Neelsville Middle School

• 8th Grade Vision and Hearing Testing will be on Monday and Tuesday of this week.
• Counselors will present the Signs of Suicide lessons through English and ELD classes this week. Resources for parents and students posted on our website and Canvas as well.

We would like to invite you to our November 2024 Parent-Teacher Conferences on November 25th, 1:00pm-6:30pm at Neelsville.

Here's what you need to know:

• no appointment is necessary
• conference with a teacher for your choosing
• conferences are ten minutes in length
• conferences held on the first floor. Directions for where to go will be provided upon arrival.
• Virtual conferences can be arranged with your child's teacher(s) as a separate opportunity; please email the teacher directly to arrange those.

• Middle School (English)
  español / 中文 / français / tiếng Việt / 한국어 / አማርኛ / portuguese

Hey parents! Have you checked your child's phone recently? It's important to monitor their usage, what they are accessing, and how they are communicating with others through text and social media.

Monitoring your child's phone with them can result in a positive learning experience where trust is built. It is also one way for you to protect your child from conflict and being exposed to things they are not ready for. See something questionable on social media? Report it to the social media platform it is on.

Parent Tips (read more here):

• Set reasonable limits. Talk to your teen about how to avoid letting social media interfere with his or her activities, sleep, meals or homework. Encourage a bedtime routine that avoids electronic media use, and keep cell phones and tablets out of teens’ bedrooms. Set an example by following these rules yourself.

• Monitor your teen’s accounts. Let your teen know that you’ll be regularly checking his or her social media accounts. You might aim to do so once a week or more. Make sure you follow through.

• Explain what’s not OK. Discourage your teen from gossiping, spreading rumors, bullying or damaging someone’s reputation — online or otherwise. Talk to your teen about what is appropriate and safe to share on social media.

• Encourage face-to-face contact with friends. This is particularly important for teens vulnerable to social anxiety disorder.

• Talk about social media. Talk about your own social media habits. Ask your teen how he or she is using social media and how it makes him or her feel. Remind your teen that social media is full of unrealistic images.

Resource Articles:

I Monitor My Teens' Electronics, and You Should Too

Why Checking Your Kids’ Devices is Smart Not Snooping

¿Deberíamos seguir a nuestros hijos en las redes sociales?

Resource Videos:

Why You Need Parental Control Apps And What's Stopping You From Getting Them

Consejos para monitorear a sus hijos en las redes sociales

See more Social Media Resources for Parents below.

At Neelsville, we believe in fostering a respectful and supportive environment where every student feels safe and valued. Conflict is a natural part of life, but it's important to remember that physical altercations or instigating conflict are never acceptable.

Our counselors and staff are always available to help students work through disagreements, and navigate conflict in a positive way, guiding them to resolve issues and move forward in a constructive manner. We expect all students to adhere to the MCPS Student Code of Conduct and Neelsville's community expectations.

Families, please:

• Talk with your child about problem-solving steps* and the adults at school they can talk to.

• Consider sharing a time when you had a conflict, how you solved it, and what you learned from the experience.

• Review the Student Code of Conduct and Student Rights and Responsibilities found here: Student Handbooks

Let's continue to work together to create a welcoming and respectful environment for everyone.

*Picture of the Problem-Solving Steps is from the October 21st Conflict Resolution lesson presented to all 6th graders in PE/Health classes.

Below are the Neelsville after school activities that are meeting this week. As a reminder, students participating in any after school activity report to the cafeteria after school where they can have a snack and are picked up by their sponsor.

For more information about after school activities, please consult our school website or click HERE.

8:10 am - Class Starts!

3:00 pm - Dismissal

Location: 11700 Neelsville Church Road Germantown, MD 20876
Phone: 240-740-6630

Attention 7th and 8th graders: Basketball tryouts are December 10-12. Register to on ParentVue today!

Starting November 6th, we will be holding a donation drive to support the Montgomery County Animal Services & Adoption Center. We are looking to collect used towels and blankets. All donated items need to be clean. Students may drop off items before school at the car-rider and bus rider entrances from November 6th until November 22nd.

The Holiday Giving Project has provided Thanksgiving and December holiday assistance to low-income households for over 30 years. Local non-profits, faith-based organizations, and public agencies serve Holiday Giving recipients, as donations are available. If you and your family are in need and would like to be referred for possible assistance for the holiday season, please complete this referral form to provide the required information. Resources are limited: please apply only if you and your family are truly in need. While a referral is not a guarantee of assistance, the Project helps as many families in need as donations allow.

Holiday Giving Google Form

BREAKFAST - all students are eligible for free breakfast every day. Students will collect breakfast from the breakfast station or kiosk on their grade level floor and eat in their first period class.

LUNCH - if your child is purchasing lunch, please remember to add funds to their account or apply for FARMS.

SchoolCash Online Registration - English | Spanish

Apply today!! --> Free and Reduced-price Meals System (FARMS) (Online Application) English | Spanish

Need new spiritwear? Check out our new spiritwear shop that has over 200 items and 12 different designs to choose from!
Click HERE to begin ordering! --> https://www.neelsvillespiritwear.com/

Annual Notification of Asbestos Management Plan

Additional language translations

Our PTSA is incredibly supportive of our community! Don't delay, join today! You can find out more about our PTSA by visiting our website: https://neelsvillems.givebacks.com/

Upcoming meetings:

October 8th

February 11th

April 8th

Other useful links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/533102008605077

Join the PTSA: https://neelsvillems.memberhub.com/w/join

Join our WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/BauRA3HVU

English Version:

WMCP Newsletter

Spanish Version:

WMCP Boletin

As your child navigates the complexities of adolescence, it becomes increasingly crucial for us, as parents, to stay vigilant and engaged in their online world. Social media has become an integral part of their lives, shaping their interactions, self-esteem, and overall well-being.

Monitoring your pre-teen or adolescent's social media activity is not about invading their privacy, but rather about ensuring their safety and providing guidance as they navigate the digital landscape. Doing so supports childrens' emotional well-being, digital etiquette, communication, and ability to set boundaries.

Here are some resources to help parents navigate various social media platforms.

• Safe Social Network Parent Resources
• Teen Slang & Emoji Guide
• Parents' Ultimate Guide to Snapchat
• Parents' Ultimate Guide to Instagram
• Teaching Kids to Be Smart About Social Media

It's that time of year when many are getting sick. Please see the tips shared in the recent MCPS Health Update.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Encourage your child to wash their hands frequently and cough and sneeze into their elbow if necessary
• If your child is experiencing symptoms typical of the flu, strep throat, Covid, etc, please keep them home and consult a medical professional
• If your child is home sick, please call or email Mrs. Morales, our attendance secretary. In the event of a multi-day absence, please notify your child's counselor so we can notify teachers.

Daily attendance is important so students can succeed academically, build meaningful relationships with others, and nurture their socioemotional wellbeing.

Click HERE to learn about when students should be absent from school. Feel free to print this document in English or Spanish for easy reference at home.

Personal Mobile Devices (PMD) such as cell phones, tablets, wireless headphones, handheld gaming systems, etc. will not be used during the school day. Students should expect to store PMDs in their backpacks upon arriving at school or kept at home. PMDs can be used after school or after school activities. Parents will be asked to pick up devices used during the school day.

Parents and caregivers, we appreciate your support in helping our students stay engaged in learning. If you need to send a message to your child during school hours, please contact the main office at (301) 353-8064. We are happy to relay messages to students during non-instructional times.

Below are useful parent resources about kids and personal mobile devices.

• Away for the Day
• About Screenagers
• Internet Addiction