Text Box: Keep the Book Fair Going!!!  Like all PTA activities, the Book Fair is totally run by volunteers.  The next Book Fair is March 2-6, 2009, and we need daytime volunteers to help us keep the Book Fair going.  WE CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT YOU!  If you have any flexibility during the day (even if it's for only one hour), please send an e-mail to acmcghee@verizon.net or dkndc@msn.com to volunteer.  Thank you, Amelia McGhee/DeBora King, Book Fair Co-Chairs              Parent Survey                     CyberSafety        www.myLunchMoney.com        Bus Riding Rules

Text Box: Briggs Chaney counselors will be coming to speak with the 5th graders on Tuesday, February 2 at 10:15.  There will be one counselor to visit each class to discuss registration and begin the orientation to 6th grade. Text Box: COUNSELOR’S CORNER – By Mrs. I Congratulations to our classroom and specialists (Art, Music, & PE) DECEMBER OUTSTANDING CITIZENS!!  They were honored last week during lunch.  We are very proud of you!   Jennette Nolasco        Dorian Toussaint Mass Kah          Tommy Hoang Kolin Lewis   Gabrielle Ferraro Jose Rodriguez       Aylisha Adams Khadijah Olatunji        Katie Klingner Yazir Soriano     Peter Janda Mickey Zheng     Jonah Bonaiuti Simone Skerritt   Art, Music & PE   Jenna Leshkevich                  Ethan Kodan Jose Rodriguez                                   Diego Moreno Assia Dumbuya   Congratulations to our DECEMBER ESOL STUDENT OF THE MONTH – 2nd grader, Tommy Hoang (Watkins).  Mrs. Jehn shares that Tommy has greatly improved in listening and speaking and shows great interest in learning.  Way to go Tommy!!! Text Box: Principal’s Penguin Post   Even though we generally equate emergency early dismissals with snow and ice, I want to remind everyone that schools may be closed early for reasons other than inclement weather.  As the water main break on River Road reminded us last month, an emergency can happen anytime that results in the need for school closures. While we have many avenues of communication available to disseminate the news of an emergency school closure such as radio, television, and the internet, phone calls are still the best means of getting out the information.  During these times it is imperative that we can reach our families.   Please remember to update emergency information, including additional phone numbers of persons to be contacted in case you cannot be contacted.   Also, please have a plan for an emergency early dismissal, especially for your younger children.  There should be an alternative plan for where the student will go to if an adult cannot be at the home, such as to a neighbor's house.  The Board and superintendent declared February 2009 as African American History Month in MCPS and encouraged staff, students, parents, and the community to actively honor the contributions of African Americans and to enhance the awareness of the impact of attitudes and expectations on the achievement of African American students. Dr. Judy Docca, Board of Education member, said, “African American History Month does give us the opportunity to reflect on the persistent rise of African Americans and the contributions of African Americans to the greatness of the United States throughout its history. It also provides a specific time to review the strong cultural history and customs brought here from African elements, which are evident even today in our families and communities.” Our PTA parents are organizing an African American History night featuring student performers and literature from notable African American authors. It will coincide with our Reading Night and first night of the spring book fair.  Please plan on attending, Thursday evening, February 26, 2009, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. More information will be available soon.  Quote of the Week:  212° Believe, Achieve, Succeed: “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands a time of challenge and controversy…” ...Martin Luther King, Jr.

Text Box:

 

 

 

 

Text Box: EDITOR’S NOTE The Ice Page is distributed every Tuesday. Deadline: Thursday at 3:00 PM   Anyone can submit items: teachers, staff, parents, students, etc.  To have an item included: Leave typewritten info in The Ice Page mailbox in the school office OR send by e-mail to: Robert.Paulsen@verizon.net And acmcghee@verizon.net    Editors: Rob Paulsen, (301) 351-7139 Amelia Mcghee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Text Box: Testing News for 2009 from Mrs. Bridgwater and Mrs. Mroczka!  We are very excited to share with you that W. T. Page has been selected to represent schools across our state and nation by participating in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).  NAEP is given by the U.S. Department of Education and tells us what American students know and can do in key subject areas.  It is the only ongoing nationally representative assessment that provides this valuable information.  NAEP has been given in schools for nearly 40 years.  You may have taken the assessment yourself when you were in school.  The results are published in a report called The Nation’s Report Card which provides reliable student achievement information to educators, parents, and other citizens.  In our school, the NAEP assessment will be given to the fourth graders on Thursday, February 26, 2009 in reading, mathematics, or science.  In addition to subject area questions, students will be asked some background questions such as how often they use computers and what types of classes they take.  Mrs. Mroczka has been working very closely with the NAEP representative in preparation for February 26th.  We are very excited to be participating in this assessment.  There is no need to study in preparation for NAEP.  The format is very similar to MSA which the students took last year in third grade.  All we ask is that parents encourage their children’s best efforts and to have them get plenty of rest the night before the assessment and a good breakfast the morning of.    If you would like to have additional information about NAEP, please visit the web site at:http://nces.gov/nationsreportcard.   Finally here is what everyone has been waiting for the testing dates for 2009!  Please mark your calendars now so that all students will be healthy and present on their respective testing dates.   NAEP for 4th Grade: February 26, 2009        MSA for 3rd & 4th Grade: Reading - March 16 and 17      Math - March 20 and 23 MSA for 5th Grade: Reading – March 18 and 19 Math – March 24 and 25     Science – May 4 – 8 (specific date to be determined) TN/2 for 2nd Grade: April 27 to May 1 Text Box: SEEKING INFORMATION! For African American History month, I am seeking information, stories, etc. (short, brief) from our staff and community about a family member(s) or friend, to read over the morning announcements. For example, Mrs. Kilgore is providing me with a short blurb about some specific accomplishments her mother (86 years young!) had in her lifetime. I am very interested in acknowledging our own "family heritage" throughout the month to try to get away from always speaking of famous sports and entertainment figures.....this goes in line with making student learning more relevant... Please write a short blurb and send it to me either by email or in with your child! Thanks for the help!         Ms. Berner Text Box: Parents are encouraged to complete a survey designed to help improve services to students and families by telling MCPS what they think about their children's schools. The deadline to fill out these surveys has been extended to Fri., Jan. 30. The survey is available online in English and Spanish at  See Link at top of the page Text Box: Thanks to 2nd grader Keishon Bruce for raising $105 for the March of Dimes Reading Champions program!!! Text Box: Important Dates Events Valentine Dance                   Friday, February 13 Spring Book Fair                        March 2-6 Kindergarten Orientation            April 24 Staff Appreciation Week           May 4-8

Text Box: PTA Meeting Issues Tuesday, Feb. 3           Art, Music, PE, and Media presentations, SIT Update  Tuesday, March 3       Testing Update, Planning for Spring Events   Determine if April Meeting is needed