PRINCIPALLY SPEAKING

Signal

School Improvement Mtg. 7:00 pm Tuesday, 10/01 2nd Grade Field Trip 9:30 am-1:30 pm Washington, D.C. Individual Portraits Thursday, 10/10 All Day Open House-Columbus Day 9:30-11:30 am, Monday 10/14 FAMILY MATH NIGHT Wed., Oct. 16 @ 6:30 PM No School-MSTA conference Friday, 10/18

Book Fair Monday, 10/21–10/25

Fall Dance & Book Fair Fall Dance Thursday, 10/24 Halloween Parade and Party Thursday 10/31 @ 2::15

No-School-report card prep & planning

Sequoyah Elementary Dates to Remember

October 2013

Market Day Contact:

Kim Anderson

Kim.anderson@bfsaulco.com

Place an order online at

MarketDay.com, or submit a

paper order form prior to the

due dates.

Sequoyah Elementary School

17301 Bowie Mill Rd Derwood MD 20855

301-840-5335

www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org

/schools/sequoyahes/

The One Year Plan

A parent’s guide to helping children succeed in school

1. Remember that parents can’t teach for teachers and teachers can’t parent for parents.

Remember that teachers can’t learn for kids and kids can’t teach for teachers.

2. Show the same amount of love for your children regardless of their success in school.

Show sadness rather than ager when they have trouble at school.

3. Expect y our children to do their share of chores at home.

4. Spend some t time each day talking with excitement about your work and your day.

Your children will want to imitate you and will soon begin to talk about school and their

day.

5. Take turns reading to each other each day.

6. Have your children teach you something they have learned at school. Do this once per

week.

7. Encourage your children to do things that “recharge their batteries.” Encourage them

to try many different activities as a way of discovering interests and talents. Remind

them that they will build their careers around their talents, not around their

weaknesses.

8. Provide a time and place for homework. Expect that your children will study. Allow

them to either study by writing the assignments or thinking hard about them for a

reasonable amount of time. If they decide to study by thinking instead of writing or

reading, have them think of a plan for explaining it to the teacher.

Support the teacher to handle this.

Don’t fight with children over homework.

Don’t fight with the teachers over grades or the consequence for poor grades.

Tell your children you will love them regardless of their grades or the number of

years it takes them to complete each grade.

9. Don’t pay your children for good grades and don’t punish for bad grades. Be excited

about the good grades and sad for your children about their bad grades.

10. Have your children bring home school papers.

Look at the right answers instead of the wrong ones.

Don’t correct the wrong answers-leave this for the teacher.

Have your children explain the reasons for the right answers. If they don’t k now,

give them three choices:

-You cheated?

-Your tried hard?

-You are getting smarter in that subject?

11. Expect this program to take about one year before you see good results.

Remember that children who have a hard time at school need to get away from it for

awhile each day. More homework and problems at home about school won’t help.

Don’t complain to teachers that they should give this child more homework. Use this

program instead and you will see amazing results in one year. Fight with your children

and their teachers about homework and the problem will still be there in years to come.

©Cline/Fay Institute, Inc. 1986

Special Thoughts on Raising Kids - Dr. Bobbi Jasper, Principal

October 2013 Page 2

What? A Math Night for Families Who ? Students K-5 and Parents When? Wed., October 16, 2013 from 6:30 pm—8:00 pm Where? Sequoyah ES

Math Night at Sequoyah

For More Information: Paula_G_Summers@mcpsmd.org

Family Fun Family Oriented Math Games

Que es? Una Noche de Matemática para toda la familia Para quien? Todos los estudiantes de K-5 y los padres Cuando? Miércoles, Octubre, 16, 2013 6:30 pm—8:00 pm

Escuela? Sequoyah ES

Come out and see some of your teachers:

Ms. Killebrew, Ms. Vielhaber, Ms. Batwinis, Ms. Lentz, Mr. Poole,

and more...

Noche de Matemáticas en la escuela Sequoyah

Ven a ver algunos de sus profesoras y profesores:

Ms. Killebrew, Ms. Vielhaber, Ms. Batwinis, Ms. Lentz, Mr. Poole,

Cosas Para la familia Juego matemáticas Actividades para aprender

Para mas informacion llama: Paula_G_Summers@mcpsmd.org

Page 3 October 2013

Music News

Welcome back to school Sequoyah. Over the last few weeks in physical education we have building a foundation for spatial awareness and basic movement concepts such as skipping, hopping, galloping, sliding to name a few. In grades 3-5 we have been building the foundations to dribble a basketball successfully in small spaces and also at a variety of speeds (running, walking, or just standing still).

As we move into October, grades K-2 will continue to progress using the different locomotor movements (skipping, sliding, jumping) and maintaining self-space. Students will be working together to develop their own movement sequences. We will also begin to demonstrate the understanding of the different pathways in which we move such as curved, straight, zig-zag, etc. Grades 3-5 will be focusing on activities that allow us to understand the importance of physical activity. Students will also be engaged in activities that will allow us to develop an understanding of the difference between muscular strength and muscular endurance. The students will establish ground rules for themselves in creating their own fitness plan and what makes a plan successful.

PE News

Our musical year is off to a great start. All students started the year with new games and songs to review concepts learned last year.

Heading into October, students will be working on the following:

Kindergarten and 1st grade are moving to the steady beat, playing singing games, and learning about musical opposites: fast and

slow, loud and soft, high and low.

2nd

graders are studying the instruments of the orchestra and the ways we classify instruments. We are also learning about and

singing patriotic songs. We are also learning the habits of good singers! Encourage your child to sing some of the songs we learned

in class for you.

3rd and 4

th graders are learning to conduct to show the meter of a song. We are also learning about musical phrases and the

patterns of phrases in songs we are singing. We are reviewing pentatonic (5 note) songs and performing ostinatos using

instruments and our voices.

5th graders are preparing to attend a concert at Strathmore Music Hall in October. We are studying musical form, which is the way

songs are put together, specifically music with a theme and variations. We will be previewing all of the songs we will hear at the

concert and discuss instrument families and the timbres (sounds) of specific instruments. At the end of the marking period, we will

be creating our own variations on familiar songs.

The Sequoyah Singers, our 4th and 5

th grade chorus, started rehearsals the 1

st week of school. I am so excited to have 34 chorus

members this year. Our Winter Concert theme is Celebrate Winter! Look for more information coming home soon about concert dates

and attire.

Welcome to the 2013-2014 school year! As students

enter a new school year and a new grade level, they

will continue to be challenged and encouraged to use

their creativity through art. Students will not only

explore different art materials and processes, but they

will also use the arts to explore themselves and grow to

express who they are and what they believe in by creating an

artwork that is personal and meaningful to them. Please encourage

your children to continue art beyond the classroom and use it as a

tool to explore themselves and their creativity!

For the first unit…

5th grade students will be designing a name tag that represents a

certain quality about them.

4th grade students will create a symbol that represents their

favorite memory and contribute it to the class quilt.

3rd grade students will create a collage that illustrates what the

will become when they grow up.

2nd

grade students will examine the works of Romero Britto and

create an abstract painting full of colors and patterns.

1st grade students will examine the works of Pablo Picasso and

create a cubism portrait.

Kindergarten students will learn about primary and secondary

colors and create a collage using the color paper they created.

Welcome to our new Officers and Advisors for this coming

school year.

President- Melina Lopez

Vice President- Adamaris Galdamez

Secretary- Charlie Matusek

Treasurer- Dakota Elliott

Historian- Sara Anderson

Advisors: McKenzie Kirk, Kamryn Marceron, Kyle Moriarity,

Issa Nyakoojo, Ben Ostrinsky, Haley Rice, Victoria Stanislawek,

Keyri Villatoro, Rett Abeles, Alex Bigirimana, Santina Cannetti,

Melissa Casillas, Alex Delucia , Ben Kiatkowski, Melissa Seyed-

Ali, and Stephany Amorim

Right now we are in our planning stage---More information to

follow.

Steven Plaisance- SGA Sponsor

Student Government Corner

Art News

Art Room Donations Needed:

Just like last year, we will continue to use recycled materials to create

wonderful artworks. The art room will greatly appreciate your help

in collecting these items. Please look at the list below and send them

to the art room with your students if they ever become available.

Thank you very much!

Cardboard egg carton, Boxes (cereal boxes, shoe boxes, cardboard

boxes, gift boxes, etc., Old t-shirts (for a paint smock), Old books

(board books, children’s books, hard cover books are best), Empty jar

or containers (empty ketchup container, pasta sauce jar, any contain-

ers with lids), Starbucks plastic cups with domed lid, magazines, news-

papers, shopping bags (plastic or paper), toilet paper tube, scrap pa-

October 2013 Page 4

October 2013 Page 5

How to Receive Emergency Information from MCPS

MCPS parents can receive emergency information from the

school system in a variety of ways including MCPS

QuickNotes, Alert MCPS, Twitter, the MCPS website,

MCPS TV, and a recorded telephone information line.

Please visit www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/emergency

for more information on how to keep in touch with

Montgomery County Public Schools and stay informed in

times of emergencies.

Cómo Recibir Información de Emergencia de MCPS

Los padres de estudiantes de MCPS pueden recibir

información del sistema escolar en casos de emergencia de

varias maneras incluyendo MCPS QuickNotes, Alert MCPS,

Twitter, el sitio de Internet de MCPS, MCPS TV y la línea

de información con mensajes grabados. Para más

información de cómo mantenerse en contacto con

Montgomery County Public Schools y mantenerse

i n f o r m a d o d u r a n t e e m e r g e n c i a s v i s i t e

www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/emergency.

Curriculum 2.0: Building a Stronger Foundation MCPS is continuing to introduce its improved curriculum for the elementary grades—Curriculum 2.0. It is designed to provide a strong foundation in the areas of reading, writing and mathematics, while placing a renewed emphasis on other areas, such as social studies, the arts and physical education. Curriculum 2.0 also helps students develop the creative and critical thinking skills that are important for success in the 21st century. This year, Curriculum 2.0 will be implemented in grades K–5 in all schools. More information is available on the website at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/2.0/.

Currículum 2.0: Construyendo una Base Solida MCPS continúa la introducción de su currículum mejorado para los grados de educación elemental—Currículum 2.0. Éste currículum está diseñado para proporcionar una base sólida en las áreas de lectura, escritura y matemáticas, mientras pone un enfoque renovado en otras áreas de aprendizaje como los estudios sociales, las artes y la educación física. El Currículum 2.0 también ayuda a los estudiantes a desarrollar las destrezas de pensamiento crítico y creativo que son tan importantes para tener éxito en el siglo XXI. Éste año, el Currículum 2.0 será implementado en los grados K–5 en todas las escuelas. Más información se encuentra disponible en el sitio de internet www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/2.0/.

New and Improved MCPS QuickNotes: Subscribe today!

The MCPS QuickNotes newsletter has been redesigned to

make it quick and easy for you to get the news and

information you need about Montgomery County Public

Schools (MCPS). MCPS QuickNotes will be published more

often, with a new edition delivered to your inbox every

other week during the school year. MCPS will continue to

send emergency notifications, such as school closures and

delays, and other information through MCPS QuickNotes.

Visit www.mcpsquicknotes.org to subscribe!

MCPS QuickNotes Nuevo y Mejorado: Suscríbase Hoy!

El boletín informativo, MCPS QuickNotes, ha sido

rediseñado para hacer posible que recibas las noticias y la

información que necesitas de Montgomery County Public

Schools (MCPS) de manera rápida y facil. MCPS

QuickNotes será publicado más a menudo, con una nueva

edición que será enviada a tu buzón de correo electronico,

cada dos semanas durante el año escolar. MCPS continuará

enviando mensajes de emergencia, tales como cierres y

retrasos, y otro tipo de información a traves de MCPS

Q u i c k N o t e s . P a r a s u s c r i b i r s e , v i s i t e

www.mcpsquicknotes.org!

October 2013 Page 6

MCPS QuickNotes (English and Spanish)

Curriculum 2.0 (English and Spanish)

MCPS Emergency Information (English and Spanish)

October 2013 Page 7

After School Clubs-Liz Morgan

Arm-Chair Fundraiser-Michelle Leonard

Art Fever: Anastacia Wooden

Bingo Night: Andrea Dumas

Birthday Bulletin Board: Mitzy Rodriguez

Book Fair, Fall & Spring: Elizabeth Hoff

Box Tops for Education: Kim Anderson

Cultural Arts, Heather Whirley

Dances (Fall & Spring): Tam Miller & Brenda Young

Directory: Sandy Walsh

Directory Advertising: Pam Rowe

Escrips: Susan Ostrinsky

5th Grade Farewell: Danielle Rice

FLES: Alice Caponiti

Gifted & Talented: Alice Caponiti

Hospitality: OPEN

International Night: Mitzy Roddriguez & Francesca Cannetti

Kindergarten Orientation: Heather Whirley

Market Day: Kim Anderson

Membership: John Moriarity, Danielle Rice

Movie Night, Fall & Spring: John and Tracy Moriarty

New Parent Breakfast: Elizabeth Hoff

PTA Bulletin Board: Tam Miller

Reflections: OPEN

Restaurant Nights: Grace Sale and Linda Kwiatkowski

School Beautification: OPEN

Silent Auction: Michelle Leonard

Spiritwear: Linda Kwiatowski

Store Rewards (Giant, Safeway, Target): OPEN

Staff Appreciation Week: Francesca Cannetti, Kevin Donohew

Technology: John Moriarty, Danielle Rice, Brenda Young

Volunteer Coordinator: Andrea Dumas

Website: Brenda Young

Yearbook: Grace Sale Help is still needed in order to run these important programs and fundraisers for the school Please let us know if you can help or have any questions regarding the above openings. If you can as-sist or have questions, please contact Vice President of Programs, Heather Whirley at heatherwhirley@comcast.net or 301-351-3055.

Sequoyah Elementary School PTA

Market Day Contact

Kim.anderson@bfsaul.com

Please place order online at:

www.MarketDay.com

or submit a paper order form prior

to the due dates.

If you are interested in Chairing a PTA Committee please contact Linda Kwiatkowski toLindaK@gmail.com

October 2013 Page 8

Would you like to be able to donate money to Sequoyah without having to do anything?

Well, you can!

All we need is your Giant Bonus Card number (should be 12 digits), your Safeway Club Card number (11 digits) and your

name and address. We’ll add you if you’re new or renew your participation and make sure a percentage of your

purchases from Giant and Escrip merchants (i.e. Safeway) supports your student’s education. Simply email the information

to Ellen Rahr at rahr@comcast.net, or complete this form and return it to school.

Know anyone else that would like to support Sequoyah in this way (grandparents, aunts, uncles)? Give us their card

numbers, names, and addresses and we’ll do the rest!

This is a great way to help the many programs and services provided by the Sequoyah PTA – and it doesn't cost you any

extra! Simply shop at Safeway or Giant as you normally would. Just be sure to use your Club Card or Bonus Card and

designate Sequoyah Elementary as your school.

Thank you for your support.

If you have any questions, please contact Scott Trickey at scott.trickey3@gmail.com

My Giant Bonus Card # (12 digits): _____________________________

My Safeway Club Card # (11 digits): ____________________________

My Name: __________________________________________________

My Address: _________________________________________________

You’re on FACEBOOK… We are too!

Join the SES PTA community online at http://www.facebook.com/groups/sespta

The more our membership grows, the wider our combined knowledge base becomes!

Got a question? —-Ask the group!

Got an idea for a new program or fundraiser? —-Post a poll or start a discussion!

Missed the monthly PTA meeting? ——Catch up on the minutes here!

Want to be notified personally when there’s an SES event happening? —- Check it out!

Join the group —- receive event invitations and reminders!

Shop at Target, Earn Money For Sequoyah

We've discovered a terrific way to raise funds for Sequoyah. It's super-easy, and all you have to do is use your

Target® Visa® or Target® Card. We will receive a percentage of the amount of each purchase in the form of a

cash donation to Sequoyah from Target through the Take Charge of Education® program. Target donates 1%

of all Target Visa Credit Card and Target Credit Card purchases made at a Target store or at Target.com and

1% of all Target Check Card purchases made at a Target Store. Target donates 1/2% of all Target Visa Credit

Card purchases made outside of Target.

It's easy. Just visit target.com/tcoe, or call 1-800-316-6142 to designate Sequoyah as your school. So if you're going to

Target anyway, please consider using your Target® Visa® or Target® Card and selecting Sequoyah as the beneficiary.

Grandparents, neighbors and friends can take part, too.

Thanks for your support!

October 2013 Page 9