Good Evening, Cabin John Middle School Families!
This is your Principal, Ms. Snider with the Sunday announcements for the week of September 2 - 6. Thank you to our whole community for a fantastic first week of school! A special thank you to all of our members of PTSA who organized and facilitated a wonderful welcome back event before our CJMS Open House. It was wonderful meeting so many families this past Wednesday. If you attended Back to School Night and didn't complete the attendance form, please click here to mark your attendance and provide any feedback. We use it to plan for next year!
Remember, there will be NO SCHOOL Monday, September 2nd in observance of Labor Day.
This year we have 15 minutes at the end of each grade level lunch for student wellness time. During this time, students are allowed to go for a walk in the courtyard, play outside for recess (weather permitting), or play games in the cafeteria. Thank you to all the families who donated games to us on Back to School Night! If you have any old board games or activities appropriate for middle school age students, please feel free to donate them! We will put them to good use! All donations can be dropped off in the main office. PTSA has also created a wellness wish list for us if you would like to purchase an item from the list. All items will be shipped directly to CJMS and used for our students' wellness time. Thank you in advance for all of your generosity!
You can find updated bus routes on the MCPS Transportation website. If you see a blank grid when you open the website, make sure to scroll down on that page to all the resources on the page. The route supervisors have been examining all the stops to make sure that no buses are too crowded. Thank you for your patience as I know this is a frustrating period where transportation works out the kinks in the bus routes they planned. The parent drop off loop has been running very smoothly. Thank you for remembering to pull up as far as possible to keep the flow of traffic moving. A reminder that we would like students to enter through the doors by the cafeteria. The main office doors are only used by our students in special programs.
Grade 7 students in Global Humanities 7 have the opportunity to attend Finance Park this September. Finance Park is Junior Achievement's capstone program for personal financial planning and career exploration. This program, comprising a curriculum and a simulation, helps students build a foundation on which they can make intelligent financial decisions that last a lifetime, including decisions related to income, expenses, savings, and credit. To make this trip happen we need volunteers to assist. Please look in the digital newsletter for more details on what this volunteer opportunity will encompass. We appreciate your support!
I want to include some reminders for annual paperwork that needs to be updated. First, remember to update your child’s information in the ParentVue portal. Parents have access to their child’s information and we ask that you verify that it is accurate and update any changes, such as emergency contacts, cell phone numbers, or care providers. Also, the 2024-2025 Household Application for Free and Reduced-price Meals is available on our website. If your student(s) received this service in the past, please complete this year’s application.
Please remember the phone message just highlights some of the information you can find in our digital newsletter that arrives through email. Please take a look for more opportunities!
Remember, tomorrow there is no school. We look forward to welcoming every back Tuesday into our Cabin John community focused on respect, positive relationships, and resilience.
Have a great evening!
Ms. Somer Snider
Principal, CJMS
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- Monday, September 2 - No School for Staff & Students
- Tuesday, September 10 - MAP-R Testing
- Tuesday, September 10 - CJMS Start of After School Buses & Activities
- Tuesday, September 10-Thursday, September 12 - Softball & Cross Country Tryouts for 7th and 8th Graders
- Thursday, September 12 - MAP-M Testing
- Friday, September 20 - Finance Park, Mr. McCutcheon Pd. 1-4
- Monday, September 23 - Finance Park, Mr. Barnhouse Pd. 1-4
- Tuesday, September 24 - Finance Park, Ms. Mihailidis Pd 3, Mr. McCutcheon Pd 8, Mr. Barnhouse Pd. 8
- Thursday, September 26 - Fall Picture Day - more details will come home soon!
- Friday, September 27 - Early Release Day, Students Dismissed at 12:30pm
Please take time to review what students are currently learning in their classes this week at Cabin John Middle School in our weekly assignment summary.
This year we have 15 minutes at the end of each grade level lunch for student wellness time. During this time, students are allowed to go for a walk in the courtyard, play outside for recess (weather permitting), or play games in the cafeteria. Thank you to all the families who donated games to us on Back to School Night! If you have any old board games or activities appropriate for middle school age students, please feel free to donate them! We will put them to good use! All donations can be dropped off in the main office.
PTSA has also created a wellness wish list for us if you would like to purchase an item from the list. All items will be shipped directly to CJMS and used for our students wellness time. Thank you in advance for all of your generosity!
MCPS Middle School Athletics Registration Process Letter / Spanish Letter
The Fall sports season is fast approaching and below is all the information about registration and tryouts. In the Fall, MCPS offers Boys and Girls Softball and Cross Country for 7th and 8th graders.
Fall 2024 interscholastic athletics online registration will be submitted through the ParentVUE Portal, opening on August 14, 2024 and closes September 9, 2024.
Both the ParentVUE portal registration and supporting documents (SR-8 Doctors Physical and Medical Clearance) must be completed prior to the 1st tryout.
- Tryouts for Boys and Girls Softball will be Sept. 10th-12th from 3:15-4:20
- Cross Country practice will start Sept. 10th. The run-off for the competition team will be in the following week or so and will be communicated by Coach Keller.
All athletics practices and contests are held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays when it is a full day of school. Practices are 3:15-4:20 and all contests start promptly at 3:30.
A complete walkthrough of the ParentVUE registration process can be found at the following link
A link to a PDF version of the MCPS SR-8 Physical Form can be found at the following link
Any questions regarding the registration process or athletics can be directed to our Athletic Coordinator, Mr. Blumenthal, and David_J_Blumenthal@mcpsmd.org
CJMS Mathcounts Club tryout will take place in the school cafeteria on Friday, September 20 from 3:15pm. About 24 students with the highest scores will qualify for the Mathcounts Club. Club members will meet weekly on Sundays 9:30-11:30am for training and testing. The performance in these tests will form the basis for the coaches to select up to 12 Mathcounts Club members to form the CJMS Mathcounts Team.
Mathcounts Competition Series is the nation’s premier middle school math competition consisting of a series of competitions. See https://www.mathcounts.org/programs/competition-rules-faq for more information.
CJMS Mathcounts club aims to foster students' interest in math. Competition schedule for the Mathcounts series can be found at
https://www.mathcounts.org/programs/critical-dates
Please register for the tryout at the link below:
CJMS Mathcounts Club 2024-2025 Tryout
Contact cabinjohnmathcounts@gmail.com if you have any questions.
CJMS Emergency/Safety and Security Information
Parents should use their ParentVue portal to update their student’s emergency information online. Please complete this annual verification using ParentVue by Friday, September 6th. Directions are below:
You may click here to view the ParentVue Guide (Student Information: How do I see student information?) for directions on how to do so. This is the best way to update your student’s information. However, if you cannot provide this information electronically, please request a pre-printed copy of this form from the main office and they will send one home with your student. Please update all family contact information as this is our only means to contact family members in the event of an emergency. This information is not shared outside of the school system. It is essential that the annual verification be completed by Friday, September 6th.
Please note that students will only be released to the parent/guardian and emergency contact person(s) identified on the Student Emergency Information form.
CJMS staff and students practice fire evacuation and emergency drills regularly. The school’s safety and crisis preparedness plan is based on a national model and is supported by central office safety and security staff. The school’s On-Site Emergency Team (OSET) is comprised of administrators, counselors, health room staff, teachers, building service personnel and other staff members. The team meets regularly to ensure the safety of the school building and our ability to respond to potential safety concerns and/or emergencies.
Our school has 40+ security cameras in public areas of the building. There are no cameras in classrooms, restrooms or locker rooms. Security cameras provide critical information should security issues or emergencies occur.
Just like last year, students will no longer bring the Chromebook home every night but all online homework and assignments can be accessed from any Internet connected device.
If your child does not have access to an Internet connected device at home and needs a device, please complete the form linked.
Updated: CJMS Student Planners
Additional information on the MCPS middle school program is available here.
Updated: Cell Phone Policy
Students may use their cell phones before 8:15AM and after 3:00PM. Emergency calls may be made in the main office.
Welcome to our new CJMS PTSA Board that was voted in during the Back to School Night Welcome Back Fair! We appreciate you!
Please be sure to become a member of this important organization. Our PTSA is funded primarily through our memberships and donations.
Membership Information:
Family Memberships (2 parents) are $50
Student and Faculty Memberships are $10
General donations are welcomed.
Ways to join the CJMS PTSA:
**Preferred Method** AtoZConnect (payment can be made with any credit card) @ https://cabinjohnptsa.membershiptoolkit.com/
Mail in an application (send in your membership form with a check;
mail to Cabin John MSPTSA, Attn: Treasurer, 10701 Gainsborough Road, Potomac, MD 20854)
Questions? Send an email to PTSA Membership.
Our first meeting will be at the start of Back to School Night on August 28th. Please join us to hear more about how we can all support our CJMS school community!
ParentVUE & StudentVUE
ParentVUE and StudentVUE is a valuable resource for educators, parents and students. It creates a bridge of communication to relay important information such as homework, tests, upcoming events and grades. At CJMS, teachers are encouraged to update their myMCPS Portal pages daily. It is important for students and parents to check regularly to keep track of assignments and grades. However, grades may take longer to post depending on the assignment. Please be patient with teachers as some assignments may take as long as two weeks to grade.
If you need assistance with setting up your account, please email us. Information is also available on the MCPS website.
Parent/Guardian ParentVUE Support Guide (Annual Verification Instructions on page 24!)
Technology Information and Support for Parents in MCPS
Cafeteria News & Secondary School Meals Information
Starting on the first day of school, full breakfasts will cost $1.30, full lunches will cost $2.80, and various ala carte items will be available ranging from $1 to $2.
When students go through the meal line, they will enter their student ID numbers to access their lunch accounts. Funds can be added to student lunch accounts using MySchoolBucks or payments can be made directly to our cafeteria using cash or a check. We will share a link to the monthly menu and specific ala carte offerings during the third week of August, 2023.
No student will be denied a meal if funds are not available on their account. In the event that a lunch account has insufficient funds, the student will still receive the meal and the price will be recorded as a credit which can be repaid at a later date.
It is important to complete the Free and Reduced Meals (FARMS) form if you have previously, or believe you will qualify for free or reduced meals. If your family qualifies for any level of FARMS support, all meals are free. Apply online at www.MySchoolApps.com
Updated: Maryland State Immunization Requirements for Students
Families of incoming kindergarten students, new students, and 7th and 8th graders may need additional vaccines to start the school year.
Important Dates
● Monday, August 26, 2024: Students must provide documentation of required vaccinations or a permitted exemption as explained above by the first day of school or their date of admission. Students who have not received their vaccinations may enter school if they provide evidence of an appointment to be vaccinated by Monday, September 16, 2024, (or 20 calendar days from their day of admission). Students can email the documentation directly to our school nurse, Brie Merritt (email: Brienne_B_Merritt@mcpsmd.org). Students are also welcome to drop their forms off to their homeroom teacher on the first day of school or in the main office.
● Monday, September 16, 2024: Students who have not provided documentation of the required vaccinations by this date (or 20 calendar days from their day of admission) must be excluded from school until such documentation is provided.School staff are reviewing records and contacting families of students with incomplete vaccination records.
Not sure if your student is up to date? Contact your child’s health care provider or access their immunization records online. Students 18 years old and younger eligible for the Vaccines for Children program may obtain free vaccines through the county’s Immunization Program.
Student Service Learning Hours (SSL)
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) students working toward a Maryland High School Diploma are required to complete 75 student service learning (SSL) hours in addition to other graduation requirements. Students may earn SSL hours beginning the summer after grade 5 and continue to accrue hours through high school. SSL hours are also awarded to middle school students who successfully pass grade 6 science, grade 7 English, and grade 8 social studies and complete all SSL activities included in these courses. Hours may be earned in school-sponsored clubs and organizations that have a service focus and through involvement with pre-approved, official nonprofit tax exempt organizations in unpaid activities that address needs in the greater community. MCPS is highly aware of the potential for growth that can occur for students involved in the preparation, action, and reflection phases of quality SSL experiences.
Further SSL information is available at the MCPS Student Service Learning website. All necessary SSL forms can be found on the homepage of the Student Service Learning website. The Superintendent’s SSL Award will be given to students who meet the high school graduation requirements by the 1st Friday in April of a middle school year. Support your child’s involvement in meeting this graduation requirement by helping them choose meaningful service-learning opportunities, follow program guidelines, and keep accurate records of participation.
Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how they can find opportunities on the Montgomery County Volunteer Center's website: https://mcpsmd.info/4dcN2rO.
Montgomery County Public Schools requires school volunteers and partnership agencies to complete certain compliance measures in order to volunteer within our school district. Specific instructions can be found on the Parent/Guardian and Community Volunteer Form.
- Online Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect Training via their myMCPS Classroom/Canvas account
- Background check (dependent upon the type of volunteer service, per the Volunteers regulation and FAQ)
MCPS has created a step-by-step User-Guide (with pictures) on how to access create and access their myMCPS Classroom/Canvas account to complete the Online Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect Training module AND upload the Certificate of COVID-19 Vaccination from the state Department of Health.
General Cabin John Middle School Information
Main Office telephone: 240-406-1600
Counseling Office telephone: 240-406-1560
Health Office telephone: 240-406-1570
FAX: 240-740-4403
website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/cabinjohnms/
The school day for students is from 8:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. It is imperative that students not be dropped off prior to 7:55 a.m. Students being dropped off by parents/guardians at school must enter through the doors by the cafeteria. Parents/guardians, if you are using the student drop-off loop, please make sure to pull as far as possible to the stop sign at the end of the loop - students are not permitted to enter through the main office doors, so it doesn't help to drop them off at that location.
After school activities will start on September 10th and will be on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Students must be picked up from after-school activities by 4:35 p.m. as supervision is not scheduled outside of these hours.
If you have questions about events, schedules or other school-related matters, including reporting the absence of a student, please call us at 240-406-1600.
If you need to report an absence and would like to submit a letter via email, please send an email to our attendance secretary, Ms. Jordan Murek (email: Jordan_Murek@mcpsmd.org). CJMS Attendance policies can be found here.
Cabin John Middle School
Assistant Principal (6th Grade): Mr. Casey Siddons
Assistant School Administrator (7th Grade): Mr. Andy Lee
Assistant Principal (8th Grade): Ms. Jen Wingate
Main Office Phone: 240-406-1600
Fax: 240-740-4403
Guidance Counseling Office: 240-406-1560
Health Room: 240-406-1570
Attendance Office: 240-406-1599 (to leave a VM)
Please call CJMS to notify us of your child's absence.
CJMS Attendance Office Procedures can be found here.
Email: Somer_Snider@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/cabinjohnms/
Location: 10701 Gainsborough Road, Potomac, MD, USA
Phone: 240-406-1600
X: @CabinJohnMS