Hello Wootton Community,

I have an update to share with you regarding a safety enhancement that will be coming to Wootton High School in the coming weeks. This school year, all MCPS high schools, including ours, are expected to implement the "IDs for All" system. This initiative underscores our heightened focus on maintaining a secure and safe environment for everyone.

As part of this system, students will be required to display their ID upon entry into the school at the start of the day and during late arrival. Additionally, students should be prepared to present their ID at all MCPS-sponsored events. IDs are currently being prepared and given to students as they are taking annual school pictures through Social Studies classes. Please be sure to keep your ID in a safe location so it is not lost or misplaced. Students are, also, being given a lanyard and ID holder. To ensure a well-coordinated approach at Wootton High School, a workgroup has been formed and is currently developing our specific approach. I will continue to share information regarding this initiative including the official start date so please continue to monitor the Community Update. Last year, students and parents advocated regularly to upgrade safety and security, and based on feedback from the pilot schools in MCPS, I am confident that IDs for All will steer us in a positive direction.

Have a great first day of school,

Doug

MON, SEPTEMBER 2 Labor Day – Schools and offices closed

WED, SEPTEMBER 4 Senior Parent Meeting

According to the contractor, work will continue on the new gymnasium bathroom. Please continue to follow these guidelines.

• 1st floor hallways near 128, 130, and 141 will be closed for bathroom work. There will be cones and signage indicating this area. The hallway will likely reopen late next week.
• 2nd floor hallways near 230 and 240 is now open. Great news.
• The entrance to the building from the lower lot will be closed. All students - both drivers and drop-off - should enter through the main entrance of the school from the lower lot until the lower entrance can reopen.

We are asking that all students use the main entrance to enter the building this week. Additionally, please note that 1 of our 2 elevators will be closed off, but the elevator by the health room is available.

Wootton is a place where hate and intolerance is not acceptable. What is hate bias, Hate-Bias conduct is disruptive behavior that includes intentional discriminatory behavior based on a person’s background, race, sex, national origin, disability, age, socioeconomic background, and gender identity. A major way that we confront incidences that are wrong and hurtful is to report them. Any student should report to a trusted staff member. School administrators are responsible for ensuring incidents are documented and investigated. That any serious Incidents are reported to the police who may investigate the matter, and that supportive measures are put into place. The Stronger Student App is a way to report anonymously. Please be sure to download this app.

Dropping off on Wootton Parkway

Please do NOT drop your students off on Wootton Parkway. It is extremely dangerous. Please utilize the drop-off location in the lower parking lot. Monitoring may take place by Wootton Administration and MC Police. Thank you for your support with this request.

Parking

Parking in the front of the school is reserved parking. Please refrain from parking in the front parking lot (bus loop) even if your visit to the school will be brief.

Drop-Off Table

If you need to deliver something for a student, you can use the drop-off table in the main office. Students can check the table between classes or during lunch. For safety reasons, food that hasn’t been picked up by 3:00 p.m. will be thrown out. Other items like clothing, etc. will be given to lost and found after one week. Please clearly label the item so there is no confusion with other students who are picking up items.

• 2024-2025 MCPS Bus Routes by School

  2024-2025 Transportation Cluster Manager

  Safety Tips and Reminders

  Parent Letter (English); Carta de los Padres (Espanol)

  What You Should Know About Riding the Bus; Lo que debe saber sobre viajar en autobús

  WOOTTON HS - Arrival Fall 2024

  WOOTTON HS - Departure Fall 2024

• FERPA Notice

  Directory Withholding due 9/12/24

The George Washington University

Tufts University

Binghamton University

Rice University

Allegheny College

Elon University

Kenyon College

School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Georgetown University

Johns Hopkins University

The Annual Verification of Contact Information is available in ParentVUE in Online Registrations. Please take this time to confirm that your information is correct.

ParentVUE Log-In Portal

ParentVUE FAQs

Or you may return the Student Emergency form that was passed out in homeroom this past week.

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

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.