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The Panthers' Pride Newsletter

Captain Farabaugh's Cove. September 2007. Volume 2; Issue 1.

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The Panthers' Pride Newsletter

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  1. Captain Farabaugh's Cove September 2007 Volume 2; Issue 1 Welcome to a new school year at Port Towns! We are off to a great start with outstanding instruction taking place in our classrooms. This year, we are proud to be an America’s Choice School. More information regarding this instructional design will be given at our Back to School Nights (September 6 for Pre-K through Second Grades; September 20 for Grades 3-6). As a part of this program, we have the Principal’s Book of the Month and we will be launching our 1,000,000-word campaign on October 2 with a pirate theme. Counselor's Corner Welcome Back to School Students!     Seven Habits of Highly Responsible Students 1.  They set goals. 2.  They plan their time. 3.  They study everyday. 4.  They take notes in class. 5.  They have the tools they need. 6.  They keep their commitments. 7.  They get ready ahead of time. (Continued on Page 5) Our goal this year is to have every child reading at or above grade level by the end of the year. You can also look forward to receiving a copy of our newsletter at the beginning of each month to keep you informed. Thanks for a great start! Ms. Farabaugh, Principal The Panthers' Pride Newsletter DEDICATED PARENTS Hello, Port Towns Families!! Welcome back families to another exciting year at Port Towns Elementary School! Listed below are some upcoming events that we would love for you and your family to attend. Back-to-School Night: It’s that time of year again! Get to know your child’s teacher and the new happenings here at Port Towns. At this event you will learn about America’s Choice and all of the wonderful things occurring in your child’s classroom. Pre-K – 2nd grade: September 6, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. 3rd – 6th grade: September 20, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. K- 6th grade ESOL: September 25, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. (Continued inside on Page 2 --Find out about Grapes and Granola for Grandparents, PTA & Captain Farabaugh’s Million Word Campaign.) Inside Pre-Kindergarten (P2) Kindergarten (P3) 1st (P2) 2nd (P3) 3rd (P4) 4th (P3) 5th & 6th (P6) ESOL (P2) Counselors’ Corner (Cover & P3) Dedicated Parents (Cover & P2) PTA (P4) Science (P4) Media (P7) Y.E.S. (P8)

  2. (CONTINUED FROM COVER) • Grapes and Granola for Grandparents: • Calling all Grandparents! Here at Port Towns we acknowledge all of the wonderful things that you do for your grandchildren. Please join us in a celebration including a continental breakfast, picture show, tour of the school, and some quality time with your grandchild. The event starts at 10am and will conclude at 12 p.m. on September 10, 2007. • Parent Teacher Association Meeting: • Join the Panthers’ PTA and make a difference in your child’s education. Learn more about the goals and initiatives for the 2007-2008 school year and meet the new PTA officers and the Parental Involvement chairs here at Port Towns. We look forward to seeing you at the first meeting! • September 11, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. • October 9, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. • Captain Farabaugh’s Million Word Campaign: • Ahoy me mates! This October Port Towns Elementary will be launching a literacy pirate adventure including food, songs, reading, and treasure hunt games. Join Captain Farabaugh and her crew of literacy pirates as they set sail in search of reading treasures. Please note that this event is open to any pirate (student) who signs a contract promising to read one million words by the end of the school year. Admission is $5.00 and a signed contract. A parent or adult must accompany students. The event will take place on October 2, 2007, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. You’d better be doin’ them reading logs at home or you’ll be walking the plank! See you in October… AARRRRR! Pre-Kindergarten Our Pre-Kindergarten program at Port Towns has grown from 3 classes to 5 classes this year.  Let me introduce our wonderful staff!  Mrs. Perreault and Ms. Watson ---Room 1036 Mrs. Luby and Mrs. Burton ---Room 1038 Ms. Hipol and Mrs. C. Johnson ---Room 1040 Ms. DeLeon and Ms. T. Johnson ---Room 1042 Mrs. Sandoval and Ms. C. Johnson --- Room 1044 We have 2 exciting trips in the plans for our students to support our curriculum.  The first will be to Green Meadows Farm in Jessup, MD. The second trip will be to Port Discovery in Baltimore.  We welcome parents, who have been fingerprinted or have had a background clearance, to come with us.  Please see Ms. Osorio for details. Parents, please help your Pre-K child have a great day by making sure they have plenty of sleep, a change of clothes at school, and they are healthy when they arrive each day.  Also, kindly check their backpacks each night for important messages.  Thanks!Pre-K Team WELCOME! The ESOL Department of Port Towns Elementary School would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to the 2007-2008 school year! We are very excited about servicing students from many countries, who collectively represent over one hundred different languages and one hundred three countries in Prince George’s County. Many exciting and innovative programs are being implemented this year. Much of what we do as an ESOL Department depends on your support. Thank You! First Grade, First Grade! • The fantastic first grade is excited about having your child in our classes.  The first grade team is made up of Carol Coates, Cheryl Danzy, Sally Tyner, Sarah Lee, and Robin Majd.  This will be a very exciting and challenging school year.  In order to have a classroom environment that is conducive to learning, each child should come to school ready to work and follow the grade-wide expectations (rules). Please go over the expectations with your child on a regular basis.  This is also done in class.  Following school rules is one of the steps that will help to ensure your child's success in school.  • The first grade expectations (rules) are: • Follow directions. • Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself. • Show respect for people and property. • Speak at appropriate times in appropriate voices. • Make wise choices. • We cannot stress enough that following expectations is an important step • along the road to academic success. We invite you to be partners in your child's education. • (Continued on Page 3)  2

  3. Kindergarten Counselor's Corner  Kindergarten has started off FABULOUSLY!  We are so excited to teach such eager students.  A big thank you for all the support from the families who brought supplies and called, wrote, or emailed to start communicating about their children.  We love working with you toward the goal of your children's academic achievement!  In the upcoming months, we will be continuing to read and write in our Reader's and Writer's Workshop.  We will learn about living and non-living things in Science.  In math, we will continue to learn about directionality, shapes, and attributes. We look forward to going to Green Meadows Farm at the beginning of October.  The field trip will cost approximately $12.  Look for more information in your Home-School Connection notebook.  We will also send information home about Scholastic "Let's Find Out" and how to complete weekly homework.  Wow!  We have a lot to do this fall!  We hope you will join us in our learning adventures! Love, The Kindergarten Teachers Individualized Learning Plan will go out to the 6th, 5th and 4th graders for students to take home and go over their career goals, wish lists and what your child would like to grow up to become! Please go over with your students why it is important to learn toread, write, do arithmetic and be responsible as growing successful citizens in our community.  Be a community helper, a big brother or big sister to everyone you meet and learn how to make the best decisions that will benefit you and your family. Always do a good deed and you will succeed. Jericho City of Praise, located at 1010 Brightseat Road, Landover, MD 20785 offers food for emergencies on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Parent(s) will need to have referral from Social Services, photo ID, and the social security numbers of everyone in the place of dwelling. *September 27* 1st quarter progress reports released 2nd Grade Welcome, back families for the 2007-2008 school year!! We are all so excited to have your sensational second graders in our classrooms! We are off to a wonderful start and are learning lots of great things! We as a second grade team are very excited about introducing you to our Panther P.A.W.S. Binder,grade wide homework sheet, and monthly vocabulary sheet. We are really trying to keep our homework very similar this year, but occasionally a teacher may have a special assignment designed just for her class. The monthly vocabulary sheet will contain all of the important vocabulary in all subject areas for the month. Please remember to check your child’s P.A.W.S. Binders EVERY night and be sure to sign their nightly reading logs and behavior charts. (Continued on Page 5) More from First Grade (Continued from Page 2) Together, we can work to make sure your child is able to master the concepts covered in first grade. We anticipate a wonderful school year.  We hope to meet each of you on Back-to-School Night, which is scheduled for September 6, 2007. During Back-to-School Night, you will be able to learn more about what to expect in first grade.  Thank you in advance for your support. Fourth Grade Fourth grade welcomes Mrs. Howard and Mrs. Nguela to the team. Together with Port Towns’ veteran 4th Grade Teacher, Mr. Perreault, they are gearing up for an exciting year. The entire fourth grade team can’t wait for Back-to-School night on September 20, 2007, where we can discuss the year at length. 3

  4. Third Grade Parent Teacher Association (P.T.A.) Dear Parents and Students, Welcome to a new school year. We are looking forward to meeting with you to discuss and confer how all of us can and will provide each child with an educational, rewarding, and exciting school year. We hope you will join us at Back- to-School Night, so we may have the opportunity to get to know one another, as well as review important school and classroom policies. Third grade is a testing grade, meaning every third grader will be taking the mandatory state exams (MSAs) for Reading and Math in April. It will take a lot of hard work and dedication from every parent, student, and teacher to not only meet the testing goals we have set for this year, but to surpass those goals. We can do it! Many parents have already asked questions regarding homework policies. Please carefully read and review them with your child – they are included in the Home/School Connection Friday Folder. While we have already reviewed the policies in class, it will be good for you and your child to review them again. Please note that all third graders will have homework daily, including the weekends. Every student is expected to complete all homework, each and every day. Again, there is much to discuss and review, so we hope you will join us at Back to School Night for more information. Sincerely, The Third Grade Teachers Ms. Chase, Ms. Henderson Mrs. Lee, Mrs. Rushing Hi! I am Miss Pamela Jackson. I am the mother of five and the grandma of five! On June 5, 2007, I was voted in as your P.T.A. President. Last year, Ms. Sonya Carpenter was our President. I was your Vice President. Ms. Leslie King was our Vice President. Ms. Gladys Rosario was our Secretary. Ms. Marlo Logan was our Treasurer. This year we have Ms. Candyce Yates as our Vice President. She is one of our fifth grade teachers. Ms. Leslie King is the treasurer. Miss Dana Duncan will not be able to serve this year. Therefore, we are looking for a new Vice President. Additionally, we need a Secretary. Finally, we are ALWAYS looking for volunteers for the P.T.A. Science Science News 2007-08 As we begin our new school year, the Science Department would like to take this opportunity to inform you all about some of the wonderful things happening in science at Port Towns Elementary School. The students at Port Towns will be participating in various activities and science investigations throughout the school year that relate to life science, earth science, physical science and space/technology. Students will attend field trips to the Howard B. Owens Science Center that will reinforce concepts taught in class through hands on investigations. Our 5th graders will participate in an overnight environmental science trip to the William Schmidt Center. Chaperones will be needed. We are continuing our Paper Retriever recycling project. Paper donations, such as newspaper and old magazines are welcome, just bring them to Port Towns and put them in the yellow and green recycling dumpster located on the side of the school. Remember PAPER ONLY  (Continued on Page 5) • As President of the P.T.A. of Port Towns Elementary School I look forward to working with you. I want this to be a successful year. Here are some of the things I want to do: • A Red Cross Blood Drive • Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October • A Night of Art with Your Child • National Child Abuse Prevention • Women Fighting Back Against Abuse • I look forward to working with you. Please be willing to share some of your ideas that will help to support the education, health and safety of our children. 4

  5. Character Education Initiative Positive Quote "Be happy with the little things in life as it is these things that mean the most"                                                  Anonymous The Oxon Hill High School sponsors the Health and Wellness Center for Prince Georges County  Students are eligible to receive confidential primary health care including:  Sports Physicals Mental Health Services Health Education Services Dental Services The Oxon Hill Health and Wellness Center is located at Oxon Hill High School, Room 100. 6701 Leyte Drive Oxon Hill, MD 20745 Phone:  (301) 749-5241 Free Immunization Shots P.G. Health Clinic Call for appointments from 9-4. (301) 333-4822 (Counselor’s Corner Continued from Cover) THE PTES GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT is pleased to announce our Character Education Initiative. Students please work toward displaying appropriate Character Traits on a Daily Basis. Remember your character is a reflection of who you are! Port Towns Elementary Guidance Department Mrs. Anderson Dickens Professional School Counselor Mrs. Yolanda Holmes Professional School Counselor Phone:  301-985-1480 More from 2nd Grade (Continued from Page 3) We are in the process of planning many exciting field trips for this school year and would really appreciate volunteers and chaperones in order to make our trips successful! Please let your child’s classroom teacher know if you would be interested in chaperoning for one of our field trips. Please be sure to provide them with your contact information so that they will be able to notify you of all necessary paper work for fingerprinting. If you can, we also encourage you to sign-up and volunteer some of your free time during the school day as well! Your children love to see you in their classrooms supporting their educational goals. This year at Port Towns we will be focusing on one book each month that was selected by our principal, Ms. Farabaugh. September’s Book of the Month is The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein. Please feel free to check this book out at the local library and read it with your child as well as other books and poems written by him. We look forward to seeing you all at three of our Port Towns events coming up soon. Back-to-School Night Tuesday, September 6th at 5pm; Grapes and Granola for Grandparents’ Day, September 10th 10am-12pm; Million Word Book Campaign, the evening of October 2nd. We hope to see all of you soon! - 2nd Grade Teachers More Science (Continued from Page 4) Our annual science fair will be kicking off very soon for grades 4-6. So, look for information to be coming home. There will be a Science Fair Help Night, where you can come and learn more about how to conduct a science investigation and how to complete a project board. We are very excited about the science program here at Port Towns Elementary. We look forward to your support with all of our efforts this school year. Thank you, Mrs. Blackson Science Coordinator 5

  6. Welcome to Leadership Lane 5th & 6th Grades What’s in a name? We in the fifth and sixth grade hallway, otherwise known as “Leadership Lane,” believe there is great meaning in the word leader. A philosopher once said that, “Leadership can be thought of as a capacity to define oneself to others in a way that clarifies and expands a vision of the future.” In other words, a leader should have purpose and habits that lead to a clear goal. Additionally, we in “Leadership Lane” take great pride in developing student leadership. Our students start the year by engaging in activities that foster positive character development and habits of mind. Specifically, what we mean is our students work in collaborative peer groups to reflect and analyze the meanings of active listening, managing impulsive behaviors, striving for accuracy, persisting when things get hard, communicating with clarity, and thinking out of the box to understand more points of view.Further, we establish clear boundaries and high expectations for our students. We teach these expectations on the first day of school so that our students know right away what they need to do to succeed and what consequences they will face if they act otherwise. From the very start of the year, we treat our students as the leaders we intend for them to be. Many have realized that the fifth and sixth grade school years represent the beginning of really “growing up.” We share that point of view and make it a point to not “baby” our fifth and sixth graders. In other words, we make them responsible for the decisions that they make and the actions that they carry out. Moreover, we plan lessons that meet the national learning standards and we implement proven teaching strategies to guide our students to achieving those learning standards. In the end, however, our roles as educators and the students’ roles as diligent learners do not complete the inhabitants of “Leadership Lane.” The role that parents play is equally important and necessary for fifth and sixth grade success as parents are perhaps the most influential participant. To be sure regardless of whether parents participate positively or negatively towards their child’s education, the parent will influence the child’s behaviors and ultimate success or lack of success. We anticipate that our parents will play an active, positive role and embrace out hand for partnership. Parents can start this partnership by reading and discussing the following fifth and sixth grade rules and procedures. So parents, cheers to you already, because we know you will lead your child in the right direction! Rules 1. Follow Directions from all teachers at all times.2. Always keep your hands and other body parts to yourself.3. Use appropriate school language and a quiet voice.4. Respect other people’s property and the school property.5. Only leave your seat or the classroom with permission. Very truly,Mrs. Adilah Wutoh-Baylor5th & 6th Grade Team LeaderOn Behalf of the rest of the 5th and 6th Grade Team:Ms. Carter, Mr. Davis, Mrs. Giles, Mrs. Kolb, Mr. Truglio, and Ms. Yates Fifth / Sixth Grade Daily Behavior Expectations (At all times, the student should do the following) • Positives • Special privileges • Positive notes sent home • Positive phone calls to home • No homework pass • Class party Consequences Verbal reminder2. Second reminder / seating change / time-out in classroom3. Lose privileges / time-out in another classroom / call home / Home-school Behavior Contract4. Call home / Parent shadows student in class / behavior referral form sent to Assistant Principal5. Send to Administrator (Continued on Page 7) 6

  7. More 5/6 Leadership Volunteers Needed for Gorgeous Prince George’s Day! Saturday Oct. 13, 2007 Help plant trees and beautify Port Towns Elementary School. Tell your child’s teacher today that you will join in an opportunity to make Port Towns a nicer place. It can also help you to be a 5 STAR FAMILY! (Continued from Page 6)Arriving to School Procedures(Students should do the following:)1. Walk to the black top and quietly stand in the line for your class. (It is a good time to read a book.)2. Follow any directions from the teacher on duty.3. Silently enter the building from the appropriate side doors that lead to the 5th and 6th grade hallway.4. Calmly and silently walk up the right stairway to the classrooms.5. Form a line outside of your teacher’s door so that you face the playground. (Remember “on your feet, you do not speak.”)Entering the Classroom in the Morning Procedures1. Silently enter classroom.2. Submit any homeroom homework.3. Unpack the backpack at the cubby area. (Get the books needed for first switch.)4. Quickly return to desk and complete the warm-up assignment. Media Center September is Love Our Libraries Month! So, visit your local Public Library. Check out the WONDERFUL resources available at our Prince George’s County Memorial Library System’s website: www.pgcmls.info. If you do not have a public library card, today is a great day to take your child to the public library to get one. Our school’s Media Center has applications for Public Library cards, or you can get an application from a branch nearest you. All an adult has to do is complete the form and return it to a PGCMLS branch. Our local branch is the Bladensburg Branch, which is located at 4820 Annapolis Rd., Bladensburg, MD 20710. They have Monday – Thursday hours from 10:30 – 6:30 p.m. The Bladensburg Branch is closed on Fridays and has hours from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information, call the Bladensburg Public Library at (301) 927-4916. Also, The Library of Congress and Laura Bush are sponsoring the Annual National Book Festival on September 29, 2007 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on the National Mall, between 7th & 14th Streets, Washington, D.C. For more information visit WWW.LOC.GOV or call (888)714-4696. Our school’s Media Center continues to receive new books for students and teachers to use. Prince George’s County is moving to a new automated circulation system. You will hear more about that in next month’s issue. Community volunteers (businesses and organizations, parents, families, middle and high school students) are needed in our school’s Media Center. Be sure to complete the Prince George’s County fingerprinting or background check. Then, see Mrs. Montgomery for more information. Additionally, this year’s newsletters will be published by Mrs. Montgomery. We hope you find these articles informative. Later this year, look forward to viewing our newsletters online! Thank you!! Dismissal Procedures1. Silently re-enter classroom from your last switch.2. Immediately pack all needed belongings in your backpack.3. Stack your chair.4. Stand by your desk and silently read a personal choice book while you wait for you transportation to be called.5. When your transportation is called, quietly line-up in the hallway and follow the directions of the teacher on duty for dismissal.6. Please note classrooms can not be re-entered once you are dismissed. Make sure you think about what you need to take home. (All classroom doors will be locked.) 7

  8. Y.E.S. Calling all students in grades 3-6. You are invited to join the Young Extreme Steppers! Ask your families to join the dedicated parents of Port Towns Elementary School at the first P.T.A. meeting for this school year on Tuesday, September 11 at 6:00 p.m. At this meeting families will be able to gather the necessary information for their children to join the Young Extreme Steppers Program. The success of the Young Extreme Steppers program depends on the active participation of parents and family members. Please be prepared to join the PTA. Discover new and exciting ways you can join the Port Towns Elementary School’s Dream Team for educating “OUR” children. In case you haven’t heard of the Young Extreme Steppers at Port Towns, let me explain. The program is designed to encourage students in grades 3, 4, 5 & 6 to strive foracademic success anddevelop outstanding social skills . The students are taught fun step routines, and are allowed to attend enjoyable educational outings as a reward for hard work in the classroom. Students become members of a “family” where excellence is the norm. Students are not required to “try out” to join the Young Extreme Steppers. They are ONLY required to strive toward maintaining an “A” in Work Habits and Social Skills (behavior). Also, students will be encouraged to work toward a 3.0 G.P.A. Mrs. Montgomery started Prince George’s County’s first elementary school step team at Green Valley Elementary School in 1992. Since then, the step program has been an inspiration to thousands of students to become “THE BEST!” Families, please make sure your voice is represented at our meetings. We need a caring adult from each household represented at our P.T.A. meetings to make sure our students are given a chance at the best education possible. So, please find time each month to attend the PTA meetings to make Port Towns the BEST school. We all look forward to seeing you at our school’s P.T.A. meeting on Tuesday, September 11 at 6:00 p.m. Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday No School Labor Day Back-To-School Night Grades Pre-K-2 5 p.m. Grapes and Granola for Grandparents 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. PTA Meeting 6 p.m. No School Rosh Hashanah Back-To-School Night Grades 3-6 5 p.m. Professional Day No School for Students ESOL Back-To-School Night Grades K-6 5 p.m. SEPTEMBER 8

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