Diamond Gems hImer Page 1 of 16 Message from the PTA President

Diamond Gems
hImer
May, 2015
Diamond Gems
Volume 4, Issue 9
Upcoming Events:
Diamond Elementary School 4 Marquis Drive Gaithersburg, MD 20878
st
May
g 1 – Kindergarten
Orientation (No school for
current kindergarteners)
st
May 1 – 7pm Family Fun
Spring Fling Dance, APR
st
th
May 1 & 8 –
8:15 am– 8:45 am
Dol “Finn” Dash Training
nd
May 2 – TBD
Curb Appeal
th
May 5 – 7pm PTA
General Meeting, APR
th
May 12 –
8:30 am – 9:45 am – FREE
Muffins for Moms, APR
th
May 15 –
8:15 am– 8:45 am
Dol “Finn” Dash
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“Excellence Through Effort”
Message from the PTA President
Dear Diamond Families,
It’s Spring and we’ve just entered the fourth quarter of the school year which is very
hard to believe. We don’t have much in the way of announcements, but I want to
remind you of our continued vigilance with respect to the allocation of funds for
construction on the much needed Diamond ES addition.
Thursday Apr 30 & Friday May 1 is our Kindergarten Orientation, so there’s no school
for current Kindergartners.
I also want to pass on a blurb from a letter of recognition our Diamond ES community
received from Gaithersburg HELP. “I would like to thank you for your generous
donation of 49 boxes of food on February 6, 13, & 20. Your donation enables us
to continue providing basic needs assistance to individuals and families in our
community.” The complete letter is in the newsletter, please read it at your leisure.
Again, Diamond family YOU ROCK!!!
Please note the following upcoming events:
st
May 21 – 6:30 pm
Instrumental Concert
7:30 PM Chorus Concert
rd
May 23 – Memorial Day
Holiday
NO SCHOOL
May
Friday 1
Tuesday 5
(Elections)
Fridays 1 & 8
Tuesday 12
Friday 15
Thursday 21
Monday 25
7:00 PM Family Fun Spring Fling Dance – APR
7:00 PM PTA General Meeting. The Carol Lange Media Center
8:15 – 8:45 AM Dol“Finn” Dash Training
8:30AM - 9:45AM FREE Muffins for Moms, All-Purpose Room
8:00 – 8:45 AM Dolphin Dash! – Back of school fields
7:00 PM Curriculum Night – All Grades!
All Day HOLIDAY – Memorial Day – No School
June
Wednesday, 3 8:30 a.m. Volunteer Gathering – The Carol Lange Media Center
(Breakfast Reception)
Sincerely,
Darwin D. Johnson
Diamond PTA President 2014/2015
Diamond Gems
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Diamond Elementary
Principal, Mr. Daniel Walder
Assistant Principal, Ms. Cathy Shinn
Administrative Secretary, Mrs. Dee Dee McCaffrey
Attendance Secretary, Mrs. Kim Irish
School Hours: 9:15 a.m. – 3:30 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
Cultural Arts
4th Graders Learn about America's Largest Estuary - the Chesapeake Bay
On Tuesday, April 21, each 4th grade class will participate in a PTA-sponsored workshop given by the
Sultana Education Foundation on the Culture and Ecology of the Chesapeake Bay. Students will learn
about oysters, crabs, and the various tools that watermen use to harvest these valuable organisms
from the waters of the Chesapeake Bay. Students will also have the opportunity to view and handle
several species of turtles that live in the Bay and its tidal tributaries.
Workshop for the 3rd Grade on Creating and Developing Characters in Literature
On Friday, April 24, award-winning children's book author, Mary Amato, returns to Diamond to present
a workshop on Creating Characters. Each 3rd grader will participate 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. Mary 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.
Coming soon … the U.S. Navy’s premier contemporary entertainment ensemble, the Cruisers, will visit
Diamond in May to perform for students and staff!
Diamond Gems
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Let’s get to know Diamond’s Students & Staff!
May 2015 - 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. Diana Kohn”
What grade do you teach or what position do you have? All – Pre-K thru 5th
Have you ever taught another grade? If so, what? I also work with adults
Where were you born? Cincinnati, Ohio
What was the name of your Elementary School? St. Domenic
When you were in elementary school, what was your favorite subject? Math
Where did you go to college? Miami University, Ohio
What is your favorite color? Pink
What is your favorite sport to watch or to play? Baseball
What was your favorite childhood book? Nancy Drew novels
What is your favorite book? [Writer] Janet Evanovich
What is your favorite hobby? Watching TV
Do you have a pet? If yes, what kind & what is the name? English Bull Dog – Nemy
What is your favorite food? Dessert
What is your favorite board game? Risk
What is the name of your favorite restaurant? Melting Pot
What is your favorite movie? A Lot like Love
“Giovanni Paul”
What is your name? Giovanni Paul
What grade are you in? 4th
Who is your teacher? Ms. Tokarz
What is your favorite book? The World According to Humphrey
What is your favorite food? Spaghetti
Do you have a family pet? If so, what kind? 2 cats, Perry and Bella, and 1 Gecko – Spot
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? 4
What is your favorite vacation location? Aruba
Where would you like to visit? Japan
What is your favorite color? Yellow
What is your favorite subject in school? Science
What is your favorite movie? Despicable Me
What is your favorite hobby? Draw
Do you play sports? If so, what? Soccer and gymnastics
What is your favorite sports team? Barcelona
Do you play a musical instrument? If so, what? Yes, piano
Where do you want to go to college? Harvard
What do you want to be when you grow up? Veterinarian
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 Voung
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Diamond Gems
PTA
Page 5 of 16
2014-2015
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.

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
Teacher/Staff
FUNDRAISER – Please contribute extra to support
our PTA Advocacy and Programs!
$30
$20
$10
$
Membership Information
Primary Member Last Name Primary Member First Name
Primary Member Email
Home Phone
Work Phone
Cell Phone
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
Grad
e
Diamond Gems
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Staff Appreciation Week will be May 4-8. PTA Staff Appreciation Committee will be hosting a week of fun
activities to show gratitude for our fabulous staff of Diamond Elementary. We are looking for families
to volunteer time or donate items for the following activities:
Monday, May 4
Wall of Fame
Parents, students and community members are invited to visit the PTA bulletin to write notes of thanks, share a
favorite story about a teacher, recite an inspirational quote from an educator, display a photo showing
assistance from a staff member. This is your opportunity to express gratitude and share something great about
the staff of Diamond. The bulletin board will be available all week.
Tuesday, May 5
Staff Lunch
PTA will be sponsoring pizza for staff. We are searching for volunteers to assist with the setup/cleanup and to
donate salad, salad fixings, dressings, and beverages. To volunteer use the Sign-up Genius link below:
http://goo.gl/1gzu6s
Wednesday, May 6
Popcorn Snack
Teachers have planted the "kernels" of knowledge in our students. We will be "popping" in to give our
"pop"ular staff an afternoon snack.
Thursday, May 7
Healthy Snack
We are "bananas" about our teachers! We would like to provide a "bunch" of thanks to the staff for all they
do. We are searching for donations of bananas and bottled waters. To volunteer use the Sign-up Genius link
below:
http://goo.gl/VE53mA
Friday, May 8
Notes of Thanks
Please have your student take the time to write a handwritten thank you note to his/her teacher. Students
should share with their teacher upon arrival to school.
Please feel free to email us at [email protected] with any questions or suggestions.
Carmel McGuire and Kristy King
Staff Appreciation Co-Chairs
Diamond Gems
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The Diamond Elementary School’s
Student Government Association
Presents
Spirit Fridays
Take the stress out of getting dressed! Just wear the following:
May 1
May 8
May 15
May 22
May 29
Diamond Wear Day
Mixed Matched Sock Day
Diamond Wear Day
Backwards Day
Diamond Wear Day
Muffins for Moms Event
Moms and Grandmothers, please join your children/grandchildren on Tuesday, May 12 for muffins,
juice, and coffee from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. in the Diamond Elementary school cafeteria. You will then
have the opportunity to join your children/grandchildren in their classroom(s) from 9:15 to 9:45 a.m.
for their morning meeting with their teacher(s).
We look forward to seeing you on May 12!
If anyone would like to volunteer to help us during this event (especially dads or grandfathers) we
would greatly appreciate it and really could use your help. Please contact Allyson Levine at
[email protected] or Mary Kate Gutierrez at [email protected]. Thank you very
much.
Mary Kate Gutierrez and Allyson Levine
Co-Chairs, Muffins for Moms
Diamond Gems
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Diamond Gems
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PTA
A fun-filled 1 mile walk/run!
Friday, May 15, 2015 at 8:00 AM
Raffles  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 cool-down period. The
training sessions are scheduled from 8:15 to 8:45 AM every Friday starting Friday, April 24, 2015 and continue until Friday, May 8, 2014 on the back field,
or in the gymnasium in case of inclement weather. The 7th Annual Dol”Finn” Dash is scheduled for Friday, May 15, 2015. The event will start at 8:00 AM
followed by music, a healthy snack and a raffle drawing. Local sponsors have donated great prizes for the raffle. A donation of $2 per person is suggested.
All monies raised will go towards the P.E. department.
If you are interested in having your child participate in the Dol”Finn” Dash Training sessions and the 7th 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.
Dol”Finn” Dash Training & 7th 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 24 Friday, May 1  Friday, May 8 Main Event:  Friday, May 15
Name of Child(ren)
Grade
Teacher
1
2
3
Parent Name:
Home Number:
Email Address:
Amt $ enclosed: $
Yes, I would like to help!  All sessions Friday, April 24
Cell Number:
Cash/Check
Parent/Guardian Signature:
(All checks, please make out to DES PTA)
Friday, May 1  Friday, May 8  Friday, May 15
Diamond Gems
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We need your help next year!
The following committees need a new Chairperson for the 2015-2016 school year:
After School Activities Chair- contact Valerie Holford - [email protected]
Cultural Arts committee members - contact Mary Jo DiBernardo Emard - [email protected]
Curb Appeal Co-Chair - contact Karen Rogers - [email protected]
Foreign Language/Language Stars Liaison - contact Brigitte Rowe - [email protected]
Group Piano Chair - contact Rocio Paul - [email protected]
International Night Co-Chair - contact Nazzi Kholdebarin - [email protected]
Spirit Wear committee members - contact Liz Pilloff - [email protected]
Spring Instrument and Choral Concert
The Instrumental and Chorus Concert are both the evening of May 21st in the
Gym and APR. The Instrumental Concert will be take place first in the GYM and
then the Chorus Concert immediately following in the APR.
Spring Concert, Thursday, May 21st
Instrumental Students Arrive – 6:10pm
Instrumental Concert – 6:30pm – GYM
Remainder of 4th & 5th Graders Arrive – 7:10pm
Chorus Concert – 7:30pm - APR
We will also need PTA parent volunteers as we did for the Winter concert.
Please contact Alice Dillon at [email protected]
Diamond Gems
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Diamond Gems
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2014 - 2015
PTA Executive Committee and Chairpersons
Executive Committee
President
Name
Email
Darwin Johnson
[email protected]
VP – Fundraising
Kristina Wesselink
[email protected]
VP – Community
Stephanie Theeler
[email protected]
Treasurer
Chris Chimera
[email protected]
Secretary
Shannon Phelan
[email protected]
PTA Committee
Chairperson
Email
After School Activities
Valerie Holford
[email protected]
Annual Fundraiser
Kristina Wesselink
[email protected]
Back to School Social
Abbe Arnold
[email protected]
Book Fair
Shannon Glerum
[email protected]
Box Tops & Labels for Education
Shannon McKenna
[email protected]
Cultural Arts
Mary Jo DiBernardo Emard
[email protected]
Curb Appeal
Karen Rogers
[email protected]
Diamond Gems Newsletter
Kristin Johnston
Allison Fisher
Sarah Lang
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Directory
Cynthia Miller
Kristin Johnston
Drcyn74yahoo.com
[email protected]
Dol”Finn” Dash & Training
Julie Sabag
[email protected]
Donuts for Dads
Muffins for Moms
Family Fun Finn-Go Night
Allyson Levine
Mary Kate Gutierrez
Abbe Arnold
Nazzi Kholdebarin
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Family Fun Movie Night
Sandee Taggart
[email protected]
Family Fun Spring Fling Dance
Fifth Grade Picnic
Heather Locraft
Allison Fisher
Abbe Arnold
[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]
Jennifer Gormley
[email protected]
Girls on the Run
Paul Phelan
[email protected]
Group Piano
Rocio Paul
[email protected]
International Night Chair &
Co-Chair
Nazanin Kholdebarin
Reza Emtiaznoori
[email protected]
Diamond’s Marquee
Giant A+ Bonus Bucks & Target—Take Charge
of Education
Giant Bulletin Board
Diamond Gems
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Chairperson
MCCPTA Delegates (2)
Email
Rick Chimera
Shannon Phelan
Brooke Bernal
Shannon Phelan
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Parents’ Night Out
Heather Locraft
Katie Dyson
[email protected]
[email protected]
Northwest Cluster Rep.
Principal’s Coffee
Quince Orchard Cluster Rep.
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
Eileen Heaps
[email protected]
Turkey Trot Fun Run Fundraiser
Liz Pilloff
Brigitte Rowe
[email protected]
[email protected]
Special Needs Representative
Fatma Sabri
[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]
Andrea Virga Winter Coat Drive
Nazzi Kholdebarin
[email protected]
Yahoo Group Moderators
Elizabeth Vuong
John Vuong
[email protected]
[email protected]
Membership
Updated 5/6/2015
www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/diamondes/PTA
Email [email protected] if you are interested in any of the above openings
Diamond Gems
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04/15/2015
PTA
2014/2015 Diamond Elementary PTA Calendar
Note: Dates and Events are subject to change.
April 2015
Day
Date
Time
M-F
Tuesday
Wednesday
Friday
Thursday
3 - 10
14
22
24
30
All Day
7:00 PM
5-9PM
8:15 – 8:45 AM
All Day
Event
Spring Break – NO SCHOOL
PTA Meeting, The Carol Lange Media Center – Addition Schematic Design Presentation
Restaurant Night – Cava in the Kentlands
Dol”Finn” Dash Training
No school for current Kindergartners (New Kindergarten Orientation)
May 2015
Day
Date
Time
Friday
Friday
Saturday
Tuesday
Fridays
Tuesday
TBD
Friday
Monday
1
1
2
5
1&8
12
TBD
15
25
All Day
7:00 PM
TBD
7:00 PM
8:15 – 8:45 AM
8:30AM - 9:45AM
TBD
8:00 – 8:45 AM
All Day
Event
No school for current Kindergartners (New Kindergarten Orientation)
Family Fun Spring Fling Dance - APR
Curb appeal – Help us beautify Diamond! Indoors & Outdoors!
PTA General Meeting. The Carol Lange Media Center (Elections)
Dol”Finn” Dash Training
FREE Muffins for Moms, All-Purpose Room
Restaurant Night – TBD
Dolphin Dash! – Back of school - Fields
HOLIDAY – Memorial Day – No School
June 2015
Day
Date
Time
Event
Wednesday
TBD
Monday
3
TBD
15
8:30am
TBD
1:00 PM
Volunteer Gathering – The Carol Lange Media Center (Breakfast Reception)
Restaurant Night – TBD
EARLY RELEASE - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
Updated 5/6/2015
Go to www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/diamondes/PTA for updates
Diamond Gems
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Diamond Gems
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