Forest Knolls Mustang Message

January 12, 2025

Dr. Taylor-Cox, Principal

Forest Knolls Elementary School

Email: Jennifer_Taylor-Cox@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/forestknollses
Location: 10830 Eastwood Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20901, USA
Phone: 240-740-1640

This Week's Mustang Message Includes:

Message from Dr. Taylor-Cox
PTA sponsored Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
Fifth Grade Parent Night at SSMS
Winter Wear
MCPS Operating Budget
Family Resources
Message from our Forest Knolls PTA
Important Dates

Message from Dr. Taylor-Cox

The football playoffs remind me of what is happening in our school. Just like the players pushing themselves to perform at their best, our students and staff give their all. The drive for excellence, teamwork, and school spirit is contagious!

Fifth Grade Parent Night at SSMS

Calling all 5th grade parents/caregivers! There will be a Parent Articulation Night for Silver Spring International Middle School on January 28th, 2025 at 6:30pm. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the school and ask any questions you might have! Let Ms. Schechter know if you have any questions!

Winter Wear

As the weather grows colder, we are collecting donations of gently used coats, jackets, scarves, hats, and gloves to support our school community. If you have any winter items in good condition that you no longer need, please consider donating them to help students and families who may be in need of warm clothing this winter season.

Donations can be dropped off in the main office or if your child brings items to school, they can drop them off in Ms. Schechter's office (Room 46).

If you or your family is in need of a coat or other winter items, please reach out to Rachel Schechter at rachel_j_schechter@mcpsmd.org , Veronica Gonzalez at Veronica_Gonzalez@mcpsmd.org or your child's classroom teacher.

Thank you for your support!

MCPS Operating Budget

Superintendent Thomas Taylor has proposed a $3.61 billion Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2026, designed to stabilize the school system and prioritize resources for student learning and school support. The recommendation reflects a “Focus on Fundamentals” approach that targets investments directly to schools, supports student success and addresses structural deficits within the system.

The Board of Education will now hold public hearings and work sessions on the budget. The timeline follows:

Public Hearings: Thursday, Jan. 16, and Monday, Jan. 27, 2025.
Work Sessions: Tuesday, Jan. 14, Thursday, Jan. 23, and Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025.
Board Approval: Tentative adoption of operating budget; Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025.
Final Adoption: Adjustments based on revenue projections will follow, with final adoption expected Tuesday, June 10, 2025.

Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget website

Family Resources

Please contact Mrs. Gonzalez with questions, needs, or ideas at 240-740-4620 (office), 240-550-3254 (cell), veronica_gonzalez@mcpsmd.org (email).

Message from our Forest Knolls PTA

Wednesday, January 15, join us for our January PTA Meeting. Mingle with Dr. Taylor-Cox and Ms. Stump before the meeting at 6:45, meeting begins at 7. Free childcare will be provided by KAH for kids 5 and older. Spanish interpretation provided. Have ideas for a speaker or topic to cover at future PTA meetings? Please send them our way - president@fkespta.org.
Have you joined the Forest Knolls PTA yet? The FKES PTA is an organization of parents, staff, and teachers who work together to help our students succeed, support our the FKES team, and build our community. We'd love for you to be a part of making a positive difference in your child's school! Learn more and join at fkespta.org. And check out our calendar of events here. The first 200 families to join will get a free FKES car magnet!

Important Dates

January 15 PTA meeting 7:00 (mingle with Dr. Taylor-Cox & Ms. Stump at 6:45)

January 20 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Inauguration Day, No School

January 20 PTA sponsored Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service 11:00-1:00

January 28 Marking Period 2 ends

January 28 Fifth Grade Parent Night at SSMS 6:30

January 29 Grading & Planning Day, No School for Students

January 30 Celebrate Diversity Lunar New Year 7:00-8:30

February 4 Report Cards available in Synergy

February 4 PTA meeting (Dr. Glabman’s Informance 6:45)

February 6 Report Cards distributed

February 10-14 Kindness Spirit Week

February 14 Valentine’s Day Celebrations

February 17 Presidents’ Day, No School

February 28 Early Dismissal