The Wolf Howl

We had a great first semester of school at Watkins Mill Elementary! Our staff is working hard to create rigorous learning opportunities for students. Administration continues to visit many classrooms and it is evident that everyone is working hard to achieve results for our students.

In addition to providing a strong academic focus, we are working very hard to make our school a safe, caring environment for both our students and staff. Our staff is committed to fostering positive relationships with students and you can support our efforts by reminding children to be Respectful, Responsible, Good Citizens.

Staying in Touch with MCPS

Winter weather is here. MCPS offers numerous ways for parents to learn about school closures, delayed openings, and early dismissals due to inclement weather. Sign up for AlertMCPS and receive text messages or e-mails from MCPS during weather-related emergencies and other major events that impact school system operations. Parents can also sign up to receive alerts specific to their child’s school by visiting www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/emergency/alertmcps.aspx.

Family Market Day

Tuesday, February 13

4:00pm

WMES Curriculum Night

Thursday, February 22

6:00pm-8:00pm

No School

Monday, February 19

Bus Driver Appreciation Day

Thursday, February 22

We are excited to announce that we will be having an assembly with Barn Hill Preserve Animal Encounters on Tuesday, February 20! This organization will have a show for students during the school day that includes small sized live animals and reptiles. In order for students to attend the assembly, they must have a signed permission slip. The presentation is free for all students, but there are optional purchases available on the permission slip (photos with animals, souvenir t-shirt, etc.). Please be sure to return this permission slip to your students' teacher by February 16!

Our WMES Curriculum Night's NEW DATE is, Thursday, February 22 from 6pm-8pm at Watkins Mill Elementary School. Come out for complimentary dinner, games, activities, prizes, and more! Please see attached flyer for more details. We hope to see you there!

Membership Form (English)

Membership Form (Spanish)

Families new to MCPS are encouraged to sign up for a ParentVUE account. 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 Quick Guides: English / español

"Where can I learn more about children's mental health?"

Always seek immediate help if a child engages in unsafe behavior or talks about wanting to hurt themselves or someone else. Refer to this list of local and national resources: Where To Get Help

It can be hard for families to tell the difference between challenging behaviors and emotions that are consistent with typical child development and those that are cause for concern. In general, if a child’s behavior persists for a few weeks or longer, causes distress for the child or the child’s family, and interferes with functioning at school, at home, or with friends, then consider seeking help.

Listed below are informational resources on a variety of mental health topics to help families and educators support student success.

What is Mental Health? | Español

Supporting Children’s Mental Health | Español

What to Expect: Healthy Mental and Emotional Development

Facts for Families: Early Childhood Mental Health

Facts for Families: When to Seek Help

Facts for Famlies: Well-being and Resiliency

Resilience Guide for Parents and Teachers

The Road to Resilience | 10 Ways to Build Resilience

Parents Guide to Getting Good Care

Finding Culturally Proficient Mental Health Providers

Therapy in Color

ADHD | Español

Anxiety | Español

Autism

Bipolar Disorder | Español

Care for the Caregiver

Child Abuse and Neglect

Depression

Divorce

Eating Disorders

E-Cigarettes

Grief | Grief after a Traumatic Event | Helping Children Cope

OCD

Oppositional and Defiant Disorders

Psychosis

Self Injurious Behavior | Español

Stress

Substance Use | Español | Keeping Youth Drug Free

Suicide | Start the Conversation | Support for Suicidal Thinking and Threats | Español

Tourettes and Tics

Trauma | Español | Adult Survivors of Trauma

The Class to Community (C2C) organization offers free English as a Second Language (ESL), GED and college prep, and digital literacy classes. Visit the C2C website for more information

Enrollment form

Please provide your feedback on communication around inclement weather that may impact school operations. We would also like to hear your preferences on how MCPS approaches inclement weather make-up days.

With winter weather just around the corner, remember that MCPS offers numerous ways to learn about school closures, delayed openings and early dismissals when there is inclement weather. Learn more about how weather decisions are made and how to receive information about any changes.

MCPS uses color codes to indicate the six operational status options:

• Normal Operations

• Two Hour Delay

• Early Dismissal

• Schools Closed/Offices Open

• School System is Closed (Schools closed/Offices closed)

• Virtual Learning Day

• After-School and Weekend Activities

Visit the MCPS Operating Status and Color Codes webpage for more information on the colors and their meaning.

• MCPS Homepage
• Weather-related messages are posted in English and Spanish.
• Text and Email
• Alert MCPS provides you with emergency information about school operations. Weather-related messages are sent in English and Spanish. Sign up for Alert MCPS
• Social Media
• Twitter http://twitter.com/mcps, https://twitter.com/MCPSEspanol
• Facebook https://www.facebook.com/mcpsmd, https://www.facebook.com/mcpsespanol
• Instagram @mcps_md and @mcpsenespanol
• MCPS Cable Channels
• Emergency announcements are posted on the following cable channels:
• Comcast Channel 34
• Verizon Fios Channel 36
• RCN Channel 89
• Telephone Information Line: 301-279-3673
• Recorded emergency information.
• Tune in to local TV and radio stations

The Division of Food and Nutrition Services (DFNS) wants to hear from you! DFNS is seeking feedback from staff, students and parents on what you want to see more of on school menus. Please take a few minutes to fill out this survey and give us your input. Survey results will directly impact menu development.

The pilot phase for the self-service bus app is underway and the MCPS Department of Transportation is collecting valuable input and feedback from participating families to inform the full launch across the district. The app will provide real-time bus location and information for assigned bus routes for students eligible for transportation service.

• Save the Date: Join us for the Girls’ Summit on Saturday, March 9 at Northwood 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.

There are several free tutoring options available to MCPS students. FEV Tutor and Tutor Me Education offer free, virtual tutoring. By logging into their Clever accounts, students can join a tutoring session. Both companies offer the same two services: On-demand homework help that require no scheduling and scheduled, ongoing tutoring for longer term support.

FEV Tutor

More information linked in English and Spanish

To set up tutoring: mcps@fevtutor.com

*Offers tutoring without cameras for students in grades 3-12 who learn best without a camera.

Tutor Me Education

More information linked in English and Spanish

To set up tutoring: MCPS@tutormeeducation.com or 240-618-2549

If your student(s) would benefit from having a use of an MCPS Chromebook device for home use during the school year, you can request a home device HERE.

*Requesting the device implies consent of use in accordance with MCPS policy (IGT-RA) and acknowledgement that the Chromebook, software, and issued peripherals are owned by MCPS.

Take advantage of virtual Parent Academy sessions this winter to stay informed and empowered as a partner and advocate for your student’s education. Parent Academy TO GO 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.

Visit the parent academy website for a full schedule and to register.

SchoolCash Online is an easy to use and safe way to pay for your children’s school fees. Now, with a few clicks, you can pay for your child’s yearbook, class trips and so much more from your own home. All you have to do is register an account, attach your children and in no time you will be able to make payments online.

Click here to view instructions in English

Click here to view instructions in Spanish

The MCPS Fall 2022 Parent Academy To Go session will begin on September 14. Please join us to engage in virtual workshops that will provide tips, tools, and strategies to support your child’s academic progress and social emotional well-being. Please see the schedule and register for upcoming workshops below.

Click here to view available MCPS Parent Academy Workshops

This resource guide provides contact information to support students and families in need of community resources. Additionally, it may be used to provide resources for suspended students and students suspected of being involved in gang activity, meeting the related COMAR requirements. School staff may refer students and their families to any of these services, as needed.

Mrs. Brooke Simon, Principal

Ms. Alejandra Olavarrieta, Assistant Principal

Mrs. Frances Avila-Miller, Assistant School Administrator

Email: Chelsea_J_Aceves@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/watkinsmilles/
Location: 19001 Watkins Mill Road, Montgomery Village, MD, USA
Phone: (240) 740-5280
Facebook: facebook.com/WMESCommunity
Twitter: @WMESCommunity

• Call: 240-740-3000
  Provides answers to community questions in English and Spanish from 7:30 a.m.
  to 4:00 p.m., Mondays through Fridays

• E-mail: ASKMCPS@mcpsmd.org

• Visit: Department of Family and Community Partnerships (DFCP) at 850 Hungerford Drive, Rockville, Maryland 20850