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UPCOMING EVENTS:

February 10

Yearbook:

Picture Make-Up Day

February 12

Report Cards sent

Home

February 15

Schools closed—

President’s Day

February 26

MEA Family Fun Night

The

Mustang

Monthly

Mrs. Laura Seck, Principal

Mrs. Anna Purdy, Assistant Principal

Meadowland Elementary School

29 Sugarland Run Drive, Sterling, VA 20164

571-434-4440 (Absentee: 571-434-4441)

www.loudoun.k12.va.us/school/meadowland

Bell Schedule

MORNING

7:40 a.m.—First Bell

7:50 a.m.—Tardy Bell

DISMISSAL

2:35 p.m.—Bus Riders

2:40 p.m.—Walkers

Meadowland ES is now officially Common Sense Media certi-

fied for 2015-2016. Students in grades 3 through 5 worked real

hard to become digitally certified. Students went through lessons

in proper research methods, cyberbullying, and how to properly

use technology in general. The Common Sense Media site was

useful in guiding our students to become better digital citizens in

the community.

Recently the news show was relocated during the library

renovation. The news show is how held in a room toward the

back part of the library. The crew is hard at work with the use of

our new wirecast software. We now have the ability to showcase

better audio and visuals with green screen software. We will be

using this program with the news show to incorporate One to the

World Projects and student work after the holiday break.

Our school was also busy with the Hour of Code. The Hour

of Code is a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed

to demystify code and show that anybody can learn the basics of

building programs and games. Teachers signed their students up

and their courses were placed on our Meadowland web page.

Students were able to work on decision making skills to solve

problems at increasing levels of difficulty. Students really en-

joyed and appreciated what goes on behind the scenes of their fa-

vorite games. The Minecraft and Star Wars classes were a big hit

in the building. There will be a camp starting the week of January

11th, after school for students interested in building and creating

levels in different gaming environments.

Jay Raines Technology Resource Teacher Meadowland Elementary School

Best Way to Teach Shoelace Tying?

Tie your shoes

I recently had a mom asked me what's the best way to teach her children to tie

their shoelaces. As I have noticed, with many students and even the upper grades ones, they are not sure about tying their shoes correctly. Just taking about 10 minutes can be a

wonderful, quality time between parent and child. With Spring around the corner, and lots of running outside and enjoying the outdoors...make sure you tell your

child, Tie your Shoes!

The "Bunny Method"

Hold one end of the shoelaces in each hand. Cross the shoelaces, making an X just as we did in the previous example. Pass the top end of the shoelace under the other and pull tight making a start-

er knot. Make both ends of the shoelaces into loops by folding each of them in half. Cross the loops over each other so that the right loop is on top of the left loop. Wrap the right loop loosely around the back of the left loop so that a hole

forms between the two loops. Start to pull the right loop back to the front through that hole that has been

made. With the right loop through the hole, grasp both loops and start to pull each in

opposite directions to tighten the knot. Pull firmly to secure the knot. Good Luck!

Have a wonderful Spring Break! From your Parent Liaison, Fé Fernandes

Students at Work

Character Word: Loyalty

Dear parents/guardians,

The “Character Word” for the month of March is Loyalty.

Guidance lessons in the classroom will focus on teaching students about study skills. Academic and ca-

reer objectives include study skills and getting ready for upcoming SOL tests. Socially, the students will

understand the concept of Loyalty as it applies to friendships, and standing by your friends and families.

Please ask your children to tell you what they learnt in the guidance lessons.

As you know that there is no single right or wrong way to study. Each child is an individual and each will

find something different that works. Certain important practices will make life easier for everyone in the

family when it comes to study time and organization. However, some of them may require adjustment

from other members of the family.

Turn of the TV set. Make it a house rule that whenever it is study time, it is “no TV” time.

You will need to set rules about the family phone during study hours. You may need to place restrictions

on the length of calls during study time. You may want to keep the phone available in case your child

needs to call a classmate to confirm an assignment or to discuss difficult homework.

Designate specific areas for homework and studying. Some suggestions are the child’s room or the

kitchen/dining room table. Eliminate as much distraction as possible.

A table that allow for all necessary supplies as pencils, pens, paper, book and other essen-

tial works.

Encourage the use of a calendar or small book or pad for writing down assignments.

Consistency is a key factor in academic success. Serving meals at a standard time is helpful. Some stu-

dents prefer to study soon after arriving at home in the afternoon.

Teach your child that studying is more than just doing homework assignments. Encourage your child to

do such things as

Learn to skim material

Take notes while reading a chapter.

Learn to make flashcards for quick review of dates, formulas, spelling words etc.

Learn to study tables and charts.

Learn to summarize what has been read in his/her own words.

Character Word: Loyalty

Help your child feel confident for tests. Explain to your child that cramming the night before

test is not productive. It is better to get a good night’s sleep. Remind your child to read the di-

rections carefully and completely before beginning the test. Skip over questions for which they

do not know the answers right away. They can return to those questions at the end.

During study time, watch for frustrations. No learning can take place or be accomplished if the

child is angry or upset over an assignment.

Should parent help with homework. Yes, if it is productive to do so such as asking key questions

or checking math problems. No, if it is something that can be handled alone by the child. Help

and support should always be provided calmly and cheerfully. Grudging help is worse than no

help at all.

Dates to Remember:

Middle School Alert:

Seneca Ridge has scheduled another “Meet the instrument Information Night” for Tuesday,

March 15th at 6:00 at Seneca Ridge Middle School. If you and your child have not yet attend-

ed one please attend this one.

Please bring in used ink cartridges of all types to be recycled

through Meadowland's ink recycling program.

All funds received will be used for the Computer Lab and

technology needs. You can leave your used ink cartridges in

the computer lab or in the front office.

If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Raines.

Thank you for your support!

Ink Recycling Program

Parent Resource Center

Winter-Spring 2015 Event Schedule

All events are held at the LCPS Administrative Building

21000 Education Court, Ashburn, 20148

Events are cancelled when schools are closed or after school activities cancelled.

Call 571-252-2185 or go to www.lcps.org/prc to register. Titles are linked to event flyers.

Introduction to American Sign Language for Parents and Caregivers

An informal and fun series of lessons to learn basic sign language to communicate with your child

For parents of children who are deaf/hard of hearing or receiving Special Education Services

On Fridays beginning January 9 through February 13 from 7-8:30 pm in room 420/421

Autism Series: Promoting Independence in Activities of Daily Living

For children with Autism and Related Developmental Disabilities

Thursday, January 15, 9-11 am (morning session)

Executive Functioning Skills – What’s the Big Deal?

Wednesday, February 11, 9-11 am (morning session)

Keys to Successful Toileting

Determining readiness, developing routines, overcoming fear, pre-teaching

Thursday, March 19, 9-11 am (morning session)

MANDT for Parents

Building Healthy Relationships, Communication and Conflict Resolution

Saturday, March 21, 8:30 am – 3:00 pm

Autism Series: Developing Play Skills and Building Communication through Play

For young children with Autism and related developmental disabilities

Designed for children who are just acquiring or have not yet developed play skills

Wednesday, April 15, 9-11 am (morning session)

PATH to Employment

Panel presentation by public agencies about how and when to access services to

ensure a timely and smooth transition to employment for students with disabilities

Thursday, April 16, 6:30-8:00 pm

A Will is Not Enough- Legal Planning for Your Child’s Future

Thursday, April 23, 6:30 pm

If due to a disability, you need assistance or an interpreter, call 571-252-2185 5 Business Days before an event.

Centro de Recursos para Padres

Horario de Eventos de Invierno-Primavera 2015

Todos los eventos se llevarán a cabo en el Edificio Administrativo de LCPS

21000 Education Court, Ashburn, 20148

Los eventos son cancelados si las escuelas están cerradas o las actividades después de escuela han sido canceladas.

Llamar a 571-252-2185 o ir a www.lcps.org/prc para matricularse,

los títulos están ligados al evento de su volante.

Introducción de Lenguaje de Señas Americano para los Padres y Cuidadores

Una serie de lecciones informales y divertidas para aprender lenguaje de señas básico para comunicarse con su hijo

Para padres de niños sordos/pérdida de audición o que reciben servicios de Educación Especial

Los viernes a partir del 9 de enero hasta el 13 de febrero de las 7-8:30 pm en el aula 420/421

Series de Autismo: Promoviendo Independencia en Actividades de Vida Diaria

Para niños con autismo y discapacidades de desarrollo relacionado

Jueves, 15 de enero, 9-11 am (sesión por la mañana)

Habilidades de Funcionamiento Ejecutivo – ¿Cuál es el problema?

Miércoles, 11 de febrero, 9-11 am (sesión por la mañana)

Claves para ir al Baño con Éxito

Determinación de disposición, desarrollando rutinas, superando el miedo, pre-enseñanza

Jueves, 19 de marzo, 9-11 am (sesión por la mañana)

“MANDT” para Padres

Construyendo Relaciones Saludables, Comunicación y Resolución de Conflicto

Sábado, 21 de marzo, 8:30 am – 3:00 pm

Series de Autismo: Desarrollando Habilidades de Juego y Construyendo Comunicación a través del Juego

Para niños menores con autismo y discapacidades de desarrollo relacionadas

Diseñado para niños que están comenzando a adquirir o que no han desarrollado aun habilidades de juego

Miércoles, 15 de abril, 9-11 am (sesión por la mañana)

CAMINO hacia el empleo

Presentación de panel de agencias públicas acerca de cómo y cuándo acceder servicios para garantizar una transición a tiempo y

sin problemas para el empleo de estudiantes con discapacidades

Jueves, 16 de abril, 6:30-8:00 pm

Un Testamento no es Suficiente – Planificación Legal para el Futuro de su Hijo

Jueves, 23 de abril, 6:30 pm

Si debido a una discapacidad, usted necesita ayuda o a un intérprete,

llamar al 571-252-2185 5 días laborables previos al evento.

OFFICE REMINDERS The school day begins promptly at 7:50 AM. Students MUST be in their classrooms at 7:50 AM, arriving after that time results in an UNEXCUSED tardy, unless a doctor’s note is provided. Students coming in after 7:50 AM must be escorted into the building, by an adult. School dis-misses at 2:35 PM. Parents picking up students prior to dismissal are required to sign them out in the main office. All visitors to the building should begin their visit in the main office. Once in the office , you may sign them out in the main office. Any forgotten items should be brought to the office. This will cut down on interruptions to the class.

ABSENTEE/TARDY Please call the Meadowland Absentee line at 571-434-4441to report the absence or late to school information for your child.

AFTER SCHOOL PLAN Anytime your child has a change in his/her after school plan, please send a note in with your child in the morning. The office cannot redirect children after school on the basis of a phone call. If an emergency necessitates a change during they day, you may fax the instructions to us at 571-434-4440

MSAAC

The Minority Student Achievement Advisory Committee (MSAAC) works in partnership with Loudoun County Public schools staff, parents and community to further the academic, social, and cultural development of every student and to ensure that the needs of all minority stu-dents are met. More information can be found on the school system website at www.lcps.org under the “Parents” tab and then select Minority Student Achievement Advisory Committee.

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN (SIP)

The Meadowland staff is dedicated to improving our strategies for increasing student achievement and in closing the achievement gap. A formal School Improvement Plan is developed by staff, with parent input. If parents are interested in participating in this pro-cess please contact Laura Seck at 571-434-4440. The plan is reviewed and revised throughout the year according to the results achieved.

School Board Representatives

Debbie Rose, Algonkian District-Debbie.rose@lcps.org. You can also follow her on Facebook, “Debbie Rose– School Board” Brenda Sheridan, Sterling District—Brenda.sheridan@lcps.org Tom Reed, at Large—Thomas.reed@lcps.org

Dear Family & Friends, Meadowland is participating in the

Giant A+ BonusBucks Program.

Meadowland can earn CASH

through this exciting program.

You can help! Fill in the Registration

Card below and return it to the Customer Service counter at your local Giant

or log on to www.giantfood.com/aplus and choose “Register your Card” from

the menu on the left to designate online. Then, each time you shop at Giant

using your GIANT CARD, you will earn CASH for our book club! Our school

ID# is #02103

Meadowland School

Visitor Parking

Staff Parking

Staff Parking

Sugarland Run Road

Parents and students must use the cross

walks

Parents and students must use the cross

walks

“Kiss and Ride”

One Way

This area is to be only used to drop

off and pick up children.

Use this lot to park and walk your child into the building.

Dro

p O

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Pic

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p A

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Morning Drop Off