A MESSAGE FROM
RhonaSchwartz DIRECTOR,HIGHSCHOOLPROGRAM NicoleAbera,Ph.D. DIRECTOR,LOWERANDMIDDLE SCHOOLPROGRAMSIt's hard to believe that we ' ve already reached the fourth quarter of the school year at KTS! We'd like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of our annual fundraiser, Casino Night, which was sponsored by the KTSPA Thanks to the overwhelming support of our KTS community, we were able to raise almost $60,000 for our school We're incredibly grateful to the PA leaders who worked tirelessly to make the evening a huge success Their dedication and hard work truly paid off, and we couldn't be more appreciative of their efforts.
This year ' s school theme, "Spark Your Superpowers," has provided our students with countless opportunities to leverage their unique strengths and abilities to achieve their goals The KTS and KTHS faculty and staff have been instrumental in providing skilled support and guidance to our students throughout the year.
Our students have had a truly enriching experience, engaging in meaningful learning activities that challenge them while also providing them with the necessary support to succeed With creative and rigorous instruction from our staff, our students have thrived in their learning environments, gaining new skills, and developing persistence in the face of difficult tasks. Additionally, our students have learned how to better advocate for themselves, a critical life skill that will serve them well in their future pursuits
Overall, the " superpowers " our students have developed this year are sure to benefit them as they continue to grow and pursue their passions We're incredibly proud of their accomplishments and look forward to seeing all that they will achieve in the future
Just a friendly reminder to please keep an eye on the school calendar for important upcoming dates. We strive to keep the calendar as up-to-date as possible, and we appreciate your cooperation in ensuring that you and your family are aware of any upcoming events or deadlines
As always, we ' re grateful for your continued support and collaboration. Thank you for your commitment to making KTS a vibrant and thriving learning community.
HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM UPDATES
SCIENCEBUDDIESENGINEERINGCHALLENGE: PING PONG CHALLENGE
K-12 students worldwide were invited to give engineering a try with the annual Engineering Challenge from Science Buddies Announced every January, the Science Buddies Engineering Challenge lets students use their problem-solving skills to design, build, and test contraptions. The challenges use simple materials and are free for all to participate
KTSH students participated in the Ping Pong Pickup 2023 Engineering Challenge. Students made a device out of paper, string, tape, and paper clips to pick up a ping pong ball and return it to a start line Students used their creativity to make amazing devices that went the distance.
HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM UPDATES
KTHSCulinaryClass ImpressesTheRotary ClubofRockville
The Rotary Club of Rockville recently visited the Katherine Thomas School During their visit, the KTS culinary class provided delicious desserts that were enjoyed by all TLC is grateful for the Rockville Rotary and their continued support of our school and students Their generosity and commitment to our community are greatly appreciated. We look forward to future collaborations!
KTSCULINARY
Participate in Cupcake Wars ClassStudents
High school students in Tracey Willcox's culinary classes went to war! They created Food Trucks to support the design of their cupcakes for Cupcake Wars. Students worked in teams to select a theme for the cupcakes and then planned a design to decorate the cupcakes. Students made cupcakes and frosting from scratch and then many teams
used fondant for the first time to create their design. The food trucks and cupcakes were on display for the HS students and staff to vote on. Their reward was a cupcake to sample! We had a crowd of staff and students eager to vote and sample the wares. Congratulations to all our culinary students on their accomplishments!
HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM UPDATES
BOARDGAMES MADEBYKTHSSTUDENTS COME TO LIFE
Geoffrey Baker's 9th-grade US History students recently showcased their creativity and knowledge by playing their finished board games, which were designed to review their immigration unit. As part of the project, students were tasked with creating their own review questions and designing a board game that simulated bringing a family from Europe to the US
of the complexities and challenges faced by immigrants coming to the US
This hands-on approach to learning allowed students to delve deeper into the subject matter and apply their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Through designing the game and developing their own review questions, students gained a deeper understanding
This project not only reinforced the students' learning but also made it fun and engaging By incorporating game design and play, students were able to reinforce their knowledge of the immigration unit in a dynamic and memorable way Overall, the project was a great success and a testament to the effectiveness of interactive and creative learning approaches
LOWER/MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATES
On January 20, 2023, students from grades 5 through 8 participated in a neon-themed dance event. They danced, snacked, played games, and wore neon colors, which was an excellent opportunity for them to develop their social skills
LOWER/MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATES
As we enter the final quarter of the school year, we're excited to launch our new PBIS booster at KTS! Over the next few months, we'll be placing a special emphasis on kindness and encouraging our students to show compassion towards their peers and staff members.
To recognize students who go above and beyond in demonstrating kindness, we've created Sparkles
SPARKLES PBIS Booster ShoutoutWASHINGTON, Zoo Trip DC
Shoutout cards. Staff members will be on the lookout for students who are making an extra effort to show kindness to others, and will reward them with a Sparkles Shoutout card. These cards will be displayed on a bulletin board near the front of the building for all to see. On Fridays, we'll randomly select a few winners from the cards collected that week. These winners will be announced during the morning announcements and will have the opportunity to choose from a variety of special rewards, such as serving as a front desk assistant to Ms. Wendy or assisting Dr. Abera with a unique project.
We're confident that all of our KTS students are kind and caring individuals, and we're thrilled to continue encouraging and rewarding positive interactions as we wrap up another fantastic school year!
Students in elementary school went to the National Zoo. They visited the exhibits and had fun. The Smithsonian Institution's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute leads global efforts to preserve species, gain a better understanding of ecosystems, and train future conservationists. Established in 1889, the Zoo is part of the world's largest museum and research complex. Its two campuses house over 2,100 animals, including some of the world's most endangered species.
LOWER/MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATES
of Industry BaltimoreMuseum
FIELDTRIP:
During their visit to the Baltimore Museum of Industry, the lower/middle school students had the opportunity to explore the exhibitions and learn about the rich history of Maryland's industrial legacy. The museum showcases the stories of the workers and entrepreneurs who helped build Baltimore into a manufacturing powerhouse, and how innovation has driven progress throughout the region's history
The exhibitions at the museum highlight Baltimore's role as a major industrial center, and feature displays on the city's early days as a trading port, as well as the many inventions and innovations that originated in the region, including the nation's first passenger railway, oldest gas company, and first traffic light.
Visitors can discover the businesses and technologies that helped forge the Industrial Revolution, as well as the modern industries that continue to drive Maryland's economy today. Overall, the lower/middle school students had a fantastic experience at the Baltimore Museum of Industry, and gained valuable insights into the rich history of their community
LOWER/MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATES
IMPORTANT Dates Upcoming
UPCOMING FIELD TRIPS AND EVENTS:
Wednesday, May 31st: 8th grade trip
Friday, June 9th: Field Day/Water Day
Friday, June 16th: End of year awards assembly from 2:30-3:30
OTHER IMPORTANT DATES:
Friday, May 19th: Mid-quarter grades are due
Tuesday, June 1st, Monday, June 5th, & Wednesday, June 7th: 8th graders will visit high school
Friday, June 2nd: Annual TLC Golf Classic
Tuesday, June 13th: 5th grade promotion at 1:30pm
Thursday, June 15th: Middle School Promotion will be held in the afternoon (rain date is June 16th)
Tuesday, June 20th: High School Graduation