Forest Knolls Mustang Message

Email: Jennifer_Taylor-Cox@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/forestknollses
Location: 10830 Eastwood Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20901, USA
Phone: 240-740-1640

Online registration for Kindergarten for the 2025-2026 school year is open!. Children who will be 5 years old by Sept. 1, 2025 are eligible to register. Registration will be online through the ParentVUE portal. If your family is new to MCPS, you will need to create a ParentVue account here. For more information about eligibility and the registration process, visit the MCPS Kindergarten Enrollment webpage or contact your local elementary school. In-person registration begins March 17, 2025. Sign-up for a tour of Forest Knolls ES.

In accordance with Maryland State Law students in Montgomery County Public Schools are screened for possible vision and hearing problems. Trained hearing and vision screeners will be screening students new to MCPS, students in Grade (s) Kindergarten and 1st, and students referred by teachers because of possible signs of hearing or vision problems. The screeners will be at Forest Knolls ES on March 14- 18, 2025.

Children who do not see clearly or are unable to hear what their teacher and classmates are saying have a harder time learning at school. You will receive a referral form, via US mail, to take to your child’s doctor if your child fails the screening. If your child is already under care for a hearing or vision problem, or you do not wish your child to be screened at school because of conflicts with your religious beliefs, please notify the school nurse in writing. If your child wears glasses or contacts, they should wear them every day and bring them to the screening.

School based vision screenings may not detect every vision problem. To learn more about possible vision problems and symptoms or health conditions that may require additional evaluation go to Montgomery County Government’s website at this link:

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HHS-Program/PHS/SchoolHealth/HearingVision.html

Contact your school’s nurse if you have questions about your child’s screening.

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 focus of this annual contest is to increase awareness and demonstrate your school’s commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable actions related to energy conservation, waste reduction, and responsible recycling.

All art must be a student or staff member's original work and not contain copyrighted elements. Posters should be no smaller than 8.5 inches by 11 inches and must not exceed 18 inches by 24 inches in size.

Please submit posters to DSC, 45 W. Gude Drive, Suite 4000, Rockville, by Friday, April 4, 2025. For more information, email or call 240-740-3210.

More information: Contest Flyer

To enter, complete the Contest Entry Form

Read about Contest Guidelines

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.

The MCPS Math Office presented at our PTA meeting last week. The goal is for the PreK-12 math program to support each child’s unique math journey. Families are critical partners in ensuring their child’s mathematics needs are being met. Understanding the role of enrichment is a key first step.

These are the two resources referred to throughout the math presentation. They are accessible via the MCPS math web page too.

PreK-12 Mathematics Program

Providing Enriched Learning

Q: A lot of families are experiencing changes in schedule with parents returning to the office. In addition, many parents in our community have recently lost their jobs or may lose them soon. Are the efforts that the school and Ms. Schecter can make to help students address anxiety resulting from these situations?

A: Our staff members are sensitive to the emotional needs of students. Additionally, students can request to visit Ms. Schechter and parents can request that Ms. Schechter visits with their child.

Q: Who can we speak to understand why our child was not selected for math 4/5? I understand it is scores and testing and enrichment completion. Why did my child’s profile not match?

A: Ms. Martins, our Staff Development Teacher and Administration will respond to specific inquiries. Please reach out if you have questions.

Q: Do my kids know what level of enrichment they are receiving? Is enrichment only in math or is it also in ELA?

A: The main focus is for all students to receive the instruction that is directly connected to their academic needs. A student may know that they are assigned to “working the problem set backwards” for example, but they may or may not know that this is enrichment. The enrichment can occur in all grades levels and in math and literacy. Please contact the teacher to learn how often your child is successfully participating in enrichment.

Q: What is the CES lottery in third grade? Is it something we as parents need to opt in to and be proactive? Or are the teachers who identify students for it?

A: Please see the information below regarding the Central Review Process and CES Overview.

MCPS is currently in the middle of the Central Review Process for Grade 3. Decision letters will be mailed out from MCPS to all Grade 3 families in late March. You can find out more information about this process and about the Centers for Enriched Studies by visiting: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms/elementary/center-enriched-studies/

You may also wish to review the Grade 3 Central Review FAQ Document: English and Spanish

The Grade 5 central review process is complete. If you have questions about the Grade 5 central review process, please visit:

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms/middle/

You may also wish to review the Grade 5 Central Review FAQ Document: English and Spanish

If you have specific questions about your child's decision, you may reach out to DCCAPS@mcpsmd.org

Montgomery County Public Schools: Elementary Center Programs for the Highly Gifted | Montgomery County Public Schools | Rockville, MD

The grade 3 central review process looks at school system literacy performance data of grade 3 students in January. Students whose data indicate a need for enriched and accelerated reading language arts instruction are centrally recommended for enriched literacy instruction at their local school and placed in the candidate pool for Centers for Enriched Studies.

www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org

Ordering an elementary school yearbook can be a great way to capture and preserve memories of your child's school year, offering a tangible keepsake of their accomplishments, friendships, and experiences. Order your FKES Yearbook by April 18, 2025.

Please contact Mrs. Gonzalez with questions, needs, or ideas at 240-740-4620 (office), 240-550-3254 (cell), veronica_gonzalez@mcpsmd.org (email).

Join our free Nutrition Education program on March 12th in room 48 at 9am. Cynthia Padilla will do a demonstration on preparing healthy meals as well as talking about Healthy eating and nutrition. Manna will also provide the food and ingredients to prepare the meal at home. In addition, representatives from SNAP will be there to provide information on qualification and requirements and support with the application process.

As a reminder please join our Parent Whatsapp group with this link to follow any valuable information our community is sharing regarding events and resources in the community and county-wide.