Diamond Gems hImer Page 1 of 14 Message from the PTA President

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Diamond Gems
hImer
October , 2015
Diamond Gems
Volume 5, Issue 2
Upcoming Events:
Diamond Elementary School 4 Marquis Drive Gaithersburg, MD 20878
nd
Oct 2 - Early Release
“Excellence Through Effort”
g
Message from the PTA President
th
October 6 – 7 pm PTA
meeting
th
Oct
9
7-9pm
International Night
–
th
Oct 12 – 9am-12pm
Open House
th
Oct 15 – 8:30-9:50 am
Donuts for Dads APR
th
Oct 16 – No school
th
Oct 30
– 2 pm –
Halloween parade and
class parties
Dear Diamond Families:
We’re off to a great start! We have a lot of momentum as we move steadily into October 2015.
The start of our school year is so critical to our students, staff, and parents that the PTA, in
conjunction with our school staff plan socials, Back to School Nights, and all around general
information sessions to help everyone transition into the new school year, and hopefully get off
to a great start.
I'd like to thank the PTA executive committee for your hard work in preparing for the different
events to start this year off right. Thank you Staff Appreciation committee in support of our
school staff during the BTSN, the teachers enjoyed it. School Spirit is high and our Spirit Wear
has been a boom, thank you Spirit Wear committee. I'd also like to thank the After-School
Activities committee and vendors for helping promote their activities during our social. To the
information resource managers our Diamond Gems Newsletter, Yahoo Groups, Facebook, and
Diamond PTA Website for making the copies and spreading the word. Lastly, I'd like to say
thank you to the Diamond ES staff front office, maintenance, etc., we could not have pulled this
off without you.
Upcoming Events:
October 2015
Date
Time
14
12 – 8 pm
Restaurant night – Zoes in the Kentland
Friday
2
9:25AM –
1:15PM
Early Release day for students and Teachers
Tuesday
6
7:00 PM
PTA Meeting, Media Center
Friday
9
7:00 PM
7th Annual International Night!
Monday
12
9:00 AM–
12:00N
Thursday
15
8:30 – 9:50 AM
Friday
16
All Day
NO SCHOOL, MSEA Teacher Convention
Friday
30
2:00 PM
Halloween Parade & Classroom parties
(Last day of Andrea Virga Winter Coat Drive)
Day
Wednesday
Event
Diamond Elementary Open House
Donuts for Dads, All-Purpose Room
Join the PTA, and Go Diamond Dolphins!
Darwin D. Johnson
PTA President, Diamond ES 2015/2016
Diamond Gems
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Diamond Elementary
Principal, Mr. Daniel Walder
Assistant Principal, Mr. Spencer Delise
Administrative Secretary, Mrs. Dee Dee McCaffrey
Attendance Secretary, Mrs. Kim Irish
School Hours: 9:25 a.m. – 3:50 p.m.
4 Marquis Drive
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
301-840-7177
www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/diamondes/
School Colors
Blue and yellow
School Mascot
“Finn” the dolphin
2015 DES SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR
Volunteers Needed!
Time is flying by! Our annual Scholastic Book Fair will be held in the Carol Lange Media Center
weekdays only from Wednesday, November 4th through Thursday, November 12th. Many volunteers
are needed to make this PTA event a success! Even a half hour of your time would be greatly
appreciated.
If you are interested in volunteering please contact Shannon Glerum at [email protected]
or Shannon Phelan at [email protected]
More information will be available on the PTA page of the DES website, DES PTA Facebook and
the DES PTA Yahoo Groups page toward the middle of October. Thank you!
Diamond Gems
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Let’s get to know Diamond’s Students & Staff!
October 2016- We’re highlighting…
“Mrs. Cheryl Reed”
PTA
Diamond Elementary School
4 Marquis Drive
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
PHONE:
(301) 840-7177
Absences: Please call
the office, 301-8407177, to report student
absences.
WEBSITE:
-
http://www.montgomerys
choolsmd.org/schools/dia
mondes/
What grade do you teach or what position do you have? 3rd and 4th
Have you ever taught another grade? If so, what? 1st and 2nd
Where were you born? Los Angeles, CA
What was the name of your Elementary School? St Bartholumews
When you were in elementary school, what was your favorite subject? Math
Where did you go to college? Frostburg, Undergrad and Johns Hopkins, Masters
What is your favorite color?
What is your favorite sport to watch or to play? Watch football and hockey, play softball
What was your favorite childhood book? The Little Engine that could
What is your favorite book? [Writer] The Thornebirds
What is your favorite hobby? Shopping
Do you have a pet? If yes, what kind & what is the name? No
What is your favorite food? Lobster
What is your favorite board game? Clue
What is the name of your favorite restaurant? Red Lobster
What is your favorite movie? Polyanna
“Jimmy DeLand”
What is your name? Jimmy Deland
What grade are you in? 1st
Who is your teacher? Mr. Ensley
What is your favorite book? Where the Wild Things Are
What is your favorite food? Flounder/ Fish Tacos
Do you have a family pet? If so, what kind? No
Do you have any brothers or sisters at Diamond? If so, how many and what grades are
they in? Erin – 3rd
How many people are in your family? 4
What is your favorite vacation location? Punta Cana, Domician Republic
Where would you like to visit? Hawaii
What is your favorite color? Blue
What is your favorite subject in school? Reading
What is your favorite movie? Star Wars
What is your favorite hobby? Play Baseball
Do you play sports? If so, what? Baseball
What is your favorite sports team? Yankees
Do you play a musical instrument? If so, what? No
Where do you want to go to college? Clemson, Go Tigers!
What do you want to be when you grow up? Pediatrician
Diamond Gems
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Diamond PTA Yahoo Group!
Get school and PTA information and news!
Join the Group by sending an e-mail message to:
[email protected]
All Parents are strongly encouraged to sign up! It’s FREE and easy and open to all Diamond
families and staff.
Be sure to include the following in your subscription e-mail:



Your First and Last Name
The First and Last Name(s) of your student(s) and the name of their Teacher(s)
Your student’s grade level
This information is needed for the PTA to identify you as a Diamond parent or guardian in
order to grant your membership request. Group membership is also available for Diamond staff!
Elizabeth and John Vuong
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Restaurant Night!
Wednesday, October 14th
12-8 pm
Mention Diamond Elementary School – we will get a portion of the
profits!!!!!
Diamond Gems
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Earn Free Money for Diamond doing shopping!!!
Target Take Charge of Education
Did you know? Using a Target REDcard (Target Credit Card®, Target® Visa® Credit Card or Target Debit Card™) provides
all of these benefits each time you use it!

Save 5% off all purchases

1% of your purchase is donated to your designated school

FREE shipping from Target.com
Simply go online or call 1-800-316-6142 to designate Diamond, and the school will receive a percentage of each REDcard
purchase in the form of an annual check. (If you don’t want another credit card, you can use the Target Debit card, which
has no fees and debits from your checking account.) Check out what Diamond has already earned thanks to RedCard
holders!

February 2014-February 2015 Target Donations to Diamond: $609.17

Total of all Target donations to Diamond through February 2015: $7843.08

Amount accumulated toward the next Target donation: $618.45

Number of REDcard holders who have designated this school: 78
Every enrollment makes a difference! Grandparents, alumni, neighbors & friends can take part, too.
Diamond’s Target ID: 58122 Website: www.target.com/tcoe
Giant’s A+ Bonus Bucks Program
Giant’s A+ Bonus Bucks program will begin again in October. This is FREE money for our school! Last year our 103
enrolled cards earned Diamond $2689.88! Please take a few moments to designate Diamond as your school of
preference if you have not done so. If you have previously designated Diamond as your school of preference, you are
already enrolled to participate in the 2015-2016 program. You can designate your choice at the store, online at the web
address below, or by emailing Kristin Chu at [email protected] with your name and Giant card number (not
phone number), or by sending in the form below. Every enrollment makes a difference - please encourage
grandparents, alumni, neighbors, & friends to take part, too!!!
Diamond’s Giant A+ Bonus Bucks ID: 00806
Website: www.giantfood.com/aplus
Any questions or concerns for either of these programs, please contact Kristin Chu at [email protected]
YES, I wish to designate Diamond (School ID 00806) in the 2012-2013 Giant A+ Bonus Bucks Program!
Name
Giant Bonus Card Number*
* Please note, you must provide your actual sixteen-digit Bonus Card number, not your phone number.
Return to school via your student. Thank you!
Attn: PTA-Kristin Chu
Diamond Gems
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PTA
2015-2016
PTA MEMBERSHIP REGISTRATION FORM
Join the Diamond Elementary PTA TODAY
Make a difference in each child’s tomorrow!
The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is comprised of parents and teachers just like you, supporting
Diamond’s commitment to academic excellence for our children. We serve as advocates for the Diamond
community and provide activities and programs that enrich our children’s education. Volunteering is NOT
required, but appreciated!
Please complete one form per family or staff member and return it to your child’s homeroom teacher or the
PTA Mailbox. Attach your cash or check made payable to Diamond ES PTA.
Membership Amounts
Family (two adults)
Individual
Grandparent/Neighbor
Teacher/Staff
FUNDRAISER – Please contribute extra to support
our PTA Advocacy and Programs!
$30
$20
$10
$10
$________
Enter any amount for fundraiser
Membership Information
Primary Member Last Name Primary Member First Name
Primary Member Email
Secondary Member Last
Name
Secondary Member First Name
Secondary Member Email
Child's Last Name
Child's First Name
Teacher
1
2
3
Should you have any questions, please contact the Membership Chair:
Shannon Phelan, [email protected]
*This information is not what goes in the school directory*
Directory information comes from the MCPS database
CATCH THE WAVE! Join PTA today
Grad
e
Diamond Gems
Page 7 of 14
CHANGE FOR DIAMOND! FUNDRAISER
October 5th - October 9th
Monday - pennies
Tuesday - nickels
Wednesday - dimes
Thursday - quarters
Friday - cash and checks (made out to Diamond ES PTA)
There is no such thing as “small change” when it
comes to helping our students!
The classroom who collects the most DAILY gets a PRIZE!
The class from EACH GRADE LEVEL who collects the MOST OVERALL will
get a PIZZA PARTY the following week!
Diamond Gems
Page 8 of 14
PTA
The Andrea Virga Winter Coat Drive
Monday, September 28 – Friday, October 30
Diamond Elementary - 4 Marquis Drive
Please leave items in the bins under the PTA bulletin board in the lobby
New or Clean & Gently Used:
Coats, Jackets, Sweatshirts, Hats, Gloves, Mittens, and Scarves
Why are we doing this?
Every year, the Diamond PTA sponsors a winter coat drive which supports our local community
(items are donated to Family Services in Gaithersburg). We have named our coat drive for Andrea
Virga because she was an inspiration to all of us.
Mrs. Virga was a phenomenal teacher at Diamond who passed away in July 2014. She was very
involved in community service and devoted much of her time to helping others. She served her
church by helping the homeless and donating her time to local area shelters and food banks.
By honoring Mrs. Virga, whom we miss dearly, we hope her spirit of service will live on at Diamond
for years to come.
Community Curb Appeal Day
Saturday, November 14th
10am-2pm
Fun family day of weeding, raking, mulching & sprucing up the school grounds.
Some tools will be available but bring own rakes if possible. A great opportunity for your middle and HS kids to
get SSL hours! Come and stay as long as you want, or if you can give just a little while, we will greatly
appreciate it!!!
Contact Jen Gormley with any questions at [email protected]
Diamond Gems
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Diamond Gems
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Staff Appreciation
We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the families that donated food and time to feed
the teachers and staff during Back to School Nights on September 9 & 10.
For the dinner on Wednesday, September 9, special thanks to the Bakri family, the Chimera family,
the Daly family, the Doggettfamily, the Dyson family the Emtiaznoori family,
the Galler family, Gormley family, the Howenstein family, the Kim family,
theLakhiani family, the Locraft family, the MacDonald family, the Mahamuni
family, the Nigmann family, the Phelan family, theWesselink family, and the Zimet family.
For the dinner on Thursday, September 10, special thanks to the Cole family, the Datlow family,
the Emtiaznoori family, the Fisherfamily, the Gormley family, the Howenstein
family, the Johnston family, the King family, the Locraft family, the MacDonald family,
the Mahamuni family, the McGuire family, the Parker family, the Pettis family, the Phelan family,
the Tang family, the Vuong family, and the Wesselink family.
Thank you for your assistance to kick off our first staff appreciation activity!
Kristy King and Carmel Mc Guire, Staff Appreciation Co-Chairs
Donuts for Dads Event
Fathers and Grandfathers please come join your children/grandchildren on Thursday, October 15 for
donuts, juice and coffee from 8:30 to 9:25 a.m. in the Diamond Elementary School cafeteria. You will
then have the opportunity to join your children/grandchildren in their classroom(s) from 9:25 to 9:50
a.m. for their morning meeting with their teacher(s).
We look forward to seeing you on October 15!
If anyone would like to volunteer to help us during this event we would greatly appreciate it and really
could use your help. Please contact Stephanie Theeler at [email protected] or Wendy Taylor at
[email protected]. Thank you very much.
Diamond Gems
Page 11 of 14
2015-2016
PTA Executive Committee and Chairpersons
Executive Committee
President
Name
Email
Darwin Johnson
[email protected]
VP – Fundraising
Jaime Howenstein
[email protected]
VP – Community
Suzanne Jenkins
[email protected]
Treasurer
Chris Chimera
[email protected]
Secretary
Rick Chimera
[email protected]
PTA Committee
After School Activities
Chairperson
Email
Annual Fundraiser
Sherry Liu
Scott Harris
OPEN
[email protected]
[email protected]
Jaime Howenstein
Back to School Social
Executive Committee
(above)
Book Fair
Box Tops for Education
Shannon Glerum
Shannon Phelan
Shannon McKenna
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Cultural Arts
Mary Jo DiBernardo Emard
[email protected]
Curb Appeal
Co-Chairs
Diamond Gems Newsletter
Directory
Jennifer Gormley
Paul Phelan
Kristin Johnston
Shannon McKenna
Sarah Lang
Lidia Butler
Cynthia Miller
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Drcyn74yahoo.com
Dol”Finn” Dash & Training
Julie Sabag
[email protected]
Donuts for Dads
Muffins for Moms
Family Fun Finn-Go Night
Stephanie Theeler
Wendy Taylor
Nazzi Kholdebarin
Jennifer Gormley
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Family Fun Movie Night
Family Fun Spring Fling Dance or
Valentine Dance
Fifth Grade Picnic
Allyson Levine
Mary Kate Gutierrez
Heather Locraft
Allison Fisher
Nazzi Kholdebarin
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Foreign Language: Language Stars
Mary Lynn Gonsalves
[email protected]
Food Drive
Sarah Lang
Liz Pilloff
Kristin Chu
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Jennifer Gormley
Fed Bernal
[email protected]
[email protected]
Diamond’s Marquee
Giant A+ Bonus Bucks &
Target—Take Charge of Education
Giant Bulletin Board
Girls on the Run
Diamond Gems
PTA Committee
Group Piano
International Night Chair &
Co-Chairs
MCCPTA Delegates (2)
Membership
Co-Chairs
Page 12 of 14
Chair
Gladys Arrisueno
Nazanin Kholdebarin
Reza Emtiaznoori
OPEN
Rick Chimera
Shannon Phelan
Shannon Phelan
Cynthia Bartok-Miller
Email
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Parents’ Night Out
Heather Locraft
Katie Dyson
[email protected]
[email protected]
Northwest Cluster Representative
Principal’s Coffee
Quince Orchard Cluster Representative
Rick Chimera
Jaime Craig
Elizabeth Vuong
Shannon Phelan
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Nominating Committee Co-chairs
OPEN
Restaurant Night
Heather Locraft
Katie Dyson
[email protected]
[email protected]
Room Parent Coordinator
Kristina Wesselink
[email protected]
Turkey Trot Fun Run Fundraiser
Liz Pilloff
Brigitte Rowe
[email protected]
[email protected]
Special Needs Representative
Rebecca Nigmann
[email protected]
Spirit Wear
Liz Pilloff
Holly Reed
[email protected]
[email protected]
Staff Appreciation Chair
& Co-Chairs
Kristy King
Carmel McGuire
[email protected]
UNICEF
Volunteer Coordinator
Nisha Manikoth
Jaime Howenstein
Amy Galler
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Website
Bonnie Cybulko
[email protected]
Andrea Virga Winter Coat Drive
Co-Chairs
Yahoo Group Moderators
Nazzi Kholdebarin
OPEN
Elizabeth Vuong
John Vuong
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Updated 9/25/2015
www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/diamondes/PTA
Diamond Gems
Page 13 of 14
9/22/2015
PTA
2015/2016 Diamond Elementary PTA Calendar
Dates and Events are subject to change.
October 2015
Day
Date
Time
14
2
6
9
12
15
16
30
12-8 PM
9:25AM – 1:15PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
9:00 AM–12:00N
8:30 – 9:45 AM
All Day
2:00 PM
Day
Date
Time
TBD
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thurday
Wednesday
TBD
2
3 - 12
11
12
18
Saturday
Wednesday
Thurs./Fri.
21
25
26 27
TBD
All Day
See flier
1:00 PM
1:00 PM
9:30am –
10:30AM
TBD
1:00 PM
All Day
Day
Date
Time
TBD
Tuesday
Thursday
Thurs - Thurs.
TBD
1
17
24 - 31
TBD
7:00 PM
6:30PM
All Day
Day
Date
Time
Fri
Monday
Wednesday
1
18
20
Monday
25
Friday
29
All Day
All Day
9:30AM –
10:30AM
All Day
2pm – 4pm
7:00 PM
Wednesday
Friday
Tuesday
Friday
Monday
Thursday
Friday
Friday
Event
Restaurant Night – Zoe’s Kitchen, Kentlands
Early Release day for students and Teachers
PTA Meeting, Media Center
th
7 Annual International Night!
Diamond Elementary Open House
Donuts for Dads, All-Purpose Room
NO SCHOOL, MSEA Teacher Convention
Halloween Parade & Classroom parties
(Last day of Andrea Virga Winter Coat Drive)
November 2015
Event
Restaurant Night – TBD
NO SCHOOL,- for Students and Teachers
Scholastic Book Fair, Media Center (open during Parent/Teacher Conferences)
Early Release, Parent/Teacher Conferences
Early Release, Parent/Teacher Conferences
PRINCIPALS COFFEE
TURKEY TROT FUN RUN - TBD
EARLY RELEASE prior to Thanksgiving
HOLIDAY – Thanksgiving NO SCHOOL
December 2015
Event
Restaurant Night – TBD
PTA General Meeting, Media Center
Choral and Instrumental Music Concert
NO SCHOOL – Winter Break
January 2016
Event
HOLIDAY – New Year’s Day – No School
HOLIDAY – Martin L. King, Jr. Day – No School
Principal’s Coffee
NO SCHOOL – Professional Day
Rockville Town Square – Ice Skating Fundraiser!
Family “Finn”-Go Night
Diamond Gems
Page 14 of 14
February 2016
Day
Date
Time
Event
TBD
M-F
Tuesday
Friday
TBD
1 – 19
2
12
Monday
Friday
Friday
15
19
26
TBD
All Day
7:00 PM
2:30PM
7:00 PM
All Day
AM
1:00 PM
Day
Date
Time
Event
TBD
Thurs
Fri.- Fri
TBD
24
Mar 25
– Apr 1
TBD
All Day
All Day
Restaurant Night – TBD
NO SCHOOL Professional Day
(Spring Break Begins)
Day
Date
Time
Event
TBD
Tuesday
Tuesday
Friday
TBD
5
26
29
TBD
7:00 PM
All Day
8:15 – 8:45 AM
Day
Date
Time
TBD
Tuesday
Fridays
Tuesday
TBD
3
6
10
Fridays
Friday
Tuesday
13
20
24
TBD
7:00 PM
8:15 – 8:45 AM
8:30AM 9:45AM
8:15 – 8:45 AM
8:00 – 8:45 AM
All Day
Thursday
Friday
26
27
6:30pm
All Day
Monday
30
All Day
Dol”Finn” Dash Training
Dolphin Dash! – Back of school - Fields
st
nd
th
Fitness Day for the 1 & 2 Grades (Rain Date is June 7 )
st
nd
The 1 & 2 Grade Pizza Party will be on this day as well
Choral and Instrumental Music Concert
rd
th
th
rd
Field Day for the 3 , 4 , & 5 Grades (Rain Date is June 3 )
rd
th
th
The 3 , 4 ,& 5 Grade Pizza Party will be on this day as well
HOLIDAY – Memorial Day – No School
Day
Date
Time
Event
TBD
Friday
TBD
17
TBD
1:00 PM
Restaurant Night – TBD
Kids Helping Kids Food Drive
PTA General Meeting, Media Center
Classroom Valentine Parties
Family Fun Night – Valentine’s Dance, All-Purpose Room
HOLIDAY – Presidents’ Day – NO SCHOOL
Last Day of Kids Helping Kids Food Drive
Early Release
March 2016
April 2016
Restaurant Night – TBD
PTA Budget Meeting, Media Center
No School Election Day
Dol”Finn” Dash Training
May 2016
Event
Restaurant Night – TBD
PTA General Meeting. Media Center (Elections)
Dol”Finn” Dash Training
Muffins for Moms, All-Purpose Room
June 2016
Restaurant Night – TBD
EARLY RELEASE - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
Updated 9/25/2015
Go to www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/diamondes/PTA for updates
PTA