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#EagleNation Updates

Week of 11/26/23/ Semana del 26/11/23

#EagleNation Updates Week of 11/26/23/ Semana del 26/11/23

Welcome to the week of January 26th

D A T E S * T O * R E M E M B E R

  • Jan. 29: No School For Students Teacher Grading Day

  • Jan. 30: First day of the Quarter

  • Feb. 5: Zoom Chat with the Principal (Re Change in Magnet Coordinator/ 7th Grade Administrator)

  • Feb. 6: Report cards

  • Feb. 17: Holiday

  • Feb. 28 Early Release


*NEW: EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR- Last Day of School is Now June 16. (June 13 is now a FULL day)


MCPS School Calendar 24-25

Eastern's 25-26 School Calendar

MCPS 2025-2026 School Calendar

Change in Magnet Coordinator & 7th Grade Administrator

I wanted to take a moment to share some important news about a transition at our school. Mr. Kerwin has accepted a new role at MCPS central office. Please find his loving message to Eastern Middle School here.


While we will miss him dearly at Eastern Middle School, we are supportive of this next step in his career after working at just one location, Eastern, for 20 years. We worked with the office to extend the start date which was early February and now his new role will officially begin on February 18th.


After advocating for additional transition time, we have now shifted our focus to planning for the reassignment of Mr. Kerwin’s duties. At this time, I am considering an internal candidate since the position will not be permanently filled this school year. I will share more details later this week once I receive approval from central office to proceed with the selected replacement. Then initial plans will be shared to ensure smooth transition of Mr. Kerwin’s responsibilities and to continue our partnership, I will address any questions and gather additional input about the transition from families through a "Family Chat" via Zoom on February 5th from 6:00 PM to 6:45 PM.

Meeting ID: 988 2551 6788

Password: ems (lower case letters)

https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/98825516788?pwd=czgzUDM5TjI2eHhrMTlLbzcyeTJLUT09


Thankfully, we are fortunate to retain much of the institutional knowledge that Mr. Kerwin contributed as part of the Humanities Magnet Program since several of our teachers have been part of the program for years. We will rely on their expertise and experience to ensure consistency and high-quality programming throughout the remainder of the school year.


While our immediate focus is on maintaining the high quality of programming through this transition, please rest assured that a full-time replacement will be hired for the next school year. Our commitment to providing the best possible experience for our students and families is important.


Thank you for continuing to partner with us on behalf of your children.

Adjusted WIDA Testing Schedule through January 31, 2025

Information: Please find the adjusted WIDA testing schedule below:

  • 1/23-Grade 8 Reading Make Ups

  • 1/24-Grade 7 Reading Section

  • 1/28 --Grade 6 Reading Section

  • 1/30 & 1/31 --Grade 6-8 Reading Make Ups

Please remind students to be present daily for their WIDA ACCESS Assessment. If you have questions, contact Mr. Feamster via email at Charles_S_Feamster@mcpsmd.org

Response to Questions About Immigration Practices at School

There have been several inquiries made about the school practices as it relates to immigration. Please find updates provided to the county by a director at the state level regarding ICE:


  • There are NO plans for ICE to visit or take actions at or near schools in Maryland.

  • ICE only performs “Targeted Enforcement Actions,” meaning that they only perform specific actions against known individuals with their current focus of addressing criminal activity of non-US citizens, where warrants are served, and the rule of law is upheld.

  • ICE currently does not have any ability in Maryland to detain juveniles and none of their facilities in the DMV have this capacity.

  • If ICE needs to visit a school in MCPS for any reason, central office would be notified prior and there would be an opportunity for our legal counsel to engage. There are no current plans to do so.

MCPS has provided immigration resources including, "Student and Family Immigration Supports" flyer. (Full Flyer)

If you have further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact an administrator.

EagleNation PTSA

We hope you're staying warm this winter! Due to recent school closings, our general body meeting has been rescheduled to February. At that meeting, we’ll share an updated events schedule, which we’ll also announce here soon.

In the meantime, here’s how you can stay connected and get involved:

Thank you for your continued support!

COMPLETE MCPS STUDENT EXPECTATIONS LESSONS

Mandatory student expectation lessons were shared to ensure consistent messaging to students regarding building a Culture of Respect and the MCPS Code of Conduct. The training modules are mandatory asynchronous learning accessible on every student’s MCPS Canvas page. Each lesson will take approximately 45 minutes. The completion of the lesson is important which is why during the first quarter, we allocated in-school time to complete the module. Currently the Eastern student body has reached 67% completion and we would like to move closer to 100% completion to ensure all students have certified their understanding of the Code of Conduct and expectations for respect in schools.


This year’s annual student training module has two parts, and both are required learning experiences.


  • Part one is the updated edition of the annual “Culture of Respect.” We must take an active role to ensure students are informed and able to recognize signs of bullying/cyberbullying, harassment (including sexual harassment), hate-bias incidents, hazing, intimidation, student gender norms, and how to use the Speak Up Protocol.
  • Part two ensures that students are aware of key information in the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Student Rights and Responsibilities and MCPS Code of Conduct documents. This training educates students on their expectations for creating a learning environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and knows the various ways to report alleged/concerning incidents.


For questions regarding the modules, please reach out to Mr. Kerwin at: matthew_f_kerwin@mcpsmd.org.

MCPS Things to Know for 1/123/24

Please find MCPS Things to know for January 23rd.

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

  • Changes Coming to School Calendar After Weather-Related Closures
  • Community Meetings on Operating Budget
  • Changes to COSA Process Coming This Year
  • Winter Parent Academy Schedule Now Available

MCPS Shares Parent's Guide to Student Suspensions and Expulsions.

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) recognizes the importance of parents

understanding the Code of Conduct and school disciplinary procedures in order to effectively

support and advocate for their child. The Anti-Racist Audit and community engagement revealed the need for MCPS to better engage with families about navigating district and school processes, including but not limited to, matters of school discipline.


The Parent’s Guide to Student Suspensions & Expulsions has been developed as an informative

two-page summary to inform parents about this aspect of school discipline, as a tool for

parents/guardians to support and advocate for their child, and foster greater family engagement

to create partnerships between schools and families for the student’s success. This

Masks Recommended (Not Required) In the Health Room

In recent weeks, Montgomery County and the state of Maryland have experienced a substantial increase in respiratory virus illnesses (including COVID-19, influenza, and RSV) resulting in outpatient visits and hospitalizations. Per State and County Health Officer’s recommendations, mask wearing is now recommended in All Health Rooms. While wearing a mask will support our efforts to prevent the spread of these illnesses, it is not required. No one should be denied access to the health room due to not wearing a mask.

Maryland Department of Health recommends that health care practices consider heightened clinical practices when the statewide combined weekly respiratory virus-associated hospitalization rate (as calculated by CDC) meets or exceeds 10 hospitalizations per 100,000 residents. Maryland has reported hospitalizations rates >10 / 100,000 for the previous 2 weeks, triggering this guidance.

REMINDERS/ REPOSTS

PARENT SQUARE IS COMING!

You will notice a slight change in format when you receive future weekly communications. No need to worry, MCPS is changing its contract with Blackboard Connect Ed and moving over to ParentSquare. There is nothing new for you to do this time, this notification is just to clarify why you will notice a slight change in formats. If you have any questions, please contact an administrator. REMIND will remain the primary contact for emergencies during the school day, so please be sure to download the app!

Report Cards Are Coming!

Report cards will be distributed on Thursday, February 6th.

  • The second marking period will end on Tuesday, January 28th
  • School will be closed on Wednesday, January 29th.

Excel Beyond the Bell

We’re excited to announce that Excel Beyond the Bell (EBB) is coming to Eastern! This amazing after-school program, sponsored by Montgomery County Recreation, runs Monday through Thursday from 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM and offers a variety of fun activities like basketball, coed soccer, e-sports, fashion, anime, drama, podcasting, video game development, tennis, digital art, volleyball, LEGO motion, and much more! Sign-ups started on Friday 1/10 and will be collected through Wednesday, January 22nd. Don’t wait—get your registration forms in now! Forms are available in the cafeteria, main office, or room 303.


While EVERYONE is welcome to participate in EBB, please note that the 5:30 PM bus is only available for students who live locally. If you need transportation and don't qualify for the 5:30 PM bus, you can leave early and take the 4:15 PM activity bus, available Tuesday through Thursday.


Questions? Reach out to Paul Harmon and Gwen Rosero via email EBB.Eastern@montgomerycountymd.gov

Flyer

Registration Form

F A M I L Y * R E S O U R C E S

THANK YOU EAGLE STRUT SPONSORS

* H E R E * T O * H E L P !

Emails and phone numbers for support in the school:


Counselors: (COUNSELING WEBSITE- RESOURCES FOR MENTAL HEALTH)

GRADE 6

GRADE 7

GRADE 8


Administrators:


Family Supports:


#EagleNation: Matching to students, staff & community needs for a 5-Star Experience!

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

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