¡Bienvenidos!Welcome! Rock Creek Forest Elementary School

Agenda  Welcome and Introductions  A Brief Tour of Rock Creek Forest  An overview of our Immersion Program  The MCPS immersion Program Application Process  Questions

Our Vision At Rock Creek Forest Elementary School, we provide all students with the knowledge, skills, and habits that will empower them to become leaders in our society.

Our Mission We strive to fulfill our vision by:  providing a rigorous instructional program for all children  developing relevant skills for students to compete in a global society  establishing healthy relationships to foster a positive environment for students, staff, and parents in our community.

By the completion of fifth grade students are expected to: 1. Demonstrate literacy across all content areas by reading complex texts, writing for multiple purposes, speaking in a variety of situations, and using language effectively. 2. Perform at a proficient or advanced level on standardized achievement tests. 3. Apply skills and demonstrate knowledge in the content areas of the curriculum in keeping with state standards. Goals for Our Students

Curriculum 2.0  Renewed focus on teaching the whole child  Nurtures skills that build confidence and success  Engages students beyond reading and mathematics, to spark greater interest in science, social studies, information literacy, art, music, physical education, and health.  Integrates thinking, reasoning, and creativity, for a lifetime of learning.  Enhances learning by connecting subjects.  Communicates student progress through a “standards based” report card  Provides parents with more information about the student knows and is able to do in relation to grade-level expectations.

Tours with Student Ambassadors

Spanish Immersion Program  The Spanish Immersion Program follows the MCPS Program of studies at all grade levels.  Most children in immersion program not only learn the second language, but they achieve skills appropriate to their grade level

GradeClass Size Kindergarten 26 students 1 st 27 students 2 nd 3 rd 4 th 28 students 5 th Class Capacity

Assessments Students in the Spanish Immersion program are evaluated in a variety of ways. Assessment in Spanish: Teacher and team made assessments:  Exit cards  Observations  Quizzes  DRA (Evaluación del desarrollo de la lectura) Assessments in English: Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) - Computer-based - Primary Math (MAP-P), Grades K-2 - Math (MAP-M), Grades Reading (MAP – R), Grades 3-5  The Maryland Schools Assessment (MSA) Grade 5 Science  Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

Language of Instruction

K- Orientation  Kindergarten Orientation: May 21, 2015  Application for Immersion Program begins February 2 nd with a deadline of April 2, 2015.

Together We Achieve!

Montgomery County Public Schools Elementary Immersion Programs DIVISION OF CONSORTIA CHOICE AND APPLICATION PROGRAM SERVICES (DCCAPS) FACILITATING THE OUTREACH AND SCHOOL ASSIGNMENT PROCESSES FOR THE CONSORTIA, APPLICATION, AND ELEMENTARY IMMERSION PROGRAMS

Elementary Immersion Application Process Step #1 Complete an Immersion Interest Form: Fill in the circle of each program in which you would like your child to participate. Immersion Interest Form An Immersion Interest Form must be submitted for every student participating in the immersion process.

Step #2 Immersion forms are run through a computerized lottery process. Step #3 Immersion school assignment letters are mailed to students’ homes in late April. Factors which may impact the lottery (school assignment) process: –School capacity (space availability) –Sibling link – Please note that younger siblings of students currently in the immersion program in Grades K-4 have preference to the same immersion program on a space available basis. –Eligibility –Selection area priority (based on home address) –Number of applicants

What are some frequently asked questions? o 1083 students o 715 of these students applied for a kindergarten slot kindergarten slot o Kindergarten:286 seats o Grades 1- 5: Seats vary from year to year. How many students entered the last lottery year? How many seats were available for all of the immersion programs?

What are my options if I want to continue this program in middle school?

Montgomery County Public Schools Elementary Immersion Programs At-A-Glance Elementary School (ES) Language Eligibility/ Selection Area Priority Program Type* Middle School (MS) Continuation Grades 6–8^^^ Transportation College Gardens ES 1700 Yale Place Rockville, MD ChineseCountywidePartialHerbert HooverMontgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) provides transportation from central stops for elementary school language immersion students from the areas served by the program. Transportation may be provided for many of the special programs to and from central stops (usually at MCPS schools) determined by the MCPS Department of Transportation. Stops may be several miles from the student’s home. Parents are responsible for arranging transportation to and from central stops. Bus trips are usually significantly longer than local school transportation and may vary by program or location. It is important to carefully consider transportation options and responsibilities. The continuation of transportation for the 2015–2016 school year for regional and countywide immersion programs is pending budget approval. Potomac ES River Road Potomac, MD ChineseLocal, then countywidePartialHerbert Hoover Maryvale ES 1000 First Street Rockville, MD FrenchRegional^TotalGaithersburg MS Sligo Creek ES 500 Schuyler Road Silver Spring, MD FrenchRegional^^TotalSilver Spring International MS Burnt Mills ES Childs Street Silver Spring, MD SpanishLocal, then elementary schools that feed into Francis Scott Key MS, then countywide Partial Silver Spring International MS Rock Creek Forest ES Temporary location: 7000 Radnor Rd. Bethesda, MD SpanishCountywideTotalSilver Spring International MS Westland MS Rolling Terrace ES 705 Bayfield Street Takoma Park, MD SpanishLocal, then countywidePartialSilver Spring International MS * Total immersion programs: The core curriculum (reading, writing, mathematics, social studies, and science) is taught in the second language. Partial immersion programs: A portion of the curriculum is taught in the second language. ^ The following high school clusters: Winston Churchill, Clarksburg, Damascus, Gaithersburg, Richard Montgomery, Northwest, Poolesville, Rockville, Quince Orchard, Seneca Valley, Sherwood, Watkins Mill, Wheaton, Thomas S. Wootton, and the Northeast Consortium–North (Residences north of Fairland and Randolph Roads) ^^ The following high school clusters: Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Montgomery Blair, Albert Einstein, Walter Johnson, John F. Kennedy, Northwood, Walt Whitman, and the Northeast Consortium–South (Residences south of Fairland and Randolph Roads) ^^^ To participate in a middle school continuation, parents must complete a Change of School Assignment (COSA) form by the April 2, 2015, deadline.

How can I find out more information about the lottery process and programs? How will I know if my child is selected? Parents will be sent a letter in late April. This letter will include:  The program/s that their child has been invited to and/or  A number indicating their rank order on the waitlist for the programs that they selected on the Immersion Interest Form. Visit an immersion open house at each immersion program and/or Visit the website:

Is transportation available? Is transportation available? Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) provides transportation from central stops for elementary school language immersion students for the areas served by the program. Transportation may be provided for many of the special programs to and from central stops (usually at MCPS schools) determined by the MCPS Department of Transportation. Stops may be several miles from the student’s home. Parents are responsible for arranging transportation to and from central stops. Bus trips are usually significantly longer than local school transportation and may vary by program or location. It is important to carefully consider transportation options and responsibilities.

What immersion programs are offered by Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS)? MCPS offers seven elementary foreign language immersion programs: Two Chinese Two French Three Spanish  The two French programs and one of the Spanish programs are total immersion. Two of the Spanish programs and both Chinese programs are partial immersion.  In total immersion, all core subjects, including reading/language arts are taught in the target language.  In partial immersion, some core subjects are taught in the target language. For more information, please call: Division of Consortia Choice and Application Program Services

Can my child participate in multiple lotteries? Can my child continue in a middle school immersion program after elementary school? Yes, students can continue into the middle school program. Parents must fill out a Change of School Assignment Form (COSA) to make the request. (See chart on slide 5) Yes, students may participate in one to all seven lotteries.

Proposed Timeline  Open Houses – December through March (varies per school) For more information, visit each immersion school’s website.  Interest Forms Available February 2, 2015 Interest Form Deadline April 2, 2015  Parent Notification April 2015 For more information, visit each immersion school’s website. Note: Students may apply to multiple programs.

CONTACT INFORMATION For more information about the immersion lottery process, contact: Division of Consortia Choice and Application Program Services (DCCAPS) Karen Danco Laura Rawson John Rottiers For information about each immersion program, visit as well as each school’s website