#EagleNation Updates

• September 15- Oct. 15: Hispanic Heritage Month
  
• October 2: No After School Activities
  
• October 3: No School
• October 7-11: Outdoor Education
• October 18: No School (Staff Professional Day)
• October 25: Picture make-up day
• November 4: No School (Grading and Planning Day)
• November 5: No School (Election Day)

EASTERN'S School Year Calendar/ MCPS School Calendar 24-25

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Recognizing Gabriel Garcia Márquez (Colombia) - March 1927- April 2014

Nobel Prize-winning author known for magical realism in "One Hundred Years of Solitude," a New York Times bestseller. " "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez stands as one of the most influential literary works, a dazzling and original achievement by the Nobel Prize-winning author. The novel unfolds the tale of the rise and fall, birth and death of the mythical town of Macondo, intricately woven through the history of the Buendía family. With inventiveness, amusement, magnetism, and a blend of sadness, the narrative comes alive with unforgettable characters. Brimming with truth, compassion, and a lyrical magic that resonates with the soul, this masterpiece in the art of fiction remains a timeless exploration of the human experience." - Hasty Book List

Dear MCPS Families and Students,

Thank you for a great start to the school year!

Our community is entering a time that may bring challenging emotions and discussions into our schools and we want to ensure that our entire community—students, families, and staff—has the guidance and strategies to navigate these moments together. With the upcoming national election, the first anniversary of the October 7th attack, and the ongoing conflict, it’s important that we prepare for the range of conversations and emotions these topics may evoke.

For students to be their best in school, their learning environments must remain safe, welcoming, and inclusive. As educators, we strive to model thoughtful and positive expression and encourage students to make respectful, informed choices, especially during challenging times.

The new processes for responding to and communicating when faced with incidents of hate and bias, along with the information campaign addressing these issues, have been shaped by input from our community members. School staff and leaders have received these same resources to ensure we are all operating from the same guidance when managing student speech and expression in our schools.

Thank you for your continued partnership in making our schools a safe and inclusive space for everyone.

(Read the entire statement along with resources here)

Respectfully,
Thomas W. Taylor, Ed.D., M.B.A.
Superintendent

• Sign up for the PTSA email group. It's FREE! Connect with other parents and receive important communications and reminders. https://groups.google.com/g/eastern-ptsa

• Become a member of the Eastern PTSA. Suggested donation: $10. Your contributions go to academic programs, teacher mini-grants, social events, staff appreciation meals and more. https://fspta-00016130.givebacks.com/store/items/709250

"The Board and MCPS educators agree current student math performance data is not acceptable. This is one of the reasons the Board identified improving student math performance as a priority for the year. Improving students’ math abilities requires educators to know the math and their students.

To support this work, MCPS invested in:

• High-quality curriculum materials and assessments

• Varied professional learning

• 12 instructional math coaches

Strategies being implemented across the district include:

• Involving school leaders in different professional learning experiences

• Helping schools implement effective curriculum and assessments and monitor progress

• Working together with schools to meet goals for improving math education"

Read MCPS Things to Know newsletter for 9/26/24. Last Thursday's message included information on Bells Mill and Woodfield Elementary Schools winning National Blue Ribbon Awards, a Q&A with Karla Silvestre, a Hispanic Parent Night event on Oct. 9 that will discuss how to pay for college and a reminder for families to apply for FARMS by Oct. 8. You may read the full message here.

ACTION NEEDED: Eastern will need several volunteers each day January 15, 16, and 17, to support our students. To sign up click here or scan the QR code https://bit.ly/FinanceParkVolunteerEMS. Thank you in advance for your support!

THE EVENT: Eastern Middle School 7th graders will spend three weeks in world studies classes learning important ideas of financial literacy like saving, investing and budgeting.

• Learning will end with a field trip to Finance Park at Edison High School to put into practice what they learned through a real-life simulation.
• Students must shop for what they need to live and work but stay within their budget.

Emails and phone numbers for support in the school:

• Main Office: (240) 740-6280
• Admin Secretary: Ms. Perez: priscilla_b_smith@mcpsmd.org
• Attendance Secretary: Ms. Blanco: isaura_m_blanco-flores@mcpsmd.org
• Front Office Secretary: Ms. Alexander monica_s_alexander@mcpsmd.org
• Financial Assistant: Ms. Zhang: rui_zhang@mcpsmd.org

Counselors: (COUNSELING WEBSITE- RESOURCES FOR MENTAL HEALTH)

GRADE 6

• (Last Names A-Q): Ms. Meyer jessi_meyer@mcpsmd.org
  
• (Last Names S-Z): Ms. Birkett shondell_birkett@mcpsmd.org

GRADE 7

• (Last Names A-R): Ms. Greene- rachel_m_greene@mcpsmd.org
• (Last Names S-Z): Ms. Birkett- shondell_birkett@mcpsmd.org

GRADE 8

• Ms. Cwerner cayla_cwerner@mcpsmd.org

Administrators:

• Principal - Ms. Shorts: lisa_n_shorts@mcpsmd.org
• 6th Grade Assistant Principal- Deidre Levin: deirdre_m_mcshealevin@mcpsmd.org
• 7th Assistant Principal- Matthew Kerwin: matthew_f_kerwin@mcpsmd.org
• 8th Grade Assistant Principal- Charles Feamster: charles_s_feamster@mcpsmd.org

Family Supports:

• Parent Community Coordinator - Mirna Medrano-romero: mirna_a_medrano-romero@mcpsmd.org
• PTA President- Shripal Shah: eastern.ptsa.president@gmail.com

• Online Bullying Reporting
• Formulario para Reportar Acoso, Hostigamiento o Intimidación
  

Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/easternms

Location: Eastern Middle School, University Boulevard East, Silver Spring, MD, USA
Phone: (240) 740-6280
X : @EasternMS_Prin