
Lake Seneca Family Newsletter
Sunday, March 9
Hello Lake Seneca Families,
I hope you had a wonderful weekend! We are looking forward to an exciting event coming up, our Reading & Math Carnival on Tuesday, April 2, from 6:00–8:00 PM! This will be a fun-filled evening where families can engage in hands-on activities that support literacy and math skills. Stay tuned for more details, and we hope to see you there!
As we continue through March, let's keep up the momentum with attendance and learning. Thank you for ensuring your child is at school each day and for supporting their growth in reading and math at home. Every moment counts!
I appreciate your partnership in making Lake Seneca a place where students thrive. Let’s have another great week!
Always Learning, Always Growing!
Mr. Henderson
Week At A Glance
Tuesday, March 11:
- Patrol Meeting 12:00
Wednesday, March 12:
- MISA Grade 5: 9:00-11:15
- Grade 5 Family Life Meeting (Virtual) 6:30
Thursday, March 13:
- MISA Grade 5: 9:00-11:15
Friday, March 14:
- WIZE STEAM After School Club 3:45-4:45
Tuesday, March 18:
- EveryMind Parent Informational Meeting 9:00-10:00
Thursday, March 20: WALKING WEDNESDAY
Friday, March 21:
- WIZE STEAM After School Club 3:45-4:45
Join Our PTA – Get Involved Today!
We encourage all families to join the Lake Seneca Elementary School PTA and be an active part of our school community! The PTA Membership Form is included below, and we will also be sending home hard copies later this week for your convenience.
By joining the PTA, you are helping to support school events, student programs, and teacher initiatives that directly benefit our children. A strong PTA means a strong school, and we need your voice and support to make a difference!
Complete the form today and become a member! Thank you for your partnership in making our school the best it can be!
Supporting Students During Fasting
Ramadan began on March 1. During this time, some students may be fasting. If your child will be fasting for Ramadan or for any other reason, please inform their teacher. This helps us provide appropriate support, such as a designated space during lunch and accommodations for recess and physical education.
Thank you for helping us create an inclusive and supportive environment for all students!
🎉 Kindergarten Registration & Orientation for 2025-2026 🎉
Is your child ready for kindergarten? If they will be 5 years old by September 1, 2025, it's time to enroll for the upcoming school year at Lake Seneca Elementary!
🔹 How to Register
➡ Online Registration Opened February 3, 2025 – Families can complete the process through the ParentVUE portal.
➡ In-Person Registration Begins March 17, 2025 – Schools will provide more details on scheduling.
🔹 Kindergarten Program
Lake Seneca offers a full-day kindergarten program to support early learning and development.
📢 Stay tuned for more information on Kindergarten Orientation! This will be an opportunity for families to visit the school, meet staff, and learn about the kindergarten experience.
Let’s get ready for an exciting start to your child’s learning journey! 🚀
🏀 Pro Skills Basketball – Tryouts & Free Clinics! 🏀
Lake Seneca Families, are your students interested in basketball? Pro Skills Basketball (PSB) DC, led by Director James Maerder, is a youth basketball organization focused on player development. They are committed to helping young athletes improve their skills in a supportive and competitive environment.
🔹 Free Basketball Clinics – PSB’s certified instructors are offering free skills clinics at schools, focusing on ball handling, passing, defense, and shooting.
🔹 Tryouts in March – PSB is holding team tryouts for students in grades 3-11. This is a great opportunity for young athletes to develop their game and be part of a competitive team that prioritizes growth over wins.
🔹 Coaching Opportunities – Interested in coaching? PSB offers professional development and coaching positions for those looking to mentor young athletes.
For more details on tryouts and clinics, visit Pro Skills Basketball or contact James Maerder at 423-502-1348.
Free 3-Week Kindness & Martial Arts Program for Grades K-5
Dear Lake Seneca Families,
We are excited to share a FREE 3-week Kindness & Martial Arts program offered by Master Method Karate to students in grades K-5! This program is designed to help students:
✅ Develop confidence
✅ Understand and handle bullying
✅ Show kindness and respect to others
✅ Learn fun and essential martial arts skills
📍 Locations & Schedule:
-
Rockville (Limit: 30 spots)
📅 Saturdays, March 15, 22, 29 – 9:15 AM
📍 Master Method Karate – Headquarters, 5538 Randolph Road, Rockville, MD 20852
-
Olney (Limit: 25 spots)
📅 Saturdays, March 15, 22, 29 – 11:15 AM
📍 Sandy Spring Friends Meeting House – Lyceum Room, 17801 Meeting House Road, Sandy Spring, MD 20860
-
Damascus (Limit: 30 spots)
📅 Saturdays, March 15, 22, 29 – 12:00 PM
📍 Master Method Karate Damascus, 10017 Locust Drive, Damascus, MD 20872
-
Gaithersburg (Limit: 30 spots)
📅 Saturdays, March 15, 22, 29 – 2:30 PM
📍 PowerHouse Studio, 212 E Diamond Ave, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
🔗 REGISTER NOW: Click here to sign up!
💡 Space is limited! If a session fills up, you may be notified of alternate options.
This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to gain life skills while having fun. We are grateful for this community partnership and encourage our families to take advantage of this program!
With gratitude,
Master Method Karate
🎹 Schaeffer’s Piano Company Public Sale – March 8–16, 2025 🎶
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is pleased to share information about Schaeffer’s Piano Company, Inc.'s biannual public sale of instruments, happening March 8–16, 2025. During this time, families will have the opportunity to purchase pianos at reduced prices.
This sale is part of MCPS’s partnership with Schaeffer’s Piano Company, Inc., ensuring that students and families are informed of this event. If you are interested in purchasing a piano or learning more, please visit Schaeffer’s Piano Company for details.
Don't miss this great opportunity to bring music into your home!
Easier Access to School Menus with MealViewer!
The Division of Food and Nutrition Services (DFNS) has made it easier than ever to view your student’s school menus! With MealViewer, students, parents, and community members can access:
- School-specific menu offerings
- Nutritional information for each meal
- Filter options for top allergens
You can use MealViewer on a computer browser, the MealViewer app (available for Android and iPhone), or any smartphone browser. No sign-in or passwords are required to view menus!
MealViewer also offers optional features like:
- Rating food items
- Starring favorite meals
- Using a nutrition calculator
- Creating a personalized profile
Check out your school’s menu today and stay informed about the meals served at Lake Seneca Elementary!
Get Your Lake Seneca Yearbook
We’re thrilled to announce that our online yearbook store is opening , and we’ve got some exciting tools to make it easier than ever for families to grab their copy!
Key Details:
- Store Opens: January 6th
- Store Closes: April 18th
- Yearbook Price: $20.00 (plus tax and a small convenience fee)
- Optional Personalization: Add a personal touch for just $4.99!
How to Order:
Visit our online storefront at https://shop.yearbookmarket.com/lakesenecaelementary to order your yearbook in a snap!
Keep an eye out for yearbook flyers and posters with a QR code for easy access.
Don't wait—secure your memories before the store closes. Let’s make this yearbook one for the books!
Important Chromebook Update for Families
Effective December 4, 2024, MCPS has disabled and will collect older Acer Chromebook models that have reached their end-of-life and should no longer be in use.
Key Information:
- Retired Models: Acer C720, C740, C738, and C771.
- Current Use: These models have been used in limited settings, such as for home use or school kiosks/signage.
- What You Need to Do:
- Students using one of these models should return their device to the school.
- If your child needs a replacement device for home use, please complete the Home Use Form as soon as possible to avoid disruption.
- Deadline: Devices will be disabled starting December 4, 2024.
Additional Notes:
- Families of students with these models will receive more information about the transition and how to request a new device if needed.
- Other Chromebook models, including 15-inch Acer Spins and Lenovo devices, will continue to work as usual.
We encourage all families to help ensure these devices are returned promptly to minimize any interruptions in access to technology.
Winter Weather is Coming (maybe): Are you ready?
Winter is coming and with it can bring inclement weather. Please be sure to familiarize yourself with the color code statuses and don't miss our Superintendent's Video linked below as well.
- Green: Normal Operations
- Yellow: Delayed Opening
- Blue: Early Dismissal
- Red: Schools and Offices Closed
- Orange: Schools Closed Offices Telework
Access to Devices and Wi-Fi for the 2024-2025 School Year
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.
Global Children's Center
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!