CJMS Weekly Updates

Good Evening, Cabin John Middle School Families!

This is your Principal, Ms. Snider with the Sunday announcements for the week of September 25 - 29. Remember, tomorrow, Monday, September 25 is a non-school day for students and teachers. We will see everyone again on Tuesday morning.

We are still in need of parent volunteers to support the 7th grade field trip to Financial Park on October 2 - 3. Parents of any grade level student are welcome to participate. Read the Finance Park Volunteer Letter and Access to learn more.

Our Chromebook cart model is working well, but students may need an extra minute or two in the morning. If driving your student(s) to school in the morning, please drop them off with plenty of time to get their Chromebook from their period 8 classroom before walking to their period 1 classroom by the 8:15 am school start time.

The 2023-2024 Household Application for Free and Reduced-price Meals is available on our website. If your student(s) received this service in the past, please complete this year’s application.

Remember to complete the Annual Verification in the ParentVue portal. Parents have access to their child’s information and we ask that you verify that it is accurate and update any changes, such as Emergency contact, cell phone numbers, or care providers. Online registration is available now until October 20th.

This week's newsletter has many opportunities for extra curricular activities (ECA) that are starting at Cabin John. Students need to complete the Google sign-up form to gauge interest in the different programs.

We look forward to welcoming everyone into our Cabin John community focused on respect, positive relationships, and resilience.

Have a great evening!

Somer Snider

Principal, CJMS

Our digital newsletter can be translated into many different languages and the font can be adjusted so our entire community has access to what is happening in the CJMS community!

To adjust your view of the newsletter, click on the "accessibility" button. The button is a circle with figure in it. Once you click the accessibility button, the menu to choose the language or different font size will appear.

• Monday, September 25 - No School for Students and Teachers
  

• October 2-3 - Grade 7 Field Trip to Finance Park

• October 3 - 4 - Grade 8 Field Trip to Bar-T

• Friday, October 6 - Friday, October 13 - CJMS Scholastic Book Fair

• Monday, October 9 - No School for Students/Professional Development for Staff

• Monday, October 9 - Friday, October 13 - Mental Health Awareness Week

• Saturday, October 14 (12pm - 4pm) - Wootton Fall Festival

• Monday, October 18 - Students Individual Picture Day

Please take time to review what students are currently learning in their classes this week at Cabin John Middle School in our weekly assignment summary.

Get ready! The Fall Scholastic Book Fair is coming our way (YAY!). Choosing their own books empowers kids and inspires them to become Bolder, Prouder, and Stronger Readers. AND—as always—every book they buy earns rewards for our school.

Here’s what you need to know about the Fair, which will take place from Friday, October 6 - Friday, October 13, in the Library Media Center. Students will have the option of visiting the fair with their PE/Health classes to make wish lists. Students and families may fill the wish lists before school(7:55 a.m.), at PRIDE and lunch, and after school until 3:30.

If you can’t attend the Fair, shop at our school’s Online Book Fair. All orders ship directly to your home, and shipping is free for book orders over $25. Your online orders will also benefit our school.

Visit our Book Fair homepage to learn more and get started with eWallet and online shopping:

https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/cjms

Research shows that students who read independently become better readers, score higher on achievement tests in all subject areas, and have greater content knowledge than those who do not. The countdown to more Bookjoy is on! Catch you at the Fair!

Mark your calendar! CJMS Media Center and PTSA are hosting our Fall Book Fair on October 6th – October 13th (will close on 10/9). We need your help to make our fair a success!

Please review the volunteer slots and consider donating your time to this fun event:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D4CAAAB2BA57-44435583-cjms

Please reach out to Yen Wang, Book Fair Chair, at yenhwang@gmail.com with any questions.

After school activities and clubs registration are starting this week!

Go to the CJMS website and review the nearly two dozen clubs and activities we have available for students this year. Registration will open on September 24th via a Google Form to gauge interest in each club. Make sure you register!

Some, but not all, of the activities include:

Homework Club
The CJMS Homework Club begins September 21 in Room 1121 with Ms. Martini. No registration required, just show up. The Homework Club will be available on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday after school.

Drama Club
Drama Club returns to Cabin John! Led by teaching artists from Round House Theatre, Drama Club will focus on having fun while exploring basic theatrical skills including acting, movement, and improvisation. Drama club meets on Thursdays after school and is open to all students – just come to our first meeting on September 28th. Students interested in auditioning for the Spring Musical are highly encouraged to participate in drama club this fall!

8th grade students: please bring in your signed BAR-T field trip form and money as soon as possible.

The field trip is happening during the first week of October and we expect all grade 8 students to attend! It's going to be an amazing experience and we're going to have a ton of fun!

The Cabin John Yearbook is now on sale at the lowest price available.

Order yours now before the price increases.

USE PROMO CODE 9833YB24$10 TO SAVE $10 - BUY NOW & SAVE Yearbook order directions

As new cases of COVID-19 increase locally, we have seen outbreaks occurring in multiple schools across the county. Temporary outbreak precautions for individual classrooms where COVID-19 is spreading rapidly helps prevent spread to vulnerable individuals and to the rest of school.

Check out the FAQ page for more information about how outbreaks are managed.

The newly approved COVID-19 updated vaccine will be available in our area in the next few weeks. For information about COVID-19, influenza and RSV vaccine availability, refer to Vaccines.Gov.

Please complete the survey to share valuable feedback on the design of the MCPS 2024-2025 Calendar.

MCPS is seeking feedback on the design of the MCPS 2024-2025 Calendar. This feedback represents one component of the development process incorporating feedback from our students, staff, and families. MCPS will consider educational interests, operational needs, mandated school closures by state law, compliance with minimum instructional days and credit hour requirements, contingencies for inclement weather and other emergencies, staff professional days and early release days, alignment with assessment schedules, and etc.

MCPS provides a school year calendar that allows for effective use of time for teaching and learning, for professional growth opportunities, and planning instructional strategies focused on improving student achievement, while maintaining our lens of equity for all students and commitment to community engagement in the MCPS Antiracist Audit Action Plan.

Calendario escolar de MCPS 2024 – 2025 Comentarios

• MCPS 校歷 2024 – 2025 年反饋

• MCPS 학교 일정 2024 – 2025 피드백

• Calendrier scolaire de MCPS 2024-2025

Calendário Escolar MCPS 2024 – 2025 Feedback

The district is inviting all MCPS families to the Girls’ Summit on Saturday, Oct. 21 at Clarksburg High School. This event will provide informative workshops geared towards middle and high school girls on a variety of current topics. Join us for a chance to network, participate in fun activities, learn valuable skills and enjoy a fashion show presented by White House Black Market celebrating diverse body types!

Sessions will be provided in English and Spanish, and will be organized by grade level. Student Service Learning (SSL) hours will be available for students. Topics and activities will include:

• Healthy relationships/dating violence

• Social media use and mental health, including cyberbullying

• Self-esteem

• Identifying symptoms of depression and anxiety

• Healthy eating and body image

• Music therapy, Zumba and Kaiser Permanente spin bikes for art therapy

• Narcan kits will be distributed and training will also be available.

RSVP

Register today to learn how to help young people develop their understanding of themselves and the world around them.

Facing History & Ourselves will offer a FREE special webinar with award-winning educator and best-selling author Liz Kleinrock as we discuss Combating Bias and Isolation in Adolescence: Strategies for Teachers and Families. This event is for teachers, school leaders, parents, and caregivers alike!

Combating Bias and Isolation in Adolescence: Strategies for Teachers and Families

Wednesday, September 27 at 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. ET Register here

This is the second installment of our Combating Bullying & Bias speaker series, hosted by Making Caring Common, a project of the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and Facing History & Ourselves. The series is sponsored by The Choose Kindness Project.

All Montgomery County Public Schools students must earn 75 Student Service Learning (SSL) hours to graduate from high school. Middle school and high school students should continue earning SSL hours towards this state graduation requirement by engaging in SSL opportunities during the 2023-2024 school year, including traditional in-person opportunities and select virtual/remote opportunities that follow the SSL guidelines posted on the MCPS SSL webpage

CJMS SSL Coordinator is Ms. Jennifer Poole (Jennifer_A_Poole@mcpsmd.org).

The Youth Cruiser card is a SmarTrip card that provides free rides, on all MCDOT buses and most Metrobuses within the County, to Montgomery County residents under 19 years old. Value can be added to the card for use on Metrorail, Metrobuses outside the County, and other transit systems in the metropolitan area.

Get your card now at any MCPS middle or high school location or any Montgomery County Public library.

Learn more at http://ow.ly/sagl50JOBsh.

Each year, the Maryland Judiciary’s Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office (MACRO) hosts an extraordinary event for Maryland students in grades kindergarten to eighth. The annual bookmark contest allows for teachers, parents, and students to discuss ways to resolve conflicts peacefully using listening skills, being inclusive, working together, talking things out, and respecting differences.

Winning students and their families will be invited to an awards ceremony in December.

Grade Levels and Judging Criteria: Art will be judged in three categories: kindergarten through second grade; third through fifth grade; and sixth through eighth grade. Students who are homeschooled or are participating in online learning are welcome to participate. Submissions will be judged on creativity, graphic presentation, and message.

Prizes: The following prizes will be awarded for each grade category:
1st Place: Winner will receive $100.00.
2nd Place: Winner will receive $75.00.
3rd Place: Winner will receive $50.00.

A select number of winning entries will become printed bookmarks and used to promote conflict resolution across Maryland. Winners whose bookmarks are selected for printing will receive complimentary copies of their own entry.

To Enter: Please go to our website for complete details here. See also the Entry Form. Download this template: 2023 Bookmark Template (.docx).

Theme: Subject matter should reflect a conflict resolution or prevention theme, such as peer mediation, talking things out, apologizing, respecting differences, diversity, inclusion, solving problems together, listening, peacebuilding, and other alternatives to violence. To see images of past winners, visit the bookmark contest archive page here.

Deadline: All submissions must be postmarked by Thursday, October 19, 2023.

Entries should be mailed to: MACRO, Attn: Cheryl Jackson, 187 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401.

Please email bookmarkcontest@mdcourts.gov or call 410-260-3540 with questions.

MCPS has developed a new Pathways to College, Career, and Community Readiness

Learn more about the Pathways in these videos: English and Spanish.

Additionally, there are parent resources:

• English: Middle School

• Spanish: Middle School

• Vietnamese: Middle School

• Korean: Middle School

• French: Middle School

• Chinese: Middle School

• Amharic: Middle School

• Portuguese: Middle School

Remind is a messaging platform that will be used to communicate among MCPS schools, teachers, students and parents. School staff, central office staff, students and parents will all have Remind accounts to enable them to send and/or receive messages using a preferred mode of communication, such as text message, email or phone call and in their preferred language.

Parents will receive a text message or email notification from the teacher(s). Parents can log into their Remind account via the web or using the Remind app. Get the Remind app here.

• Remind Parent Quick Guide

• Remind Getting Started for Parents [Video]

The Annual Verification process allows families to update contact information, collect important information about you and your student, including any medical, immunization, language preferences, and emergency information that school staff need to know. MCPS uses ParentVUE to collect this information electronically. Online registration is available now until October 20th.

We have online registration quick guides in several languages available to support you in this process.

English | Español | 中國人 | 한국인 | Français | Português | Tiếng Việt | አማርኛ

The shift to a Chromebook cart model is now complete. Students will still carry around their Chromebook through the school day, but then leave it in their 8th period class to charge overnight. If your child does not have access to an Internet connected device at home and needs a device, please complete this form.

If your child has not returned their school assigned charger to be placed in the cart, they must do so immediately. Otherwise, they will not have a charged device for the following day.

CJ does not have any more Lenovo chargers. If your child lost their charger, you must buy one online or at your local electronics store. The type of charger you will need to buy is a 45W Type-C USB-C Charger AC Replacement Power Adapter for Lenovo.

Amazon

Chromebook Charger for Lenovo Chromebook, (UL Safety Certified), USB C, 45W, Fast Charging

$10.79

Lenovo Brand

Lenovo 45W USB-C AC Adapter 4.6 (234)

Part Number: 4X20M26252

$51.69

On October 2 and 3, the 7th grade will be going to the MCPS Finance Park financial literacy simulation. And, we need volunteers to help make it run!

On the day of the field trip, volunteers for this activity drive themselves to the Thomas Edison High School of Technology, engage in a quick volunteer training, and then run a "store front" as students cycle through. The total time commitment is estimated to be 5.5 hours.

What: Finance Park field trip at MCPS’ Edison Center

When: Oct 2 for Mr. McCutcheon’s classes ←→ Oct 3 for Mr. Barnhouse’s classes

Read the Finance Park Volunteer Letter and Access to learn more.

For more information on Finance Park, watch this video.

Montgomery Recreation’s out-of-school programs are back this fall, providing a safe environment for a variety of activities including sports, arts and crafts, dance, cooking and STEM.

Club Adventure is an after-school program for children from kindergarten through fifth grade. For $75 per month and available at 10 locations, Club Adventure features fun, after-school programming.

Club Friday is a weekly Friday night event for children in third through sixth grades that includes a DJ-led dance party, bingo, raffles and other special events. Register now through Active Montgomery.

Also returning this fall are the youth development after-school programs including Excel Beyond the Bell, RecZone, RecXtra, Soccer4Change, TeenWorks and more. Visit the Montgomery Recreation website to learn more about the programs.

You can easily find valuable district information and community resources for students, staff, and families on the MCPS homepage and at the top of every school website. MCPS is committed to the physical, social, and psychological well-being of its more than 160,000 students and over 24,000 employees.

• Student & Family Support / Mental Health Resources

• Be Well 365 Resources by School

• Mental Health and Crisis Support

• MCPS Stronger Student mobile app

• Apple Store

• Google Play Store

• LGBTQ+ Information

• Other Mental Health and Wellness Resources

Common Sense Media articles provides tips for parents to help their kids manage phone use and find a healthy balance between screen time and other responsibilities.

Consider using the Common Sense Media Family Media Agreement to spark a conversation.

Articles:

How Can I Get My Kids to Put Down Their Phones?

4 Conversations to Have with Older Kids and Teens About Their Screen Time Habits

How to Help Teens Manage the Effects of Social Media on Their Mental Health

The Office of Special Education (OSE) has developed new resources for staff members, students, and families. OSE news now has YouTube videos, flyers/bulletins, Twitter, and events posted on Facebook for our community. The OSE Family Support Center also provides virtual drop-in sessions via Zoom to engage, answer questions, and assist students and their families.

MCPS Special Education News:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063543524256. Our Facebook handle/account is: MCPS Special Education.

• Twitter handle/account: @MCPSMDSpecialEd

• YouTube MCPS Special Education: https://www.youtube.com/@MCPSMDSpecialEd.
  Our channel provides content through videos uploaded monthly from our Special Education Community and Citizens Advisory Committee meetings and other live events.

• Montgomery County Public Schools: Special Education Community Information page.

Still having trouble navigating the student and parent portal? There are a series of published videos to walk families through using the system efficiently.

MCPS Tech Shorts (All videos)

• Navigating the ParentVUE Mobile App

• Accessing Reports Cards with the ParentVUE Mobile App

What Happens When My Bus Is Delayed or Canceled

There is a local and national challenge with recruiting, hiring and retaining bus drivers for school systems and the transportation industry. When a bus driver or attendant is unable to come to work due to illness or unexpected leave, it puts a strain on the system to keep that bus on the road. The MCPS Department of Transportation uses substitute drivers and multiple runs to ensure that it has as many buses as possible on the roads to deliver students to school every day. Canceling a bus route is a last resort.

If your child’s route is delayed or canceled, here is how we let you know:

• Impacted routes are published the day before or the morning of by 6:15 a.m.
• Information published on MCPS website and ConnectEd message is sent to families
• Department of Transportation continues to identify possible drivers for impacted route
• Bus route information dashboard updated every half hour until 9:30 a.m.

Updates for afternoon routes

• Bus route information dashboard updated by 1:30 p.m.

Updated for 2023-2024 School Year!

• MCPS Transportation - Bus Routes

• Letter from MCPS Bethesda Bus Supervisor

• Bus Routes for Cabin John Middle School - General Education

• Arrivals

• Departures

Parent Academy TO GO is designed to inform and empower families as advocates and partners in their children's education. Workshops provide families with useful information and resources to support their children's academic and emotional well-being, as well as help them to be college and career ready. Through a variety of learning opportunities hosted by MCPS staff and community partners, we hope to strengthen our engagement with families and the community. We recognize that behind every successful student are supportive families, teachers, school staff and community members who take an active role in educating our students.

Advanced registration is required to participate in our workshops and chats.

It's easy to register for a workshop! Just click on the link below to register online:

Parent Academy TO GO Registration Fall 2023

Please visit the List of Workshops to view class dates and times.

Check out the letter from our PTSA President, Ms. Yen Wang!

Please be sure to become a member of this important organization. Our PTSA is funded primarily through our memberships and donations.

Membership Information:

• Family Memberships (2 parents) are $50
• Student and Faculty Memberships are $10
• General donations are welcomed.

Ways to join the CJMS PTSA:

**Preferred Method** AtoZConnect (payment can be made with any credit card) @ https://cabinjohnptsa.membershiptoolkit.com/

Mail in an application (send in your membership form with a check;

mail to Cabin John MSPTSA, Attn: Treasurer, 10701 Gainsborough Road, Potomac, MD 20854)

Questions? Send an email to PTSA Membership.

Our first meeting was at the start of Back to School Night on August 30th. Please stay tuned for upcoming dates to hear more about how we can all support our CJMS school community!

Holiday Helping Hands assists students, who attend one of the 9 Wootton cluster schools and their siblings (newborn to 18 years of age) with clothing, toys, person hygiene items, and a grocery store gift card during the holiday season. Last year, 78 of our cluster students were given a happy holiday.

If you would like your child to participate, please complete the 2023 Holiday Helping Hands Information Form (English or Spanish) and return paper or email Ms. Jen Poole (Resource Counselor).

An individual form needs to be filled out for EACH child in the family (newborn to 18 years of age). Siblings do not need to attend one of the 9 Wootton cluster schools. Please know that your student’s name(s) will remain anonymous. Forms for each child is to be emailed and handed to Ms. Poole NO LATER THAN NOVEMBER 6.

The Community Outreach Program runs throughout the school year and is designed to assist any student in emergency need with essential items when other resources are not readily available. Students must attend one of the nine Wootton cluster schools, and they are typically on the Montgomery County Public School’s FARMS Program.

How does this program work?

• School’s guidance counselor or PPW will identify a student that is in need of essential item(s).
• Once identified, contact Jen Eisenfeld, Wootton HS PTSA Community Outreach Liaison, with the needed item(s). Ptsa_community_liaison@tswoottonhs.org or jjeisenfeld@verizon.net.
• Examples of items given in the past ranged from a new pair of shoes, coat, clothing, school supplies, or grocery store gift card – anything a child is in immediate need of to help ensure school success.

Jen will contact donating families, have the item(s) purchased, then contact the guidance counselor letting them know the items are purchased, and arrange to have the item(s)

What can I do?

1. Email List: Parents interested in being notified when a child is in need should contact Jen Eisenfeld at ptsa_community_liaison@tswoottonhs.org.

2. Donate: Gift cards to Target, Amazon, Giant, and Safeway are a great way to support your families. If you are interested in donating a gift card, contact Nikki Bossert at ptsa_treasurer@tswoottonhs.org.

3. Share: Please share this information with families and anyone you know can help or help to spread the word.

Cluster schools, which feed into Wootton High School, include:

Lakewood ES, Fallsmead ES, Travilah ES, DuFief ES, Robert Frost MS, Stone Mill ES, Cold Springs ES, and Cabin John MS shared with Churchill cluster.

Parents and guardians can view their children's Canvas courses as a Parent Observer. Access Canvas / myMCPS Classroom as a Parent Observer via Synergy ParentVUE. Click here to learn more!

1. Volunteer Form

   Complete the MCPS Parent/Guardian and Community Volunteer Form or the MCPS Volunteers in the Virtual Classroom form as appropriate. These forms serve as an introduction of yourself, your interests and availability in volunteering, and some important reminders about volunteers in schools.

   
   

2. Online Training
   

   Complete the mandatory online Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect Training. This training is required for any volunteer who regularly supports schools, chaperones a field trip, etc. and is available in multiple languages. When the course is completed, a report is created to serve as proof of satisfying the training requirement.

   
   

3. Contact School
   

   Contact the school(s) where you wish to serve and provide them with a copy of the following:

   • Appropriate MCPS Parent/Guardian and Community Volunteer Form or the MCPS Volunteers in the Virtual Classroom Form and
   • Your online course grade sheet that will show 100% for completing the online Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect Training.

Principal: Ms. Somer Snider

Assistant Principal (6th Grade): Mr. Andrew (Andy) Lee

Assistant School Administrator (7th Grade): Ms. Jennifer Wingate

Assistant Principal (8th Grade): Mr. Casey Siddons

Main Office Phone: 240-406-1600
Fax: 240-740-4403
Guidance Counseling Office: 240-406-1560
Health Room: 240-406-1570

Attendance Office: 240-406-1599 (to leave a VM)

Please call CJMS to notify us of your child's absence.

Email: Somer_Snider@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/cabinjohnms/
Location: 10701 Gainsborough Road, Potomac, MD, USA
Phone: 240-406-1600
Twitter: @CabinJohnMS