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Forest Knolls Mustang Message

November 17, 2024

Forest KnollsMustang MessageNovember 17, 2024

Dr. Taylor-Cox, Principal

This Week's Mustang Message Includes:

  • Message from Dr. Taylor-Cox

  • Parent-Teacher Conferences

  • Pre-K Inclusion

  • Interim and Report Card Availability and Distribution

  • Family Resources

  • Message from our Forest Knolls PTA

  • Important Dates

Message from Dr. Taylor-Cox

In celebration of National Gratitude Month, I would like to extend a Thank You Challenge to students, families, and staff this week. Let’s try to say “Thank you” to others ten times a day for five days! It will be fantastic to fill our school and community with 50 thank yous from each person! Are you and your children ready for the challenge?

Please share your feedback on the Forest Knolls Open House November 2024 Survey by November 18, 2024.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-Teacher Conferences offer the opportunity to discuss your child’s academic progress and growth, as well as your child’s strengths, needs, and behaviors. Teachers and parents become better informed about our students by learning from each other. This year, Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled for November 25 & 26 which are MCPS early dismissal days. Conferences will be in-person unless parents request a virtual option. Your child’s teacher will contact you with information on how to sign up for a specific date and time. Our wonderful teachers will work with you to find a time that best works for all even if that time is outside of the designated days.


Tips for Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-Teacher conferences are a great opportunity for home and school to learn from each other. When you meet with your child’s teacher, take advantage of the time to ask questions that you feel will help you support your child at home. Here are a couple of tips to consider in preparing for the meeting:

  • Share. We all appreciate the feedback we receive. If you feel something is working well, please be sure to share. Our goal is to provide a successful instructional program for your child.

  • Prepare. Think about what you would like to accomplish during the meeting. Identify questions that will inform you of progress or curriculum. Remember, meetings are usually scheduled back-to-back, so having things written down may help with pacing. Feel free to schedule another meeting or phone conversation if you run out of time.

Communicate. Think of ways to communicate questions or concerns that foster a productive conversation. We know students are more successful when we work together.

Pre-K Inclusion

We are pleased to announce limited enrollment opportunities for community peers in the Inclusive Preschool 4-Year-Old Class. Children must be 4 years old by September 1, 2024, to qualify for the program. The class meets daily from 12:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. Please note that no bus transportation is available. There is a quarterly fee for community peers to attend.

If you are interested or have any questions, please contact Marcia Munoz via email at Marcia_V_Munoz@mcpsmd.org

Interim and Report Card Availability and Distribution

The Interim and Report Card availability schedule is included in the MCPS calendar and the Forest Knolls calendar. The dates for all Marking Periods are:

  • November 11, 2024 MP1 Report Cards Available in Synergy/ParentVUE

  • November 13, 2024- MP1 Report Cards Distributed

  • December 20 2024- MP2 Interim Report Card Interims Distributed via USPS

  • February 4 2025 MP2 Report Cards Available in Synergy /ParentVUE

  • February 6, 2025 MP2 Report Cards Distributed

  • March 7, 202 MP3 Interim Report Card Interims Distributed via USPS

  • April 4, 2025 MP3 Report Cards Available in Synergy/ParentVUE

  • April 8, 2025 MP3 Report Cards Distributed

  • May 16, 2025 MP4 Interim Report Card Interims Distributed via USPS

  • June 24, 2025 MP4 Report Cards Available in Synergy/ParentVUE

  • June 25, 2025 MP4 Report Cards Distributed

Family Resources

The next Latino Parent Coffee is November 20, 2024 at 9:00-10:00 in Room 48.

Mrs. Veronica Gonzalez, Forest Knolls Parent Community Coordinator, will share family resources throughout the year. Please contact Mrs. Gonzalez with questions, needs, or ideas at 240-740-4620 (office), 240-550-3254 (cell), veronica_gonzalez@mcpsmd.org (email).


Caring Matters Virtual Family Nights Grief Support for the Whole Family

Message from our Forest Knolls PTA

  • Montgomery County Council of PTAs (MCCPTA) is seeking parent/caregiver input on MCCPTA Advocacy Priorities for the 2024-25 school year. Click here to share, and all of these priorities will be presented by the MCCPTA to the Superintendent and Board of Education. Your feedback will provide better understanding about FKES parent/caregiver priorities as well as give you the chance to comment on each priority or flag ones that you believe are missing and critical. Your email address will NOT be captured by the results. The survey without comments should take less than 5 minutes. Please complete it by Monday, November 25. Questions – contact FKES’s MCCPTA rep, Abbie at MCCPTA_rep@fkespta.org.

  • Save the date for the next PTA dine out - Tuesday, December 3 at the Four Corner Pub! From 4 PM - to close, FKES PTA will receive 10% of all dining room and outside tent area sales (bar area excluded). For take-out orders, mention Forest Knolls fundraiser.

  • MCPS is hosting a series of listening sessions to discuss the Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget. Join MCPS leadership to share your insights on what should be prioritized in the operating budget for next year. Your voice is important and we encourage you to ask questions and engage in the conversation. RSVP to the forums:

    • Monday, Nov. 18, 6:30–7:30 p.m., Spanish session through Facebook Live on MCPS en Español Facebook.

    • Thursday, Nov. 21, 6:30–8 p.m., Clarksburg High School, 22500 Wims Road Clarksburg. RSVP. Spanish interpretation and American Sign Language (ASL) services will be provided.

    • Can't attend an in-person engagement session? You can leave your feedback on this form.

Have you joined the Forest Knolls PTA yet? The FKES PTA funds and plans the extra events like Hispanic Heritage night, materials for clubs, and fun things like the Bike Bus that make our school community great. Learn more and join at fkespta.org. And check out our calendar of events here. The first 200 families to join will get a free FKES car magnet!

Important Dates

November is Remembrance and Reconciliation Month

November is American Indian Heritage Month

November is National Gratitude Month

November 19 Student Picture Retakes

November 19 Second Grade field trip to Strathmore

November 20 Latino Coffee 9:00 AM

November 25 & 26 Parent-Teacher Conferences

November 27, 28, 29 No School

December 3 PTA Dine Out

December 11 Latino Coffee

December 16-20 Winter Spirit Week

December 23-January 1 No School
Jennifer Taylor-Cox
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