College Gardens Elementary School

Public Hearing on Fiscal Year 2013 Operating Budget RMHS Cluster Testimony this Wednesday (1/18)

The Board of Education will hold a public hearing on the superintendent's recommended budget this Wednesday, January 18 in the Auditorium of the Carver Educational Services Center, 850 Hungerford Drive, Rockville, MD.  Overall testimony that night is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m.  However, our Richard Montgomery Cluster PTA Testimony is scheduled for 8:55 p.m.  As you may know, at times, the Board runs ahead of schedule, so please plan accordingly.  The superintendent released his recommended operating budget on December 7, 2011.

Please come out in CGES school colors to stand while our PTA cluster reps testify to our budgetary needs in front of the BOE.

Join us on a Journey "Up" - Family Movie Night this Friday (1/20) Doors now open at 6:30 p.m. - Have dinner there!

Our next PTA Sponsored Family Movie Night will be held this Friday, January 20, where "UP" will be shown in the All Purpose Room.  Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the movie starts at 7:00 p.m.  Carmen’s will sell Italian ice, pretzels and other goodies, and Potomac Pizza will sell slices of pizza!  Both sponsors will donate a portion of their proceeds to the PTA.  Drinks and snacks will be sold by the PTA. (see flyer)

One adult and four student volunteers (for SSL credit) are needed.  Please sign up ahead of time by contacting Karen Creel at kkushner7@yahoo.com.  Bring the entire family to enjoy this fun activity, and don't forget your blankets and chairs.

Instrumental Music Concert - Thursday (1/26)

The Instrumental Music Winter Concert will be Thursday, January 26, 7:00PM in the All Purpose Room.
Instrumentalists should report to school at 6:45.

Science Fair Expo - April 28th - Parent Volunteers Needed

It's just mid-January, but planning for the Annual CGES Science Fair Expo in April is about to start.  Our current need is a parent (or two) to Co-chair this event with CGES staff members.  If you are interested or wish to be on the planning committee, please contact PTA President, Jen Green at hahleewude@verizon.net, or Mr. Ewald at: John_D_Ewald@mcpsmd.org.

Event to Focus on Bullying in Schools - Sat. (2/4)

A community symposium on bullying in schools will be held from 2–4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4, in Silver Spring. The free event will address a variety of topics such as cyberbullying; bullying of children with disabilities and special needs; children who bully; sexual orientation and bullying; warning signs of bullying, and community responses to school-related bullying.

The program, Bullying in Schools: A Community Symposium on Prevention and Intervention Strategies, is sponsored by the Montgomery County Office of Human Rights’ Committee on Hate Violence, and is open to anyone who wishes to attend.

The keynote speaker is Martin Castro, the chairman of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. Panelists will include representatives from MCPS, the National Association of School Psychologists, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Gay-Straight Alliance for Walt Whitman High School. Participants will be able to ask questions of professionals with expertise in bullying-related topics.

The event will be held at the Silver Spring Civic Center, 1 Veterans Plaza (8525 Fenton St.)  in Silver Spring. (see event flyer)

Rockville Regional Youth Orchestra holds auditions for music students in grades 4 - 9

The Rockville Regional Youth Orchestra is holding its 2012 Spring Auditions on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at Glenview Mansion at the Rockville Civic Center Park. (see flyer)

Opportunity to host International Exchange Student

The Center for Cultural Interchange (CCI) is searching for some great College Gardens ES families who are interested in hosting international high school exchange students for the 2012-2013 school year.  Our students come from 65 different countries, and CCI works hard to match students and families based on shared interests and activities to help ease the transition.  Families provide meals, a bed and local transportation for their student, who would attend the local public high school full-time.  This is an excellent opportunity for all College Gardens families, perhaps especially for those involved in the Chinese immersion program, to participate in a rewarding cultural exchange experience.  CCI's local representative, Katy Rene, a former MCPS school teacher, is available to provide more information about becoming a host family.  Ms. Rene has placed other students in MCPS schools and is involved throughout the year-long exchange process as a support to students, host families, and schools.  She can be reached directly at (215) 896-6486 or kathrynseager@yahoo.com.  For more information about CCI and its programs, please visit www.cci-exchange.org.

Donations Accepted

In these challenging economic times, the PTA Board voted to not to sell Sally Foster this year in order to give families a break from buying and selling to raise money. Unfortunately, by not having a products sale, the PTA may run short on funds for programs this year.

Year after year, through your financial support, the PTA is proud to provide several enriching activities and resources that support our school and our children, including:

• Cultural Arts Assemblies four times a year ($4000)

• Additional supplies and Fine Arts materials for teachers not provided by the county ($2800)

• Cultural Heritage Night, Science Fair Expo, and Art Show ($1900)

• Field Day and the 5th Grade Moving On Ceremony ($1600)

So, instead of asking families to buy and sell products such as wrapping paper, cookie dough, or candles, the PTA Board would like to ask for your support through direct donations; where 100% of your donation will go to support our school and our children.   Simply send in a check to the: CGES PTA (memo field: donation) to partner with us, without having to sell products.   You can even make a donation to the PTA on-line through our PayPal account.  Not only will 100% of your contribution go to help meet the needs of our children, but it's tax deductible as well.

Thank you so much for your ongoing financial support.