The Lions Pride

Rosemont PTO

Volume1, Issue 6
March 2012

Maryland School Assessment

The MSA will be given March 12th through March 27th to students in grades 3-8.

The test includes multiplechoice questions and questions requiring written responses.

It measures basic as well as

higher level skills.

Students take the tests for

approximately 90 minutes each day. There are four days of testingtwo days for reading and two days for math.

The testing vendor sends the

scores for individual students to local school systems. The school systems then distribute the scores to parents.

how students performed compared to other students across the nation. Early and active involvement by a parent throughout their child's educationhelping with homework, talking about school, attending school activitiesis the most powerful influence and has benefits that reach far beyond a student's preK-12 years. Parent interest in supporting their child's success on state assessments gives students a huge advantage. The best way to support your child in being successful on state assessments is to be sure students get plenty of rest the night before testing. Make sure your child is present and on time for testing everyday! If you need to schedule appointments for your child please try to schedule them for the afternoon. Prior to testing show your

support by being actively engaged in classes and monitoring their progress in those classes. Ask your child what he/she has learned; show an interest in class work, homework, and test results; and talk to the teacher whenever you need more information about your child's mastery of the content standards. Though report card grades are useful in assessing how well your child is performing in that class, you would not want to wait until a nine week quarter has been completed to find out if your child was struggling and needed help in any area. One effective way to monitor students success is through the Parent Portal. Usernames and passwords were sent home with every student in the fall. If you need a copy Please contact Ms. Porter in the main office for your Parent Portal username and

and password. For strategies to help prepare your child for the MSA, visit mdk12.org. The site has an "Item of the Week" section that provides sample questions to help prepare your child for the assessments.

Special points of interest:

Parents can view the school performance plan and the family community engagement on the Official Rosemont webpage www.baltimorecityschools. org/63

The MSA scores show how

well students learned the reading and mathematics skills in the State Curriculum. A norm-referenced score is also provided to show

Inside this issue:

Pre-K & Kindergarten Registration Fundraiser Camp Fair Info Health Fair Internet Safety News from the Health Suite Workshop for girls Announcements/Reminders
2

Bullying and its Impact

Bullying occurs when a stronger more dominant student repeatedly hurts, threatens or torments a more vulnerable student. Bullying is intentional, it happens more than once. Bullying is the most serious and pervasive challenges facing schools. Children view bullying as the worst experience of childhood, other than losing a loved one. Bullying can occur face-to-face or behind ones back. Boys are more likely to attack their classmates verbally or physically and girls are more likely to attack indirectly like spreading rumors. Victims of bullying may experience anxiety, low self-esteem, depression and suicidal thoughts. They

Anyone who has a library and a garden wants for nothing. ~Cicero
begin to view school as unsafe and may refuse to go to school to avoid facing the bully. Bullying can engender a climate of fear amongst those who are not being bullied, distracting students from their schoolwork and impeding their ability to learn.

Many an opportunity is lost because a man is out looking for four-leaf clovers. ~Author Unknown

Page 2

The Lions Pride

Pre-K and Kindergarten Registration Begins March 26, 2012

If your child will turn four by September 1, 2012, its time to register for pre-k this spring! Children entering kindergarten must turn five by September 1 of the school year they are entering. You will need the following documents to register for Pre-K and kindergarten: Birth certificate Immunization record Proof of current physical exam 2 proofs of primary residence (water, BGE, telephone, lease, bank statement) IEP Lead test certificate There are a few simple things you can do at home to ensure your childs readiness to learn. Developing good health habits, make sure your child Eats nutritious meals and snacks Gets plenty of fresh air and exercise (60 minutes per day) Gets plenty of sleep and rest long-term school habits. Please show your child the value you

Help your child stay excited about school by Talking to your child daily about school Asking questions about your childs day Sharing your own learning experiences with your child. Once your child is attending school remember ATTENDANCE MATTERS! Many believe missing class time is ok because pre-k and kindergarten students are so young. But its NOT! This is when your child begins to develop

2nd Annual Health/Wellness Fair

We are planning our second annual health fair. The fair will be Friday, June 8th 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. We will need volunteers to assist with planning, setup and clean up on the day of the event. If you have any resources or community contacts that would fit in with community wide event please contact the PTO at rosemopto@gmail.com

Internet Safety
Parents our children need more supervision as they get older, especially in a new digital age. Learn to utilize the internet and social media to be aware of your childrens online interactions. FRIEND or FOLLOW your children on Facebook and Twitter. Know your childrens passwords and occasionally monitor their correspondence. Hold

place on learning and make school a priority every day for your family. REMEMBER KINDERGARTEN IS MANDATORY IN MARYLAND! Important Dates: March 26th-Registration begins May 15th Deadline to apply for early admission. August 1st Registration begins for priority 2 students August 27th First day of school for all students them accountable for their online actions and be aware that online bullying is as detrimental as typical bullying.

Baltimore's Child Virtual Camp Fair

Baltimore and the surrounding area has so many wonderful options for the summer of 2012! How can you choose? Baltimores Child Magazine Virtual Camp Fair offers you the chance to contact directors and counselors, ask questions and get the answers that will help you make the best choice for your child. Visit:
http://www.baltimoreschild.com/ resources/index.cfm? fuse1=showcat&Cat=4&type=Camps/ Summer+Programs

Live so that when your children think of honor and integrity, they think of you.

Volume1, Issue 6

Page 3

News from the Health Suite

March is National Nutrition Month so I wanted to share with you some simple tips from a registered dietician from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to help the families at Rosemont Elementary/Middle School eat right all year long! During National Nutrition Month and beyond, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association) encourages everyone to include healthy foods from all food groups through this year's theme: "Get Your Plate in Shape." The following recommendations will help to "Get Your Plate in Shape": Make half your plate fruits and vegetables. Eat a variety of vegetables, especially dark-green, red and orange varieties, as well as beans and peas. When buying canned vegetables, choose "reduced sodium" or "no salt added" whenever possible. Rinsing whole varieties like beans, corn and peas can also reduce sodium levels. Dried and frozen fruits and those canned in water or their own juice are good options when fresh varieties are not available. Make sure every meal and snack has at least one fruit or vegetable or both. Make at least half your grains whole. Choose brown rice, barley and oats and other whole grains for your sides and ingredients. Switch to 100-percent whole-grain breads, cereals and crackers. Check the ingredients list on food packages to find foods that are made with whole grains. Switch to fat-free or low-fat milk. Fat-free and low-fat milk have the same amount of calcium and other essential nutrients as whole milk, but less fat and fewer calories. If you are lactose intolerant, try lactose-free milk or a calcium-fortified soy beverage. Vary your protein choices. Eat a variety of foods each week from the protein food group like seafood, nuts and beans, as well as lean meat, poultry and eggs. Eat more plant-based proteins such as nuts, beans, whole grains and whole soy foods like tofu and edamame. At least twice a week, make fish and seafood the protein on your plate. Keep meat and poultry portions lean and limit to three ounces per meal. Cut back on sodium and empty calories from solid fats and added sugars. Drink water instead of sugary drinks like regular sodas, fruit-flavored drinks and sweetened teas and coffees. Choose 100-percent fruit juice. Compare sodium in foods and choose those with the least amount listed on the Nutrition Facts Panel. Season foods with spices or herbs instead of salt. Select lean cuts of meat or poultry and fat-free or low-fat dairy products. Use heart-healthy oils like olive, canola and sunflower oil in place of butter or shortening when cooking. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' website http://www.eatright.org/nnm/ includes helpful tips, recipes, fun games, promotional tools and nutrition education resources. For more information on Choose MyPlate and healthy eating tips, visit http://www.choosemyplate.gov/. We can work together to help the Rosemont community stay healthy and be successful!! For more information, stop by the health suite or call us at 410-545-6819.

G REAT A MERICAN O PPORTUNITIES F UNDRAISER

Students are currently conducting their most exciting fundraiser to date. Students are selling cookie dough, and not your everyday flavors. Cranberry Delight, Apple Caramel, Key Lime and Rocky Road to name a few. They still have the traditional favorites too. Beautiful handcrafted jewelry made by women of third world countries is being sold by women seeking to rise above their circumstances. There is even a catalog entitled Gourmet Garden that features gourmet candies, magazines, kitchen odds & ends and gardening kits. Students can win limo rides and time in the Money Machine. The fundraiser runs through MARCH 20TH. Please see Ms. Porter if you have any questions.

Begin to be now what you will be hereafter. ~ William James

Rosemont PTO
2777 Presstman Street Baltimore MD 21216 PTO Phone: 443-470-369 E-mail: rosemontpto@gmail.com

Our mission is to foster relationships among the school, parents, teachers, communities,, businesses and all interested parties in order to strengthen their involvement in the educational journey of our children, through workshops, increased involvement and improved resources.

Workshop: The Power of Feminity: Image is Everything

Failure is NOT an option

Were on the Web! facebook.com/

rosemontpto

Announcements/Reminders

It is important for young ladies to learn and exercise proper social etiquette and protocols for every situation. Good manners are vital to developing self- image, confidence, character and healthy relationships with others. This workshop will offer the tools and resources needed to assist children in developing good communication skills and manners that will allow them to handle themselves with poise, integrity and confidence within any social, academic, and/or professional setting. Gain tips and resources to help your tech savvy and social youth develop socially acceptable communication & technology etiquette (Phone, internet); social etiquette (guest, host, dating, social networks, entertaining etc) and dining etiquette (formal setting). 2 WORKSHOPS; 1 DAY WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28TH 9:30-11:30 Middle School Girls

5-7 PM Parents of any age girls. Dinner will be provided for

parents (Please no small children to attend) Chicken Marsala, rice, salad and garlic bread. RSVP to rosemontpto@gmail.com or 410-396-0575

March 7 Health Fair Planning Mtg March 10 last day of Saturday Academy March 12 MSA testing begins March 12 Haircut day March 20-Fundraiser money due March 24 Cyber Tech Workshop @ Poly email rosemontpto@gmail for more info March 28th 9:30-11:30 Workshop for middle school girls March 28- 5-7pm Workshop for parents of girls

Rosemont Affirmation At Rosemont Elementary School Leaders are born We are prepared for academic And we are reaching for the stars Failure is not an option We are destined for success Excellence is expected We will always do our best Today is the beginning Of great things At Rosemont Elementary Middle School And as we always say Think I Can

Work Hard Get Smart Excellence without Excuse!