It is hard to believe that it’s already February - the school year is moving quickly and we have already passed the half-way point. I appreciate the positive mindset and effort everyone put forth as we worked through a very inconsistent January.  Between holidays, end of semester schedule modifications, and of course, weather events, it was hard to keep the days straight!  I would like to compliment all families, students and school staff for staying focused and giving their best effort. The Folger community is truly one that rallies and supports! We as a school team truly appreciate that positive energy!

At this point in the school year, we foray closer to the state-required, standardized assessment season. This primarily impacts students in grades 3-5.  We will provide schedule details as soon as they are finalized and appreciate your efforts to ensure your student is present for these tests. Here's what we do know at this time:

March 3 - 7: grade 5 MISA (Maryland Integrated Science Assessments) times TBD

April 23 - May 7: grades 3,4,5 MCAP - ELA (Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program - English/Language Arts - more specifics to follow)

May 8 - 20: grades 3,4,5 - MCAP - Math (Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program - more specifics to follow)

I know that medical/dental appointments are often made months in advance and that you did not have testing dates and times available as you scheduled such appointments. Again, when possible, we thank you for your partnership in prioritizing your student’s attendance, as there is a finite window to administer these required state assessments.  

As we begin the second semester and approach testing season, it’s worth reiterating basic habits that should be in place every day for all of our students:

• A good night’s sleep (recommendation: 9-12 hours for elementary-aged children)

• A healthy breakfast

• Getting to school on-time; creating a routine (prepare supplies/backpacks, etc.)

Prioritizing these basics every day, regardless of testing, gives our students the greatest opportunity to perform to the best of their abilities.  We are grateful for your partnership in doing your part to help prepare your child to have the best possible day at school, each and every day.

With these habits in place, students are then able to make the most of the incredible education presented to them. I have the privilege to be in various classrooms on a daily basis and witness that our students and staff prepare at a high level. With healthy habits in place coupled with quality instruction, students should come to school confident they will do an incredible job, every day, including standardized test days. I have the same conversations with my own sons at home. We prepare each and every day to the best of our ability and when game (or test) day comes, we give our best shot and move forward! Let’s all keep the focus on the effort, rather than the outcome. Practice makes progress - and that is the goal, and it varies by person.  Practice day in and day out and in time, the progress will happen. 

Keeping with this theme of the basics, I would like to request continued support in the area of attendance. Please understand that we are not asking parents to send their child to school when they are sick. We also understand there will be times when families will want to make memories. We just want to make sure everyone continues to understand that MSDE (and AACPS) designates students to be chronically absent once they reach 18 days, regardless of whether those absences are excused or unexcused. All public schools are scored by the state on attendance, and it does impact our designation, and the quality of schools impacts the quality of the larger community.  While Folger has continued to perform at a high level to continually achieve five stars, it takes every ounce of effort from families, staff, and students to achieve and maintain this. When it comes to attendance, more than any ranking, ultimately the most important point is the impact on students. When students miss school, it can have a negative effect on both academic and social emotional growth. Students need to be at school to benefit from school!  Last year when I put information out in the newsletter, families stepped up bigtime and attendance grew in a positive manner, for which I applaud and thank everyone.  I know this will be the case for this school year as well.

I would also like to take a moment to highlight that February is African American history month. Students will learn about various pieces of history and prominent figures both on announcements and throughout the curriculum. We will also share highlights on our twitter and thrillshare sites!

Please continue reading the newsletter for more information about additional important topics. Thank you for your ongoing support. 

Sincerely,

Mr. Jason Otte, Principal

It’s hard to believe we finally had a full week of school at the end of January, something we had not done since prior to winter break!  One way that Folger staff manage through disruptions to our school schedule are from the routines and expectations set through our schoolwide HOOT-ing matrix. Students know exactly what to expect when they return to school, which makes adjusting much easier.

The start of the new marking period began by recognizing those students who were inducted into the HOOT-ing Hall of Fame for their excellence in displaying the “Other People Matter” HOOT-ing expectation. They were nominated by staff for their consistent and noteworthy efforts throughout the second marking period.  These students received a Hall of Fame certificate and special “Otte” and “Smith” HOOT bucks (worth 5 each)!  The second marking period HOOT-ing Hall of Fame is now on display in the main hallway and will remain throughout the current marking period. Congratulations and thank you to: 

Kindergarten – Callyn R., Jackson L., Maya S., Arabella C., Will B., Claire H., Wren W.

1st Grade – Mallory W., Elise M., Louie C., Nola M., Enzo B., Reese S., Scarlett L., Everly T., Griffin T., Jolin W.

2nd Grade – Sutton M., Nate S., Kate J., Reece O., Zoey T., Raelyn R., Sloane M., Atlas S., Hailey H., Bennett K., Shane M., Emelina C., Landon M., Taylor B., Jane A., Andrew A., Savannah E., Jordan J., Nolan F., Corrado F., Elly W.

3rd Grade – Joel I., Teagan G., Sophie DS., Henry D., Harper W., Daphne F., Weston M., Ewan H., Maisie K., Brett R., Will M., Wisdom H., Gabe R., Jacob TM.

4th Grade – Avery W., Caroline D., James V., Connor H., Charlotte W., Lily T., Jackson S., Ben V., Brendan H., Camden S., Teagan W., Tilghman W., William S., Lucy B., Penelope F.

5th Grade – Vivie M., Annie K., Caleb M., James G., Ruth B., Christian M., Violet E., Audrey C., Edison K.

The HOOT-ing focus of the third marking period is on the "Own It" expectation. This centers on student responsibility.  Some of the ways in which students demonstrate this expectation include:

Classroom – Being present/mindful & putting forth best effort

Cafeteria – Cleaning up your eating area & using indoor voice

Playground – Using equipment appropriately, playing safely and kindly with others

Hallway/Transitions – Keep hands and feet to yourself

Bathroom – Washing your hands & using time wisely/quickly

Bus – Using a calm voice & riding safely (seated/facing forward)

Key components of "owning it" are being responsible and honest. This is particularly important when a student makes a mistake or bad choice. Mistakes and accidents happen. Owning them allows for growth and development so that a student can do better next time. Thank you for continuing this conversation at home and encouraging these principles. Responsibility is a quality that extends far beyond the school building. Your support and partnership in this area ensures that we all make Folger the positive learning environment we want for our students. Here are some resources if you are interested in finding new ways to discuss it at home:

The Center for Parenting Education – “The Big Picture: Teaching Responsibility to Your Children”

Michigan State University – “Be Their Best: Encourage Responsibility in Young Children”

Montgomery Child Care Association – “Age-Appropriate Responsibility: What Your Child Can and Should Do at Different Stages”

Raising Children Network – “Shifting Responsibility to Pre-Teens and Teenagers”

Folger staff will continue to review and emphasize these expectations.  Students demonstrating them consistently will earn HOOT bucks and Folger Attitude Awards.  Please join us in celebrating your students when they are successful with these expectations.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Folger HOOT team (PBIS) if you have any questions about HOOT-ing and the expectations for Folger students.

To further celebrate the importance of attendance and maintain focus on this prioity, we are implementing a new approach to communicating and tracking absences. Starting in this 3rd marking period, when a student is absent for the first time, they will receive a form charting ALL absences for that student for the year to date. This is to provide a visual aid reinforcing the definition of chronic absenteeism, which is 18 absences. Hopefully, that first form is green. When a student reaches 10 absences, the next chart home will be yellow, indicating a warning that the number of absences is growing and inching close to the chronic category. A red chart will be sent home when 18 absences are accrued. We hope not to get to that point. Our students make our school - we want and need them present!

School starts at 8am - Students need to be in class by then. Doors close at 7:55am to ensure students are in the building, unpacked, and in class on time.

Drivers remain in your vehicle when using the car loop. Students exit and enter cars on the side closest to the building. Please park your vehicle if you need to exit it for any reason.

Proceed to the top of the car loop - use the whole loop to accommodate all cars. Please don't just stop by the doors. We often see an increase in car riders with inclement weather and colder temps. This is all the more reason to use the entire car loop, moving forward to maximize the car loop and to keep the traffic moving efficiently and safely.

Do not use bus loop - Cars must use the car loop via Arundel Beach Road. The bus loop is reserved for buses only.

No glass water bottles.

A fever means stay home, rest & get better! Yes, we want improved attendance but a fever requires that a student be fever-free for 24 hours without medication before returning to school. This is for your student's well-being as well as those around them. Here is guidance about when to keep a child home for health reasons.

All medication must go through the health room. Students are ONLY permitted to take medication at school when deemed necessary and under the supervision of school health staff. A Parent’s Request to Administer Medication at School (PDF) form must be on file for each medication. No medication can be accepted or allowed to be self-administered without the receipt of this authorization form.

Change of clothes in your student's locker. All students should have change of clothes (in their locker) appropriate for the season. Bathroom, cafeteria, and playground accidents happen all the time. This applies to students in upper grades too.

Off & Away During the School Day. Cell Phones and Smart Watches are not permitted to be used during the school day.

Please print & complete forms for late arrival and early dismissal. We are not able to update your student's attendance without properly completed, legible forms. Thank you for your attention to this.

Thank You!