Hello Lake Seneca Families,

I hope you had a wonderful weekend! Thank you to everyone who joined me for Hanging with Mr. Henderson last week. I appreciate the engagement and thoughtful discussions around our school data and progress.

This week, please take a moment to review important updates, including upcoming school events and reminders. Be sure to check out the PTA Membership and Board Nomination details, as hard copies were sent home. Your participation makes a difference!

As always, I appreciate your partnership in supporting our students. Let’s make it another fantastic week at Lake Seneca!

Always Learning, Always Growing!

Mr. Henderson

Monday, February 24:

• Street Outreach Network 3:45-4:30

Tuesday, February 25:

• Grade 3 Field Trip: Imagination Stage

Friday, February 28: EARLY RELEASE 12:55

Friday, March 7

• WIZE STEAM After School Club 3:45-4:45

We encourage all families to join the Lake Seneca Elementary School PTA and be an active part of our school community! The PTA Membership Form is included below, and we will also be sending home hard copies later this week for your convenience.

By joining the PTA, you are helping to support school events, student programs, and teacher initiatives that directly benefit our children. A strong PTA means a strong school, and we need your voice and support to make a difference!

Complete the form today and become a member! Thank you for your partnership in making our school the best it can be!

Is your child ready for kindergarten? If they will be 5 years old by September 1, 2025, it's time to enroll for the upcoming school year at Lake Seneca Elementary!

🔹 How to Register
➡ Online Registration Opened February 3, 2025 – Families can complete the process through the ParentVUE portal.
➡ In-Person Registration Begins March 17, 2025 – Schools will provide more details on scheduling.

🔹 Kindergarten Program
Lake Seneca offers a full-day kindergarten program to support early learning and development.

📢 Stay tuned for more information on Kindergarten Orientation! This will be an opportunity for families to visit the school, meet staff, and learn about the kindergarten experience.

Let’s get ready for an exciting start to your child’s learning journey! 🚀

Thank you to all the families who have participated in our Family Needs Assessment! Your feedback is invaluable in helping us support our students and school community.

🎉 Congratulations to our top 3 classroom winners from last week!

This week, Ms. Holmes will be hosting a final round with the remaining classrooms to see which class has the highest percentage of parent participation. We can't wait to see who comes out on top!

If you haven’t completed the survey yet, there’s still time! Click the link below to share your input:

📌 Family Needs Assessment Survey

Thank you for your continued support! 💙🐾

Lake Seneca Families, are your students interested in basketball? Pro Skills Basketball (PSB) DC, led by Director James Maerder, is a youth basketball organization focused on player development. They are committed to helping young athletes improve their skills in a supportive and competitive environment.

🔹 Free Basketball Clinics – PSB’s certified instructors are offering free skills clinics at schools, focusing on ball handling, passing, defense, and shooting.

🔹 Tryouts in March – PSB is holding team tryouts for students in grades 3-11. This is a great opportunity for young athletes to develop their game and be part of a competitive team that prioritizes growth over wins.

🔹 Coaching Opportunities – Interested in coaching? PSB offers professional development and coaching positions for those looking to mentor young athletes.

For more details on tryouts and clinics, visit Pro Skills Basketball or contact James Maerder at 423-502-1348.

Dear Lake Seneca Families,

We are excited to share a FREE 3-week Kindness & Martial Arts program offered by Master Method Karate to students in grades K-5! This program is designed to help students:

✅ Develop confidence
✅ Understand and handle bullying
✅ Show kindness and respect to others
✅ Learn fun and essential martial arts skills

📍 Locations & Schedule:

• Rockville (Limit: 30 spots)
  📅 Saturdays, March 15, 22, 29 – 9:15 AM
  📍 Master Method Karate – Headquarters, 5538 Randolph Road, Rockville, MD 20852

• Olney (Limit: 25 spots)
  📅 Saturdays, March 15, 22, 29 – 11:15 AM
  📍 Sandy Spring Friends Meeting House – Lyceum Room, 17801 Meeting House Road, Sandy Spring, MD 20860

• Damascus (Limit: 30 spots)
  📅 Saturdays, March 15, 22, 29 – 12:00 PM
  📍 Master Method Karate Damascus, 10017 Locust Drive, Damascus, MD 20872

• Gaithersburg (Limit: 30 spots)
  📅 Saturdays, March 15, 22, 29 – 2:30 PM
  📍 PowerHouse Studio, 212 E Diamond Ave, Gaithersburg, MD 20877

🔗 REGISTER NOW: Click here to sign up!

💡 Space is limited! If a session fills up, you may be notified of alternate options.

This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to gain life skills while having fun. We are grateful for this community partnership and encourage our families to take advantage of this program!

With gratitude,

Master Method Karate

Do you want to support your child’s academic success and enhance learning at home? Join our virtual workshops to gain valuable strategies, access engaging resources, and learn directly from knowledgeable MCPS Curriculum Specialists who will guide you through the process.

These workshops will help you:
✅ Learn tips and strategies to support learning at home
✅ Access resources that make learning fun
✅ Connect with experts to support your child’s academic growth

Upcoming Virtual Workshop Dates:
📅 Elementary & Secondary English Language Development
🕐 February 19, 2025 | 1:00 PM – 2:15 PM

📅 Elementary Math & Literacy
🕠 February 26, 2025 | 5:30 PM – 6:45 PM

📅 Secondary Math & Literacy
🕖 February 26, 2025 | 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM

Join via Zoom:
🔹 Meeting ID: 978 8328 5722
🔹 Passcode: school

🔗 Check the attached flyer for details, the Zoom link, and a QR code for easy access!

💬 Interpretation services will be available in Spanish. Let us know if you have any questions—we hope to see you there!

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is pleased to share information about Schaeffer’s Piano Company, Inc.'s biannual public sale of instruments, happening March 8–16, 2025. During this time, families will have the opportunity to purchase pianos at reduced prices.

This sale is part of MCPS’s partnership with Schaeffer’s Piano Company, Inc., ensuring that students and families are informed of this event. If you are interested in purchasing a piano or learning more, please visit Schaeffer’s Piano Company for details.

Don't miss this great opportunity to bring music into your home!

The Division of Food and Nutrition Services (DFNS) has made it easier than ever to view your student’s school menus! With MealViewer, students, parents, and community members can access:

• School-specific menu offerings
• Nutritional information for each meal
• Filter options for top allergens

You can use MealViewer on a computer browser, the MealViewer app (available for Android and iPhone), or any smartphone browser. No sign-in or passwords are required to view menus!

MealViewer also offers optional features like:

• Rating food items
• Starring favorite meals
• Using a nutrition calculator
• Creating a personalized profile

Check out your school’s menu today and stay informed about the meals served at Lake Seneca Elementary!

We’re thrilled to announce that our online yearbook store is opening , and we’ve got some exciting tools to make it easier than ever for families to grab their copy!

Key Details:

• Store Opens: January 6th
• Store Closes: April 18th
• Yearbook Price: $20.00 (plus tax and a small convenience fee)
• Optional Personalization: Add a personal touch for just $4.99!

How to Order:
Visit our online storefront at https://shop.yearbookmarket.com/lakesenecaelementary to order your yearbook in a snap!

Keep an eye out for yearbook flyers and posters with a QR code for easy access.

Don't wait—secure your memories before the store closes. Let’s make this yearbook one for the books!

Effective December 4, 2024, MCPS has disabled and will collect older Acer Chromebook models that have reached their end-of-life and should no longer be in use.

Key Information:

• Retired Models: Acer C720, C740, C738, and C771.
• Current Use: These models have been used in limited settings, such as for home use or school kiosks/signage.
• What You Need to Do:
  • Students using one of these models should return their device to the school.
  • If your child needs a replacement device for home use, please complete the Home Use Form as soon as possible to avoid disruption.
• Deadline: Devices will be disabled starting December 4, 2024.

Additional Notes:

• Families of students with these models will receive more information about the transition and how to request a new device if needed.
• Other Chromebook models, including 15-inch Acer Spins and Lenovo devices, will continue to work as usual.

We encourage all families to help ensure these devices are returned promptly to minimize any interruptions in access to technology.

Winter is coming and with it can bring inclement weather. Please be sure to familiarize yourself with the color code statuses and don't miss our Superintendent's Video linked below as well.

• Green: Normal Operations
• Yellow: Delayed Opening
• Blue: Early Dismissal
• Red: Schools and Offices Closed
• Orange: Schools Closed Offices Telework

At Lake Seneca Elementary, we are committed to ensuring that all students have the tools they need for success, including access to a device and reliable Wi-Fi at home. To help us determine which students need these resources, we are asking families to complete a brief survey.

For students who need a device at home, families can submit the Student Home Use Chromebook Request form. Once submitted, the student’s information will be verified for take-home device eligibility, and a Chromebook will be sent to the school for the student to check out. Please note that students will not be required to bring the home-use Chromebook to and from school. The request form is available in both English and Spanish for your convenience.

If your family needs Wi-Fi access, you can also request a MiFi device by notifying a staff member, who will complete the Student MiFi Request form on your behalf.

We are here to support you and ensure every student has the resources they need. If you have any questions or need assistance with these requests, please contact the school office.

We understand that enrolling your children in before and after care can be a financial challenge. That's why Global Children's Center is committed to helping families access scholarship programs that make care more affordable. If you need assistance with enrollment or would like more information about our scholarship options, please don't hesitate to reach out to our Voucher Specialist, Ms. Naureen, at vouchers@globalchildrenscenter.com. We're here to help!