Dr. Ronald E. McNair ES Parent News

Our school community had a truly heartwarming February filled with memorable events. Congratulations to Sathie Jinadasa from 5th grade for becoming our Dr. Ronald E. McNair ES Spelling Bee champion for the 2024-2025 school year! Well done to Andrew Win and Emma Shi who earned second and third place, respectively. We're proud of all classroom winners and every student who participated courageously. Thank you to the PTA, staff, and parents who made this event possible!

Special thanks to our dedicated staff and parent volunteers who made our Valentine's Day classroom parties such a success. The love was certainly felt throughout the school! We also appreciate everyone who attended the PTA Glow Dance and lit up the night with their presence. While not everyone won a raffle prize, we hope you enjoyed this special community event.

March Events

March brings another exciting month of activities at Dr. McNair:

• Read Across America Week begins next week, where we'll unlock our superpowers through literacy! Thank you to our PTA for supporting this important celebration.
• Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (MISA) will be administered to our 5th graders on March 6 and 7. This assessment aligns with the Maryland Next Generation Science Standards and is required for all students in 5th grade, 8th grade, and high school.
• The Maryland State Department of Education Survey will also be conducted for 5th grade students.
• Kids Heart Challenge week concludes the month, teaching our students about heart health and its importance.

Looking Ahead

We're beginning preparations for the next school year. MCPS Kindergarten Registration is now open! More details will be provided in our April newsletter, but please help spread the word. If you or your neighbors have a child turning 5 by September 5, 2025, please encourage them to start the registration process soon. We're excited to welcome new kindergarteners to our school family!

Daylight Saving Time: As spring approaches, remember to set your clocks forward one hour on Saturday, March 9, as Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday, March 10.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email both Mrs. Moses (Sherilyn_R_Moses@mcpsmd.org) and Mrs. Mason (Rebecca_Mason@mcpsmd.org).

Sincerely,

Mrs. Sherry Moses, Principal

&

Mrs. Rebecca Mason, Assistant Principal

This year we will be celebrating Read Across America Week by highlighting The Power of Reading with fun filled activities for the entire school! Our celebration will run from March 3rd - March 7th. Linked here you will see the calendar of events. One of our activities is reading at home. For each day of the week your child reads, please initial the reading log. Your child should turn in their reading log on Friday, March 7th, to earn a Superhero sticker. We hope everyone enjoys a POWERFUL week of reading!

Emergencies can arise at any time. It is important to your child’s safety that we have your current address and current home and work numbers on file.

The school's phone number is 240-740-6830.

The health room's phone number is 240-740-6832.

Sick Student?

We understand that students will be sick and we want to help you. When your child is sick, in addition to informing the classroom teacher, please be sure to inform the main office. The best way to do so is by completing the Student Absence form. We appreciate you keeping your student at home when they are ill.

Math Curriculum Nights Scheduled for March

The Elementary and Secondary Mathematics teams are hosting two Curriculum Nights, which will include information on math curricular resources, course programming for Grades K–12 and upcoming changes from the Maryland State Department of Education regarding Integrated Math. Attendees will also participate in learning experiences from the Eureka Math and Illustrative Math curricula.

The in-person sessions will be held:

• Tuesday, March 18, 6:30–8 p.m., Wheaton High School, 12401 Dalewood Drive, Silver Spring
• Wednesday, March 26, 6:30–8 p.m., Watkins Mill High School, 10301 Apple Ridge Road, Gaithersburg

Recordings will be available on the mathematics website on Monday, April 7, in English and Spanish.

Math Curriculum Nights, 2025

As a reminder, the Elementary and Secondary Literacy teams are also hosting Curriculum Nights to introduce families to the new elementary literacy curriculum, Amplify Core Knowledge Language Arts. Upcoming sessions are:

• Wednesday, March 5, 6:30–8:30 p.m., John F. Kennedy High School, 1901 Randolph Road, Wheaton
• Thursday, March 6, Virtual session via Zoom, 6:30–8:10 p.m.

RSVP

Scheduled for Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, the first day of the 2025–2026 school year, Student Transition Day is a new non-instructional full day designed to support students transitioning to new school levels or schools by fostering a sense of belonging and preparedness.

This full day will welcome students entering kindergarten, Grade 6 and Grade 9, and those new to MCPS schools, ensuring that they receive a positive first experience with staff and other students. Schools will share individual messaging to welcome students with their communities. Parents and guardians are asked to fill out this brief survey to provide additional input for Student Transition Day.

Note: The first day of school for all students is Tuesday, Aug. 26.

The recent change in weather has resulted in increased congestion in our car rider line, a higher number of families present during arrival and dismissal, and, consequently, a rise in near misses and accidents. It is imperative that we provide clear reminders to prevent further incidents.

Car Rider Line Procedures

• Child Exit Protocol: Please ensure that your child is prepared to exit from the passenger side of your vehicle directly onto the sidewalk. Under no circumstances should your child exit on the driver's side. Additionally, we request that you remain in your vehicle and allow your child to exit independently.

• Designated Exit Locations: For safety reasons, students should never be allowed to exit vehicles to walk through the parking lot during arrival. All students must exit vehicles only at the designated locations, as illustrated in the image provided below. Allowing students out at the top of the driveway and in the parking lot forces drivers to make abrupt stops, thereby slowing the entire car rider line and increasing the risk of accidents.

• Vehicle Movement in the Car Rider Line: For everyone's safety, please be patient and avoid pulling around other vehicles; groups of cars will be released together to maintain efficient flow.

Parking Guidelines Around the School

• Use of Designated Parking Areas: We encourage families to use the Leaman Park parking lot and the Manchester Farms Clubhouse parking lot, parking only in the designated areas. Recently, we have observed that many families are parking in unauthorized zones, which complicates the dismissal process.

• Respect for Local Residents: There have been reports of vehicles parking in a manner that blocks neighborhood driveways and mailboxes. We kindly ask that you park considerately to avoid inconveniencing those living near our school.

Pedestrian Safety Measures

• Designated Crosswalks and Sidewalks: For the safety of everyone, please use the designated crosswalks and sidewalks when approaching the school. If walking along the bus loop on Steeple Road, do not walk in the bus loop to reach the school. Instead, cross over the bus loop entrance and exit to access the sidewalk adjacent to the building.

• Crossing Steeple Road: Please avoid crossing Steeple Road in the middle of the street. Instead, proceed to the top of the road and use the crosswalk, where a crossing guard is stationed, to cross safely.

Our primary concern is the safety of our students and all community members. Recent near misses underscore the need for these measures. Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring a safe environment for everyone.

Families and students can stay engaged throughout the school year with Parent Academy TO GO, a series of virtual webinars for families to watch at home. The February and March webinars are available on the Parent Academy website. Registration is available here.

The MCPS 2025-2026 Change of School Assignment (COSA) transfer season opens on Monday, Feb. 3, and closes on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. The COSA process allows families to submit a request for their children to transfer out of their assigned home school.

Students are expected to attend the school within the established attendance area in which they reside (home school) or are assigned based on their Individualized Education Program (IEP). Learn more about the criteria.

Important changes for the upcoming COSA transfer process:

• Requests submitted after April 1, 2025, will not be considered unless there was a recent move or an emergency event that could not have been foreseen prior to April 1.
• All COSA requests must be submitted online through ParentVue in Synergy. Parents who need support on how to use ParentVue to complete an online COSA request are encouraged to reach out to a staff member at their child’s assigned school.
• Detailed information related to the COSA process can be found in the 2025-2026 COSA information booklet, which will be available at the end of January.

For questions, call the Division of Pupil Personnel and Attendance Services at 240-740-5620.

ALERT MONTGOMERY

Alert Montgomery is the official emergency communications service for Montgomery County, MD. During a major crisis, emergency, or severe weather event, Montgomery County officials can send event updates, warnings, and instructions directly to you on any of your devices.

Signing up for Alert Montgomery is free, but please check with your wireless provider about charges associated with text messages. Sign up at http://alert.montgomerycountymd.gov.

WINTER WEATHER INFORMATION

Winter weather emergencies, such as snow and ice, may cause disruptions in school operations, including the closure of school, a delayed opening, or an early dismissal. Information about school operations is announced publicly as soon as possible on area radio and television stations, Montgomery County Public Schools Cable TV, Outlook, and on the Internet at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org. Emergency e-mail announcements are available by signing up for MCPS Quicknotes on the school system’s home page. If schools are closed or delayed, the announcement is made no later than 5:00 a.m. (or the night before if possible). If schools are closing early, the announcement is made by 11:00 a.m. Please make sure you have a plan for delayed openings and early closings.

MCPS offers numerous ways for parents to learn about school closures, delayed openings, and early dismissals due to inclement weather.

• Remind Updates from the school

• AlertMCPS: Subscribe to AlertMCPS
• Receive text messages or emails from MCPS during weather-related emergencies and other major events that impact school system operations. Parents can also sign up to receive alerts specific to their child’s school.

• MCPS homepage: www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org
  

• MCPS cable channels: Comcast 34, Verizon Fios 36 or RCN 89
  

• Recorded information: 301-279-3673
  

• Ask MCPS: 240-740-3000
• Staff takes calls from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, in English and Spanish.
  

• Social Media:
  
• • MCPS on X (formerly Twitter)
  • MCPS on Facebook
  • MCPS on Instagram

• Local radio and TV stations
• Please make sure emergency contact information on file at your child’s school is up to date.

Learn more about how weather decisions are made and how to receive information about any changes.

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) appreciates the support of the parent and community volunteers who support the essential needs of the schools. Volunteers and partnership agencies are required to complete certain compliance measures in order to volunteer within our school district.

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In partnership with the PTA and Nothing Bundt Cake, we have an exciting reading incentive for our students. With Books and Bundts, the bakery will reward students with a FREE BUNDTLET each month for their commitment to reading 400 minutes a month (10-15 minutes a day or 20 min 5 days/week). To earn a Free Bundlet, students will track their minutes and stop by the bakery with their parent/legal guardian for their sweet treat (redemption once a month).