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                              CyberSafety        www.myLunchMoney.com        Bus Riding Rules

Text Box: Principal’s Penguin Post  As we approach the final weeks before our MSA assessments begin and as a way to get more students reading nightly, our school staff are doing many activities to encourage reading and development in reading comprehension. Reading comprehension plays an important part in most standardized assessments. So, how can you help your child improve his/her understanding of what he/she reads? One way is to try "paired reading" with your child.  First, you and your child will read silently the same story or part of the story, article or textbook; begin with one paragraph. Next, listen while your child summarizes aloud what he/she just read. After he/she has finished summarizing, offer your corrections or additions to what he/she summarized. Finally, take turns reading another paragraph or two and changing roles. Switch back and forth until the whole story, article or chapter is read. This activity is a good study aid for subjects like social studies and science as well and builds listening skills too!  Believe, Achieve and Succeed!  Just a reminder, our first Black History Night is this Thursday, February 26th.   The book fair will begin the evening at 6:00 pm with a special display of books written by African American authors and poets. The program is scheduled for 7-8 pm with our students performing various poems or songs. Additionally, student work related to African American History month will be displayed throughout the front foyer for all to see. A HUGE thank you goes to Mrs. Sheila Holmes, PTA member and NAACP school rep, for her passion and commitment to see this special program and evening get off the ground!  Thanks also go to our staff, particularly our school diversity committee, for organizing student participation. Finally, check out the Gazette this week--Page ES fifth graders, Ms. Hart and Ms. Finley will be highlighted for the activities they have been doing that not only align with our curriculum but that also support learning the significance of this month.  Remember: Make school a priority!  Make attendance job #1; Show you care by talking to your child about what they did during the day; keep things upbeat--set positive examples for your children; and finally, get things organized the night before so your child is ready to begin school on time in the morning!  Quote of the Week:  212° Believe, Achieve, and Succeed: “A man can make what he wants of himself if he truly believes that he must be ready for hard work and many heartbreaks along the way”…Thurgood Marshall  

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Text Box: On Monday 2/9 we began our pennies for peace campaign.  Pennies for Peace is part of a larger charity which builds schools, especially for girls, in Afghanistan and Pakistan and runs women's health and work programs.  $600 pays a teacher's salary for one year!  Maybe we can add a few teachers to their workforce.  You can learn more about these charities at www.penniesforpeace.org (children's) or www.ikat.org (adult).  Adults can learn more about this charity by reading Three Cups of Tea, which is a New York Times bestseller and a great book about the power of education.  Check out the bulletin board outside of the Media Center to learn more. Students are invited to bring in any spare change or cash donations and drop them off in front of the media center any morning on their way in to school.  Text Box: Cultural Arts Performance Coming to Page!   On Wednesday, February 25th, Grammy nominated author, singer, songwriter (and Page alumni) Barry Louis Polisar with be performing at Page.  He will present two back to back shows in the multipurpose room beginning at 9:15am.  The children have been reading his books during media center time and are becoming familiar with his writings.  Parents are welcome to attend.  His books will also be available for purchase and Barry will gladly personalize them.  See the separate flyer sent home for more information on books available for purchase.   Sharon King Cultural Arts Chair 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. Text Box: 2009 TESTING SCHEDULE  February 26th:                NAEP for 4th Grade March 16th and 17th:      Reading MSA for 3rd and 4th Grade March 18th and 19th:      Reading MSA for 5th Grade March 20th and 23rd:      Math MSA for 3rd and 4th Grade March 24th and 25th:      Math MSA for 5th Grade April 27th – May 1st:      TN/2 for 2nd Grade May 4th – 8th:                Science MSA for 5th Grade (specific date to be determined) 

 

Text Box: Important Dates Thursday, February 26:       NAEP for 4th Grade                                                Book Fair/Reading Night – 6:00pm                                                African American History Night – 7pm, Multi-Purpose Room Friday, February 27:            EARLY RELEASE DAY – Teachers’ Grading/Planning Day                                                Book Fair opens for purchase from 3pm to 6pm March 2nd thru 5th:               Book Fair open for purchase from 3pm to 6pm Friday, March 6th:                Book Fair open for purchase from 9am to 6pm Text Box: Homework Hotline Returns!  For 23 years now, the Montgomery County Public Schools Instructional Television (MCPS-ITV) program Homework Hotline Live! (HHL) has provided homework help to thousands of students.  HHL offers one-on-one homework help in most academic subjects from kindergarten to 12th grade.  MCPS teachers take calls from students live on-the-air and assist them with homework problems.  HHL, will resume its season this Tuesday, January 6, 2009 from 5:00 to 6:00pm on Comcast Ch. 33, Verizon Ch. 35, and RCN Ch.