#EagleNation Updates
Week of 11/26/23/ Semana del 26/11/23
Welcome back to the 2024 school year EagleNation families. I hope you will join us on August 21st for our EagleNation Block party and on August 24th for MCPS' annual Back to School Fair. It exciting to celebrate the return to school with many of our community members and partners from all across the county.
As we return, let's prepare to support our eagles' transition by working together. We know there may be some bumps and/or anxiety as students return to school on the first day. Working together with flexibility and patience will be essential to provide the relationship building needed to support our students during this first week and throughout the entire school year. Our theme this year is, matching to student, staff and family needs to provide a 5-star experience at Eastern!
When the school year begins, you will receive weekly newsletters and phone calls on Sundays to keep you informed on school events. Please find the first communication in the Principal's Welcome Back Letter which includes important dates, information and resources for the 2024- 2025 school year!
We will see you soon!
The 2024-2025 Student Orientation Day for students who are new to Montgomery County Public Schools will be held on Thursday, August 22, 2024.
- Transportation will be provided for all eligible students.
- School bus schedules for orientation programs will follow a normal morning pick-up schedule and return students home on a three-hour early dismissal schedule; school will dismiss at 12:00 p.m.
Eastern will continue with it's cell phone policy from the past two school years. As a reminder phones & all personal mobile devices (PMDs) should be turned OFF as we turn the learning ON during the school day!
- Technology that is necessary for learning is provided by the school.
- Parents/guardians are always welcome to contact the main office to communicate an emergency message to students.
- Cellphones and other Personal Mobile Devices (PMDs) are only allowed for use before and after school.
- Cellphones are not allowed during the school day.
- NEW: No electronics will be allowed for use in the cafeteria during lunch.
We are confident this will help students to focus on the valuable instructional time in-class and further develop other social skills throughout the day. If you have any questions, feel free to follow up with your student’s grade-level administrator: 6th Grade- Ms. Levin, 7th Grade- Mr. Kerwin and 8th Grade- Mr. Feamster.
The Annotated Code of Maryland (10.06.04.03) states that all Maryland students who are new to Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and those entering Grade 7, are required to provide documentation of required vaccinations or a medical or religious exemption. This documentation is required within the first 20 days of school.
Monday, August 26, 2024: Students must provide documentation of required vaccinations unless parents/guardians provide documentation of an exemption. 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.
Monday, September 16, 2024: Students who have not provided documentation of the required vaccinations must be EXCLUDED from school until such documentation is provided.
MCPS Division of Food and Nutrition Services (DFNS) works collaboratively with parents and other district staff to ensure an equal opportunity to participate in the school meal programs and receive program benefits. Schools make substitutions to meals for students with a disability; these substitutions are on a case-by-case basis and only provided when supported by a written statement from a state-licensed healthcare professional—such as provided on the Special Dietary Needs Form. Please find the forms included below and talk to your student's IEP Case Manager or School Counselor if you have questions about applying for Special Dietary Needs.
Find the MCPS handbooks which include guidelines developed for students of Montgomery County Public Schools which address Board of Education (BOE) policies and MCPS regulations. Updated online versions of all four handbooks are available on the MCPS website at https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/students/rights/.
On this site you will find:
- Students' Rights and Responsibilities
- Student Code of Conduct
- Guidelines for Respecting Religious Diversity
- Guidelines for Student Gender Identity
- Sign up for the PTSA email group. It's FREE! Connect with other parents and receive important communications and reminders. https://groups.google.com/g/eastern-ptsa
- Become a member of the Eastern PTSA. Suggested donation: $10. Your contributions go to academic programs, teacher mini-grants, social events, staff appreciation meals and more. https://fspta-00016130.givebacks.com/store/items/709250
Emails and phone numbers for support in the school:
- Main Office: (240) 740-6280
- Admin Secretary: Ms. Perez: priscilla_b_smith@mcpsmd.org
- Attendance Secretary: Ms. Blanco: isaura_m_blanco-flores@mcpsmd.org
- Front Office Secretary: Ms. Alexander monica_s_alexander@mcpsmd.org
- Financial Assistant: Ms. Zhang: rui_zhang@mcpsmd.org
Counselors: (COUNSELING WEBSITE- RESOURCES FOR MENTAL HEALTH)
GRADE 6
- (Last Names A-Q): Ms. Meyer jessi_meyer@mcpsmd.org
- (Last Names S-Z): Ms. Birkett shondell_birkett@mcpsmd.org
GRADE 7
- (Last Names A-R): Ms. Greene- rachel_m_greene@mcpsmd.org
- (Last Names S-Z): Ms. Birkett- shondell_birkett@mcpsmd.org
GRADE 8
- Ms. Cwerner cayla_cwerner@mcpsmd.org
Administrators:
- Principal - Ms. Shorts: lisa_n_shorts@mcpsmd.org
- 6th Grade Assistant Principal- Deidre Levin: deirdre_m_mcshealevin@mcpsmd.org
- 7th Assistant Principal- Matthew Kerwin: matthew_f_kerwin@mcpsmd.org
- 8th Grade Assistant Principal- Charles Feamster: charles_s_feamster@mcpsmd.org
Family Supports:
- Parent Community Coordinator - Mirna Medrano-romero: mirna_a_medrano-romero@mcpsmd.org
- PTA President- Shripal Shah: eastern.ptsa.president@gmail.com
Excellence at Eastern MS #Eaglenation/ WE'RE BETTER TOGETHER!
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/easternms
Location: Eastern Middle School, University Boulevard East, Silver Spring, MD, USA
Phone: (240) 740-6280
X : @EasternMS_Prin