Principal's Message
Dear MHES families and staff,
We have an exciting week ahead, filled with opportunities for connection, learning, and fun! I encourage you to join us for the following events:
📅 PTA Meeting – Tuesday, February 4
Join us in person or via Zoom to stay informed and engaged with all that’s happening at MHES. Your voice and participation make a difference! We will send out the Zoom Link via REMIND.
☕ Parent Coffee – Thursday, February 6
Come chat with us as we discuss our new CKLA curriculum with Mrs. Bartee. This is a great opportunity to learn more about how we are supporting students in literacy.
🎶 Parent-Child Dance – Friday, February 7
End the week with a night of fun, music, and games at our Parent-Child Dance! It’s a wonderful opportunity for students and families to create lasting memories together.
We look forward to seeing you at these events and appreciate your continued partnership in making Meadow Hall a great place for students to learn and grow! Please see the information below for the week of February 3, 2025.
Desmond Mackall
Principal
Meadow Hall ES
KAH: Kid's Night Out Valentine's Day
KAH is offering a Kid's Night Out Valentine's Day Celebration for the MHES community. Families looking for a safe space for their kids while they get some "time off" to enjoy Valentines' Day can consider KAH as an option in the event you cannot find child care. The Kid's Celebration is from 6:30-9:30 and is $25 per kid. Scan the QR code on the flyer if you are interested!
A Week Instrumental Music Schedule
This week is an A Week. The following groups will have Instrumental , 2025:
- Clarinet 1
- Brass 1
- Strings 2
- Saxophone 2
- 5th Grade Strings 1
- 4th Grade Strings 1
- Flute 1 & 2
Families, please remind your child to bring their instruments this week. We had many students forget their instruments last week so we are pushing for perfect attendance as we are excited to prepare for the Spring Concert. Please check in with classroom teachers regarding the instrumental music (IM) schedule if you have questions or reach out to Ms. Renk at Elissa_J_MendezRenk@mcpsmd.org.
This week is School Counselor Appreciation Week!
This week, February 3-7, is National School Counselor Appreciation Week, and we want to take a moment to recognize and celebrate our amazing school counselor, Ms. Ayoka Smith! Ms. Smith works hard to support the well-being of our students, families, and staff. From helping students navigate their emotions to fostering a positive school environment, her dedication makes a lasting impact on our entire MHES community. We are incredibly grateful for all that she does! If your family would like to participate in School Counselor Spirit Week, here are a few ways to show appreciation:
✨ Send Ms. Smith a message of thanks for her work with students, families, and staff.
🎨 Have your child write a note or draw a picture thanking Ms. Smith or sharing a favorite lesson.
🎁 Send Ms. Smith something from her "How to Make My Day List."
We appreciate any acts of kindness to show Ms. Smith how much she means to our school community. Thank you for joining us in celebrating her this week!
A Word from Mrs. Jackson: Community School Liaison!
COMMUNITY SCHOOL UPDATES
CKLA Presentation
Ms. Bartee’s highly anticipated CKLA presentation will be held on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 905 AM. The presentation will take place in the cafeteria. Coffee and breakfast pastries are on the menu. Interpretation will be provided in Spanish.
The ACES training originally scheduled for that date will be held later in the school year.
SNAP Clinic
We will have a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program clinic in portable 4 on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at 4:30 PM. This is open to parents and staff.
First Aid, AED, CPR, and NARCAN training
On Monday, February 10, 2025, Elite Response will hold a First Aid, AED, CPR and Narcan training in portable 4 at 4:30 PM. The training is $50 but will be reduced to $40 if we have 12 participants. This is open to parents, older siblings, and staff. Register here
Small Things Matter produce distribution
Fresh produce will be distributed on February 7, 2025, and February 21, 2025. The distribution will be held out of portable 4 starting at 330 PM.
New Family Orientation
On February 28, 2025, at 9 AM, families of students who enrolled at Meadow Hall between November and February will be invited to participate in a New Family Orientation. Caregivers will meet with our Reading Specialist, Math Focus Teacher, Community School Liaison, and a representative from our English Language Development Department. They will then be offered an opportunity to tour our school! If your student is not new, but you would also like to participate please RSVP here
Jessica Jackson, MSW, LCSW-C
Community School Liaison for Meadow Hall Elementary School
Department of Student Engagement and Behavioral Health
Office of Well-Being and Student Services
Cell: 227-216-1193
IG: @meadowhalles_CSL
Twitter/X: @MHES_CSL
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PTA!
PTA Meeting This Tuesday February 4, 2025
Join us for our monthly PTA meeting this week! Please see the zoom link below:
Topic: PTA Meeting
Time: Feb 4, 2025 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86555341412?pwd=n84ZQf1aNCbWLgdBENmeHYTx5DCXwv.1
Meeting ID: 865 5534 1412
Passcode: 879881
Parent/Child Winter Dance
Join us for a Winter Party at Meadow Hall on February 7th from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. We will have a live DJ and fun activities including crafts, dancing, games, and a bake sale! This is not a drop-off event, children must be accompanied by an adult. Admission is $1.00 per person. We will also be collecting gently used books for MHES PTA's Books for All program, so please consider donating a book.
If you would like to help with the event either by food or monetary donations or by volunteering at the event, please use this link to sign-up. Thank you for your continued support and hope to see you there!
Want to get involved in the PTA?
MHES PTA is looking for members to participate on the PTA in various ways.
Next school year we will have 3 open board positions at the end of the school year. Please reach out to any current board member if you want to learn more about the board.
We encourage all families to look at the link below and consider supporting the PTA and getting involved on a committee for the new school year. See the link below:
PTA Committee Volunteer Positions-FY24
Box Tops for Education
Box Tops for Education is a program that gives money to schools for their family’s participation just by purchasing products and scanning the receipt in the Box Tops App. Box Tops earnings are used to fund items for the school and events. If you haven't done so already, Download the Box Tops App on your smartphone using Referral Code WZTM9R7Z. We promise it is a super easy task to get used to. Register and select Meadow Hall as your supporting school. SCAN your receipt with the Box Tops app within 14 days of purchase and EARN cash with every Box Tops product you buy.
Why join the PTA? Among the many, many good reasons, it basically boils down to being a great way to benefit your child, the school, and yourself by being involved in the PTA functions and connecting with other parents and staff. And for those of you who have been members in past years, don’t forget to renew your membership. Memberships are $10 for family and community members (only one membership is needed per family). We are thrilled to get to know everyone and see you all at our meetings and activities!
OTHER MCPS NEWS!
Kindergarten Registration Open for 2025–2026 School Year
Online registration for kindergarten for the 2025-2026 school year opens on Monday, Feb. 3. Children who will be 5 years old by Sept. 1, 2025 are eligible to register. Registration will be online through the ParentVUE portal. If your family is new to MCPS, you will need to create a ParentVue account here. For more information about eligibility and the registration process, visit the MCPS Kindergarten Enrollment webpage or contact your local elementary school.
Prekindergarten and Head Start Registration Opening March 3
Prekindergarten and Head Start registration will begin Monday, March 3, for the 2025-2026 school year. These programs enroll children who will be 4 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2025, as well as a limited number of openings for children who will be 3 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2025. Families must be income-eligible to apply and can register their children online. In-person registration support is also available at multiple locations.
If your child was 4 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2024, you may still register for Prekindergarten/Head Start for the remainder of this school year.
Click here for how to register.
For more information about eligibility guidelines, required documents or how to register online, call 240-740-4530 or visit the MCPS website.
Commemorating Black History Month
The following event is open to students, staff and community members. Students can earn up to two Student Service Learning (SSL) hours for attending.
The Road to Advocacy: The River Road Community’s Fight to Stop the Erasure of African American History, in collaboration with the Bethesda African Cemetery Coalition
Thursday, Feb. 6, 6-7:30 p.m.
Zoom Webinar registration link
The Road to Advocacy, Feb. 6
Ensuring Safety Should Immigration Law Enforcement Visit an MCPS School
MCPS has clear procedures in place to ensure student safety if immigration officials visit a school. These steps help staff respond appropriately while prioritizing student well-being:
- Verify the visitor's identity and obtain official documentation.
- Notify MCPS legal counsel for guidance.
- Contact the impacted student’s family in their preferred language.
- Follow security protocols to protect all students and staff.
For more information and Frequently Asked Questions, visit the MCPS Immigration Supports page.
Dance Showcase Set for Feb. 7
Starting Saturday, Feb. 1, get free tickets for the 11th annual MCPS Dance Showcase, set for 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7 at James Hubert Blake High School, 300 Norwood Road in Silver Spring. The snow date is Monday, Feb. 10.
Students from the following schools are expected to perform—Kingsview, A. Mario Loiederman, and White Oak middle schools and Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Blake, Albert Einstein, John F. Kennedy, Northwood and Rockville high schools. There will also be a performance from the All-County Dance Ensemble.
Reserve tickets here.
Save the Date: Annual Used Car, Computer Sale Coming Feb. 22
Students in the Montgomery County Students Automotive Trades Foundation (ATF) and Information Technology Foundation (ITF) will sell used cars and computers they have refurbished from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22, at Damascus High School, 25921 Ridge Road in Damascus. The cars and computers are reconditioned by the students as part of their classroom and lab studies.
For a list of cars for sale, check the Automotive Trades Foundation website closer to Feb. 22.
The ITF computer sale includes laptops and desktops. For more information, contact the Foundations office at 240-740-2050.
Student Opportunities
The Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Fair: Will be held from 6–8:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14 at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG). This event offers an opportunity for students in Grades 8 through 12 and their parents/guardians to meet with representatives from more than 50 HBCUs. There will also be on-the-spot scholarship opportunities for seniors (offered by the National Pan-Hellenic Council), a panel discussion on college life and several workshops. More information
MCPS HBCU Fair, Feb. 14, 2025
FAFSA/MHEC One Application Completion Event: Set for 6–8:30 p.m. on Feb. 14 at USG, this event is open to all high school seniors and their parents. Representatives from the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), the Montgomery College Financial Aid Outreach office and the TRiO Educational Opportunity Center will share information about the FAFSA and MHEC One applications. Spanish interpreters will be available. More information
FAFSA, MHEC Completion Event Flyer, Feb. 14, 2025
Summer RISE 2025 Student Registration: The Summer RISE program is open to current sophomores and juniors who want to gain real-world experience over the summer. Participating students will be matched with career hosts based on their industry preferences for a minimum of 50 hours in person, virtually or through hybrid opportunities from June 23–July 25. Registration closes on Tuesday, Feb. 18.
Choose Respect 2025: Secondary students participating in the video contest have until Sunday, Feb. 16 to submit their entries. Videos must be 60 seconds with a message raising awareness about dating violence/abuse, consent, or how to support a friend facing a difficult situation. Students can earn SSL hours and win up to $1,000. Learn more.
Registration Open Now for Spring Girls With Impact Program
The spring session of Girls With Impact (GWI) is now open for registration. GWI offers a free 10-week entrepreneurship program to high school students at MCPS. This program focuses on building critical business and leadership skills through a hands-on curriculum that covers topics including business planning, marketing and financial literacy. The spring program begins the week of March 3. Learn more and register.
Good News
Thirteen MCPS seniors earned full-tuition scholarships from QuestBridge, a national nonprofit that connects high-achieving high school seniors from low-income backgrounds with more than 50 colleges and universities. Read the full story.
Masks Encouraged in School Health Rooms
With the recent increase in respiratory and viral illnesses (including COVID-19, influenza and RSV) in Montgomery County and the state of Maryland, MCPS has received guidance from the Maryland Department of Health to encourage students, staff and visitors to wear masks when visiting the health room in schools. While wearing a mask is not required, it is encouraged to help prevent the spread of illness. If your child doesn't have a mask during their health room visit, your school will provide one.
Stay Connected
VISIT the MCPS homepage.
CALL 240-740-3000. Staff take calls from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, in English and Spanish (240-740-2845)
READ news and information sent via email and text message and on the MCPS News page.
FOLLOW the MCPS social media pages on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram in English and Spanish.
http://twitter.com/mcps
https://www.facebook.com/mcpsmd
https://www.instagram.com/mcps_mdhttps://www.facebook.com/mcpsespanol
https://twitter.com/MCPSEspanol
https://www.instagram.com/mcpsenespanol/SIGN UP for emails and text alerts and make sure your ParentVue information is up to date.
WATCH the MCPS cable channels Comcast 34 (1071 HD), Verizon 36 or RCN 89
Open Registrations
More From MCPS
ParentVUE and other Important Online Resources
Sign Up For ParentVUE to Stay in Touch With Your School
Families new to MCPS are encouraged to sign up for a ParentVUE account at the beginning of the school year. ParentVUE is the online parent portal that serves as the primary communication vehicle for schools to share information regarding grades, attendance, scheduling, access to myMCPS Classroom, and more.
ParentVUE provides a way to view school-related information and data for students. Register for athletics, and special programs, communicate with teachers, and verify your student information annually.
ParentVUE also allows access to Canvas/MyMCPSClassroom, a digital learning platform. Parents and guardians can view instructional information and resources, and get alerts about assignments and grades.Sign up for Alert MCPS
Alert MCPS provides emergency information about school closures or emergencies via text or email messages to devices you register. Sign up here.Know These Important System Resources A. GoFan: This online digital ticketing platform offers fast and easy access to tickets for high school events, and allows fans to enter games quickly and safely. For ticketed sports, tickets are no longer sold at the gate and must be purchased online. B. SchoolCash Online: https://www.schoolcashonline.com MCPS has transitioned to this online payment system as its preferred method of payment for all school-related fees. Schools and offices will now use SchoolCash Online for fundraising, field trips, course fees and extracurricular activities. This new payment system is not related to school cafeteria accounts.
MySchoolBucks:Use MySchoolBucks to add school meal money to your child’s account. This will eliminate the need for your child to bring money to school every day. This year, meals (lunch and breakfast) will not be universally free. If your student wants to buy lunch in school, they will need a MySchoolBucks account. Families who believe they qualify for free and reduced-price meals can apply here.
Meadow Hall Principal
Email: Desmond_Mackall2@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/meadowhalles/
Location: 951 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD, USA
Phone: 240-740-5260
Twitter: @MHES_Principal
Meadow Hall Assistant Principal
Email: Ilana_N_Simhon@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/meadowhalles/
Location: 951 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD, USA
Phone: 240-740-5260
Twitter: @MeadowHallAP