Diamond Gems hImer Page 1 of 14 “Excellence Through Effort”

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Diamond Gems
hImer
April , 2016
Diamond Gems
Volume 5, Issue 8
Upcoming Events:
Diamond Elementary School 4 Marquis Drive Gaithersburg, MD 20878
“Excellence Through Effort”
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April 5 – 7pm – PTA
Budget Meeting, Media
Center
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April 8 = 3:50-5:30 pm
“Party on the Blacktop”
nd
April 22 – 7pm- Spring
Fling Dance, APR
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April 26 – No School –
Election Day
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April 29 – 8:15-8:45
am – Dol “Finn” Dash
Training
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April 30 - 10 am – 2
pm Curb Appeal Day
Dear Diamond Families,
As we near the end of another school year, “we are SEEKING CANDIDATES for PTA
LEADERSHIP positions!
It is that time of year to prepare for electing new PTA leadership. The positions of
President and Treasurer are now wide open due to the term limits. Plus a VP
position is opening due to the birth of a new baby! We have been assured by the
outgoing people that they will help train and guide the lucky newcomers.
We are proud, and encourage diversity on the PTA. We want to encourage you
regardless of your background; the demographic rankings of Diamond Elementary
are as follows; 1) Asian 2) Caucasian 3) Hispanic 4) African American, 5) Other
Ethnicities. Based on these demographics we hope a similar combination of
backgrounds can lead the PTA beginning in September 2016. Education in the
United States is not simply left to our federal, local governments, or municipalities.
It is critical that everyone in a free system of government understand that our
children’s education without parental advocacy could mean a shortage of resources
for our children and school. It is time to rotate our gate keepers and we need you to
step up sooner than later.
To our Committee Chairs, thank you for your oversight and participation in the many
different enrichment efforts that we have collectively championed as a unit.
Day
Date
Time
Tuesday
Fri
5
8
Friday
Tuesday
Friday
22
26
29
Saturday
30
7:00 PM
3:50pm –
5:30pm
7:00 PM
All Day
8:15 –
8:45 AM
10am –
2pm
Sincerely,
Darwin D. Johnson
President 2015/2016
April 2016 Events
Event
PTA Budget Meeting, Media Center
"Party on the Blacktop" idea for the April Restaurant night
Featuring Jason Levine and his Shave-Ice Truck
Family Fun Night – Spring Fling Dance, All-Purpose Room
No School Election Day
Dol”Finn” Dash Training
Curb Appeal Day
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Diamond Gems
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Diamond Elementary
Principal, Mr. Daniel Walder
Assistant Principal, Mr. Spencer Delisle
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
The Diamond Elementary School’s
Student Government Association
Spirit Fridays
Take the stress out of getting dressed! Just wear the following:
April 8
April 15
April 22
April 29
May 6
May 13
May 20
May 27
Hat Day
Diamond Wear Day (or blue and gold)
Earth Day
Diamond Wear Day (or blue and gold)
Diamond Wear Day (or blue and gold)
Silly Socks Day
Diamond Wear Day (or blue and gold)
Shades Day
Show your school spirit by participating in these awesome ideas!
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Let’s get to know Diamond’s Students & Staff!
April 2016- We’re highlighting…
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/
“Mrs. Cindy Watkins”
What grade do you teach or what position do you have? Kindergarten
Have you ever taught another grade? If so, what? 2nd Grade
Where were you born? Hampton, Virgia
What was the name of your Elementary School? Gordon Barbour
When you were in elementary school, what was your favorite subject? Reading
Where did you go to college? James Madison University – Virginia Tech
What is your favorite color? Blue
What is your favorite sport to watch or to play? Soccer
What was your favorite childhood book? Charlotte’s Web
What is your favorite book? [Writer] My Sisters Keeper
What is your favorite hobby? Playing with my 2 grandchildren
Do you have a pet? If yes, what kind & what is the name? 2 dogs, Sophie and Khloe
What is your favorite food? Spaghetti
What is your favorite board game? Trouble
What is the name of your favorite restaurant? Olive Garden
What is your favorite movie? The Lorax
“Anani Sheppard”
What is your name? Anani Sheppard
What grade are you in? 4th
Who is your teacher? Ms. Stewart
What is your favorite book? Baby Mouse
What is your favorite food? Pizza
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? no
How many people are in your family? 3
What is your favorite vacation location? Virginia Beach
Where would you like to visit? Disney World
What is your favorite color? Pink
What is your favorite subject in school? Math
What is your favorite movie? The Maze Runner
What is your favorite hobby? Track
Do you play sports? If so, what? Track
What is your favorite sports team? Redskins
Do you play a musical instrument? If so, what? No
Where do you want to go to college? In Maryland
What do you want to be when you grow up? Teacher
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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]
SPRING DANCE!!!
The weather may be dreary now, but it won't be long before it's time to shake it off at
the spring dance. Please save the date of Friday, April 22nd for a special Earth Day
themed dance at Diamond Elementary.
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Diamond Gems
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Earn Free Money for Diamond doing shopping!!!
Giant’s A+ Bonus Bucks program will begin again in October. This is FREE money for our school! So far this
year we have over 110 enrolled cards. Last year Diamond earned $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: www.giantfood.com/aplus

by calling the hotline: 877-366-2668
Every enrollment makes a difference! Please encourage grandparents, alumni, neighbors, & friends to take
part, too!!!
Diamond’s Giant A+ Bonus Bucks ID: 00806
Any questions or concerns for either of these programs, please contact Kristin Chu at
[email protected]
The fourth session of Diamond after-school activities is now open for registration.
From computer skills to creative skills to court skills, our slate truly contains
something for everyone.
Program
Minecraft
Animation
Creative
Adventure
MSA - Basketball
Creative Kids
Panda
Programming
MSA - Soccer
Abacus Mental
Math
Date
Monday
4/4 – 5/9
Tuesday, 4/5 –
5/10
Tuesday
4/12 – 5/31
Wednesday 4/6
– 6/8
Wednesday 4/6
– 6/8
Wednesday
4/13 - 5/25
Friday
4/7 – 6/3
Registration
http://register.asapconnected.com//Courses.aspx?CourseGroupID=13539
http://artinyou.com/registration/
www.montgomerysports.org
https://creativekidsdiamondspring.eventbrite.com
https://www.pandaprogrammer.com/data/Register.aspx
www.montgomerysports.org
Email - [email protected], call - 240-476-6311
Questions? Contact Sherry Liu at [email protected] or Scott Harris at [email protected].
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Cultural Arts
Your PTA dollars are providing fantastic experiences and opportunities for our children! Here are a few of the
events the PTA Cultural Arts Committee has been working on:
An Incredible Hands-On Insect Workshop
The PTA hosted 4 workshops for Kindergarten classes on March 16 and 17. Incredible Insects was an interactive
workshop that provided an introduction to arthropods (insects and their relatives), focusing on diversity of species and the
importance of insects in the ecosystem. Hands-on experience with live specimens increases students' comfort level with
insects and their awareness of our surrounding environment, and examination of preserved collections of exotic insects
stimulates discussion of the variety of species and ecosystems. It was an up-close and personal experience that
demonstrates an important element of the biological environment in which we live. The instructor, Kay Taub, is an
entomologist and former Director of the Smithsonian Institution's Insect Zoo. Over the past 25 years, she has taught insect
classes to children for the Smithsonian's Resident Associates Program, Audubon Naturalist Society, and in numerous
public and private schools throughout the Washington/Baltimore Metropolitan areas.
Visit http://www.incredibleinsects.com/ for more information.
Workshop on Creating and Developing Characters in Literature
On Monday, March 14, award-winning children's book author, Mary Amato, returned to Diamond to present a workshop
on Creating Characters. Each 3rd grader participated in one of two PTA-sponsored workshops designed to show students
how a novelist creates and develops characters. Ms. Amato demonstrates her strategies for developing characters and
uses improvisational games to help students create and give voice to a character. Literary elements are covered including
voice, point of view, character traits, pre-writing, webbing, and self-questioning. Ms. Amato is an award-winning children’s
book author, poet, playwright, and songwriter. Her books have been translated into foreign languages, optioned for
television, produced onstage, and have won the children’s choice awards in several states. Visit the author's website
at http://www.maryamato.com/.
The Great Zucchini Visits Diamond!
The PTA sponsored an event on Friday, February 19 – The Great Zucchini, Washington's funniest and most magical
entertainer for young children, performed a hands-on, interactive magic show for the Kindergarten and Bar-T Preschool
classes at Diamond. The wonder of magic, silliness of comedy, and interactive nature of The Great Zucchini's show filled
the APR with great laughter! The Great Zucchini has been a children's entertainer for 2 decades. He has performed at the
White House several times, the Vice President's House, 11 embassies, and countless festivals, theaters, schools, and parties.
He does over 550 shows a year. Seehttp://www.thegreatzucchini.com/ for more information.
Other Upcoming Events:
The Fabulous Chinese Acrobats, originally scheduled to perform at Diamond in February, has been rescheduled for April.
Stay tuned for more information next month.
The U.S. Navy's premier jazz ensemble, The Commodores, have been performing the very best of big band jazz for the
Navy and the nation for over 40 years -- and they will be treating the students and staff at Diamond to an amazing
performance in May! The Commodores write and arrange much of their vast library of music. Their concerts are an eclectic
mix of traditional big band music, exciting jazz vocal arrangements, and fresh new instrumental music written specifically
for the Commodores of today.
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Community Curb Appeal Day 🌷
Saturday, April 30th
10am-2pm
Fun family day of sprucing
up the school grounds for the spring!
A great opportunity for your middle
and HS kids to earn SSL hours!
Contact Jen Gormley with any questions
at [email protected]
Staff Appreciation Week will be May 2 - 6. We are looking for volunteers to assist with the activities planned for our
wonderful Diamond staff. If you are interested in volunteering your time, please email us
at:
[email protected]
Kristy King and Carmel McGuire
Staff Appreciation Co-Chairs
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PTA
A fun-filled 1 mile walk/run!
Friday, May 20, 2016 at 8:00 AM
Giveaways Music  Healthy Snack
$2 suggested donation per person  Funds raised will go to PE Department
“Get Fit with Finn”
TO PREPARE FOR THE DOL”FINN” DASH…JOIN US AT THE
(3 FREE TRAINING SESSIONS LED BY MR. GOLDEN – 8:15 TO 8:45 AM)
Start your Friday mornings getting Fit with Finn!
Three training sessions are scheduled to prepare for the Dol”Finn” Dash. Each session will include a warm-up, run/walk and a cooldown period. The training sessions are scheduled from 8:25 to 8:55 AM every Friday starting Friday, April 29, 2016 and continue
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until Friday, May 13, 2016 on the back field, or in the gymnasium in case of inclement weather. The 8 Annual Dol”Finn” Dash is
scheduled for Friday, May 20, 2016. The event will start at 8:15 AM followed by music, a healthy snack and a drawing. Local
sponsors have donated great prizes for a drawing. A donation of $2 per person is suggested. All monies raised will go towards the
P.E. department.
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If you are interested in having your child participate in the Dol”Finn” Dash Training sessions and the 8 Annual Dol”Finn” Dash,
please complete the permission slip below. In order to participate, every child MUST have a permission slip signed and submitted
by his or her parent/guardian. Also, if you are a parent interested in helping, please make a notation below. Thanks -- we are
looking forward to another fun and successful event! Questions? Contact: Julie Sabag at [email protected]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Please print clearly and neatly. Return to your child’s
classroom teacher as soon as possible.
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Dol”Finn” Dash Training and 8 Annual Dol”Finn” Dash Permission Slip:
Please indicate which sessions your child(ren) will participate in by marking the appropriate box.
 All sessions Friday, April 29 Friday, May 6  Friday, May 13 Main Event:  Friday, May 20
Name of Child(ren)
Grade
Teacher
1
2
3
Parent Name:
Home Number:
Email Address:
Amt $ enclosed: $
Cell Number:
Cash/Check
Parent/Guardian Signature:
(All checks, please make out to DES PTA)
Yes, I would like to help!  All sessions Friday, April 29 Friday, May 6  Friday, May 13  Friday, May 20
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Kids Helping Kids Food Drive
The generosity of the Diamond Elementary students was once again very impressive as we
finished up the final week of the Kids Helping Kids Food Drive. We ended the dinner week
with 250 items, giving us a grand total of 980 items. The Gaithersburg HELP volunteers were
very grateful for our donations and said how helpful all of our food will be in meeting the needs
of so many families. Thank you to everyone who donated and made our food drive such a
success. Also, thank you to everyone who volunteered for the food drive, especially, Thomas,
Daniela, and Brenden Markey, Anna Dyson, Lynn and Sarah Dicker, Molly Rubman, Shari
Rager, Alex and Jason Volat, Sophie and Heather Kafetz, Heather, Erin and Jimmy Deland,
Holly, Katie, and Charlie Reed, Abigail Lin, Samantha and Melanie Mollica, Lily Bakri, Kayla,
Alyson and Liz Pilloff, and James, and Kristin Lang.
April Restaurant Night – PARTY ON THE BLACKTOP!!!!
WHO? – All Diamond Families
WHAT? – An afternoon of fun and fundraising featuring shaved ice from
Safari Ice
WHERE? – The blacktop at Diamond – Follow the music
WHY? – We all love our Diamond friends, the PTA and shaved ice
WHEN? Friday, April 8th – 3:50- 5:30 pm
Bring a hula-hoop, a basketball, sidewalk chalk, fun, a smile and money to buy
shaved ice or make a donation to the PTA
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Diamond Gems
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Diamond Gems
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2015-2016
Updated 10/21/2015
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
Brigitte Rowe
[email protected]
Food Drive
Sarah Lang
Liz Pilloff
Kristin Chu
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Giant Bulletin Board
Jennifer Gormley
[email protected]
Girls on the Run
Fed Bernal
[email protected]
Diamond’s Marquee
Giant A+ Bonus Bucks &
Target—Take Charge of Education
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Diamond Gems
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PTA Committee
Chair
Email
Group Piano
Gladys Arrisueno
[email protected]
International Night Chair &
Co-Chairs
Nazanin Kholdebarin
Reza Emtiaznoori
[email protected]
MCCPTA Delegates (2)
Rick Chimera
Shannon Phelan
Shannon Phelan
Cynthia Bartok-Miller
[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]
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
Nisha Manikoth
Jaime Howenstein
[email protected]
[email protected]
Volunteer Coordinator
Amy Galler
[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]
Membership
Co-Chairs
[email protected]
[email protected]
Updated 3/18/2016
www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/diamondes/PTA
Email [email protected] if you are interested in any of the above openings
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Diamond Gems
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03/16/2016
PTA
2015/2016 Diamond Elementary PTA Calendar
Dates and Events are subject to change.
April 2016
Day
Date
Time
Tuesday
Fri
5
8
Friday
Tuesday
Friday
Saturday
22
26
29
30
7:00 PM
3:50pm –
5:30pm
7:00 PM
All Day
8:15 – 8:45 AM
10am – 2pm
Day
Date
Time
TBD
Tuesday
Fridays
Tuesday
TBD
3
6
10
Fridays
Friday
13
20
TBD
7:00 PM
8:15 – 8:45 AM
8:30AM 9:45AM
8:15 – 8:45 AM
Event
PTA Budget Meeting, Media Center
"Party on the Blacktop" idea for the April Restaurant night
Featuring Jason Levine and his Shave-Ice Truck
Family Fun Night – Spring Fling Dance, All-Purpose Room
No School Election Day
Dol”Finn” Dash Training
Curb Appeal Day
May 2016
8:00AM – 8:45
AM
Event
Restaurant Night – TBD
PTA General Meeting. Media Center (Elections)
Dol”Finn” Dash Training
Muffins for Moms, All-Purpose Room
Dol”Finn” Dash Training
Dolphin Dash! – Back of school - Fields
STEM Night (formerly called Curriculum Night)
Monday
23
6:00pm 8:00pm
6pm
Tuesday
24
All Day
Thursday
Friday
26
27
6:30pm
All Day
Monday
30
All Day
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
1:20 PM
The Presidents and Principals Dinner at the Bethesda North Marriott
Reception Starts at 6pm & Dinner Starts at 7pm (Executive Committee
and New Committee members only)
st
nd
June 2016
Restaurant Night – TBD
EARLY RELEASE - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
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