Hello Wootton Community,

It's summer time! It is my hope you are taking part in the wonderful things that come with the summer months - relaxing with friends and family, enjoying a great book, being at the beach or near a pool, and spending time at outside in the warm weather. Whatever way you are choosing to spend your summer, I hope you are enjoying it!

It has been busy at Wootton. Let me share a few updates with you.

• Construction and school site improvements abound on campus. I have included images of the work that is taking place to improve the physical plant at our school. Each day, the school looks a bit better, and I am excited to welcome everyone back to some much needed enhancements.
• Hiring continues - All administrators have been hired for the upcoming school year. Also, Ms. Markiewicz, Resource Counselor, has tendered her resignation. She has accepted a role at Landon School in Bethesda. I wish her all the best in her new position. I am excited to announce the Ms. Liz Robinson will be the new Resource Counselor at Wootton. She has vast experience as a school counselor and master scheduler. We welcome her to her new role.
• I would like to share some important dates that are upcoming. You don't want to miss.
• New Student Orientation is Thursday, August 22nd from 7:45-11:30AM. See additional details below. There is no need to register to attend - you simply show up.
• New Family Picnic is Thursday, August 22nd from 5:00-7:00PM. See additional details below.
• Back-to-School Night is Thursday, August 29th with the formal program beginning at 7:00PM with activities happening in advance. Additional details will be shared.
• The first Wootton PTSA meeting of the school year will be Tuesday, September 17th beginning at 7:00PM. Our PTSA is critically important to our school so please plan on attending.

Have a wonderful summer,

Doug

We are welcoming new administrators to Wootton High School this year. With Mr. Rohner transitioning to his role as principal of Damascus High School, this opened an Assistant Principal position. I am pleased to announce that Mr. David O'Shell will be joining our team.

• Mr. O'Shell has eight years of educational leadership and content expertise. He recently held the position of Assistant Principal at Silver Creek Middle School, where he served in this role for four years. Before that he served as an English Content Specialist at Silver Creek Middle and Silver Spring International Middle School. He loves reading, particularly literary fiction and American history. He has two children, Natasha and Alastair, who are eleven and seven years old. Additionally, Mr. O'Shell enjoys playing soccer and tennis and is a big Nationals fan (or will be after the rebuild).
• Ms. Eileen Gardner will continue as an administrator at Wootton, but she will be transitioning into the role as Assistant Principal.
• With Ms. Gardner's transition, we have hired a new Assistant School Administrator, Gillian Ratti. She grew up in PA and attended Bloomsburg University. She moved to Maryland to begin her teaching career working as a Spanish teacher in residential treatment in Baltimore County. She began teaching in Anne Arundel County and spent several years teaching Spanish at the middle and high school levels. Most recently she held the role of Signature Site Coordinator at Old Mill High School. Outside of school Gillian enjoys spending time with her husband, Jody, and 3 sons, Anthony, Patrick, and Vincent. As a family they enjoy going to baseball games, traveling, and cooking. She also loves to read and garden when she gets a chance.

THU, AUGUST 22 New Student Orientation & New Student Picnic

THU, AUGUST 29 Back to School Night

At Wootton High School, effective communication is essential. We ensure clear communication through several channels. Communication will take place through the Remind App, where students and parents can receive instant updates and important reminders. Remind will be the primary platform including during an emergency response. Everyone is strongly encouraged to be on the Remind platform.

Canvas Announcements will serve as a platform for academic and school-related information, ensuring everyone stays informed about classwork and school events. Teachers will continue to use direct email to communicate with parents. Regular updates to the Wootton website will provide information about school activities and resources. Additionally, weekly messages from Mr. Nelson and the Wootton PTSA will keep the community informed about the latest developments and upcoming events. These multiple channels ensure that all members of the Wootton High School community can stay connected and up-to-date.

• Annual MCPS Notice for Privacy and Directory Withholding Form (Will be sent home)
• Annual MCPS Pest Management Notice
• Annual MCPS Asbestos Notice
• Bullying, Harassment, and Intimidation Reporting
• Emergency Information - Please update for your student via ParentVue - links to the ParentVUE Support Guide and directions for completing the annual verification of information to update contact information. It is critical to keep this information up-to-date.
• PTSA Website - Please join the PTSA!

Please take note of these important dates as you prepare your home calendars for the year.

August 26: First day of school for students.

September 2: Labor Day– Schools and offices closed.

September 27: Early release day for students

October 3: Non-instructional day– no school for students and teachers.

October 18*: Professional Day for all staff; No school for students.

November 4*: Grading and planning for the end of term; no school for students.

November 5: General Election Day– Schools and offices closed.

November 25 and 26: Early Release Days for students

November 27: Systemwide closure– schools and offices closed

November 28 and 29: Thanksgiving– Schools and offices closed.

December 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30 and 31: Winter Break– No school for students and teachers.

December 24 and 25: Holidays– Schools and offices closed.

December 30 and 31: Systemwide closures– Schools and offices closed.

January 1: New Year’s Day– Schools and offices closed.

January 20: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Inauguration Day– Schools and Offices closed.

January 29*: Grading and planning for the end of term; No school for students.

February 17: President’s Day– Schools and offices closed.

February 28: Early Release Day for students.

March 31*: Grading and planning for the end of term; No school for students.

April 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 21: Spring Break– No school for students and teachers.

April 16 and 17: Systemwide closures– Schools and offices closed.

April 18 and 21: Holidays– Schools and offices closed.

May 26: Memorial Day– Schools and offices closed.

June 6*: Professional Day for all staff; No school for students.

June 13: Last day of school for students; Early release day for students.

June 16*: Grading and planning for the end of term.

June 19: Systemwide closure– Schools and offices closed.

*If the school year is disrupted by emergencies and schools are closed three or more days, dates identified as possible make-up instructional days include October 18 and November 4, 2024; January 29, March 31, June 6, June 16, June 17, June 18, June 20 and June 23, 2025.

EVERYONE must complete the application process. Even if you completed the application for an end-of-year permit at the conclusion of the school year, you must reapply for the new school year and submit all required documents.

COMPLETED APPLICATIONS WILL BE PROCESSED ON A FIRST COME; FIRST SERVED BASIS. APPLICATIONS ARE NOT CONSIDERED COMPLETE UNTIL YOU HAVE SUBMITTED ALL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS.

PRIORITY IS GIVEN TO STUDENTS IN THE 12TH GRADE (Class of 2025). If spaces are still available after the 12th grade applicants have been processed, applications may be accepted from 11th grade students.

• FY25 Parking Permit Application
• FY 25 Parking Regulations

Apply online NOW so students receive free meals on the first day of school! Households meeting identified federal income standards are eligible for free school meals. MCPS encourages all families who may be eligible, to apply. To receive this benefit, a new FARMS application must be completed every school year. Please submit the online FARMS application through https://www.myschoolapps.com/Home/PickDistrict. Students not newly qualified for free meals will be charged the following meal prices. Only one application is needed for all students in a household. Meal prices: Breakfast—$1.30; Lunch—$2.55 (Elementary), $2.80 (Middle and High)

Students who qualify for reduced-price meals will receive meals at no charge! Students use their MCPS ID number when receiving a meal, so confidentiality is maintained and no child is overtly identified as receiving free or reduced-price meals. Funds can continue to be added to student

meal accounts at no charge by bringing cash or checks directly to the school cafeteria managers. There will be an increase in the transaction fee from $1.95 to $2.49 per transaction associated when adding funds to student meal accounts using the online My School Bucks software.

For more information and How-To videos, visit the Division of Food and Nutrition

Services (DFNS) website: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/food[1]and-nutrition/meal-p

2024-2025 School Year Vaccination Requirements

Back to School Free Immunization Clinics

The Back-to-School Fair is back! All MCPS families are invited to kick-off the 2024-2025 school year at Westfield Wheaton on Saturday, Aug. 24 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Parents will learn about the school system, and county programs and services while enjoying free entertainment, giveaways and family activities. Free shuttle transportation is also available

Support students by donating to the 13th annual GIVE BACKpacks campaign to purchase backpacks and school supplies for MCPS students. For as little as $20, families can provide a student with a backpack filled with supplies including, paper, crayons, pencils/pens, a pencil sharpener, binders, folders, and more.

Learn more on how you can help

Free online resources are available to support students who are not participating in summer tutoring or summer school. This document includes free academic resources and activities for elementary, middle and high school students to review content, practice skills and prepare for the 2024–2025 school year.

Regular daily attendance is expected. It is critical to a child's academic success. Parent/caregiver support of regular daily attendance is essential. Parents/caregivers should provide a note within 3 days stating the reason for absence. This will ensure the absence is marked excused. Students who were absent from school have the responsibility to request make-up work from their teacher.