#EagleNation Updates

• September 2: Labor Day
• September 11: PICTURE DAY!!!
• September 19: Back To School Night
• September 27: Early Release
• October 3: No School
• October 18: No School Staff Professional Day)

EASTERN'S School Year Calendar/ MCPS School Calendar 24-25

Thank you parents who worked with us last week to keep our car loop moving quickly.

As a note, doors open 7:50 which is 5 minutes after staff is contracted to arrive. We understand some students arrive before that time, but it is important that parents and caregivers understand we do not open the front doors for supervision until 7:50.

Additionally, please remember that we are working to keep our students safe so please follow instructions and traffic patterns even when you are in a rush. Thank you!

7th graders, if you have not been vaccinated or provided documentation of your vaccination, you will be excluded from school on Monday, September 16, 2024

Find a free vaccination clinic at the following locations and times:

**Loiderman Middle School:** September 10th, from 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM

**Francis Scott Key Middle School:** September 11th, from 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM

Eastern Middle School 7th graders will spend three weeks in world studies classes learning important ideas of financial literacy like saving, investing and budgeting.

• Learning will end with a field trip to Finance Park at Edison High School to put into practice what they learned through a real-life simulation.
• Students must shop for what they need to live and work but stay within their budget.

ACTION NEEDED: Eastern will need several parent volunteers each day January 15, 16, and 17, to support our students. To sign up click here or scan the QR code.

Thank you in advance for your support!

https://bit.ly/FinanceParkVolunteerEMS.

As an update we are moving forward and working to enforce cellphones "Away All Day." We will ask our families to join in the conversation at an upcoming PTSA meeting. However, at this time, here are some ways you can help:

1. Please avoid calling your child on their cellphones during the day. If you have a family situation, you can call the main office and we will get a message to the student or have them come to the office to call you.
2. Talk to your child about phones "Away All Day." Let them know you think it is important and that our entire community supports this effort. (4 Ways to talk to your kids about phone addiction)
3. Support the enforcement of "Away All Day." There were only a few students who were challenged by the instruction to stay off phones. We will begin calling home to families when there is a repeated issue and we ask for your support in helping your child follow this important rule.

If you have any questions, feel free to follow up with your student’s grade-level administrator: 6th Grade- Ms. Levin, 7th Grade- Mr. Kerwin and 8th Grade- Mr. Feamster.

We’re excited to announce that the Fall Sports Season has officially started. Click here to learn all the details!

The Library Media Center Book Nook is back! Look at our September Book Nook Issue for the latest from Eastern’s Library Media Center.

Read information from our Restorative Practices Coordinator, Mr. Menth (shawn_e_menth@mcpsmd.org), about the approach to incorporating restorative practices in schools. You can also reach out to him if you have more questions about the philosophy and how we collaborate to foster a caring environment at Eastern!

We are working to spruce up our old building a bit! If you are involved in landscaping or own a landscaping company and are looking for ways to give back to the school community, please reach out to the main office at (240) 740-6280 and speak to Ms. Perez to let her know would like to donate time to help!

We can't make the building new, but we can make it NEAT and we are looking to beautify some of our grounds on a very tight budget. We are also considering a plan for a Fall Clean Up in October and you can notify Ms. Perez if you are interested in participating.

Speaking of making Eastern beautiful, shout out to our PTSA President, Mr. Shah,

who helped us score signage at a 65% discount (including free installation) by working with Signs by Tomorrow in Beltsville. We are so grateful for our community partners!

• Review MPCS' Things to Know from 8/29 with information about Back-to-School nights, superintendent's entry plan including engagement information, athletic safety plan and a story about the launch of girls' flag football.

As a reminder, Monday, September 16, 2024: 7th Grade students who have not provided documentation of the required vaccinations must be EXCLUDED from school until such documentation is provided.

Immunization Clinic Schedule for Families

Families new to MCPS are encouraged to sign up for a ParentVUE account. ParentVUE is the online parent portal that serves as the primary communication vehicle for schools to share information regarding grades, attendance, scheduling, access to myMCPS Classroom and more.

ParentVUE Quick Guides

English / español / 中文 / français / Português / 한국어 / tiếng Việt / አማርኛ

Find the MCPS handbooks which include guidelines developed for students of Montgomery County Public Schools which address Board of Education (BOE) policies and MCPS regulations. Updated online versions of all four handbooks are available on the MCPS website at https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/students/rights/.

On this site you will find:

• Students' Rights and Responsibilities
• Student Code of Conduct
• Guidelines for Respecting Religious Diversity
• Guidelines for Student Gender Identity

• Sign up for the PTSA email group. It's FREE! Connect with other parents and receive important communications and reminders. https://groups.google.com/g/eastern-ptsa

• Become a member of the Eastern PTSA. Suggested donation: $10. Your contributions go to academic programs, teacher mini-grants, social events, staff appreciation meals and more. https://fspta-00016130.givebacks.com/store/items/709250

Emails and phone numbers for support in the school:

• Main Office: (240) 740-6280
• Admin Secretary: Ms. Perez: priscilla_b_smith@mcpsmd.org
• Attendance Secretary: Ms. Blanco: isaura_m_blanco-flores@mcpsmd.org
• Front Office Secretary: Ms. Alexander monica_s_alexander@mcpsmd.org
• Financial Assistant: Ms. Zhang: rui_zhang@mcpsmd.org

Counselors: (COUNSELING WEBSITE- RESOURCES FOR MENTAL HEALTH)

GRADE 6

• (Last Names A-Q): Ms. Meyer jessi_meyer@mcpsmd.org
  
• (Last Names S-Z): Ms. Birkett shondell_birkett@mcpsmd.org

GRADE 7

• (Last Names A-R): Ms. Greene- rachel_m_greene@mcpsmd.org
• (Last Names S-Z): Ms. Birkett- shondell_birkett@mcpsmd.org

GRADE 8

• Ms. Cwerner cayla_cwerner@mcpsmd.org

Administrators:

• Principal - Ms. Shorts: lisa_n_shorts@mcpsmd.org
• 6th Grade Assistant Principal- Deidre Levin: deirdre_m_mcshealevin@mcpsmd.org
• 7th Assistant Principal- Matthew Kerwin: matthew_f_kerwin@mcpsmd.org
• 8th Grade Assistant Principal- Charles Feamster: charles_s_feamster@mcpsmd.org

Family Supports:

• Parent Community Coordinator - Mirna Medrano-romero: mirna_a_medrano-romero@mcpsmd.org
• PTA President- Shripal Shah: eastern.ptsa.president@gmail.com

Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/easternms

Location: Eastern Middle School, University Boulevard East, Silver Spring, MD, USA
Phone: (240) 740-6280
X : @EasternMS_Prin