Lake Seneca Family Newsletter

Dear Lake Seneca Families,

I hope you’re having a wonderful weekend! We truly appreciate your ongoing support and involvement—it makes a big impact. Whether it’s assisting with schoolwork, staying in touch with teachers, or encouraging your child, your efforts help us tremendously.

As the school year progresses, we remain focused on fostering a positive, safe, and engaging environment for our students. Your partnership is invaluable, and together, we can continue to guide our students toward success.

Always Learning, Always Growing!

RJ Henderson

Principal

Upcoming Events

Monday, October 14:

• OPEN HOUSE!!!
• Morning session: 9:15 AM – 11:15 AM
• Afternoon session: 1:15 PM – 3:15 PM
• Flag Football/Soccer 3:45-4:45

Thursday, October 17: Kindergarten Field Trip (9:40-2:00)

Friday, October 18: No School for Students

Monday, October 21: Flag Football/Soccer 3:45-4:45

Wednesday, October 23: Vision & Hearing Screening Day 1

Thursday, October 24:

• Vision & Hearing Screening Day 2
• Fall Picture Day 1
• Fifth Grade Field Trip (11:20-2:00)

Friday, October 25: Fall Picture Day 2

Monday, October 28: Flag Football/Soccer 3:45-4:45

At Lake Seneca Elementary, we recognize that part of our role is to teach students how to manage conflict effectively. While physical altercations are not tolerated, we also understand that, developmentally, children may sometimes resort to physical actions when expressing frustration. Our job as a school community, alongside parents and guardians, is to help our students learn the appropriate language to express their emotions and resolve conflicts peacefully.

Our approach to behavior intervention is rooted in the belief that it should be rehabilitative, restorative, educational, and administered fairly. We know the unique challenges our students and families face in the wake of the pandemic, and that’s why we approach discipline through a lens of equity, cultural awareness, and empathy. This means being flexible and adaptable, offering our students the support and resources they need, and striving to understand their lived experiences.

We use the Student Code of Conduct as our guide to set expectations for positive behavior and ensure fairness and equity in discipline. The purpose of the Code is to provide clear, consistent responses to student behavior while promoting an environment where teaching and learning can thrive. Protocols for addressing student misconduct align with federal and state requirements as well as Board policies and MCPS regulations, ensuring that when interventions are needed, they help restore order and foster a safe learning space for all.

For more details on our behavior expectations and interventions, please review the Student Code of Conduct, which is linked below. Thank you for your partnership in helping our students grow into respectful and responsible individuals.

At Lake Seneca Elementary, we are committed to ensuring that all students have the tools they need for success, including access to a device and reliable Wi-Fi at home. To help us determine which students need these resources, we are asking families to complete a brief survey.

For students who need a device at home, families can submit the Student Home Use Chromebook Request form. Once submitted, the student’s information will be verified for take-home device eligibility, and a Chromebook will be sent to the school for the student to check out. Please note that students will not be required to bring the home-use Chromebook to and from school. The request form is available in both English and Spanish for your convenience.

If your family needs Wi-Fi access, you can also request a MiFi device by notifying a staff member, who will complete the Student MiFi Request form on your behalf.

We are here to support you and ensure every student has the resources they need. If you have any questions or need assistance with these requests, please contact the school office.

We’re excited to announce that our Fall Book Fair will be here from October 21-25! This is a great opportunity for your child to explore new books, spark their imagination, and support our school library.

We need your help to make this event a success! Volunteers are essential to keeping things running smoothly. If you’re able to lend a hand, please consider signing up using the link below:

Volunteer Sign-Up:

[Book Fair Volunteer Sign-Up](https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0949ACAE28ABFCCE9-51757031-lses#/)

To make your child’s shopping experience easier, you can also set up an **e-wallet** so they can shop cash-free. Learn more about the e-wallet system here:

E-Wallet Information:

[Scholastic E-Wallet Guide](https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/content/fairs/videos/intro-to-ewallet-fair-files.html)

Let’s make this year’s book fair a great one! Happy reading! 🎉📖

We understand that enrolling your children in before and after care can be a financial challenge. That's why Global Children's Center is committed to helping families access scholarship programs that make care more affordable. If you need assistance with enrollment or would like more information about our scholarship options, please don't hesitate to reach out to our Voucher Specialist, Ms. Naureen, at vouchers@globalchildrenscenter.com. We're here to help!

The MCPS school year calendar is designed to ensure the effective use of time for teaching, learning, and professional growth. It supports planning instructional strategies that focus on improving student achievement while keeping an equity lens for all students.

MCPS is seeking input about the 2025–2026 school year calendar! Please take a moment to complete the MCPS School Calendar Feedback Survey. Your input will be used to select the first and last day of school, as well as other important dates for the coming school year.

At Lake Seneca Elementary, we are dedicated to creating an equitable, positive, and respectful school culture where all students can learn in a safe environment that promotes both academic and social success. Any behavior that disrupts learning, creates a hostile environment, or negatively impacts a student's well-being—whether academic, psychological, social, or physical—will not be tolerated.

Bullying, harassment, or intimidation is defined as any repeated, unwanted, intentional behavior by one or more individuals aimed at harming, intimidating, or humiliating a targeted person or group. This behavior is often characterized by an imbalance of power or strength and can be motivated by personal characteristics or group affiliations, whether real or perceived. Such actions disrupt the school environment, interfere with students' learning, and create a climate of fear that can harm the physical and emotional health of students.

We kindly ask parents to talk with their children about appropriate behaviors, emphasizing the importance of respect, kindness, and ensuring that their actions do not interfere with a teacher’s ability to teach or a student’s ability to learn. Together, we can foster a positive environment for all students to thrive.

Every adult at Lake Seneca is responsible for preventing bullying and maintaining a safe and respectful space. All reports of bullying will be thoroughly investigated, and any concerns from parents will be addressed immediately with the appropriate actions.

If you have concerns about bullying, harassment, or intimidation, please complete the Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation Reporting Form (https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/forms/pdf/230-35.pdf) so we can take immediate steps to address the situation.

Thank you for working with us to ensure that all students can learn and grow in a safe, supportive environment!

At Lake Seneca Elementary, the safety and well-being of our students and staff is always our top priority. Throughout the school year, we will be participating in several emergency preparedness drills. These drills are carefully communicated to both students and staff in advance to help reduce any additional stress or anxiety, ensuring everyone remains calm and confident in their roles during an emergency.

Additionally, all visitors entering the building will be required to sign in using our Visitor Management System. Please remember to bring a valid, official ID, as it will be needed for entry. This process helps us maintain a secure environment for all of our students.

Thank you for your continued support in making Lake Seneca a safe and secure place for learning!

Our school is fortunate to receive supplemental funding through Title I, a federal grant program for schools that serve communities with students who have high economic needs. The federal legislation that establishes Title I regulations is known as the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA). ESSA requires Montgomery County Public Schools to inform you that you have the right to request information about the professional certification qualifications of your child’s teacher, long-term substitute teacher, or paraeducator (formerly titled instructional assistant).

If you wish to request certification information about your child’s teacher, paraeducator, or long-term substitute teacher, please submit a written request to the principal at your school. Your written inquiry may include information about the following qualifications:

• Degree status and subject area of certification.

• State of Maryland certification status, including conditional certification status.

• Qualifications of paraeducators or long-term substitute teachers who may be working

• with your student.

Your request will be forwarded to Department of Human Capital Management and you will receive a written response from that office within thirty (30) business days.

Please contact the principal if you have any questions.