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.
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.
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
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
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.
MCPS Community Resource Guide
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