The Wolf Howl
November 2024
A Proud MCPS Community School!
Letter From The Principal
It is hard to believe that it is already November and that the first marking period is coming to an end. Our dedicated teachers are working harder than ever to ensure that each student gets the best education possible.
Parent Conferences
Parent-teacher conferences present an excellent opportunity to find out how your child is adjusting to the school year and to get to know his/her teachers. Here are some general tips on how to have a successful conference:
Be Prepared: Write down everything that you want to talk about at the conference.
Be On Time: Arrive promptly or a few minutes early.
Stay Focused: Avoid lengthy discussions of topics that are not related to the purpose of the conference.
Cold Weather is Coming
Recess provides an important break for students and is a chance to recharge energy for the remainder of the day. Students will go outside for daily recess unless the temperature or wind chill factor reaches below 32° F. Therefore, all students need to dress appropriately for the weather conditions.
Finally, with Thanksgiving upon us, we often think about the things for which we are most grateful. At Watkins Mill Elementary, we are especially thankful for our students, their families, and our staff members, all of whom play an essential role in shaping our school community. Thank you for your continued support.
November Upcoming Events
No School
Monday, November 4
No School
Tuesday, November 5
Barn Hill Live Animal Assembly
Friday, November 8
World's Finest Chocolate Fundraiser Ends
Monday, November 11
Family Market Day
Tuesday, November 12
4pm
Walking Wednesday Event
Wednesday, November 13
8:30am
Culture Night
Thursday, November 14
6pm-8pm
Chipotle Fundraiser
Monday, November 18
4pm-8pm
2nd Grade Strathmore Field Trip
Wednesday, November 20
Fall Dental Days
Thursday, November 21-Friday, November 22
Deadline for Holiday Giving Applications
Friday, November 22
Early Release Days - Parent Teacher Conferences
Monday, November 24-Tuesday, November 25
No School
Wednesday, November 26-Friday, November 28
WMES UPDATES
Parent Teacher Conferences
Don't forget to schedule your parent teacher conferences with your child's teacher! The dates are Monday and Tuesday, November 25 and 26- these days are Early Release Days for students! Interpreters available first come first serve upon request.
📌 Chocolate & Magnets for Sale! 📌
Don't forget to purchase a car magnet for $5 each and chocolate bars for $2 each to support WMES! All sales will go towards student materials and programming!
📌 Walking Wednesday Event 📌
November 11 @ 8:30am-9:00am
📌 Culture Night 📌
November 14 @ 6-8pm
📌Chipotle Fundraiser📌
November 18 @ 4-8pm
📌 Family Market Days 📌
📌 Friday Bag Registration 📌
Join the WMES PTA!
Sign Up For ParentVUE
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.
🎉 Thank you to all that joined us for our Parent Cafe & Open House! 🎉
Couldn't make it? Don't worry! Click below to view the presentation with information on Title I, Attendance, Restorative Justice Practices, upcoming events, reminders, and more!
📌 Follow WMES on Social Media! 📌
MCPS Updates
Student, Family & School Services (SFSS)
On MCPS website: Student, Family & School Services
The primary responsibilities/supports within SFSS are family engagement and community partnerships. Below are several resources used to elevate these priorities.
Parent Community Coordinators- support schools in aligning with MCPS’s strategic plan to implement culturally responsive family engagement that promotes two-way communication and empowers families to be partners with MCPS. PCCs help build and strengthen positive relationships with families and, in the scope of central services, work collaboratively with school leaders, staff, and community organizations to develop and implement family engagement initiatives. They support families by guiding them through the school system, helping to build their ability to advocate for their student’s academic success, especially those who may be facing language, cultural or economic barriers. Although each school may not have a PCC directly assigned, each school may access PCC support through the Request for Family Outreach Support.
Parent Academy- Parent Academy sessions are offered during the Fall, Winter and Spring. These sessions are free, multi-lingual, online and are archived. They are tailored to meet the needs of a school, cluster and/or community. Please contact Everett Davis, director, with any questions.
Family Engagement Advisory Team (FEAT)- The FEAT is an advisory of current MCPS Parents who have applied and been selected to advise the superintendent and Administrative Leaders Team (ALT) around current initiatives, programs, resources and challenges. It is meant to be a “think tank” to provide both input and feedback, while engaging our parent leadership, particularly those who are our informal community leaders.
For more information, contact:
Director, Everett Davis
Coordinator, Kathryn Broullire
Lead PCCs, Sylvia Romero & Oscar Buitrago
Secretary, Shannon Flores
📌Attendance Matters! 📌
Free Tutoring Available to All MCPS Students
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
FREE Chromebooks for MCPS Students to Keep at Home
*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.
MCPS Parent Academy TO-GO Workshops Available
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 Registration
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
Community Updates
MCPS Community Resource Guide
Previous Newsletters
Quick Links
Watkins Mill Elementary School
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
ASK MCPS/SPANISH HOTLINE
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 FridaysE-mail: ASKMCPS@mcpsmd.org
Visit: Department of Family and Community Partnerships (DFCP) at 850 Hungerford Drive, Rockville, Maryland 20850