, Christine Bundy, and Ms Czernecki who helped us serve a delicious Orange
tasting.
and Yellow
It was a party in the cafeteria yesterday! Ask your child what they tasted.
As I write this, the team is getting ready to put on a Spaghetti Dinner for tonight and I know Tuty is working
hard again behind the scenes. When you see her, please let her know we appreciate her talent and efforts.
After-school clubs are being organized and will begin April 28, May 5, May 12, May 19 from 3:45-4:45 on
Thursdays. Bus transportation will be provided for students who are usually bus-riders. Clubs offered are: Spanish,
Creative Writing/Poetry, Cooking, Fitness and Art. We still need parent volunteers to make these clubs
successful. If there's one that sounds like fun to you, please contact Sue Myers or the Title 1 office to volunteer.
There will be a teacher and at least one parent running each club.
Help is needed during MSA Month - please contact Mrs. Myers if you can help shop for MSA snacks:
she has the budget and the list but would love a volunteer shopper. Also, the teachers need to cover up
everything on their walls during MSA (Grades 3-5). If you can help one of our teachers, please contact the
school office or the teacher directly.
We are wrapping up the Gianni's Spring fundraiser and pizza, pretzel, cookie dough, cake orders are
going well. We ask that each family try and sell THREE items in order for the PTA to reach our fundraising goal.
Thank you so much for your help with this important project - the funds raised by our families go towards our
end of year expenditures like after-school clubs, some wonderful upcoming field trips, and a few parties and
fun events still to come. If you have any questions, Molly Buell at mollybuell@verizon.net
Also coming up soon is an Artist-in-Residence experience for 3rd, 4th and 5th Grade. Stacey Turner, a
former and future AES parent and the owner of Already Artists, a really fun art studio on Maryland Avenue, is
going to be bringing her talents to school to create a one-of-a-kind art project with our students. Details to
come!
Check out our bulletin board near the back door, for pictures and updates on PTA activities, also check out our
Facebook Page: Annapolis Elementary PTA.
Our next meeting is Monday, March 7th at 7pm (a different day from the usual, so we can all
celebrate Fat Tuesday and get our kids to bed early for MSA starting Wednesday). Hope to see you then!
Heather
410-279-4569
heathermac@verizon.net
Mark Your Calendars
March 4th
Mo Jo MSA Test Prep Assembly, 1:15 p.m.
MSA Pep Rally, 2:30 p.m.
Spaghetti Dinner and Talent Show, 5:30 p.m.
March 7th
National School Breakfast Week
Annapolis Education Commission
Meeting, 5:30 p.m., City Council Chambers
West Street Library Art Show, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
March 8th
PTA Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
March 8th – 9th
MSA Reading
March 13th
Daylight Savings Time “Spring Forward”
March 15th – 16th
MSA Mathematics
March 17th
St. Patrick’s Day
RIF, Kindergarten, 1:30 p.m.
March 23rd
Pizza Fundraiser pick-up
Cultural Arts Assembly, Curtis Blues, 2:30 p.m.
March 31st
End of Third Marking Period
April 1st
Beginning of Fourth Marking Period
Autism Awareness Month