Diamond Gems hImer Page 1 of 15 Message from the PTA President

Diamond Gems
hImer
April, 2015
Diamond Gems
Volume 4, Issue 8
Upcoming Events:
rd
Diamond Elementary School 4 Marquis Drive Gaithersburg, MD 20878
th
April 3 - 10 – SPRING
BREAK NO SCHOOL
“Excellence Through Effort”
Message from the PTA President
th
April 14 7 pm – PTA
Budget Meeting
nd
April 22 5pm - 9pm
Restaurant Night
Cava in the Kentlands
th
April 24 8:15 - 8:45 am
Dol “Finn” Dash Training
th
April 30 No school for
Kindergarteners
(Kindergarten
Orientation)
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Dear Diamond Families,
Spring is finally upon us; we can begin to shed our clothing and get away from the
cabin fever experience of this past winter. I would like to thank everyone present
during our Tuesday March 10th PTA meeting. The focal point of the meeting was to
amend/approve our Diamond PTA Bi-laws for the next three years to which we were
successful in our endeavor.
I know many of you may be aware of the impending departure of our school
superintendent, Dr. Joshua Starr. This came as a surprise as it was not on anyone’s
radar. There’s a proposed budget expected for the state of Maryland that will
disproportionately affect MCPS across the board. My recommendation is that we as
Diamond ES stay the course, demonstrating our excellence and integrity, continuing
to engage our school and impacting our children’s daily lives in a positive manner. I
can’t think of a better institution that promotes learning, leadership, and has fun while
doing it.
Please note these upcoming May events:
Friday 1
Tuesday 5
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. (Elections)
8:15 – 8:45 am Dol”Finn” Dash Training
8:30AM - 9:45 am FREEE Muffins for Moms, APR
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
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
Save the date!!!!
On May 1st the PTA will host a Spring Fling Dance in
the APR
Diamond Gems
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Let’s get to know Diamond’s Students & Staff !
April 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. Chaffee”
What grade do you teach or what position do you have? Kindergarten
Have you ever taught another grade? If so, what? 3rd
Where were you born? Silver Spring, Md
What was the name of your Elementary School? Jones Lane Elementary
When you were in elementary school, what was your favorite subject? Reading and writing
Where did you go to college? James Madison University
What is your favorite color? Purple and blue
What is your favorite sport to watch or to play? Watch baseball, play soccer
What was your favorite childhood book? Anything Roald Dahl
What is your favorite book? Anything by Jodi Piccoult
What is your favorite hobby? Hiking and biking
Do you have a pet? If yes, what kind & what is the name? Cocker Spaniel, Roxy
What is your favorite food? Sushi and ice cream
What is your favorite board game? Sorry
What is the name of your favorite restaurant? Sushi Damo
What is your favorite movie? 13 going on 30
“Shruthi Gdnesh”
What is your name? Shruthi Gdnesh
What grade are you in? 5th
Who is your teacher? Mrs. Taugher
What is your favorite book? The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan
What is your favorite food? Chocolate
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? 4
What is your favorite vacation location? Atlantic City
Where would you like to visit? Hawaii
What is your favorite color? Pink
What is your favorite subject in school? Science
What is your favorite movie? The Hunger Games
What is your favorite hobby? Draw or paint
Do you play sports? If so, what? I play tennis!
What is your favorite sports team? Baltimore Ravens
Do you play a musical instrument? If so, what? Yes, the violin
Where do you want to go to college? Yale
What do you want to be when you grow up? An astronomer
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
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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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PTA NEWS!!!
Membership Update
We can no longer take online memberships due to Just Between Friends shutting down. We have 320
members this year so far - if you haven't joined, it's not too late!!! Submit your form via your child's
backpack TODAY! Make your voice heard!
PTA Elections for 2015-2016
We will be electing our PTA Executive Board at the Meeting on May 5. If you are interested in joining a
committee or in being involved with the PTA next year, please contact Darwin
Johnson, [email protected]. You MUST be a member this year to vote at elections (for
President, VPs, Treasurer and Secretary), and all nominations are due by April 14 at the PTA Budget
meeting. There are so many wonderful committees that need help next year - please consider getting
involved!
The Diamond Elementary School’s
Student Government Association
Presents
Spirit Fridays
Take the stress out of getting dressed! Just wear the following:
April 3
April 17
April 24
Pajama Day
Diamond Wear Day
Green Day
Diamond Gems
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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
Food Drive Update
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 1037 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; Eddie Ponce; Abrianna Watts; Holly, Sarah, Katie and Charlie
Reed; Kayla, Alyson and Liz Pilloff; Jacob Levine; James and Kristin Lang; Caroline Rowe;
Lindsay Chu; Uma Manikoth; Michelle Wong; Ava Joseph; Bella Hanson; Emilia Bernal; Alice
Wong; Brigitte Rowe; Alan Hanson; and Kristin Chu.
Staff Appreciation Week will be May 4-8. We are looking for 10 volunteers
to help us carry out the activities planned for the wonderful staff at
Diamond. If you are interested in volunteering your time, please email us
at: [email protected]
Diamond Gems
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PTA-Sponsored Cultural Arts Events in March
STEM Workshop for 1st Graders
The PTA sponsored four Mad Science workshops on Tuesday, March 10 and Wednesday, March 11 for the
first grade. Students and staff participated in an interactive workshop called Magnificent Magnets and
learned about magnetism, invisible magnetic fields, and how to build magnet chains. These topics are
already taught as part of the 1st grade curriculum, and these hands-on workshops help to reinforce
learning.
PTA Sponsors Traveling Planetarium
The Sky Dome Planetarium visited Diamond on Tuesday, March 24 to present five fun-filled educational
workshops for the 5th Grade, 2nd Grade, and Kindergarten students and staff. Students were introduced to
a starry sky upon entering the dome, and the navigator guided them through the stars of the Northern
Hemisphere exactly as they appeared on that day. They learned about the night sky in different seasons
and from different global perspectives, the Milky Way galaxy, the sun and all the planets, and the Moon.
Students also learned how to identify stars and constellations, and were introduced to Greek mythological
characters.
Coming Soon: PTA Cultural Arts workshops in April for the 3rd and 4th grades and an all school
assembly in May!
For more information or questions please contact Mary Jo DiBernardo Emard, PTA Cultural Arts
Committee Chair, at [email protected].
After School Programs at Diamond Starting Soon
Programs starting soon:
 Art with Creative Adventures. The art program is returning with NEW projects for students.
Tuesdays after school. http://artinyou.com/. Register with [email protected] or
http://artinyou.com/paypal/ Partial scholarship available on request Break Dancing. Thursdays after school. New session starts in April www.thelabdc.com/
Register at http://www.thelabdc.com/after-school1.html or call (202) 882-5221.
 Chess. Tuesdays, 8-9 am. New session begins April 14. http://www.chesscenter.net/. Print
registration form at http://www.shatranj.us/files/DiamondES.pdf. [email protected].
301-963-9122.
 Jr. Video Game Design. 1st to 3rd grade. Wednesdays after school starting on April 29.
http://www.c3cyberclub.com
 Karate. After school in April. www.kaizenkarateusa.com. Outdoor class, held weather
permitting. For more information or to register, call 301-938-2711 or email
[email protected].
Contact PTA After School Activities Chair Valerie Holford if you have questions
([email protected] and 301-926-1298).
Diamond Gems
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PTA
A fun-filled 1 mile walk/run!
Friday, May 15 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 and continue until Friday, May 8
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. 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: $
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 24 Friday, May 1  Friday, May 8  Friday, May 15
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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 4/14/2015
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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03/10/2015
PTA
2014/2015 Diamond Elementary PTA Calendar
Note: Dates and Events are subject to change.
March 2015
Day
Date
Time
Tuesday
Wednesday
Friday
Wednesday
Friday
10
11
13
25
27
7:00 PM
4-9pm
7:00 PM
5PM – 9PM
All Day
Event
PTA General Meeting, The Carol Lange Media Center
Restaurant Night (support 5th grade!) Potomac Pizza, Kentlands
FREE Family Fun MOVIE NIGHT! It will be AWESOME
Restaurant Night – Coal Fire in the Kentlands
NO SCHOOL Professional Day
April 2015
Day
Date
Time
M-F
Tuesday
TBD
Friday
Thursday
3 - 10
14
TBD
24
30
All Day
7:00 PM
TBD
8:15 – 8:45 AM
All Day
Event
Day
Date
Time
Friday
Friday
Tuesday
Fridays
Tuesday
TBD
Friday
Thursday
Monday
1
1
5
1&8
12
TBD
15
21
25
All Day
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
8:15 – 8:45 AM
8:30AM - 9:45AM
TBD
8:00 – 8:45 AM
7:00 PM
All Day
Day
Date
Time
Event
Wednesday
TBD
Friday
3
TBD
12
8:30am
TBD
1:00 PM
Volunteer Gathering – The Carol Lange Media Center (Breakfast Reception)
Restaurant Night – TBD
EARLY RELEASE - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
Spring Break – NO SCHOOL
PTA Meeting, The Carol Lange Media Center – Addition Schematic Design Presentation
Restaurant Night – TBD
Dol”Finn” Dash Training
No school for current Kindergartners (New Kindergarten Orientation)
May 2015
Event
No school for current Kindergartners (New Kindergarten Orientation)
Family Fun Spring Fling Dance - APR
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
Curriculum Night – All Grades!
HOLIDAY – Memorial Day – No School
June 2015
Updated 4/14/2015
Go to www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/diamondes/PTA for updates