CJMS Weekly Updates
December 16 to December 20
Ms. Snider's Phone Message: December 15
Good Evening, Cabin John Middle School Families!
This is your Principal, Ms. Snider, with the Sunday announcements for the week of December 16 to December 20. We have one week left until Winter Break. This will be the last Sunday newsletter in 2024, and we will resume on Sunday, January 5th with our next newsletter. Please remember that we are returning from Winter break on Thursday, January 2, 2025.As the holiday season approaches, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for our incredible students, staff, and families. May your holidays be filled with joy, peace, and time with loved ones. Wishing you all a happy and healthy New Year!
A quick heads up that StudentVue/ParentVue will be unavailable the evening of December 19th from 5:00pm until the following morning at 6:00am.
Congratulations to our amazing chorus and Mrs. Nam. Their winter concert was this past Wednesday and they were such a delight to watch. Well done to all involved! Remember, our Band and Orchestra concerts are January 8th and January 15th. Please come out and support our Music program.
Remember, the SGA Manna Food Drive is happening now. Donations go directly to families in Montgomery County! Our Food Drive is ending on Tuesday December 17th through advisory. If you wish to donate, please send in non-perishable food such as pasta, oatmeal, and canned goods. Your child may drop off donations in advisory. The winning advisory class for each grade will earn Krispy Kreme donuts!
The annual CJMS staff cookie party is scheduled for tomorrow, Monday, December 16th and PTSA needs your help! They need about 130 bakers to have enough cookies for all Cabin John staff. You can still click on the signup genius link below to sign up to bake cookies, purchase cookies, or help with the event. If you don't have time to bake, you can make a donation using the PayPal link in the newsletter. PTSA will buy the cookies on your behalf! PTSA couldn't do this without our outstanding Cabin John families!
Cabin John will administer the AMC8 Math Competition Test on Wednesday, January 22, during periods 7 and 8 in the cafeteria. All students in grades 6-8 can attend. Certificates will be awarded to top-scorers. To register, students should complete the form at this link and on the Cabin John website: https://forms.gle/bZpSxggrFrr9514T8 . Wednesday, December 18 is the deadline for requesting to participate by completing this form. Email Mrs. Litzinger at katy_a_litzinger@mcpsmd.org with any questions.
Remember to check out additional events and information in the digital version of our newsletter! I just added information about our Spring Musical, Beetlejuice Jr., that will start production when we return in January. We look forward to welcoming every back tomorrow 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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Upcoming Dates to Remember
- Monday, December 16 - PTSA Staff Annual Cookie Exchange
- Wednesday, December 18 - Holiday Music Assembly for Students
- Friday, December 20 - Annual Students vs. Staff Basketball Game
- Monday, December 23 to Wednesday, January 1 - Winter Break
- Thursday, January 4 - Students and Staff Return to School from Winter Break
- Wednesday, January 8 - CJMS Orchestra Concert at Churchill HS @ 7pm
- Thursday, January 9 - CJMS Incoming 6th Grade (for current 5th graders) Parent Night @ 7pm
- Monday, January 13 - Monday, January 20 - Course Registration for current CJMS 6th & 7th Grade is Open
- Wednesday, January 15 - High School Counselors visit CJMS 8th Grade Students
- Wednesday, January 15 - CJMS Band Concert at Churchill HS @ 7pm
- Thursday, January 16 - Churchill & Wootton Incoming 9th Grade Parent Nights (for current 8th graders) @ 7pm
- Thursday, January 16 - High School Content Specialists visit CJMS 8th Grade Students
- Monday, January 20 - No School for Students and Staff
- Tuesday, January 28 - Last Day of Marking Period 2
- Wednesday, January 29 - No School for Students/Grading Day for Staff
Weekly Assignment Summary for Dec 16 to Dec 20
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.
Reminders from our PTSA!
Please join the PTSA and gain access to the directory here:
https://cabinjohnptsa.membershiptoolkit.com/membership
Regarding membership or open PTSA leadership positions, please contact pres.cjms@gmail.com
NAACP Parent/Guardian Delegate
Membership Chair
New: CJMS PTSA Annual Cookie Exchange Party
The annual CJMS staff cookie party is scheduled for Monday, December 16th and we need your help! We need about 130 bakers to have enough cookies for all teachers, staff, and administration.
Please click on the signup genius link below to sign up to bake cookies, purchase cookies, or help with the event.
Don't have time to bake? Click on the PayPal link below to make a donation and we will buy the cookies on your behalf!
We need your help to make this event a huge success. We couldn't do this without our outstanding Cabin John families!
Sign Up Genius link
2024 CJMS Holiday Cookie Party
PayPal link
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=83MW6SAQZCGNA
New: CJMS Spring Musical! Call for students and parent support!
Attention all students! Are you interested in participating in the Cabin John Spring Musical?
Coming to Cabin John, we have a brand-new show that just launched recently. Beetlejuice Junior! We are looking for all aspiring actors & actresses, stage & sound crew, volunteers to help design & build, etc. If you have a special talent or just want to help, be a part of the CJMS production, please sign up today by scanning the QR code or entering the link inside your browser using your MCPS account. The official meeting will take place on Tuesday, January 7th in the cafeteria. Mark your calendars! Hope to see you there! Please contact Mrs. Kumar Kamini_Kumar@mcpsmd.org or Mrs. Hardy Tamara_A_Hardy@mcpsmd.org for additional information.
Attention Cabin John Parents! We are in need of parent assistance to help with the upcoming Spring musical production of Beetle Juice Jr Musical. We are asking for donations to support our students in the spring musical and your donation would go toward purchasing items for the production.
We are asking for you to consider donating your time, snacks, beverages, monetary donations, customs, etc. If you are interested in helping, please contact Mrs. Kumar Kamini_Kumar@mcpsmd.org or Mrs. Hardy Tamara_A_Hardy@mcpsmd.org.
New: Wootton Needs 8th Graders for Wizard of Oz Production
Extended: CJMS Helping Hands Program
This holiday season the Wootton PTSA’s Holiday Helping Hands Program is sponsoring 3 Cabin John Families. Our program relies on donors from the Wootton community, and we need your help! For more information, visit woottonptsa.org/holiday.
How you can help:
• Purchase a gift from a child's Amazon registry (see links below for the items that are remaining). This link takes you to an optional form that you can fill out so we can say thank you.
• Donate a gift card (see list below for gift cards that are still needed – use the link to the left to sign up and for more details)
• Donate cash and we shop for you (Venmo @Nikki-Bossert, PayPal & Zelle nbossert8@gmail.com; you can email Nikki at this address or holiday@tswoottonhs.org, or text her at (239) 247-9944, to confirm receipt of funds)
Kind regards,
Jen Eisenfeld and Nikki Bossert
Co-chairs, Holiday Helping Hands Program
For more information, check out our FAQs page, which is posted on our website. And feel free to reach out to us at holiday@tswoottonhs.org with any questions.
New: CJMS SGA Manna Food Drive
Our SGA Manna Food Drive officially kicks off on Monday, December 9th. The Manna Food Center strives to eliminate hunger through food distribution, education, and advocacy. Donations go directly to families in Montgomery County! SGA's aim is to get our CJMS students/families/staff involved in helping our community and supporting our locals in need.
Our Food Drive is running from Monday, December 9th to Tuesday December 17th through advisory. If you wish to donate, please send in non-perishable food such as pasta, oatmeal, and canned goods. Your child may drop off donations in advisory. The winning advisory class for each grade will earn Krispy Kreme donuts!
New: Reminder about Acer Chromebooks
Acer Chromebook Collection and Decommissioning
MCPS has disabled and needs to collect older Acer model Chromebooks because they have reached end-of-life and should no longer be in use. The models being retired include the Acer C720, C740, C738, and C771. Students who need a device for home use can submit a request for a new device by completing the Home Use form. All Lenovo devices will continue to work as expected.
Students currently using an Acer model at home should have received communication about this information and how to request a device for home use if needed. These students should return their loaner Acer to the Media Center and will need to complete a new Home Use form.
Revised: Kid Museum Middle School Opportunity - Date Change to Jan 24
New: Champion Team Student Advisory Council
Are you interested in joining the Career Advising Student Advisory Council?
It’s a great way to earn up to 10 SSL hours and help plan awesome career exploration activities, like bringing in working professionals and planning fun events to help explore your interests! Other schools have lunch parties and lots of exciting events—we can do that too!
If you're interested, please email Ms. Poole or Mr. Adams, or stop by the counseling office to learn more. We can’t wait to hear from you!
New: AMC 8 at CJMS
Cabin John will administer the AMC8 Math Competition Test on Wednesday, January 22, during periods 7 and 8 in the cafeteria. All students in grades 6-8 can attend. Certificates will be awarded to top-scorers.
To register, students should complete the form at this link and on the Cabin John website: https://forms.gle/bZpSxggrFrr9514T8
Wednesday, December 18 is the deadline for requesting to participate by completing this form. Email Mrs. Litzinger at katy_a_litzinger@mcpsmd.org with any questions.
Students Needed for Black History Celebration
Restorative Approaches Student Voice SSL Opportunity
A Note from the School Nurse
Due to an increase in respiratory illnesses in the community, we want to remind parents that they should pay attention to their child's symptoms. If they are exhibiting excessive coughing, along with fatigue, shortness of breath or fever, they really do need to go to the doctor as they need to be monitored and treated if necessary. Respiratory viruses can lead to secondary infections that cause bacterial pneumonia which can be very serious and be spread to other members of the community that are more vulnerable such as the elderly or the very young. Students also need to stay home until they are feeling better and are less contagious.
In the interest of reducing the spread of respiratory illnesses, when students come to the health room with excessive coughing, we will give students a mask to wear and will be calling parents and requesting that they go home if they seem to be extremely fatigued, have a fever or are not feeling well. We appreciate your assistance in keeping the community safe and healthy. Please contact me if you have any questions. Thank you so much for your continued support.
As always, we are here to help your child to thrive while at school! Please feel free to contact me (Brienne_B_Merritt@mcpsmd.org) if you have any questions or if we can be of assistance.
MCPS Operating Status Updates for 2024-2025
The safety of our MCPS community is critical, and being able to communicate with students, staff, and families during severe weather or other emergencies is of the utmost importance.
Use this link to find all the ways you can connect with MCPS to receive emergency operational information from the school system. The current operating status options for the school district appear on the MCPS website and on individual school websites.
In the event of a change in operational status, this link will provide more information about the MCPS Operating Status options.
SSL Information
Resources for SSL:
- SSL forms, resources, and guidelines
- September SSL Opportunities
- SSL opportunities -September and Montgomery County Volunteer Center
- SSL program overview
- Step-by-step directions for viewing student SSL record on StudentVUE
- Introduction to SSL Handout: English | Español| 中文 | Français | tiếng Việt | 한국어 | አማርኛ | Portuguêse
Please Join our CJMS PTSA!
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!
CJMS General Information
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.
Need to see Resources from the Back to School Newsletter?
In an effort to keep our weekly newsletter shorter and more concise, I am not going to add the resources that appear every week. Instead, I will link our BTS newsletter here so you have easy access to that information.
Cabin John Middle School
Assistant Principal (6th Grade): Mr. Casey Siddons
Assistant Principal (7th Grade): Mr. Andy Lee
Assistant School Administrator (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