Principal's Message
Dear MHES families and staff,
We are excited to welcome everyone back for another great week at Meadow Hall Elementary School! As we kick off the week, we are thrilled to invite you to join us for our Parent Coffee on Friday morning, January 31, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. During this time, we will be sharing valuable information about the CKLA curriculum and how it supports your child’s learning. We encourage all families to attend, as this is a wonderful opportunity to gain insights and connect with other parents in our community.
Additionally, I want to take a moment to address concerns regarding federal policies that could potentially impact our community. I want to assure all families that MCPS remains steadfast in its commitment to maintaining safe, inclusive, and welcoming spaces for every student and family. Included in this week’s newsletter is a Principal’s Letter to the Meadow Hall Community, where I have outlined our ongoing efforts and dedication to supporting our entire community during these times of change. I encourage you to take a moment to read this letter and reach out if you have any questions or need assistance.
At Meadow Hall, we value the strength of our community, and we are committed to working together to ensure a safe and positive environment for all. Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting your child’s education.
Please see the information below for the week of January 26, 2025.
Desmond Mackall
Principal
Meadow Hall ES
IMPORTANT DATES:
This is B Week Schedule: Grades K-2- Counseling Lessons; Gr. 3-5- Media Lessons
January
29- No School for Students (Grading and Reporting Day for Teachers)
30- End of Marking Period 2
31- Parent Coffee (CKLA Curriculum Chat at 9:05 am in Portable 4)
February
4-PTA Meeting (7pm)
6- Parent Coffee- (9:05 am in All Purpose Room)
7-Winter Party Dance - (6-8pm in the All Purpose Room)
KAH: Kid's Night Out Valentine's Day
KAH is offering a Kid's Night Out Valentine's Day Celebration for the MHES community. Families looking for a safe space for their kids while they get some "time off" to enjoy Valentines' Day can consider KAH as an option in the event you cannot find child care. The Kid's Celebration is from 6:30-9:30 and is $25 per kid. Scan the QR code on the flyer if you are interested!
B Week Instrumental Music Schedule
This week is an B Week. The following groups will have Instrumental , 2025:
- 4th Grade Strings 1
- 5th Grade Strings 1
- Clarinet 1
- Flute 1 & 2
- Saxophone 2
- Strings 2
- Brass 1
Families, please remind your child to bring their instruments this week. We had many students forget their instruments last week so we are pushing for perfect attendance as we are excited to prepare for the Spring Concert. Please check in with classroom teachers regarding the instrumental music (IM) schedule if you have questions or reach out to Ms. Renk at Elissa_J_MendezRenk@mcpsmd.org.
A Word from Mrs. Jackson: Community School Liaison!
COMMUNITY SCHOOL UPDATES
Know Your Rights Community Event - Juntos Prosperamos!
The Know Your Rights event at Twinbrook Elementary School has been rescheduled for 1/28/25 at 6 PM. Community partners will be present to provide families and allies with resources and support. Dinner will be provided. All parents and staff are encouraged to participate.
This event will not be offered via Zoom; however, I will continue to share opportunities to attend these types of events with the community. Here is one option coming up soon:
1/30/25 8 PM: American Civil Liberties Union “People Power Mass Deportation Know Your Rights Training. Register here
SNAP Clinic 2/5/25 at 5:30 PM
MANNA Foods will host a SNAP clinic for MHES families on 2/5/25 at 5:30 PM. Please register for the clinic here: https://forms.gle/f2QJZ8XVSdz5C6uu5
Coffee and Conversation:
Our January Coffee and Conversation was rescheduled due to the snow. Please join us on January 31, 2025, at 9:05 AM! Our Reading Specialist, Ms. Bartee will share information and answer questions about our new reading curriculum, CKLA. Parents will walk away with a better understanding of how to support their student’s reading at home.
Our February Coffee and Conversation will be held on February 6, 2025. Clinical Director from the Tree House Child Advocacy Center, Molly Cupid, will lead a discussion on Adverse Childhood Experiences and the impact they can have on child development. Parents will walk away with a better understanding of ACES, expected behavioral changes that come as a result, and how to help your child through them.
As always, interpretation will be provided. Breakfast and pastries will be on the menu! Additionally, our new community resource, Meadow Hall Market, will be open for families to access following parent coffees. We have shelf-stable food, hygiene products, and more on hand.
Small Things Matter fresh produce distributions:
Fresh produce will be distributed to 50 families after dismissal on February 7 and 21. Tickets will be available in front of the school starting at 3:15. To limit wait times, please complete the google form before going to portable 4 to pick up your food. If you have a need for food and cannot make it to the distribution, please contact me to make arrangements.
Community Reach Montgomery
Our partners from Community Reach Montgomery are back at Meadow Hall for a second session of English Conversation Classes! The classes are held on Monday and Wednesday 6:30-8:30 PM January 13 - February 26. MHES students are invited to participate in tutoring while parents are in class. Additionally, starting January 27, 2025, MCPS Division of Nutrition Services will provide supper for students and high school volunteers!
We are hopeful that everyone will return to class, and we are excited to welcome many more participants! Register here: https://forms.gle/n6yZkMfWZPALsYuH6
Thank you to PTA Parent, Ms. Rechy, for her continued support of this initiative!
PEP Parenting is coming to MHES!
We will host an 8-week program for parents and caregivers where parents will learn new tools each week; and meet with parents to share ideas and support one another. I am so thrilled for this community building opportunity for our families. Please register here: https://pep.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_03CvGtuV4kCee5o
SUN Bucks
Registration for Maryland SUN Bucks is open for Summer 2025! Maryland SUN Bucks helps families with school-aged children who receive free or reduced-price meals buy groceries during the summer break when school meals are unavailable. Families who qualify for the Maryland SUN Bucks program will receive $40 for June, July, and August ( a total of $120) for each eligible student. Apply here: https://mymdthink.maryland.gov/home/#/sunbucks
Kudos!
Thank you to the following parents for their continued support of the Community School Strategy! I am so appreciative of your time and commitment to the Meadow Hall Community!
Cristina Rechy
Angie Monterrosa
Carla Argote
Jasmine Coleman
Nicole Hennessey
If you would like to get more involved in the efforts to support our community, please reach out! We’re all in this together!
Jessica Jackson, MSW, LCSW-C
Community School Liaison for Meadow Hall Elementary School
Department of Student Engagement and Behavioral Health
Office of Well-Being and Student Services
Cell: 227-216-1193
IG: @meadowhalles_CSL
Twitter/X: @MHES_CSL
MLK Week of Service Project Extended until January 31st!
Due to the inclement weather delays in school. SGA will extend the deadline for notes and letters to kids in hospitals until January 31st. If you still would like to participate please turn in your notes/letters by the end of the month. Thank you to everyone who is participating in making a child's life just a bit brighter!
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PTA!
Join us for a Winter Party at Meadow Hall on February 7th from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. We will have a live DJ and fun activities including crafts, dancing, games, and a bake sale! This is not a drop-off event, children must be accompanied by an adult. Admission is $1.00 per person. We will also be collecting gently used books for MHES PTA's Books for All program, so please consider donating a book.
If you would like to help with the event either by food or monetary donations or by volunteering at the event, please use this link to sign-up. Thank you for your continued support and hope to see you there!
Want to get involved in the PTA?
MHES PTA is looking for members to participate on the PTA in various ways.
Next school year we will have 3 open board positions at the end of the school year. Please reach out to any current board member if you want to learn more about the board.
We encourage all families to look at the link below and consider supporting the PTA and getting involved on a committee for the new school year. See the link below:
PTA Committee Volunteer Positions-FY24
Box Tops for Education
Box Tops for Education is a program that gives money to schools for their family’s participation just by purchasing products and scanning the receipt in the Box Tops App. Box Tops earnings are used to fund items for the school and events. If you haven't done so already, Download the Box Tops App on your smartphone using Referral Code WZTM9R7Z. We promise it is a super easy task to get used to. Register and select Meadow Hall as your supporting school. SCAN your receipt with the Box Tops app within 14 days of purchase and EARN cash with every Box Tops product you buy.
Why join the PTA? Among the many, many good reasons, it basically boils down to being a great way to benefit your child, the school, and yourself by being involved in the PTA functions and connecting with other parents and staff. And for those of you who have been members in past years, don’t forget to renew your membership. Memberships are $10 for family and community members (only one membership is needed per family). We are thrilled to get to know everyone and see you all at our meetings and activities!
OTHER MCPS NEWS!
As a result of three weather-related emergency closures on Monday, Jan. 6, Tuesday, Jan. 7 and Wednesday, Jan. 8, MCPS has used the two contingency days built into the 2024-2025 school year calendar. An announcement about how the district will make up the third day will be shared with staff and families on Friday, Jan. 24.
Any further emergency closures will require the district to consider other make-up days that are identified in the school year calendar.
Thank You, MCPS Staff!
Hats off (well maybe not in this cold weather) to our terrific staff for their hard work this week! Dozens of employees from the Office of Facilities Management, the Division of Maintenance and Operations and the Department of Transportation worked tirelessly to remove ice and treat surfaces so MCPS buses could run and schools and offices could open safely for students, staff and visitors.
If you have ice remaining on sidewalks or roadways that you believe are causing a danger for students, staff or buses, please contact Montgomery County's 311 service to report those areas.
Join Us for Community Meetings on Operating Budget
The Montgomery County Board of Education is hosting community meetings to explain the MCPS budget process. Join Board President Julie Yang and Superintendent Dr. Thomas Taylor for a presentation and Q&A about the 2026 operating budget and how it reflects the Board's priorities.
Community Meetings Schedule:
- Tuesday, Jan. 28 – 6:30-8 p.m., Paint Branch High School (RSVP)
- Thursday, Jan. 30 – 6:30-8 p.m., Virtual Meeting (RSVP)
The Board of Education has been holding operating budget public hearings and work sessions. The last will be held on the following dates:
- Public Hearing: 6 p.m., Monday, Jan. 27.
- Work Session: 10 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 30.
The Board will tentatively adopt the operating budget at its business meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 4, with final adoption expected at its business meeting on Tuesday, June 10.
Read more and learn more about the proposed FY 2026 budget on this website.
Changes to COSA Process Coming This Year
The MCPS 2025-2026 Change of School Assignment (COSA) transfer season opens on Monday, Feb. 3, and closes on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. The COSA process allows families to submit a request for their children to transfer out of their assigned home school.
Students are expected to attend the school within the established attendance area in which they reside (home school) or are assigned based on their Individualized Education Program (IEP). Learn more about the criteria.
Important changes for the upcoming COSA transfer process:
- Requests submitted after April 1, 2025, will not be considered unless there was a recent move or an emergency event that could not have been foreseen prior to April 1.
- All COSA requests must be submitted online through ParentVue in Synergy. Parents who need support on how to use ParentVue to complete an online COSA request are encouraged to reach out to a staff member at their child’s assigned school.
- Detailed information related to the COSA process can be found in the 2025-2026 COSA information booklet, which will be available at the end of January.
For questions, call the Division of Pupil Personnel and Attendance Services at 240-740-5620.
Winter Parent Academy Schedule Now Available
Families and students can stay engaged throughout the school year with Parent Academy TO GO, a series of virtual webinars for families to watch at home. The January, February and March webinars are available on the Parent Academy website. Registration is available here.
Walt Whitman Basketball Players Trade Hoops for Aprons and Community Service
The varsity basketball players at Walt Whitman High School are proving they’re more than athletes—they’re community leaders. From volunteering at a D.C. soup kitchen to organizing food drives, the team is making a real impact. To see how they’re developing leadership skills on and off the court, read the full story.
Stay Connected
VISIT the MCPS homepage.
CALL 240-740-3000. Staff take calls from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, in English and Spanish (240-740-2845)
READ news and information sent via email and text message and on the MCPS News page.
FOLLOW the MCPS social media pages on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram in English and Spanish.
http://twitter.com/mcps
https://www.facebook.com/mcpsmd
https://www.instagram.com/mcps_mdhttps://www.facebook.com/mcpsespanol
https://twitter.com/MCPSEspanol
https://www.instagram.com/mcpsenespanol/SIGN UP for emails and text alerts and make sure your ParentVue information is up to date.
WATCH the MCPS cable channels Comcast 34 (1071 HD), Verizon 36 or RCN 89
Open Registrations
More From MCPS
ParentVUE and other Important Online Resources
Sign Up For ParentVUE to Stay in Touch With Your School
Families new to MCPS are encouraged to sign up for a ParentVUE account at the beginning of the school year. 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 provides a way to view school-related information and data for students. Register for athletics, and special programs, communicate with teachers, and verify your student information annually.
ParentVUE also allows access to Canvas/MyMCPSClassroom, a digital learning platform. Parents and guardians can view instructional information and resources, and get alerts about assignments and grades.Sign up for Alert MCPS
Alert MCPS provides emergency information about school closures or emergencies via text or email messages to devices you register. Sign up here.Know These Important System Resources A. GoFan: This online digital ticketing platform offers fast and easy access to tickets for high school events, and allows fans to enter games quickly and safely. For ticketed sports, tickets are no longer sold at the gate and must be purchased online. B. SchoolCash Online: https://www.schoolcashonline.com MCPS has transitioned to this online payment system as its preferred method of payment for all school-related fees. Schools and offices will now use SchoolCash Online for fundraising, field trips, course fees and extracurricular activities. This new payment system is not related to school cafeteria accounts.
MySchoolBucks:Use MySchoolBucks to add school meal money to your child’s account. This will eliminate the need for your child to bring money to school every day. This year, meals (lunch and breakfast) will not be universally free. If your student wants to buy lunch in school, they will need a MySchoolBucks account. Families who believe they qualify for free and reduced-price meals can apply here.
Meadow Hall Principal
Email: Desmond_Mackall2@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/meadowhalles/
Location: 951 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD, USA
Phone: 240-740-5260
Twitter: @MHES_Principal
Meadow Hall Assistant Principal
Email: Ilana_N_Simhon@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/meadowhalles/
Location: 951 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD, USA
Phone: 240-740-5260
Twitter: @MeadowHallAP