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Forest Knolls Mustang Message

December 8, 2024

Forest KnollsMustang MessageDecember 8, 2024

Dr. Taylor-Cox, Principal

This Week's Mustang Message Includes:

  • Message from Dr. Taylor-Cox

  • Winter Spirit Week is December 16-20

  • MCPS MealViewer

  • Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)

  • Home-Use Chromebook Devices

  • Pre-K Inclusion

  • Family Resources

  • Message from our Forest Knolls PTA

  • Important Dates

Message from Dr. Taylor-Cox

Kindness is the foundation of a strong, caring school culture. It is essential not only for personal growth but also for creating an atmosphere where every student feels valued and respected. Whether it’s helping a peer in need, showing empathy towards others, or simply spreading positivity, small acts of kindness can make a significant difference.

Winter Spirit Week is December 16-20

MCPS MealViewer

MealViewer, the new interactive menu platform for Montgomery County Public Schools breakfast and lunch menus. Students, caregivers, school staff, nurses, and community members will have digital access to menus and meal information. MealViewer will launch on Sunday, December 8, 2024. Portable document format (PDF) menus will remain available through December 2024. Starting January 1, 2025, PDF menus will no longer be available.


The Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) website currently makes school menus available via PDF. MealViewer will greatly enhance information sharing with students and families, providing mobile and browser-friendly menus with real-time updates and item-specific nutritional and allergen information. It is also possible (however not required) to rate foods, star favorites, utilize a nutrition calculator, and create a profile. MealViewer can be accessed via a browser or the MealViewer app on Android or iPhone. No sign in or passwords are required to view menus. The Division of Food & Nutrition Services (DFNS) central and school-based staff are trained on MealViewer and are available to support as necessary.


MealViewer Infographic English

MealViewer Infographic Spanish (available in multiple languages on the website)

MCPS MealViewer Introductory Video

How to Print a Menu

Nutritional Calculator

Custom link to Forest Knolls ES MealViewer menu page

For questions, please contact Mr. Nicholas (Nick) Geer, Wellness Supervisor, Division of Food and Nutrition Services.

Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)

As part of the Student Instructional Program Planning and Implementation (SIPPI) process and universal screening for gifted and talented identification, MCPS will administer the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) assessment to Grades 2 and 3 students between December 2–December 13, 2024. CogAT provides a holistic view of student ability across multiple cognitive domains through verbal, quantitative, and figural (nonverbal) reasoning scores. CogAT will not be used for the Grades 3 or 5 central review process that places students into lotteries for the Centers for Enriched Studies or Middle School Magnets.


The CogAT Grade 2 letter and the CogAT Grade 3 letter went home on November 11th with specific details on this assessment. Second grade students completed the CogAT assessment last week. Third grade students will take the CogAT assessment this week on December 10th, 12th, and 13th from 10:00-12:00. Please feel free to reach out to your child's teacher if you have any questions..

Home-Use Chromebook Devices

Effective December 4, 2024, MCPS will be disabling and collecting older Acer model Chromebooks because they have reached end-of-life and should no longer be in use. The models being retired include the Acer C720, C740, C738, and C771. Outdated devices and chargers should be returned to the school. Students who need a device for home use can submit a request for a new device by completing the Home Use form. Lenovo home devices are unaffected by this change and should work normally. Contact our Media Specialist, Rachel_Burroughs@mcpsmd.org if you have questions.

Pre-K Inclusion

We are pleased to announce limited enrollment opportunities for community peers in the Inclusive Preschool 4-Year-Old Class. Children must be 4 years old by September 1, 2024, to qualify for the program. The class meets daily from 12:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. Please note that no bus transportation is available. There is a quarterly fee for community peers to attend. If you are interested or have any questions, please contact Marcia Munoz via email at Marcia_V_Munoz@mcpsmd.org

Family Resources

The next Latino Parent Coffee is December 11, 2024 at 9:00-10:00 in Room 48.

Mrs. Veronica Gonzalez, Forest Knolls Parent Community Coordinator, will share family resources throughout the year. 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


  • Have you joined the Forest Knolls PTA yet? The FKES PTA funds and plans the extra events like Hispanic Heritage night, materials for clubs, and fun things like the Bike Bus that make our school community great. 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

December 10, 12, 13 CogAT 3rd Grade 10:00-12:00

December 11 Latino Coffee 9:00 AM

December 16-20 Winter Spirit Week

December 20 MP2 Interim Report Card Interims Distributed via USPS

December 23-January 1 No School
Jennifer Taylor-Cox
Jennifer is using Smore to create beautiful newsletters