Mattaponi ES

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PRINCIPAL:
DR. JANICE HAY

Assistant Principal:

Mr. Stephen Green

School Hours:

Student Hours - 7:45am to 1:55pm Office Hours - 7:15am to 3:30pm Teacher Hours - 7:15am to 2:45pm

School supply lists are all on this page-please scroll down to find your child's grade.

Mrs. Bemiss will start a new beginning instrumental music class at the start of the 3rd marking period. Trumpet, trombone and clarinet are the three instruments which may be selected. Students must be in 4th,5th or 6th grade and have the endorsement of their classroom teacher. Please contact Mrs. Bemiss at janet.bemiss@pgcps.org or send a note to school with your child for further information. The deadline is Tuesday, January 24, 2012.

WE LOOK AHEAD

Newsletter #17 January 6, 2012

MATTAPONI IS...OPENING MINDS TO INFINITE POSSIBILITIES!

January 2012

16 Martin L. King, Jr. Day – Schools Closed

18 Science Fair/Math Help Night for Parents (6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.)

20 End of 2^nd Quarter

23 Grading/Teacher Planning – School Closed

27 5^th Grade Classes to the Owens Science Center 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

February 2012

1 Credit Union Deposit Day at Mattaponi

2 Mobile Dentists at Mattaponi

3 2^nd Quarter Report Cards Released

10 PTO Talent Show (Multi-Purpose Room, Time TBA)

13 **½ Day for Students – ½ Day Professional Development Day

14 **Full School Day for Students

20 Presidents’ Day – School Closed

March 2012

7 Credit Union Deposit Day at Mattaponi

7 3^rd Quarter Progress Reports Released

13-14 MSA – Reading for Grades 3-6

16 Specialty Programs/Public Charter Schools Lottery Application Deadline 5:00 p.m.

20-21 MSA – Mathematics for Grades 3-6

29 End of 3^rd Quarter

30 Grading/Teacher Planning – School Closed

April 2012

2-9 Spring Break – School Closed

11 Credit Union Deposit Day at Mattaponi

12-13 5^th Grade Classes to Camp Schmidt

19 3^rd Quarter Report Cards Released

**Please note the calendar changes on February 13^th and 14^th**

PRINCIPAL’S CORNER

Dr. Janice P. Hay, Principal

Smile Programs – Mobile Dentists

Mattaponi Elementary School is hosting Smile Programs…the mobile dentists on Thursday, February 2, 2012. This is an easy way for your child to receive their dental screening, cleanings, and fluoride treatments…at school! (when applicable, x-rays, sealants, and restorative care are also offered!) Every student who participates will receive a shiny smile and a new toothbrush! We sent home a permission form with your child. Please sign and return the permission form to your child’s teacher today!

Specialty Programs, Public Charter Schools and Career & Technical Education Programs Showcase YOUR CHOICE. YOUR FUTURE. YOUR WORLD.

Charles H. Flowers High School, 10001 Ardwick Ardmore Road Springdale, Maryland

January 17, 2012 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Free Admission, Inclement Weather Make-up Date: Jan 24, 2012.

Visit http://www1.pgcps.org/showcase/ for more information.

Cell Phones, Electronic Gadgets and Toys

It has been brought to our attention that students are bringing IPods and other MP3 players to school and listening to them during school/recess or on the bus. Please review the school policy which states “leave all toys and handheld video games at home” (games, radios, earphones, CD players, etc.). IPods fall within this category. In addition, all cell phones are to be turned off and left in backpacks during the school day. Please review these guidelines with your child. Students not following this policy may have their item confiscated and locked in the main office until it can be picked up by a parent.

Current Contact Information

Prince George’s County has a call out system that calls your home when your child is absent. Also, Mattaponi generates a call out to families when we have important information about a school event. If you have not received any calls from the school, please contact the office with your current home phone number. You can also visit Mattaponi’s website for our weekly newsletter at http://www1.pgcps.org/mattaponi/ . We don’t want you to miss any important information.

Dress for the Weather – Brrr!

As the cold weather arrives, we stand by our belief that children need fresh air and physical activity even during the fall/winter months. Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately for recess and P.E. class. Remind your children to wear sweaters, jackets, hats, thermal undergarments, etc. It is also advantageous to dress in layers, so students may adjust clothing according to the temperature at the time of the outdoor activity. Generally, the students have outdoor recess when the temperature is between 35° to 40° or above.

We Need Your Help – Gum At School

Parents please remind your child(ren) that gum is not allowed at school. This has been a concern in the last few weeks and is a distraction to learning. Also, as students dispose of gum, this often leads to vandalism, as we find gum residue under chairs, tables, on the floor, on school buses and in bathrooms. Your support with this request is greatly appreciated.

Kiss-N-Ride Concerns

1. Please Do Not make U-turns on Old Indian Head Road, Duley Station Road, or at the entrance to The Most Holy Rosary Church at ANY time.

2. Please Do Not park in the Kiss-N-Ride zone between the hours of 7:00 – 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 – 3:15 p.m.

3. Please do not use the parking lot at Most Holy Rosary Church as this is private property. PG County Police will ticket or tow cars that do not adhere to this request.

Parents are not allowed to park on the yellow curb in front of the school.

Your compliance with these concerns will ensure the safety of our school community.

School Security and Student Safety

Please help us keep our students and school safe at all times by entering only through the front door, signing in at the front office and wearing a visitor’s sticker at all times while on school property. In addition, parents/students/visitors should not be in classrooms unless a teacher is present. Items needing to be dropped off should be left in the office. Please note: Neither students or parents are permitted to enter classrooms before 7:30 a.m. or after 1:55 p.m. Children are reminded to take all necessary supplies home to complete assignments. Each student is allowed ample time to gather all belongings at the end of the school day. Forgotten items will have to be retrieved the next day. This policy was implemented to ensure the safety of our students, as they must be under adult supervision at all times. We appreciate your cooperation with complying with this policy.

Lunch Accounts

The cost for lunch is $2.60 and $1.50 for breakfast. If a student does not have lunch money, the cafeteria will provide a cheese sandwich and a drink. A nutritious lunch is crucial to learning at school. It is the responsibility of the parent and/or student to keep track of the balance in lunch accounts. However, Ms. Baden gives students reminder notes to share with parents when lunch account balances are low. Parents are encouraged to pre-pay for school meals at www.PayPAMS.com. Please contact Ms. Baden, our Cafeteria Manager, with lunch account questions or concerns.

How to Contact a Staff Member

Mattaponi’s school office hours are 7:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. Teachers are available for phone calls from 7:15 a.m. - 7:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Messages for the teachers may be left with the office during instructional time and staff members are asked to return phone calls within 24 - 48 hours, if possible. Please remember that all conferences must be scheduled with teachers before coming to the school to discuss your child’s academic program or any issues that may need to be resolved. Thank you for your understanding.

Box Tops and Labels for Education Programs

Mattaponi is collecting Box Tops for Education and Labels for Education. Please ask friends, neighbors, co-workers and family members to clip and save these box tops from hundreds of participating products and send them to school. Each one is worth 10 cents when our school redeems them to use toward valuable school resources and materials. Thank you!!!

PPW’s Corner

Mrs. Dorothy Waiters

Information on Attendance

Maryland State Law states students 5 years old and under 16 must attend school regularly. Whenever absent from school, parents/guardians must provide the child with a written note upon their return to school. The following are considered lawful absences; death in the immediate family; hazardous weather conditions; illness of the student; lack of authorized transportation; quarantine; or any other emergency determined by the superintendent or designee. Please remember, regular, punctual attendance is one of the many key factors that determines a students’ success in school!

1st GRADE

*Backpack (no wheels)

*Small plastic school box

24 #2 Pencils (NO FANCY) (sharpened if possible)

*Blunt scissors - Fiskar brand

*2 Boxes of Crayola Crayons (16ct.-Regular)

*12 Large glue sticks

*3 Black marble composition books (NO SPIRALS)

*2 Heavy plastic folders with 2 pockets

*1 Large skills/activity book for 1^st grade (not a coloring book)

Bar Erasers

*$5.00 Cash for purchase of Time For Kids magazine

Requested donations:

Box of tissue
Ziploc bags (Gallon, quart and snack size)
Bottle of hand sanitizer

*Label only starred items with student’s full name

2nd GRADE

Put your child’s name on all supplies, jackets, lunchbox, and inside the textbooks. Books must be covered.

6 Composition notebooks (black and white)
Soft pencil case
2 Primary ruled writing tablets with dotted mid-line
2 Bar erasers
24 - #2 pencils
Blunt Fiskar scissors
5 Glue sticks
24 Count Crayola crayons
Backpack (no wheels)
2 Highlighter markers
4 - 2 Pocket folders

Requested donations:

Ziploc bags (quart and gallon size)
Box of tissue
Bottle of hand sanitizer

There will be additional items to be purchased from the school. Your teacher will inform you of the price at the beginning of the school year. These items will include an agenda book, instructional materials and test practice books.

3rd GRADE

6 Glue sticks

2 – 4 oz. Elmer’s Glue

3 Ring notebook binder – 2 inches(No trapper keepers, velcro or zippers)

White wide ruled notebook paper- 3/8” (No college rule)

2 Packs of dividers

Fiskar sharp scissors

16+ Count Crayola crayons

1 Box red pens

2 Yellow highlighters

48 - #2 Pencils

Ruler with standard and metric measurements (inches and centimeters)

3 Marble composition books (with wide ruled paper)

Zippered pouch for supplies (No boxes)

Backpack

2 Pocket folders

Requested donations:

Box of tissue
Ziploc bags(sandwich and gallon size)
Bottle of hand sanitizer

4th GRADE

Backpack
3 Ring loose leaf notebook - 2” spine
Wide ruled loose-leaf notebook paper
8 Notebook dividers
24 - #2 pencils (No personal sharpeners or mechanical pencils)
12 Count colored pencils
Eraser tops (box of 8)
4 Glue sticks to be shared by class
4 Marble composition books
2 - 3 Prong folders with pockets
1 Soft pencil/supply case
1 Pack of 3 ½ x 5 inch white index cards (lined)
1 Pair of scissors
1 Pack of red pens
1 Pack of crayons
1 Pencil sharpener with cover

Requested donations:

Box of Kleenex
Ziploc bags (sandwich and gallon size)
Bottle of hand sanitizer

5^th GRADE

Backpack
1 – 1½” Binder (Larger will not be accepted)
Three subject spiral notebook
Loose leaf paper (NOT COLLEGE RULED)
3 Packs #2 lead pencils - NO MECHANICALS
1 Pack colored markers
2 Glue sticks
2 Black and white composition notebooks
4 Highlighters
2 Folders
3 Packs of index cards (3X5)
1 Soft pencil pouch

Requested donations:

Ziploc bags (sandwich and quart size)
Box of tissue
Bottle of hand sanitizer

6th GRADE

Backpack
Soft 3-ring pencil pouch
3 Ring loose leaf notebook - 2” spine
Wide ruled notebook paper
6 Notebook dividers
4 Black and White composition notebooks
24 - #2 Lead pencils
Ink pens (blue)
Colored pencils
24 Count crayons
1 Pocket folder with prongs
Protractor – clear, no colors
Red pens to grade papers
Thesaurus and Dictionary (to keep at home)

Requested donations:

Box of tissue (Large)
Bottle of hand sanitizer
Ziploc bags (sandwich/quart/gallon)

Internet Safety

It has come to our attention that students at Mattaponi are actively using social networking sites on the Internet, some without parental permission. Social networking sites include Facebook, Bebo, MySpace, and many others. While these sites are a great way to keep in touch with family and friends, their use for children should be monitored at all times. Talk with your child about the dangers and safety when using these types of websites. Some parents use monitoring software on their computers to actually track their children’s computer use, and we at Mattaponi strongly recommend this type of approach to monitoring children’s Internet usage. One example of this type of software is “Web Watcher”, which allows parents to remotely monitor and control all of the child’s PC activity over the Internet. It can protect your children on-line, record email and instant messages sent from the computer, block and monitor websites, and limit computer use. The cost is about $35.00 and is available at Staples. President Obama was asked by a student what they could do to become president one day and he responded by saying “watch what you put on your Facebook page”. Universities and perspective employers can now monitor these sites, so please give careful consideration to what you post. You might think “not my child” but we request that you err on the side of caution, and check your computer’s history and websites visited. You might be surprised to see some of the websites children visit and know about. Hopefully, your diligence in this matter will protect your child when using the Internet.

Bully Hotline - 240-606-1425

Are you or do you know someone who is being harassed, threatened or intimidated (bullied)? Do you know someone who has a weapon, drugs or alcohol in their possession? If you answered yes to any of these questions please call the “Bully Hotline” at 240-606-1425, explain the situation and provide the name of the individual that you are reporting. Remember, you do not have to leave your name.